Chapter Thirty-Four: Lining Up to Leap into the Well (Part Two)

Tao Ming’s heart gave a jolt; just hearing the name “Wailing Soul Curse” made it clear it was nothing harmless. She asked, “What is the Wailing Soul Curse?”

Her grandmother’s brows were tightly knit. “The Wailing Soul Curse is extremely vicious. To harm someone, you must first find a person similar to the intended victim while they’re still alive, turn them into a living corpse, feed them blood daily, and after forty-nine days, extract their soul to create the curse.”

“If the Wailing Soul Curse is placed near the victim, anyone who fits the conditions will act under its spell. It’s so malicious that the Heavenly Emperor banned it long ago. However, since it affects the spirit, it can only harm those below the second rank of the Moon Stage.”

Tao Ming felt chilled to the bone, unable to imagine the scenes her ancestor described. She was grateful she’d hidden herself away to diligently cultivate, reaching the second rank of the Moon Stage.

Soft and Sweet together hugged Tao Ming, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Mama, we’ll protect you.”

Tao Ming was moved and a little guilty, holding them tight. After calming herself, she said, “Grandmother, it’s just luck—I’ve only just reached the second rank. Now I’m certain this was meant for me. Moreover, whoever did this knows very well that the other world I stayed in couldn’t be cultivated. Unfortunately, he didn’t know my mother left me her legacy.”

At these words, her ancestor’s expression turned cold, finally looking like the wise and dignified clan leader she was. “In that case, we must find the source today. But anyone above the second rank can’t sense the curse, and anyone below will be affected by it. What are we to do?”

Tao Ming looked at Soft. “Grandmother, I said earlier that Soft’s hearing is unusual—she heard the crying.”

Her grandmother immediately said, “There’s no time to lose. Let Soft lead the way, and let’s find the source quickly.”

Following Soft’s directions, the group twisted and turned through the corridors until they reached a desolate courtyard. The ancestor gazed at it with a touch of sadness before saying, “This was where Old Ninth lived. After his accident, I sealed this courtyard.”

Pushing open the dusty gate, they found the yard overgrown with weeds. Soft pointed toward the back. “I hear the sound coming from over there.”

They finally arrived at an old well.

Soft pointed at the well. “It’s right below. The crying is so loud.”

The ancestor had everyone step back, formed a spell with her left hand, and a red light shot into the well, stirring the water violently. Soon, the red light brought up a smoky mass.

She pointed at the smoke. “This is the Wailing Soul Curse, made from the soul of a living corpse.”

She then cast another spell. The smoke writhed and twisted in the red light, trying to escape. She cast several spells in succession, and quickly the smoke vanished completely.

When it had disappeared, the ancestor was slightly out of breath. “The person who made this curse is only slightly weaker than me. I’d hoped to find the caster through it, but alas, it was not to be.”

Tao Ming comforted her. “Grandmother, the culprit has exposed themselves. Very few people know my exact circumstances, and even fewer know of the other world. If you count carefully, this person either knows my parents or Su Nanxing, and is very close to them. Otherwise, my parents or Su Nanxing would never have entrusted such important knowledge to them.”

Her ancestor patted Tao Ming’s arm. “You know who it could be. Let’s leave now. The curse is broken; those little maids should soon wake.”

The group returned to the Lady’s courtyard. Seeing the ancestor return, everyone wanted to speak, but she raised her hand to silence them.

Sure enough, the maids woke one by one, but none remembered what they’d done. The ancestor sent them back to their own quarters, then ordered all the heads of the various courtyards to gather at the Qiluo Pavilion.

Once everyone was assembled, the ancestor looked around and announced, “Mingming returned with the Saintess. Once she’s handled the Saintess’s affairs, I intend to pass the position of clan leader to her.”

Tao Ming was shocked and hurried to protest. “Grandmother, I know nothing of such matters and have no interest in them.”

She paused, then added, “Besides, Soft is still so little—I need to stay with her and care for her.”

Her grandmother looked at her. “It’s only a few decades. They pass in the blink of an eye.”

Tao Ming thought to herself, your ‘blink of an eye’ is... truly beyond words! She tried again: “Grandmother, forgive me for saying so, but who knows if I’ll even live through these decades!”

“Nonsense!” The ancestor was both anxious and angry.

Seeing her upset, Tao Ming tried to remedy it. “Birth, aging, illness, and death are all natural.”

Her ancestor frowned. “Your performance today is enough to take the clan leader’s seat.”

Tao Ming wondered, what did I even do today? It felt like nothing at all! She considered carefully and said, “Grandmother, my mother is married, and I have been married too; I’m not fit to stay in the manor for long. Besides, you have so many granddaughters—wouldn’t it be better to choose one of them?”

The ancestor glanced around. “They’re all clamoring to leave. I might as well grant their wish.”

The masters all spoke up:

“Mother, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Mother, your sons have never thought of leaving.”
“Your son wants to spend more time with you.”
...

The ancestor waved her hand. “Enough, disperse.”

The Lady returned to her room, twisting the Master’s arm and grumbling, “Your mother is biased—she favored Tao Sisi before, now she favors her daughter! I’ve put up with so much and served so carefully—who was it all for?”

The Master dodged and replied, “I told you not to get your hopes up. The Qiluo Clan has always been run by women—it was never going to fall to me.”

The Lady wouldn’t relent. “I gave birth to six daughters, married off four, and kept two clever ones at home. Why shouldn’t we fight for it? When Tao Sisi was here, there was no chance; now she’s married, and her daughter’s come back!”

The Master quickly stopped her. “Aren’t you afraid someone will overhear?”

At that, she stopped, called in her two daughters, and said, “Go visit Tao Ming’s room. If she finds either of you pleasing, and says a few kind words to the ancestor, maybe the clan leader’s position will land in your lap.”

The two young ladies agreed at once—this was not the moment to contradict their mother.

Except for the Third, Seventh, and Eighth Ladies, the other women said much the same.

...

Tao Ming’s mind was in turmoil—her grandmother was a bit too willful! Announcing in front of everyone that she’d pass the clan leadership to her, with not a hint of the shrewdness expected from a clan chief.

She wanted to protest again, but saw Madam Li shake her head. “The ancestor has had a long day—she should rest.”

Tao Ming had no choice but to take the two children back to Qiluo Pavilion.

Seeing Tao Ming’s worried face, Summer Lotus asked carefully, “Miss, all the masters wish to become clan leader—why are you unwilling?”

Winter Snow also waited for Tao Ming’s reply.

Soft and Sweet exchanged glances. “Mama, is it because we’ll go home eventually?”

Tao Ming kissed them each. “Yes, sooner or later, we’ll go home.”

Summer Lotus grew anxious. “Miss, this is your home!”

Tao Ming shook her head. “I feel no sense of belonging here. If not for these two, even knowing my origins, I wouldn’t have returned.”

Summer Lotus’s eyes turned red. “Miss, the ancestor, Twelfth Aunt, and Uncle are all here…”

Tao Ming cut her off. “It’s pointless to talk about this now. Let’s sleep—after all this, we’re exhausted.”

Summer Lotus and Winter Snow withdrew.

With no outsiders present, Sweet asked, “Mama, you don’t like it here?”

While tidying up, Tao Ming replied, “It’s just too dangerous here! Like what happened today—it was only luck that I inherited my mother’s legacy. Otherwise, I’d be soaking in the well right now.”

Soft pouted. “No, Mama, we’d both hold on to you and never let you go.”

Tao Ming hugged them. “Mama knows you’re both good children.”

After playing a while longer, they went to sleep and spoke no more of it.