A master of metaphysics is farming.

not give a damn about?

A conflict has arisen?

Xiang He felt a headache coming on. Why had she gotten into another fight with her family? She had acted too hastily…

"So, you felt neglected, so you thought about taking your own life to stay with this ghost?"

The rosy glow on Zeng Yunqing's face faded, and she lowered her head further while fiddling with her clothes. Zhang Rumin's hands, which were hanging by his sides, also tightened.

"Master, please persuade Yunqing. If she dies easily, she won't even have a chance to regret it..."

Upon hearing that he was going to admonish her, Zeng Yunqing hurriedly reached out to grab him, but her hand passed right through his.

A wave of sorrow washed over me; it was something I could only admire from afar, something I could never touch, and it was truly unbearable.

"For the past six months, Young Master Zhang has been by my side. Whenever I'm unhappy, he tries his best to help me feel better. I really... like him very much..."

The sudden, heartfelt confession made Xiang He lift his eyelids and glance at Zhang Rumin. He hesitated for a moment, then quickly smiled, a smile full of meaning.

Xiang He's heart skipped a beat; no wonder his face looked strange...

She composed herself, lowered her eyes, and made a hand seal in front of her abdomen. Suddenly, orange light shone through the previously gloomy bamboo forest, and Zhang Rumin's figure vanished instantly.

"Young Master Zhang!" Zeng Yunqing stood up urgently and called out, "Where has Young Master Zhang gone?"

Xiang He stood up and led her outside. "Think it over carefully, or talk to your family. Maybe you've misunderstood."

“I know it… My grandfather and father both dote on my younger brother. They even wanted to find me a husband, a husband I don’t like…”

Daughters in the countryside do not have the right to choose their own husbands, and it is even more impossible for daughters from wealthy families.

However, Xiang He remembered that the county magistrate seemed reasonable and not at all like a strong-willed person.

"Why don't you talk to your family in detail first? Communication is the best bridge; don't try to figure things out on your own."

Xiang Hedu felt like he had become a life mentor and hoped his advice would be effective.

Seeing that Zeng Yunqing didn't seem too happy to listen, Xiang He didn't bother to say anything more.

He led her to the main entrance of the private school, saying, "In short, talk to your family first. Once a person dies, they have nothing left. Think carefully."

"But……"

Xiang He pulled her closer to the carriage, and when they met eyes, he whispered, "Let me tell you, people don't necessarily stay in the world after they die. The souls that stay in the world are those who have something to hold onto, but your attachment is just that of a ghost, and sooner or later you'll be sent to the underworld by the underworld officials."

The words were clear and easy to hear. Zeng Yunqing looked at herself in her eyes and was filled with astonishment.

"Really, really?"

Xiang He took a step back and gestured for her to get into the carriage. "Would I lie to you?"

Zeng Yunqing bit her lower lip, unsure of what to say. Xiang He lifted the carriage curtain for her and said, "Listen to me, let's talk this over first. If anything is bothering you, come find me here."

"it is good……"

Once Zeng Yunqing boarded the carriage, cheers erupted from the private school. Several students came out, and one eight-year-old boy's eyes lit up. He skipped over to the carriage and exclaimed, "Second sister, you've come to pick me up!"

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Zeng Yunqing forced a smile, "Get in."

The boy happily climbed into the car, and Zeng Yunqing nodded to He Yi before letting the driver leave.

As the carriage drove further and further away, Xiang He turned and walked towards the private school. Just before stepping over, he glanced at the distance without leaving a trace, and quickly looked away.

Just as she was about to walk inside, her hand was grabbed by a small hand. Looking down, she saw Xiang Yun smiling adorably at her.

"Sister, you look so beautiful today!"

Xiang He gently pinched her cheek. "Is dinner ready? I'm a little hungry."

"Come with me quickly!"

Xiang Yun jogged along, with Xiang He quickly following. They arrived at a side hall where there were about seven or eight children. Like Xiang Yun, they came from far away and could only live in a private school.

