Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 697 - 637: Ghost Consort

Chapter 697: Chapter 637: Ghost Consort

"Within the law, there are two types of justice: one is called procedural justice, and the other is called consequential justice,"

"Procedural justice means that even when the sky falls, justice must still be practiced."

"Consequential justice means that the ultimate standard for judging right and wrong actions is whether the action promotes human happiness and well-being; the justice of the law must reflect the greatest benefit to the greatest number."[Note 122]

"These two distinctly different justices, I do not demand that you revere either one. Although you are students, you will, in the future, become contributors to the law. You should have your own thoughts and understanding of the law."

"Well, today’s lesson is just about over. Everyone tidy up, and since you have all been performing well recently, let’s go to the restaurant tonight, my treat!"

During this period, although Zhang San often visited the Imperial College to read books and search for the Spirit Platform Illusion references suitable for his own Red Gold Wheel Sea,

he also lectured to the students in Law Class A.

Originally, the other three classes in legal studies had also asked Zhang San to lecture.

But after Zhang San had lectured once, the teachers of the three classes found that they were having trouble leading their classes.

The students always raised various peculiar questions.

Although these three teachers were from the Legalism faction, the intimidating charisma of this prospective heir truly made them apprehensive.

Sure enough, teaching his own students in Law Class A was the most enjoyable for him—look at them, each expressing their own views, never shying away from anything.

When the students heard that the teacher was inviting them out for a meal, they were all very happy.

"Teacher, where are you taking us for the meal?"

"Teacher, I’ve heard there’s a good restaurant in Jin City Fang called Fragrant Delight Restaurant, but it’s a bit pricey. Cough, cough... I heard our teacher is about to be ennobled, just waiting for the decree. Teacher, shall we celebrate in advance?"

Zhang San had originally wanted to take the students somewhere different, but he never expected that they would want to go there.

"Alright. Then let’s go to that one. Order whatever you like, it’s on me!"

The students cheered and followed Zhang San out of the classroom, even though, according to the timings of the Imperial College, classes were not yet dismissed.

But as for the students and teachers of other classes at the Imperial College, such behavior was nothing new.

Rules about class dismissal?

Why not go to the stone bridge where Zhang San slaughtered the Grand Preceptor and ask around about the rules of the Imperial College?

However, just as Zhang San and his group had left the Imperial College, they saw a troop of cavalry galloping past.

Zhang San frowned slightly and asked a student nearby, "Who are these people? They look quite arrogant."

Many students did not know this person, but Wen Bi did.

"Teacher, don’t you know this person?"

Zhang San asked curiously, "Why would I know him?"

"This person is the Imperial Son-in-law, aren’t you the adopted son of Empress Dugu? Don’t you know, Teacher?"

Zhang San shook his head.

Afterward, he brought everyone to the Fragrant Delight Restaurant in Jin City Fang and selected a spacious private room. Once the students were seated, Zhang San began to inquire in detail.

"It is said, teacher, I also heard it from people at home. This Ghost Consort’s name is Xin Daoyin, originally just an idle loafer who was always scolded at home, so he left and wanted to make a living in the Capital. On his way, he stumbled upon a mansion and was lured inside by a beautiful woman at the door."

"Then, some incidents occurred that students are too embarrassed to speak about."

"Afterward, the woman gave him a hairpin as a farewell gift. But later, after Xin Daoyin arrived in the Capital and still couldn’t find food, he pawned the hairpin."

"Coincidentally, at that time the Crown Prince had sent someone to redeem some items from the pawnshop, strangely enough, why would the Crown Prince lack money? But that’s not important, what’s important is that the Crown Prince’s person discovered a hairpin that could only come from within the Imperial Palace, and then redeemed it and handed it to the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince immediately took the item to Empress Dugu and then found this Xin Daoyin."

"As it turned out, that hairpin was a part of Empress Dugu’s dowry, later given to her daughter Princess Qin Yu. When Princess Qin Yu was married off to the Western Regions, seeing the hairpin turn up, Empress Dugu worried about her daughter’s safety."

"After finding Xin Daoyin, upon further investigation, the situation felt increasingly eerie, because the woman Xin Daoyin described looked exactly like Princess Qin Yu."

"Thus, Kaihuang dispatched personnel from the Town Martial Office and the Town Demon Office to the location Xin Daoyin mentioned, but they found no mansion, only a nameless grave."

"On opening it, they found it was Princess Qin Yu’s body. What happened afterward was..."

Wen Bi leaned close to Zhang San’s ear and whispered, "These matters are highly confidential and must not be disclosed. It was only after Kaihuang had it investigated that they discovered Princess Qin Yu had died of illness en route. The entourage sending the princess feared that her death would implicate them and decided to let a maid impersonate the princess, and sent her to the Western Regions. Those in the Western Regions were unaware,"

"And the original Princess Qin Yu was buried on the spot. Hence, the soul of Princess Qin Yu haunts that area, unrestful in death."

"Later, Kaihuang had Princess Qin Yu’s body brought back and even constructed an unnamed Imperial Son-in-law residence in the Capital, then put Xin Daoyin together with Princess Qin Yu. But after all, humans and ghosts have different paths, so this matter wasn’t announced publicly, and most people do not know which princess’s consort Xin Daoyin is, only knowing he is an Imperial Son-in-law, now responsible for the Capital’s city defense."

Zhang San nodded slightly, now understanding what exactly was going on with Xin Daoyin.

"But I still don’t understand, his status as an Imperial Son-in-law is not something to be arrogant about, so why is he so haughty? To tell the truth, even Wang Junwu and I with our noble titles do not dare to be that arrogant."

Wen Bi curled his lip, too embarrassed to retort aren’t you arrogant?

You, a teacher at the Imperial College, even killed a Grand Preceptor!

"That’s of course because there are few people in the world who can be as modest and low-profile as you, teacher."

Zhang San nodded slightly, feeling that Wen Bi’s words were quite fair.

"Teacher, you must consider, if you had married a princess, of course, it would be crazy, but you married a Ghost Princess! Moreover, everyone says that staying with ghosts for a long time shortens a person’s lifespan. Thus, although Kaihuang and Empress Dugu can’t publicly disclose Xin Daoyin’s identity, it is still necessary to give him some benefits and compensation. Otherwise, with his abilities, how could he simply be an official patrolling the Capital?"

"Even... even rumors say that the Ghost Consort has frequently spent nights in Pingkang Fang. But regarding this matter, whether it is Empress Gudu or other informed persons, they all turn a blind eye. After all, only this Xin Daoyin was pleasing in the eyes of Princess Qin Yu."

Zhang San finally understood that Empress Gudu felt indebted to Princess Qin Yu, and thus also cared for those associated with her.

As for indulging this Ghost Consort, it is mainly because he and the soul of Princess Qin Yu are together, and he is inherently not destined for a long life.

Thinking about it this way, the Ghost Consort, a poor man suddenly rich, being a bit arrogant seems normal.

"Speaking of which, this Ghost Consort seems to have a good relationship with the Crown Prince."

Wen Bi suddenly thought of something and added.

"Oh!?" Zhang San initially thought it was just a gossip, but he never expected, such a person could also be connected to the Crown Prince.

Now, that’s interesting!