Chapter 117: A Five-Year Cycle

"To be precise, these two ghosts are temporarily under my control and command."

As soon as Zhao Fusheng finished speaking, the breath Zheng He had not yet fully released became stuck in his throat. He stared at Zhao Fusheng, tongue-tied, with an expression as if he had seen a ghost.

"Why, you don't believe me?" Zhao Fusheng asked him.

In his heart, he did not believe it, and his eyes revealed skepticism, but his body was very honest as he nodded.

"I believe."

"Would you like me to release them for you to see?" Zhao Fusheng asked with a smile.

"No!"

Before Zheng He could speak, Xu Yachen, Liu Rong, and the others refused loudly. Remembering the oppressive feeling when the fierce ghosts appeared earlier, they felt a chill in their hearts. With the lingering fear still present, how could they dare to look at the ghosts again?

Zheng He’s gaze flickered, and he also shook his head. "I dare not look; I naturally believe in you, my lady."

Seeing the fear on everyone's faces, Zhao Fusheng sighed with regret. "Very well, perhaps another time."

"..." Zheng He certainly did not want such an opportunity.

Then, Xu Yachen stepped forward with small, hurried steps. "My lady is truly a celestial being, the savior of Baozhi County. You have saved the more than one hundred and thirty members of my Xu family—"

As soon as he said this, a thought stirred in Zhao Fusheng’s mind.

One must know that the entire household of Liu Huacheng, once a prominent wealthy family in Wan’an County, including servants, consisted of only a little over a hundred people, and Liu Huacheng had been wealthy enough to rival a nation. That the Xu family had over a hundred members showed that this old man was quite affluent. Moreover, he was generous; since Zhao Fusheng arrived in Baozhi County yesterday, he had donated fifteen thousand taels of gold in total—a timely rain for the impoverished Wan’an County. If the Xu family could relocate, it would bring many benefits to Wan’an County in the future.

Greed stirred in her heart. She set down her teacup and said, "I have indeed done your Xu family a great favor, and now a chance to repay that kindness lies before you."

Zhao Fusheng continued, "Wan’an County is currently vast and sparsely populated, and it is precisely the time when we need people. Your Xu family has many descendants and numerous assets. Have you considered relocating the Xu family to Wan’an County?"

This was not the first time Zhao Fusheng had mentioned this, but Xu Yachen could tell that this time, her tone was completely different—more earnest and filled with a sense of threat.

"..."

Zheng He stood silently to the side. Faced with Zhao Fusheng poaching his subordinates, he showed no reaction at all. There were many wealthy families in Baozhi County; if Xu Yachen left, there were still countless gentry and merchants who could support him. Furthermore, in his current state, where a fierce ghost could awaken at any moment, he cared more about his own life than money. During his time in Baozhi County, he had long since hoarded enough mountains of gold and no longer valued wealth as much. If Xu Yachen wanted to leave, let him leave; he would not try to keep him.

"Let me state the ugly truth first." Zhao Fusheng picked up her teacup, holding the lid with one hand. As the lid touched the cup, it made a crisp sound. "Wan’an County is currently short of people, which is why I am personally extending this invitation. Once this village is passed, there will be no such shop."

She said calmly, "You have witnessed the situation of the ghost case tonight with your own eyes. With me stationed in Wan’an County, as long as I am alive, I cannot guarantee you longevity, but at least you will not suffer the ravages of ghosts."

"We will move!"

Unexpectedly, Xu Yachen did not struggle for long. He seemed to have made up his mind long ago and nodded. "It is just that my family has many assets. If we are to relocate, it cannot be done in a day; it requires processing. I hope for your forbearance, my lady."

Zhao Fusheng took a long look at the old man. He was cunning and experienced; he was unwilling to offend her, yet likely still evaluating the current state of Wan’an County. The Xu family did indeed have a large population, and it was reasonable for him not to want to gamble all his risks on her. However, she did not push too hard. Once Xu Yachen expressed his stance, several other gentry members stepped forward to speak with Zhao Fusheng. Everyone in the room promised to donate money.

After this ghost case, Zheng He’s popularity and prestige had been completely crushed by Zhao Fusheng. As Zhao Fusheng pressed Xu Yachen for a commitment, several others actually began to consider moving to Wan’an County. Although Wan’an County was currently a place of exile for the imperial court, the Zhao Fusheng before them was a powerhouse who had just resolved a disaster-level ghost calamity! There were few in the imperial court who could handle such cases, and those who could were always prioritized for the protection of the Emperor. If Zhao Fusheng could truly stay in Wan’an County for a long time, perhaps it would indeed be safe.

...

Thinking of this, several people could no longer sit still and asked in a hurry, "My lady, have we not been recorded in the Soul Life Register?"

