Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

After reading and replying to the letter, the porridge in the East Courtyard kitchen was ready. The fragrant sweet porridge was served on the table, and Zhang Jingwei and Huangfu Ling sat opposite each other and tasted it together.

Huangfu Ling gently stirred the sweet porridge in the bowl, suddenly raised her head, looked at Zhang Jingwei with a full gaze and said, "Brother Qi, now you are about to embark on a career as an official. If you move away from here and live somewhere else in the future, will you take me with you?" There was a hint of expectation and uneasiness in her tone.

Zhang Jingwei smiled slightly and jokingly said, "What's the matter? Ling'er is reluctant to leave father-in-law?"

Huangfu Ling pouted and said coquettishly, "No! I've been working in the military camp since I was a child, and I've become wild. I really don't know how to be a qualified officer's wife." After she finished speaking, she lowered her head slightly, a blush on her face.

Zhang Jingwei asked with great interest, "Oh? Is there something else that the official's wife should be particular about?"

Huangfu Ling frowned, thought for a moment, and then replied, "Well... I'm not really sure what the specific rules are, but I think you should always be careful about your words and actions and not lose face."

Zhang Jingwei burst into laughter, reached out and gently scratched Huangfu Ling's nose, and said soothingly, "Silly girl, there's no need for so much formalities. In all these years, have you ever considered your father's reputation? Aren't you living a free and unrestrained life?"

Huangfu Ling blinked, thought for a moment, then smiled sheepishly and muttered, "It seems... indeed not."

Zhang Jingwei held Huangfu Ling's hand and said seriously, "So, Ling'er, we don't have to care about what others think. We should continue to live the same way as before. To hell with all those rumors! As long as we treat each other sincerely and live a good life, that's more important than anything else."

Huangfu Ling smiled with satisfaction and slurped the honey porridge.

......

The next morning, the sun had just risen, casting a golden glow across the landscape. As usual, Zhang Jingwei donned his shorts and began his daily run. He ran through the familiar courtyard, breathing in the fresh air and feeling his body gradually recharge with energy.

When he ran to the small firewood courtyard, he suddenly noticed some figures moving in the yard. A strong curiosity surged in his heart, driving him to stop and slowly approach the dilapidated gate.

Standing at the door, Zhang Jingwei peered into the courtyard. The sight left him stunned, nearly terrified. Li Yi, who should have been long dead, was actually sitting on a small bench in the courtyard, holding a bowl of leftover honey porridge from yesterday, leisurely plucked it from his mouth.

"Ghost...Ghost!" Zhang Jingwei screamed in terror, his voice piercing the morning silence. His legs instantly felt as weak as cotton, but his instinct for survival compelled him to turn and flee. He stumbled along the way, nearly falling to the ground several times, but he paid no heed to the pain, not even the courage to look back.

Zhang Jingwei had always been a staunch materialist. After graduating from university, he'd worked the night shift for several years, experiencing all sorts of bizarre experiences, but he'd never truly believed in ghosts. However, now that something as absurd and bizarre as time travel had actually happened to him, his deepest convictions about materialism began to waver.

Qian Ming in the East Courtyard shouted in horror, "Master!"

Zhang Jingwei's face turned pale, his whole body trembling, he stammered, "Ghost...ghost!" Qian Ming's eyes widened, and he responded in disbelief, "Master, where does a ghost come from in broad daylight? Are you seeing things?"

However, Zhang Jingwei seemed to have lost his soul. He pointed ahead and said tremblingly: "Li, Li Yi!"

Hearing this name, Qian Ming was also shocked and asked in surprise: "Li Yi? How is it possible? Didn't he die a long time ago?"

Zhang Jingwei's voice was filled with tears: "It's his ghost, it's in our yard!" At this time, Zhang Jingwei was so scared that he collapsed on the ground.

Qian Ming quickly stepped forward to help Zhang Jingwei up and comforted him, "Master, please get up first. Don't be afraid. I'll go find you a pair of pants to change into."

At this moment, Wang Ergou rushed over after hearing the news and asked anxiously, "Master, what is going on?"

Qian Ming turned around and explained to Wang Ergou, "The young master said he saw a ghost, and it was Li Yi's ghost!"

After hearing this, Wang Ergou couldn't help but gasp and opened his mouth in astonishment: "Ah? Li Yi? No, Master..."

Zhang Jingwei became increasingly agitated upon seeing this, and cried out loudly, "You actually don't believe me! If I hadn't rescued him, he would have died long ago! But now he's turned into a ghost and he's blaming me! Woo woo woo..." Looking at the nearly collapsed Zhang Jingwei, Wang Ergou didn't know how to respond for a moment, and could only stammer, "Uh... Young Master..."

Before Wang Ergou could finish his words, Mu Tou rushed in. His face was filled with worry, and his gaze fell directly on Zhang Jingwei. He asked anxiously, "Master, what happened? Why are you so panicked?"

Qian Ming, who was standing by, quickly chimed in, "Master, you've seen a ghost!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Tou's eyes widened and he shouted angrily, "What? Someone actually dares to play tricks here! Where is that ghost now?" Qian Ming pointed in a direction and said in a trembling voice, "It's in Xiao Chaiyuan!"

After getting the exact news, Mu Tou turned around and ran towards Chaiyuan without saying a word.

Seeing this, Wang Ergou followed closely behind while shouting, "Hey! Mu Tou! Wait for me!"

Zhang Jingwei had just recovered from his shock and looked down at his wet pants. He couldn't help but feel extremely embarrassed and annoyed, muttering to himself, "Damn it... I was so scared that I peed my pants! This is so embarrassing!"

Qian Ming hurriedly comforted him, "Don't worry, Master. Mu Tou is here! He's incredibly brave. No demon or monster can get close to you!" Zhang Jingwei took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He consoled himself, "Maybe I'm seeing things. How could there really be ghosts in this world..."

After a while, Mu Tou brought the half-dead Li Yi to Zhang Jingwei.

"Master, I've checked it, it's alive!"

Mu Tou also felt it was strange. Shouldn't this person be dead? How could he appear in Chai's yard?