Chapter 34 Ghost Market (Part 3) It's moved to my doorstep, haha!
"I can write, so when I first came to the city, I wrote some storybooks to sell to bookstores in order to earn money. I didn't steal or rob. Later, a young lady's maid complained that the storybooks were getting less and less original, and she didn't know what to choose for her young lady. That's when I got the idea..."
Zhong Yuxiu's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke.
Bai Yan had already realized what was happening, and his whole body was half frozen. Could this person be someone who makes money from money?
“The maid from that house bought all the new stories I had written. Then she came back to ask Manager Jin if there were any new ones. I… the children in the orphanage had worn-out clothes. I wanted to earn more money, so I told Manager Jin to tell her that as long as the price was right, I could write any kind of story she wanted.”
"That young lady was also a kind person. She helped promote my book among the young ladies in the capital. Many young ladies asked their maids to buy it, and the reputation of my custom-made storybooks spread among them. Originally, I was unwilling to write storybooks about officials and young ladies, but that young lady was my first customer. She was very generous and gave me too much..." At this point, Zhong Yuxiu smiled shyly, but when she thought about what happened later, the corners of her mouth twitched down again.
"I don't know how it ended up in the hands of the authorities... I swear! There wasn't a single word of slander against him in the storybook! It was just some little love stories. I just used his identity and name, and he wasn't happy about it. He told me to stop writing, and I really didn't! But I can't get the book back from that young lady, waaaaaah! I told him I'd give him all the money I earned from this, but he still wasn't happy. I'm going to break down! I've never been to jail before, waaaaah..."
After barely managing to finish explaining the whole story, Zhong Yuxiu couldn't help but burst into tears.
After Jiang Yuzhi died, she stopped carrying a handkerchief with her. She first looked at Bai Yan, then raised her chin at the young lady who was crying her eyes out.
Bai Yancai snapped out of his surprise and reluctantly took out a plain white handkerchief and handed it to Jiang Yuzhi.
Zhong Yuxiu started hiccuping. With trembling hands, she took the handkerchief from her friend's hand. She wanted to blow her nose, but was afraid of offending the owner of the handkerchief. She only used it to wipe her almost dried tears, but new tears kept flowing down her face.
"Thanks, hiccup."
Jiang Yuzhi gently patted her back, trying to ease her pain. "Don't worry, what's the name of the book you wrote?"
The hand wiping away tears paused, and the hiccups stopped. Zhong Yuxiu gritted her teeth. Anyway, she had already said so much, so what difference would it make if she added a book title? "...The Black-Faced Emperor's Pleasure-Seeking Anecdotes".
Jiang Yuzhi: "..."
Bai Yan: "..."
No wonder Emperor Huizong of Song was so determined to get the book back; you could tell from the title that it wasn't a respectable book.
Zhong Yuxiu knew she was in the wrong. “The young lady’s maid told me that the Emperor often made things difficult for her grandfather. Her grandfather was old and was still being enslaved by the Emperor. In addition, some meddlesome courtiers said that the young lady was worthy of being the Empress, but the Emperor refuted them in court, saying that he did not need a woman to consolidate his position.”
"The young lady thought the official was very dignified, but at the same time she felt that he looked down on her, so she thought of asking me to write a storybook so that she could secretly enjoy it."
Bai Yan already knew which family it belonged to when he heard this, but he couldn't say it at the moment.
The empty teacup was filled with flower tea, and Jiang Yuzhi pushed it to Zhong Yuxiu's side, "Yuxiu...did you write anything else related to the Emperor?"
Zhong Yuxiu gulped down a mouthful of water to replenish the fluids she had just cried out. "That's all. Other young ladies aren't that bold. At most, they ask for things like generals or princes."
The handkerchief was soaked and a little sticky. Zhong Yuxiu calmed down and felt a little embarrassed. "I'll wash it and return it to you."
Bai Yan frowned. "No need."
"Give it to me." Jiang Yuzhi knew that Bai Yan was disgusted. She was the one who handed over the handkerchief, so naturally she had to be responsible for cleaning it.
If you control the will-o'-the-wisp and burn it, it will be clean and look brand new.
The handkerchief was temporarily placed on the table.
