chapter 8
I need an identity.
An identity that allows me to remain in the palace, to stay by Xiao Qi’s side.
At present, it is the Zhaoning Twelfth Year.
This year, Shangjing saw no rain for three months, and thousands of acres of crops in the outskirts of the capital nearly withered away.
I remember that this drought did not last long.
So I volunteered to pray for rain.
I offered my prayers atop the high platform.
At the third watch of the night, a torrential downpour arrived.
The Emperor was overjoyed and honored me as the Goddess, keeping me in the palace to accompany him.
Recalling events from my previous life, I made several predictions.
Thus, I quickly became a favorite before the Emperor.
That day, as I left the Imperial Study, I happened to run into Grand Tutor Gu Yan, who had come to discuss state affairs.
As we passed each other, he rebuked me.
“Deceiving with tricks and superstition.”
I raised my brows slightly. “How does the Grand Tutor know that it isn’t real?”
Gu Yan sneered.
“Ghosts and gods are nothing but nonsense.”
“Goddess, you’d best hope I don’t catch you slipping.”
I let out a cold laugh, my eyes deep and chilling.
“Is that so?”
“Then the Grand Tutor had better keep a clear conscience and refrain from evil deeds.”
“Otherwise, beware the Vengeful Ghost seeking your life.”
In my previous life, Gu Yan forged a handwritten letter and conspired with Duan Changfeng, who had just returned from the frontier, to falsely accuse His Highness of treason.
This enraged the Emperor, who stripped His Highness of his title as Crown Prince.
Everything Gu Yan did was to pave the way for Xiao Zhe.
Xiao Zhe’s birth mother was a beauty presented by Nanzhao.
When Gu Yan was young, he stayed in Nanzhao as a guest and met her several times.
He longed for her but could not have her. She lingered in his thoughts.
The first time he saw Xiao Zhe,
He recognized those eyes that resembled the one he could never forget.
He was willing to give everything for those eyes.
He would push that child, who admired and respected him with all his heart, into an abyss of no return.
And I-I am the Vengeful Ghost who crawled out of the abyss, hunting souls and seeking retribution.
I will never let him go.