The child's curiosity prompted little Yin Qing, who thought he was hiding well, to secretly stare at Ji Yuan for a while. As a result, the more he looked, the more creepy he became, and finally he couldn't help but run away.
After this scare, Yin Qing didn’t dare go back to look for his friends who played together. What would a child do when he is scared? He would run back home to look for his parents!
So Yin Qing did the same, running home breathlessly.
Yin Qing's home is also in Tianniufang. Even though it is at an angle to Ju'an Xiaoge, the straight-line distance is actually only a few hundred meters.
The Yin family's house is a small courtyard with a low wall, a house with a front hall and an inner room. The spacious front hall is separated by a simple screen. There is a reception room and a place for Yin's father and son to study. The kitchen is connected to the outside of the main house. Overall, it is an average to upper-class family.
Yin Qing ran back home in one breath, pushed open the gate with a "bang", and rushed into the hallway, startling Yin's mother who was weaving at home.
"Mother, mother!!! Over there, there is a big master, he, huff... that big master and the ghost, huff..."
"Don't be impatient, speak properly, what's the big gentleman or small gentleman?"
Yin's mother took out a handkerchief to wipe Yin Qing's sweat.
"You are so old, how can you speak so incoherently?"
A stern voice came, which scared Yin Qing and even suppressed the fear of suspected ghosts.
"Dad, you are at home..."
Yin Qing turned around and noticed that his father was sitting on a chair by the window in the hall with an open book.
"Qing'er, your father was recommended by Master Zhu and Master Zhou to be the teacher of the newly built school in the county. From now on, you don't have to go to the Zhu Mansion to be a private tutor."
"Master? Really, Daddy? When does it start?"
Yin Qing seemed very excited when he heard the news.
"Haha, of course it's true. It will take a few days, but not too long!"
Father Yin answered while stroking his beard with a look of complacency.
"When the time comes, you should go to the academy together. Don't fool around outside all day. Learn the books of sages and pass the imperial examinations in the future. That's the right way to go!"
"oh… "
Yin Qing actually hated reading, but he didn't dare to refute his father.
There were originally places for studying in Ning'an County, but most of them were private schools run by old scholars who were neither well-educated nor qualified for higher education.
This school can be regarded as a relatively formal and high-end learning place in Ning'an County. Theoretically, it is only slightly lower than those academies. Moreover, the age group of the school is younger, while the age group of the academy is older. If conditions permit, many families will choose to let their children stay in the school when they are young and then go to the academy when they grow up.
As an orthodox scholar who had achieved a second-class ranking in the provincial examination, Yin Zhaoxian was definitely a top figure among the scholars in the entire Ning'an County. He felt it was normal for him to be recommended as a private school teacher, and of course he was proud of it.
"By the way, what were you so flustered about just now?"
Yin Zhaoxian put down the book and looked at Yin Qing.
"Oh, yes, Daddy, there's a new resident in the Ju'an Pavilion over there. He's a very gentle and kind gentleman, but, but he talks to the ghosts inside..."
“Shhh!!!!”
Mother Yin suddenly covered Yin Qing's mouth.
"Is this something you can just say?"
Yin Zhaoxian's face was not looking good either. Even though he was knowledgeable and knew the ignorance of many villagers, he was still very secretive about Ju'an Pavilion. It was really that the house was too evil.
Then Yin Zhaoxian suddenly realized something, stared at his son and asked.
"How do you know that?"
"Uh... this... Mr. Da's eyesight is not very good. He was just fetching water at Shuangjing Port and got splashed with water, and his bucket fell over. I just helped him fetch water, but who knew he lived in Ju'an Xiaoge..."
Yin Qing lowered his voice in fear.
"You went in?"
Yin's mother asked nervously. Although it should be okay to enter Ju'an Pavilion in broad daylight, that place was too spooky. Yin Qing was a child with a weak temper, so the adults couldn't help but be nervous.
"No, no, my father and mother warned me so many times, how could I dare to go in? I just put down the burden at the door. But later, after I ran away, I saw the master talking in a certain direction outside the yard from a distance. He carried water into the yard and went out. He was still talking as he walked, as if there was someone following him. He also talked about something scary about life and death. I was so scared that I ran back home!"
After saying that, Yin Qing asked his father out of fear and curiosity.
"Dad, do you think it's possible that the ghost in Ju'an Pavilion came out with the master?"
Yin Zhaoxian also got goosebumps when he heard this, and Yin's mother covered Yin Qing's mouth again.
"Alright, alright, don't go over there to play next time. Also, don't tell anyone about this. Got it?"
"Oh, I see!"
Mother Yin hugged Yin Qing and rubbed his head.
"Husband, take Qing'er to the City God Temple to worship the City God and get rid of the bad luck, okay?"
After all, it concerns his own son, and Yin Zhaoxian is not pedantic. If it were some extreme scholars, they would probably mock it as superstition, but Ju'an Xiaoge is quite weird.
"Okay! After lunch, I'll take Qing'er to the City God Temple to burn incense!"
A few years ago, during a ritual, a trembling old wizard mentioned that the City God of Ning'an County was suppressing the people. Since then, people in Tianniufang have been worshipping the City God diligently during festivals.
. . .
Ji Yuan followed the Ri Xunyou through half of Ning'an County and arrived at the City God Temple in Miaosifang. After gradually arriving at crowded places, Ji Yuan and the Ri Xunyou didn't chat much anymore.
Until they arrived at the bustling City God Temple, an old man was standing in front of an incense and candle stall, and the Sun Parade hurried forward to pay its respects.
"Master City God, Mr. Ji is here!"
Because there were pilgrims and common people passing by, the old city god simply nodded at the parade.
The latter said, "I'll take my leave!" and floated away.
Ji Yuan originally thought that the City God would appear in a relatively secluded place in the temple, but he did not expect that the City God would appear directly outside the temple in the form of a mortal old man.
He was looking at the City God in a daze, but from Ji Yuan's half-open eyes, it was impossible to tell whether his gaze was focused or scattered. It was truly as calm as a still pond.
There was also a faint scent of sandalwood on this City God, but it was much lighter than that of the previous four chief officials.
The City God was also observing Ji Yuan. One could tell at a glance that his eyes were dead, but when Mr. Ji came, he was no different from an ordinary person. Moreover, although he was blind, there was no sense of turbidity in his eyes. Instead, there was a hint of plainness and vastness. After all, he was not an ordinary person!
The mutual observation actually lasted only a few seconds, and then the old man was the first to break the silence.
"Song Shichang, the City God of Ning'an County, thanks Mr. Ji for his generosity and for helping us eradicate the evil creatures!"
Seeing the old man bowing, Ji Yuan did not dare to be arrogant. Opposite him was the county god, an important figure like ghosts and gods. He hurriedly bowed as well, being more respectful than the old man.
"My Lord City God, I am so embarrassed. I just have some small tricks and happened to help the heads of various departments. It's nothing, nothing at all!!"
"Haha, Mr. Ji, you are too modest. I know that Mr. Ji must not have had breakfast yet. I have already booked a table of snacks in the temple building. Let's go over there and talk, please!"
Ji Yuan also quickly followed the example of the City God and extended his hand to make a request, not daring to be arrogant at all.
"Obedience is worse than respect, please!"
Seeing that the area around the City God Temple was bustling with people coming in and out of the temple to worship the City God from time to time, and the City God was right next to him, Ji Yuan felt even more nervous than when he came here.
'Relax, relax, don't let your legs get stiff...'
If someone could see the clay statues in the temple walk down and chat with you, they would probably be able to understand how Jiyuan feels now.