Chapter 46

Six years passed in the blink of an eye.

The incident with the evil spirit had hardened Han Nu’s resolve to give up embroidery.

Ah Chu, with her frail health, often needed medicinal soups, and their household couldn’t afford to have no income.

Fortunately, the mountains provided ample space, and the land was fertile enough.

They planted vegetables for their own consumption, selling any surplus in the village below, though the small profits they made were barely enough to get by.

Ah Chu, however, had grown into a beautiful young woman.

As her elder sister, how could Han Nu bear to see her wearing patched-up clothes every day?

Despite her weak constitution, Ah Chu’s playful and lively nature remained unchanged, and she frequently visited the town.

There was a small inn there, run by an elderly couple without children, who were fond of Ah Chu and treated her like their own daughter.

Sometimes, they let her help around the inn and paid her a small monthly wage, just enough for her to buy some rouge and face powder.

Han Nu gathered up some old clothes, cutting pieces from each to sew a new outfit for Ah Chu.

Though the colors varied, Han Nu’s skillful hands crafted a garment more beautiful than anything from the local tailor shops.

Ah Chu adored the new dress, twirling in front of her sister with delight before smiling and asking, “Sis, you’re so skilled. Why did you stop doing embroidery? Your flowers are so beautiful. It’s such a waste not to make them, especially when they bring in more money.”

Han Nu shook her head.

“Have you forgotten about the evil spirit?”

Ah Chu replied with bitterness, “It was those people’s own fault! Old Man Zhang tricked me out of my money—he deserved to die! Those kids who bullied me every day—they deserved to die too! The villagers drove us out—every one of them should have died! Why did you run away back then? You should have let the evil spirit devour them all! They were nothing but bad people!”

Han Nu stared at her, startled.

She knew Ah Chu had a sharp temperament, but she hadn’t expected her to be so extreme.

“That thing brings nothing but ill fortune. Keeping it around would only lead to disaster sooner or later,” Han Nu said calmly.

“We were lucky not to attract the attention of any powerful immortals. If they had found out, we’d have been doomed. You don’t know—the evil spirit drawing was commissioned by a family in the capital. Many people died in that household, and it alerted the immortals, who subdued the spirit. Word spread, and they traced the cursed embroidery back to the shop in the small town where I used to work. If I kept embroidering and someone found out it was me, we’d be in real trouble.”

Ah Chu pouted, clearly dissatisfied.

After a while, she suddenly smiled slyly and whispered, “Sis, don’t think I don’t know. Over these years, I’ve seen you secretly embroider! You still love it; you just don’t want to sell your work.”

Han Nu felt a bit embarrassed.

She had, in fact, done some embroidery over the years.

Not for money, but because she loved it.

Every time she saw a flower or a blade of grass, she thought about how to use silk threads to make them bloom eternally on fabric.

“Since you love embroidery so much, why not sell it? You enjoy it, and you could make money too. You wouldn’t have to work so hard planting and selling vegetables. Wouldn’t that be better?”

Ah Chu didn’t understand Han Nu’s feelings and began to pout as she often did.

Han Nu, who had always doted on her, could never stay mad once Ah Chu started acting spoiled.

Ever since they were children, although they hadn’t lived as comfortably as other kids, Ah Chu had been indulged by her sister and grown bold because of it.

But this time, no matter how much Ah Chu pouted and pleaded, Han Nu remained firm.

Finally, she simply said, “I will never embroider for money again. Stop pestering me about it.”

Tears welled up in Ah Chu’s eyes, and she choked out, “I’m sixteen now! I still have to wear patched clothes, and I can’t even afford a decent hairpin! Do you know how I feel every time I see Brother Anping?”

“Anping?” Han Nu immediately caught onto the unfamiliar name.

Who was this?

Someone Ah Chu had met in town?

Ah Chu, realizing she had let something slip, blushed and lowered her head, remaining silent for a long time.

It was then that Han Nu finally remembered that Ah Chu was already sixteen—old enough to marry.

It was only natural for a girl her age to have romantic feelings.

Suddenly, it dawned on her that Ah Chu had grown into a lovely young woman, with fair skin and delicate features, someone who deserved to find a good man—one who would love and care for her for the rest of her life.

Han Nu smiled gently and asked softly, “Who is Brother Anping? What does he do? Why don’t you introduce me to him next time?”

Ah Chu’s face reddened even more.

After hesitating for a while, she mumbled, “I don’t really know what he does. Sometimes I see him around the gambling hall, looking very impressive.”

The gambling hall? Han Nu felt uneasy. Was he a rogue?

“I’ve heard that when someone loses and causes trouble at the gambling hall, Brother Anping kicks them out. He’s tall and strong, nothing like those frail men who can’t even kill a chicken!”

As Ah Chu spoke about her crush, her confidence grew, and her eyes sparkled.

“He takes good care of me. He visits me at the inn every day and even buys me things. Last time, when he saw the patches on my clothes, he sighed… I felt so ashamed!”

