Chapter 12: Haunted

In the land of Qilu, within the domain of Dongchang Prefecture, at the garrison of Pingshan.

Li Miao and his companions, four in total, rode their horses up to the city gate.

The soldiers guarding the gate glanced at them. One, seeing their travel-worn appearance, mistook them for merchants and prepared to step forward and collect a bribe. Yet another, sharp-eyed, caught sight of the sword hilt protruding from Mei Qinghe’s waist and realized these were folks from the martial world. He hurriedly pulled back the would-be extortionist and waved them through.

Martial artists were notorious—poor yet proud, quick to quarrel, always broke, eager to fight, and obsessed with saving face. With so many travelers passing through each day, there were always merchants ripe for the picking, easy to handle and profitable. There was no need to trouble the martial folk for money.

Wang Hai watched this unfold and turned to Li Miao with a grin. “Brother, were they about to ask us for money?”

“We’re usually the ones raiding other people’s homes. Having someone try to extort us—that’s a first,” Li Miao replied.

In public, Wang Hai dared not address Li Miao as “Commander.”

Li Miao, unconcerned, said, “If they really asked, I’d just give it to them. It’s like eating a bowl of wontons and not paying, thinking you’ve outsmarted a soldier. How much could they possibly ask for?”

This earned a complaint from Xiao Si in the rear. “Master, we really can’t afford it.”

“We’re out of money!”

“Hm?” Li Miao turned to Xiao Si. “Didn’t you bring plenty of silver before we left? Is it all gone?”

“You’re one to talk!” Xiao Si extended his fingers, counting each incident. “Yesterday, you were at the teahouse listening to the storyteller. You got excited and handed him five taels—he nearly cried, thinking you wanted to buy his life!”

“And the day before, you went drinking. Each jug cost three coins, and you drank five.”

“The day before that, you complained your saddle was too hard, insisted on a softer one. When it was made, you said it was too soft and ordered another, one that was soft but firm. The craftsman thought you were sabotaging the trade, made six before you were satisfied—three taels each, that’s eighteen taels.”

“The worst was in Northern Zhili. There was a group of refugees, and you gave the local constable a hundred taels to help settle them.”

“And even earlier…”

Xiao Si recited the expenses like treasures, making Li Miao’s head ache. He quickly waved her off.

“You know I can’t keep money—it’s never been just a day or two.”

“So how much is left?”

He had never bothered with finances; back in Shuntian Prefecture, his money was always with Xiao Si. When he needed more, he just withdrew some from the Jin Yi Wei treasury, part of which belonged to him anyway.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t manage accounts, simply that he was used to this way of life, never giving it much thought, treating Xiao Si as his housekeeper.

People are inherently lazy—Li Miao had been spoiled by Zhu Zaiyu and Xiao Si. Once Xiao Si married out, perhaps he’d finally learn to manage his own money.

Xiao Si spread her small hands wide. “It’s all gone!”

“For the past few days, Mei Sister has been paying for our meals!”

Li Miao turned to Mei Qinghe.

Mei Qinghe closed her eyes, expressionless, and pulled a cloth pouch from her bosom. “I still have ten taels…”

She glanced at Xiao Si, holding the pouch out. “That’s all there is…”

Seeing her tragic, martyr-like demeanor, Li Miao hurriedly said, “Enough, enough, put it away.”

“I’m not at the point where I have to take my subordinate’s money for food.”

“Hai’er,” he turned to Wang Hai.

Wang Hai chuckled. “Brother, I’m just your henchman. How could you shamelessly ask me for money?”

“When we’re back in Shuntian Prefecture, I’ll settle up with you. It’s all official business anyway—I’ll just grab a handful from the treasury and balance the accounts,” Li Miao said.

Wang Hai shrugged. “I gave all my money to Xiao Si. If she’s out, then I’m out too.”

Li Miao cast a sidelong glance at Wang Hai, then looked at Xiao Si. “Where’s his money?”

Xiao Si clutched her purse tightly. “Not giving it!”

