What an Audacious and Sly Servant! - Chapter 64

Chapter 64 – A Haunted Place

Five years later at Qi Yang City.

People from Qi Yang City loved the plums. At the corners of the small courtyards, beside the streets and roads and extending until around the mountain, even during the changing season to spring, the white plums and red plums fully bloomed in intertwine. It was more beautiful than anyone could take in. It made others thought they had arrived during the peach blossom season in the March of Springtime.

Since the topography of this place was convenient, Qi Yang City didn’t have any city walls. Various wealthy people made another houses at the mountain inside the sea of plums. After the New Year, in one or two months there would be various families coming in succession to enjoy the plums.

From feng shui[1] perspective, the southern part of the mountain in Qi Yang City had the most abundant luck. The plums blooming there were the most beautiful too. At the top of the mountain, there was a thousand years old plum tree. When its flowers bloom, each branch would have only white flowers or scarlet flowers which was very magical. People worshipped this tree as a god, twining red rope on the tree trunk. Even a huge bell was tied onto the red rope.

A few years earlier, when it’s nearing the blooming season, there would be people from various places coming to pray to that plum tree god. However, in a certain year, rumours of ghosts and goblins suddenly started spreading. They said that ashes of the death were buried underneath that plum tree belonged to a girl. When she died she was still a young girl and had never tasted a man. Hence, she felt extremely sorry of the world. Coincidentally, the tree had a big and deep foundation. Using its ability to draw the world’s spiritual energy, after a long period of time, that ghost girl had already turned into a demon. If there was any young man especially those with handsome face came to the tree to have a look, a plum flower would drop on his shoulder. If that man took the plum flower back to his house, on the second day he would surely die in dream with his face in peace. It was truly scary.

At first, no one believed this rumour. Let’s not say about odd forces and godly power, there was no such thing as demons and monsters in this world. At most they were just made up by those lacking self-confidence. There were even some old single men who ran to that big plum tree on daily basic. They would brought back handfuls of plum flowers to home to test the rumour. The result? It seemed like that demon girl didn’t like them at all. They could only rub themselves to relieve their thirst under the quilt.

However, later there were two families who had houses at southern mountain slope, their business had always been close and their relationship was very intimate. Hence, they agreed to come to the Qi Yang City for plum flowers-viewing. Both were wealthy and influential merchant families, else they wouldn’t be able to build such big, luxurious houses at this extremely expensive southern mountain area. That was the most, most nearest place to the plum tree god.

At that year, both families reached their other houses to enjoy the plums. Some of the young masters rode on their horses when passing through the Qi Yang City streets and charmed numerous young ladies and aunties. Since wealthy sons grew up well from living in luxury from birth, these naturally white and handsome young masters became the talk of the whole street for quite some time. They made merry and recited poems under the plum flower tree. It was an extremely beautiful scene.

Who would have thought that by the next day the one rumoured as the most handsome young master among them died suddenly. That family’s master invited the best physician in the city to check the body yet they couldn’t find the cause of his death. The whole family cried bitterly. Several younger brothers kept vigil beside that deceased young master’s coffin. On the morning of the second day, a terrible rackets came from the next door. Another handsome young master had died for no reason next door too. By then, the scaredy-cat retainer told them of the rumours related to that demonic girl. Both the families’ master didn’t believe in heresy and invited the city’s best Taoist priest and most virtuous and prestigious monk to do a ceremony and eliminate that demon. However……

“That was a thousand years old demon girl. How can she be afraid of merely mortal juniors? After they did the ceremony, both families’ several young masters still died one after another. They could even hear a girl’s charming laughter amidst the cold wind sound in the middle of the night. All of them flee hastily. Since then, no one dare to go to this southern mountain slope. As Young Master can see, there is no family staying on this mountain. A family among the wealthy and influential family wants to sell off this house and pass it to this lowly one to help selling. It has been so many years yet no one make inquires. Another family didn’t even put up the offer for sale, possibly because they know no one will want a haunted house. That, Young Master, we have arrived. It’s this house.” A salesman in blue gown made of coarse cloth turned his head around as he extremely deferentially led the way for the client behind him. He pointed with his fingers, ten steps away was a very huge house.

That house’s main gate was tightly closed and wild grass had already grew on the broken roof tiles. Two decoloured broken lanterns were hanging on both sides of the main gate. The vermillion gates had its paint peeled off. The two lion statues sitting on watch in front of the house had already been covered in dirt. With the cold wind blow, they could hear bits of the grass and woods sounds. The salesman who was trying hard to sell the house had a cold sneeze while his heart beating nonstop.

That salesman recited ‘Amitābha’ in his heart. Demon granny[2], please don’t like this lowly one. But I think you will never like this lowly one. This client beside this lowly one has a peerless handsome face. No matter human or demon, you all should be aiming at him first right?!

That client had a calm expression like he didn’t get influenced by any weird forces as he checked the house. He then looked again at the similarly tattered main gate beside this house before opening his mouth, “Bring me inside to have a look.” His voice was low and deep which was magnetic and bewitching as well as the innate dignified, noble airs.

