"This happened many years ago, so it's not surprising that you don't know about it."

The older woman at the head of the group said in a low voice:

"The He family did something wrong twenty years ago. The old lady of the He family listened to someone's rumors and insisted on arranging a ghost marriage for her eldest son who died young."

"What, is this involving a ghost marriage?"

"This won't do! Isn't this harming a living girl?"

The other women looked disapproving.

Even Jing Le and the other two frowned deeply.

Could it be that the He family really arranged a ghost marriage between their son and a girl from a good family?

Just as Jing Le had guessed, the old woman continued:

"Alas, no one with a conscience would have considered this, but Madam He was already obsessed at the time, and no one could stop her."

"Not long after, he bought a girl from the countryside."

"The girl's parents were overjoyed to send their daughter over because the He family gave a generous dowry, I heard it was 100 taels, which is something they might not earn in their entire lives."

When the other women heard this, although they felt it was wrong, in this era, if a family couldn't survive, sacrificing one daughter could ensure the whole family could live well. Anyone would know what to choose.

This world is just that realistic and cruel.

"Sister, do you think anyone would really be willing to send their daughter into a ghost marriage for 100 taels of silver?"

The Third Prince was very puzzled. This was also because the Consort and Emperor Jing had protected him too well, preventing him from experiencing the cruelty of the world.

"Third Brother, this world is very realistic and cruel. In places we can't see, there are countless things that are even worse than what we hear."

Jing Le's eyes were calm as she slowly said:

“In a village, 100 taels of silver is enough for a family to be rich for a lifetime. They can get that with just one daughter. Why not do it?”

"It's like if a larger and stronger country invades Dayong, and the other side says that as long as a princess is sent to marry into the country, peace between the two countries can be maintained."

"Knowing that he cannot win, tell me, what choice should this king make?"

This is a very real and sharp question.

Duan Feibai listened and pondered, understanding the implied meaning in Jing Le's words.

Indeed, if it really comes to that, sacrificing my own interests for the greater good would be the wisest decision.

"Don't worry, sister, I won't let you go on a political marriage, and neither will Father."

The Third Prince certainly understood the implied meaning, but it was too heavy a burden. Fortunately, the current Great Yong Dynasty did not need to submit to anyone.

"Yes, Third Brother is so nice."

[The meaning is good, but Third Brother, have you ever considered that as long as I'm here, our Great Yong has nothing to fear from any enemy country?]

Jing Le answered with a smile.

Third Prince: Of course I know, I just wanted to ease the heavy atmosphere.

Duan Feibai: Da Yong is so lucky to have Lele.

The conversation on the other end continued.

"Did something happen afterward?"

"And then..."

The old woman said in a low voice, "That girl did indeed marry into the family."

"However, that night, Second Master He secretly entered the girl's room, and was discovered by Old Madam He the next day."

"What? Second Master He is the old lady's second son? This...."

The women all gaped, feeling sorry for the girl.

"This shameful affair was spread by the servants, and that very night, Madam He ordered a coffin to be prepared, turning the wedding into a true ghost marriage."

The old woman became even more indignant as she spoke: "That girl was put into a coffin alive and buried."

"Isn't this murder? Why didn't anyone report it to the authorities?"

It wasn't just the women who thought the situation was serious; Jing Le and the others felt the same way.

"Report to the authorities? Ha, of course we reported it. My husband did it, but what happened? They said it was a family matter. The girl's father had even signed a contract of servitude, so the authorities couldn't do anything about it."

The old woman slowly pulled herself out of her reverie and continued:

"That girl is gone just like that, haha, but the He family's retribution has come."

"Could it be that the girl has turned into a vengeful ghost to seek revenge?"

The Third Prince couldn't help but mutter a complaint under his breath.

"Maybe this is the truth."

Jing Le stroked the head of the white tiger in her arms and said softly.

"It seems that it was around the Ghost Festival that year. Old Madam He and Second Master He died. Their deaths were exactly the same as those of that scholar. Their hearts were ripped out."

"The murderer couldn't be found either. Later, the youngest son of the He family hired a Taoist priest to perform a ritual, and then they moved away from here."

"I never expected that this courtyard would actually be rented out this year. I even subtly told that scholar not to rent it, but he wouldn't listen. Sigh..."

The old lady looked regretful.

After that, Jing Le and the others didn't listen to anything else they said. They bypassed the group and entered Tongfu Lane through another entrance.

After walking for a while, we saw the He family courtyard.

The gate was wide open, and the scholar inside had been transported to the mortuary. The case was still under investigation, so several constables were still searching the courtyard.

As soon as Jing Le arrived, he saw the resentment permeating the courtyard and frowned.

[This shouldn't be happening. Such intense resentment is visible even during the day. The female ghost inside might be close to leveling up. I'll have to come back and check on her tonight.]

Duan Feibai could also sense a layer of mist-like substance floating above the courtyard, which was not very clear.

This is related to his low cultivation level.

The Third Prince felt a chill run down his spine after Jing Le's words. He silently touched the protective jade pendant that Jing Le had given him, and felt a little more at ease.

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