Mistress of the Underworld and Her Little Celestial Wife (GL) - Chapter 7

Mu Yin found it rather odd. Logically, if generational names were a tradition, they should apply to everyone or no one at all. Yet, the other five children all had them only Mu Yin didn’t, which struck her as peculiar.

However, the rest of the family at the dining table didn’t seem to notice anything unusual. Mu Yin wasn’t sure how to bring it up, and after another glare from Mu Xuanzhu, she set down her chopsticks and prepared to leave.

Lady Qin Shi, likely having anticipated that Mu Yin wouldn’t eat much, said to her, “Since you’ve come with the Five Skandha Sect this time, your original room won’t be enough. You’ll stay in the South Courtyard instead.”

The South Courtyard?

At this, Mu Xuanzhu immediately looked up and let out a malicious giggle as she stared at Mu Yin.

Upon hearing that Mu Yin and her group were to be lodged in the South Courtyard, the steward quickly made up an excuse to slip away, instructing a young servant to lead them there instead.

Hong Zhuang sensed something amiss. She leaned closer to Mu Yin and whispered, “Young Mistress, something feels off. Look at the expressions on the steward and that servant.”

Mu Yin thought to herself that it was obvious but what could she do now? At this hour, the inns outside would already be closed. Besides, if she stayed elsewhere on the very first day of her return, Qin Shi would surely make a fuss about it.

“It should be fine,” Mu Yin reassured Hong Zhuang. “It’s too late to find an inn now. We’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning just endure one night.”

Hong Zhuang figured nothing too terrible could happen within the city walls, so she had the disciples follow the servant to the South Courtyard.

The servant, a pale-faced youth of about sixteen or seventeen, carried a dim yellow lantern as he led the way ahead.

Creak!

When the servant pushed open the gate to the South Courtyard, a gust of eerie wind blew out from within, startling him so badly he jumped. “Good heavens!”

At his cry, Hong Zhuang and the others shinged their swords out in unison, shielding Mu Yin behind them.

For a moment, the atmosphere at the courtyard gate grew tense.

After a long pause, Mu Yin peeked her head out from the group and asked the servant, “What’s wrong?”

The others also scanned their surroundings but found nothing out of the ordinary, so they turned their attention back to the servant.

Trembling, the servant emerged from behind the gatepost, still clutching the lantern, and pointed into the courtyard. “Y-Young Mistress, this courtyard is too dark. I have other duties to attend to. You can keep this lantern. I’ll take my leave now. If you need anything, just call for us.”

Since they had already arrived, there was no real need for the servant to stay. Mu Yin nodded. “Alright, you may go.”

The servant bolted the moment she finished speaking. Hong Zhuang frowned beside her. “I still feel like something isn’t right.”

“What’s the matter?” Mu Yin glanced at her curiously, picking up the lantern from the ground. “It’s getting late. Let’s figure out where everyone will sleep.”

Only after lighting the lantern did they get a clear view of the South Courtyard.

The courtyard wasn’t large, with rooms on three sides. The central yard appeared neglected for some time, the grass had grown waist-high.

Fortunately, the rooms inside seemed clean. As the young mistress, Mu Yin naturally took the largest one, while the others squeezed into the smaller side rooms.

Hong Zhuang arranged for water to be prepared for Mu Yin’s bath and helped remove her hair ornaments. As she worked, she said, “Rest well tonight, Young Mistress. We’ll return to the Five Skandha Sect first thing tomorrow.”

Mu Yin gave a soft “Mm” in acknowledgment. By the time everything was settled, it was already late, and everyone gradually withdrew to rest.

The Nine Stars Gate was unusually quiet at night so quiet it felt almost eerie.

Not a single ray of moonlight pierced the sky, as dark clouds blotted out the heavens, shrouding the southern courtyard in gloom.

Gululu!

Just then, a spherical object rolled out from a pile of discarded items at the corner of the courtyard wall.

It paused for a moment before rolling forward again, maneuvering around the courtyard and the long corridor, until finally thud, it bumped against the doorstep.

As the clouds dispersed, it became clear that the spherical object was neither a ball nor a wild animal, but a human head, decayed beyond recognition from who knew how long.

The head had struck the doorstep of Mu Yin’s resting quarters.

Thud! thud! thud!

The sound of the head knocking against the doorstep was unnervingly distinct in the silent night. Strangely, however, Hong Zhuang and the others remained fast asleep, showing no signs of waking.

At that moment, a shadowy figure slowly approached from behind the head and stood still, watching as it persistently rammed against the door.

“What are you doing?”

The head froze, then slowly turned around to see a woman clad in dark, intricately patterned robes standing behind it, her cold eyes fixed upon it.

Gulp.

The head instinctively swallowed a mouthful of nonexistent saliva and shrank back with a tremble.

Si Lingqing stared at the headless ghost, her gaze so icy it seemed capable of tearing the creature apart.

“Who told you to disturb her?” Si Lingqing demanded, her voice low. “Do you even know who she is?”

The head frantically shook from side to side, as if realizing its mistake. Trembling, it kowtowed several times before attempting to flee.

“Stop.”

Si Lingqing’s command sent another shiver through the head, forcing it to slowly turn back, its expression one of sheer terror.

Observing the ghost’s fear-stricken face, Si Lingqing took a step forward.

“Tell the other ghosts lurking in this courtyard, none of the people who arrived today are to be disturbed. Otherwise… you know the consequences.”