In the kitchen, Di Ting, Xiao Jin, and the two immortals had already finished their meal. Zhi Er put down three bowls of wontons and then left.
This meal counts as breakfast.
Jiang Yuzhi: "Eat quickly. We're moving to Jingmingfang later. Yuxiu can go back to the orphanage first. If you're worried, you can stay at my place tonight. Do you want to go to the ghost market together tonight?"
Zhong Yuxiu shook her head repeatedly, "No, I'd better not. What if I run into that person again?" "I'm not going shopping anymore. I'll have to trouble Yuzhi for the next few days."
After seeing Zhong Yuxiu off, Bai Yan actively helped Zhi San pack her luggage and even went to the other side to call A Zhao to bring two horse-drawn carriages to transport the things.
Zhiyi and Zhisi remained in the shop, while Zhou Niangzi lived in the house behind the shop and could also lend a hand.
Zhao Pingfeng was bound to be taken away, but fortunately, Madam Zhou only thought that her son had gained the favor of the master and was overjoyed.
The second floor was used entirely as a warehouse.
Neither Fang Xiangshi nor Sui Gu could discern anything about Zhao Pingfeng's current condition. With the silver bracelet binding him, the purplish-red marks on his body had stopped growing and showed no signs of further growth; time seemed to have stood still for him.
Before long, aside from the necessary clothes and sewing tools, there was nothing else to take.
Both carriages that arrived were used to carry passengers.
Di Ting sat on a platform with two immortals.
For both Sui Gu and Fang Xiangshi, this was their first time using a mode of transportation in the mortal realm, and they found it all very novel.
They were not deities who ascended to heaven through merit. They were born from the devout hopes of the common people. With the increasing desire for a bountiful harvest and the wish to ward off evil, the Green Sprout God and the Evil God appeared in the world in accordance with the beliefs and the laws of the heavens.
"Tsk tsk, ignorant." Di Ting always finds a sense of superiority in various places, especially in the face of the gods it hates.
Fang Xiangshi didn't care about the verbal sarcasm. Sui Gu was in a good mood and could even flatter him a couple of times, "We little immortals are certainly not as knowledgeable and well-traveled as Lord Di Ting, who has been walking in the mortal world for many years. We hope that you will take good care of us in the future."
Unable to find the trigger, and feeling completely comfortable from the praise, Di Ting only gave a reserved "humph" and then fell silent.
Zhi Er, Jiang Yuzhi, and Bai Yan sat together in the carriage, while Zhi San and the coachman sat on the carriage shaft.
Bai Yan: "I reckon we're almost there. It's very close to the Bai family mansion, both in Jingmingfang. It's a small three-courtyard house."
Jiang Yuzhi: "Isn't it too big?"
When the Jiang family was still around, the whole family lived in a four-courtyard house. Now, there are fewer than ten people in total, but they have to live in three courtyards.
Bai Yan: "It's not a big deal. If Yu Zhi has any relatives or friends coming, there will be a place for them to stay."
It wasn't until the carriage stopped that Jiang Yuzhi realized just how close Bai Yan meant by "very close."
The first house at the first corner after walking forward from the main gate of the Bai family mansion is that small house with three courtyards.
Someone who didn't know better might mistake it for a side gate of the Bai family's residence.
Since they were already there, Jiang Yuzhi stopped thinking about it and ignored Bai Yan's fleeting guilty conscience before leading everyone inside.
Passing through the banquet hall and the covered corridor, you arrive at the main room, which serves as Jiang Yuzhi's bedroom.
The west wing was given to Zhi Er and Zhi San, while the east wing was reserved for the other ghosts from the underworld.
We'll plan for the other small rooms later. The study, kitchen, and bedroom are the most frequently used rooms, and Bai Yan has been sending people to clean them. You can move in as soon as you drop off your luggage.
Further inside, there was a main house and four side rooms. Jiang Yuzhi let Diting choose one of them. Sui Gu, Fang Xiangshi, and Zhao Pingfeng also lived here, so that it would be convenient for Diting to keep an eye on them.
Bai Yan did not hire any servants, and those who were originally responsible for cleaning the house were reassigned to other places.
