Chapter 4

In the Chen family’s small garden.

The clear pond reflects the surroundings, and a kingfisher perches on a branch, its calls varying in length and pitch.

There are also lush green bamboos, their leaves spreading out, and when the west wind blows, their rustling harmonizes with the bird’s calls, creating a pleasant sound.

"Gold generates water, and the phoenix comes to rest."

Chen Yan sat steadily, his gaze fixed on the nearby pond. The golden water shimmered, and the green bamboo cast reflections, the clear and bright light interweaving, forming a feng shui pattern that promised the family’s safety and prosperity.

Sitting in the garden, Chen Yan felt a cool breeze and a subtle fragrance, his mind calm and at peace.

"Not simple at all,"

Chen Yan stroked the scroll in his hand. If it weren’t for the witch’s evil magic, this feng shui pattern alone could ensure the Chen family’s well-being and safety. However, the recent turmoil in the Chen family over the past three months showed the limitations of feng shui patterns.

Feng shui patterns focus on nurturing, balancing yin and yang, and forming a magnetic field. Over time, they bring continuous blessings and longevity, but they are powerless against the infinite changes of the future.

The reason is simple: feng shui patterns create a small world, but they need someone to control them, achieving harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity for true perfection.

Only a person can adjust to future changes. If a person has problems, even the best feng shui pattern is just a dead object.

In the past, when Chen Yan was bedridden, the "phoenix comes to rest" pattern in the garden was just a decoration. Now that Chen Yan has cultivated to the感应境界 (induction realm), generating true qi, he naturally forms a magnetic field that resonates with the feng shui pattern, immediately restoring and even enhancing the "phoenix comes to rest" pattern.

Ultimately, feng shui patterns are just embellishments and cannot solve fundamental problems. The key lies in human action.

"Self-improvement and virtue bear all things."

Chen Yan’s gaze deepened, gaining new insights into the principles of heaven, earth, and humanity.

Creak,

At that moment, the door creaked open, and Ah Ying entered from outside, her hair disheveled, barefoot, and her white robe fluttering.

At first glance, she looked like a living ghost.

"Ah Ying, what happened to you?"

Chen Yan put down the scroll, looked her over, and asked, "Not only did you come back late, but why are you in this state?"

"Oh dear,"

Ah Ying sat down on a stone bench, panting heavily. After a while, she answered, "Today was really unlucky. On my way back, I encountered two ruffians."

"Hmm?"

Chen Yan sat up straight, poured her a cup of hot tea, and handed it to her, asking, "How did you get rid of them?"

"Well,"

Ah Ying drank the hot tea, cleared her throat, and smiled, then said animatedly, "It was in the wilderness, an open area with no one around. Two people chased me from behind, and it was clear they were not good people. But in such a desolate place, even if I shouted, no one would hear me."

"So, I had a sudden idea."

"I ran to an ancient tree, took off my hairpin and earrings, put them in my pocket, and took off my sash, wrapping it around my neck. I let my hair down, stuck out my tongue, widened my eyes, and stared straight ahead, waiting for the two to come."

"When they came, I deliberately waved at them, making a rustling sound, and gestured for them to sit down."

"When they saw me like that, they thought I was a hanged ghost and were terrified. The timid one screamed like crazy, it was really funny."

"Then, I took the opportunity to run away while they were scared and came home quickly."

"Hehe, lucky I was smart."

"Our Ah Ying is indeed smart,"

Chen Yan nodded and smiled, "If you have a clear conscience, you don’t fear ghosts. From their terrified looks, you can tell they were not good people."

"Yes,"

Ah Ying finished her tea, frowned slightly, and said, "But I saw one of them was very scared. I wonder if he was scared into a fool?"

"If he was scared into a fool, so be it,"

Chen Yan waved his hand, unconcerned, "If he really was scared into a fool, it means he has done many bad things. You, Ah Ying, have done a good deed for the people."

"That’s good, that’s good."

Ah Ying felt relieved, her gaze falling on the celestial horse under the tree. She immediately stood up, walked over, and circled it, exclaiming in surprise, "Isn’t this the Jiaowei horse? How did it suddenly appear?"

"Jiaowei horse?"

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows, asking, "Ah Ying, have you seen it before?"

"Yes,"

Ah Ying leaned in, stroked the horse’s head, and smiled, "When Master and Lady were still alive, this Jiaowei horse often appeared, and I even rode it out. But after Master and Lady passed away, the Jiaowei horse disappeared. I didn’t expect to see it again today."

"I see,"

Chen Yan understood, "Ah Ying, from now on, when you go out on errands, ride this Jiaowei horse. It will save time and be safer."

"Okay,"

Ah Ying stroked the Jiaowei horse’s mane and agreed, "The Jiaowei horse runs very fast. With it, it will be much more convenient for me to go to the market to buy things."

Fifty miles away, at the Zhao family village.

At the village entrance, there was a large courtyard, covering ten acres.

Willows hung by the gate, and peach and apricot trees flourished within the walls, interspersed with bamboo. The walls were painted white, and the gate was red and grand.

"Ghost, ghost."

Zhao Sanbao sat on the ground, his eyes vacant, just wailing, crying and laughing alternately, completely mad.

"Master, Master,"

Three or four servants stood by, their faces covered in dust.

"My child,"

Lady Zhao looked at her precious son in this state, her heart aching.

"Hmph,"

Headman Zhao snorted, his gaze shifting from his son to the trembling Guo Xiaosi, and he gritted his teeth, "Did you really encounter a ghost in the wilderness?"

"A hanged ghost,"

Guo Xiaosi knew the man before him was a tyrant for miles around, and one displeasure could mean his death. He dared not hide anything and recounted the events of the night in detail.

Headman Zhao had been a tyrant for many years and was a formidable figure. He listened quietly and immediately noticed something suspicious. He asked, "You say you were chasing a woman, and then she disappeared, and you encountered a hanged ghost?"

"Yes,"

Guo Xiaosi nodded like a chicken pecking, "At the time, Third Young Master saw the woman’s slender figure and wanted to have some fun in the wilderness."

"Fool,"

Headman Zhao kicked Guo Xiaosi, scolding, "That’s not a hanged ghost; it’s the woman disguised as a ghost to scare you."

"Disguised as a ghost?"

Guo Xiaosi, who had been dazed since returning, shuddered and suddenly realized that the hanged ghost with disheveled hair seemed familiar.

"This appearance,"

Guo Xiaosi shouted, "Master Zhao, I remember. The one who disguised herself as a ghost is Ah Ying from the Chen family’s courtyard. She often goes to the market to sell noodles; I wouldn’t mistake her."

"Good, good, good,"

Headman Zhao laughed in anger, "Now we know the culprit."

"Iron Pillar, gather the men. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the Chen family’s courtyard and bring back that girl. Since she likes to play ghost, this time we’ll make her a real ghost."

In the end, Headman Zhao’s voice was filled with undisguised malice.

"Yes."

Iron Pillar agreed, the towering man smiled coldly, as cruel as a winter wolf.