Chapter 86: More Terrifying Than Evil Spirits
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“Father, why do you appear so troubled? Father, why are your eyes so red?” inquired the fifth prince, gripping a clay figurine that depicted a person urinating, as he gazed up at the king.
The sixth prince leaned in and whispered, “Is it because you excluded us from your trip to urinate?”
Observing the scene become unbearable, the crown prince discreetly pulled at his two younger brothers.
With a deep breath, the king fought to contain the intense emotions of despair and collapse welling inside him. With a dismissive gesture, he commanded, “Return to your quarters, return to your quarters. I do not wish to see you two now.”
What he yearned for were the pure, innocent memories of childhood, not mortifying stories of who could urinate the farthest!
The crown prince pressed his lips together tightly; he had to exert great self-control to prevent himself from bursting out laughing.
“Father, Chao Chao wishes to visit Fourth Brother. Please allow me to accompany her. Tomorrow, Fourth Brother will return to the National Temple, and I desire to be with him,” the crown prince earnestly requested.
Although it was widely believed that Consort Xian and the queen were adversaries, in reality, the crown prince had a special affection for Consort Xian. Perhaps it was because he and the fourth prince were similar in age and resemblance, thus drawing Consort Xian’s immense affection.
“Go ahead, and try to console Consort Xian. I am worried she might cry tears of blood again,” the king stated, his hand pressed against his forehead in concern.
How could he not hold dear the fourth prince? He had faced substantial pressure from both civil and military officials to keep the fourth prince alive, a decision that had brought significant political tension, allowing the prince only short visits home each year.
“Chao Chao, you aren’t frightened, are you?” the crown prince asked, looking at the young girl with concern. “The fate of my fourth brother has been harsh. On the day he was born, all the fresh flowers in Consort Xian’s palace withered—an ominous sign that drew attention across the capital. Since then, he has attracted the attention of malevolent spirits, and sightings of vengeful ghosts have frequently been reported in the palace. Fortunately, his transfers to the National Temple have mitigated these occurrences. However, his stays in the palace must always be brief.”
Chao Chao blinked her eyes boldly, declaring, “Chao Chao is brave, not scared at all!” She patted her chest. To her, vengeful ghosts were merely objects of curiosity, even endearing.
“Do not linger too long, go early and return early. And do not frighten Chao Chao,” the king advised, noting her eagerness to depart and offering no objections.
Lu Chao Chao clung to the crown prince as they made their way to the Xian Qing Palace.
The palace was minimally staffed, which puzzled Chao Chao, so the crown prince explained, “My fourth brother attracts evil spirits due to his aura, so only those servants with strong life forces can work here.” He tightened his grip on Chao Chao’s hand.
In fact, some palace servants had been so terrified that they died from fear. Even before nearing the palace, a chill could be felt, accompanied by distant, eerie cries. The fourth prince could not be raised in the palace due to the unresolved presence of many spirits drawn to him.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
[Wow, wow, wow, there’s a water ghost in the pond… Yah, yah, yah, there’s also one in the well, hahaha, they are climbing out. Ah, there’s also one with a charred body, burned to death…] Lu Chao Chao observed with curiosity, chanting excitedly and sending chills down the crown prince’s spine, hastening their steps.
They reached the main hall, where temple bells hung in each corner to ward off evil spirits.
Inside, Consort Xian sobbed softly, her cries so intense she struggled to breathe. “My son, how I wish I could bear your suffering instead. You have been tormented since birth, never experiencing a day of peace. Jun An, Jun An, why won’t the heavens grant you a single day of peacefulness?”
“Mother, do not cry, I am not suffering, truly, I am not suffering,” the little monk reassured her, kneeling and wiping away her tears. “It is my fault, Mother. Because I cannot remain by your side, you endure such loneliness.”
The little monk’s expression was one of guilt. “I cannot stay for long; these few days have been the happiest for me. More and more vengeful spirits are gathering outside, so I must leave soon to prevent them from harming you. The master’s bells can only protect us for fifteen days.”
The crown prince sighed quietly, and the eyes of Consort Xian’s personal maid welled up with tears.
“Mother, I have enough clothing, please do not strain your eyes by making more,” the fourth prince pleaded.
Each piece of clothing worn by Jun An had been sewn by Consort Xian herself, never allowing others to do it.
“There’s nothing wrong with making a few extra pieces for you,” Consort Xian replied, her eyes swollen as she packed her son’s travel bag.
It had been six years of sending her son away again and again, watching his figure recede into the distance.
“The master has said, once I turn eighteen, I can lead a normal life. Mother…” Xie Jun An was visibly scared. As he grew, he struggled increasingly to suppress the aura about him.
“Consort Xian…” the crown prince spoke softly as he entered the room.
Consort Xian stood up, acknowledging the crown prince with a nod.
“Brother Crown Prince…” The fourth prince also greeted him, familiar from previous visits to the temple.
“I and Chao Chao came to see you; you return to the temple tomorrow, and we don’t know when we will see each other again?” the crown prince reached behind him, startled to find it empty.
“Chao Chao?!” the crown prince exclaimed in panic. “She was just here!”
“Oh no, it’s unclean outside!” Consort Xian wiped her tears and rushed toward the back hall in fear.
Fourth Prince Xie Jun An turned deathly pale as well.
They hurried over, and before they even opened the door, they heard the little one’s giggling.
“So fun… Higher, even higher…” Lu Chao Chao laughed joyously.
As they opened the door, they saw a white figure hanging from the beam at the end of the corridor.
It was a hanged ghost from the palace, burdened with a heavy grudge.
At that moment… the hanged ghost stuck out its crimson tongue, shedding blood tears, suspended from a white silk ribbon, with Lu Chao Chao gripping her legs, her feet off the ground.
She kept shouting, “Swing higher, even higher… so fun!”
Lu Chao Chao was also next to a disheveled water ghost holding a fruit tray, looking flattered. As she swung back and forth, the water ghost fed her a piece of fruit with a fork when the opportunity presented itself.
The fourth prince stood with his mouth agape, unable to regain his composure. His master from the temple had visited multiple times to exorcise these stubborn spirits. Previously, this hanged ghost had even spoken arrogantly, provoking his master to the point of frustration… At this moment… the evil spirits cried loudly, causing those ghosts attracted to the Xian Qing Palace to silently retreat.
LOL