Chapter 98 This chapter is an additional chapter
Zhuang Wan began to become neighbors with Erya's family.
Erya was a warm and well-behaved girl. She took the initiative to take Zhuang Wan out for several days to familiarize herself with the surroundings. She also introduced her to many neighbors and said, "Look, this is my sister Ruyi. Isn't she as beautiful as a fairy?"
The neighborhood grandpas and grandmas laughed and praised: "Erya, your fairy sister is so pretty!"
When others praised Zhuang Wan, Erya felt proud and her cheeks blushed.
Zhuang Wan couldn't help laughing.
That day, Erya knocked on the door early in the morning and said, "Sister Ruyi, I can't take you shopping today. I have something to help with at home."
"What's the matter? Do you need my help?" Zhuang Wan asked.
"The fairy lady is coming home today to treat my father's illness."
Zhuang Wan asked her, "What disease did your father have?"
Erya pursed her lips, as if she couldn't speak: "If I tell you, will Sister Ruyi dislike me anymore?"
She lowered her head and said, "Aju and the others said my father had epilepsy and it was incurable. They also said my father was possessed by an evil spirit and was not clean. He didn't want to play with me anymore."
Zhuang Wan listened and patted her head. "Isn't epilepsy just epilepsy? How about being possessed by evil spirits?" Superstition is deadly.
"Is your father's illness serious?"
Erya nodded and said, "He has been ill for a long time and has not been cured. Mother asked a fairy to come to her and she said she could cure him."
"No more talking," she waved her hand. "I have to go back and prepare the floating grass. The fairy lady will need to burn the ashes later."
After saying that, she turned and left.
Zhuang Wan was silent for a moment, walked out the door and looked to the side, and saw several neighbors standing at Erya's door.
She walked over.
There was an incense table in the courtyard, with candlesticks and incense burners on it. A short and fat old woman was adjusting her clothes, muttering something incomprehensible while adjusting her clothes.
Her head was covered with silk flowers, under which were some colorful tassels like braids. She wore a long and loose black robe that reached her knees, and around her waist were tied some strange objects such as copper coins, ivory, and seashells. Even her face was smeared with red and blue ointment.
From the neighbors, Zhuang Wan learned that this was the fairy woman Erya had mentioned. People said she had supernatural powers and possessed immortal abilities. Three years ago, when Mr. Liu's daughter-in-law had a difficult labor, she had used her immortal abilities to deliver the child. Because of this, the fairy woman's reputation spread throughout Luyang County, and many families asked her to heal their illnesses and exorcise evil spirits.
Erya's mother stood aside awkwardly, like a devout believer. She did whatever the fairy lady told her to do with a stern face.
"Go and tie your man's hands and feet, and sprinkle some rice bran on him."
"Okay, okay, I'll go right away."
Zhuang Wan looked over and saw Erya's father lying in the room. He was a tall, thin man in his twenties, his face gaunt from illness. He seemed to be having a stomachache, clutching his abdomen with his hands, his brow furrowed, and sweat dripping from his forehead.
He obediently stretched out his hands to tie his wife's arms and cooperated very well.
Suddenly, the fairy woman pointed a peach wood sword into the house and began to shake and tremble all over, making "ah ah ah" sounds.
"It's started! It's started!" she said, "The evil spirit from Cui's family is coming!"
Upon hearing this, the neighbors immediately retreated several steps, fearing that they would be possessed by evil spirits.
Erya's mother also quickly tied him up, sprinkled a basin of rice bran on her husband, and then ran out.
The fairy woman, holding a wooden sword, danced and sang around the incense table. No one knew what she was singing, and her movements were very strange. But Zhuang Wan had a general idea that this was how the ancient fairy women exorcised evil spirits and played tricks.
After dancing for about quarter of an hour, the fairy stopped. Her fat body made her sweat profusely and she was breathing heavily.
But she said, "This evil spirit from Cui Niang's family is very powerful. If I hadn't suppressed it with my magic, it would definitely have harmed people."
Erya's mother was terrified when she heard this and asked, "Has the evil spirit not left yet?"
The fairy paused for a moment, burning some talismans on the incense table. The talismans turned to ashes and she threw them into the bowl. Soon, the ashes melted into the water.
She continued to dance, singing an incomprehensible song, her movements wide and wide, strange and busy. After another quarter of an hour, she stopped, picked up the bowl, drank a sip, and then sprayed it on a piece of paper with a green face and fangs drawn on it.
Finally, he let out a few "Ahhh" sounds and shouted, "Three or five will be completed, the sun and the moon will rise, all the demons and monsters will leave!"
