Chapter 80 The Prince recently arranged a marriage for his son.
Achan retorted confidently, "You can't slander someone's innocence out of thin air. What I'm saying is that I hate evil as if it were my enemy."
As she spoke, Granny Tian had already been brought out, and the water vat containing the dead men and horses, along with the dragon statue, were also taken out by the Mingjing Guards.
Granny Tian glanced at the two of them several times as she passed by, seemingly trying to confirm the relationship between Achan and Bai Xiuming.
Seeing that the two were standing very close, clearly having a close relationship, he then looked away.
"What are you looking at? Hurry up and leave." The Mingjing Guard noticed that she kept looking at Bai Xiuming and felt that she had ulterior motives. He couldn't help but show a fierce look and shoved her hard.
Granny Tian staggered out of the courtyard, her withered appearance making her seem rather pitiful. She probably had no idea what was about to happen to her.
Achan turned her head and saw that the Mingjing Guards had finished searching the house and were about to leave. She asked again, "Sir, if we find out the true identity of the person who hired the killer from her, can we convict them?"
"It depends on the situation. A statement alone is not enough; concrete evidence is needed."
In cases like this, evidence is especially difficult to collect. Unless someone is caught red-handed, those people wouldn't spend so much money to hire Granny Tian to kill someone.
That's quite a coincidence. The nail clippings in her hand could barely be considered evidence. If they really wanted to investigate, the Mingjing Division might be able to find out.
But this is not the result that Achan wanted.
"That's a real pity. It seems the person who wanted to kill me will escape this time." Achan sighed softly, a hint of disappointment on her face.
Bai Xiuming turned to look at A Chan, his gaze ambiguous: "Is that so?"
Ah Chan met his deep black eyes, her gaze clear and pure: "Yes."
With the curse lifted, Granny Tian brought to justice, and the main objective achieved, Ah Chan decided to head home.
She and Bai Xiuming walked out of the courtyard together. The Mingjing Guards who were guarding the door closed the door and then affixed a seal.
Changpingfang and Mingjingsi are not in the same direction. Just as she was wondering whether to coax Bai Xiuming to "go along the way" and take her back to the shop, a figure suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Young Master." The man bowed respectfully to Bai Xiuming.
"What's up?"
"His Highness requests that you return to your residence."
"knew."
It seemed that they were destined not to "go the same way" today. Seeing this, Achan could only whisper to the man beside her, "My lord, I shall go first then?"
"Go."
After leaving Kaimingfang, Achan didn't go straight home; instead, she went to the West Market. From the hunting shops in the West Market, she bought a piece of fresh spirit wood, two pieces of flint collected from Jiuyang Mountain, and a nine-leaf vine that grew in the Yin Pool.
This wasn't Achan's first time dealing with hunting shops. The things she bought each time were always a bit strange, but the shopkeepers were very well-behaved and never asked too many questions.
However, when retrieving the flint, he still gave a word of advice: "Young lady, please be careful when using the flint. This flint burns with a yang fire, and once ignited, it is not easy to extinguish."
"I understand, thank you for reminding me, shopkeeper." Achan took the flint in the jade box, thinking to herself that she had spent 200 taels of silver on two stones, and 80% of that silver had been spent on this box.
Ah Chan returned home with her materials worth five hundred taels of silver, only to find the shop had already reopened.
Seeing Ah Chan return, Chen Hui came out from behind the counter, helped her put the things she had bought on the counter, and then asked, "How did it go?"
"The person has been caught, and the curse has been lifted."
"Can we find out who ordered it?"
Achan shook her head: "The interrogation hasn't started yet, but even if they get the information, the Xue family has plenty of ways to deny it."
A fierce glint flashed in Chen Hui's eyes: "Are we just going to let her go like this?"
“Who said we’d let her go?” Achan slowly unpacked the package and took out a piece of spirit wood about the thickness of her arm.
The wood has a charred yellow outer bark, but inside there are many fine veins like blood vessels. If you cut it, red sap will flow out, just like bleeding.
In the past, many people who were unaware of the truth liked to worship spirit wood, believing that it was alive and had a spirit.
