Chapter 507: There’s A Ghost
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Mm-hmm. Give this story book to the storyteller later and let him start telling the story tomorrow.”
“Yes, Boss. With your story book, the profits of the teahouse have multiplied several times compared to normal. These stories are really appealing to customers.”
Zhou Xiangrong smiled as if this was within her expectations. “Do your job well, and you’ll get a lot of benefits later.”
“Don’t worry, Boss. I dare say that the teahouses on this street are no match for us. When their businesses die, the customers will all come to us.”
Zhou Xiangrong shook her head as she said, “You can’t run a business on a long-term basis just by relying on the stories in the book. Have you used the stuff I gave you previously?”
“Boss, I’ve used them all.”
“Mm-hmm. Use it according to my instructions. Don’t make your own decisions. If anything happens, you won’t be able to bear the responsibility.”
The shopkeeper replied with a solemn expression, “Don’t worry, Boss. I always do everything according to your instructions. I definitely won’t dare to do anything rashly.”
Zhou Xiangrong nodded in satisfaction. “I still have another appointment so I’ll leave first.”
“Sure. I will send you off.”
As soon as Zhou Xiangrong left, Su Ying walked out from the private room next door.
Su Ying glanced at the story book in the shopkeeper’s hand and thought for a moment before deciding to follow Zhou Xiangrong.
After leaving the teahouse, Zhou Xiangrong went to a jewelry shop, a fabric shop, and even a medicine shop. She was like a lion patrolling its territory.
Su Ying’s hunch was right. This girl was truly not as simple as she appeared.
However, this only showed that Zhou Xiangrong was smart and bold. Just because she owned these properties didn’t mean that there was anything wrong. After all, her birth mother also had a dowry.
Su Ying trailed Zhou Xiangrong for a while and then turned around and left when she felt that it was meaningless.
Since it was rare for her to get out of the palace, Su Ying didn’t return immediately. Instead, she went to the earlier teahouse and sat in the inner hall to listen to the storyteller narrating his tale.
However, Su Ying was worried that Zhou Qing and the rest might be kept waiting too long, so she returned to the alley and brought Zhou Qing along.
A storyteller in a scholar’s robe sat in the middle of the small stage in the teahouse. He straightened his body and flipped open the book in his hand before narrating.
“Following the previous chapter, the Monkey God caused a ruckus in the Heavenly Palace…”
Su Ying sat down and munched on melon seeds as she listened with great interest. She felt that the storyteller was quite engaging as he was very expressive in his voice and facial expressions.
“Have you heard this story before?” Su Ying nudged Zhou Qing and asked.
Zhou Qing shook her head. Although Zhou Qing was a spy, she wasn’t completely detached from the normal lives of ordinary people. Occasionally, she would live like ordinary people and go to the teahouse to listen to stories.
“Mistress, this story sounds very different. I have never heard it before.”
Su Ying also…
Su Ying suddenly frowned slightly. She seemed to have heard this story before.
However, since she was born, only two people had told her stories. One was her Mama, but she was sure that her Mama’s story was not like this. The other was her battle comrade who was well-versed in the ancient martial arts. She knew a lot of myriad things and told many stories.
Su Ying observed the storyteller and listened carefully. The more she listened, the more familiar the story felt. However, to be honest, she wasn’t sure if her battle comrade had told her this story before.
If they were telling the same story, that would be interesting.
Su Ying sat there until the storyteller finished his story. Only after everyone had left did she walk up to the storyteller.
“Mr. Storyteller, the story you narrated just now is really interesting.” As she spoke, Su Ying took out two silver coins and placed them in front of the storyteller.” Mr. Storyteller, take this and buy some tea to moisten your throat.”
The inconspicuous silver coins were the equivalent of the storyteller’s income for several months. The expression on his face relaxed. “Thank you for the tip, Madam. If you like the story, you can come and continue to listen to it tomorrow. The rest of my story is even more exciting.”
“Did you come up with this story yourself?”
The storyteller was an honest person, so he shook his head when he heard Su Ying’s question and answered, “How could I have such an ability? This story book was originally given to me by the shopkeeper. I’m just a storyteller, that’s all.”
These words made Su Ying recall the contents of Zhou Xiangrong’s conversation with the shopkeeper. At that time, Zhou Xiangrong said that she had brought a new story book for the shopkeeper.
Su Ying tapped her fingertips on the table. She then thanked the storyteller and left with Zhou Qing.
“Mistress, do you think the story is too interesting and you can’t wait to know what happens next?” Zhou Qing asked curiously.
Su Ying slowly shook her head. “I’m just a little puzzled. It’s getting late. Let’s go back to the palace first.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Su Ying had chosen the old academy’s site, and the Ministry of Works prepared a renovation plan before presenting it to Xiao Jin. With a wave of Xiao Jin’s brush, approval was given for the women’s academy to begin its renovation.
The Empress had given the order to complete renovations as soon as possible, so the Ministry of Works had to work day and night without any delay. Even when it was dark, they still had to do everything they could under the light of lanterns.
“Why do you think the Empress set up such a women’s academy? As long as those girls know some needlework and can play the zither, it is good enough. Why bother learning so much? Is she expecting them to become officials in the Imperial Court?”
“That’s right. If women also become literate, they will become extremely proud after that. In my view, this is totally unnecessary.”
“Shut your mouths at once. If these words reach the Empress’s ears, you won’t be able to bear the consequences. Why do you care what the Empress wants to do? Now that the higher-ups have given you a job and are paying you, you should just carry out the work honestly. Why are you guys still spouting so much nonsense?” The foreman heard those two men’s discussion and went forward to interrupt them with a stern expression.
The two men were so scared that they didn’t dare to say another word.
The old academy was actually quite well preserved. The Ministry of Works had already sent people over to take a look. They confirmed that there was no problem with the overall structure of the houses and the beams. They only needed to do some internal patching up and painting as well as paint the external walls.
After the two workers finished painting the internal walls, they got up and stretched their tired bodies.
“It’s finally done. Old San, are you done? Hurry up and go back to rest. Otherwise, you won’t be able to wake up tomorrow morning.”
“I’m done, I’m done.”
After confirming that there were no more problems with the wall, the two of them packed up their tools and exited the house.
“Boo hoo hoo…”
As soon as the two of them walked out, they heard the sound of crying.
The two of them stopped and looked around in bewilderment. They were the last to leave the workplace. When they came out, there was no one else in the other houses. Other than the two lanterns hanging at the entrance, the entire place was in complete darkness.
“Old San, did you hear anything?”
Old San felt a chill run down his spine.
He swallowed hard. “May… maybe it’s windy at night, so we heard the wind. You… you brat, don’t be so paranoid. Let’s go quickly. Go, go, go!”
” Boo hoo hoo hoo…”
However, just as the two of them took a step, they heard the sound of sorrowful wailing. It came from the house next to the one they exited from.
“Motherf*cker, I don’t believe in such crap. Who’s that pulling pranks and playing tricks!” Second Old Li spat and turned around to walk towards that particular house with the lantern.
This was also a classroom that had just been painted. Second Old Li held the lantern up and shone it inside, but there was nothing.
“Ptooey! There’s nothing here. Trying to scare me?” Second Old Li gave a sneer and turned to leave with the lantern. Suddenly, a white figure floated up to him and revealed a gaping big mouth.
“Argh! There’s a ghost!”
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