Mistress of the Underworld and Her Little Celestial Wife - Chapter 11

Ghost Yamen?

Mu Yin froze upon hearing this. She had heard of human government offices, but this was the first time she had ever heard of a Ghost Yamen.

Do ghosts have their own yamen?

“Of course they do.” Zhang Maozhi stroked his small beard and said to Mu Yin, “Birth, aging, sickness, and death, all these fall under the jurisdiction of the underworld. Without a proper system, wouldn’t the world descend into chaos?”

Zhang Maozhi shook his head and continued, “Everything in this world follows its own order. Some ghosts were good people in life but suffered injustice upon death. Naturally, they would seek to redress their grievances. The petition in your hand is precisely such a case.”

Hearing this, Mu Yin couldn’t help but ponder.

There were definitely ghosts in the southern courtyard otherwise, the people in the inner residence wouldn’t all say so.

But why would the ghosts harm people?

Moreover, Mu Yin didn’t believe the petition had flown into her face by sheer coincidence. It must have been deliberate.

Was this an attempt to ask for her help in seeking justice?

Mu Yin asked him, “Do you know where the Ghost Yamen is?”

Zhang Maozhi shook his head and began packing up his things.

“Eh? Why are you packing up? Aren’t you going to continue fortune-telling today?” Mu Yin asked, puzzled.

“This humble Daoist only divines one hexagram per day. Since I’ve already done yours today, I can’t take any more business. Naturally, it’s time to pack up and head home.” Zhang Maozhi rolled up the cloth spread on the table, slung it over his shoulder, and said, “Thank you for the dumplings today, miss. If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”

He gave the little black cat in Mu Yin’s arms a deep look and added, “That is, if this humble Daoist ever gets to see you again.”

Mu Yin was baffled by his words. Seeing Zhang Maozhi about to leave, she quickly asked, “You still haven’t told me about the Ghost Yamen.”

Zhang Maozhi smiled and said, “This one knows little about the Ghost Yamen. Perhaps you should ask someone else, she might be able to help you.”

After this cryptic remark, Zhang Maozhi took his banner and left.

The plump vendor nearby shook his head and said to Mu Yin, “Miss, you’ve definitely been fooled by that old Daoist. He’s always spouting nonsense. I advise you not to believe him.”

Mu Yin thought for a moment, thanked the vendor, and then headed back.

Truthfully, she was inclined to believe Zhang Maozhi, if only because she had never mentioned the petition, yet he had accurately identified it. That alone proved he wasn’t just a charlatan.

But why speak only half the truth?

Mu Yin couldn’t figure it out.

Carrying the little black cat, she entered the rear courtyard only to find members of the Five Skandha Sect searching everywhere for her.

“Young Madam! Young Madam!”

One of the female sword cultivators spotted Mu Yin entering from outside and immediately exclaimed, “Young Madam, where have you been? We’ve all been looking for you, we thought something had happened!”

“What could possibly happen to me?” Mu Yin chuckled as she emerged from the overgrown weeds. “Could you give me a hand?”

The female sword cultivator took Mu Yin’s arm and helped her out of the thicket, then said, “Young Madam, Senior Sister Hong Zhuang seems to have gotten into trouble. You should go take a look.”

Mu Yin was puzzled. Hong Zhuang had only gone out for a while, what trouble could she have caused?

The female sword cultivator grimaced and said, “Senior Sister Hong Zhuang has locked up Madam Mu and the Fourth Young Miss.”

Mu Yin: “…”

What?

When Mu Yin arrived, she saw Hong Zhuang surrounded by several people dressed in purple martial attire. However, those individuals seemed wary of Hong Zhuang, keeping their distance as they encircled her, none daring to approach.

Hong Zhuang stood at the entrance of the inner courtyard with her arms crossed, her gaze filled with disdain for the Nine Stars Gate disciples, cold and laced with a hint of mockery.

And undeniably striking.

