Five years.
Taohua Ying had lived in the Shi mansion for a full five years.
During these five years, Taohua Ying and Shi Jing's relationship had deepened, and their daughter Yin Yin had become increasingly attached to this new father.
Taohua Ying had not been idle either. She transformed the inn into Fenglai Tower, and then recruited the lonely female ghosts from the ghost market to join her. She also found ways to alter their appearances and have them serve guests at Fenglai Tower to support themselves.
Concurrently, relying on Fenglai Tower's "income," Taohua Ying rose to become a Ghost King within a mere five years, becoming the second Ghost King in the ghost market, and the de facto second-in-command.
Shi Jing held no reservations towards Taohua Ying and even actively supported her.
As a Ghost King with considerable prestige in the ghost market, Taohua Ying gradually established a firm foothold. Even excluding her status as Shi Jing's wife and concubine, the ghosts in the market still held her in high regard.
Happy days. Five years had passed, but the uninvited guest had arrived once more.
The same Underworld Emissary from five years ago had made another grand appearance, and as before, the Emissary was here to demand souls from Shi Jing.
However, the ghost market's dynamics had changed this time, for the ghost market now had Taohua Ying, the second-in-command.
Shi Jing, intending to act as he did last time by sending subordinates to apprehend the weak and infirm to appease the Emissary, was stopped by Taohua Ying.
Taohua Ying did not want what she and her daughter had experienced last time to befall others. Furthermore, according to the boundaries Shi Jing had drawn, many of the pitiful female ghosts in Fenglai Tower would be taken away.
This time, the Emissary required a full fifteen hundred souls, a deficit that could no longer be filled solely by the weak and infirm.
Shi Jing, however, believed that for the stability of the ghost market, necessary sacrifices had to be made.
Their differing viewpoints led to a major argument.
Seeing her parents quarrel, Yin Yin felt a pang of distress and clung to Shi Jing, wanting to comfort her father.
Upon seeing Yin Yin, Shi Jing's heart softened. He took his daughter and strolled through the mansion.
As fate would have it, the Underworld Emissary arrived at that moment. The Emissary's gaze immediately fell upon the adorable young daughter in Shi Jing's arms.
The Emissary chuckled eerily, pinched Yin Yin's cheek, and then cast a meaningful smile at Shi Jing, saying, "I didn't expect Lord Shi to have such a taste."
Shi Jing felt bewildered and explained, "This is my daughter, Yin Yin."
"Daughter?" The Emissary paused, but the malice in his eyes did not recede.
He remarked, "She's not your biological daughter, is she?"
The Emissary knew Shi Jing reasonably well. Most of Shi Jing's descendants were in the ghost market, and there had been no mention of such a daughter.
Shi Jing had no choice but to explain Yin Yin's identity to the Emissary.
To his surprise, the Emissary laughed heartily, "So she's a maid brought in when you took a concubine later. Indeed, there's no blood relation between you two!"
Even Shi Jing felt the wrongness in the Emissary's tone at this moment.
A terrible suspicion formed in his mind. Before he could ponder further, the Emissary spoke bluntly:
"Lord Shi Jing, to be frank, I have a penchant for this. I like your daughter very much. If you are willing to hand her over to me, she can account for one thousand souls!"
One Yin Yin for a thousand souls?
Shi Jing stood there, stunned.
The previous demand of three hundred souls had already taken away all the weak and infirm in the ghost market, and the residents had already voiced their grievances against Shi Jing multiple times.
This time, with a demand for fifteen hundred souls, Shi Jing was in a real predicament. If he truly handed over fifteen hundred souls, the residents of the ghost market might very well rebel.
But if...
Only five hundred souls were needed, the residents' resentment would be significantly lessened. He could then dispatch his vengeful spirits to suppress them, and they wouldn't pose a significant threat, keeping the ghost market firmly under his control...
Seeing Shi Jing waver, the Emissary chuckled again, "Besides, she's not your biological daughter. Moreover, hasn't she been dead for a hundred years? Even though her appearance is that of a young girl, her actual age is no longer that of a child. If I take her away, it would be completing her life, wouldn't it? A win-win situation?"
Shi Jing listened and couldn't help but swallow.
He actually found the Emissary's words quite reasonable...
However, seeing the still innocent Yin Yin in his arms, Shi Jing couldn't make up his mind. Gritting his teeth, he said to the Emissary, "My lord, please grant me one day. I will discuss it with the child's mother."
The Emissary appeared somewhat disappointed and nodded, stating:
"Is that so... It seems Lord Shi Jing has no intention of parting with her out of pain. I suppose I'll have to lower my offer. Your daughter is now only worth eight hundred souls."
Shi Jing's eye twitched, and a flash of anger appeared in his eyes, but he knew he could not provoke this Emissary.
He then cradled Yin Yin and fled as if escaping, not wanting to give the Emissary any more opportunities to pressure him.
That night, Shi Jing did not return Yin Yin to Taohua Ying. Instead, he brought her back to his own room and soothed her to sleep.
After the innocent Yin Yin fell asleep, Shi Jing tossed and turned, unable to find sleep.
Ghosts did not need sleep; the act of sleeping was merely a continuation of their former habits. However, Shi Jing's insomnia clearly indicated his inner turmoil.
Yin Yin for eight hundred souls?
Should this deal be made or not?
The Emissary's arrival had already stirred the residents of the ghost market, especially those who had lost loved ones five years ago, who were particularly restless.
If another fifteen hundred souls were handed over, the residents of the ghost market would likely cause trouble. Even his own vengeful spirits might break free from his control...
Shi Jing contemplated seriously, and his heart gradually turned cold.
He looked at the sleeping Yin Yin, his eyes turning ferocious.
Yin Yin was not his biological daughter, and as the Emissary had said, she wasn't even considered a child, but an ancient ghost who had lived for a hundred years.
Must I care for this brat forever?
A girl with no relation to me, traded for eight hundred souls, for the peace of the ghost market...
However, how would I explain this to Hua Ying?
Shi Jing regained a moment of calm, but his expression quickly turned somber again.
Hua Ying? She is my concubine. In the past, concubines were merely items that could be traded at will. My supporting her to become a Ghost King and operating Fenglai Tower was already an immense favor.
She is not qualified to negotiate terms with me!
Did Shi Jing love Taohua Ying?
Perhaps, a little. But Shi Jing, after all, was born centuries ago and held a high position in life. After death, he was even a powerful ghost lord.
He could love women, but when necessary, women must also sacrifice for him to gain benefits.
He had sheltered her for many years; now it was time for her to repay him.
Shi Jing quietly covered Yin Yin with the quilt, closed his eyes, and after making his decision, he felt a sense of relief and could finally have a good dream.
After Shi Jing fell asleep, Yin Yin suddenly woke up.
She looked at her father beside her, then smiled sweetly, pulling her quilt over Shi Jing. She then snuggled into Shi Jing's embrace and slept peacefully.