As they approached the moon gate connecting to the front courtyard, they ran into the other few people.
The buzz-cut man and the young man with the small bun had already changed into the same white hemp garments and were standing under the corridor.
The chubby guy had also come out, his plump body wrapped in white mourning clothes, his face still wearing that solemn expression.
When Xu Xi drew near, his gaze immediately swept over. Seeing the white hemp garment on the young man, his eyes flickered slightly, and the next second, he greeted him in a natural tone.
"Are you all set over here too?"
When Xu Xi noticed all these players were wearing the same white mourning garments, he knew his choice had been correct.
He hummed in acknowledgment, not saying anything more.
The footman had disappeared at some point.
Yu Hao tugged at the tight-fitting mourning garment on his body and said casually, "Apart from the two ladies, only that guy with the ear stud hasn't arrived yet."
After saying this, he couldn't help but pause.
"When I came over, there was... quite a commotion in his room."
As soon as these words were out, the buzz-cut man Xing Ge stopped pretending to be profound, and the young man with the small bun, Lin Zuo, stopped watching the rainwater dripping from the eaves.
Both their gazes immediately fell on Yu Hao.
"Oh?" Xing Ge frowned, asking in a low voice, "What kind of commotion?"
Yu Hao spread his hands, his expression unchanged, but a trace of barely noticeable interest flickered in his eyes.
"Couldn't hear the specifics clearly, just heard a loud 'clang' inside, like something fell over? Or got smashed? Then there was the sound of that guy's voice, sounding a bit frantic and furious, couldn't make it out clearly."
Hearing this, Lin Zuo looked thoughtful. "Could it be 'special treatment' brought by his identity?"
Right at that moment, a flurry of hurried footsteps approached.
The four present all assumed wary postures, only to see that young player with the ear stud staggering out in a rush.
The white mourning garment on him was crumpled, and even the front of his robe had been torn open.
Hang Ze was clumsily trying to pull his clothes together while turning his head and shouting, "...I told you I didn't kill your brother! Are you seriously not letting this go?!"
Behind him, a footman followed slowly, holding in his hand an old kitchen knife stained with suspicious dark stains.
When Hang Ze saw the few people under the corridor, especially noticing they were all wearing neat white mourning garments, his eyes lit up as if he had found his comrades.
He scurried over in a few steps. "Brothers, everyone's here? Let's go, let's go! I really don't want to stay in this damn place a moment longer!"
The four: "..."
Yu Hao exclaimed and quickly stopped him. "Hey, buddy, stop running. The footman chasing you has disappeared."
"Huh?" Hang Ze stopped and looked back.
Sure enough, the footman with the kitchen knife was gone.
He immediately sighed in relief, subconsciously leaning against a pillar.
While pulling at his torn robe, he didn't forget to complain, "You guys have no idea, that footman is seriously messed up in the head. He insisted on shoving a set of purple clothes at me. When I refused to wear them, he actually pulled a kitchen knife from his robe, saying I killed his brother..."
"Bullshit! I don't even know if his brother is round or flat!"
Given his experience and his disheveled appearance, even Xing Ge's cold face twitched almost imperceptibly.
Yu Hao's solemn expression almost cracked. He quickly coughed to cover it up, then asked curiously,
"So how did you get that white mourning outfit you're wearing?"
Hang Ze sighed. "Dug it out from under the cabinet."
This guy's having it rough.
Xu Xi glanced at the torn part of the other's mourning garment. No bloodstains. Looks like it was scary but he didn't actually get hurt.
"It seems everyone is here."
Suddenly, a steady female voice sounded from not far away.
Shi Weiwei and Tang Shutong walked out from the other side of the corridor.
Both had also changed into plain white dresses.
The seven gathered again, their gazes meeting with tacit understanding.
Clearly, everyone had undergone similar "tests."
Before the group could exchange a few more words, the Steward appeared like a ghost beside the moon gate, still wearing that respectful yet distant demeanor.
"Young masters, young ladies, the hour is almost upon us. Please follow this old servant to the Ancestral Temple to pay respects to the Master."
He now held a white paper lantern in his hand. The dim, yellowish light illuminated his deeply lined face, making it appear half-lit, half-shadowed.
"The Ancestral Temple is in the northeast corner of the Rear Courtyard. It's somewhat secluded, and the path is narrow. You young masters and ladies left home when you were young, so you probably don't remember it well. Please stay close and don't stray from the path."
As he spoke, the Steward took the lead, lantern in hand, stepping into the covered walkway.
The players exchanged glances and cautiously followed, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far from the old man ahead.
The walkway was sometimes straight, sometimes turning. After walking for about twenty minutes, two small points of bright light suddenly appeared ahead.
Only as they gradually drew closer did they see that the two points of light were actually emitted by two old-fashioned lanterns hanging under the eaves. The lantern shades were also made of white paper, swaying slightly in the wind.
The Steward stopped before a black-lacquered wooden door. Above the doorframe hung a plaque similarly weathered by time, inscribed with four large characters: "Shen Family Ancestral Temple."
"We have arrived at the Ancestral Temple." The Steward turned around and gave a slight bow. "Before entering, this old servant has a few more words, which are also the rules set by the manor for this funeral. I ask all young masters and ladies to please remember them well."
"This is the Shen Family Ancestral Temple, and also the place where the Master's coffin rests. To ensure the funeral proceeds smoothly and to comfort the Master's spirit in heaven, please abide by the following rules—"
Under the curious or probing gazes of the seven players, he slowly recited:
"First, every day during the You hour (5-7 PM), incense must be offered before the spirit tablet. The incense must not be extinguished.
Second, during the mourning period, everyone within the deep manor must wear plain clothing. The colors red, purple, and gold are forbidden.
Third, after the Zi hour (11 PM-1 AM), do not leave your assigned rooms, no matter what sounds you hear.
Fourth, the clan genealogy inside the Ancestral Temple is for viewing by those with the Shen surname only. Those with other surnames must not peruse it.
Fifth, the Seventh Concubine suffers from hysteria. Her words are not to be trusted.
Sixth, the ancient well in the garden has been sealed. Do not approach it.
Seventh, the funeral must last a full seven days. Leaving early is not permitted."
"..." All the players present fell into silence.
Xu Xi's hand in his pocket couldn't help but twitch.
This was the first time he had encountered an instance with openly stated rules like this.
Seven rules, each one reeking of the supernatural and restriction.
Offering incense during the You hour, the incense must not go out—meaning the players had to come to the Ancestral Temple every day.
Forbidden colors: red, purple, gold. Yet the Seventh Concubine had prepared purple clothes for them.
Not being allowed to leave after the Zi hour was one thing, but what was that rule about the clan genealogy? Could it be that someone among them wasn't actually Master Shen's kid??
And if the Seventh Concubine suffers from hysteria, why would the manor still let her manage the Rear Courtyard?
Don't approach the ancient well, the funeral must last seven days...
Xu Xi secretly hissed through his teeth.
This instance seems a bit complicated this time.
