Chapter 4: Green Pearl

In recent days, Li Sheng had not set foot in the Hall of Public Affairs, nor had he gone to great lengths to search for Wei Li’s whereabouts. Instead, he spent his days and nights buried in ancient texts in his study. Having never shown much interest in books, his sudden sleepless obsession left Duan Yien stunned.

When Duan Yien brought tea and pastries, she caught a glimpse of words scrawled across the rice paper: Shi Chong, Green Pearl, Wang Dao. Afterward, Duan Yien went to the bookshop to investigate these names, spending most of the day until she finally pieced together the story. Shi Chong was infamous for forcing his beautiful women to urge guests to drink at his banquets—should a guest refuse, he would order the beauty dragged away and killed.

Green Pearl was not only enchanting and deeply favored by Shi Chong, but, more importantly, she was also a masterful singer and dancer, a captivating courtesan of the highest order. With wealth seized through plunder, Shi Chong built the Golden Valley Garden, often hosting the Jia family and Jia Mi’s retinue there. Jia Mi, the son of Jia Nanfeng’s sister, was the most influential figure in court for the Jia family. Thus, Shi Chong frequently invited him for revelry. The true lure for Jia Mi, however, was Green Pearl herself.

Records describe how, whenever Green Pearl poured wine, the guests fell helplessly under her spell, utterly captivated. This alone showed how much she meant to Shi Chong.

Later, when Sima Lun and Sun Xiu sought to strike at the Jia family, they began with Green Pearl. Before launching his attack on Jia Nanfeng, Sun Xiu tried to claim Green Pearl from Shi Chong, who, of course, refused. After the Jia family was overthrown, soldiers were sent to seize Green Pearl. By then, Shi Chong knew he could no longer protect her. And even if he could, it no longer mattered; Jia Mi was dead and would never return to the Golden Valley Garden. Shi Chong sighed to Green Pearl, "It is because of you that I am doomed." Green Pearl wept and said, "Let me give my life for you," before leaping to her death.

But why should this ancient, tragic love story suddenly interest Li Sheng? Reflecting on his recent despondency, as if his very spirit had been drained, Duan Yien began to suspect the answer.

She recalled a line from "Wonders Beyond," which read: "The rhinoceros horn must not be burned; if lit, it emits a strange fragrance that can bridge the world of the living and the dead." Rhinoceros horn incense was both forbidden and exorbitant, forcing Duan Yien to obtain it through illicit means.

At noon, as usual, Duan Yien entered the bedroom carrying a tray of Tieguanyin tea and snacks. This time, however, there was also an incense burner. "Governor, the weather’s turning cold; drink more hot tea. I’ve lit some incense for you—it should clear your mind and lift your spirits."

Li Sheng ignored her, continuing to pore over his ancient tome. Wisps of fragrant smoke, like drifting veils, curled freely about the room, encircling them. As Duan Yien tidied the crumpled papers on the desk, she caught sight, out of the corner of her eye, of a blood-red wedding dress. A voice suddenly rang out: "Help me find Shi Chong—I will kill him!"

Hearing this, Duan Yien’s hands began to tremble violently. She dared not look up at the female ghost’s face, nor utter another word. Hastily gathering the waste paper, she fled the room, shut herself in her quarters, and gasped for breath.

For a long moment, reason wrestled with her fear. She knew she had to find Wei Li or the monk—only then would Li Sheng be spared from the clutches of the vengeful spirit.

She poured every resource into her search, and, as if the heavens took pity, she finally tracked the pair to a remote mountain hermitage. Duan Yien journeyed alone into the secluded wilds until she reached the small monastery. The courtyard’s few bodhi trees looked enormous against the humble temple, their foliage still lush and upright in the late autumn.

From afar, the faint scent of incense drifted from the meditation hall. On a cushion sat a girl in monastic robes, playing with a wooden fish. Even from behind, Duan Yien knew it was Wei Li—the impression she’d left was too vivid, and too terrifying.

Wei Li heard footsteps and turned her head. Upon seeing Duan Yien, she leapt up and threw her arms around Duan Yien’s waist, inhaling deeply, "Sister, you smell wonderful."

"Enough with the act. We both know each other too well," Duan Yien said with a trace of disgust at Wei Li’s feigned innocence. Inside, she knew a demon resided, yet outwardly, Wei Li seemed only careless and naïve. Once someone fell into her honeyed trap, there was no escape.

"Lady Benefactor, you have journeyed far—I trust it is for something urgent?" Guangzong emerged from behind the meditation room, his hands working a string of prayer beads, compassion radiating from his expression.

Duan Yien set aside Wei Li for the moment and fell to her knees before Guangzong. "Venerable monk, His Excellency is haunted by an evil spirit—he cannot sleep—please, I beg you, save him. I will pay whatever price you name."

