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The shadow suddenly shivered, shook its head, and seeing Xing Ruyi's piercing gaze, had no choice but to speak: "Ten years ago, my husband went on a convoy mission and never returned. The people in the village said they must have encountered bandits and lost their lives. Although I was heartbroken and wanted to follow my husband, my daughter Yan Yan was still young and needed someone to take care of her. So I could only pretend to be strong and endure each day as it came.
A year passed like this, and suddenly, A Cheng returned. He was my husband's assistant and had accompanied him on many convoy missions. He told me that their last trip went very smoothly and they earned quite a bit of silver. I asked him why, if the convoy was successful, my husband had not returned. A Cheng said that my husband could return but chose not to. The last convoy was for a wealthy family with an only daughter. After delivering the goods, the family hosted a banquet for the convoy members, and my husband caught the eye of that young lady. My husband also developed feelings for her, so he stayed behind. A year passed in the blink of an eye; although my husband lived happily with that lady, he often felt guilty towards us mother and daughter. Therefore, he explained everything to her and asked A Cheng to return home to bring us mother and daughter to enjoy a better life.
Although I knew my husband's character well, A Cheng's reasoning was compelling, so I had no choice but to believe him. Thus, I took Yan Yan and left with A Cheng. Due to family shame, we pretended that he was a brother from my maternal family coming to pick us up. Although A Cheng had worked with my husband for many years, he rarely visited our home. Plus, after a year, his appearance and demeanor had changed significantly, so the people in Village did not suspect anything.
"So you were harmed by your husband?" Xing Ruyi propped her chin up thoughtfully. "Or perhaps it was his new wife who was jealous? Did she harm you and your daughter?"
The shadow shook its head: "No! I never saw my husband, let alone that wealthy lady mentioned by A Cheng."
"Then you were harmed by A Cheng."
The shadow nodded its head and fell silent for a moment.
"We set off in the afternoon and entered a mountain stream by evening. It was getting late, and A Cheng thought it unwise to continue traveling, so we sought refuge in a dilapidated Mountain Deity temple to rest for the night. At that time, I didn't think much of it; after traveling all day, I was already exhausted and found a corner to hold Yan Yan tightly as I fell into a deep sleep. In the middle of the night, I suddenly felt heavy on my body and cold wind creeping down my collar. When I groggily opened my eyes, I realized it was A Cheng trying to take advantage of me at night. Although I am not a virtuous woman, I could not allow such behavior from A Cheng, so I naturally fought back. Who would have thought this would anger him? He choked me until I lost consciousness.
When I woke up again, I found myself in the mountain stream, feeling suffocated and desperate to break free. When I finally crawled out of the water, I realized that I had already died; what escaped was merely my soul. Worried about Yan Yan, I followed the path back to the Mountain Deity temple. That day when I followed Yan Yan, it was only because I feared that A Cheng might do something inappropriate to her as well. Little did I know that this pursuit lasted many years; not only could I not protect my daughter well but ended up causing her harm instead. Ruyi, I know you are a good person; please save my daughter! As long as you can save her, I'll do anything."
"Are you willing to risk losing your soul?"
"I am willing!"
"And you won't regret not being able to be reborn as a human?"
"Never regret not being able to be reborn as a human!"
"Alright, since you insist on this, it would seem a bit unreasonable if I don't help." Xing Ruyi wrinkled her nose. "During these days, I will prepare some medicinal soup to help you recover your body and expel the cold energy from her. However, if you want Yanniang to regain her fertility, it must be you, her mother, who takes action."
"For Yan Yan, I can do anything." The shadow floated and bowed again to Xing Ruyi. When she stood up, she revealed her original appearance. Although her complexion was pale, it was evident that Yanniang's beauty had benefited significantly from her mother. No wonder that A Cheng had developed such frivolous feelings. Alas, beautiful women often have short lives.
With a light sigh, Xing Ruyi opened her hand to reveal a lotus seed in her palm. "Just now in Yanniang's residence, you must have seen that I had the maid find fourteen aged lotus seeds and place them in a mother-child box at your daughter's bedside. In fact, this mother-child box is merely a distraction; it serves no real purpose. What truly matters are those fourteen lotus seeds."
After Madam Xiao processed this information, Xing Ruyi pinched the lotus seed between her fingers for her to see. "Lotus seeds are the fruits of the water lily plant and have excellent nourishing properties; they are often used in soups. If consumed regularly, they can dispel various ailments and are truly precious items. However, my intention for your daughter to use them in soup is not solely for nourishment. The term 'aged' represents past years; the fourteen lotus seeds symbolize your daughter's past fourteen years. I intend to take your essence and infuse it into these fourteen lotus seeds to transform the mother into the child and help your daughter regain her fertility. However, taking your essence will inevitably lead to your soul scattering, preventing you from reincarnating forever. Therefore, I just asked you if you are willing and if you will regret it later."
"No complaints or regrets; I only wish for Yan Yan to live safely and happily in this life." Madam Xiao lightly tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing a faint smile. "When I was alive, I couldn't take good care of her and watched helplessly as she was sold by A Cheng into the Flower Pavilion. Now that I can help her, it can be considered my last effort as a mother for her. I ask you to take good care of Yanniang in the future; this kindness may never be repaid."
"How pitiful is a parent's heart." Xing Ruyi's eyes glistened with tears and turned red. "Go now; you still have some time with Yanniang."
"Thank you, miss!" Madam Xiao bowed solemnly and transformed into a wisp of black smoke.
In the middle of the night, Madam Xiao sat lightly by Yanniang's bedside, her gaze lingering as she traced every inch of Yanniang's face with her eyes. Her fingertips flickered several times but never dared to reach out and touch Yanniang's cheek for fear that her cold energy would harm her daughter further. Finally, with a soft sigh, she transformed into black smoke and entered the mother-child box.
"Mother!" Yanniang called softly as a tear rolled down her cheek.
It had been fourteen years; this was the first time she had seen her mother in a dream after all these years. Yet she did not understand why her mother would not stay longer in her dream.
"Mother!" With an urgent call, Yanniang reached out helplessly toward the empty air as tears filled her beautiful eyes and she opened them wide.
The box on top of the head gently swayed.
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