Chapter 48

"That won't work, it only recognizes you now and is only willing to follow you."

Lin Qingyue added with disdain, "Besides, this pouch is too ugly, I don't want to hang it on myself."

There was no other way, so Dongfang Yan had to bite the bullet and hang the pouch back at his waist.

At this time, the boat had already reached the shore.

The guards carried the corpses of Wang Ling'er and her child onto the shore.

Xie Shouzheng instructed the family: "Keep the bodies for one night, and you can bury them tomorrow. Wang Ling'er has already given birth to the child, remember to bury them together. Do not discard the child casually, otherwise, it will attract resentment, and this official cannot guarantee the peace of your household!"

The Wang couple agreed repeatedly, crying as they went to receive their daughter's corpse.

Just in case, Xie Shouzheng also sent two subordinates to watch, to avoid any further complications.

The matter was only a temporary conclusion here, not yet finished. They could only wait until tomorrow to go to the Zheng family, let the ghost baby acknowledge its ancestors, and at the same time dissolve Wang Ling'er's resentment.

Along the way, Dongfang Yan remained silent, clearly holding back his anger.

Lin Qingyue couldn't be bothered to care about him, petting Xiao Hua in a very good mood; it seemed that in her eyes, a cat was more important than him, Dongfang Yan.

Dongfang Yan looked at her several times, but she didn't notice.

"Lin Qingyue."

"Hmm."

"Lin Qingyue!"

"Hmm?"

"Lin Qingyue, don't bring the cat out again in the future!"

Lin Qingyue finally looked up at him, "Why?"

Dongfang Yan snorted coldly and said nothing, wanting her to figure it out herself.

Lin Qingyue couldn't figure it out and continued petting the cat.

Xiao Hua was also strange; usually, it was very aloof and didn't like being petted. But at this moment, it seemed to have truly become an ordinary little kitten, not only squatting obediently beside her, letting Lin Qingyue touch its head and pull its tail, but occasionally glancing provocatively at Dongfang Yan.

Dongfang Yan was even angrier.

Finally back at the Wangfu, Dongfang Yan got off the carriage with a dark face, very unhappy.

Lin Qingyue gave a reminder from behind: "Don't forget to go to the Zheng family tomorrow."

Dongfang Yan paused his steps and asked: "Are you going?"

"Naturally, I have to go." If he only let Dongfang Yan go by himself, the matter might not be resolved well.

Upon hearing this, the gloom in Dongfang Yan's heart dissipated quite a bit: It seems she still cares about this Prince, which is why she is willing to accompany this Prince.

Wan'an County was a county directly under the capital, at the feet of the Emperor, and its relationship was significant. Therefore, the County Magistrate of Wan'an County held a Fifth-Rank official position, higher than the status of an average Xian Yin.

The current Wan'an County Magistrate, Zheng Shi, was born into an aristocratic family; his ancestors had produced princes, marquises, generals, and ministers, and he was indescribably noble.

It was just that later on, there was a gradual trend of decline, and most of the descendants were fops, with few having real talent or ability.

It wasn't until this year that Zheng Shi finally took office as the Wan'an County Magistrate. Although it was only a small county magistrate position, it had the advantage of being close to the capital, making it convenient to climb up to the powerful and noble people in the court.

And so, the Zheng family was currently discussing a marriage with the Zhou family of the Minister of the Ministry of War.

The Minister of the Ministry of War was one of Prince Jin's people; having a marriage engagement with the Zhou family was equivalent to climbing up to Prince Jin's relationship.

Everyone knew that His Highness Prince Jin was very likely to become the Crown Prince; if one could get on his line, rising in the world would be a matter of course.

When Dongfang Yan arrived at the gate of the Zheng Mansion, he saw guests filling the door, gongs and drums sounding, as if they were holding some happy event.

Minister Zhou happened to bring his whole family to the door, and upon seeing Dongfang Yan, he was startled and hurriedly came over to pay his respects.

"This official Zhou Yin pays respects to His Highness Prince Jin, why has Your Highness come here today?"

Dongfang Yan glanced at him indifferently: "What is the Zheng family doing today?"

