Chapter 28: The Eerie Ritual of Remembrance

"Ze Hong, the memorial is about to begin. Why are you here?" As Qiao Wan'er spoke, she quickly glanced around, finding no other figures nearby, and only then did her tense heart relax.

Noticing a medicine box in the trash can beside Ye Ze Hong, she grew anxious again and bent down to pick it up.

"Loratadine oral solution?" Qiao Wan'er was slightly taken aback. She looked up at his cold, expressionless face and asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell? Is it serious?"

"I'm a doctor. I can look after my own health. Let's go," Ye Ze Hong replied coolly, casting Qiao Wan'er a sidelong glance before striding away.

Qiao Wan'er stared at the medicine box in confusion, then hurried after him.

The memorial ceremony was exceedingly solemn.

Paper flying horses, fifty to a group, were strung together and hung from the canopy above the altar, symmetrically on either side. As the breeze stirred, the paper horses danced like a galloping herd, lifelike and vivid.

The ritual officially began, with the Ye family, led by Ye Ying Tang, standing in the first row.

Lu Yao had been placed in the second row. Surrounded by the dense crowd, she subconsciously touched her arm, perplexed.

No matter how she tried, she could not escape the fate of drinking eight-treasure porridge. The moment she swallowed it, psychological discomfort made her start touching her arm, but this time was different—her illness did not flare up immediately.

This struck her as odd.

Ye Ze Hong glanced back at Lu Yao, a subtle smile lifting the corner of his lips.

Her hair was pinned up at the back, and she wore a plain-colored cheongsam with traditional Chinese buttons. The high collar accentuated her slender neck, and the small white flower tucked by her ear lent her an air of purity and gentle charm.

Plain colors suited her perfectly.

Qiao Wan'er also glanced back at Lu Yao, secretly furrowing her brow.

The master, accompanied by two assistants, approached the altar. Lighting three thick incense sticks and scattering a handful of salted rice, he recited incantations.

Suddenly, dark clouds gathered, a fierce wind arose, and the white curtains flanking the crowd billowed wildly.

Lu Yao, attending such a grand ceremony for the first time, felt goosebumps rise on her arms, the eerie atmosphere sending chills through her.

"Meow..."

Two large stray cats, black and white, appeared out of nowhere and leapt onto the altar, their eyes fierce as they stared at the crowd. The black cat carried a cloth doll in its mouth.

From several meters away, the details of the doll were unclear, but its bright "Ouqian Gage Xi" attire stood out—the festive dress of the Miao people.

Everyone was puzzled, except Yang Lan, who trembled uncontrollably, her fingers clenched into a fist, digging into her palm as her gaze locked ferociously onto the doll in the black cat's jaws.

Her eyes swept the crowd quickly, finally settling on the long-haired assistant standing to the left of the master.

Sensing her scrutiny, the assistant curled his lips coldly and snapped his fingers. The two stray cats' eyes grew even fiercer, and they began to roar violently, startling the crowd into stepping back.

"Mom, what is this master you invited doing?"

"Mom?"

Ye Hua whispered, but received no reply. She tugged at Yang Lan's hand, "Mom?"

Yang Lan snapped back to herself, pressed down her emotions, and shook her head.

The next moment, the black cat leapt toward them, doll still in its mouth. Ye Hua, terrified, hid behind Yang Lan.

Just as Yang Lan was about to move, the doll dropped precisely at her feet.

She looked down, and upon seeing the Miao name embroidered on the doll's dress, blood rushed to her head. The suffocating sensation turned her vision black, and she collapsed to the ground.

Ye Hua reached out to catch Yang Lan, crying out in terror, "Mom... please wake up..."