In recent times, the Lu family's haunted house in Qingzhou Prefecture has been a hot topic of discussion among the officials of the Exorcism Department.
The first is because of its danger; the second is because of its generous mission rewards; and the third is because of its historical sensitivity.
After all, its former owner, Lu Huan, the former chief minister of the cabinet, was executed by the Nine Tribes for committing treason.
Before that, the Lu family in Qingzhou was one of the four powerful and famous clans.
But now, that once-prominent family has completely vanished into thin air.
The splendid and bustling mansion back then has turned into a lonely and gloomy ghost house that everyone fears.
"Could the evil spirit making trouble in the Lu family's mansion be the resentful spirit of Lu Shoufu?" In an inconspicuous corner of the Yishui Exorcist Department's Yamen, a group of clerks gathered together during lunch break to discuss secretly.
"How is it possible? Back then, Chief Minister Lu secretly colluded with the northwest barbarians and conspired to rebel, but there is irrefutable evidence! It is said that the rebellious minister and traitor still wanted to resist, but His Majesty the Emperor personally took action to capture him - Your Majesty is the practitioner closest to the immortal in our Qi Dynasty. If he takes action, the rebel thief will be completely destroyed, and it will be difficult for him to turn into a ghost."
"Lu Huan really deserves death! But in such a big Lu family, there will always be many innocent people implicated! Like his wife, children, maids, servants... as well as those old people who are over seventy years old, as well as Yiya Xuexue None of the children who spoke fluent words survived. These people will not rebel with Lu Huan, right?"
"If you really think so, then you are too naive! If you think about it carefully, if Lu Huan's rebellion succeeds, wouldn't his wife become the queen? Wouldn't his children become princes and princesses? Even His butler can become the chief chamberlain - ahem, if he is willing... this is how one person can ascend to heaven!"
"Shh, keep your voice down! It wouldn't be good if outsiders heard this."
"To be honest, I actually feel sorry for the Lu family. I once heard the elders in the family say that the ladies of the Lu family in Qingzhou are all beautiful and have different styles - not only are they beautiful, but they are also beautiful. She has outstanding talents and is good at writing poems and painting. Alas, it’s a pity that they were all implicated by the traitor Lu Huan... It would be great if one of them could be my wife!"
"What a beautiful idea you have! Even if they are still alive, they will only find a well-matched man among the four wealthy families to get married. It will not be the chance for a petty official like you who can't even afford a house with a monthly salary of two taels!"
"By the way, brother, I remember reading in the old newspaper that a girl from the Lu family was not executed because she was too beautiful. Instead, she was deprived of her cultivation and sent to the Luojing Jiaofang Division. went--"
"——Are you talking about Lu Shiyao, a talented girl from the Lu family who was known as the 'most beautiful woman in Jiaodong'? She was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and her knowledge and talent surpassed all the young talents in the country?"
"Yes, it's her."
"Haha, you must not have read the newspaper carefully. Lu Shiyao calls herself 'Fairy Suxue' and has always been cold and aloof. How could someone like her be willing to go to the Jiaofang Division and work as a member of the high-ranking officials in the capital? A plaything? She had already committed suicide by jumping off a cliff on the way to the capital."
"Oh, it would be great if she is still alive. I am very curious, who is better in beauty, Lu Shiyao, the former most beautiful woman in Jiaodong, and Princess Zhaoning, the current most beautiful woman in Luojing..."
"Anyway, the reward for the meritorious service in the Lu family's murderous house case, as well as the top-grade spells, really make me excited!"
"Young man, don't think too much! With your low level of cultivation, after going to that haunted house, you will probably only be able to become food for evil spirits..."
"..."
At this time, Gu Xu was passing by the corridor of the Exorcist Department's Yamen and happened to hear the discussion of these minor officials.
He had to lament that politics and women would always be eternal topics in men's chats.
However, even if the whole world is discussing the Lu Family Haunted House, and even if the reward for this case is increased to 10,000 meritorious deeds, Gu Xu will not accept this task even if he kills him.
After all, it is important for people to know themselves.
…………
Today is different from the past.
Gu Xu came to the Yamen not to do a task, but to apply for reimbursement of funds.
In the past few days, he has been repairing and renovating his old house as planned.
In fact, he had wanted to do this for a long time after successfully passing the promotion assessment.
But because of the financial constraints, he has been delaying and has not started taking action.
Until recently, Cui Tianyou told him that Daqi officials could apply for reimbursement if they changed the lintels.
"Brother Cui, you didn't tell me about such a good thing earlier!"
"Brother Gu, I see that you are busy practicing and doing tasks every day. How dare I disturb you?"
In the Daqi Dynasty, there were strict rules and regulations for the construction of residential gates.
For example, the lintel, which is the beam on the upper part of the door frame above the main entrance, is only allowed to be marked on the residences of imperial officials. The houses of ordinary people are not allowed to have lintels.
The lintels are also distinguished according to the number of two, four and twelve.
Those with two door stops on the lintel correspond to officials of fifth rank and below; four door stops correspond to officials of fourth rank and above; as for those with twelve door stops, they can only be used by princes and above.
In addition, Daqi officials also emphasize that "the door is higher than the road", so there must be steps in front of the house.
But the steps cannot be repaired haphazardly, they must be built according to the system.
The steps in front of the doors of officials of the sixth rank and below cannot be higher than the second level, and the steps in front of the doors of the fifth-rank officials cannot be higher than the third level... And the steps in front of the ninth rank are the number that represents the apex, and no one can use it except the emperor.
Therefore, people often use terms such as "brilliant lintel" and "advancement" to describe the improvement of status.
Due to the existence of extraordinary power in this world, the speed of repairing the house is much faster than Gu Xu expected.
In just a few days, the peeling adobe wall disappeared and turned into brand new white walls and black tiles; the old creaking wooden door also disappeared and turned into a solemn black door with iron rings.
The stone steps at the door are also much higher than those of the surrounding neighbors, causing countless passers-by to stop and watch.
"Brother Gu, I actually think that now that you have become an eighth-grade official, living in a small place like Ping'an Lane is too aggrieved and not worthy of your status at all. You can totally find a better location and buy Set up a larger house and hire some servants to run errands..." Cui Tianyou couldn't help but suggest to Gu Xu.
"Can you reimburse me?" Gu Xu interrupted him.
"Well...this cannot be reimbursed, but if you are a little careful with your budget, you don't need to spend too much money..."
"Forget it." Gu Xu shook his head and stopped discussing this topic with him.
Even if he has money, he still wants to use it for cultivation. How can he spend it on such a meaningless face-saving project?
…………
After receiving the funds, Gu Xu returned home.
Looking at the brand-new environment around him, he felt happy.
"Bring a pen and paper!" he ordered the little book boy on the screen.
Then he splashed ink on the paper and wrote three large, smooth and elegant characters "Changshengzhai" on the paper. He framed it with magic and hung it in his room.
Literati often gave their living rooms or studies a meaningful name to express their feelings and interests.
And Gu Xu always thought that he was a common man with no ambitions.
All he wanted in his life was "immortality".
