Chapter 24: Old Madam Wan

The old woman moved so silently that I hadn’t even noticed when she came up behind me. It was only when she asked if I was here to “receive the infant” that I realized she was the legendary Midwife of the Dead.

The Midwife of the Dead specialized in delivering babies from deceased mothers. When a pregnant woman died in childbirth or suffered a fatal accident before giving birth, her family would invite such a midwife to help bring the unborn child into the world. Put plainly, it was asking the dead for their child.

There was an old belief that if the baby was not delivered from the deceased, the family line would be cut off. So, in the past, this profession was highly valued. But with the progress of society, deaths in childbirth became rare, and people’s beliefs evolved as well. Gradually, this trade fell into decline. With no money to be made, few bothered to learn it, and so the tradition of the Midwife of the Dead faded away.

A skilled midwife was still respected in the world of geomancy, as she was not only adept at her own craft but could also command infant spirits, achieving feats that many geomancers could not.

“Young man, if you’re not here for the infant, you should leave. This isn’t a place for you to linger,” the old woman said, picking up three short incense sticks and moving to another side to light them before a clay pot filled with cat bones.

“Grandma, I—I wish to become your apprentice.” I had wandered the entire Street of Geomancers, and she was the only one with real ability. I gathered my courage and spoke up.

She paused, setting the incense down. Squinting at me, she asked loudly, “What did you say? I didn’t hear you clearly.”

I repeated myself, telling her I wanted to be her disciple and learn the art of retrieving infants from the dead.

The old woman was silent for a long time. Suddenly, tears streamed down her face. Waving me over, she beckoned, “Child, come here. Tell this old woman—why do you wish to learn this craft?”

I could understand why she wept so suddenly. She had spent a lifetime in this profession, and now, with no one left to inherit it, the ancestral art was about to end with her. When someone suddenly appeared, asking to become her disciple, who wouldn’t feel a complicated mix of emotions?

When I told her my name was Pi Yangxi, she froze in surprise. Her narrow eyes widened as she stared at me. “What did you say your name was? Pi Yangxi? Are you the grandson of Pi Mazi?”

Judging by her reaction, I guessed she must have known my grandfather—they seemed to be of similar age.

I said I was, then asked if she knew my grandfather. The old woman touched my face with both hands, tears streaming as she cried, “Of course I know him! How could I not know that old rascal? Back in the day, I almost ended up with him… If it weren’t for his stubborn temper, I might have been your grandmother.”

My grandmother had already passed away several years ago. Hearing the old woman’s words, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. If she really had been with my grandfather, I probably wouldn’t even exist.

Snapping back from her memories, she took my hand, caressing it as she said, “Come, good child. If you truly wish to learn, kneel and bow to me, and I will teach you everything I know, without reservation.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I knelt and bowed three times to her, calling out, “Master.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “Good child, don’t call me Master. Just call me Grandma. If you ever run into trouble in the future, just mention the name ‘Wan One-Hand’ and that will suffice.”

Wan One-Hand?

I had never heard this name and didn’t know what weight it carried in the world of geomancy, but it sounded impressive, so I made a mental note of it.

Tomorrow was the day the Bai family would choose a husband, and time was tight. If I was to claim to be Wan One-Hand’s disciple, I would need to demonstrate some skill in retrieving infants from the dead. So, for the rest of the day, I followed Wan One-Hand and studied her craft. Fortunately, with my background in the Great River Calming Rite, I picked things up quickly, and by the end of the day, I had grasped the basics. Even Granny Wan seemed to look at me with new respect.

Perhaps because of my grandfather, the old midwife truly took a liking to me. She even insisted I stay for dinner that evening. Before I left, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a bundle of money wrapped in red cloth, selecting the largest bill for me to use on the road.

Tears streamed down my face at once. Granny Wan’s gesture reminded me of my late grandmother, who, every time we parted, would pull a wrinkled bill from her pocket and press it into my hand so I could buy myself a treat.

“Oh, child, why are you crying? Don’t cry, don’t cry. Come back tomorrow, and I’ll teach you more of the craft,” Granny Wan said, hurriedly wiping my tears away.

I explained that I wouldn’t be able to come tomorrow, as the Bai family’s marriage selection was taking place, and I wanted to try my luck. Granny Wan was delighted and told me that if I succeeded, I should bring the Bai family’s new bride to see her.

I nodded, smiled, and bade Granny Wan farewell, feeling a great weight lift from my heart.

Stepping out, I looked up at the bright moon shining over the alleyway and shouted, “Bai Xiaoli, wait for me—I’m coming!”