Han Nu sighed and hugged her.

“It’s my fault. Tomorrow, I’ll buy you some new clothes and hairpins.”

But when Ah Chu realized Han Nu still wasn’t considering selling embroidery, she stormed off in frustration.

That night, Han Nu couldn’t sleep.

She longed more than anyone for Ah Chu’s happiness, but she herself was just a weak woman with no skills besides embroidery.

Yet she couldn’t sell her embroidery anymore.

If anyone discovered she was the one who had created the evil spirit embroidery, she could face death—what would happen to Ah Chu then?

She opened a chest, revealing a pile of white cloth beneath some old items. Gently shaking them out, countless embroidered flowers and grasses fluttered to the floor.

Over the years, her skills had become so refined that everything she embroidered turned into a living spirit.

She had even learned how to return these spirits to the fabric to become mere stitches again.

She could embroider flowers, birds, and even evil spirits that would come to life, but she couldn’t embroider inanimate objects.

During their hardest times, she even considered embroidering gold and jewels.

But despite completing the designs and staring at them for days, the gold never materialized from the fabric.

After that, she gave up on the idea.

She might not be able to sell her embroidery, but at least she could sew a few beautiful clothes for Ah Chu.

The next day, Ah Chu left early for town.

Han Nu took what little savings they had, disguised herself, and followed her.

Around noon, a tall, handsome young man entered the inn.

Ah Chu greeted him with a bright smile, and they chatted happily.

This must be Brother Anping. Han Nu hid and observed him closely.

He was indeed handsome, but his flashy demeanor and careless mannerisms betrayed his lack of steadiness.

Worse still, his eyes kept wandering over Ah Chu’s face and body, clearly harboring impure intentions.

Han Nu felt a growing unease.

Ah Chu was clearly infatuated with this man, but would she believe her sister’s warnings? Maybe she was overthinking it—judging someone so quickly from just one encounter might be unfair.

She turned and left, spending the last of her money on some fabric, hairpins, and cosmetics to make Ah Chu happy.

As the day grew late, Han Nu headed home, hoping to surprise Ah Chu.

But as she walked, she suddenly saw Anping and a group of ruffians swaggering down the street toward her.

A thought struck her, and she deliberately bumped into him, dropping her purse. The few coins inside were scattered on the ground.

“Watch where you’re going!” Anping yelled angrily, slapping her to the ground.

She watched as they scooped up the coins, swearing and laughing as they walked away.

“Anping, you’ve been in a bad mood lately. Heard you’ve got your eye on a girl? Haven’t won her over yet?” one of his cronies teased.

Anping smirked lewdly.

“She’s still a bit shy. Might take some time.”

Han Nu’s heart pounded as they walked away.

Their conversation had been crystal clear—was the “shy girl” Ah Chu? This man was trash! She couldn’t let Ah Chu fall into his hands!

She returned home, distractedly cutting fabric and sewing.

Her heart raced until dusk, and when Ah Chu finally came home, her face flushed, clearly still thinking of Anping.

She saw Han Nu working on a new dress, and on the table were fresh pearl hairpins, rouge, and other items.

Overjoyed, she exclaimed loudly, hurriedly picking the prettiest pearl hairpin. Without bothering to fix her hair, she stuck it in by her ear and, looking left and right, repeatedly asked, “Sister, does this look good?”

Han Nü forced a smile. “Everything looks good on you.”

Ah Chu blushed.

“Why do you and Brother Anping say the same thing? You’re both so full of sweet words to make people happy.”

Han Nu frowned slightly and whispered, “Ah Chu, that Brother Anping… you shouldn’t associate with him anymore.”

Ah Chu’s smile froze. “…Why?”

“He’s not someone you can entrust your life to,” Han Nu replied after a moment of thought.

She recounted what had happened earlier and then added, “From now on, you’re not allowed to see him.”

Ah Chu was stunned for a long time, then suddenly let out a cold laugh, fiercely throwing the pearl hairpin to the ground.

“You’re lying! I don’t believe you!”

“He’s lazy and idle. He’s a grown man who doesn’t try to earn a living by his own skills, spending his days wandering around, working as a thug for gambling dens, acting like a tyrant in the streets. Can’t you see that? Just because he gave you a few things, you’re willing to follow him?”

Han Nu rarely scolded her so sharply, but in this moment of anxious rage, she couldn’t hold back.

“Starting tomorrow, you’re not allowed to leave the mountain!”

Ah Chu’s face turned pale as she shouted angrily, “What right do you have to control me? I’ll be with whoever I want! If you won’t let me leave the mountain, I’ll jump off it! Brother Anping is a good man. You’re just making things up—I don’t believe you!”

Han Nu coldly responded, “Jumping off the mountain and dying would be better than wasting your life on that scoundrel!”

Ah Chu had never seen Han Nu so cold before, but the more she was pressed, the more she pushed back.

Both sisters were equally stubborn and extreme in temperament.

