WBSGVS Chapter 189 V2

Qingli paused to consider. Since she arrived here, hadn’t everything turned out lucky?

Originally, she’d planned to recover her strength, sneak out, stir up trouble, and make a scene in front of the emperor. Even if she were punished, as a royal daughter, she wouldn’t be beaten or anything too serious. Once she showed her face, the emperor couldn’t allow two of his children to remain locked up and abused in the Cold Palace—it would hurt the royal family’s reputation.

But once she realized the imperial power outside wasn’t as strong as it seemed, Qingli gave up on that plan.

If court factions were actively vying for power, a princess like her might get by, but a prince like Sima Yan would become a target. Whether someone tried to rope him in or suppress him, it would cause trouble.

Besides, the Cold Palace had its advantages—chief among them, simplicity. Fewer people, fewer complications. As long as she handled Madam Dai, life here might be more comfortable than life outside.

As for why she hadn’t simply killed Madam Dai…

She was afraid that if she killed this one, another “Nanny Dai” would just be sent in her place. That would be a real headache.

This was ancient times, after all—if the cold palace was rumored to be haunted, and the master gave the order, no matter how unwilling the servants were, they’d still be forced to come. And if someone even tougher got assigned here, she’d have to come up with another plan. Too much trouble.

This one would have to do for now. She could deal with her later, once her wings had fully grown.

After all, if she hadn’t come, judging by the situation, Sima Yan wouldn’t have lasted another two days. That life—she had to repay it!

Qingli raised her foot and gave a kick.

A piece of dead wood, about the thickness of a wrist, flew through the air, but a gust of wind blew it off course. Sima Yan, obediently waiting across from her, ran over to pick it up and kicked it back. “Sister, catch!”

Just then, another gust of wind blew in.

Qingli’s hair whipped into the air. She glanced up at the gloomy sky, and something stirred in her. Smiling, she said, “Let’s stop. Looks like it’s going to rain any second. Let’s go inside.”

Sima Yan looked disappointed and drooped his head, but he still nodded and took Qingli’s hand as they headed indoors.

That night, Nanny Dai chose to sleep in the same room as Xiling. After all, Bai Zhu was someone left behind by Consort Bai. Though she seemed timid and well-behaved, Nanny Dai didn’t trust her. And how could she not have heard a single sound the night before?

What if the same thing happened tonight?

Xiling might be a little slick, but at least she could be trusted not to betray anyone.

That night, the two whispered to each other, too afraid to fall asleep.

But by the dead of night, sleep overtook them anyway.

This time, Nanny Dai was woken by noise—an eerie wailing and howling like the cries of ghosts. Her eyes snapped open, and her heart started pounding wildly. With that sound in her ears, she couldn’t calm down at all.

Then she felt the familiar sensation of being pinned down—paralyzed—and terror washed over her. “Xiling! Wake up!” she cried.

“Ah!” Xiling jolted awake and quickly scooted away from Nanny Dai. The ghostly wailing filled her ears, sending shivers down her spine. Near tears, she whimpered, “Nanny… what’s going on? Is it… is it a ghost?!”

Nanny Dai didn’t even dare say the word. “Help me up! Quick!”

“I—I can’t… I’m too scared… sob…” Xiling cried. “I’m really scared, Nanny!”

Nanny Dai couldn’t get up on her own. Wasn’t this just a classic case of sleep paralysis caused by a ghost sitting on her? She was terrified—if the ghost was on top of her, and she moved, wouldn’t she be touching it?

Wait—she had to get out. If she went far enough, the ghost wouldn’t be able to grab her!

“Xiling, help me up! Let’s go find Bai Zhu!” she kept yelling.

But Xiling wasn’t listening anymore. She fumbled her way off the bed, accidentally brushing Nanny Dai’s leg, which was cold as ice. She shuddered violently and scrambled even faster. As she flung the door open, the wind hurled rain right in her face, drenching her instantly.

And with the door open, the ghostly wailing outside became even clearer.

A bolt of lightning lit up the world, and in that brief flash, the silhouette of a human figure appeared in the darkness.

Xiling let out a blood-curdling scream, “Aaaah—ghost!!!” Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor, dead silent.

Nanny Dai: “…”

In this terrifying moment, she was completely helpless. All she could do was watch as the door slammed open and shut in the wind, rain gusting in. Even though she was still on the bed, she felt soaked and chilled to the bone, shivering uncontrollably.

Was this… a ghost marriage?

Were all the ghosts here to celebrate it?

Nanny Dai stared, wide-eyed with terror, and finally passed out cold.

It rained hard all night, but stopped just before anyone else woke up the next morning.

Qingli took the chance to move the rock that had been wedged against the door, rolling it back to where it had come from. Then she pretended to be hungry and went to knock on Bai Zhu’s door.

Bai Zhu answered, rubbing her eyes sleepily. “Oh, Princess. I’ll go find Sister Xiling to get breakfast. You should go back and wait a bit. With all that rain last night, the path’s probably a mess.”

“Okay, but hurry.” Qingli gave her a sweet smile and turned to walk back through the mud.

Bai Zhu nodded and headed to Xiling’s room, only to find the door wide open. Inside, water had pooled on the floor, and Xiling was lying in it, pale as death. Bai Zhu’s face changed instantly. “Sister Xiling! Wake up! Wake up!”

Xiling finally stirred, blinking dazedly before throwing herself into Bai Zhu’s arms, sobbing hoarsely. “Bai Zhu… I was scared to death!!!”

“What happened?” Bai Zhu asked, helping her up.

Xiling was drenched, burning with fever, yet still trembling from cold. She whimpered, “Nanny Dai slept in my room last night. She had sleep paralysis again—and then there were those ghostly wails outside… I tried to leave, but as soon as I opened the door, a bolt of lightning struck—and I saw a ghost with my own eyes!”

“What?” Bai Zhu looked utterly confused. “Ghostly wails? Last night?”

Xiling gave her a pitiful look and nodded solemnly. Then she turned to check on Nanny Dai.

The old woman was already awake, her eyes bloodshot. Her voice was hoarse. “Help me up.”

Bai Zhu quickly let go of Xiling and moved to support her.

Nanny Dai slowly sat up, rolling up her sleeves and pant legs to check, and found the bruises on her arms and legs were even worse than yesterday.

Her vision went dark. She collapsed back onto the pillow, dizzy and overwhelmed.

Bai Zhu gasped silently, not daring to speak.

Xiling couldn’t even bring herself to look. She quietly went to the side to change her clothes, trembling the whole time and silently praying, Merciful Bodhisattva, please forgive me. Noble Consort Bai, have mercy. I swear I’ll never be disrespectful to the young masters and mistresses again. Never again. Please, let me go…

Moments later, Nanny Dai forced herself to sit up again. In just one night, the once overbearing and sharp-tongued woman looked like she had aged ten years. She said weakly, “Are the Fourth Prince and Sixth Princess awake?”

Bai Zhu nodded quickly. “They are. They went to bed early and got up early, too.”

Nanny Dai tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I offended the young royals yesterday. I should go apologize.”

Seeing this, Bai Zhu hurried to support her. Outside, the ground was a muddy mess, but Nanny Dai made her way to the door and knelt smartly in front of the room.

In a loud voice, she cried, “This servant pays respects to Your Highnesses. It was I who was ignorant and arrogant yesterday. I beg Your Highnesses’ forgiveness. I also beg Noble Consort Bai to stop tormenting me. I’m willing to serve Your Highnesses loyally as long as I live—as a beast of burden if I must!”