Chapter 76: No Need for So Many Ghosts

Whether to sever ties or not, Wang Damao and his brothers didn’t really care. What mattered to them was that from now on, they could no longer coax any benefits from Li Jia. Yet, as dissatisfied as the Wang family was, they knew there was nothing more to be gained here and had no choice but to leave, telling themselves they’d try again another day.

If they’d known things would turn out this way, they might have skipped this wretched full-month banquet and instead tried to pry some information out of Li Jia. In truth, the three Wang brothers were hardly gentle souls, but Bai Xi’s ability to summon lightning to strike people had terrified them. And when they saw the people of Niuluo Village glaring at them with such hostility, they understood that just one word from Bai Xi would unleash the villagers’ wrath, and mercy would not be expected. So, for now, all they could do was nurse their grievances in silence.

Despite the commotion, the incident only drew more sympathy for Li Jia from the villagers. They comforted her and immediately set about preparing for the full-month banquet—after all, the auspicious hour could not be missed.

Cradling her two infant sons, Li Jia was overwhelmed by a mix of sorrow and joy, crying and laughing in turns. She kissed one child, then the other, and caught sight of Bai Xi preparing to leave. Quickly, she stifled her sobs, gathered both children in her arms, and hurried forward to kneel before Bai Xi.

“Please, don’t go, Grand Aunt,” she pleaded.

“Grand Aunt, thank you for standing up for me. I owe you so much, yet I brought you insult—this is my failing, and I’ve dragged you into it. Please, punish me as you see fit…” Overcome with gratitude and guilt, Li Jia knocked her head to the ground three times, her eyes welling up again with tears.

“This is not your fault,” Bai Xi interrupted, raising her small round hand to signal Li Jia to rise.

But Li Jia persisted, “No, Grand Aunt, please hear me out. If not for you, I would not be here today. You did not turn me away; you blessed me, letting me bear two sons for my husband’s family. I truly don’t know how to thank you enough.”

Bai Xi thought to herself, these twins really have nothing to do with me! Still, she knew the villagers would never believe her if she said as much, so she let it pass.

Li Jia continued, “Grand Aunt, my life belongs to you. In life I am yours, and in death, your ghost. I can never repay you in this life; in the next, I will serve you as a beast of burden…”

At these words, Bai Xi’s mouth twitched. Why did this sound so strange?

She glanced at Li Pozi and her son, both kneeling as well, their faces alight with fervor. Bai Xi remarked in puzzlement, “She’s pledging herself to me in life and death—aren’t you going to stop her?”

Li Pozi looked bewildered. “Why would I stop her?”

“As long as you’ll have us, Grand Aunt, our whole family is yours…”

“Enough!” Bai Xi hastily lifted her hand to cut Li Pozi off. “I don’t need so many people, nor so many ghosts—I can’t afford to feed you all! Get up, now.”

Upon hearing Bai Xi’s refusal, Li Pozi and her family looked crestfallen, but then shame crept in as well. Grand Aunt had already given them two grandsons, and had it not been for her presence today, who knows what disaster Wang Pozi’s family might have brought upon them. They reminded themselves not to be too greedy.

The other villagers, who had been eager for their turn, returned to their work with a touch of disappointment. To be recognized by Grand Aunt was a blessing beyond measure—who wouldn’t wish for such fortune?

With the villagers’ help, the full-month banquet was soon underway. The main course was a large steamed bun made from a mix of cornmeal and sorghum flour. The side dishes were stir-fried cabbage, fried potato slices, and eggs scrambled with chives—though the chives far outnumbered the eggs. Even so, it was a fine meal for these times.

Bai Xi, however, had three special dishes: a tender egg custard, potatoes fried with pork cracklings, and a braised fish about the size of a palm. No one thought this was unfair; anyone would have served their very best to honor Grand Aunt.

Though the food was not refined, Bai Xi found it delicious—she was, after all, quite hungry. Unlike the other children, who ate in a mess, Bai Xi, young as she was, ate slowly and neatly. Not a grain of rice fell, her bowl and chopsticks were spotless, and her face was clean as well—making her seem different from the rest.

If she knew what the villagers were thinking, Bai Xi would surely roll her eyes. Did they really take her for a five-year-old child? She was a nine-tailed celestial fox!

Li Jia was still troubled by Wang Pozi’s earlier curses. Before leaving the Li household, Bai Xi considered the matter. While there were still people in the courtyard, she turned to Li Pozi and Li Jia, who were seeing her off.

“These two little ones…” Bai Xi began, then paused for a few moments as everyone waited for her to continue. “Don’t worry. Raise them well, and they will surely grow into filial and sensible children.”

Li Jia hadn’t expected such words from Bai Xi. At first, she was stunned, then nodded repeatedly, so moved she was lost for words.

Li Pozi, with more experience, recovered faster than her daughter-in-law and quickly expressed her gratitude. “Thank you, Grand Aunt, for your blessing, thank you…”

Wonderful! If Grand Aunt said the boys would be fine, then they certainly wouldn’t die young.

Though the Li family hadn’t spoken of it, who wouldn’t worry after all that had happened? Bai Xi’s words lifted a heavy stone from their hearts.

Li Jia, following her mother-in-law’s lead, also found her composure, thanking Bai Xi over and over in excitement. “Thank you, Grand Aunt. I will raise them well, I promise.”

“Good. Your family now has five children. Raise them properly, and there is still much fortune to come.” Bai Xi had come empty-handed and, after enjoying their hospitality, figured kind words cost nothing. Seeing the two women so happy, she added a few more.

As soon as she finished, the overcast sky above cleared; the dark clouds parted, and a single ray of sunlight shone down, illuminating Bai Xi.

All around remained shadowed, but that beam of sunlight fell only upon Bai Xi, lending even greater weight to her words.

Bai Xi’s mouth twitched. She glanced up at the sky. Did it really have to be so on cue?

How odd! Lately, it seemed the heavens had favored her. Could it be her earlier threats had worked?

The small girl, delicate as snow, stood with hands clasped behind her back, gazing solemnly at the sky as if in silent conversation with something above. Her cherubic look, paired with a change of clothes and perhaps a vase or duster, would make her the very image of a little immortal attendant.

Everyone who witnessed this scene was stunned, their eyes filled with awe and pride.

This was their Grand Aunt!

As Bai Xi departed, the Li family remained elated, and the villagers shared in their happiness.

Grand Aunt rarely meddled in affairs, but when she spoke, it was never wrong. So long as the Li family raised those boys well, they would surely grow up safely, marry, and have sons of their own, even if they achieved nothing great in life.