In the morning, sunlight spilled onto the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor, glittering like flecks of gold.
The streets were already a lively throng of people and activity.
Suddenly, a spirited young girl in a brown and black traditional dress came tearing through, dragging a composed young man behind her and causing a minor stir.
"Consultant Zhongli, can't you go any faster?" the girl's voice was crisp and pleasant, but tinged with urgency.
Zhongli, however, maintained his unhurried demeanor. "Director Hu Tao, there is no need to be so hasty. Lord Zhang has already settled the arrangements for his affairs with you."
His words, however, did nothing to slow Hu Tao down; on the contrary, they seemed to make her run even faster.
"It doesn't matter what's been settled. That scoundrel Graves doesn't care about any of that," Hu Tao said, somewhat annoyed. "If he gets there first, he'll definitely use his nauseatingly sweet words to steal this business right out from under us."
Hearing this, Zhongli silently quickened his pace.
After all, his own expenses were already pushing the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to its financial limits. He certainly didn't want to see it go out of business.
After about fifteen minutes of frantic running, they finally reached their destination—a magnificent and imposing mansion.
In front of the main gate, a donkey cart stood quietly, laden with a wide and comprehensive assortment of funeral supplies.
Beside the cart stood a slender, aloof woman.
She wore a black form-fitting bodysuit, the material clinging tightly to her and accentuating every line of her graceful figure.
Over it, a short white blouse was pushed up by her ample chest, outlining an alluring curve, with red cords that swayed gently in the breeze.
Her delicate, supple waist was as graceful as a willow branch, exquisitely shaped.
Further down, a pair of long, straight legs were completely devoid of excess fat, as perfect as an ancient Greek statue. The moment she saw this scene, the anger in Hu Tao's heart flared up like dry kindling.
Without a word, she strode briskly to the woman. Forcing down her inner rage, she tried to keep her tone calm and even. "Big Sis Shenhe, has that scoundrel Graves already gone inside?"
Shenhe frowned slightly, her expression cold as she said, "My junior brother's name is Elias Graves, not 'Scoundrel Graves.' He went in a long time ago."
Her voice was like the water of a frozen pond, chilling to the bone, devoid of any emotion.
Hu Tao heard this and immediately knew things were bad. Without another thought, she turned to head into the mansion.
But before she could even reach the main gate, a tall, burly guard stretched out an arm to stop her, stating coldly, "No one may enter without the mistress's permission!"
Hu Tao lifted her chin and declared righteously, "I am Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! I had a prior agreement with Lord Zhang that we would handle all his posthumous affairs."
The guard just shook his head, his tone still indifferent. "The mistress has already decided to entrust the master's funeral to Mr. Graves of Adeptal Rites. You should leave now and not cause trouble here."
"But..." Hu Tao wanted to argue further, but before she could speak, the guard had already begun to shoo her away impatiently, his voice rising. "My master's funeral is being arranged. This is a solemn occasion. Are you going to cause a scene and disturb the peace of the deceased?"
Hearing this, Hu Tao deflated like a popped balloon.
In matters of funerals, the deceased held the greatest importance. Even if she was in the right, how could she disturb the deceased's peace at a time like this?
She bit her lip, her heart filled with helplessness and frustration.
Just then, a young man slowly walked out of the mansion.
He was dressed in a deep cyan Daoist robe, handsome and elegant, carrying the ethereal air unique to an adeptal disciple with every movement.
However, in Hu Tao's eyes at this moment, he was nothing but a complete and utter scoundrel.
Her little face flushed red with anger, her cheeks puffed out like an angry kitten's, as she pointed an accusing finger at him. "Scumbag Graves, you're shameless! I clearly had an agreement with Lord Zhang to have the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor handle his arrangements, yet you stick your nose in where it doesn't belong!"
Faced with the girl's accusation, Elias Graves's expression didn't change in the slightest. A faint smile still played on his lips as he unhurriedly retorted, "Since you claim to have had an agreement with Lord Zhang, why is it that you only arrived on the second day after his passing?"
Hearing this, a flicker of confusion crossed Hu Tao's eyes, and she muttered to herself, "That's not right. Based on my observations, he should have passed today! Could... could I have miscalculated?"
The girl clutched her head in frustration, her face a mask of regret.
She didn't notice, however, that upon hearing her words, Elias Graves's expression changed slightly, though he quickly returned to normal as if nothing had happened.
He calmly walked around Hu Tao and went straight to Shenhe. Bowing slightly, he said politely, "Senior Sister, I'll have to trouble you again."
Shenhe remained expressionless, merely nodding her head slightly without saying a word.
Elias Graves paid it no mind; his Senior Sister had always been this cold.
Then, the two of them walked into the mansion together.
Inside the spacious and bright main hall, a body lay quietly in the center, covered by a clean white sheet.
A young madam dressed in white mourning clothes was kneeling on the floor, weeping softly.
The white mourning clothes she wore made her appear graceful and pitiful.
Beside her stood a young butler.
He was remarkably handsome, yet there was a hint of darkness in the corners of his eyes that was unsettling.
Elias Graves walked steadily to the young madam, leaned down, and said in a gentle voice, "Mrs. Pan, my condolences. Now that Lord Zhang has passed, there are many posthumous matters that require your attention. Please take care of your health."
Hearing this, Pan Huilian, who had been crying a river of tears, gradually stopped weeping.
She gently wiped the tears from her face with a silk handkerchief, the motion elegant and sorrowful.
Then, she slowly rose from the floor.
But who could have known that from kneeling for too long, her legs had grown sore and numb. The moment she stood up, she lost her balance and was about to fall forward.
Elias Graves was quick-witted. He swiftly took a step forward and reached out to support the young madam.
In that instant, the young madam's delicate body leaned into his embrace. The faint fragrance emanating from her—a unique blend of floral and bodily scents—assailed his nostrils, sending his mind racing with improper thoughts.
The young butler standing nearby saw this, his eyes widening instantly as a fire of rage seemed ready to erupt from them.
Feeling the young madam's soft body, Elias Graves couldn't help but think to himself, *No wonder the Japanese are so fond of the widow genre.*
Just then, a sudden, inexplicable chill ran down his spine.
Elias Graves hastily let go of the young madam, put on the air of a perfect gentleman, and said righteously, "Mrs. Pan, are you all right?"
As soon as he spoke, the chill at his back vanished.
At that moment, Pan Huilian looked up at him, her watery, enchanting eyes shimmering with a hint of amorous feeling.
She said in a delicate voice, "Mr. Graves, thank you. I'm fine."
Her voice was as sweet as honey, carrying a soul-stirring power.