His wife's entourage consists of ordinary people, so having servants around would be inconvenient.
After settling in, Zhisan went to the orphanage to inform Zhong Yuxiu.
Night fell.
Zhong Yuxiu followed Zhisan to the new house.
Jiang Yuzhi thought of arranging for her to stay in the east wing, but the young lady kept saying she was scared and asked if she could sleep together.
Jiang Yuzhi readily agreed, but Bai Yan's face darkened.
It was past midnight again, and Zhong Yuxiu was fast asleep on her brand-new bed.
Di Ting checked the newly set-up barrier repeatedly before confidently leading the immortals who wanted to witness the prosperity of the mortal world to the Ghost Market.
Zhisan and Zhisi also left first.
Leaving Jiang Yuzhi and Bai Yan alone suited Bai Yan's wishes.
Zhao Pingfeng went there yesterday but wasn't interested. He's really taken to embroidery and mending these past few days, burying himself in it whenever he has free time, I don't know what he's embroidering.
The humans and ghosts strolled around the ghost market as if they knew the way inside.
I didn't have time to look closely last night, but there were quite a few paintings and calligraphy, porcelain, and some pearls and corals at the ghost market, though I don't know if they're real or fake.
There were also many paper money, paper figures, and incense sticks.
Some, like Zhang Chen and her wife, dressed up as the Impermanence or Judge of the Underworld to solicit business.
Jiang Yuzhi looked around with great interest.
Bai Yan was extremely satisfied.
Pearls didn't attract Jiang Yuzhi's attention, but there were always special ones.
A box full of oddly shaped pearls, shining brightly.
It was as if something in the universe was calling to her.
Jiang Yuzhi turned her head and asked Bai Yan softly, "What do you feel when you look at the pearls in that box?"
Bai Yan looked closely, examined it carefully, and shook his head. "Do you want Yu Zhi? The quality isn't great, but it's not a bad deal to buy it for fun."
Jiang Yuzhi didn't answer, but squatted down in front of the stall. "How much is this?"
The stall owner, wearing a straw hat and reeking of fish, had a hoarse voice and demanded an exorbitant sum: "Five thousand taels."
Wow, no wonder no one's buying it. Maybe it's a big cat that's eaten too much fish and is so greedy that the fishy smell can't be covered up.
Jiang Yuzhi wanted it, but it wasn't enough for her to accept five thousand taels, so she grabbed Bai Yan and was about to leave.
After walking a few steps, the feeling of being called intensified, mixed with a touch of grievance.
She had no choice but to turn around and squat down again.
Stall owner: "Six thousand taels."
How could they raise prices so arbitrarily? Jiang Yuzhi had never seen such a person before and didn't know what to say.
Bai Yan: "This box of pearls has been priced at a hundred taels, but I see that there isn't a single round one. It's just that the pearls are shiny. With your price, it's hard to find a sucker."
Stall owner: "What do you know? These are pearls from Zuo Huai. Does the Dragon King know? They are auspicious gifts from the Dragon King. One clam produces so many pearls. They will shine on the day they hatch. How can ordinary pearls compare?"
Bai Yan was speechless. What a coincidence! He knew about both Zuo Huai and the Dragon King. "I know the Ghost Market's tricks better than you do. Could it be that they've smeared luminescent powder on the pearls to play tricks?"
The stall owner, provoked, immediately said, "Touch it if you don't believe me! But you can only touch one." He was joking; the Dragon King story was made up, but the glow was undeniable. He was hoping to sell this pearl for a good price to pay off his debts.
This was exactly what Jiang Yuzhi wanted. Whether she bought it or not was another matter; she wanted to see what was inside the pearl first.
She reached out and touched the top one. The stall owner's cloudy eyes, hidden beneath his straw hat, stared intently at her, as if afraid of being robbed.
The moment her fingertips touched the pearl, a sudden change occurred; the dazzling brilliance receded rapidly, as if it had been absorbed by Jiang Yuzhi's hand.
The box full of pearls suddenly became dull and unremarkable, and some even cracked.
Jiang Yuzhi froze, awkwardly looking up with a forced smile.
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Author's Note: Jiang Yuzhi: You're trying to scam me!
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