The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 619: Teacher, You Should Retire and Enjoy Your Golden Years

Chapter 619: Teacher, You Should Retire and Enjoy Your Golden Years

Nanli swiftly pulled out a ready-made scarecrow and snapped, "At a time like this, you’re still so picky! Hurry up!"

Seeing her fierce demeanor, Xie Beihan dared not argue further and quickly went behind the folding screen.

Nanli threw the scarecrow over and used a talisman to transfer Xie Beihan’s soul into it.

Understanding the urgency, Fan Yunxi joined in to help. In no time, Xie Beihan emerged fully dressed from behind the screen.

He spun around and remarked, "This form... doesn’t seem any different from the last one."

Nanli smirked. "Because I knew you’d be unreliable, I made ten or so extras for you to use."

"..." Xie Beihan felt deeply insulted.

From the looks of it, those "ten or so" scarecrows all looked the same, and his wish to appear more muscular was shattered.

Chu Shuo was already urging impatiently, "Hurry up!"

As Fan Yunxi was pregnant, she refrained from joining them. After a few words of caution from Xie Beihan, Nanli dragged him along, and in the blink of an eye, the three arrived at the wedding hall.

"We made it!" Chu Hanlin, drenched in sweat from anxiety, exclaimed.

The wedding attendant quickly handed a red silk ribbon to Chu Shuo and announced, "Bow to the heavens and earth!"

Out of breath, Chu Shuo and Lu Yanyan completed the ceremonial bows. Though it was a joyful occasion, Chu Shuo turned to see Xie Beihan and couldn’t stop his tears from flowing.

How had his best friend died overnight?

Who else would accompany him to enjoy fine delicacies now?

The wedding attendant joked, "Oh my, the groom is so happy to marry such a beautiful bride that he’s crying!"

Chu Shuo suppressed his sorrow, forcing a weak smile to avoid burdening Xie Beihan. "Yes, I’m just too happy."

Lu Yanyan blushed and smiled demurely at him.

Naturally, the celebration moved on to the lively bridal chamber pranks.

Now a scarecrow, Xie Beihan avoided the commotion to prevent any accidents. However, seeing Chu Shuo dejected and frequently glancing his way, Xie Beihan couldn’t help but join the rowdy group of young gentlemen and ladies. The lively atmosphere soared as he immersed himself in the revelry.

But when it came time for the banquet, Xie Beihan couldn’t attend. After all, if he didn’t touch his food, people would grow suspicious.

Chu Shuo, after making a round of toasts, was already slightly tipsy but still concerned about Xie Beihan. He instructed a servant to fetch him. "No need to prepare food or drink. Just bring some incense sticks from the ancestral hall."

"Incense sticks?" The servant was puzzled but did as told.

The flower pavilion in the courtyard was quiet.

Reeking of alcohol, Chu Shuo staggered back, his cheeks flushed red. When he saw Xie Beihan, he couldn’t help but wail, "Beihan..."

Xie Beihan supported him to a chair with a sigh. "Crying on your wedding day? That’s too inauspicious."

"You’re no longer my true friend! Such a major event, and you kept it from me," Chu Shuo sobbed uncontrollably.

"I only planned to tell you after your wedding to avoid affecting it." Xie Beihan felt irritated by the crying.

Frankly, he hadn’t felt this annoyed even when he died.

He added, "Actually, this isn’t so bad. No bathing means no body odor, no eating means no wasting food. I just need to bask in the moonlight at night to replenish some yin energy so I can feel energetic the next day."

It was the opposite of being alive.

Chu Shuo cried even harder. "What’s so good about that? You’re dead—what’s good about being dead? How did you die? Who killed you? I’ll spend every ounce of silver and risk my life to avenge you!"

"No one killed me. I was accidentally bitten by a venomous snake," Xie Beihan replied, glossing over the details.

Chu Shuo knew his friend’s personality. If Xie Beihan wasn’t holding grudges, it meant he didn’t want to elaborate.

"Bitten by a venomous snake... You really are unlucky," Chu Shuo muttered.

He lit an entire bundle of incense and placed it before Xie Beihan. "Smell it. If it doesn’t suit your taste, I’ll buy something else."

Xie Beihan, having only discovered after death that incense came in grades, took a whiff. High-quality incense smelled good and staved off hunger.

He nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad, not bad."

Chu Shuo then poured wine and spilled it on the ground, choking back tears. "Xie Beihan, drink up."

Despite the oddness, it was customary to call the full name of a spirit when offering food or drink.

After chatting, Chu Shuo learned that Xie Beihan had been hastily buried in an ordinary coffin with no burial goods. He grew indignant, insisting on digging up the coffin later and replacing it with a premium golden-threaded nanmu one.

Xie Beihan quickly stopped him. "No need! We’ve learned enough from Sixth Sister to understand how these things work."

Chu Shuo pouted. "Then there’s nothing left for me to do."

"Of course there is. I’m now without an official post or rank. You can hire me!" Xie Beihan suggested.

Silence.

Chu Shuo frowned deeply, pondering for a long while.

Honestly, he couldn’t think of any suitable job for Xie Beihan.

He couldn’t teach, nor could he keep accounts.

Finally, Chu Shuo thought of a position. "I’ve got it! You can pretend to be a customer and inspect the shops to see if the managers and staff are slacking."

"..." Xie Beihan had imagined becoming a manager, at the very least.

---

At the Cao Mansion

Thankfully, the weather was warming, and Elder Cao’s condition was improving significantly. However, his legs were still weak, preventing him from walking.

The household had servants again for cooking, cleaning, and other chores, all arranged by his disciple, Song He.

Song He now held a minor position at the Dalisi Procuratorate, primarily organizing case files.

Elder Cao hadn’t thought much of him before, but Song He surprised him by stepping up and resolving all the household’s difficulties without hesitation.

Though his life became easier, Elder Cao was furious over the recent scandal among the civil service. Those from humble backgrounds—whether his students or not—were either executed or exiled.

Their treachery was an affront to the court and the people, but it tarnished his reputation as well!

Ashamed, Elder Cao had even drafted his resignation.

When Song He saw this, he grew annoyed. Had his money spent on servants gone to waste if Elder Cao retired now?

"Teacher, with Mu Nation’s precarious situation and hostile neighbors watching, you cannot resign at such a time!" Song He protested.

But Elder Cao, weary in both body and spirit, replied hoarsely, "What are you talking about? His Majesty is still healthy, and the Ninth Prince stands guard. The Chu family’s warriors are all capable. How could Mu Nation be in danger? I’m old, and my reputation is ruined. How can I continue in office?"

Song He sat on a round stool by the bed, hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "Fine, teacher, you should retire to your hometown and enjoy your golden years."

Elder Cao’s curiosity was piqued. Grabbing Song He’s hand, he asked urgently, "What’s really going on?"

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