“Now you want to control me? Acting all high and mighty like a big sister!” Ah Chu screamed, unable to control her words.

“If it weren’t for you, I’d be living a life ten thousand times better! If it weren’t for the cursed creatures your embroidery brought to life, our parents wouldn’t have died from anger! If it weren’t for you being a witch, would I have been bullied as a child? It’s all your fault! I don’t want to live in this remote mountain anymore! I don’t want to wear patched-up clothes and live like a beggar! You want to hide away from the world, then do it alone! Why drag me along? You think I like you? I hate you! I wish you’d just die!”

She was physically weak, and after screaming for so long, she suddenly became unsteady, leaning against the wall, gasping for air.

Han Nu was shocked.

She hadn’t expected Ah Chu to harbor so much resentment towards her.

But now, seeing Ah Chu on the verge of collapse, despite her heartbreak, she couldn’t just stand by.

She rushed over to support her and gently said, “How do you feel? Sit down and breathe slowly.”

Ah Chu forcefully pushed her hand away, glaring at her with cold eyes before running out the door.

Han Nu chased after her, but by then, it was already dark.

Having spent fewer days traveling up and down the mountain than Ah Chu, she wasn’t as familiar with the paths.

After a short pursuit, Ah Chu had disappeared into the night.

Han Nu anxiously called out, “Ah Chu! Come back! It’s sister’s fault! It’s my fault! Please, come back!”

There was no answer.

Only the whistling cold wind responded.

Han Nu searched the mountain all night but couldn’t find her. When morning finally came, she ran to town, but there was no one at the restaurant either.

Desperate, she abandoned her disguise and ran to the gambling den to look for Anping, but he was nowhere to be found.

Han Nu searched the town for three days and nights, yet there was no sign of either Anping or Ah Chu.

She had no choice but to return to the mountain, holding onto a faint hope that Ah Chu might be waiting for her at home.

But the simple wooden house was empty. She hadn’t locked the door when she left, and it looked like the place had been ransacked by thieves.

The chest by the bedside had been overturned, but apparently, the thieves didn’t find anything of value, only taking a few pieces of white cloth embroidered with flowers and plants.

Exhausted and heartbroken, Han Nu continued searching the mountains every day, but her efforts were in vain.

On the fifth day, people finally came to the mountain.

But they weren’t here for Ah Chu. Instead, a group of so-called “Taoist exorcists” arrived.

Upon seeing Han Nu, they immediately charged at her with peach-wood swords. Having not eaten, slept, or rested in days, Han Nu was already weak. She collapsed after being struck on the head and body by the swords.

Suddenly, her body was drenched in a foul-smelling, warm liquid—dog’s blood!

“You vile demon! Surrender now!”

The exorcists swarmed her, tying her up tightly with ropes. Relieved to have captured her so easily, they heaved a sigh of relief and carried the blood-soaked Han Nu down the mountain.

For some reason, although she had lived in seclusion for six years without being discovered, now, suddenly, she had been found, and even the authorities were involved.

She was bound hand and foot, lying on the ground, surrounded by people. Some were watching, some were cursing.

Among them were villagers from the past, and others she didn’t know, likely from the town.

“Is this the witch who released the evil spirit that ate people?” the county magistrate asked, trembling, pointing at Han Nu as he questioned the villagers.

“It’s her!” someone shouted.

“She killed my son!”

“It’s definitely her! Who would’ve thought she was hiding so close! If it weren’t for the magistrate’s wisdom, who knows how many more people she would have harmed!”

Stones, bricks, even vegetable peels and trash were hurled at her, just like six years ago when she had been driven out of the village.

Once again, her head was bloodied.

But this time, there was no escape.

How had she been discovered? Was it because she hadn’t disguised herself while searching the town for three days?

There was no point in thinking about it now. The fire had already been lit, flames roaring. The fate of the witch was to be burned alive. Countless eyes were fixed on her—some joyful, some filled with hatred, some tinged with pity, and others fearful and evasive.

Han Nu was lifted high onto the pyre, her gaze drifting far off into an unknown direction.

Thankfully, Ah Chu hadn’t been found.

But how could she rest easy knowing Ah Chu was left all alone?

Tanyin covered her eyes with her sleeve, unable to bear watching the sight of Han Nu being consumed by the flames.

Suddenly, the clear sky was overcast with dark clouds. In the blink of an eye, heavy raindrops poured down, dousing the blazing fire in an instant.

Han Nu’s body, burnt and disfigured, was in a horrifying state, but she was still alive.

Her eyes stubbornly remained fixed in the direction of the little wooden house on the mountain, as if she could truly see Ah Chu returning home safely.

The rain had extinguished the execution fire, and in the ignorance of the ancient times, the people believed the heavens were protecting her.

No one dared to speak another word.

The magistrate, pale with fear, ordered his men to untie Han Nu and carry her back to the little wooden house.

He even summoned a physician to tend to her. From that day on, no one dared to mention the witch again.