Though she had once been rejected by him and their engagement severed, she sought no entanglement with him.
Yet, after all, he remained the sole son of her master.
To her master, the two of them were the only kin she possessed.
This was not due to Gu Xichen lacking grandparents, but rather because years ago, when her master's reputation for exorcising malevolent spirits had caused her father-in-law's demise, Gu Xichen's maternal grandmother had offered her a sum of money, urging her to live independently and sever all ties with her birth family.
Pride and dignity compelled her master to refuse the money outright.
When her master once confided these matters to her, it was with serene detachment.
She never once returned to her birth family thereafter.
Together with Gu Xichen, she approached the grave.
They knelt side by side, retrieving offerings—spirit money, ingots, food, and drink—from their bundles.
"Let us begin with this." Gu Lili presented the apology letter left by Gu Xichen's mother. "Master, do you see? This is the mistress's apology. If there is a next life, I pray you will not live so stubbornly again. The world is vast, and men are many—surely one will understand you, cherish you, love you, care for you, and warm you. Why bind your heart so tightly to but one?"
She watched as the paper caught flame, piling the spirit money into the fire in thick stacks.
"Lili speaks the truth, Mother. All things are but fleeting smoke and shadows. I hope that in your next life you will not be so obstinate—live well, for your own sake."
Recalling his mother, Gu Xichen felt a pang of sorrow; when she was cast out, he lacked the power to protect her or provide her a better life. By the time he could, she refused to descend from the mountain, choosing instead to live out her days there.
"Master, I am wed now. My husband treats me kindly. Rest assured, I bear no resentment for Gu Xichen's broken engagement. Had he not withdrawn, where else would I have found such a wonderful husband?"
Gu Xichen cast her a sidelong glance. "In that case, you owe me your gratitude."
"Indeed?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Thank you for sparing me from marrying you."
Upon returning home from Xiliang Mountain that afternoon, Gu Lili was taken aback to find a police cruiser stationed outside Qinyuan.
Driving inside, she paused by the security post and rolled down her window to inquire, "Why are the police here?"
"Director Ma Shijie of our city's Public Security Bureau is here. I'm not privy to the details."
She quickly parked in the garage and hurried toward the living room.
Just inside, hearty laughter greeted her as she stepped through the doorway.
A bald, middle-aged man clad in police uniform sat opposite Long Yubei. Upon noticing her arrival, he immediately rose.
"Good day, Mrs. Long. I am Ma Shijie, Director of the Public Security Bureau."
He extended his hand; she clasped it warmly. "Hello, pleased to meet you."
They both sat once more.
"I have been conversing with Mr. Long for some time now, and it's been a pleasure. Today, I have come on official business, seeking your assistance."
"Oh? How may I be of service?"
"It is thus: we have heard that you, like your late master—the former matriarch of the Gu family—possess extraordinary abilities beyond those of ordinary people: the capacity to perceive and communicate with spirits. At present, our bureau faces a perplexing dilemma: in the city's premier university, a series of mysterious drownings has occurred—each day, a student perishes in the lake. Surveillance reveals no clue whatsoever. The incident has been suppressed from the media, yet three young men have died. We dread the calamity may continue. Yesterday, we sought help from semi-spiritual mediums within our city—all were charlatans. The situation is dire, thus we have come directly to you."