Records of Strange People and Strange Events in the Old Mansion

Chapter 48 Quiet

The ancestral hall was dark and silent, and a gloomy atmosphere enveloped the entire space, making people shudder. A waning moon had risen, indicating that it was already late at night. Zhu Badger stood at the gate of the ancestral hall and looked for the blue jade willow with the help of the weak moonlight.

Everywhere you look, there is nothing but silence. The dark pillars seem to tell various stories of vicissitudes in the past years, making people worry about the future for no reason. Here, fear and insecurity never seem to leave. Zhu Badger suddenly remembered the note handed to her by One-Armed Luo, "Be still and be prepared." He had the same note delivered to me twice. Does it mean that I failed to "stop with stillness"?
Okay, then I will calm down and wait quietly for what she and they are going to do? Thinking of this, Zhu Badger turned around and closed the door of the ancestral hall.

The door of the ancestral hall is slightly smaller than the door of the old house. The vermilion-painted solid wood door is a bit troublesome to close. Zhu Badger couldn't figure out how the city man Lan Yuliu pushed open these two heavy doors without making a sound.

Zhu Badger closed the front door of the old house in front of the neighbors. She did it on purpose. She put a lot of effort in advance, oiled the door shaft, and practiced from time to time when no one was around, so that she could easily close the door in one breath. That way It made her appear to be extremely powerful.

Nowadays, it is obviously much more difficult to close the gate of the ancestral hall than to close the gate of the old house. The gate of the ancestral hall is only open for a few days throughout the year, so it will definitely be quite difficult to close it. As the saying goes, "running water will not rot, and door hinges will not be beetrooted", stagnant water will definitely become rancid, and the door will not be opened regularly. The door shaft will naturally become moth-eaten.

Zhu Badger closed the door of the ancestral hall and was about to bolt it when a voice whispered in her ear: "It's better not to bolt it, otherwise you won't be able to escape by then."

The hands holding the door bolt trembled slightly, Zhu Badger suddenly turned around, and the solid wood door bolt weighing more than fifty kilograms in his hand swept behind him.

no one? Wasn't it because I used the door bolt to sweep him to the ground? Zhu Badger looked down and could see clearly that there was no one on the ground within the range of the object, whether standing or lying down.

Zhu Badger turned around and bolted the door again, and the voice sounded again: "Why are you so disobedient? Just don't bolt if I tell you not to. I'm doing it for your own good."

Damn it, who are you? Why should I listen to you? Zhu Badger no longer looked back or swept back with the door bolt. Instead, he inserted the door bolt into the hole and specially installed the anti-theft nail. In this way, it is impossible for outsiders to come in, unless they break the latch or break the door. It would take a lot of effort for the people inside to get out, and it would be impossible for someone unfamiliar with the location of the anti-theft nail to find it at once.

After removing the door latch and anti-theft nails, Zhu Badger did not turn around immediately, but continued to stand facing the door without moving. She wanted to wait for the sound to ring again. After waiting quietly for five or six minutes, the sound did not ring again. Zhu Badger turned around. She was so frightened by the person standing in front of her that she immediately retreated to the door. If her body hadn't been pressed against the door, her legs would have gone weak and she would have sat down directly on the ground.

The man standing in front of Zhu Badger is more like a ghost than a human being. This man's hair was disheveled, with long hair spread over his head covering his entire face. A gray gown touched the floor, and his feet could not be seen.

Badger Zhu has loved listening to ghost stories since he was a child, and Mr. Zhu tells stories very wonderfully. In Mr. Zhu's ghost stories, female ghosts always have disheveled hair, long clothes, and no feet. Did I really encounter a ghost today? Was she talking to me just now? How long had she been standing behind me? Or she was standing next to me as soon as I came in, but she didn't show up and I couldn't see her? Since she stood behind me for so long without hurting me, it means she is not a bad ghost, so there is no need for me to be afraid of her.

Didn’t Mr. Zhu say that? Ghosts are afraid of upright people. I never flatter, grovel, or flatter others, and I have no right to show favoritism and bend the law. That ghost must be afraid of me. Thinking of this, Zhu Badger calmed down and scolded in a low voice: "Which ghost dares to act like a monster in the ancestral hall? Believe it or not, this fairy will kill you and throw your head to the top of Beishan Mountain and let the eagle pick it up."

