Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 96

“The tavern is quite lively,” Meng Xiujin remarked awkwardly.

“Finish it,” the young man’s voice had already taken on a tone of impatience.

The boy nervously tugged at the embroidery on his sleeve, saying, “It’s just a rundown little tavern, yet there are so many people. I’m curious.”

“There’s nothing to be curious about. Today we must go to the ancestral temple to pay our respects. Xiujin, put away those scattered thoughts.”

“…Yes.”

Meanwhile, inside the tavern.

A young licentiate dressed in blue stood on the stage, holding a storyteller’s block, shaking his head as he narrated, “In the blink of an eye, the bandit leader snatched the large knife aimed at the young miss, forcing the scoundrel back three feet! The scoundrel was furious, shouting:

‘Who dares interfere?! Surely you don’t know who I am!’

The bandit leader’s fierce eyes alone made the scoundrel hesitate, sending chills down his spine.

The man with a tiger’s back and a bear’s waist spread his legs and shouted!”

As he spoke, the young scholar seemed to run out of breath, closing his mouth.

Then, he pinched his throat, feigning weakness, “Ahem, my throat is terribly sore right now. Could someone spare some money so I can have a cup of tea?”

The crowd below jeered and laughed, shouting.

“Give, give, give! Here’s three wen for a cup of cool tea to soothe your throat!”

“Young scholar, that’s not fair! Hurry up and tell the story, we’ll give you all the money!”

A group of men were making a ruckus.

The women sat to the side, covering their faces, giggling.

The old tavern keeper walked around with a small bag, collecting contributions, saying, “Come, come, let him rest for a while, and then everyone can enjoy listening again!”

After collecting the money, the young scholar timed his continuation, “The bandit shouted: ‘Who is the grandfather?!’

The scoundrel was so frightened he almost wet himself, trembling and falling to his knees…

The bandit leader joined the army, killed thousands of enemies, and became a deputy general, naturally able to keep his promise and return to marry his young miss!

Today, I’ve finished the story of the bandit and the young miss.

Tomorrow-I’m not telling you yet, if you want to hear it, come back at the hour of si¹!”

Jiang Chenyi finished the story and prepared to leave.

A few sharp-eyed young ladies noticed him and hurriedly followed.

“Hey, hey, little mister, wait a moment!”

Jiang Chenyi couldn’t wait; he dashed off.

He ran out from the back of the tavern, sprinting back to Wang Dabao’s inn.

No matter what, it was still safe here.

Jiang touched his bulging money pouch, feeling quite pleased.

Today, he received his earnings from yesterday, and he had saved enough to pay for ten days of room and board.

Today marked his ninth day of work.

Wang Dabao heard him mention settling the bill and wasn’t surprised.

These days, Mu Zili kept boasting about finding a treasure.

Now Jiang Chenyi was somewhat famous in Yanjing City, though his fame was only among the common folk, it was fame nonetheless.

Jiang Chenyi settled the bill, and although he didn’t have much money left, he was still happy!

He planned to tidy up and have a good meal to reward himself.

Three days later, in the tavern.

Jiang stood on the stage, speaking loudly, “Today, I’ll tell you a ghost story. It might be a bit scary, but it’s quite interesting!”

A young lady below shivered, “Young scholar, is the story really scary?”

“Naturally, it is a bit,” Jiang nodded.

After telling many love stories, it was time for a change.

Jiang Chenyi narrated the story with rhythm and emotion.

When he reached the thrilling part, the audience gasped and applauded.

Jiang felt satisfied.

Meanwhile, the carriage that had passed by three days ago came by again.

This time, the playful young boy lifted the curtain once more, listening to the cheers outside.

The child, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, timidly turned to look at his uncle.

After some thought, Meng Xiujin spoke up.

If he didn’t get a chance to see it now, he might never have the chance again.

“Uncle…”

The young man, resting with his eyes closed, opened them and asked, “What is it?”

“Well, I want to take a look,” Meng Xiujin tugged at the pearls on his clothes, avoiding his uncle’s indifferent gaze, and said, “I want to see what’s going on inside!”

“Curious?” The young man spoke the question as if it were a cold statement.

“Yes.” Meng Xiujin closed his eyes, shrinking back, ready to be scolded.

Meng Loudi looked at his nephew’s demeanor, his brows furrowing.

Could this boy bear the weight of the empire?

Tsk, annoying.

“Go ahead.”

“Really?! Thank you, uncle!” The boy was overjoyed, jumping up in the carriage, causing it to sway.

“Quick, quick, quick! Stop, you, and you, come with me!” Meng Xiujin pointed at two guards, jumping off the carriage, unable to wait any longer.

The guards watched the precious young master with actions that made their hearts leap.

If anything happened, their heads wouldn’t be enough to compensate!

The two guards dismounted and followed the boy, escorting him into the tavern.

The sudden entrance of people didn’t attract much attention.

Meng Xiujin looked at the worn-out tables and chairs, frowning, his snow-white face showing disdain.

However, there was something worthwhile here.

Like the young man speaking on stage now.

The boy stood as straight as a young pine in early winter, eyes bright, watching the person on stage.

Jiang Chenyi also noticed the newcomer, smiling slightly, and continued, “Who would have thought, the female ghost was the girl Young Master Wang once admired, who drowned by accident. Yet, the girl longed for Young Master Wang, finally finding him, wishing to be with him every day, transforming into a beauty, sneaking into Young Master Wang’s room every night to be with him…”

The men below laughed mischievously.