“Young Master, you really want to enter……” The salesman’s legs turned slightly soft.

The noble young master nodded and even gave him a resolute stare. Seeing that Young Master’s pair of black eyes, the vast sea of stars seemed to be contained in them. Seeing his bright eyes, an indeterminate feeling grew in his heart. The salesman felt as if he got sucked into a vortex. He got subdued by this person, “Then, Young Master please follow me.”

The house was very large. There were plum trees all around the house. Currently, it was the blooming season for the plum flowers. Although it had been abandoned for many years, the numerous plum flowers still bloomed in thrive. It had a feel like a solitary flower in love with its own fragrance. Seeing a few more times, it felt like they were mixed with some thrill. A world where no one came to disturb, for these plum trees, it might be an amusement for them.

“Young Master, this house has nine areas which is enough for a whole big family to stay. The main courtyard is just at the front. Others are equally spread. Four areas at left and right each sides. They are carefully and properly selected which make conspicuous of a wealthy and influential family’s aura. The backyard also has artificial lake and even a pavilion in the middle of it. It’s nice to relieve heat during summer. Why don’t this lowly one first bring Young Master inside the main courtyard to have a look?”

“There’s no need. I will take this house.” That ostentatious Young Master’s white hand stretched out and passed the salesman a silver draft[3].

That salesman received it with his eyes opened wide. Opening it to take a look, he coldly drew his breath, “Young Lord, this much of money……”

“Excluding the money for this house, for the remaining ones, help me get some men to clean up this house and change all the furniture. For specific matters, just contact my page. Where’s the house deed?”

“Young Master, for the house deed we have to meet the local authorities.”

That noble young master blinked his eyes, as if he didn’t know these trifling things, “Oh, then you will go with my page to the local authorities tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Recently there was huge rumour in the Qi Yang City. That rumour mentioned there was actually a blockhead went to stay at that southern mountain slope which was said to be have a demon girl. Numerous people pulled that salesman to a stop to ask various things. That salesman told truthfully yet under the various spices added from them it actually turned into a complete different story in the end.

An aunt who was buying vegetables picked vegetables while talking, “Ei, yesterday I came across a blind fake diviner. He told me, the heaven has a miraculous sign.”

The big aunt who sell tofu cut a piece of tofu, “Eiyo, I also heard it too. Something star fell from the sky and an immortal descended to the mortal world.”

A little girl who was buying a soy sauce added, “Auntie, it’s the Qi Ming Star[4].”

“Right, right. The immortal from the Qi Ming Star descended to the mortal realm to deal with the demon girl under the plum flower tree.”

The carpenter uncle also **[5], “Yesterday I went to the big house at the southern mountain slope and saw that young master’s appearance. He is really someone like an immortal, with a detached manner.”

En, the Qi Yang City citizens felt this noble young master who suddenly appeared at Qi Yang City was actually an immortal who came down to the mortal world, for the sake of eliminating the demon, upholding the righteous, purifying the human world……

The house which was bought by the ‘immortal descending to the mortal realm’ young master had changed its name plate into one with ‘Mei Residence’.

Inside the room.

“Your Majesty……”

“I have told you so many times already, don’t call me Your Majesty when we’re outside.” Chu Xun put down the tea cup. An angry look revealed on his face. However, who told him to have such a handsome face. As the nation’s leading attractive person, even if he frowned or opened wide his eyes, he was still a matchless beauty.

Xiao Jing Zi pursed his lips and twisted his sleeves repeatedly. “Young Master, Dowager……no, Madam passed a message asking when you’re returning……”

Chu Xun dissatisfiedly glanced at Xiao Jing Zi, “Reply in my stead, I will naturally return after settling the matter. Previously, they agreed to let me out, I even agreed with their terms. A monarch never make a joke. Don’t watch me all the time like I’m an escaped criminal.”

“Yes.”

Three years ago, the late Emperor passed away. The Crown Prince Chu Xun succeeded him and proclaimed a general amnesty.

It was said the Son of Heaven would be punished equally like a commoner if he ever violate the law. After he proclaimed the general amnesty, he actually locked himself inside the Tian Prison[6]. Other than the compulsory court to attend daily, he even read over the memorials inside the prison. Just like that, he locked himself for three months. Only after Empress Dowager pulled him out that he stopped.

The reason for this, because the new Emperor proclaimed to the whole empire that the Mei family case that year was actually an unjust case. It was he who sacrificed the innocent Mei family to force Prince Chen to give in. Now that Prince Chen confessed, they had conclusive evidences. He specially announced to the whole empire, that the Mei family of Mei Zi River Islet was actually an extremely loyal family and invited the Mei family descendants to enter the palace for a reward.

Sadly, no one had ever come to receive the reward. That year Mei family disappeared in a night. Chu Xun had his sword against Zhao Mo Ran’s neck as he forced an answer about Mei Qian Deng’s whereabouts. Zhao Mo Ran wasn’t afraid of dying as he only gave three words, “I don’t know.” It really infuriated Chu Xun.