Zhu Badger did not yell loudly, not because she was afraid of the female ghost in front of her, but because she was worried about disturbing Lan Yuliu, Weasel, and Huang Doujiang. She firmly believed that Lan Yuliu and Weasel must have entered the ancestral hall, and they must want to do something shameful? Zhu Badger scared the female ghost and told her to throw her head to the top of Beishan Mountain because she heard Mr. Zhu say that after death, if the body is divided into two parts, it will never be reincarnated.

The female ghost didn't seem to hear Zhu Badger's words clearly. Instead, she made a 360-degree spin. Her long hair flew up high, revealing a pale face and a pair of eyes as red as blood. Also covered in blood was the long tongue.

Zhu Badger waited for the female ghost to finish spinning, and laughed softly: "Have you ever learned acrobatics? This 360-degree turn is very good, but it's a pity that the Thomas pirouette is missing. If there can be a Thomas pirouette right after, it will definitely be Let you remember the sadness of this 360-degree Thomas' turn in the air for the rest of your life." Zhu Badger said as he suddenly went over and grabbed the female ghost's hair and pulled it down hard.

"It hurts, it hurts..." The female ghost's long hair was pulled off by the red badger, and she wanted to turn around and run away. How could Zhu Badger let her run away? He reached out and grabbed her long tongue and cursed, "You still know it hurts? If you know it hurts, don't pretend to be a ghost to scare me."

"Badger, how do you know you're pretending to be me?" Lu Huan took off his mask and asked Zhu Badger. Zhu Badger replied angrily: "Even if you really become a ghost, I can see through it at a glance."

"Hehe, you are so awesome. But I'm not here to scare you, I'm here to scare them." Lu Huan smiled and turned to Zhu Badger. Zhu Badger asked Lu Huan: "Them? There are many of them?" "Well, They are all worshiping their ancestors in the back hall." "Sacrificing ancestors in the back hall? What kind of ancestors are you worshiping in the middle of the night if it's not a festival?" "It's said to drive out ghosts and chase ghosts." "Drive out ghosts and chase souls? What kind of ghosts and souls are chased out?" "Driving your father out? This ghost is chasing your soul." "Nao Xi is in prison and you want to rebel?"

Zhu Badger suddenly became angry and turned around to rush to the back hall. Lu Huan quickly reached out to hold her and advised: "Don't be anxious, don't be anxious, some people will take advantage of you if you are anxious."

"Being used by some people? What do you mean?" Zhu Badger stopped and stared at Lu Huan. Lu Huan once again made her feel unusual.

Lu Huan raised the mask in his hand and said to Zhu Badger with a smile: "A real ghost, a fierce ghost, a fierce ghost that can eat people."

"As long as you don't pretend to be a ghost, there will be no ghosts in this world. Tell me, where did you steal this outfit?" Zhu Badger said this, but in his heart he thought that Lu Huan was right. Someone must be causing trouble. This person More ferocious and vicious than a ghost.

Lu Huan did not directly answer Zhu Badger's question, but handed the mask to Zhu Badger and said, "Do you like it very much? How about you wear it to scare those people in the back hall? Oh, by the way, you are a fairy, There’s no need to dress up and play tricks.”

"There are many people in the back hall? When did they enter the ancestral hall? How did they enter the ancestral hall? Are Weasel and Huangdoujiang there? Are Blue Jade Liu there?" Zhu Badger couldn't figure out why they were all here when they were having a banquet at her house. Have you come to worship your ancestors in the back hall? What else do you mean to drive away the ghost of her father from chasing her soul?
"I'm here, please unbolt the door first, so as not to cause trouble later." Lan Yuliu stood behind Zhu Badger at some point.

Zhu Badger looked back at Lan Yuliu for a while and then asked her continuously: "Are you okay? Didn't the three big basins of water splash on you? You were the one who told me not to fasten the bolt? What clothes are you wearing? Why do you have to look up? Are you following my parents secretly? Why did you enter the ancestral hall quietly? Why did you pretend to be a ghost to scare me?"

"I'm in good health. Those three big basins of water splashed on me, but the swimming cap and swimsuit I wore couldn't retain the water. I'm not following your parents. I entered the temple knowing that someone was coming to show off and play tricks. Ancestral hall, I kindly remind you that you don't want Zhu Bajie to go up to the wall and beat him up." Lan Yuliu answered Zhu Badger's question in one breath, calmly and without a trace of panic.