The women blushed.

Jiang Chenyi continued his tale.

Meng Xiujin listened intently, standing there absorbed.

No one dared to persuade him.

So Meng Loudi sat in the carriage, waiting for his reckless nephew.

The young man rested with his eyes closed, for a quarter of an hour, and his nephew still hadn’t returned.

Losing patience.

The young man stood up, lifted the curtain, and asked, “Where is he?”

A guard nearby lowered his head, speaking softly, “My Lord, His Majesty is still inside.”

The young man frowned, looking at the ground, it seemed, not dirty?

Forget it, it’s just shoes, throw them away when returning.

The young man got off the carriage himself, entering the tavern.

A group of guards surrounded him.

The scene was like protecting a piece of porcelain.

Meng Loudi carefully avoided anything that might touch him, entering the tavern, just in time to hear the extremely subtle erotic words.

“White jade veils a crimson pearl, jade dew teases the flower’s grace, sweet whispers fill the ear, sweat pearls on a field of snow.”

The young man on stage seemed to chuckle, looking at the people below, saying, “This matter can only be understood, not explained.”

The men laughed.

Those who knew, knew.

But Meng Xiujin looked around in confusion, feeling like it was a secret everyone knew, except him.

The guards dared not hint.

Jiang Chenyi’s eyes wandered, looking at everyone present, then was drawn to the snow-white figure.

Black eyes stared at him, like a silent beast.

Brown eyes widened, staring blankly at the other.

Meng Loudi’s expressionless face suddenly broke into a smile, murmuring, “Jade dew teases the flower’s grace? Interesting.”

That smile was like a gentle breeze embracing the bright moon.

It made Jiang Chenyi stare in awe.

Then the old tavern keeper coughed from the side.

Jiang returned to his senses, a blush rising on his face, “Let’s continue…”

Meng Xiujin also noticed his deadly uncle.

He shivered, like a mouse encountering a predator, “Uncle…”

“No problem, it’s indeed interesting.” Meng Loudi touched his cheek.

He usually disliked others touching him.

But being a man, if he had to solve it himself, it would be quite dull.

If… that would be nice.

An obsession with cleanliness emerged.

Jiang cried.

Meng Xiujin looked at his uncle’s chilling smile, shivering.

Oh dear, oh dear, when his uncle smiled, someone was bound to suffer.

Meng Loudi looked around, it seemed the storyteller had a while before finishing, but this place, frankly, stepping in had sullied him.

Meng Loudi flicked his sleeve, taking his people and leaving.

Meng Xiujin looked at the storyteller, almost crying, he wanted to hear the end.

“Uncle.”

“Come with me first, you’ll see him again in the future.” Meng Loudi left a faint remark.

The boy reluctantly looked at the other, suddenly remembering something, “This, give it to him!”

He pointed at the young man.

What he handed to the guard was two silver notes worth five hundred taels each.

The guard was stunned, “But.”

“No buts, give it and report back to me.” The boy turned and left.

Though he wanted to continue listening, his uncle had spoken, he couldn’t make him angry.

Otherwise, he’d suffer terribly.

Meng Xiujin sighed inwardly.

He was definitely the most miserable emperor of the Song Dynasty.

So when Jiang Chenyi finished his story and prepared to leave, he was stopped by a tall, red-clad guard.

Jiang was stunned, not knowing why he was stopped.

“Please wait a moment, this is from my master,” the guard handed the money to Jiang Chenyi and left coldly.

Jiang looked at the two silver notes in his hand.

Wait, five hundred taels? Two notes?!

Really, he’s hit the jackpot!

The young ladies behind crowded around, calling, “Young scholar!”

“Ladies, I have something to do, I’ll be going!” Jiang dashed off.

Then, the young man rushed back to the tavern, pushing open the door, shouting, “Wang-Ge, Mu Zili! I’ve struck it rich!”

The beggar was lying in the courtyard, sunbathing, “Struck it rich?”

“A thousand taels! Today someone gave me a reward of a thousand taels!” Jiang shouted, then realized he had to give Old Zhang three hundred taels, but still had seven hundred left!

“A thousand taels!” The beggar sat up abruptly.

“Yes! Give Old Zhang three hundred taels, we still have seven hundred, let’s split it, I’ll give you two hundred taels, Wang-Ge two hundred taels, and then send two hundred taels to my parents.” Jiang held the silver notes excitedly.

“Let’s drink tonight!” The young man’s eyes sparkled.

Mu Zili listened to the distribution, amused, “Fool, you could keep it all for yourself.”

Jiang Chenyi smiled foolishly, “No, I must be a good person.”

The beggar shook his head, smiling silently.

Wang Dabao came out of the inn, naturally hearing the other’s words, “Why share with us?”

A thousand taels wasn’t a small amount.

Jiang Chenyi showed a smile, “Because you both helped me when I had nowhere to go.”

As promised, repay kindness with gratitude.

He had to keep his word!

Wang Dabao looked at him, “Alright, then we’ll have a feast tonight! Roast chicken, pork knuckle, I’ll go buy them now.”

“Good, also, Wang-Ge, help me break this five hundred taels and send three hundred to Old Zhang.”

“Got it.” Wang Dabao took the money and went out to buy wine and meat.

Footnote:

1. Si(巳时): This refers to “巳时” (Sì Shí), one of the twelve traditional Chinese two-hour periods (时辰, shíchén). It corresponds to 9 AM to 11 AM in modern time. It is also associated with the Snake in the Chinese zodiac.