Chapter 9: Why Did the Seventh Prince Suddenly Die of Sudden Death?

The ink-colored jade plate emitted an unmistakable deep purple glow in the dimly lit room.

The wealthy merchant ghost fell to his knees with a thud.

"Great King, have mercy! I only look fat, but I don't taste good!"

The female ghost also pleaded for mercy repeatedly.

They both recognized this ink jade; the vengeful ghost in the attic had been sucked into it just like this, and its soul had dissipated in the blink of an eye.

Yan Luo looked at the youth in the dragon robe; he was the only one who did not beg for mercy.

Judging by his appearance, since he had been a feudal lord in his past life, he certainly would not compromise easily.

The little one rubbed the jade plate, causing its light to gradually grow even brighter.

As the light shone upon them, the bodies of the female ghost and the wealthy merchant ghost were actually restored.

The back of the female ghost's head had originally been missing, leaving a bloody mess, but now she had a head of jet-black long hair floating around her neck.

The wealthy merchant ghost had originally had a bluish-purple complexion, likely having died from poisoning, but at this moment, his expression had also returned to normal.

The bulging blue veins on his face caused by the poison had also slowly disappeared.

Both ghosts were now no different from when they were alive.

"My head actually doesn't hurt anymore!" The female ghost excitedly stroked her beautiful hair.

Her hands continuously searched the back of her head: "My wound is gone!"

The wealthy merchant ghost cried out in excitement along with her: "I no longer feel that burning pain from when the poison was acting up!"

The two ghosts fell to their knees, kowtowing to thank Yan Luo.

The little one's round, large eyes looked toward the dragon-robed ghost beside them.

"Follow my instructions and act accordingly. I won't mistreat you. This ink-colored jade plate absorbs yin energy; to you, it is a nourishing sacred artifact."

"Although you both died violent deaths and cannot easily reincarnate, by being nourished by the jade plate and nurturing your souls, you will be able to enter the cycle of reincarnation sooner or later."

The two ghosts said in unison: "We are willing to follow the Great King unto death!"

Having been used to being lonely wandering ghosts, they finally had someone to look after them.

The dragon-robed youth let out a "Heh."

"Death, this King does not fear; life, this King does not crave."

Yan Luo pursed her lips, her black eyes calm and deep.

This feudal lord ghost was indeed different from other ghosts; he was neither swayed by kindness nor threats.

The little one waved her hand, directly opening the doors and windows: "Then you may leave. I only keep useful ghosts by my side."

The dragon-robed youth froze for a moment, as if he hadn't expected to be let go just like that.

He glanced at Yan Luo, turned around, and floated out.

It was only at this moment that Yan Luo saw clearly.

Beneath his wide sleeves, there were no shadows of hands, and the position of his feet was nothing more than a blur of white mist.

"Great King, don't mind him," the wealthy merchant ghost ran to Yan Luo's side to flatter her, "He has always been difficult to serve and has a strange temper."

The female ghost sighed: "Sigh, he is also a pitiful person. He died more miserably than us; at least our bodies are intact."

Only after hearing them did Yan Luo find out.

This youth wearing the dragon robe was a lord from six hundred years ago during a time of great chaos in the world.

Because he possessed thousands of soldiers and generals, held the people's support, and possessed great strength, he was viewed with suspicion by the Emperor of that time.

In the final battle, he was betrayed by his close confidants and died on the battlefield.

Fearing that he would become a powerful vengeful ghost even after death, the Emperor at the time ordered his head, hands, and feet to be severed and buried in different locations.

According to the local customs of that time, doing this would prevent the lord from entering reincarnation.

Yan Luo shook her head: "They say ghosts and gods are terrifying, but in reality, they are not as unpredictable as the human heart."

Thinking about the First Madam's actions, some vengeful ghosts were not as vicious as she was.

Yan Luo had subdued the female ghost and the wealthy merchant ghost because she needed to raise a few confidants who could help her at times.

After a simple conversation, the little one learned their respective names.

The female ghost was called A-Hua, a famous courtesan two hundred years ago. After falling in love with a scholar, she redeemed herself and used her life savings from selling smiles to fund the scholar's studies and accompany him through his imperial examinations.

She never expected that the first thing he did after his name appeared on the golden list was to murder her.

The wealthy merchant ghost was called Old Qian, and he had only been dead for fifty-odd years.

In his past life, he was a famous wealthy man who built his fortune from scratch through his skill in making Xuan paper.

But his vast wealth became the fuse for his death; ultimately, he was poisoned by the collusion of several brothers and his wife.

Old Qian should have become a vengeful ghost, but after he died and returned to his home, he saw his son studying, and his heart softened instantly.

