Mistress of the Underworld and Her Little Celestial Wife (GL) - Chapter 2

The woman had charming, delicate features willow-leaf eyebrows drawn slender and long, peach-blossom eyes brimming with the richness of spring. Beneath her left eye was a crimson teardrop mole, giving her the appearance of a beauty lowering her gaze in sorrow. Mu Yin was momentarily entranced.

Outside the courtyard, the night was alive with a boisterous crowd of men and women dressed in red, playing festive music. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Mu Yin found their faces indistinct, impossible to make out clearly.

The only one she could see was the woman before her.

Several faceless maidservants entered the room, supporting Mu Yin as they seated her before the dressing table and began adorning her once more in the phoenix crown and bridal robes. Someone who seemed to be the wedding matron scattered red grains throughout the room, reciting auspicious phrases as she did so.

“Light the candles bright and clear,
A pair of red flames on either side.
The bride’s heart blooms with cheer,
I guide the newlyweds inside.”

“The wedding chamber glows with delight,
Moonlight paints the windows red.
Lantern flowers crown the night,
Upon them, phoenixes tread.”

Mu Yin felt a strange bewilderment. Watching the faceless maidservants dress her, she wasn’t afraid only dizzy, as if everything were unfolding naturally, devoid of emotion.

Once they finished, the maids helped her rise, and Mu Yin finally saw the woman who had been waiting in the room all along.

The red fan in the woman’s hand had vanished, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty.

Peach-blossom eyes, a lowered gaze, and a faint smile.

Mu Yin had seen many beautiful women in her life, but never one as stunning as this.

She was like the reflection of moonlight upon a cold, still pond so fragile that the slightest touch would shatter her.

As if guided by unseen forces, Mu Yin offered no resistance. Following the wedding matron’s chants and the sudden appearance of more faceless figures, she bowed with the woman before her, sealing their marriage.

“Shared nuptial wine, hands so fair,
Music swells to greet the pair.
Red silks tie a love-knot tight,
Bride and bride, united bright.”

The wedding matron presented two cups of wine, saying, “Newlyweds, drink this shared nuptial wine.”

Mu Yin stared blankly at the clear liquid before her, then turned to the woman beside her.

The woman glanced back, her eyes curving into a smile as she took Mu Yin’s hand, and together, they drank.

The faceless crowd laughed and jostled their way out, considerately closing the door behind them.

“I still don’t know your name,” the woman murmured, tilting her head slightly as she sat beside Mu Yin.

“Mu Yin.”

The woman pondered for a moment before smiling leisurely. “My name is Si Lingqing.”

“Remember it.”

“My name is Si… Ling… Qing.”

The next morning, Mu Yin was startled awake by knocking.

Bleary-eyed, she stared at the crimson canopy above her, momentarily dazed.

Last night, she must have had the strangest dream.

In it, she’d met an extraordinarily beautiful woman, one who had shared her wedding chamber.

Her body ached faintly as she sat up, her neck and back unusually stiff.

How odd. Even an ancient wooden bed shouldn’t leave her this sore.

As she puzzled over it, Hong Zhuang’s voice called again from the door.

“Young Madam, it’s time to rise.”

“Ah.”

Mu Yin responded with a shaky voice before tremblingly climbing out of bed, nearly losing her balance as her legs gave way beneath her.

What on earth happened?

Leaning against the bedpost, Mu Yin felt an overwhelming discomfort throughout her body, especially in certain unmentionable areas that ached unbearably.

What had she done yesterday?

Could she have actually,  consummated the marriage with someone??

Though puzzled, with Hong Zhuang waiting outside, Mu Yin had no choice but to support her waist and head for the door. Passing by the dressing table, she caught a glimpse of herself in the bronze mirror disheveled, with her undergarments haphazardly worn.

A second glance made her heart leap in fright!

Her clothes were in disarray. Peeking beneath her loosened collar, she found her chest covered in dark bruises.

This…???

Holding the bronze mirror, Mu Yin’s mind buzzed into chaos.

She recalled last night’s dream, where she seemed to have engaged in passionate encounters multiple times with someone. That beautiful woman with a teardrop mole at the corner of her eye had been particularly fierce in bed, tossing and turning her all night long. Mu Yin had initially dismissed it as just a dream, but the marks on her body now proved otherwise. Only a fool wouldn’t realize it had all been real.

In the final fragments of memory, Mu Yin faintly remembered the woman whispering something in her ear.

What was it again.

[“Remember my name.”]

[“I am… Si·Ling Qing.”]

Mu Yin: “!!!”

Wasn’t Si Lingqing supposed to be dead?!

Help! Help!

This place is haunted by a female ghost!!!

Mu Yin’s face instantly paled with terror. Clutching her clothes tightly, she bolted to the door, flung it open, and leaped behind Hong Zhuang for safety.

“Young Madam? What’s wrong?” Hong Zhuang had arrived with several maids to prepare Mu Yin’s attire and makeup, only for the young madam to suddenly dart out and hide behind her.

Having spoken to no one in the Wuyun Sect except Hong Zhuang, Mu Yin clung to her desperately. “Your young mistress has come back to claim my life!”

The maids gasped in alarm, their composure crumbling, but Hong Zhuang remained relatively calm. After a brief pause, she said, “Young Madam, what nonsense are you speaking? The young mistress has passed, how could she possibly come for you?”

