Chapter 9: Autumn Girl

  "Any wealthy family's master has some elegant hobbies. I see this chessboard placed in the dining room within arm's reach, so Tang's master must be very fond of playing chess. Although it's hard to tell which master's hobby it is, this chessboard's age isn't short, doesn't seem like something from after the founding of the country, so I think it should have some use." Jiang saw that I didn't quite understand and carefully explained again.

  I suddenly understood and began to admire Jiang's meticulous thinking. The mischievous ghost was likely Qiū Niáng, and this chessboard was probably Táng Mò Wén's. As a resentful spirit, Qiū Niáng would certainly be entwined with these things at all times.

  I took another look at the chessboard, which was exquisitely carved with a flowing cloud pattern around it. The hooks, rolls, outlines and engravings were all delicate and meticulous, showcasing the carver's exceptional skill.

  "What's this?" I suddenly beckoned him over, gesturing for Jiang Zhen to look at the line of small characters carved on the edge of the chessboard.

  "In the 25th year of the Republic, I visited West Lake with Wenbo accompanying me. I was deeply moved and gave him a chessboard as a gift. - Wang Jingan"

  I raised my head, furrowed my brow: "Wang Jing'an, who is that? Brother Shuwen, are you referring to Tang Mowen?"

  Before I could finish asking, Jiang Zhun had already placed his phone in front of me.

  Wang Guowei, styled Jing'an.

  Well, this is getting interesting, now it's involved a big shot.

  Jiang Zhun stretched out his finger, propped up his chin and smiled: "Tang Mowen, courtesy name Shuwen. What a elegant name, what a hypocritical master of the Tang family."

  "Good words!" In the quiet night, a soft and gentle laughter suddenly echoed, like the spring breeze in March brushing against the face, the willow branches swaying gently, with sparkling ripples. Dazed for a moment, the thick night color seemed to have retreated by three points, with clear and cold moonlight shining through the window lattice, illuminating the woman standing elegantly in front of the window, her complexion and lip color both frosty white, without any hint of blood color.

  My whole body trembled, and the voice made me feel so comfortable that my pores opened. I stole a glance at Jiang Zhun beside me, but saw his lips stiff, his eyebrows slightly raised, with a suppressed expression. A inexplicable sense of annoyance rose in my heart, and I said: "Qiu Niang?"

  A faint sighing sound came from beside me, I hummed a response and cast my gaze towards the window. The woman was smiling at me with her eyes, her eyebrows and eyes naturally held a hint of spring, two sparkling autumn waters that moved people, it was simply a natural killer for men.

  "Two guests came to my home, but I didn't greet them in time. It's really not right, not right." Qiu Niang said with a smile on her face as she walked over, wearing a well-tailored cheongsam that accentuated her figure. Her white legs appeared and disappeared as she moved, exuding a subtle fragrance.

  I focused my eyes, but saw that the fog on her head had turned from black to red, with threads of red air swirling around her head, making her resentment even more intense.

  It's clear that the autumn girl in front of me is no longer the simple and innocent one who died unjustly. She has been tormented by her resentment day and night, to the point where she can no longer distinguish between good and evil.

  "What are you standing there for, sit down." Qiū Niáng walked around to Jiāng Zhǔn's back, stretched out her slender fingers, lightly hooked his chin, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes as she smiled and said, "This gentleman is truly handsome."

  I sat down at the octagonal table, with my hands supporting my cheeks, looking at the two people sitting opposite me hand in hand. The man was wearing a shirt and suit, elegant and refined; the woman was wearing a cheongsam, her figure slender and charming. Hmm, they're absolutely matched, simply absolutely matched.

  Jiang Zhen quietly moved away, but was again entwined by Qiuniang like a water snake. He looked at me for help, but I pursed my lips and turned my head away.

  Are you so handsome that you've been spotted by a female ghost?

  You don't know how to refuse, watch me, what am I doing, just want to make you suffer a bit.

  Let you... wait, where is this female ghost putting her hand!

  Qiu Niang's hand was stuck to Jiang Zhun's knee, slowly moving towards the restricted area. She leaned in, whispering in Jiang Zhun's ear: "Qiu Niang knows why sir has come here. To get that one soul, it's simple, as long as sir accompanies Qiu Niang for a night, Qiu Niang will personally return that one soul with both hands."

  He's still got it, knows how to control the emperor and command the vassals.

  I took a glance at Jiang Zhun's face which had turned bright red, and thought to myself what this guy would look like if he were sucked dry of his vital energy.

  Jiang Zhunteng suddenly stood up and angrily said: "It was indeed you who took away my aunt's soul! Return it to me!"

  I get it now. Shen's aunt is actually Jiang Zhun's Achilles' heel, and Qiu Niang mistakenly tried to use this to threaten him, what a miscalculation.

  "Is that a refusal?" Autumn Maiden cast her gaze at me, a smile playing on her lips. "Is it for her sake?"

  "Yes."

  "No."

  I and Jiang Zhun blurted out at the same time, Jiang Zhun looked over in surprise, my ears suddenly turned red, and I didn't know what was wrong with me tonight, actually losing my composure repeatedly.

  The autumn girl smiled with interest: "Is it or isn't it? If so, then I won't be able to help but take action. Kill her, and you'll be mine?"

  Jiang's lips were pursed, and his fingertips shone with a golden light as he breathed in and out.

  I held his hand, signaling him to calm down. Jiang's hand stiffened, I felt it, and a scorching sensation suddenly spread from the base of my ears to my cheeks. Just as I was about to withdraw my hand, he grasped it back, holding it very tightly, almost crushing my wrist bone.

  "Cough cough." I raised my head, forcing a nonchalant expression, and looked at Qiūniáng, "A person won't accompany you in sleep; the soul will also be taken back."

  Qiu Niang raised an eyebrow, a fierce glint flashing between her eyebrows, and the black fog on her head turned redder. She sneered: "Oh? The love between men and women in this world is all deceitful, don't get trapped, little sister."

  I lowered my eyes and gave a cold smile: "Stop calling me sister, your age is enough to be my great-grandmother."

  "You!" Qiu Niang gritted her teeth, took two steps back and said, "Then you will die here!"

  "Be careful!" Jiang Zun blocked me behind him, a flash of golden light on his palm, and a talisman shot out, striking Autumn Girl.