"If you are not in the Soul Life Register, how long can you stay in Wan’an County in the future?"

"Our families are large and our businesses are extensive; moving would be a massive undertaking. If you were to leave shortly, we would—"

"Wan’an County is currently rife with ghost cases, and you are the only official in the county government who can handle them. Although you are formidable, you are not a deity with three heads and six arms—"

Although these people raised many questions, Zhao Fusheng could see that, compared to Xu Yachen, these people were truly tempted by her proposal. In other words, these people might well be her future subjects.

She glanced at Fan Busi, who smiled and stepped forward, silently leading them away to chat, allowing Zhao Fusheng some peace and quiet.

"My lady..."

Seeing that Zhao Fusheng was finally quiet, Liu Rong hurried forward. Initially, he had strongly opposed Zhao Fusheng using the Ding’an Tower for the case, fearing that everyone would die inside and stain the ancient building with blood. He had not expected that, in the end, not a single person had died in this major case. Zhao Fusheng had not only sealed the ghost but also ensured everyone's safety, and the Ding’an Tower remained undamaged. Apart from Zheng He, who was relieved, he was the happiest.

As soon as he spoke, Zhao Fusheng set down her teacup, her expression turning serious. "You have come at the right time; I happen to have something to instruct you."

Hearing this, Liu Rong’s face tightened. "Please speak, my lady."

"The room I stayed in upstairs—" Zhao Fusheng had intended to have Liu Rong seal off just that one room, but thinking it improper, she changed her mind. "Seal off the entire floor where I stayed. Do not let anyone enter."

Regarding the ghost’s killing, her expression was exceptionally stern. "Not a single soul, especially not Zheng He!"

When Zheng He first heard her instruct Liu Rong, he thought it was something important. It turned out she simply did not want anyone entering her room. Ghost-tamers often had strange quirks, and it was understandable that she would not want others touching the place she had lived in. It was a minor matter, and Zheng He did not take it to heart. "Rest assured, my lady. I will never touch the things you have used or the room you have stayed in—"

"That is not the reason." Zhao Fusheng shook her head and looked deeply at Zheng He. "If you want to save your life, keep that floor sealed."

"W-what?"

Upon hearing that his life was at stake, the smile on Zheng He’s face vanished. He became anxious and was about to ask further, but Zhao Fusheng had already stretched her back. "Where is the victory banquet you prepared for me tonight?"

The outer area of the Ding’an Tower had been largely dismantled to lure the ghost and looked a mess. Since Xu Yachen and the others, who had been used as temporary bait, had not left, the Ding’an Tower was clearly no longer suitable for a banquet.

Liu Rong’s spirits lifted, and he stepped forward to answer. "It is on the Pleasure Pavilion."

"Pleasure Pavilion?" Zhao Fusheng turned to look at him. Liu Rong held his round belly with one hand, smiling like a Maitreya Buddha. "Yes, my lady. The Pleasure Pavilion is the largest painted boat on the Jiajiang River in our Baozhi County; it can accommodate dozens of people."

He said ingratiatingly, "Everything is provided for. While you were washing up after the ghost case, Prefect Zheng had already ordered people to invite the Hongquan Opera Troupe to prepare."

"The fish are caught fresh from the river and cooked in a large pot—fresh, tender, and savory. Even the late Emperor praised it when he ate it."

As he spoke of the evening's arrangements, the cowering he had shown earlier when meeting the ghost vanished completely.

Zhao Fusheng nodded.

"Please follow me, my lady. There is a small path behind the garden that leads directly to the river. You can board the boat first, listen to some music, and the fish will be ready soon."

Zhao Fusheng responded and turned to look at Zheng He. She saw that the official of Baozhi County was distracted, looking up at the tower from time to time with a thoughtful expression. He had sensed an ominous premonition from Zhao Fusheng’s warning. The vigilance he had felt earlier made him realize that something terrifying might have happened upstairs, which could very well be detrimental to him. He then remembered that the moment he heard a noise and went upstairs to knock on the door, Zhao Fusheng had rebuked him harshly—at the time, he thought she was angry, but thinking back now, this official from Wan’an County might have been trying to save his life.

"Save... save me?" Zheng He muttered to himself, a look of confusion in his eyes.

Zhao Fusheng paid him no further attention. Judging by his expression, he had taken her warning to heart since it concerned his life. She walked with Liu Rong toward the riverbank, and sure enough, she saw the painted boat docked on the river from afar. This boat was meant for leisure and elegance, so its appearance prioritized beauty over utility. The hull was exquisitely carved, and it was already draped with red lanterns. One could faintly hear the sounds of strings and woodwinds being tuned, mingled with the noise of people running back and forth.