Zhu Badger guessed that Lan Yuliu and Lu Huan were not simple, but he never expected that they were so different.

Now the three of them were standing at the gate of the ancestral hall. Zhu Badger clearly felt the sense of oppression coming from the other two people. The sense of oppression brought by Lan Yuliu to her was deeper, tighter and more breathless than that of Lu Huan. Of course, the sense of oppression that Lu Huan brought to her was not light, but they had worked together and had known each other for a while. In addition, Lu Huan always smiled and looked innocent no matter where he was. It somewhat alleviated some of the sense of urgency. But Lan Yuliu was different. Not only was she a complete stranger, but she also had Zhu Hu as her internal agent. If she really wanted to confront Zhu Badger, she would have to be very alert.

"How do you know someone in the ancestral hall is pretending to be a ghost?" Zhu Badger didn't ask you, but you. On the one hand, she wanted to beat Lan Yuliu. Is Lu Huan your accomplice? Have you agreed to come to the ancestral hall together? At the same time, Lu Huan must understand that you are now in the village and in the old house. After all, you are just an outsider. You should not get involved with outsiders and abandon me as your master.

"We..." Lu Huan and Lan Yuliu spoke at the same time, which made Zhu Badger's sense of urgency much lessened, because they couldn't wait to explain to Zhu Badger, indicating that they still cared about Zhu Badger's attitude, and It was definitely not discussed in advance. "Huanhuan and I only found out after we went upstairs that someone was coming to the ancestral hall to cause trouble. I told Huanhuan not to cause trouble, and I would report to you." Lan Yuliu explained to Zhu Badger.

"That's right, Sister Liu and I were about to take off our clothes and go to bed after we went upstairs. Several people's voices came outside, saying that they were going to the ancestral hall to chase ghosts and chase ghosts. I was curious, and when Sister Liu came out, I also ran out secretly." Lu Huan explained to Zhu Badger.

"Did you report to me?" After Zhu Badger asked Lan Yuliu, he asked Lu Huan: "You ran out secretly after Sister Liu came out. How come you are in a more advanced ancestral hall than me?"

Lan Yuliu answered Zhu Badger first: "I went downstairs and knocked on your door, but there was no one there. I looked for Uncle Yun and Auntie again, but they were not there either, so I came out to look for you, thinking that you knew you were going to cause trouble and came to the ancestral hall. "

Lu Huan then answered Zhu Badger: "I came to the ancestral hall from the west of Weasel's house, and I don't want to live in Tian Lezi's house. There is no good person in their family, and they are all bad."

Zhu Badger wanted to ask Lan Yuliu again, did you know I wasn't there when you knocked on the door? When you come out to find me and my parents, what kind of swimming suits and swimming caps should we wear? Did you and Zhu Hu meet by chance under the persimmon tree? Why did you post it on the wall of Tian Laizi's house for so long? She also wanted to ask Lu Huan, aren't you usually very timid? How dare you go out to the ancestral hall alone in the middle of the night? What mask and gown do you wear when you come to the ancestral hall to watch the excitement? Where did your outfit come from? But Zhu Badger didn't want to ask any more. If he continued to ask, he might soon become his apparent opponent.

So Zhu Badger followed Lu Huan's words and asked, "Are all Tian Laizi's family inside? How many people are there?"

"There is no one in Tian Laizi's family, not even Weasel and Huang Doujiang, but I clearly saw the couple entering the ancestral hall." Lan Yuliu answered Zhu Badger.

Zhu Badger gritted his teeth and said: "Hmph, I don't dare to show my face after entering. If you dare to show your face, I will serve you immediately. This foreigner wants to cause trouble in our ancestral hall? What a dream!"

"Fairy, don't be angry yet. The key now is how to deal with those members of your family who are worshiping ancestors in the back hall? This is a difficult problem. If you go in directly to drive them away, what will they say is wrong with us worshiping ancestors? If you If you don't disperse them in time, they might form a group and be taken advantage of by some people, which will be detrimental to you and the old house." Lan Yuliu tried to test Zhu Badger while advising him.

Zhu Badger smiled and said: "With you, Sister Liu, and Huanhuan here, do I need to worry about such a small matter? Do I need to come forward in person?"

"Yes, Badger is a fairy now. How can a fairy show up so easily? Sister Liu, I can settle such a small matter with you." Lu Huan was eager to give it a try.

