Chapter 122: Chapter 121: Here to Cause Trouble?
"The incense offerings haven’t been a problem lately. Even people from the towns near Shangjing have heard of us and made special trips to come and worship."
"Then it’s time to find the next place."
"What?"
"Temples, of course. You don’t really think I’d only build one temple, do you? I plan to spread King Yan’s temples everywhere!" Yu Nianzhao cast him a sidelong glance.
Dongfang Chenyuan touched his nose, awkwardly saying, "The Princess Consort has quite ambitious goals. Leave this matter to Yiu Renjian."
"Hahahaha, what a joke! A future Princess Consort Su builds herself a temple, crafts a golden statue of herself. Quite amusing indeed! Has she prepared herself to enter the Buddhist order once she’s widowed in the future?"
"And this temple is so magical, it can dispel fox demons? It’s probably all made up to drum up incense offerings, spread by someone intentionally, right?"
"Yuncheng, I heard this future Princess Consort Su is the sister you Pei Family raised in the countryside. Could she have been raised in a nunnery when she was young? That’s why she has a fondness for temples?"
Unpleasant voices reached over, and Yu Nianzhao looked up to see Pei Yuncheng and a few richly dressed young nobles, laughing and stepping inside.
Pei Yuncheng laughed awkwardly and said, "Yes, she was raised in the countryside, probably came out from Tomb Guard City, which is why she’s thinking of building temples."
"Oh right, she’s from Tomb Guard City, so maybe she’s picked up a fair bit of mischief along the way. Hence the need to build a temple for purification, hahahaha!"
A group of young noblemen laughed without restraint. Pei Yuncheng’s expression was rather restrained, forcing a few laughs along.
"Damn it! Are these bastards speaking ill of the Princess Consort?" Dongfang Chenyuan squinted his eyes, rolled up his sleeves, ready to confront them.
Yu Nianzhao stopped him, "What are you planning to do, fight them?"
Dongfang Chenyuan widened his eyes and said, "But we can’t just let them slander the Princess Consort here. Whether I can beat them or not, they need a lesson."
"With those novice skills of yours, forget it. Besides, this is King Yan’s temple, and there are other pilgrims around. Don’t damage my things."
"Princess Consort, are we just going to let them spew nonsense?"
"Dongfang, do you think I’m someone who lets others bully me?" Yu Nianzhao gave him a look as if he were an idiot.
Dongfang Chenyuan, "..."
Indeed, anyone who crosses the Princess Consort is asking for trouble. He stood back comfortably, ready to watch the show.
"How does the Princess Consort intend to teach them a lesson?"
"Coming to my King Yan’s temple, not making them bleed is impossible. They can leave, but their silver must stay." Yu Nianzhao sported a sinister smile, making the group of young noblemen inexplicably feel chilled down their spines.
"Gentlemen, don’t talk nonsense. I’m the hunter in the story. This is absolutely true. If it weren’t for my arrival at this temple when I got lost, I would’ve been swallowed by the fox demon."
The hunter brought his wife and children to offer incense, couldn’t help but speaking up upon hearing these words. Ignoring his wife’s discouragement, he defended the King Yan’s temple, "The gods can hear our voices. It’s not good to speak disrespectfully if they hear you."
"Who do you think you are?"
The handsome yet arrogant young noble glanced at the hunter’s bandaged leg, sneering, "You claim to be the hunter in that story? How much silver did Yu Nianzhao give you to make up tales here?"
The hunter hurriedly waved his hand, "This isn’t true at all. We’re here to fulfill our vow with offerings. King Yan saved my life, and I will devote my life in faith."
The hunter’s wife hugged her child, timidly spoke, "We are just ordinary people. King Yan saved my husband’s life, and our whole family is grateful. We haven’t taken any money to lie. Gentlemen, please don’t mind my husband. He speaks out only out of gratitude."
Yu Nianzhao felt her body warm up. The incense inside the Purification Bottle, though still shallow at the bottom, had clearly risen some.
She softly murmured, "These are the purest incense offerings. The deeper the faith, the more abundant my incense will be."
Yu Nianzhao flipped her palm, and the Purification Bottle disappeared, replaced by a wisp of purple-golden flame, "Is my divine power gradually restoring?"
[Yes, Master, your divine power is truly restoring. It’s wonderful, I’m moved, I want to cry!]
[With Master’s divine power restored, Jiu’s power will grow stronger too!]
[Once your divine power is nearly restored, you’ll be able to locate where the Ghost King is. Once captured, we’ll be able to return to the Underworld openly.]
"Pshaw, do you think I’ll believe your ghost stories? King Yan? She’s just a little girl wanting to be King Yan? What am I then? Let me see... I suppose I must be the Jade Emperor? Hahaha, quite a pretentious act she has going there."
The young nobles gathered together, roaring with laughter, drawing sideways glances from those nearby offering incense.
"This... this is too much."
The hunter’s face alternated between green and white hues. His voice was feeble, wishing to say a few more words for the King Yan who saved him, but was held back by his wife.
His wife shook her head helplessly.
These few young lords looked every bit either wealthy or noble, not people they could afford to offend.
"That’s Chu Wenyao, the legitimate son of Duke Luu’s second wife. He always follows Chu Wenjun. He used to engage in mischief with Chu Wenjia and Chu Wenxin. He’s a thorough wastrel."
Dongfang Chenyuan pointed at those people and sneakily introduced them to her, "The one next to him is Liu Yi, the youngest son of Mr Liu. His sister married Chu Wenjia, so there’s a somewhat connected relationship. But the Liu Family and the Chu Family haven’t been getting along well lately. Still, these two are playing together. The other one is the Marquis Chengyang’s youngest son, born by his current wife, favored very much. The Marquis Chengyang even plans to give him the hereditary title. All in all, these few only hold idle positions in Shangjing, children backed by power, hence especially bold."
"Tch, what a bunch resolved under someone’s backing!" Yu Nianzhao squinted her eyes, walking over with light steps.
"Are you gentlemen here to cause trouble?"
Yu Nianzhao spoke lightly, drawing their attention instantly to her, "Digest your courage against ghosts and gods, careful not to stumble at midnight."
"Zhaozhao!" Pei Yuncheng saw her, called out awkwardly, "Everyone was just joking around. Don’t take it seriously."
"Is this your sister Yu Nianzhao?" Chu Wenyao squinted, his decadent gaze scanning Yu Nianzhao up and down, flippantly saying, "She does look charming, no wonder Prince Su fancies her. After all, Prince Su is a man. Ultimately, he still values beauty, not as indifferent as rumored."
Pa!
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Wenyao felt a chill run down his body, trembling, he helplessly watched his hand rise and viciously slap himself!