Chapter 76: Ferrying Vengeful Spirits
Performing rituals should be done at night.
Celestial Master Zhang arrived at the Gong Family after the lamps were lit that day.
By then, Gong Xu had already returned from the yamen and had finished dinner.
“Thank you for your trouble, Celestial Master.” Gong Xu observed that Celestial Master Zhang appeared to be only around forty years old, yet it was said he was already over seventy.
“Second Master is too kind. This humble Taoist was genuinely delayed by matters a couple of days ago, and I beg your forgiveness.” Celestial Master Zhang was also very polite.
“It’s alright, it’s good that the Celestial Master could come.” Gong Xu said, “Please have a cup of tea before we begin the ritual.”
“In my humble opinion, it’s more important to get down to business. As for tea, it’s not too late to have it later,” Celestial Master Zhang chuckled.
“Master, Madam is here,” Liuyun announced as she entered.
“Why has Madam come?” Gong Xu was very surprised. By rights, Wen Mingqian should have avoided them. Did she not feel awkward?
“I heard you invited a Celestial Master to perform a ritual, so I wanted to come and see,” Wen Mingqian said gracefully as she walked in, offering a slight bow to Celestial Master Zhang.
Celestial Master Zhang quickly returned the bow and paid his respects, saying, “This humble Taoist pays his respects to Madam.”
“Please sit, Celestial Master. I apologize for troubling you.” Wen Mingqian’s demeanor was proper. “Our household has been quite disturbed and unsettled these past few days. I implore the Celestial Master to use his divine powers to expel the evil spirits.”
“This humble Taoist will certainly do his best, please rest assured, Madam.” This old Taoist had already received instructions from Song Xiang and knew exactly what to say.
“Madam has arrived. Please forgive my tardiness,” Consort Song said, leaning on a maid as she slowly emerged from the inner room. She also offered a deep bow to Celestial Master Zhang, “Thank you for coming, Celestial Master.”
“I see your complexion is better than a few days ago. I imagine after the Celestial Master performs the ritual, your mind will be even more at peace,” Wen Mingqian said to Consort Song with a smile.
“Thank you for your concern these past few days, Madam,” Consort Song replied with a grateful expression.
“We are family, why speak as if we are not? As long as you and the child are safe and sound, Master and Old Madam can rest easy!” Wen Mingqian smiled sweetly, her demeanor as a principal wife perfectly maintained.
“Master, the altar is ready,” two young disciples brought by Celestial Master Zhang reported.
“Then please follow me,” Celestial Master Zhang said as he stood up. “If all goes smoothly, it won’t take too long.”
By this time, it was completely dark. A small ritual altar was set up in the courtyard of Rui Xiang Residence.
Celestial Master Zhang adjusted his collar and began the ritual.
He rang a bell, wielded a sword, sprinkled water, and burned talismans, carrying on for a full two quarters of an hour before stopping.
“Reporting to Second Master and Second Madam, there is a child’s vengeful spirit here, persistently entangled, which is causing the household unrest,” Celestial Master Zhang said with his eyes slightly closed.
“Is there a method for exorcism?” Gong Xu asked urgently.
“This does put this humble Taoist in a slight predicament,” Celestial Master Zhang said with a slight frown. “If it were a lonely ghost from elsewhere, it would simply be dispersed. However, this child seems to have a deep connection with the main family, so this humble Taoist dares not act rashly.”
“What do you mean by that?” Consort Song, who was standing nearby, could not help but ask.
“This child’s vengeful spirit is unwilling to depart. He has an attachment to his biological mother and wishes to be reborn into her womb, yet he harbors resentment and wants to take revenge on his murderer,” Celestial Master Zhang said.
As he spoke, several gazes fell upon Wen Mingqian. However, she remained expressionless, not even blinking an eye.
Gong Xu was surprised, wondering if Wen Mingqian’s resilience had reached such a level.
“Then how can we prevent him from continuing to cause trouble?” Wen Mingqian, seeing everyone looking at her, asked Celestial Master Zhang.
“If his ghost is forcibly dispersed, it would inevitably harm the family’s auspicious aura, and future offspring might be adversely affected.
The best method is to properly guide and deliver his soul, so that his resentment dissipates and he willingly enters reincarnation. That would be the best outcome!” Celestial Master Zhang said, stroking his beard.
As he said this, while others remained composed, only Consort Song could not help but shed tears. “Celestial Master, he… he should be my child. I am willing for him to return to my womb.”
“Little Madam, this humble Taoist can perform a ritual for him to alleviate some of his resentment. As for whether he can be reborn to you again, that will depend on fate,” Celestial Master Zhang said. “My magical powers are limited, and I can only do so much.”
“Master, then let the Celestial Master quickly perform a ritual! It would be good even if it could alleviate some of his resentment,” Consort Song said, her eyes tearful.
“Don’t worry, I will definitely ask the Celestial Master to properly deliver him. As a mother, you are reluctant to part with him, but you must not force it,” Gong Xu said, looking at Consort Song’s state, he himself felt a pang of sadness.
Gong Kang’an had died too tragically that year. Let alone Consort Song, his mother, even he could never forget it in his lifetime.
Celestial Master Zhang said, “The resentment of this vengeful spirit is too heavy. Rituals must be performed for seven consecutive days.”
“Everything is as you say,” Gong Xu replied. “We only wish for him to be freed soon.”
“It is late, Madam. Please return to your chambers to rest,” Consort Song said to Wen Mingqian, taking two steps forward.
The night breeze brushed her temples, making her slightly swollen face appear even more gaunt.
This pregnancy had been truly arduous for her, to the point of altering her appearance.
“This child is indeed pitiful, but he must be properly delivered!” Wen Mingqian said, looking back at Consort Song. Their gazes met, like the tip of a needle against the eye of a needle.
“Madam, please relax. I will sincerely pray for him to become my child again,” Consort Song said, gently touching her lower abdomen. “I have missed him so much all these years.”
“May your wish be granted,” Wen Mingqian said, a smile on her face from beginning to end. “I imagine your mother-child bond is deep, and he would not wish to leave you.”
“All of you should return to your rooms to rest! I will stay here,” Gong Xu declared. “There’s no need to force things; let nature take its course!”
To be honest, he did not wish for Gong Kang’an to be reborn again, as he felt it was inauspicious.
“Madam, that Taoist priest is clearly in cahoots with Consort Song,” Sang Er whispered to Wen Mingqian on their way back.
“Naturally. If you’re going to put on a show, you might as well go all the way,” Wen Mingqian said indifferently.
“Although Consort Song is detestable, there’s something admirable about her; she acted so convincingly,” Sang Er said.
“When I was your age, I most disdained acting,” Wen Mingqian chuckled lightly. “But now I find that playing along with others’ performances can be quite interesting.”
“Actually, this servant thinks Consort Song is somewhat afraid,” Sang Er added. “She said she invited a Taoist priest to perform rituals, and indeed she wants peace. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so gaunt these past few days. It must be suspicion that has conjured inner demons.”
“But even before gods and Buddhas, people like her cannot help but lie,” Wen Mingqian sighed. “It is from her that I have witnessed what true deceit is.”
“People who have no reverence are the most terrifying. It is likely that their hearts have long rotted away for them to be so insane.”