The peach wood sword was raised high and slashed heavily on the paper. The next moment, blood streaks appeared on the paper with the green face and fangs painted on it.
Everyone was shocked by this miracle and was horrified, but at the same time, there was a hint of relief on their faces.
Erya's mother also laughed.
Because, the green face, fangs and bleeding mean that the evil spirit has been driven away.
She knelt down and thanked the fairy. The fairy took the props and looked like a fairy who had achieved great grace and righteousness.
"No need to thank me, just send some incense to the immortals."
Incense is money. Erya's mother answered, went into the house and searched for a long time, finally took out an old money bag, counted out the coins one by one, and handed them to the fairy.
When Zhuang Wan saw this, she sighed.
The money the witch earned from performing rituals was quite a bit, almost catching up to Guard Lu's monthly salary. If you really calculated it, even her monthly salary from working as a housekeeper wasn't as much as what this person earned from performing a ritual.
What fairy?
It's almost like a fraud!
.
Temporary palace.
"You're going back to the capital early?" Chen Yi was puzzled. "The emperor and the court officials are still here, why are you going back alone?"
"Oh..." After thinking carefully, he guessed: "Could it be that the emperor said something to you?"
Pei Xingju stood by the window to enjoy the scenery, and after a while, he sat back at the table.
"Minzhou is currently at war with the Japanese pirates, and everyone's attention is focused on Minzhou. Now is a good time to investigate Hezhou's taxes. I have suggested this to the Emperor."
"Could it be..." Shen Yi asked, "The emperor sent you to investigate?"
Pei Xingju nodded and said, "There's no time to lose. I'll be leaving for the capital tomorrow and heading quietly to Hezhou in three days. You should keep an eye on things in the capital. Xue Gang will be back soon, so you can discuss this with me."
Chen Yi said sternly, "Don't worry about what's happening in the capital. Just go and investigate Hezhou. Minzhou is fighting the Japanese pirates, and the Houdang are still vying for military supervision and food supplies. Duke Xin and Duan Hongyuan have also started to tuck their tails between their legs because of your fall from the horse. Now is the perfect time for you to secretly investigate Hezhou and catch them off guard."
"Hey, Yuzhi..." He suddenly became excited: "Did you already plan this when you came to the palace? But how did you calculate that the emperor would agree to investigate Hezhou?"
As early as when the Japanese pirates committed crimes in Minzhou, the emperor had already backed off from the Hezhou incident. At that time, Shen Yi felt hopeless and did not expect that there would be a turnaround when things developed to this point.
Pei Xingju picked up his pen and wrote without saying a word.
Chen Yi couldn't stand his pretentious demeanor the most. He tutted his tongue in disdain: "Why don't you tell me?"
Pei Xingju: "I told you before that Master Zhuang left a letter before he died."
"Master Zhuang? Which...Oh, you mean Miss Zhuang's father?"
I don’t know if it was Shen Yi’s illusion, but when Pei Xingju mentioned Miss Zhuang, the aura on his body became inexplicably gloomy.
He touched his nose and chuckled, "Well, since you're getting ready to leave the palace, I won't bother you anymore. I still have things to do at the office, so I'm leaving now."
He dropped a bomb and retired after completing his mission.
As he was leaving, he happened to see Guard Lu and Zhuang Wan's maid Qiu Tan standing in the corridor. Guard Lu said something to the young girl, but she nodded and wiped her tears.
After Chen Yi left, the courtyard was quiet and the sunlight was gentle.
In the corridor, Guard Lu clumsily but tenderly coaxed, "Qiutan, don't be sad. Maybe your young lady will come back in the future. You cry all day long. What if you become stupid?"
Qiu Tan pouted: "You are stupid."
"Yes, yes, I'm stupid, I said the wrong thing in a hurry. Anyway, don't cry. When I get my shift, I'll take you to the back mountain for a walk."
"What's so good about the back mountain? It's so tiring to walk such a long way."
"Then, then, then I'll carry you."
Qiu Tan's face flushed: "How can I let you carry a grown woman like me?"
"Oh," Guard Lu scratched his face anxiously, "What should I do? Can I buy you some candy?"
"Where can I buy candy in the palace?"
"How about this..." Guard Lu thought for a moment and said, "The Emperor usually gives us some fruits and cakes, but he doesn't like them. How about I ask for some for you later?"
Sitting in the house, Pei Xingju, who was sharp-eyed and sharp-eared, said: "........"
After a moment, he stopped and said, "Lü Huai! If you don't do your duty properly, you don't want your monthly salary?"
Guard Lu outside immediately jumped up, waved to Qiu Tan, and whispered, "You go back first. I'll bring you food later."
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