Chapter 508: Why Don’t We Try It Tonight
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“The academy is haunted?”
Su Ying took a bite of the fruit with a loud crunch. The sour and sweet taste of the fruit was a flavor she liked.
Bai Shuang said mysteriously, “Yes, Your Imperial Highness. Your servant overheard Supervisor Zhang talking about it. The news started spreading a few days ago. I heard that it has blown up into a big deal. Now, no one dares to work there at night.”
Su Ying didn’t believe in ghosts. “It’s about time for the court session to end. Go to Zhang Shuming and find out what exactly is going on.”
Bai Shuang’s gossipy genes were ignited into fiery flames. It was not easy for her to get a refreshing new task, so she had to rush to the front line. “Your Imperial Highness, please wait a moment. I’ll go now.”
Bai Shuang did not let Su Ying wait for too long. She practically jogged all the way back.
“Your Imperial Highness, your servant has found out the details.”
Zhou Qing silently placed a plate of melon seeds in front of Su Ying.
“Tell me. What’s going on?”
“Actually, three days ago, two workers first saw a ghost. They were so scared that they didn’t dare to go to work the next day. However, that night when the Imperial Guards stationed outside heard the commotion and went in to check, they didn’t see anything. They thought those two fellows must have been mistaken.”
Bai Shuang sniffed and continued, “But to their surprise, something happened the next night. This time, some workers were so scared that they wet their pants. However, at that time, there was a bolder guy who saw the female ghost’s appearance clearly. She was dressed in red and had disheveled hair. She had a big mouth that could devour people. It was very scary.”
“And then?”
“Then, someone said that the female ghost was a woman who hung herself in the academy previously. This background story of this incident started before the academy moved away.”
Su Ying munched on melon seeds as she listened to the story quietly.
“A few decades ago, when the academy was still operating there, there was a young woman who was attracted by the sound of reading in the academy every day. Every day, she would secretly squat at the bottom of the courtyard wall to listen to the lessons. Thereafter, she learned many things. At that point, a marriage had been arranged for her. She was supposed to get married soon, but after listening to the lessons for quite a while, she felt that she was superior and was unwilling to marry her fiance. The woman’s family forced her to marry, but the woman refused. The night before she was to be married off, she hung herself in the rear dormitory of the academy.”
Su Ying pushed a teacup towards Bai Shuang, who picked it up and took a sip before continuing, “There was nothing abnormal about this incident. But from then on, the commoners disliked the idea of letting their daughters learn reading even more. They said that after the girls learned to read, they would feel that they were too capable and become disobedient. After the academy moved away, this matter was forgotten.”
“When women can read, they will understand many things. So why can’t they learn reading?” Zhou Qing felt that it wasn’t good for a woman to break off an engagement, but it wasn’t wrong if she wanted to learn.
“Because what they want isn’t a learned, scholarly girl, but a daughter and wife who can live according to their wishes.”
Su Ying’s words made Bai Shuang, who was still in high spirits a second ago, shrink back like a frost-bitten eggplant. “Your Imperial Highness, why do you always draw blood every time you speak?”
“But this ghost-haunting incident is quite interesting. The Ministry of Works hasn’t been able to catch this ghost?”
Bai Shuang shook her head. “I heard that the Ministry of Works has arranged for the Imperial Guards to keep watch 24. hours, but each time, this ghost would only appear when they were about to fall asleep. It is said that the Yin energy of the people is at its weakest at that juncture.”
Su Ying chuckled softly. “That makes sense. Why don’t we go there and try to catch sight of it tonight?”
The hair on Bai Shuang’s back stood on end. “Your Imperial Highness, I feel a little pain in my stomach. I will go to the outhouse first.”
In the Imperial study, the Minister of Works was reporting to Xiao Jin the haunting incident at the old academy’s site.
This was because the commoners living in the surrounding area were all getting worked up. The commoners felt that the workers had stirred up the female ghost because of the renovation works. They were worried that the female ghost would slip out and harm people.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. Your humble official will definitely get to the bottom of this matter. I will make sure the prankster behind this is dragged out.”
The Minister of Works had always felt that there was something fishy going on. Otherwise, why would the female ghost not dare to come out when there were so many people? Why did she choose to scare one or two of the Imperial Guards when they were alone? It was obvious that someone was playing tricks behind their backs.
Xiao Jin’s fingertip tapped on the dragon desk. “Investigate thoroughly. Don’t delay the renovation works.”
“I understand.”
After the Minister of Works left, Zhang Shuming walked in.
“Your Majesty, the envoys from the Nan State requests an audience.”
Xiao Jin didn’t even raise his eyes. “What do they want?”
“They said that the monarch of the Nan State wants to ask if the peace negotiations have been settled.”
Xiao Jin raised his head and said nonchalantly, “Let them in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A moment later, the group of Nan State’s envoys led by Prince Yu arrived at the Imperial study.
During this period of time, Prince Yu had been staying in the palace for temporary stays until he almost sprouted moss on his body. He had repeatedly sent in his request to Xiao Jin that he wanted to return to the Nan State, but Xiao Jin was either sick or depressed and was not in the right frame of mind to handle state affairs. He could only wait patiently. During this long wait, he did not see Xiao Jin. Instead, he ended up hearing about Su Ying’s return!
When Prince Yu entered the hall, his face still carried traces of depression, a result of being confined for so long.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Envoys, please rise.”
Prince Yu didn’t waste any time and asked straightaway, “May I know when Your Majesty plans to sign the peace agreement with us? Now that I have been out for such a long time, Emperor Father misses me. It will be inappropriate if I still don’t go back.”
Xiao Jin nodded slightly and told Zhang Shuming to bring the peace agreement document.
“This is the content of the peace negotiations that we discussed with you last time. Do take a look, Prince Yu.”
Prince Yu took the peace agreement document and read it with the envoys. The more he read, the more unpleasant his expression became.
After enduring for a while, Prince Yu still couldn’t resist glaring viciously at Xiao Jin. “Your Majesty, are you really sincere in negotiating peace with our Nan State? This is clearly taking advantage of the situation!” It was fine if they did not return the Nan State’s cities to them, but the Chu State still wanted them to pay out money and food. They were simply shameless!
Xiao Jin’s sharp eyebrows were calm, and he put on an expression that indicated he was open to all suggestions. “Didn’t I agree to these terms with you previously, Prince Yu? Are you denying them now?”
Prince Yu was so angry that he choked. Since when did he agree to these terms with him?
“I’m afraid Your Majesty must be mistaken. I have never agreed to such terms!” Xiao Jin appeared surprised. “You have never agreed? It seems that I must be mistaken. Prince Yu, then tell me. Which of these terms is not satisfactory to you? I will consider it again with due discretion.”
Prince Yu looked at Xiao Jin with a look of disbelief. He felt that there was something fishy about this fellow when he suddenly became so accommodating!
Nonetheless, he still had to state clearly things that should be expressed clearly.
“Regarding this city, the Chu State clearly didn’t manage to conquer this city, yet you still want our Nan State to cede it to the Chu State? This is simply going too far.”
Xiao Jin nodded slightly. “Prince Yu, what you say makes sense. Then let’s cross this condition out.”
Prince Yu thought his ears were playing tricks on him. Did Xiao Jin really become so accommodating?
“And this one about asking our Nan State to pay one million taels of silver. Isn’t that too much?”
Xiao Jin’s sharp eyebrows furrowed. “A million taels is too much? That shouldn’t be the case.. Don’t tell me the Nan State can’t even afford this bit of
money?”