Han Lingxi walked towards the study, passing directly through the closed door, and found that there was more than one person in the study. Luo Shaoxuan was sitting behind the desk, and two people dressed in black were sitting on chairs to the side, obviously talking about something.
Han Lingxi felt awkward for a moment, but then, remembering that they couldn't see her, she felt at ease and sat on the small couch in the study, listening to them tell their secrets openly.
From their conversation, Han Lingxi learned that one of the men in black was the Crown Prince, and the other was the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's family, the Empress's maternal family, who was the Crown Prince's cousin.
Luo Shaoxuan's father was the Crown Prince's tutor, so they grew up together. Luo Shaoxuan also worked for the Crown Prince, which is probably why he was chased by assassins in the abandoned mansion.
Their conversation revolved around the fact that the Salt Commissioner in charge of salt transport in Jiangnan was a man of the Fifth Prince, who embezzled large sums of silver to support the Fifth Prince in winning over the people and training a private army. The Crown Prince wanted the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to investigate this matter, and Luo Shaoxuan assisted the heir and covered for him.
Han Lingxi thought back carefully. In her previous life, Luo Shaoxuan was poisoned not long after. Was it because they had investigated something that others wanted to kill Luo Shaoxuan to silence him?
"It's getting late, we should take our leave now."
The Crown Prince rose to take his leave and departed through the window with the Heir Apparent. His words also startled Han Lingxi, who was deep in thought. Remembering that she could not miss the time to return to the Underworld, she wanted to hurry back.
Unexpectedly, when they tried to pass through the door, a golden light emanated from it, blocking their way.
Han Lingxi was puzzled and was about to try going through another wall when she was startled by a sudden shout.
"Who are you, you scoundrel? Show yourself!"
The voice belonged to the Crown Prince. Han Lingxi turned around and found that the Crown Prince and the Heir Apparent, who had just said they were leaving, were behind her.
Han Lingxi realized she had been careless. People with the destiny of a true dragon can suppress ghosts and spirits. Although she was not one of those wandering ghosts, she was still a person from the underworld. It was not surprising that the Crown Prince could sense her.
It seems the Crown Prince sensed something was amiss, so he pretended to leave, but actually placed a restriction on the door. Han Lingxi looked closely and indeed, the amulet that the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion wore around his neck was gone; they must have put it on the door.
Han Lingxi watched them search the study, while she sat leisurely at her desk. So what if they could sense her? They couldn't do anything about it. She was an official of the Underworld. How could she be captured by such a small trick of the mortal world? Where would the dignity of the Underworld be then?
"You're probably overthinking it."
The heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, unable to find it, turned to ask the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince did not answer, but frowned in thought.
"It seems they can't be found. They might have escaped. It's getting late, and if you don't leave soon, you'll be discovered."
Luo Shaoxuan advised.
"In that case, we'll take our leave. Shaoxuan, please be careful."
The crown prince clasped his hands in a fist salute to Luo Shaoxuan, then jumped out of the window, this time truly leaving.
Han Lingxi noticed that the golden light at the door had disappeared, so she figured the Duke of Zhenguo's son had taken the talisman. Since there was nothing left to protect her, she naturally had to hurry back, otherwise Han Qianmu would start nagging again.
Han Lingxi had just stepped out the door when she immediately returned. She was furious. She had wasted so much time with them and was already late. The entrance to the underworld had long been closed. She decided to stay in the study for the rest of the day. Although the sunlight wouldn't burn her to death, it wouldn't be comfortable either.
---Aside---
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