Lan Yuliu stood there without moving and asked Zhu Badger: "Fairy, this is not a trivial matter, it could lead to death."

"A life is going to happen? Sister Liu, don't scare Badger and me. The Chinese New Year is about to happen. How about losing a life?" Lu Huan retracted his stepped foot before Zhu Badger could answer Lan Yuliu. .

Zhu Badger smiled and patted Lu Huan on the back and said, "What are you afraid of with Sister Liu? Come on, let's go to the back hall and take a look."

"Fairy, you'd better open the door of the ancestral hall first, otherwise someone will really die." Lan Yuliu walked over and wanted to remove the bolt, but Zhu Badger was the first to block the door and said: "I can only remove the bolt myself. , no one else is allowed and cannot pull it out.”

"Okay, just don't regret it then." Lan Yuliu turned around and walked towards the back hall.

The ancestral hall of the old house is a four-entry style, which is composed of four parts: the ancestral gate (also called the gate tower), the second gate (also called the ritual gate), the Xiangtang and the back hall. Entering through the ancestral gate is the stage built at the second gate. The stage faces the Xiangtang, and through the Xiangtang is the back hall. Zhu Badger was standing at the gate of the ancestral hall talking to Lan Yuliu and Lu Huan, so the people in the back hall would not hear him. What's more, the people in the back hall are currently worshiping their ancestors, and the atmosphere is solemn.

Zhu Badger saw Lan Yuliu walking towards the back hall and followed him closely. Lu Huan caught up with Zhu Badger and whispered, "You'd better not show your face first, lest you can't explain clearly later."

"What can't be explained?" Zhu Badger nodded and frowned, thinking that it was reasonable for Lu Huan to ask her not to show up yet. After all, the lay people in the old house avoided her when they came to the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors. If she suddenly appeared, they would definitely think that she was here. Drive them away. But "can't explain" is a bit too unclear. Is there anything I can't explain clearly? Even if I went in to drive them away, nothing could be explained clearly. I just said that a few days would be New Year's Eve, the ancestor worship day prescribed by the old house. At that time, everyone can come together to worship ancestors in a legitimate manner. Why come secretly in the middle of the night? ? Of course, they didn't really come to worship their ancestors. They wanted to ask the ancestors to drive away the ghost of my father and recover the soul of the fairy like me.

Approaching the back hall, Zhu Badger saw Lan Yuliu's entire body pressed against the carved wooden door, her face pressed against the grating and her eyes looking inward. Humph, this is probably not the first time that I have been peeping like this, right? Just now you were pressed against the wall of Tian Laizi's house, and I knew you were a veteran.

After standing quietly in the corridor on the left for a while, Lan Yuliu kept his original posture. There was not much noise in the back hall. Zhu Badger went over to imitate Lan Yuliu and stood on tiptoes to pass through the door grille and move backward. Look inside the hall.

In the back hall, there are only two red candles burning in front of the main niche. The weak light of the candles casts mottled shadows on the rows of memorial tablets on the left and right, as if the ancestors were sitting there upright.

The main niche is dedicated to Grandma Taizu. Because the candlelight was blocked by a person, neither the main niche nor the tablet of Grandma Taizu placed inside could be seen. This man stood facing the door of the back hall. He was the only one standing in the whole back hall, and everyone else was kneeling on the ground. He stood there facing everyone and seemed to be giving orders.

Zhu Badger's face was pressed against the grille of the carved door on the far left side of the back hall. When he looked inside, he could only see the side of the man. To be precise, he could see more of the back of his head than his face, so he couldn't recognize who he was at once. ?

The candlelight flickered, causing the figure to rise, fall, fat and thin, making it even more difficult for Zhu Badger to determine who that person was? Just listen to him say: "This ghost must be driven away, and this soul must be chased."

Hey, this voice is familiar yet unfamiliar. Could it be that he was speaking in a falsetto on purpose? Zhu Badger crept close to Lan Yuliu. The door she was close to was the main entrance of the back hall. She could definitely see clearly who that person was?

Seeing Zhu Badger approaching, Lan Yuliu consciously stepped aside. Zhu Badger went over and looked inside, not in ordinary shock.

How could it be him? How could he actually act like a ghost to do this? It’s really hard to know people’s faces but not their hearts. It’s difficult to draw a dragon or a tiger, but the most changeable thing is the human being.

(End of this chapter)