Later Chu Xun thought, great winds blow upon tall trees. Maybe Old Master Mei had long saw this ending. He didn’t want Mei family’s children to involve with the imperial family and hence used this as a pretext to quickly hide. That time, exactly who used who, who sacrificed who, how could it be said clearly? His mother, his teacher and his siblings had persuaded him, that Mei family seek virtue and acquired it[7]. A monarch of an empire shouldn’t cling on to this.

Chu Xun bitterly smiled and nodded his head, “Right, I should forget about her then.”

After that, on the second day, a list of names was placed on the dragon desk. Her Majesty Empress Dowager said, “Your Majesty, my son! Since you have understand to put the empire as priority, the current most important issue is not to search for the Mei family’s whereabouts but…… to fill up the imperial harem, expand our bloodline!”

“……”

A nation couldn’t have no monarch, a palace couldn’t have no empress. All ministers knelt before Chu Xun asking the Emperor to make someone as the Empress.

The green vein at the edge of Chu Xun’s forehead throbbed nonstop. He first used the excuse of mourning for his father to delay it a year. Then, he said he was currently groping how to govern the empire to delay it another year. Now, the empire was peaceful, the world was at peace. The ministers and commoners were very satisfied in every aspect of the new Emperor. Only the fact that he had yet to select his Empress made them terribly worried.

In the end, the Emperor Chu Xun spoke angrily, “Then, all aiqing[8] think, what sort of perfect lady can match up to zhen?”

Oh, the ministers suddenly understood. When the Emperor was still the Crown Prince he was completely narcissist. Thinking back, it must be because he set his target too high. This bone-deep temper, it was hard to change.

Coincidentally, numerous matters occurred during early this year. Lord Grand Chancellor and Minister of Revenue asked to enter the palace and meet Chu Xun. Chu Xun was reading over the memorandums in the Imperial Study. Without raising his head, he let them entered. Who would have expect these two whose age when summed up equalled more than a hundred important officials knelt simultaneously before Chu Xun’s dragon desk with a ‘putong’ sound.

In the moment Chu Xun was stunned, the cinnabar ink on the brush dripped onto a memorandum and a small red flower bloomed.

“What are you two aiqing doing?!” Chu Xun’s face was calm but his heart was beating furiously while criticised in his mind: F*ck, it can’t be these two are trying to urge zhen to marry again? Or is it wanting to introduce potential marriage partner to zhen? Even the children of Eldest Young Miss of Grand Chancellor who had a blind date with him a few years ago already knew to buy soy sauce[9]. It couldn’t be that this time they were planning to introduce the Minister of Revenue’s daughter?

The Emperor Chu Xun’s brain was swiftly making preparation on how to reply them when Lord Grand Chancellor said first, “Your Majesty, chen is guilty!”

“Aiqing, say properly. What exactly happened?”

The Grand Chancellor at the side explained their reason for kneeling. Ever since Chu Xun ascended the throne, he was focused in benefitting the commoners, reducing the taxes, diligent and incorruptible in attending the nation affairs. He even repaired roads and built bridges, put up a charity group to extend relief to the paupers and received the commoners’ unanimous favour. However, spending money here and there yet there was not much of earned taxes, the income didn’t cover the expenditure and finally——the national treasury was in a critical state!

Your Majesty, the palace has no more money!

“……” Chu Xun massaged his forehead and exhaled in relief. To think there was no matters far nervous than forcing him to marry. No money? Just think of a solution. “Both aiqing don’t need to be so anxious. Zhen has the solution. However, you all first have to agree to zhen’s terms.”

“Your Majesty, the world is yours, (you by right should be responsible of it until the end). We as the officials don’t have the right to discuss terms with Your Majesty.” The Grand Chancellor was a crafty and cunning person. He silently thought, this is bad. He had seen Chu Xun grew up from a toddler so he understood Chu Xun’s thoughts the most.

Chu Xun shrugged his shoulders. As Emperor and official, who had no freedom than other, it was unknown. He changed his tone, “Grand Chancellor and Minister of Revenue, since you all are here to beg for forgiveness, zhen will first detain both of you. Thinking of methods after that is still the same.”

The Grand Chancellor weighed around. The sufferings in the jail, no thanks. “Wait! Your Majesty, how can chen discuss terms with Your Majesty. It’s letting chen to discuss with Your Majesty!”

Chu Xun satisfyingly smiled. It was especially good-looking, as expected as the nation’s most handsome man.

[1] Geomancy

[2] This doesn’t mean he’s saying that supposed demon girl is as old as a granny. It’s just a informal and respectful way of calling someone with stronger authority.

[3] A form of paper money.

[4] Which is also the Venus. (Don’t ask me why it’s called a star when it’s actually a planet.)

[5] I don’t know why they were censored and I can’t think what the actual word should be so I will be following the raw.

[6] Literally, Day Prison. It supposed to imprison criminals of capital crimes or death row criminals. Named as such because it had no daylight.

[7] Idiom. Means, to get what they want.

[8] Literally, Beloved Minister. How an Emperor calls his ministers.

[9] Means, it’s none of my problem. I’m just here to buy some soy sauce.