Mrs. Wen was intimidated by Pei Yu's imposing manner. She let out a startled cry and took several hasty steps back. Her face was full of panic, on the verge of a breakdown.
"Don't ask me! I've had nothing to do with this from start to finish... I... I don't know anything! And all along, I've been reminding Li Jinghuai. It was her own stupidity that she failed to understand my hints..."
Her confused words revealed another cruel truth. Over the years, the reason Mrs. Wen had repeatedly treated Li Jinghuai coldly and tried to drive her away was to hint that she should leave this devilish place quickly. Unfortunately, back then, Li Jinghuai was indulged in the false tenderness, simply thinking that her mother - in - law didn't like her. She never imagined that there was such a terrifying conspiracy behind all this!
Seeing that Mrs. Wen was highly emotional, Shen Cuiyu was worried that she would be further stimulated and completely lose her sanity. So she walked forward slowly. Her voice was calm, with a guiding tone.
"Don't be afraid. We don't mean to blame you. You just need to tell us, when An Huai was alive, what was the relationship between her and Wen Zimo? Were they still in love?"
Mrs. Wen first nodded instinctively, then shook her head violently. Deep struggle and fear appeared on her gaunt face. Her voice was hoarse.
"Maybe in Zimo's eyes, that was love... But for An Huai, whether it was love or a living hell, I'm afraid... only she knew..."
As soon as she said this, a cool breeze suddenly blew through the courtyard, making the locust tree rustle, adding to the desolation.
Mrs. Wen's ambiguous and meaningful words deepened the doubts in everyone's hearts.
Shen Cuiyu pressed on, "Think carefully. What exactly happened on the day you last saw An Huai? What did you see?"
The fear on Mrs. Wen's face grew stronger. Her lips trembled. Under Shen Cuiyu's encouraging gaze, she finally managed to squeeze out broken words with great difficulty.
"That day... I was outside the courtyard... I heard, heard An Huai's shrill screams... And Zimo... He seemed to be crying and also seemed to be roaring in anger... I was so scared that I rushed in... and saw... saw..."
Her pupils dilated due to extreme fear, as if she was seeing that terrible scene again. Her words suddenly stopped.
Just then, there came a sudden rush of noise and shouts from outside the courtyard!
Wen Zimo had actually returned to the mansion and was right outside the courtyard at this moment!
The next moment, Wen Zimo strode into the courtyard with a gloomy face. His sharp eyes swept across everyone in the courtyard instantly, and finally landed on Li Jinghuai, who was sitting on the ground looking pale, and Mrs. Wen, who was in a panic.
At the sight of Wen Zimo, Mrs. Wen was like seeing a ghost. The last bit of her strength was drained. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted completely!
A flicker of uncertainty flashed quickly in Wen Zimo's eyes. He quickly suppressed his emotions and walked quickly to Li Jinghuai's side. He put on his usual worried look and reached out to help her up. "Jinghuai? What's wrong with you? Why are you here?"
His voice was gentle, but his inquiring gaze was like a cold needle, trying to detect any hint of abnormality.
Standing behind Wen Zimo, Dongfang Xiao was so anxious that she winked desperately at Shen Cuiyu. This Wen Zimo was very meticulous and highly vigilant. They had just managed to get him out of the mansion with great effort, but unexpectedly, he had sensed something was wrong and returned so quickly.
Shen Cuiyu remained calm and said indifferently, "Mr. Wen, we heard there was some commotion here and came to check. Unexpectedly, we startled the old madam. She was so emotional that she collided with your wife, causing her to have a bit of a stir in her pregnancy."
Wen Zimo was skeptical. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, and finally locked tightly on Li Jinghuai's face, not missing any of her expressions.
Looking at the face that she had once been infatuated with and trusted, hatred and nausea welled up in Li Jinghuai's chest. She even began to suspect whether Wen Zimo was also involved in Song Yanling's tragic death back then.
If it was really him... she would surely avenge Song Yanling with her own hands!
But at this moment, the formation had not been broken, and the enemy was in the dark while they were in the open. They must not tip off the enemy.
Li Jinghuai forcefully suppressed all her emotions. She closed her eyes tiredly and interrupted his scrutiny in a weak but clear voice. "Zimo, I'm tired. Help me back to the room."
Seeing that although her complexion was poor, there was no abnormal expression on her face, Wen Zimo finally suppressed his doubts a little and personally helped her up.
Just as he turned to leave, he looked back and gave Shen Cuiyu a deep look. His eyes were sinister and cold, with a flash of warning and undisguised fierceness.
Shen Cuiyu calmly met his gaze without any trace of fear.
Although Mrs. Wen's words stopped abruptly, this trip was of great significance. Everyone knew the identity of the red - dressed female ghost, which would make it more convenient to communicate with the spirit.
Before long, Wen Zimo, on the pretext that his mother needed absolute rest, dispatched more servants to strictly seal off the side courtyard and prohibited anyone from approaching.
...
In Li Jinghuai's room.
Wen Zimo sat on the edge of the couch, holding Li Jinghuai's hand. He still looked affectionate.
"Xiaohuai, these so - called celestial masters have been here for two days without any progress. This so - called Wansxiang Academy seems to be full of frauds. Tomorrow I'll go and invite someone more capable. I'll surely get rid of that evil spirit Song Yanling and protect you and the baby safely!"
If it had been in the past, Li Jinghuai would surely have been deceived by his so - called "considerateness". But now, she was as clear as a mirror, knowing that this was just an excuse for Wen Zimo to get rid of Shen Cuiyu and the others because he was afraid of them.
She quietly looked into his eyes. Her eyes were as calm as a bottomless lake, which made Wen Zimo frown inexplicably.
But before he could think further, Li Jinghuai resumed her usual gentle appearance.
"Okay," she said softly, showing no emotion. "I'll follow your advice. I want to take a nap."
Wen Zimo was very satisfied with her docility. He comforted her a few more words gently before getting up and leaving.
Li Jinghuai closed her eyes, exhausted both physically and mentally, and quickly sank into a dream.
In the dream, Song Yanling's figure appeared again.
When they met, a thousand words were stuck in their throats, but they both knew that this was not the time to complain. Finally, they just looked at each other and smiled, with endless understanding in the bitterness.
Song Yanling sighed softly. "Silly girl, don't be afraid. Do as I said."
Li Jinghuai was stunned for a moment before realizing that she was referring to the ritual of "wrapping hair in red paper and burning it" in the previous dream. She hesitated a little. "But... Celestial Master Shen said that you shouldn't interfere too much in the affairs between the yin and the yang..."
Hearing this, Song Yanling deliberately made a cute expression and reached out to gently tap her forehead. "Humph, I'm a very smart ghost. I know my limits and will surely get out of this safely!" Seeing that she still had doubts, Song Yanling's expression became serious. "When have I ever lied to you?"
Looking into her friend's determined eyes, Li Jinghuai finally nodded heavily. Yanling had never lied to her.
"Okay. When I wake up, I'll do as you said."
Only then did Song Yanling show a relieved smile. Finally, she added, "Don't tell Celestial Master Shen about me giving you this dream. I promised her before that I wouldn't enter your dream to scare you again."
Seeing Li Jinghuai nodding obediently, her figure gradually faded away and merged into the light and shadow of the dream.