Ye Wanmian looked at Qi Wen with a beaming smile, her eyes filled with a kind and gentle look.
One person's strength is ultimately limited. If they really found something tonight, she alone might not be able to handle it. So she had to find a trustworthy helper.
She knew Qi Wen well. This guy was talkative, petty, and jealous, but he had a good heart and was quite eager for money. He had to board this "thief ship".
Qi Wen's eyes lit up instantly. "A good way to make money? What is it? Is it difficult?"
She said with a smile, "It's not difficult. You just need to cry a bit, and you can earn two hundred copper coins."
"Two hundred copper coins!" Qi Wen's eyes widened in disbelief. Before even asking what it was, he readily agreed. "Of course I'll do it! Sister Jiang, don't give this opportunity to someone else!"
Ye Wanmian pretended to be troubled. "However, if you're afraid of ghosts, you might not be able to do this..."
Afraid of ghosts?
Qi Wen's calves trembled. After a moment's hesitation, for the sake of the two hundred copper coins, he gritted his teeth and said, "I'm not afraid of ghosts. I'm just a poor wretch myself. Could they be scarier than me?"
"Pfft!" Ye Wanmian happened to be drinking water. She used the teacup to hide the corners of her upturned lips. Hearing his words, she spat out a mouthful of tea.
Xiao Jingcheng also looked at Qi Wen, half - amused and half - exasperated. This guy would say anything for the sake of silver.
However, he really didn't expect that she would give this opportunity to Qi Wen. Given their relationship, such a good thing would never have fallen to Qi Wen, unless she had other motives.
Qi Wen urged, "Sister Jiang, quickly tell me what we're going to do so I can have an idea."
Ye Wanmian wiped the water from the corner of her lips and said seriously, "By chance, I learned that the youngest son of the Chen family's eldest员外 suddenly died. However, a few days ago, because the body of the crown prince was still in Dongli Town, in order to avoid any conflict with the nobleman, they hadn't been able to hold the funeral and bury the body.
"Now that the body of the crown prince has left, Master Chen should be buried. The Chen family is going to hold the funeral tonight. They need someone to cry at the funeral. I know someone in the Chen Mansion, and I asked him to reserve two spots for us. After the burial, they'll pay us on the spot."
Hearing that he had to cry at a funeral in the middle of the night, Qi Wen's face turned pale with fear. He stammered, "Why... Why did they choose the night for the funeral?"
Ye Wanmian said, "It's because the daytime hours clash with Master Chen. Well, are you scared?"
She sighed. "I thought you could earn this money with me. If you're in a difficult position, I'll just find someone else."
Qi Wen quickly grabbed her arm. "Good sister, I'll go. Isn't it just crying at a funeral? I can do it!"
Xiao Jingcheng looked at Ye Wanmian's arm being grabbed. He let out a low growl and pounced on Qi Wen.
Just talk! Why are you grabbing her?
Don't you know the rule that men and women should keep a proper distance?
Qi Wen was so scared that he immediately let go of her and jumped onto the table. "Stinky Huang, what do you want to do! Sister Jiang, quickly control your dog!"
Ye Wanmian was extremely happy that she had successfully recruited Qi Wen. She blinked and pretended to call out a couple of times. "Huang, don't be naughty. Come back quickly."
However, the yellow dog still chased after Qi Wen and even jumped onto the table. She had no choice but to shrug helplessly. "Look, Huang doesn't listen to me. I can't do anything about it."
The Chen family intended to hold the funeral at midnight, but there were still many preparations to be made beforehand. So Ye Wanmian called Qi Wen and left the medical clinic at a quarter to eleven, heading towards the Chen Mansion.
Qi Wen knew Ye Wanmian well. She always took the yellow dog with her wherever she went. But when they left the medical clinic, it was just the two of them. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why didn't you take Huang with you?"
Ye Wanmian glanced at him. "We'll both be away. Naturally, we have to leave Huang to guard the house. There are so many medicinal herbs in there. What if something goes wrong?"
Qi Wen nodded. "You're really thoughtful."
Ye Wanmian carried a lantern in her hand. The dim yellow light illuminated the path beneath their feet. Soon, the night swallowed their figures.
However, Qi Wen didn't know that after they left, the yellow dog, which was supposed to stay and "guard the house", had already quietly left. In the darkness, several dogs were quietly approaching the Chen Mansion.
The grand and imposing mansion that had looked so magnificent a few days ago now had a different appearance. White lanterns were hanging under the eaves, and the tree branches were also wrapped in white cloth. It was obvious that there was a funeral in the mansion.
The once - closed main gate that prohibited random entry was now wide open. People in mourning clothes were constantly going in and out, making intensive preparations for the night's funeral.
Ye Wanmian led Qi Wen to the west corner gate and saw Zhou Wang, who had already changed into mourning clothes. She stepped forward to meet Zhou Wang. Zhou Wang glanced at Qi Wen beside her and then led them both into the mansion.
This was Ye Wanmian's first time entering the mansion of the Chen family's eldest员外. Behind the west corner gate was a long covered corridor. White lanterns were hanging all along the corridor. The lights could only illuminate the corridor, and outside was a pitch - black darkness, making it impossible to see the scenery clearly.
However, when Zhou Wang led her around the corridor and passed through two moon gates, a fragrance of lotus flowers wafted towards them. Ye Wanmian's heart skipped a beat. She looked in the direction of the fragrance, but she couldn't see anything.
Qi Wen walked beside Ye Wanmian. Along the way, he had been curiously looking around, with excitement hidden in his eyes.
He was not very old, only seventeen years old. He had never been to such a grand place before. The carved eaves and the walls engraved with birds and beasts all fascinated him.
It was just like in the operas.
However, although he was excited, he knew his limits and didn't wander around. He just closely followed Ye Wanmian.
Soon, Zhou Wang led them to the servants' courtyard and in front of a middle - aged man with a beard.
"Steward, these are the two people I told you about."
The man, who was called the steward by Zhou Wang, looked at Ye Wanmian and Qi Wen. His sharp gaze scanned them from head to toe.
Ye Wanmian wasn't wearing a veil tonight, so her face was completely exposed. Her rough and freckled face made the steward frown subconsciously. He said,
"State your names, where you live, and who's in your family. Explain everything in detail."
Ye Wanmian said, "My name is Jiang Mian. I live at No. 43 Qingyu Alley, Dongli Alley. I'm a widow. Apart from a dog, I have no other relatives. You can rest assured, sir."
Qi Wen also said, "I'm an orphan. I used to wander and beg for food when I was a child. I was kindly taken in by Doctor Wang of the Huichuntang in Dongli Town and now live in the medical clinic."
Since they were both from Dongli Town, the steward felt relieved after hearing this. He asked someone to bring two sets of mourning clothes and hand them to the two of them.
"Cry louder and give Master Chen a good send - off. After the burial, come to me to collect your money. Two hundred copper coins each."
Ye Wanmian and Qi Wen quickly agreed. They found a place to change into the mourning clothes and were then led to the mourning hall.