Minister Zhou said: "Today is the engagement of my youngest daughter and the Zheng family's second young master, Zheng Shirong."

"Engagement?" Dongfang Yan sneered, "That's a coincidence, this Prince just happened to come to have a cup of wedding wine!"

Minister Zhou was a bit confused: Since when did Prince Jin have such a good relationship with the Zheng family? Why didn't I know?

Dongfang Yan didn't explain too much and turned to Lin Qingyue in the carriage: "Why haven't you gotten off the carriage yet?"

The carriage curtain moved, and Lin Qingyue got off. The weather was fine and the sky was clear, yet she opened an oil-paper umbrella.

The umbrella's design was very exquisite, and strange talismans were drawn on the bright red umbrella surface with gold leaf.

Sixteen golden umbrella ribs each had a bell hanging from the tip, and with her movements as she opened the umbrella, the bells rang "ding-ding-ling-ling," crisp and pleasant.

Dongfang Yan asked curiously: "Why are you holding an umbrella on a sunny day?"

Lin Qingyue's umbrella tilted slightly, as if shielding someone from the light: "In broad daylight, the soul of the aggrieved cannot see the light. So I must use the Nether Umbrella to shield the soul and the Soul-Guiding Bell to lead the way."

Dongfang Yan looked closer and indeed saw a hazy shadow vaguely under the umbrella.

That wisp of soul also saw him and bowed slightly to him, and her clear, quiet voice sounded in his ears: "I hope my husband will seek justice for me."

Dongfang Yan: "..."

I really don't want to be a husband to a ghost, ah ah ah!

And he could see Wang Ling'er only because after the ghost marriage, the human and the ghost had a special bond, allowing him to glimpse her.

Others couldn't see her at all. Minister Zhou only felt it was very strange, but when he learned that the eccentric woman holding the umbrella was actually the Princess Jin, he hurriedly paid his respects.

His female relatives wondered: Holding an umbrella on a sunny day, could it be a new trend among the noble ladies of the capital?

Whether it was kind or other inquisitive gazes, Lin Qingyue seemed to ignore them all.

She held the red, gold-traced Nether Umbrella, and with that lowly, aggrieved soul, stepped into the gates of the aristocratic family step by step. At this moment, the barriers of class quietly shattered, and the bright, lively scene appeared before her eyes.

The Soul-Guiding Bell sang softly, which was the sobbing of the aggrieved soul.

The Nether Umbrella shielded the light, but it would not shield the peace of the human world.

Every grievance has a source, every resentment has a debtor; it's not that there is no retribution, it's just that the time has not yet come.

Today is a good day and a good scene, just the right time.

The sudden appearance of the Prince and Princess Jin immediately caused a commotion in the Zheng family.

Zheng Shi brought his whole family to welcome them, bowing diligently. He was still secretly rejoicing in his heart: Getting engaged to the Zhou family was indeed the right choice! Prince Jin must have come uninvited to give Minister Zhou face!

He also quietly gave Minister Zhou a look from the corner of his eye: Thank you, in-law, for making the connection!

Minister Zhou: "..." What on earth is going on? Could it be that County Magistrate Zheng has known Prince Jin for a long time?

The Magistrate's wife diligently invited Lin Qingyue to the back to watch a play.

Lin Qingyue said indifferently: "What's there to see in an ordinary play? I happen to have a good play here, why don't we all come and watch it together."

These words left everyone confused, but they had no choice but to gather in the front hall.

The Prince and Princess Jin were invited to take their seats in the main positions, and Lin Qingyue closed her umbrella and sat gracefully in the high position.

Zheng Shi specifically introduced all five of his sons and three daughters, hoping that Prince Jin would remember his sons' names and promote them in the future.

As for his daughters... in case they caught Prince Jin's favor and were lucky enough to become a secondary consort, that would also be a good thing that would bring glory to the family.

Dongfang Yan drank tea and asked without even lifting his eyelids: "Which one is Zheng Shirong?"

Zheng Shirong was suddenly named, and he was pleasantly surprised, hurriedly coming out to say: "Wan'an County Magistrate's second son, Zheng Shirong, pays respects to His Highness Prince Jin, wishing Your Highness ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!"