Chapter 55: The Ghost's Death

"Can no longer possess the body?" Song Xirui paused slightly.

She frowned slightly and asked, "Why?"

The ghost floated around in front of her, supporting his spectral head with his two claws, and said, "That fellow invited your husband to the Prime Minister Temple. I was hiding quite well, but that old abbot acted out of kindness and gave your husband a talisman, which blasted me away. Fortunately, I ran fast, otherwise my little life would have been done for!"

With that, he let out a long breath of relief, as if still lingering in fear.

Hearing this, Song Xirui's expression remained calm and indifferent.

Metaphysics could not restrain everything in the world, and temples were sacred Buddhist grounds. For this ghost to escape with his life could be considered a stroke of good fortune. Presumably, the abbot had noticed the incense offerings he carried and simply chose not to deal a fatal blow.

Thinking of this, Song Xirui knew that further inquiry was useless, so she looked at the ghost and said, "You have consumed quite a lot of my incense offerings these past few days."

"Well..." The ghost shuddered inwardly, knowing the woman was reminding him that it was time to leave. Yet, having finally found someone willing to provide him with incense offerings, how could he just leave like that? He lingered and wheedled, "Madam, considering that I have helped you for many days, how about you let me go and be reincarnated!"

He had long seen that this woman was capable; as long as she recited the karma-cleansing mantra, his grievances would be resolved!

Seeing the eagerness on his face and remembering that this ghost had generally been obedient, Song Xirui said, "Since that is the case, after you are reincarnated as a human, you must never harm others again. Otherwise, not only will you face heavenly retribution, but your next life will also plunge straight into the underworld!"

The ghost immediately agreed.

Song Xirui closed her eyes and silently chanted the karma-cleansing mantra.

The ghost felt a continuous stream of golden light pouring into his body. During this period, the continuous offerings of incense, coupled with Song Xirui's final generosity, were more than enough.

Then, as if responding to some summons, the evil ghost soared directly into the sky, heading toward the realm of life, death, and reincarnation.

After finishing the chant, a layer of cold sweat beaded on Song Xirui's forehead. Strictly speaking, she should have taken a good rest, but instead, she began chanting incantations one after another, and then lowered her voice to a sharp cry toward a certain corner of her room: "Bind!"

In an instant, a rustling sound came from the corner of the wall.

She walked over, holding the candlestick.

Without any surprise, she saw a familiar face.

Xiao Yunci!

Song Xirui was naturally sharp-witted, and her face instantly turned indignant: "General, you still enjoy breaking into my room uninvited. If you had given advance notice, how could you have ended up in such an awkward predicament?"

This general simply had no sense of propriety, and she would definitely make him pay for it later. Unaware of the small tally Song Xirui was keeping against him in her mind due to his rudeness—to be repaid in full once he returned—

Xiao Yunci found himself pinned tightly to the corner by numerous small paper figures, unable to even grasp the dagger in his sleeve. He could only blink at Song Xirui for help.

Song Xirui raised her slender eyebrows slightly, thinking to herself, *You're getting a taste of your own medicine today*, and then gave a light chuckle.

She closed her eyes and silently chanted a couple more words.

The paper figures all scattered completely.

Gaining his freedom, Xiao Yunci walked over to the table in the room, sat down, turned his head, and said to Song Xirui who had followed him, "Madam's arts are truly astonishing."

"Naturally." Song Xirui sat down across from him, a triumphant smile curving the corners of her mouth. "I told you before, this is my method of self-preservation."

A trace of fluctuation flashed in Xiao Yunci's eyes, and he seized the opportunity to say, "Could I ask Madam to enlighten me a little? This general also wishes to witness the wonders of this metaphysical art."

Seeing that this man still harbored unyielding intentions, Song Xirui said in a calm tone, "This art must be practiced from childhood. Given the General's talent, it is far too late now."

Mocked, Xiao Yunci did not mind in the least.

He had long known she wouldn't teach him; he had simply asked out of stubborn persistence.

Then, he stated the purpose of his visit: "The Third Prince has traveled south of the Yangtze River on his own to investigate the corruption and bribery among officials in the south."

Hearing this, Song Xirui only nodded lightly: "Not surprising. Since he wants to meddle in the imperial examinations, he naturally has to avoid this matter. Otherwise, once it is exposed and the disaster falls upon him, things will take a turn for the worse. But is the Third Prince so certain that the people he arranged will handle matters steadily according to his plans? If they end up implicating him, even down south, it will be hard to escape the Emperor's wrath."

"That depends on how well he investigates this case." Xiao Yunci had just wanted to praise her intelligence, but hearing the second half of her sentence, he added, "Corruption in the south is severe. If the Third Prince can pacify it and refill the court's treasury, then this move will have meaning, and His Majesty might just turn a blind eye. After all, the problem right before our eyes is the most crucial one."

Moreover, imperial examination fraud had been common since ancient times.

Although such actions harmed the nation, their effects would not become apparent overnight.

Compared to the Ministry of Revenue running out of money, this could still be considered a minor issue for the moment.

At this point, looking up, he noticed that the usually calm and collected woman's face was now showing a hint of worry.

A stirring arose in Xiao Yunci's heart. His starry eyes revealed a look of understanding, and he said in a gentle tone, "Is Madam worried that this storm will implicate the Song family?"

"Naturally." Song Xirui made no attempt to conceal it. "The Third Prince arranged for Su Yun to act as a pawn in this imperial examination affair. If the General intends to use this matter to strike against the Third Prince, Su Yun will naturally find it hard to remain unscathed. At that time, people will inevitably suspect that the Song and Su families are cut from the same cloth, raising suspicions of officials shielding one another. How can the Song family possibly weather this alone?"

Her bottom line was exceptionally clear, and that was the Song family.

Anything that could harm her family required the utmost caution from her. It seemed the impact of the imperial examination affair on the Song family was unavoidable. When all was said and done, she had to find a way to divorce Su Yun as early as possible.

"General." Song Xirui leaned forward slightly. "I have already agreed to many of the General's conditions, and I only ask that the Song family never be dragged into this mess. Can the General promise me this?"

Her beautiful eyes stared fixedly at Xiao Yunci.

Xiao Yunci gave a soft laugh. Then, displaying a rare look of solemnity, he said, "Madam, although this general cannot be considered a good man, I am certainly no deceitful schemer. I can guarantee that I will protect you and protect the Song family! I will never let your parents be dragged into this!"

He needed Song Xirui's help, but that did not mean he regarded her entirely as a mere chess piece.

On the contrary, in his heart now, Song Xirui was a rare and precious ally.

Beyond that, he could not deny that he harbored some selfish motives as well—motives rooted in the hope that Song Xirui would not hate him, but instead feel a sense of closeness toward him.

Knowing that such a thought was shockingly unconventional, Xiao Yunci chose to do it anyway.

Seeing this, a trace of a smile finally bloomed on Song Xirui's face.

This was precisely the promise she wanted from Xiao Yunci!

Thinking of this, Song Xirui spoke softly, "If that is the case, this concubine also has a token of assistance to offer the General!"