Mu Yin shook her head, contemplating whether to show them the evidence on her body when Hong Zhuang gently reassured her, “This might be your first experience with such matters. The Wuyun Sect is a bastion of righteousness, there are no ghosts here. Please don’t be afraid.”

“How about this?” Hong Zhuang smiled softly. “The Madam wishes to see you shortly. Let us first help you dress properly. Any concerns can be addressed afterward. Does that sound agreeable?”

Mu Yin frowned, puzzled by Hong Zhuang’s composed demeanor.

Was this how a normal person would react??

Without giving her time to ponder, Hong Zhuang guided her back into the bedroom to begin grooming, while the other servants tidied the room.

Mu Yin’s peripheral vision caught the cleaning maids, stirring her confusion.

If last night’s events had been real, why did the room look exactly as it had before she slept?

There had been people coming and going, beating gongs and scattering grains and red paper scraps in her bridal chamber, filling it with jubilant festivity.

Yet now, all traces had vanished.

Apart from the lingering marks on her body and the lingering discomfort, everything remained unchanged.

Could it be that she had simply had a bizarre dream?

Just as Mu Yin was puzzling over this, Hong Zhuang adjusted her collar and said, “Young Mistress, you’re all dressed now. Does everything fit properly?”

Two maids brought over a bronze mirror, and Mu Yin saw her reflection, dressed entirely in white mourning clothes, with a white ribbon tied around her hair that cascaded down her dark locks, creating a stark contrast.

This white outfit actually looked quite good on her.

Mu Yin: “?”

Wait a minute?

All white???

She turned to Hong Zhuang in surprise and asked, “What kind of clothes are these?”

Who wears white the day after their wedding?

Isn’t that bad luck?

Hong Zhuang lowered her eyes respectfully and replied, “Young Mistress, according to the customs of the Wuyun Sect, today is the day Miss Siqing is to be placed in her coffin. These are your mourning garments. After marriage, you must observe three years of mourning for the young miss. During this period, you cannot wear colorful clothing, only plain white silk until the three years are complete.”

Mu Yin froze for a moment.

Oh, she’d almost forgotten.

Her wife was dead.

Well then, mourning clothes it was. What else could she expect after marrying into a family where the bride died immediately?

After Hong Zhuang finished dressing Mu Yin, they went together to the main hall to greet the sect leader and his wife.

As the foremost sect, the Wuyun Sect naturally occupied the most advantageous location.

The sect leader’s family of three lived on Wuyun Peak, their residence vast and sprawling. It took Mu Yin four or five corridors and a garden to walk from her bridal chamber to the sect leader’s quarters.

The garden was brimming with spiritual energy, so even in early spring there wasn’t the slightest chill. Birds, beasts, fish, and insects all lived in peaceful contentment.

At the entrance to the sect leader’s courtyard, a middle-aged man who seemed to be the steward came forward to guide Mu Yin through the covered walkway to the main hall.

Wuyun Sect Leader Si Muzhou was chatting with his wife when they saw the steward leading Mu Yin in. They both turned to look at her.

Seeing the middle-aged couple seated on rosewood chairs, Mu Yin gave a slight bow and said, “Greetings to Father and Mother. May you be well.”

Si Muzhou looked at Mu Yin with a weary expression. “No need to be so formal. We immortals don’t stand on ceremony as much as outsiders do. Having you serve tea today is merely a formality.”

His wife, Yu Luo, studied the young woman before her.

Mu Yin had just turned eighteen, her cheeks still soft with baby fat, making her look more like a pretty child than a newlywed.

“Your name is Mu Yin, isn’t it?” Yu Luo beckoned her closer.

Mu Yin stepped forward, nervously eyeing these two strangers.

After exchanging a glance with Si Muzhou, Yu Luo took Mu Yin’s hand and said gently, “Child, don’t be afraid. From now on, we’re family. There’s no need for formality.”

Mu Yin nodded slightly.

Hong Zhuang brought tea, and after Mu Yin served it to them properly, she stood uncertainly, not knowing what to do next.

Si Muzhou looked at Mu Yin, sighed deeply, and then said slowly, “Mu Yin, later you’ll accompany us to the memorial hall. You’ve had ill fortune, today is Ah Qing’s encoffining ceremony. As her wife, you must attend.”

Mu Yin froze again. Though she’d expected this, hearing Si Muzhou say it still made her inwardly lament.

But why didn’t these parents seem particularly grieved by their daughter’s death?

Yu Luo noticed the question in her eyes and softly explained, “Actually, we had anticipated this. Even Ah Qing herself had sensed her time was coming and had arranged her affairs. So her sudden departure didn’t come as a complete shock to us, though it’s been hard on you.”

Mu Yin didn’t know what to say and could only shake her head.

The three of them then left the front hall together, crossing the courtyard to reach the funeral parlor ahead.

The funeral parlor looked exactly like what one would expect.

Mu Yin remembered how just yesterday when she arrived, the place had been decorated with red lanterns and festive ornaments. Now, after just one night, all the red decorations had been replaced with white mourning drapes, with a large coffin placed prominently in the center.

At this sight, Yu Luo’s nose tingled with sorrow. Holding Mu Yin’s hand while wiping her tears, she said, “Mu Yin, go see Ah Qing one last time. This might be your final chance.”

Watching her weeping mother-in-law, Mu Yin felt waves of darkness clouding her vision.

Did she really have to see this Si Lingqing???