Chapter 1: Ghost Marriage

In the twenty-fifth year of the Tongshun era of the Zhaoyue Kingdom, autumn. Prince Yin, Xiao Jue, achieved a resounding victory over the Cangyi army, earning great military merit, but died from his severe wounds. He passed away at the Prince Yin residence in the capital at the age of twenty-four.

On the seventh day after Prince Yin’s passing, an eight-bearer bridal sedan chair was carried into the Prince Yin residence, which was draped in white silk and filled with flying spirit paper. The Emperor, mindful that Prince Yin had spent his life on the battlefield and had never married, specifically ordered the Imperial Preceptor to select a woman whose horoscope matched the Prince’s to be wed to him in a ghost marriage.

In the bridal chamber, a eunuch sent from the palace to see the bride off walked in, carrying a three-foot length of white silk.

"The auspicious hour has arrived. Please, Princess Yin, begin your journey," the eunuch shouted in a shrill, duck-like voice.

Hearing this death-knell of a voice, Qiu Shuiman felt a surge of panic. Her father’s instructions from before she left echoed in her ears: "Man'er, do not be afraid. When the time comes, the eunuch will bring you poisoned wine and white silk to choose from. Remember, you must choose the poisoned wine. You will not die; Father will surely save you."

"Princess Yin, please begin your journey," Huang Zhong said, bowing his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the deep-in-thought Qiu Shuiman.

Although she was the noble daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence, she could not escape this fate of being ordered to die and be buried with the deceased. Thinking of this, he could not help but sigh in his heart; it was a pity for such a beautiful young girl.

Qiu Shuiman regained her senses and looked up to see a young eunuch approaching with the white silk. Seeing the silk, a look of shock flashed across her eyes, and she couldn't help but ask anxiously and timidly, "Eunuch, why is there no poisoned wine?"

"The Imperial Preceptor said that poisoned wine causes bleeding from the seven orifices after death, a miserable sight, so he specifically bestowed the three-foot white silk upon Princess Yin." Huang Zhong waved his horsetail whisk slightly and replied respectfully, bowing his head. To him, it made no difference whether it was silk or poison.

Qiu Shuiman suddenly stood up, pleading, "Could you please go and prepare the poisoned wine for me? I do not want this white silk."

Huang Zhong frowned, feeling troubled. "Princess Yin, this white silk was bestowed by the Emperor himself. This servant dare not change it at will. Please, Princess, begin your journey." As he spoke, Huang Zhong gave a look to the young eunuch beside him.

"No, I don't want to die, I don't!" Qiu Shuiman suddenly shouted. Father said there would be poisoned wine, that she wouldn't die. Why was it like this?

She didn't want to die, she didn't want to die! Qiu Shuiman violently pushed away the white silk offered by the young eunuch and stumbled, trying to flee.

"Catch her!" Seeing that things were going awry, Huang Zhong immediately ordered.

Qiu Shuiman wanted to escape this place. She didn't want to die; she wanted to go back to see her father and her brother. They were still waiting for her at the residence.

Her trailing skirt was suddenly stepped on by the young eunuch who had caught up. Qiu Shuiman stumbled and fell, her head striking the corner of a square table in the room.

With a thud, Qiu Shuiman collapsed to the floor. Her eyes, filled with mist, were wide open, and she lay motionless on the ground, blood streaming from her temple.

"Eunuch Huang, this..." The young eunuch hesitated, at a loss.

Huang Zhong hurried over, crouched down, and checked Qiu Shuiman’s breath. She was already dead. Huang Zhong stood up and said to the young eunuch, "Wipe the blood from her forehead. Don't let anyone see any clues."

The young eunuch immediately complied, even using powder to hide the wound. Seeing that no signs of injury remained, he felt slightly relieved.

Huang Zhong checked once more, and seeing that everything was in order, he shouted loudly, "Princess Yin has returned to the heavens. The auspicious hour is here. Bring the coffin."

The matrons and nannies waiting outside came in to verify the body, then carried the deceased Qiu Shuiman to the coffin placed in the mourning hall.

Inside the coffin lay a handsome man dressed in court robes. He looked as if he were merely sleeping, his face serene. This was none other than the late Prince Yin, Xiao Jue.

The nanny placed Qiu Shuiman’s body beside Xiao Jue and carefully arranged their clothes and appearance. Once everything was ready, a ceremonial official shouted, "Seal the coffin, begin the funeral procession."

Cries of grief erupted instantly within the Prince Yin residence, and white spirit paper fluttered through the air. The thousand-pound coffin lid was closed, and the massive procession, accompanied by wailing, escorted Prince Yin’s coffin toward the mausoleum.

"Ugh... my head hurts." Qiu Shuiman opened her heavy eyes. Everything before her was pitch black. She instinctively reached out to touch the light switch, but the texture she felt was unfamiliar—it felt like... wood.