Achan didn't know if the spirit wood was alive, but she knew that spirit wood processed by yang fire could indeed communicate with spirits.
The book says that the witch clan would make puppets from spirit wood and put their children's hair or nails into them. By observing the puppets' condition, they could determine the child's health.
Similarly, if the spirit wood is accidentally damaged, the child will sense it.
The book says that this sensation is very weak, but that applies to the witch clan.
Achan had heard many rumors about the Witch Clan, who were said to be even stronger than the Demon Clan. If such damage were inflicted on a human, it would probably be far more serious.
Achan wanted to use more powerful curses, but unfortunately she only had two fingernails, so this was all she could do.
Seeing that Achan already had a plan in mind, Chen Hui stopped pursuing the matter. She found a ceramic basin for Achan, and Achan placed the dried, hair-like nine-leaf vines at the bottom of the basin, then placed the spirit wood on top, and finally covered it with another layer of nine-leaf vines.
Then he wrapped his hands in a thick layer of cloth before picking up the flint.
Chen Hui wanted to help, but A Chan stopped her. This flint could ignite yang fire, which would harm Hui Niang much more than she would herself.
She quickly lit the nine-leaf vines with flint, then swiftly tossed them back into the box.
Looking at the cloth in his hand, he noticed it was already smelling burnt.
The Nine-Leaf Vine is yin in nature, and even when ignited with yang fire, it still burns very slowly. Ah Chan squatted down and watched for half an hour, and not even a single corner was burned.
It seems that it will be at least two or three days before she finishes processing the spirit wood.
On the other side, Bai Xiuming followed the guards of the Ming Prince's Mansion back to the mansion. As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw Prince Hui, who was always low-key in the capital.
Beside King Hui stood a middle-aged man in his early forties, who stood respectfully behind King Hui until Bai Xiuming walked in, at which point he looked up at him.
"Father, Uncle Hui." Bai Xiuming greeted King Hui.
“We’re family, no need for formalities,” King Hui said to Bai Xiuming with a smile.
"Sit," said the King of Ming.
After Bai Xiuming sat down below the Ming King, he asked, "Father, did you suddenly call me back because you have something to tell me?"
King Ming looked up at the middle-aged man standing behind King Hui and said, "Let Chief Secretary Liu speak for himself."
Chief Secretary?
Bai Xiuming raised an eyebrow and watched as the middle-aged man walked out from behind Prince Hui.
After bowing respectfully to the Prince of Ming, the man turned to Bai Xiuming and said, "Liu Qi, the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Xiling, pays his respects to the Crown Prince."
Bai Xiuming paused, holding his teacup, and turned his head to look at Ming Wang.
The Ming King gave him a helpless look and mouthed: Your Majesty.
Bai Xiuming turned his head, put the teacup he had just picked up back down with a click, and tea dripped out from the crack of the cup.
"What instructions does Chief Clerk Liu have?"
Liu Qi said, "I am conveying a message from the Prince to the Heir Apparent. The Prince said that the Heir Apparent has been away from home for many years and it is time for him to return and take over the Xiling Prince's Mansion."
"Anything else?"
"The prince recently arranged a marriage for the heir."
Which company is it?
“Shen Yingzhu, the eldest daughter of the head of the Shen clan in Xiling Prefecture.”
When Ming Wang saw his son calmly answering questions with the chief clerk of the Xiling Prince's mansion, he was somewhat surprised. He had been prepared to break up the fight, but who knew that this kid would not kill the man on the spot.
He had been unhappy these past two days since he learned that people from the Xiling Prince's Mansion had come to the capital. Why is he acting like a completely different person today?
“Go on.”
Liu Qi lowered his head and continued, "The Crown Prince's fiancée has recently arrived in the capital with the entourage. His Highness hopes that the Crown Prince can spend more time with Miss Shen and that they can get married as soon as they return to Xiling."
"How long will you stay in the capital?"
"If the Crown Prince is willing to return to Xiling, the entourage will return after the Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Can."
Liu Qi relaxed slightly, thinking to himself that this prince who had lived in the capital for a long time was easy to talk to. The reason he agreed so readily was probably because he wanted to return to the Xiling Prince's Mansion to seize power.
