As the sun sets and colorful clouds descend from the horizon, Qingshui Pavilion appears to be shrouded in a layer of dark clouds.
Even more so, the person in the courtyard had a spring-like smile between their brows and lips like cherries; amidst their usual coolness, they possessed a softer, more captivating charm than ever before.
The entire courtyard was bathed in a warm and gentle light by the scenery.
The news that the Crown Prince publicly confessed his love for Xie Lingqin and left with her spread throughout the streets and alleys in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Meanwhile, the emperor made no attempt to communicate his intentions within the palace.
Because the small town north of Beirong was ravaged by torrential rain the day before yesterday, and the situation has just been dealt with, a gloomy and solemn atmosphere still hangs over the palace. Therefore, the officials are even more unable to figure out the emperor's thoughts, and they are all hesitant to make any pronouncements.
General Xie was naturally shocked upon hearing this news. He led his men to the gate of Xie Lingqin's courtyard, but ultimately left without asking a single question.
Xie Lingqin neither confirmed nor denied this.
This father's feelings are complicated. He probably wants her to get close to the Crown Prince so that the General's Mansion can regain its former glory, but he also fears that she might ruin the General's Mansion by doing something drastic.
However, it's been so long...
"How about listening to the sea?"
In the air, the sound of the sea could be faintly heard.
"Miss, as you predicted, General Xie has already gone to Ning Xiucai's place. Because Commander Ming was injured, the guards in the study have become less vigilant, and I have found a way to break through."
"good."
As Xie Lingqin finished speaking, she turned and went into the house.
However, in the next instant, he secretly followed Tinghai into General Xie's study.
After several leaps and bounds, successfully evading the guards and surveillance, they finally entered General Xie's study.
"Go back to Qingshui Pavilion first. I know how the guards are here, and you'll be able to get out smoothly in a while."
"I'll go with you, Miss."
Xie Lingqin hesitated for a moment, then suddenly looked up at Tinghai, "Tinghai, I haven't asked yet, but that day at the Heavenly Mystery Hall, regarding your investigation of the Zhang family in Fengnuan City... is there anything you'd like to tell me?"
Upon hearing this, Tinghai's eyes darkened, and he immediately cupped his hands in greeting, "To be honest, Miss, I was once the adopted son of the Zhang family patriarch."
Xie Lingqin's eyes flickered slightly, her face darkening. "I've heard about the Zhang family in Fengnuan City before. They were a prominent family in Fengnuan City, and they used to be stationed in the capital before moving away. It's said they were massacred overnight because..."
No.
He looked at Xie Lingqin with a pained expression and shook his head. "No, Miss. I suspected before that the head of the family was not insane and that he had slaughtered the entire mansion by himself. The things I found in the Heavenly Mystery Hall that day made me even more certain that the head of the family was not insane and that he was not having an episode of madness. According to the Heavenly Mystery Hall, the Zhang family took in a woman of unknown origin that night."
Xie Lingqin's eyes narrowed. "Where is that woman?"
Tinghai shook his head. "No, afterwards, apart from the Zhang family of over two hundred and three people, there were no other women outside the Zhang family."
"Have you told the Crown Prince about this?"
"I've already said that."
"Then...didn't you grow up by the Crown Prince's side?"
Xie Lingqin asked.
Tinghai nodded, "Yes, the Zhang family values martial arts. I was instructed by renowned teachers by my adoptive father from a young age. Moreover, I rarely go out, and outsiders are almost unaware of my existence. On that day, I happened to be out on business for my father, and it was done in secret. However, after I returned..."
A hint of pain appeared between Tinghai's brows. "After that incident, when I was secretly investigating, I found out that the Crown Prince was also investigating this matter, so I was put to use by the Crown Prince."
Xie Lingqin nodded, pondered for a while, and said, "Then, the Heavenly Mystery Hall didn't say who the murderer is."
"No."
Xie Lingqin thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense. If they knew everything, then the Heavenly Mystery Palace could rule the world."
Xie Lingqin sighed with emotion, then stepped forward and patted Tinghai on the shoulder. "Later, I'll have Minglan and Tianxing investigate. Let's go, but for now, let's go check out this secret passage together, and be careful."
"yes."
Xie Lingqin knew this place very well. She walked to the bookshelf, pressed a protrusion, and the door opened, leading to a secret tunnel.
Xie Lingqin and Tinghai went inside immediately.
"Sizzle—"
Xie Lingqin lit a tinderbox, illuminating everything around her.
Xie Lingqin still remembered that when she first came in, she had only taken a few steps when she encountered the man in black robes. He forbade her to light a tinderbox, so she hesitated for a moment before carefully lighting it.
However, this little bit of light isn't surprising at all.
The walls on both sides were neatly repaired and looked very old. Just as Yuwen Yao had said, they were ancient and it would not be surprising if they existed in the previous dynasty.
"Miss, I feel something is amiss here."
Tinghai, who was walking ahead of Xie Lingqin, frowned and whispered a reminder.
Xie Lingqin nodded, "I felt it too. There seemed to be a strong smell of decaying bones in the air..."
It's not noticeable when the tinder is not lit, but once you light it and walk forward, the light attracts you, and the smell comes right up to you.
Moreover, the further you go, the richer it becomes.
Xie Lingqin shook her head. This smell was even stronger than the smell in the mass graves outside the city.
"Whoosh—"
Suddenly, a strange sound rang out, and it seemed as if sharp arrows were being shot out from the dark walls on both sides.
"Miss, please be careful."
Tinghai shouted and pushed Xie Lingqin aside. At the same time, he drew his sword to cut off the arrows flying from both sides. However, just as he swung the sword halfway, the arrows that came out from both sides of the wall suddenly lost their strength and fell limply to the ground.
"this……"
"Be careful, don't touch it yet."
Xie Lingqin stopped Tinghai's actions, stepped forward, and brought the tinderbox closer.
“The arrowhead is poisoned, and…” Xie Lingqin looked at the ancient wall again, then took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve, wrapped the arrow in it, and put it back in the same spot in the wall.
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