The head nodded vigorously, kowtowed three more times with loud thuds, then rolled away in a hurry.

Only after the ghosts hiding in the courtyard’s shadows had all vanished did Si Lingqing turn toward the door. She stepped forward, passing effortlessly through the wooden barrier.

Inside, the room was unnaturally cold. Si Lingqing frowned.

It seemed the ghosts weren’t entirely foolish, they had cast some spectral trick on Mu Yin to ensure she remained asleep while they made their move.

Approaching the bed, Si Lingqing gazed at Mu Yin’s peaceful slumber and sighed deeply.

“This is my fault.”

She gently stroked Mu Yin’s hair, her expression softening as she murmured, “The mark I left on you was only meant to let me find you anytime, anywhere. I never imagined it would attract these filthy things.”

Her fingers traced Mu Yin’s smooth cheek and delicate earlobe before pressing firmly behind her ear.

A complex black sigil suddenly materialized, branding itself onto Mu Yin’s skin behind her ear and neck. The pain instantly drained the color from her face.

Yet in the next moment, the mark dissolved into her bones, leaving no trace behind.

The abrupt sensation made it impossible for Mu Yin to remain asleep. Groggily, she opened her eyes, only to find Si Lingqing sitting at her bedside.

Si Lingqing gazed at her without dodging, instead curling her lips into a smile. She gently rubbed Mu Yin’s ear and neck, whispering softly, “Did I hurt you?”

Mu Yin was stunned. She stared at the person before her for a long while before belatedly widening her eyes in realization.

Si Lingqing??

Her long-deceased wife whom she had never met before?!

“You!”

Mu Yin was startled and quickly hugged the blanket, shrinking to the edge of the bed. Her face pale, she asked, “Are you human or a ghost?”

Si Lingqing thought seriously for a moment before replying, “Neither human nor ghost.”

Mu Yin froze.

If she wasn’t human or a ghost, then what was Si Lingqing?

Hadn’t she been buried right before Mu Yin’s eyes?

Why had she suddenly appeared by her bedside?

And wasn’t this the Nine Stars Gate? How had she even gotten in?

A flurry of questions swirled in Mu Yin’s mind as she stared intently at Si Lingqing, unsure which one to ask first.

“Pfft!”

Si Lingqing let out a soft laugh, the sound crisp and clear in the quiet room.

Mu Yin’s face flushed instantly, and she glared at her. “What are you laughing at?”

Si Lingqing twirled a lock of her waist-length hair, smiling playfully at Mu Yin. “I know you have many questions for me, but don’t you think it’s late and we should rest?”

Rest?

Mu Yin instinctively tightened her grip on the blanket, her voice trembling as she asked, “What do you want to do?!”

Si Lingqing reached out and tugged at the edge of the blanket, tilting her head to look at her. The teardrop mole at the corner of her eye shimmered faintly.

“We’ve already done everything that should be done on our wedding night,” Si Lingqing said with a light chuckle. “You haven’t forgotten all of it, have you?”

Mu Yin recalled that night, the deafening clamor of music and celebration outside, the moment she opened the door to see Si Lingqing in her wedding attire, the shared nuptial wine, and then…

Noticing Mu Yin’s face growing redder by the second, her expression a mix of shyness and resentment, Si Lingqing felt an itch in her heart. She pulled Mu Yin blanket and all into her arms.

Mu Yin let out a startled cry as Si Lingqing embraced her. Before she could struggle, Si Lingqing lowered her head and pressed a gentle kiss to the tip of Mu Yin’s nose.

“What are you afraid of?” Si Lingqing asked, her lips curving into a smile as her eyes crinkled with amusement. “Tonight, I just want to sleep beside you. What did you think I’d do?”

“I, I-I-I—”

Mu Yin’s face burned crimson, and Si Lingqing found her utterly adorable. Seizing the moment, she leaned down and captured Mu Yin’s lips in a kiss.

Though they had shared countless intimate moments in dreams before, this was the first time Mu Yin had ever kissed a stranger while fully awake.

Strangely, Mu Yin didn’t find the kiss unpleasant at all, in fact, it felt rather nice.

After a lingering kiss, Si Lingqing finally released Mu Yin’s lips, her gaze darkening as she took in the sight of those once-pink lips now flushed a deep red from her attentions.

“Let’s rest early,” Si Lingqing murmured, wrapping an arm around Mu Yin’s waist and pulling her close. “No one will disturb us tonight.”

The next morning, Mu Yin woke to the sound of noisy commotion.

She blinked groggily, the events of the previous night suddenly flooding back to her.

Yesterday, Si Lingqing came to her bedside again. This time, it wasn’t the hazy, indistinct encounter from her dreams, she was genuinely and thoroughly kissed by her.

Mu Yin was utterly vexed. Just as she turned over while lying on her side, she noticed a slight movement in the spot where Si Lingqing usually slept. Mu Yin froze for a moment before lifting the blanket.

A small black kitten shook its clever little ears, lazily raising its head to cast a sidelong glance at Mu Yin. Unhappy, it covered its eyes with a tiny paw, as if wanting to go back to sleep.

A cat??

Where did this cat come from in broad daylight???

Mu Yin stared at the pitch-black kitten, noticing a small patch of white fur near the corner of its eye exactly where Si Lingqing’s teardrop mole would be!

With a thunderous realization, Mu Yin felt as if she had been struck by lightning.