Although the Prince of Ming adopted him as his son, it was only in name; the Prince of Ming's mansion would never be his to inherit.
Unfortunately, the people of the Xiling Prince's Mansion only recognize the Second Young Master.
If this heir hadn't taken the position of the eldest son and disregarded the prince's reputation by acknowledging the Prince of Ming as his father, the position of heir would probably have changed hands long ago.
He can't do anything in the capital, but once this prince returns to Xiling, everything will be out of his control.
After Liu Qi finished speaking, King Hui stood up with a smile, cupped his hands in greeting to King Ming, and said, "Since the message has been delivered, I will take my leave now."
"Someone, quickly escort Prince Hui and Chief Secretary Liu away." Prince Ming spoke, and two guards outside immediately stepped forward and led the two away from Prince Ming's residence.
After all the irrelevant people had left, King Ming turned to his son and asked, "Where did you go just now? Weren't you at the Mingjing Division?"
"Having nothing to do, I went out and took care of a case."
"What kind of big case is it that you have to handle it personally?" Ming Wang asked with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
His son has been unhappy these past few days. Does anyone in the Mingjing Division dare to pass on a case to him? He just doesn't believe it.
Bai Xiuming immediately changed the subject: "Father, why don't you tell me what's going on with this Chief Secretary?"
A hint of interest flashed in the King's eyes. It seemed there was something fishy about this case. He would have to send someone to inquire about it later.
"That's all there is to it. After this chief secretary arrived in the capital, he went directly to see the emperor with the token of the garrison prince, gave a long speech on righteousness, and said that the Prince of Xiling's health was deteriorating and he was afraid that he would not make it. He said that the emperor needed you to go back and take over the prince's residence." Ming Wang shrugged. "What else could the emperor do but agree?"
Bai Xiuming pondered, "Sending people to the capital so suddenly to make me go back is just an excuse. They're probably after the Demon Seal."
The Ming King showed no interest in the Demon Seal, saying only, "I wonder how much benefit this Demon Seal can bring them. They're all so impatient."
"We'll find out when we get to Xiling."
King Ming nodded; that was his intention, otherwise he wouldn't have had his guards summon Bai Xiuming back to the manor.
The Prince of Xiling has always been restless, and His Majesty has long wanted to find a pretext to take action against him. However, if he sends other people to Xiling, they might die without finding anything. Bai Xiuming is different.
Besides, this kid has been holding back for so many years, he's been waiting for this opportunity.
"By the way, has His Majesty chosen someone to take over the Xiling border army?" Bai Xiu asked.
“His Majesty has taken a liking to the heir of the Duke of Li this time.” Prince Ming couldn’t help but shake his head. “If nothing unexpected happens, you will probably leave the capital together.”
“Zhang Jinghuai?” Bai Xiuming’s eyes darkened. “The Shen family once sent a half-demon to the capital, and that half-demon ended up with Zhang Jinghuai. I thought His Majesty would not hand over the Xiling Army to him.”
"The Duke of Li is far more astute than the Duke of Song. His son would not seek death for a half-demon. Even if His Majesty does not trust him, he will trust the Duke of Li."
Unlike the Duke of Song, who was merely a good-for-nothing who could only inherit his family's legacy, the Duke of Liguo had a wealth of genuine military achievements.
Marquis Jinyang was once as famous as him, but Marquis Jinyang was later injured and returned to the capital, where he kept a low profile. Duke Li, on the other hand, fought on the battlefield for more than ten years before returning to the capital.
Bai Xiuming did not comment on this. He did not know about military affairs, nor did he want to know. However, Zhang Jinghuai was indeed a smart man.
"The Prince of Xiling is quite considerate, he has actually found you a fiancée." The Prince of Ming laughed, "It's a pity that her family background is not very good, but if you take a fancy to her, you can bring her back to the capital in the future, it's fine, our family doesn't have so many rules."
Bai Xiuming was too lazy to continue the topic with him. He stood up and said, "Instead of worrying about me, Father, why don't you find yourself a queen? Or should I find one for you?"
"Rebellious son!"
