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墨書 Inktalez
"Hmph..."
The Madam sneered, "Every scheme of mine has been for you. Do you know who would have taken over your pearl business if it weren't for me?
A child born to a woman of the night, unknown to anyone! That child is so important to you that you would welcome a woman of such background into your home as a legitimate wife? But you could never have imagined that the child is not yours! That woman only loves your money!"
"You..." Bai Haoran was clearly taken aback by the revelation that the Fourth Lady's child was not his. He wanted to refute the Madam's words but found himself at a loss, standing there with his mouth agape.
The Madam's face bore deep sorrow as she looked at her hands—once so beautiful, now stained with blood and pain. She spoke slowly, "I loved you so deeply, yet you remain oblivious. I couldn't let that woman's scheme succeed, so after giving birth to the child, I killed her. But the innocent child... I only wished to prevent him from taking over your business in the future.
Yet, you married one after another and still weren't satisfied! You even told Yu Yao that you wanted to marry her maid, Xiao Cui! I've had enough! After all these years with you, you've never thought of me! One after another, marrying one after another and still not content! I couldn't bring myself to harm you, but I can't just stand by and watch other women enter the Bai Family and become the Fifth or Sixth Madam..."
At this moment, Bai Haoran choked up. Looking at the Madam, he finally said after a long pause, "It was my mistake... I'm sorry, Lian Xin."
"Heh..." The Madam let out a bitter laugh as faint blue blood trickled from her chest. Tears formed in her eyes like pearls, dropping onto the ground with a crisp sound. "Is the Eastern Pearl I gifted you still here?"
"It's here..." Bai Haoran trembled as he pulled out a large, round pearl that glimmered with a soft pink light—gentle and warm yet tinged with sadness.
The pearl gradually floated from Bai Haoran's palm into the Madam's hand. She gazed at the Eastern Pearl and revealed a hint of a comforting smile: "You've kept it all this time? This is our Shark People's life essence; exchanging life essences signifies love—a Life and Death Contract. Holding Your Hand, With You Until Old Age. By giving you this Eastern Pearl, I give you my life; no longer will I be immortal for a thousand years but wish to grow old with you. Yet now, I can no longer wait for that day."
The Madam turned to Ting Yu and said, "Crush this Eastern Pearl into powder and divide it into two portions—one for Yu Yao and one for Cui'er. The sins I've sown must be resolved by me."
"Is Third Madam truly mad?"
"That night when I prepared to kill Cui'er, she happened to come looking for Cui'er to settle accounts and witnessed that scene; she went mad upon waking. All she remembers is arguing with the master."
"So you played along and let Third Madam return home while having Second Lady find that paper with directions near Third Madam's courtyard? That day Second Lady saw a wisp of ghostly light flash through Third Madam's yard; that was also your deliberate arrangement?"
Ting Yu continued, "This way, Second Lady could suspect Third Madam and lead everyone to believe she was feigning madness while in truth she really had lost her mind. When we went to question her that day, you were there likely to prevent us from uncovering anything since you knew Third Madam would go wild upon seeing you."
"You have sharp eyes; indeed, you're clever."
"Madam," she said, "I am tired of this life. I only wanted to repay my debts and live quietly with Haoran, but it turns out that people in this world can marry one after another. I think Cui'er's death will deepen the suspicion of the water ghost seeking vengeance; perhaps Haoran will dare not marry again from now on. I also realized that today’s events would be a trap, but I am weary. Whether it is or isn’t, it is a kind of liberation for me."
As these words fell, everyone present fell silent.
Bai Haoran stepped forward, looking at Madam, who could no longer take on human form, his eyes filled with guilt and reluctance. Choking back tears, he said, "Lian Xin, I am sorry for you."
Madam reached out to gently touch Bai Haoran's face, her hands tender as if caressing the most precious treasure in the world. She asked, "Are you not afraid of me like this? I have always worried that you would be scared upon seeing me. It has nothing to do with you; I just want to go home now, back to my ocean. Would you be willing to save me once more like you did back then?"
Bai Haoran nodded with tears in his eyes and slowly lifted Madam from the ground, his movements gentle as if cradling a fragile treasure. He said, "I will take you home."
Madam turned to Wan Shaobai and said, "My life elixir can only save Yu Yao and Cui'er. Fourth Lady has been dead for half a month; she cannot be revived. This sin can only be atoned for by my family."
Wan Shaobai nodded, his eyes filled with emotion.
Madam began to sing a familiar tune, her voice melodious yet sorrowful as Bai Haoran gradually carried her away.
"Life and Death Contract, a promise made with you. Holding Your Hand, with you until old age."
Ting Yu stepped forward and took Wan Shaobai's hand; her hands were warm and strong. She smiled brightly at him, her smile like flowers blooming in spring, and said, "Everything is over."
Wan Shaobai grasped Ting Yu's hand in return and echoed, "It’s over."
Ting Yu and Wan Shaobai stood on the rocks by the sea, the gentle sea breeze tousling their hair as they gazed out at the endless ocean.
"Just a few days ago, I saw Cui'er," Wan Shaobai said softly, his voice as gentle as the sea breeze.
Ting Yu smiled lightly, her expression carrying a hint of relief. She replied, "The songs that have drifted in during the past few nights are the sacred sounds meant to guide the souls; human voices possess magic. The departed can find peace and be reborn soon. Madam has returned home."
"I cannot appreciate such songs; I am just an ordinary person," Wan Shaobai said with a faint smile, his eyes full of tenderness.
"You can't hear it, but I can sing it for you!" Ting Yu said with a mischievous smile, her playful expression lighting up her face. "But I definitely can't sing as well as Hero Wan! Your voice is truly earth-shattering and soul-stirring!"
Wan Shaobai's face turned crimson at Ting Yu's words, and she laughed even harder, her laughter ringing clear and sweet like silver bells, echoing in the sea breeze.
Suddenly, Ting Yu thought of something and looked at Wan Shaobai with a grin. "You said you wanted to marry me, and the condition for that was singing!"
Wan Shaobai clearly hadn't expected Ting Yu to bring up that conversation from the other day. He paused for a moment before responding with a smile, "I never said I wanted to marry you now! What kind of girl asks to be married?"
"You! Wan Shaobai! You've gone bad!" Ting Yu exclaimed in exasperation, though a hint of sweetness lingered in her smile.
Wan Shaobai gently smiled and pulled Ting Yu closer, whispering, "There's still one thing to remember."
"What is it?" Ting Yu asked, looking up at him with eager anticipation.
"Ms. Ting Yu, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I beg you!"
"Haha..."
"Just laughing won't do. If you don't agree, I'll have to sing. Life and Death Contract, let’s make a promise together. Holding Your Hand, with You Until Old Age..."
The off-key singing mixed with the girl's bright laughter floated further away on the wind. Their voices intertwined in an indescribable harmony, filling the air with a sense of happiness that was almost palpable.
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