342: Chapter 140: Xia Family’s Daughter, Difficult to Arrange a Ghost Marriage 342: Chapter 140: Xia Family’s Daughter, Difficult to Arrange a Ghost Marriage The incident was a sensation in Nantong District back then, and all the local folks had heard that the Xia Clan had produced another remarkable person, named Xia Youjie…
my apologies, I misspoke, the young lady’s real name is Xia Sinan.
In those days, ordinary folks’ daughters either had no names at all, being called simply ‘Eldest Girl’, ‘Second Girl’, ‘Third Sister’, or else they bore names like these – ‘Si Nan’, ‘Zhaodi’, suggesting very obvious intentions.
Old Third Ding told Old Master Xia it wouldn’t do, his daughter had a bright future ahead of her and needed a new name.
So she was renamed Xia Yubing, meaning ‘the summer insect cannot speak of ice’, conveying a sense of immense pride.
Old Master Xia was determined to see his daughter rise to great heights, sparing no effort in employing famous teachers to instruct her diligently in academics, martial arts, and focused cultivation.
Miss Xia was indeed very promising, learning things exceptionally fast, showing various extraordinary attributes from a young age, and even gaining personal praise from the President when she went to his headquarters alone at the age of twelve.
But then, just a few years later, the Imperial Court collapsed.
The former royalty and nobility were demoted to commoners and no longer enjoyed their past glory and riches.
Local tycoons like Old Master Xia who had thrived by currying favor became the subject of ridicule.
Unable to withstand the external social pressures, Miss Xia hanged herself.
Regrettably, at the time of her death, she was still an unmarried virgin, a person of unblemished purity.
Old Master Xia, grieving the loss of his daughter, sank into despair for many days.
Once he recovered his senses, he approached Old Third Ding again, asking him to arrange a match for his daughter.
Though the Imperial Court was gone, ordinary people still had to carry on with their lives.
An unmarried daughter dying unexpectedly at home was considered inauspicious, even to those who knew nothing of Fengshui Physiognomy.
For the sake of everyone else in the family, it was necessary to arrange a match for her, to resolve her lingering resentment, and prevent it from bringing disaster to the household.
Old Third Ding didn’t think too much about it at the time and agreed immediately, not realizing this matter would become his enduring Nightmare.
“Could it be that you can’t find a well-matched suitor?”
Wang Yunxiao, although engrossed, still didn’t understand why Old Third Ding bore a grudge against Leng Nian.
“Finding an equal match wasn’t difficult, but the way Miss Xia died was peculiar.”
Old Third Ding grimaced and said, “I’ve run myself ragged for two years over this, to no avail.
Even families that agreed the day before would change their minds and renege the next day.
It was only after a wise person showed me the way that I learned Miss Xia didn’t hang herself.”
“When old gave way to new, there were always some people unwilling to fall into obscurity.
Some approached Miss Xia, coercing her in the name of family loyalty, hoping to exploit her relationship with the President and have her undertake a mission like that of Jing Ke.”
“Since ancient times, one cannot be loyal to both sovereign and kin.
Miss Xia was a woman of strong character and, without a second thought, she drew a knife and slit her own throat.
Just imagine how intense her resentment must have been; it’s not something that could be pacified by simply arranging a match in the afterlife.”
Third Master Ding indeed used to conduct the business of arranging ghost marriages, but because the Xia Family’s affair fell through in his hands and still hasn’t found a match, he no longer dares to take on new business.
But the ways of the world are strange; what’s a burden to one person might be highly sought after by another.
No one knows the truth about what happened to the Xia lady better than Third Master Ding, for he was the one who spread the word initially.
Now, even if he wants to explain, no one would believe him.
In the eyes of others, the Xia lady who hanged herself became known as a fiercely loyal and extraordinary woman who took her own life in defense of the Xia Clan Dynasty.
Especially when other remnants of the former Dynasty were living out their lives in carefree ease, such a dedicated woman was seen as all the more precious.