“Hai Brother’s money is for important matters—can’t let you squander it!”

“Well, well,” Li Miao laughed. “You’re not even married yet, and you’re already managing the finances. Won’t give your family a penny, is that it?”

“When it comes time for the bride price, aren’t you afraid I’ll ask for it all?”

Back in Shuntian Prefecture, Wang Hai and Xiao Si had feelings for each other, but Wang Hai couldn’t visit Li Miao’s house often, and when they met, words were few. So they were shy around each other.

But on this trip, Li Miao was either napping or wandering about for entertainment, leaving them to their own devices.

Mei Qinghe was taciturn, always trailing behind in silence.

The two spent their days talking together, and with Li Miao always teasing them, their relationship was now out in the open, no longer bashful.

Hearing Li Miao, Xiao Si blushed and muttered, “You don’t even know how much money you have. I’ll just bring a bit more when the time comes…”

Li Miao laughed. “That’s a solution. Looks like I’ll never get it out of you.”

“Little Mei.”

Mei Qinghe had just tucked the money away, but hearing this, closed her eyes again, and handed the pouch to Xiao Si.

Li Miao waved his hand. “Let’s make do today. Tomorrow, I’ll go find the local officials and see what I can get out of them.”

“There are plenty of Jin Yi Wei cut down in the world, but I’ve never heard of one starving to death.”

“A Jin Yi Wei commander comes knocking just to ask for some money—he’ll probably be so happy he cries.”

The four bantered and laughed as they walked up to a bustling tavern.

It was just noon, and the tavern was packed, with scarcely a seat to spare. Business was clearly thriving.

They tied their horses outside, and Li Miao led the way in. A waiter immediately greeted them.

“Gentlemen, what can I get for you?”

“For four, what good wine and—”

“Sir!”

Three voices overlapped.

Li Miao turned. Xiao Si was glaring at him, gesturing ten taels with her hands.

Mei Qinghe, meanwhile, was staring at the ceiling, silent.

He couldn’t kick the habit—he’d nearly blurted, “Bring your best wine and dishes,” forgetting he had only ten taels to his name, forcibly extracted from Mei Qinghe.

Even if they feasted, ten taels would suffice. Still, with their funds dwindling, it was wise to economize.

Li Miao smiled, then said to the waiter, “Four of us, just a simple meal.”

“Bring a few dishes according to our appetites, and some tea.”

“Right away, please sit here.”

The waiter led them to a table, served tea, and went to place their order.

Settling in, Wang Hai and Xiao Si whispered together, Mei Qinghe closed her eyes to compose herself, hands on her knees, fingers occasionally tracing patterns—likely practicing sword techniques in her mind.

That left Li Miao alone.

When they first set out, Wang Hai and Xiao Si were too shy to talk privately, always including Li Miao in conversation. Now, with their relationship clarified, they stuck together, leaving Li Miao without company.

Mei Qinghe wasn’t much of a conversationalist either. Discussing martial arts, she could talk at length, but for anything else, she managed only a hesitant “yes” or “I disagree.”

Li Miao poured himself a cup of tea and, putting his hearing to use, eavesdropped on the chatter around the tavern for amusement.

Suddenly, his eyes brightened. He set down his teacup.

“Have you heard about the haunting at Master Wu’s estate?”

“Who hasn’t? They say plenty of servants have been scared off!”

“My brother-in-law works there. The other night, while on patrol, he truly saw the ghost!”

“Hair loose, covered in blood, floating above the ground. My brother-in-law fainted on the spot, lay in the courtyard half the night before being found. He’s still taking medicine!”

Li Miao stood up, ignoring Xiao Si’s angry glare, took some silver, and bought a jug of wine.

He walked over to their table, cupped his hands in greeting.

“Friends, I was waiting for my meal over there and happened to overhear your conversation.”

“I’ve traveled far and wide, and always enjoy hearing local tales and legends. This jug of wine is for you, to moisten your throats.”

“This haunting—could you tell me more about it?”