Strange Tales of the Ghosts

Qian Lu never paid a visit to the Zhou Family until the very end because Qian Dagui said the Zhou Family insisted on continuing the marriage. Otherwise, they would cut off all trades with the Zhou Family, which would be a huge loss to the Qian Family. One side was the Zhou Family, and the other side was Xue Fu; how could they save both? Qian Dagui came up with a wild idea, and it was Qian Lu to marry both Lady Zhou and Xue Fu. They would marry into the Qian Family on the same day with no difference in social status. Of course, Qian Lu didn't want to accept the plan as he only had Xue Fu in his heart, and he had never met Lady Zhou either. Even though Qian Dagui said they had met once when he was four years old, Qian Lu couldn't remember anything so far back then. Eventually, Qian Lu agreed because of how kind and understanding Xue Fu was. Qian Dagui knew he wouldn't be able to change his son's mind, so he sought Xue Fu, and she convinced Qian Lu to agree to the plan.

The arranged marriage between the Zhou and Qian Family was a big event for everyone in Pingshan Town. All the big shots came, the not-so-familiar people came, and those who wanted to make connections with them came too. The wedding was perfect and magnificent; the only difference it had from the traditional weddings was that Qian Lu knelt down and performed the ritual with two brides simultaneously. Xue Fu on his right side, and the Zhou Family's Young Lady, Zhou Hanliu, on his left side. After the wedding ended, the two brides were sent to two rooms in the same yard; and late into the night, all the guests were drunk and Qian Lu was pushed into one of the bridal rooms.

The red candles flickered and the bride dressed in a bright red dress sat by the bed with a crimson veil draped over her head. Qian Lu was drunk, but he still remembered whom he liked. He couldn't help himself but say, "Xue Fu, I finally married you." Then he threw himself towards the bride on the bed, yet he didn't notice the bride's trembling body. Qian Lu reached out to hug the bride, but when he leaned in, the smell was unfamiliar. It was a different smell from Xue Fu; she had a special scent on her hair that smelt like wildflowers, yet the bride's hair smelt like hair oil. Qian Lu noticed the smell and quickly opened his eyes and jumped at the sight. The woman in front of him looked unfamiliar. Although she was quite good-looking, she was as different as Heaven and Earth compared to Xue Fu. Needless to say, she must be the Zhou Family's Young Lady, Zhou Hanliu.

"I apologize for my rudeness," Qian Lu stood up subconsciously, completely forgetting that he also married this young lady.

Zhou Hanliu's makeup was as delicate as peach blossom, yet it wasn't enough to cover her disappointment. She smiled awkwardly and said, "Husband, you are drunk. You should rest early."

"I-I'm not drunk, I'm fully sober." Qian Lu sobered up from the scary event and knew what mistake he had just made. There was no way he could stay here, and he politely said, "You had a tiring day too, you should sleep early. I just remembered that there's a book I haven't finished reading yet, I'll be reading in my study room." Qian Lu didn't take another glance at Zhou Hanliu before he left the room and closed the door, leaving the shocked bride sitting on the bed helplessly.

After a while, Zhou Hanliu opened the window, and tears melted the makeup on her face when she saw two silhouettes in Xue Fu's room. It was only the first night of their new marriage, yet her husband abandoned her and slept with another woman, and she couldn't bear the humiliation. Zhou Hanliu endured the pain and fixed her makeup in front of the mirror, comforting herself that perhaps Qian Lu went to Xue Fu's room first, then he would come back in the second half of the night. She sat by the bed and waited. The second half of the night went by, and she waited anxiously until dawn, yet Qian Lu never came back.

In the morning, the servant girl who was in charge of washing and combing knocked on Zhou Hanliu's room and asked softly, "Young Master, Young Madam, are you ready for combing?"

"Come in," Zhou Hanliu replied weakly; despair filled her heart. The girl found the strangeness, but a servant didn't have the right to be curious; she was only in charge of washing and combing for Zhou Hanliu. According to the rules, the newlywed couple must serve tea to their parents after making themselves presentable. When Zhou Hanliu finished changing and left her room, she heard Qian Lu's voice ordering the servant girl that no one was allowed to disturb him and Xue Fu.