Mu Yin’s entrance immediately drew everyone’s attention, and Hong Zhuang naturally looked over as well, her expression shifting instantly.

“Young Mistress, why have you come?” Hong Zhuang remained rooted at the doorway, unmoving, yet her tone was gentle as she said, “Young Mistress, you should rest. We can handle matters here ourselves.”

Mu Yin broke out in a cold sweat. This was what they called handling it?

They were practically on the verge of a fight, weren’t they?

With a sigh, Mu Yin walked over.

“Excuse me, coming through.” She maneuvered past the purple-clad individuals, cradling the little black cat in her arms, before addressing Hong Zhuang, “What are you doing? I heard you’ve confined my mother and fourth sister. Is it true?”

Before Hong Zhuang could respond, a wail erupted from the room behind her.

Qin Shi’s voice cried out from inside, “Husband! This is as far as I can accompany you in this life. You must live well in the days to come!”

Then came Mu Xuanzhu’s voice, joining in the lament, “Father! Someone is trying to kill Mother and me! Save us!!”

Hong Zhuang frowned. “How noisy.”

With that, she flicked two talismans through the door crack. Mu Yin heard two crisp pops, and the room fell silent.

Mu Yin: “…”

She scratched her cheek, momentarily at a loss.

What was going on?

Hong Zhuang had never been this volatile when she was by her side. Now she was sealing mouths without a second thought.

Women truly had two sides to them.

The Nine Stars Gate disciples who had gathered naturally heard the commotion, exchanging uncertain glances, unsure of what to do.

They were disciples of Nine Stars Gate. Their sect leader’s wife and fourth young miss were now trapped inside by evildoers, their fates unknown. By all rights, they should band together and attack, eliminating these villains.

Yet hesitation crept in.

This was the Five Skandha Sect, the foremost immortal sect of the Nine Provinces. The woman before them, who seemed like a minor leader, had concealed her true strength. The Nine Stars Gate disciples knew full well they stood no chance against her.

But could they simply stand by and watch their sect leader’s wife and fourth young miss suffer inside?

Just as the crowd wavered, a woman in purple robes stepped forward from their midst.

She carried an ancient-looking sword in her hand. After surveying Hong Zhuang and Mu Yin, she cupped her hands and said, “Third Young Miss, Lady Hong Zhuang. I am Jiang Fan, head disciple of Nine Stars Gate.”

The head disciple of Nine Stars Gate?

Mu Yin studied the woman who had stepped forward. She had delicate features, her long hair tied into a simple ponytail. She stood taller than most men, and paired with that ancient sword, she truly looked the part of a head disciple.

Hong Zhuang arched an eyebrow, eyeing Jiang Fan. “You’re Nine Stars Gate’s head disciple? What, have you come to rescue your sect leader’s wife too?”

Jiang Fan silently looked at Hong Zhuang, neither confirming nor denying. Instead, he calmly shifted his gaze to Mu Yin’s face and said, “Third Young Miss, I’ve heard about the matters concerning the South Courtyard. Might I have a private word with you?”

Mu Yin’s heart skipped a beat.

This senior martial sister was likely one of the earliest disciples of the Nine Stars Gate and might even recognize her. The sudden request for a private conversation felt somewhat unsettling.

Yet refusing outright in public would seem even more peculiar. Tightening her grip on the kitten in her arms, Mu Yin maintained the dignified air of the Third Young Miss and replied, “Very well, please proceed.”

Hong Zhuang, concerned that Jiang Fan might pose a threat to Mu Yin, instructed several Five Skandha Sect disciples to remain guarding the door before accompanying Mu Yin to the South Courtyard.

Once the three arrived in the room, Mu Yin sat on a cushion and set down the kitten she had been holding, taking the opportunity to stroke Si Lingqing’s glossy fur. Only then did she leisurely ask, “Might I inquire as to the reason for Senior Sister Jiang seeking me out?”

Jiang Fan stood nearby, gripping her sword tightly before solemnly declaring, “I know the secret of the Nine Stars Gate.”

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