As she boarded, the view before her eyes was different from before. A light breeze blew from the river. Without the pressure of the fierce ghost, breathing the night air on the boat and looking at the river that seemed to merge with the darkness, Zhao Fusheng felt her whole body relax. She temporarily set aside the tension of survival and the vigilance against ghosts. The servants on the boat gave her a wide berth, and whenever they had to cross the deck, they moved with quiet, restrained steps.

After an unknown amount of time, she suddenly heard a long, soft, and melodious tune. The sound was light and pleasant, like the long chirping of a bird in a mountain, piercing her ears and making her turn around subconsciously.

"That is Liu Huangyu."

Zheng He’s voice rang out.

Zhao Fusheng’s ease gradually faded. A familiar smile appeared in her eyes, and though she still looked relaxed, her turn toward Zheng He made him feel as if she were still on guard.

"Liu Huangyu?" Zhao Fusheng asked with interest. "Is that the 'Peerless Lark' from the Hongquan Opera Troupe that was mentioned earlier?"

"Not 'Peerless Lark'," Zheng He shook his head. "Just 'Lark'."

As soon as he finished, he realized he had corrected Zhao Fusheng and feared she might be displeased, so he hurriedly added, "But you are indeed knowledgeable, my lady. The three generations of lead actresses of the Hongquan Opera Troupe are all called 'Lark'."

Zhao Fusheng tilted her head to signal him to continue. Zheng He did not know why she was interested in these details, but seeing that she was not angry at his boldness and seemed quite intrigued, he had to say, "The Hongquan Opera Troupe was not called that in the beginning. They were just an obscure troupe called the Liuchun Society."

"Their troupe leader was named Liu Chunquan. This Liu Chunquan had a daughter who was beautiful, had a good figure, and a voice that was truly peerless. After she went on stage, she became famous overnight."

Having reached the end of his life in these past two years, Zheng He was drowning in pleasure and spoke of the troupe’s history with great familiarity. "Liu Chunquan’s daughter adopted the stage name 'Peerless Lark' as soon as she debuted, and she was pursued by many in the Imperial Capital."

"Then why was the Liuchun Society renamed the Hongquan Society?" Zhao Fusheng asked.

Zheng He said, "Once 'Peerless Lark' debuted, she quickly became famous in the Capital. As time went on, people only remembered 'Peerless Lark'; who remembered an old man running a troupe?"

After he finished, he saw Zhao Fusheng frown and quickly realized he hadn't reached the point, so he hurriedly supplemented, "The reason it was renamed the Hongquan Opera Troupe later was because 'Peerless Lark's' original name contained the character 'Red'—"

When he said this, for some reason, Zhao Fusheng’s eyelid twitched. A thought crossed her mind, and she blurted out, "Liu Honghong?"

Zheng He’s stiff face twitched. "You know of her, my lady?"

After saying this, he quickly flattered her: "You are indeed well-informed."

"It really is Liu Honghong." Zhao Fusheng suppressed her internal shock and muttered to herself, "What a coincidence."

She remembered the ghost carriage in her room. Today, when she used her ghost arm to flip through the booklet in the fierce ghost’s hand, she had inadvertently turned to a page that displayed the name 'Liu Honghong.' She had not expected to hear news about this victim of the ghost carriage from Zheng He shortly after.

"It is a pity that she was only famous for half a year before she disappeared," Zheng He said, shaking his head with regret when mentioning this 'Peerless Lark.' "That was ten years ago. After she went missing, the Hongquan Society was silent for a long time. Later, Liu Chunquan bought another talented girl and taught her himself. It was hard for her to go on stage, but she became an instant hit, known as 'Lark.' Unfortunately—"

At this point, he began shaking his head again. "Good times don't last."

Zhao Fusheng’s heart stirred, and she continued, "She went missing too?"

"You guessed it, my lady?" Zheng He did not beat around the bush and answered.

"This Hongquan Opera Troupe is too unlucky; they lost two lead actresses in a row. If you ask me, Liu Chunquan is a character. After 'Peerless Lark' disappeared and he suffered the blow of losing his lead actress, he learned his lesson. When he bought 'Lark,' he also bought another girl to sing alongside her."

He said, "Later, after 'Lark' disappeared five years ago, this 'Little Lark' took the opportunity to return to the stage. The reputation of the Hongquan Society did not decline as it did when 'Peerless Lark' disappeared. This 'Little Lark' is no less talented than her predecessor and took over her master's burden. She is very popular in the Imperial Capital now, which is why the Hongquan Society has its current prestige—"

Zheng He spoke incessantly about the origins of the opera troupe, but Zhao Fusheng did not care about the fame of the Hongquan Opera Troupe. Through Zheng He’s words, her mind turned to something else.

"Ten years ago 'Peerless Lark' went missing, five years ago 'Lark' went missing—" She thought to herself, "A five-year cycle of disappearances. Calculating it, it is now time for another five years—"