"Rise and tell me slowly," Guangzong said, helping her up.

Fear and anxiety made Duan Yien’s words stumble. "I… the Governor… I used rhinoceros horn incense and saw a female ghost in a wedding dress…"

"Green Pearl, Shi Chong’s favored concubine from Western Jin," Wei Li interrupted, unable to bear Duan Yien’s stammering. "I was a guest at Shi Chong’s house then. She killed many beauties to feed me." At the memory, Wei Li licked her lips. The days without restraint had been so sweet.

"You—!" Guangzong’s face darkened at Wei Li’s nostalgic tone.

Wei Li instantly schooled her features into seriousness. "Now, I eat vegetarian and chant scripture with you—life is hardly dull." She turned to Duan Yien. "Continue—what happened to Green Pearl? Why does her ghost linger here?"

"King Lun of Zhao sent troops to kill Shi Chong. Shi Chong told Green Pearl she was the cause of his doom, and so she leapt to her death," Duan Yien blurted.

Wei Li scoffed, "Green Pearl was strong-willed—she wouldn’t have killed herself. Sold into Shi Chong’s household, she suffered his arrogance and cruelty, his beatings and abuse. Eventually, Sun Xiu visited, and the two fell in love, swearing themselves to each other. But Shi Chong discovered their secret, gouged out her eyes. When Sun Xiu learned she still lived, he was furious and sought to rescue her, urging King Lun of Zhao to execute Shi Chong. Troops were sent. Green Pearl, overjoyed, awaited her beloved’s rescue—only for Shi Chong to push her from the tower, killing her before Sun Xiu’s eyes."

"Then why is she haunting the Governor?" Duan Yien cared little for the truth—she only wanted to free Li Sheng from torment.

"Because he brought that pair of embroidered shoes home. My poor little fellow—once destitute, now at last rich and powerful, but plagued by a vengeful ghost," Wei Li said, mockery plain on her face.

"Venerable monk, please, I beg you to save him!"

"His sins are grave, his fate nearly spent—this is a trial he must face," Guangzong replied.

Upon hearing this, Duan Yien felt her heart sink like a stone into briny sea. She was at a loss.

"Monk, that’s not right," Wei Li retorted. "Our Buddhist way is to save all beings. However sinful, a life is a life—saving one is greater than building seven pagodas. Even I know this—don’t you?" She had her own plans and spoke with conviction. "Go help him. I’ll wait here."

Seeing her so righteous, Duan Yien pleaded anew. In the end, Guangzong agreed—but dragged Wei Li along, shattering her schemes. Wei Li protested, "Someone must stay and tend the Buddha—or the Lord will be displeased!"

"You’re not even human," Guangzong countered.

Wei Li glared at him, but, knowing she was no match, could only imagine herself chasing him up and down the mountains like a wild child. Guangzong paid no heed and dragged her along.

The mountain path was long. Last time, Wei Li had run away and gotten blisters; now, even Duan Yien, whose feet were unbound, struggled with the trek.

"Monk, I’m tired…" Wei Li whined, planting herself in the withered grass and pouting. Though her complaints made little difference, they slowed Guangzong and Duan Yien considerably.

"What do you want?" Guangzong crouched before her, patient.

"I want… to hold your hand…"

"Try again."

The road wound on, rough and uneven. Duan Yien led the way, exhausted, while Wei Li clung to Guangzong’s hand, nearly collapsing against his shoulder. At last, the three reached the residence. From a distance, Guangzong sensed the heavy pall of malevolent energy. Duan Yien opened the door and found Li Sheng lying in a rocking chair by the well, eyes closed and swaying gently. His once-handsome features were now deathly pale, as if life had already left him.

"My lord…" Duan Yien rushed forward and called gently. Only when he frowned in irritation did she breathe a sigh of relief.

"Venerable monk, is the ghost still here?"

Guangzong shook his head. "She’s gone, but the grounds are thick with her presence—Green Pearl must have lingered here long."

Suddenly, Green Pearl’s face loomed before Duan Yien, her eye sockets bleeding and oozing, her face covered in whip marks crawling with writhing maggots. Duan Yien screamed.

Guangzong instantly pulled her behind him, confronting Green Pearl, whose tattered, rotting garments barely clung to her decaying form. "Spirit, begone! Harm no one!"

Green Pearl’s lips twisted into a frozen, mocking smile. All around, evil spirits surged and attacked. Guangzong tossed his prayer beads skyward, bathing them in a shield of Buddhist light.

But to their surprise, Wei Li was suddenly at Green Pearl’s side. Her face, once as radiant as a flower, turned cold as ice. As Guangzong was encircled by the evil spirits, she laughed heartily. "Filthy monk, you locked me up—today, let’s see how you like being trapped!"