Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2299: Chapter 2298: Meeting the Princess’s Ghost

Yue Shan originally didn’t believe in such things and always told his subordinates: Confucius does not speak of strange powers and chaotic gods. But by the second night, he led people to stake out in the Garden, and indeed, he saw the ghost of the Grand Princess of An Guo.

”I miss my male favorite, Du Zhongshu, so much. I want to see him one more time. Back then, he said he only loved me. Why hasn’t he burned any paper for me all this time? Has he forgotten about me? But he repeatedly professed his love for me. How could he deceive me?”

The voice of the Grand Princess of An Guo was like a cuckoo crying blood, extremely mournful, making the listeners’ scalp tingle with fear. Even Yue Shan was frightened into a cold sweat. Eventually, he ordered his subordinates to attack the ghost. Those with more courage charged forward, but caught nothing, and soon the ghost reappeared elsewhere.

It wasn’t until after the third time that the ghost ceased to appear.

On the third night, the Grand Princess of An Guo appeared again. By this time, the news had spread throughout Capital City, and everyone not only feared the return of the Grand Princess’s ghost but also took note of her words.

In Bai Residence, Bai Ruozhu patted Qiu Zhi on the shoulder, ”Well done, this doesn’t count as doing wrong. To deal with villains, especially despicable and shameless ones, sometimes you need to use extraordinary means.”

Qiu Zhi worriedly asked, ”If the Emperor finds out, won’t he cut off your head? My master said the Royal Family hates people pretending to be gods and ghosts.”

Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes. She had pretended to be gods and ghosts before. Back then, in the Western Regions, she used such tricks to shake the position of the Holy Hall. People who achieve great things don’t bother with minor details.

”Jianqi, tell Qiu Zhi about what I did in Gaochang City in the Western Regions. Cleanse his pedantic mind.” Bai Ruozhu instructed Jianqi.

”Yes.” Jianqi was helpless; he wasn’t fond of talking, so why was he asked to tell stories?

Meanwhile, at home ”recuperating,” Du Zhongshu furiously smashed a glass goblet.

”Bai Ruozhu, how dare you bring up that matter? You’re too ruthless!”

That period was the most humiliating time of his life. He despised the old woman of An Guo, yet had to pander to her, pretending to be devoted under her pomegranate skirt. Because he wanted to establish himself in the Capital, he wanted to change the predicament of the Du Family.

Unfortunately, he was eventually exiled, but that was also his opportunity for a comeback. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be who he was today.

But he hated recalling that old woman and his past as her male favorite. Yet now the whole Capital was talking about the ghost of the An Guo Princess, and his past was being brought up again.

Some even asked, Du Zhongshu once claimed he only loved An Guo Princess, but now he says he has known Bai Ruozhu for years and has been infatuated with her. Who is he truly infatuated with?

The women who used to clamor to marry someone like Lord Du suddenly awakened: that man was once a kept favorite, how can he be a true lover?

And at this time, Yue Shan went to visit the Wang Residence.

”Lord Du, I apologize for my abrupt visit. I hope you won’t take offense,” Yue Shan said with a bow.

Seeing this person, Du Zhongshu felt an unspeakable anger, but only managed to suppress it on the surface, smiling as he returned the courtesy, ”Minister Yue, you’re too courteous. I wonder what brings you here unexpectedly?”

”I have an impertinent request. It’s actually because the ghost of the An Guo Princess is causing unrest in my home. If it’s convenient for Lord Du, could you accompany me to meet her for a moment? She always says she wants to see you one more time. Perhaps after seeing you, she’ll be willing to reincarnate.” Yue Shan spoke earnestly.

Du Zhongshu’s face was ashen, ”Minister Yue, do you really believe in this ghost nonsense? The incident started spreading from Yue Residence. Who knows if it was your deliberate rumor mongering? How can you now ask me to join your folly?”

Yue Shan’s face hardened, ”What do you mean? Do I need to spread rumors about you? Are you worthy of that?”

”Then please leave, Minister Yue. I still need to recuperate and won’t be able to accompany you,” Du Zhongshu directly issued an eviction order.

Yue Shan left angrily, cursing Du Zhongshu at the door, and the matter quickly spread again.

Bai Ruozhu laughed for a long time after hearing the news and said to Yizi and the others, ”Yue Shan did it beautifully, it was a real coup de grâce.”

”What does coup de grâce mean?” Fo Lanying asked curiously.

”Uh, it means gathering strength to deliver a more profound blow to the opponent.” Bai Ruozhu quickly changed the subject, ”Du Zhongshu is already frustrated enough, and now he’s invited to see the An Guo Princess. Isn’t he supposed to be a devoted man? Let him go then.”

Everyone laughed, and Yuan Licheng patted Qiu Zhi on the shoulder, asking, ”How did you do it? You’re really something!”

Qiu Zhi blushed and said, ”I used a little talisman to create an illusion, just to deceive people, it can’t harm anyone.”

”That is more than enough,” Yuan Licheng gave him a thumbs up.

Bai Ruozhu also praised, ”You’ve done well. Do you want any reward?”

Fo Lanying was displeased upon hearing this, ”Why does he get a reward, and I don’t?”

”Don’t your jewelry and clothes cost money? They’ve all been prepaid for you, and now you want a reward? You two eat and live off my resources, and I haven’t even started billing you.” Bai Ruozhu retorted unceremoniously.

Fo Lanying touched her hairpins and chuckled foolishly, ”Okay, I won’t ask anymore then.”

”I don’t need a reward, just don’t drive me away,” Qiu Zhi said, blushing.

”A reward is necessary. Your practice of Taoism requires many materials, which you also need to purchase, so here’s two hundred taels of silver for pocket money.” Saying this, she handed two silver banknotes to Qiu Zhi.

Qiu Zhi stupidly accepted the banknotes, he had never had so much silver before, it was incredibly exciting for him.

Sure enough, as his master said, Lady Bai is someone with great fortune.

If Bai Ruozhu knew Qiu Zhi’s thoughts at the moment, she’d surely facepalm and laugh at his inexperience with money, saying that two hundred taels and great fortune are as unrelated as a small amount to a large fortune.

In the Imperial Study Room, the Emperor suddenly mentioned the ghostly incident, his face stern, ”I don’t care about Bai Ruozhu and Du Zhongshu’s deadly rivalry, but don’t let it get too big. Ghostly matters need to be contained.”

Bai Zepei was startled, hastily saying, ”I’ve asked my sister, and she genuinely doesn’t know about this matter. Besides, how could she have the ability to command ghosts? And the Emperor could investigate; my sister hasn’t left home these past few days.”

Tang Yin’s face turned cold, these were things he already knew only too well, just without evidence, otherwise he would have summoned Bai Ruozhu to scold her.

Bai Zepei remained calm under his gaze, ”I, too, believe my sister has nothing to do with this. If this is the work of someone with ulterior motives, aiming to profit as the fisher, it’s just that I can’t figure out who exactly it is.”

Tang Yin’s expression shifted slightly; could it be Yue Shan acting deceitfully, holding a grudge over his daughter Yue Lin’s death because of Jiang Yichun?