The abdicated young Emperor even posthumously recognized her as his adoptive sister and bestowed upon her the honorary title of “Princess Zhaoning.” Of course, this recognition was not acknowledged by the new government, and was purely an act of self-entertainment by the remnants of the former dynasty.
But to some people, it held an extraordinary significance.
For example, to the Cuojin Sect, which was committed to the great cause of the Fulong Court.
The Emperor had conferred the title on Princess Zhaoning, making her a genuine member of the imperial clan.
What right or ability does Old Third Ding have to manage the marital affairs of a princess of the imperial family?
But both publicly and privately, they could not meddle at will.
From a public perspective, the new government did not recognize the status of Princess Zhaoning and certainly would not allow these remnants of the former dynasty to use such a pretext to cause trouble.
Such matters could only be handled covertly and should not be brought to the public surface, as doing so would inevitably lead to severe reprisals.
From a private perspective, the intricacies and taboos of fengshui physiognomy are numerous and complex, right down to the specific Chinese hour, what clothes to wear, and what foods to avoid.
For instance, there is the superstition about wearing red underwear during one’s zodiac year.
Old Third Ding had already taken on this match-making task.
Although it hadn’t gone smoothly and had been delayed for quite some time, he hadn’t suffered any retribution himself.
From a fengshui perspective, this indicated he and Princess Zhaoning were compatible.
He handled affairs to the satisfaction of the Princess.
If you were to step in and interfere now, it would be a grave taboo, both for the living and the dead.
From the living’s standpoint, it would be akin to snatching away business from Third Master Ding, which is tantamount to incurring a heavy karmic debt.
From the perspective of the deceased, meddling in the match without the princess’s consent is a surefire way to invite trouble.
While one cannot overtly snatch away the opportunity, envy, jealousy, and resentment still simmer beneath the surface.
Others might not understand the situation or know what they are fighting over, but it might make more sense if put another way.
Imagine pursuing your unattainable crush for three years only to watch her hop into a BMW for an overnight stay with an older man.
Then, turning around to find out that the classmate who has been secretly adoring you actually has some charm, but you only learn about it after she has been taken by the very boy you once scorned.
Third Master Ding never used to think it was a big deal.
“I’ve invested so many resources into this task, and I’m still getting nowhere; I’m sick of it.
If you want to take over, just tell me, and I’ll hand it to you!”
But Leng Nian kept silent, fearing that if he brought it up, he would be assuming the karmic consequences.
Not until Wang Yunxiao reminded him last night did Old Third Ding carefully calculate his own fortune at home, and then he was struck with horror.
He regarded Leng Nian as a sworn brother, and their interactions were otherwise superficial, but he had no idea that the bastard had been holding back his malice, plotting to bury him.
The Xiao Baili who initially called to threaten the police chief, the one Wang Yunxiao first encountered, was introduced by Leng Nian.
Because of his connections to the Qian King’s Mansion, Old Third Ding dared not take the matter lightly.
Even when trouble arose later, Old Third Ding thought it was all the scheming of the Qian King’s Mansion and that it had nothing to do with him.
Later, Leng Nian took an interest in Chen Yan’s talents and deliberately encouraged Old Third Ding to scare Chen Yan, after which he would play the hero to save her.
Third Master Ding thought he was just lending a helping hand and didn’t think much of it.
But enough was enough.
What had been done once or twice should not be done a third or fourth time.
After Wang Yunxiao exposed the truth last night, Old Third Ding returned home and meticulously reconsidered every incident, only to feel a cold sweat and a chill in his heart.
“If you show no mercy, don’t blame me for showing none either.
Don’t think I’m unaware of all the dirty deeds you’ve done behind the scenes!”
“I’m reporting it to the government!
I want to denounce and expose the Cuojin Sect, this gang of evildoers who have set up illicit rituals and harmed women, planning a blood sacrifice for The Gate of the Mysterious Female!”