The kitchen lady told them to line up and wait, each with their own bowl.

At this moment, Xiangyang came over with two bowls. "Sister, the master is calling you."

Xiang He looked down and saw that Xiang Yang didn't seem happy. She squatted down and looked him in the eye, smiling as she asked, "What's wrong, Xiao Yang? You seem unhappy."

Upon suddenly meeting her gaze, Xiangyang immediately turned her face away, "No, sister, you're overthinking it..."

The child's sudden change reminded Xiang He of last night when Xiang Yang returned home and went to his room alone. Today, because he was there, Xiang He didn't feel comfortable asking Su Shi and Xiang Dayong.

It seems that Xiangyang has something on his mind, which must be related to last night...

Xiangyang didn't want to look at her, and Xianghe couldn't force him to leave, so she could only pat his head and rub it gently.

"I'll go ahead first and come see you later."

"Um……"

Seeing that he wasn't in a good mood, Xiang He didn't want to bother him, so she got up and went to the back courtyard to find He Sui'an.

Xiang Yun reached out and took the bowl, her little face scrunched up, "What's wrong, brother?"

"It's nothing." Xiangyang walked behind her and gave her a gentle nudge. "Hurry up and get in line, I'm so hungry."

"Oh!"

The two obediently went to line up. As soon as Xiang He crossed the archway, she turned around and looked back. Xiang Yang stood there expressionless, his lips tightly pressed together, not saying a word, looking preoccupied.

Xiang He frowned, turned and left. Regardless of what Xiang Yang saw or guessed, he would answer truthfully if Xiang Yang asked.

Since neither Su nor Xiang Dayong managed to get any answers last night, this kid is really tight-lipped and quite sensitive.

"Miss Xiang, what are you thinking about so intently?"

A voice came from in front of her. Xiang He looked up silently and saw He Sui'an standing in front of her, bending down and smiling at her.

Xiang He paused, then took a step back. "I wasn't thinking about anything. Did you call me for something, sir?"

“Let’s have dinner together,” He Suian straightened up and walked towards the pavilion. “I can’t share a table with the students.”

"Too……"

She followed, and the two sat down in the pavilion. Xing Ji brought over the meal, which was the same as the students' dinner.

"Xing Ji, are you coming with me to eavesdrop tonight?"

Xing Ji, who was setting out the dishes, immediately froze, staring blankly at He Suian, somewhat at a loss.

The phrase "eavesdropping" immediately suggests something inappropriate.

He Sui'an handed the chopsticks to Xiang He, "I'll go with you. Xing Ji is so serious, don't corrupt him."

Xiang He took the piece of green vegetable from the pick-up bar and said, "What's wrong? You're not being serious anymore?"

"No, I am more accepting of it than Xing Ji."

Xiang He pouted, "Why don't you say you also like to eavesdrop? I'm going to the back courtyard of the county government office tonight, it might be a little dangerous."

After all, it was the back residence of the county government, separated from the county government by only a wall. If they were to eavesdrop through the wall and were discovered by the patrolling constables, they would be in big trouble. Not to mention that He Sui'an was a private tutor. If this matter got out, it would damage his reputation.

He Suian also thought of this, but while picking up some food, he said, "Magistrate Zeng doesn't like the yamen runners disturbing him at night, so the patrolling yamen runners won't go to inspect the back residence."

"Oh……"

The two finished their meal in silence, and the sky darkened.

Xiang He planned to find out what was going on from Xiang Yang before leaving home, since they would be spending time together in the future and this unclear situation could easily affect their relationship.

Having made up his mind, Xiang He went to his room. There weren't many rooms here, and several people usually shared one room.

Just as she was about to knock, the door was opened from the inside, and Xiang Yang appeared before her. His eyes were unusually bright, as if he had been waiting for her to come.

A smile appeared in Xiang He's eyes. "Come with me?"

"Ah."