"If I'm dead, I'm dead. Anyway, all my money is left to my son." Old Qian's chubby face broke into a sincere smile.

Yan Luo set rules for A-Hua and Old Qian.

Normally, while in the manor, they were to help her observe the every move of the First House.

As a reward, they would have five opportunities each month to come to her and absorb the yin energy from the ink jade.

The two of them were very happy and, after agreeing, floated out of Yan Luo's sleeping quarters.

When she woke up in the morning, Chun Cao brought a pile of new clothes to Yan Luo.

"The Third Madam sent these through me. In a few days, new silk will arrive from the weaving workshop. The Third Madam said she will make clothes for the Young Miss then."

Hearing Chun Cao's words, Yan Luo asked curiously: "Chun Cao, how is the relationship between my Third Mother and Third Father?"

The little one sat before the bronze mirror. Chun Cao was skillful and quickly tied her hair into a pair of buns.

At the same time, Chun Cao said: "Many years ago, the Third Madam fell into the water and was saved by the Third Master. Because the Third Madam was soaked at the time, her maternal family demanded that the Third Master take responsibility."

"The Third Master is not a man without responsibility, so he agreed at the time, and neither family had any objections to this marriage."

So that was how it was.

The secular world had too many rules for women; if you fell into a lake and were rescued, you had to repay the savior with your body.

Even if Tong Qingyu had not agreed to this marriage, it would have been useless; nowadays, everything followed the command of parents and the word of matchmakers.

Therefore, Yan Luo guessed that her Third Mother did not love the Third Master, but she didn't exactly hate him either. Since she married in, the Third Master did not touch her, which made her feel more at ease.

The two could live under the same roof, yet they acted like strangers with little interaction.

Chun Cao: "This servant actually feels that ever since the Young Miss came to the manor, the Third Master has become much better."

"How has he become better?"

"This servant heard from Xiao Wu-zi, who serves the Third Master, that these past few days when the Third Master's temper is violent and he wants to curse, he only moves his lips but doesn't actually shout the curses out."

Yan Luo was amused.

Tong Qingyu's gentle voice came from the doorway: "Is Yan Luo finished washing? Come with me to pay respects to the Old Patriarch."

The little one ran to the door, her small hand grabbing Tong Qingyu's, and she called out obediently: "Third Mother."

Tong Qingyu looked at the purple tassels pinned in her hair and was very delighted.

"You have been wearing these purple tassels for two days. Do you like them very much?"

"I like everything Third Mother gives me."

Tong Qingyu's expression was faint, but the curve at the corners of her mouth could not be suppressed.

She glanced at Yan Luo beside her out of the corner of her eye.

The little one was too small and thin; her cheeks, nose tip, and ears were all pink, just like a little kitten.

Especially that small hand holding hers; all five fingers couldn't even wrap around, only able to grasp her pinky.

So well-behaved!! I really want to give her a hug!!

"Yan Luo, are you tired from walking? Shall Third Mother carry you?"

"Third Mother, I'm not tired." Yan Luo looked up, her fair little face revealing shallow dimples.

Tong Qingyu liked her even more.

She calculated in her heart that since Yan Luo was so small and thin, she should eat more good food to nourish herself.

Also, the little one seemed to like purple very much; she should buy more and order another batch of jewelry.

Tong Qingyu suddenly remembered that her mother still held two jewelry shops. Back then, it was said they would be given to her as a dowry when she moved to the Duke of Zhong's manor, but they had never been given.

For Yan Luo's sake, Tong Qingyu decided to find time to return home and claim them.

That way, once she had her own shops, everything would belong to Yan Luo in the future.

At this moment, Yan Luo looked up and saw A-Hua floating nearby.

Tong Qingyu could not see A-Hua, but Yan Luo could hear A-Hua's voice coming from afar.

"Miss, be careful of that First Madam in your house. Something has happened in the Imperial Palace, and she intends to use the opportunity to cause trouble."

Yan Luo's milky-white little face turned solemn.

Recalling her past life, at this exact moment, what kind of trouble could the First Madam stir up?

In two days, it would be the Hungry Ghost Festival.

When they walked into the main courtyard of the Duke of Zhong, the whole family had arrived.

The Third Master, Lin Li, was being pushed in by a servant. Seeing Tong Qingyu walking in holding Yan Luo, his expression remained cold throughout.

The Duke of Zhong sat in his grand armchair, still maintaining his majesty.

The Eldest Master had injured his leg a few days ago, so he did not come today, entrusting the First Madam to represent his position entirely.

The First Madam scanned the room and said, "Since everyone is here, I will first announce an important matter."

"The Seventh Prince in the palace suddenly died last night..."