Chapter 208 Abandoned Mine

Chatting and laughing, it was soon time for dinner. Old Madam Lin had given instructions long ago that the entire Lin family should accompany the princess for her first meal at the Lin family home, and afterwards everyone should go back to their own rooms to eat, so as not to make a big fuss about every meal.

Qi Yuxuan sat next to Madam Lin. During their afternoon chat, she got along best with her niece Lin Fei and her cousin Lin Chengyao, and now they also took the initiative to sit next to her.

The Lin family did not have the strict rules of large families where one should not speak while eating or sleeping. While eating and drinking, Lin Fei and Lin Chengyao introduced the local specialties of Lancheng to the princess. The two were of similar age and were lively and cheerful, so the table was filled with laughter, which made the old lady of the Lin family blush.

After the meal, Qi Yuxuan had packed all her luggage and belongings. Old Madam Lin personally led her to Tingxue Residence, which was right next to the main courtyard and where she would be staying for a month and a half.

Tingxueju is not large, but it exudes elegance and sophistication. The decor is not like the common flat houses in Northwest China, but rather like the gardens and waterside pavilions of Jiangnan.

“This is where your mother… Madam Xiao, the wife of Minister Xiao, used to live. We’ve kept it for her, and we don’t know if she’ll ever have the chance to come back again, so we’ve cleaned it up for you to live in.”

After a moment of silence, Madam Lin continued:

"Look at these flying eaves and carved windows... She ordered them to be built based on the descriptions of famous gardens in Jiangnan in books back then, and it took a lot of effort!"

Qi Yuxuan followed her finger and looked over, praising her with a smile, though her attitude was somewhat indifferent.

Whether it's the Xiao family or Lin Hui, she has already decided to distance herself from them. Why bother putting on an act in front of Lin's maternal grandmother? It would be better to openly admit that they are on different paths and cannot work together.

After looking around and finding nothing amiss, Madam Lin, being old, rested early. Qi Yuxuan readily agreed, saying that she too was tired from the journey and wanted to rest early. Only then did the grandmother and granddaughter return to their respective rooms.

After sleeping in the carriage inn for more than ten days, Qi Yuxuan washed up and lay down on the bed again. She was indeed tired, but she had another matter on her mind and would not be willing to sleep until she had arranged it.

"Ren Shun".

The boy obeyed the order and went inside, kneeling outside through a gauze curtain.

"How's it going with the matter I assigned you in the capital?"

The Crown Prince was still poisoned, and the suspicious group of "disaster victims" claimed to be from Longxi. Later, Gu Linyan also left the capital and headed straight for the Northwest after leaving Xiao Su. She always felt that there was something fishy going on here.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to visit Lin's maternal grandmother, she came over in person, determined to find some clues.

With the protection of the Eldest Princess and the Qilin Guard, and with the Eldest Princess's imperial decree ordering various government offices to clear the way and escort them along the way, Qi Yuxuan had already sent Ren Shun to Lancheng from the capital to gather information.

Ren Shun, who arrived nearly ten days earlier than Qi Yuxuan, looked darker and thinner. In the months he had been by her side, his sharp edges had been smoothed out, and he exuded a calm and reserved temperament. If Ren Ze saw him, he would definitely praise Qi Yuxuan for her excellent teaching.

Ren Shun: "There are no clues yet, but we have a lead. There is an abandoned mine twenty miles west of Lancheng that is said to be haunted. I plan to go there to investigate tomorrow."

"Haunted?" Qi Yuxuan's eyebrows twitched.

She didn't believe in ghosts or gods. She herself was the best example. If people become ghosts or gods after they die, then what was her fate?

Ren Shun: "It was a silver mine discovered by the Lancheng government thirty years ago. It used to be able to smelt tens of thousands of taels of silver every year. However, a cave-in occurred twenty-five years ago, and the mine tunnel was flooded. The government and soldiers sent people to repair it, but it collapsed again. Hundreds of people died because of this mine. The government then submitted a memorial to abandon mining. Moreover, the mine is located in a remote area, and there are no people living within a ten-mile radius. According to passers-by, people see so-called ghosts near the abandoned mine, and there are sharp cries at night."

After saying this, Qi Yuxuan thoughtfully read out the two times.

Thirty years ago, she didn't know what had happened, but twenty-five years ago, it was the time when the emperor ascended the throne. Why did the mine collapse and cause so many deaths and injuries happen precisely when the new emperor was enthroning? Was it a ploy to set an example, or was it deliberately orchestrated by someone behind the scenes to prevent people from continuing mining?

"Go there tomorrow, be careful. Investigating is secondary, don't lose your life."

She gave him a word of advice and then waved for him to go back and rest.

Even after lying down to sleep, Qi Yuxuan was still restless, tossing and turning for a long time without falling asleep. After thinking for a while, she got up, lit a lamp, and picked up a book she had casually taken from the East Palace to read.

"Knock knock—"

There was a sudden knock on the window, and Qi Yuxuan exclaimed in surprise, "Who is it?!"

The maids who had accompanied her on this journey were also exhausted, so she didn't have any of them keep watch tonight. But in the middle of the night, who would dare to be so bold as to enter the Lin residence and disturb her sleep? Besides, Ren Shun was resting not far away; didn't he notice anything amiss?

"Aunt! It's me, Lin Fei!"

A faint hiss came from the crack in the window. Qi Yuxuan relaxed all her strength. No wonder Ren Shun didn't care. Then she wondered, what is my cheap niece doing here so late?

Without thinking much, she put on her coat and walked to the window. She slightly opened the window crack, and the cool chill outside immediately rushed in, blowing away all of Qi Yuxuan's remaining drowsiness.

Under the window, Lin Fei, wearing a thick, warm rabbit fur cloak and a hood, looked around cautiously before saying somewhat shyly:

“Aunt, I didn’t disturb your sleep, did I? I saw that the light was still on in your room and there were no maids on night watch outside, so I came to knock on your window without warning.”

Speaking of which, Lin Fei is a year older than her now, but Qi Yuxuan considers herself a grown-up in her thirties and still treats teenage girls as children.

"No, is there something you need?"

Seeing that her aunt, the princess, was as gentle and kind as during the day, Lin Fei blushed with excitement, remembering the purpose of her visit: "Aunt...we're going outside to play with fireworks, do you want to come?"

Qi Yuxuan glanced at the night sky with the bright moon hanging high, and remained silent for a moment: "...Now?"

Not wanting to disturb the children's fun, and since she wasn't sleepy either, she reluctantly agreed. Without alerting the servants, she quickly dressed and followed Lin Fei out furtively.

Fifteen minutes later, Qi Yuxuan quietly followed the four younger members of the Lin family out of the back door and saw Zheng Yanling dressed in men's clothing at the back door, stamping her feet and rubbing her hands in the cold.

The two exchanged a glance, and Zheng Yanling grinned. Qi Yuxuan knew then whose idea it was to knock on the window and call her out.

"I took a quick stroll around Lancheng this afternoon and found a few interesting places. There's an auction in the West Market tonight, and I managed to get two invitations. Let's go check it out, and then come back to play with fireworks afterward."

Upon hearing Zheng Yanling's words, the Lin family children, who had initially thought they had sneaked out to set off fireworks, widened their eyes in excitement, wishing they could fly to that auction immediately.

Qi Yuxuan rubbed her forehead.