"I learned it all from my father." Bai Xiuming strode out, waving his hand behind his back to the Ming King before leaving. "Your son is going to his duty."
After leaving the Prince Ming's residence, Liu Qi respectfully saw Prince Hui off to his carriage. Only after Prince Hui's carriage left did he board the carriage parked behind and head to his residence.
The Prince of Xiling once had a residence in the capital, but more than a decade ago, due to the demonic calamity, he was angered by His Majesty and the bestowed residence was taken back. Now that the Xiling troops have entered the capital, the residence they are staying in is one that has been newly arranged.
The four-courtyard house is a bit far from the palace, but it is quiet and peaceful.
After the carriage took Liu Qi back to his residence, he got off and went straight to the main hall.
At this moment, two young men and a beautiful woman were sitting in the main hall.
After Liu Qi entered the main hall, he bowed to Bai Yichen, who was sitting in the main seat and had an outstanding temperament, wearing a white robe: "Second Young Master, I have already met Bai Xiuming."
Bai Yichen raised his eyes: "How can Chief Secretary Liu address my elder brother by his given name?"
Liu Qi became even more respectful: "Your subject knows his mistake."
"Alright, has elder brother agreed to return to Xiling?"
"The Crown Prince has agreed."
Bai Yichen nodded in satisfaction: "That's good. Father has been worried about my elder brother all these years. Now that my elder brother has returned to Xiling, Father can rest assured."
After saying that, Bai Yichen looked at the woman sitting to his right and said gently, "Yingzhu, since your elder brother has agreed to this marriage, you should get closer to him in the future so that you can live in harmony with him."
Upon hearing Bai Yichen's words, Shen Yingzhu's face flashed with disappointment, but she still forced a smile and said, "Yingzhu understands."
Bai Yichen nodded in satisfaction. He was well aware of Shen Yingzhu's feelings for him, but he knew he would eventually marry into a noble family in the capital. The Shen family had followed their father's lead for many years, and allowing their eldest daughter to marry Bai Xiuming was already a great favor.
At this moment, a guard hurriedly entered the main hall, first bowed to Bai Yichen, and then came to the left of Bai Yichen, to the side of the pale and somewhat sickly young man, and whispered, "Young Master Xiao, the person I sent to find Granny Tian has returned. She was captured by the Mingjing Division."
Shen Yingxiao coughed twice before asking, "Did she leave any message before she was arrested?"
"I just offered incense to the Dragon King. The Dragon King told me that Granny Tian recently used a blood curse to send a message to the clan, saying that she had found someone whose destiny was compatible with yours, and that she was the daughter of the Xue family of the Marquis of Jinyang."
A strange light flashed in Shen Yingxiao's eyes: "Really?"
The guard said, "It hasn't been verified yet. I'll send someone to investigate Ms. Xue right away."
Shen Yingxiao nodded: "Remember to check carefully."
After the two finished speaking, Bai Yichen asked, "Yingxiao, did you hear some good news that makes you so happy?"
Shen Yingxiao dared not hide anything and said to Bai Yichen, "Young Master has discerning eyes. The guards at home said that the old servant sent by the clan has found someone in the capital whose destiny is compatible with mine."
"Oh? May I ask whose daughter you are?"
"I've heard she's the daughter of the Xue family of the Marquis of Jinyang, but I don't know her background yet."
Bai Yichen nodded: "That's good news. Once you marry her, you can share the burden of the curse with her, and your body will recover a lot."
“What you say is true, sir.”
Seeing that the young master and the second young master had finished speaking, the guard dared to speak. He asked hesitantly, "Young Master Xiao, what should we do with Granny Tian? Should we find someone to bring her out of the Mingjing Division?"
Shen Yingxiao seemed somewhat displeased with the guard's suggestion, and he said matter-of-factly, "Now that she has been exposed, she should end her own life. If she falls into the hands of the Mingjing Division and her family is implicated, she will inevitably get into trouble."
"Please enlighten me, Young Master Xiao."
"Since she has already offered her soul to the Dragon King, let the Dragon King take her soul away. Dying like this will be painless and can be considered a reward from the clan."
"The young master is kind."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
