The Marquis of Lin'an's residence.
"Keep your things safe and sound. The journey is long, so be careful not to bump or knock them over."
"You don't need to bring this dress. The First Madam won't be staying at her parents' home for long."
"You must bring that coat, lest it get cold on a rainy night. Take care of Madam."
There was quite a commotion in the courtyard of the main house early in the morning. After having breakfast, Lu Qiqi brought Qingdai over to see what was going on.
As soon as she stepped through the flower gate into the courtyard, she saw servants coming and going inside, carrying bags of all sizes.
She asked curiously, "Qingdai, what is Aunt doing?"
Qingdai thought for a moment and estimated the date before saying, "I reckon the First Madam is going back to her parents' home."
Every year at this time, the First Madam would return to her maternal home to pay respects to General Xuan.
Speaking of this, Lu Qiqi recalled that Xuan Wenying had mentioned it a few days ago.
She said, "Let's go inside and take a look."
The master and servant walked straight into the courtyard and headed towards Xuan Wenying's room.
Lu Qiqi entered the room and saw the maid packing things up, while Xuan Wenying was giving instructions to someone on the side.
"Auntie."
Upon hearing the shout, Xuan Wenying gave a few more instructions before turning to look at Lu Qiqi.
She greeted him with a smile, "I was just looking for you, but I didn't expect you to come by yourself."
The two stood face to face, and Lu Qiqi asked in a low voice, "You've agreed to what I'm doing?"
A hint of hesitation flashed across Xuan Wenying's face, but the truth that had been hidden in her heart for so many years was finally going to come out.
Thinking of this, she grasped Lu Qiqi's hands with both of hers and nodded heavily, "I believe you."
Lu Qiqi said, "In that case, Aunt, you go ahead first. I will take some people to catch up with you as soon as possible. Remember not to alert anyone."
Xuan Wenying knew this was unethical, but she had to do it to find out the truth.
"Alright, I'll set off today."
...
After leaving Xuan Wenying's courtyard, Lu Qiqi boarded a carriage and headed to the Dark Prison.
She had the jade token given to her by Song Yanqing, which allowed her to move freely in the dark prison.
Led by Shijiu, they found the torture chamber where Xing Zhi was located.
At that time, Xing Zhi was interrogating a prisoner. All the instruments of torture were laid out on a table to the side, and the cold ironware was terrifying.
The prisoners, bound to the wooden frame, wore tattered clothes, were covered in wounds, and had their faces completely obscured by messy hair.
"Your Excellency, the prisoner has fainted," the Shadow Guard in charge of punishments reported.
Just as Xing Zhi was about to speak, he heard footsteps behind him and turned around.
"Why are you here?"
Upon seeing Lu Qiqi in the dark prison, Xing Zhi was surprised, but also knew that it couldn't be anything good.
Lu Qiqi curled her lips and blinked her big eyes, saying, "I've come to ask Lord Xing for a favor."
"You may all leave."
Upon hearing this, the two Shadow Guards put down the instruments of torture they were holding and quickly left the torture chamber.
Lu Qiqi sat opposite Xing Zhi, with bloodstains still on the torture instruments placed between them.
She got straight to the point, "Xing Zhi, I want you to examine a corpse from twenty years ago."
"Twenty years ago?"
Xing Zhi was almost speechless with shock.
He looked up at Nineteen behind Lu Qiqi and gestured to him with his eyes, as if there was endless blame in his eyes.
Nineteen immediately understood and explained, "The Dark Prison has coroners, but this matter is of utmost importance. Even the coroners from the Dark Prison cannot be considered."
Having said that, Xing Zhi met Lu Qiqi's serious gaze and asked, "Does the county princess want me to write the autopsy results into a case file?"
Since the founding of the Shadow Guard, there has been a rule that any autopsy results from the Dark Prison, once written down, can be used as evidence in court, even if the matter is brought to the main hall.
Once Xing Zhi understood this, he knew it was no small matter.
Lu Qiqi said, "You're right, I did have that plan, which is why I came to you."
Xing Zhi asked, "Who would need to go to such lengths?"
Lu Qiqi didn't want to make this public. "I can't tell you now. You'll understand when we get there."
Xing Zhi laughed and said, "If someone else had said that, I would have thrown them out."
The two exchanged a smile, and Lu Qiqi understood that he had agreed.
When do we set off?
Lu Qiqi said, "The sooner the better."
Xing Zhi admitted that he still needed to hand over his work and could only leave tomorrow at the earliest.
Lu Qiqi thought about it and decided that she would set off tomorrow, only one day later than Xuan Wenying. Moreover, the speed difference between a carriage and a fast horse was not small.
She said, "Okay, see you at the East Gate first thing tomorrow morning."
"Um."
...
After traveling for several days, the three finally arrived at the foot of the city gate of Huating Prefecture.
Xing Zhi, riding a tall horse, looked up and saw the three large characters of Huating Prefecture. He instantly understood who Lu Qiqi was planning to examine.
He immediately became anxious, "Your Highness, digging up an official's grave without permission is a serious crime!"
Although he was a member of the Shadow Guard, the law of the land still applies, and even members of the Shadow Guard cannot easily overstep their bounds.
Lu Qiqi said, "Don't worry, with my aunt covering for us, no one will know."
Having said that, she tightened the horse's reins and led the way into the city.
at night.
Xing Zhi was forced to carry the shovel and follow behind Lu Qiqi.
His reluctant expression was comparable to that of a deeply resentful corpse.
Before long, the three of them arrived at the cemetery of the Xuan clan.
Since Xuan Wenying had visited during the day and offerings were still placed in front of General Xuan's tomb, it was not difficult to find.
Lu Qiqi poured General Xuan a cup of wine, and then bowed three times.
Just as she was about to look up, an apple rolled down to her toes.
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