Chapter 167: Never Knowing Sweetness, Nor the Bitterness That Follows
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“Originally, you could barely fill your stomach, but after your younger brother was born, your parents claimed that everything in the family had to be saved for the precious treasure that is your brother. You, being the worthless one, were deemed unworthy of proper food and clothing. So, your life became even harder.”
“Not only were you forced to take on more work, but you were also given even less to eat.”
The female ghost listened silently, without uttering a word. Were it not for the black aura of resentment surrounding her, hinting at her unrest, anyone observing her quiet demeanor might not have thought she was a dangerous entity.
Du Zi Heng and the others were also drawn into what Yu Zhi Yi was saying. Even the weakened Li Chang Huai mustered the energy to ask, “Even so, is it really necessary to kill so many people after death?”
Bang!
The world fell silent.
Yu Zhi Yi continued, “If you’ve never experienced sweetness, you wouldn’t understand what bitterness is. At most, you’d grow numb to it over time. But at the age of twelve, you learned what sweetness was.”
“You met a pair of wealthy siblings. They had sneaked out to explore on their own. When they arrived near South Cao Village, they were charmed by the picturesque mountains and waters. Seeing the innocent smiles on the villagers’ faces, the siblings decided to stay for a while.”
“The sister was fifteen, just of marriageable age. Her family had already arranged a match for her. After this trip, she was to return home and marry the man she loved.”
“The brother, thirteen, was a bright, chivalrous young master, full of justice and charm, and came from a wealthy background.”
“One day, he happened to see you almost fainting by the stream. Noticing your emaciated figure, he gave you two pieces of pastry.”
“Despite being only thirteen, this boy from a noble family had received a proper education in manners and morality. Unlike the spoiled brats from other rich families, he did not look down on the poor. On the contrary, he was kind to everyone.”
“After saving you, he realized your plight and asked about your situation. Upon learning of your suffering, he promised to find a way to take you away once he returned home.”
“Those two pastries were the first glimmer of light in the twelve years of darkness that had been your life. They were also the most delicious things you had ever eaten.”
“The second glimmer of light came from the boy’s sister. She was gentle and serene. One day, she accidentally saw the wounds on your body. Taking out her healing ointments, she tended to your injuries with care. Her gentle words and tender concern marked the first time anyone had looked at you with compassion and treated you so kindly.”
The resentment surrounding the female ghost thickened, and her voice turned hoarse and chilling as she growled, “They deserved to die! They all deserved to die!”
Liu Fei Yang couldn’t help but ask, “What exactly happened?”
Yu Zhi Yi’s gaze softened with a hint of sorrow. “The saying ‘villains thrive in remote places’ isn’t always an exaggeration.”
“The siblings’ father was a fourth-rank official. After seeing your plight, they were moved to compassion and wanted to help you and other unfortunate girls from the village. However, their plans were overheard by someone in the village.”
“That person was Cao Da Li. Cao Da Li had a son who was notorious for being idle, gluttonous, and lazy. The family was dirt poor, and his name alone made people shake their heads in disdain. No respectable family would consider marrying their daughters to him.”
Cao Da Li, desperate to ensure the continuation of his family line, revealed the secret plan of the siblings to the village chief. The chief, fearing reprisal from high-ranking officials, devised a dreadful scheme. He detained both siblings, delivering the sister to Cao Da Li’s son as a wife, and, in a horrific turn of events, had the brother beaten to death.
“Hiss…” Liu Fei Yang drew a sharp breath. “Are these people insane? They’d go as far as murder just because the siblings tried to rescue abused young girls?”
Du Zi Heng’s thoughts traveled further. “Thirty years ago, a fourth-rank official, siblings vanishing simultaneously… Are you speaking of the children of Former Minister of the Court of Ceremonies, Fan Da Ren?”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded solemnly. “Precisely.”
While reviewing case files, Yu Zhi Yi had come across the disappearance of Fan Da Ren’s children. However, the timeline between the siblings’ disappearance and the female ghost case spanned several years. Additionally, the siblings’ abduction occurred in a destitute village, far removed from the prosperous and powerful household of Sheng’s Capital, making it unlikely for anyone to connect the two events.
“After the brother’s death, Sister Fan was imprisoned by Cao Da Li’s family. Although their thatched cottage was flimsy and could be easily broken, the Cao family guarded their new daughter-in-law rigorously. At least one family member would watch over her every day.”
Yu Zhi Yi continued, “This strict surveillance eased only after Sister Fan gave birth to a child, Cao’s grandson. Yet, her freedom remained restricted; she was confined to the cottage daily.”
“For many women, giving birth often becomes their greatest vulnerability. Sister Fan wavered between thoughts of escape and enduring for her son’s sake.”
Yu Zhi Yi’s voice grew heavier. “At the time, she was unaware of her brother’s death. The Cao family, fearful she might take her own life, withheld the truth and used her brother’s safety as leverage to keep her compliant.
“For the sake of her brother and son, she endured this humiliation and clung to life.”
A turning point came five years later. At seventeen, Cao Zhao Di managed to slip away from her family’s and the villagers’ watchful eyes. She approached the Cao household and revealed the tragic truth of Brother Fan’s death to Sister Fan, promising to help her escape.
Upon learning of her brother’s demise, Sister Fan was devastated. Consumed by grief and fury, she resolved to make the entire village pay for her brother’s death. She agreed to Cao Zhao Di’s plan to flee together.
Yu Zhi Yi paused, her expression somber. “However, this brave girl never managed to escape the hellish village, nor did she avenge her brother. Even Cao Zhao Di’s fate was irrevocably altered by their attempted escape.”
“That night, a villager, who had stepped out to relieve himself, spotted the two girls sneaking away and shouted, ‘Oh no! Cao Da Li’s daughter-in-law is running away!’
“The entire village joined the chase. It didn’t take long before the girls were caught.”
“Realizing escape was futile and devastated by her brother’s death, Sister Fan took advantage of the villagers’ momentary distraction and ended her life by slamming her head against the old locust tree at the village entrance.”
“Fearing that Cao Zhao Di might follow suit, the villagers restrained her immediately. Later, Cao Da Li confronted Cao Zhao Di’s parents, accusing them of losing him a daughter-in-law due to their daughter’s incitement. To placate him, her parents offered Cao Zhao Di as a replacement bride for Cao’s son.”
Liu Fei Yang glanced at the scar on Cao Zhao Di’s head and was stunned. “She wasn’t beaten to death?”
It wasn’t out of malice that he asked but rather shock. Seeing the tragic state of this girl, anyone might have assumed she’d been bludgeoned to death in the villagers’ wrath.