Chapter 9 Blizzard

Ming Huashang and Ren Yao heard the scream, looked at each other, and hurried towards the source of the sound.

They didn't bring a lamp when they came, so now they could only rely on the dim light in the snow to find their way. Ren Yao walked faster than Ming Huashang. She ran through the corridor and looked up as if she saw something horrible. She screamed briefly, but then she forced herself to hold back after realizing that she was screaming.

Ming Huashang followed closely behind. When she turned the corner, she was the first to see a hint of red.

A woman in red was hanging on the beam, her waist-length hair was disheveled. At this moment, a gust of wind blew, her body swayed from side to side, and her hair was blown away by the wind, revealing her face underneath.

Ming Huashang saw the condition on her face, took a breath and took a step back.

Red blood flowed from her eye sockets and covered her face. The most terrifying thing was that there were no eyeballs in her eye sockets, but two bloody black holes.

When Ren Yao saw the woman's face, he could no longer remain tough and asked in a trembling voice, "What is this? Who is playing tricks here?"

Ming Huashang saw two women lying on the ground at the other end of the corridor. The palace lanterns had fallen to the ground, and the candle oil had dripped onto the paper and had already started to burn. Ming Huashang said, "I don't know whether the two people at the back are alive or dead. Sister Ren, let's go and take a look."

Outside the corridor was a small pond, which was now covered with snow. Ming Huashang didn't know if there was a hole underneath, so she didn't dare to walk on the ice. She leaned against the wall, carefully walked around the woman hanging on the beam, and walked quickly to the back.

Ren Yao's scalp went numb when he saw Ming Huashang pass by the body of the woman in red. But she was as brave as a man, so how could she lose to a delicate and weak lady? Ren Yao could only bite the bullet and walk back along the wall.

Ren Yao didn't know how Ming Huashang walked so steadily. She didn't dare to look up. She closed her eyes and groped forward with her teeth clenched. She couldn't sense the environment. The short few steps seemed to be infinitely extended. She felt that she should have arrived. She barely opened her eyes a little, but saw the hem of the red dress hanging on her body. She subconsciously looked along the clothes and happened to meet the woman's dark eye sockets.

When you are too frightened, you can't even make a sound. Ren Yao's legs go limp immediately. Ming Huashang half-crouched on the corridor and stretched out her hand to feel the breath of the person on the ground. Fortunately, they were just frightened and fainted.

Judging from their clothes, they should be a young lady and a maid. They were taking a walk outside and happened to run into this horrific scene. The scream just now should have been made by them before they fainted.

Since the person was fine, Ming Huashang was relieved. It was not advisable to stay here for a long time. It would be better to call someone over as soon as possible. Ming Huashang found that Ren Yao had not come for a long time. When he turned around, he found that Ren Yao was trapped halfway, staring blankly at the female corpse, as if he was possessed.

Ming Huashang called out hurriedly, "Sister Ren?"

Ren Yao didn't know what was happening, as if she was caught by those empty bloodshot eyes. Her mind was screaming but she couldn't look away. She vaguely heard someone calling her name, and then a pair of warm hands held her arm and pulled her forward.

Ren Yaomu walked for a long time, then looked up blankly and saw Ming Huashang looking at her worriedly. She finally got rid of the fear of being caught by a female ghost, and her knees went weak, almost falling to the ground.

Ming Huashang quickly supported her and patted her arm gently: "It's okay. We'll go find someone right away."

As soon as she finished speaking, a cluster of firelight illuminated the courtyard wall, and chaotic voices came from behind the wall. There were so many guests at the banquet, and I think the people in the front must have heard the screams and came over to find out what was going on.

A slender dark figure appeared first, holding a lantern. The light reflected on his face, making his complexion more jade-like and his eyes more like stars.

Ming Huashang relaxed unconsciously when she saw him: "Second brother!"

The other party also saw them. He didn't say anything, but took a few steps and walked to Ming Huashang. He carefully looked at Ming Huashang's whole body, glanced at the person on the ground and the hanging body in front of him, and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Ming Huashang pulled Ming Huazhang and said, "Second brother, someone died here. I don't know why their eyes were dug out. The two people on the ground must have fainted from fear. Go and call a doctor."

Ming Huazhang put the lamp in Ming Huachang's hand, and first tried to smell the breath of the person on the ground, then walked closer to look at the female corpse hanging on the beam. Ren Yao's body was still numb, and she looked at it from a distance, incredulous: "What kind of life do you brothers and sisters live at home? Aren't you afraid?"

Ming Huashang was naturally afraid, but what she was afraid of was not the bloody female corpse, but the danger lurking in the darkness.

If Ming Huashang was alone, she would definitely not dare to stay, but fortunately Ren Yao was here. She saw Ren Yao's heroic figure when he used a gun during the day, and believed that even if he encountered a gangster, Ren Yao would be able to subdue him, so Ming Huashang dared to stand here. Now that Ming Huazhang was here, she was even less afraid.

Ming Huazhang walked around the woman's body and finally stopped moving. Ming Huachang was curious and walked over with a lamp in hand: "Second brother, what's wrong?"

It was dark just now and Ming Huashang did not look carefully. Now with the light on, she realized that she recognized the woman on the beam. She was the maid who showed her the way not long ago.

However, what is even more horrifying is the bloody words on the ground.

"Whoever looks at me will die."

The night wind blew, bringing a sudden chill. At this moment, screams suddenly rang out from behind.

"ah!"

The fact that someone died at the grand and gorgeous Feihong Banquet immediately shocked Princess Taiping. She didn't know whether Princess Taiping and King Wei had finished their battle. At this moment, she sat on the stage with a very ugly face: "What happened?"

By this time, the identity of the deceased had been found out. She was a maid named Chi Lan, who served in Princess Taiping's mansion. This time the princess held the Feihong Banquet, and there were not enough people in Feihong Garden, so she came from the princess's mansion to help.

The first lady who witnessed Chi Lan's death was still unconscious. Ming Huashang was the first person to arrive at the scene. She bowed to Princess Taiping and replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, I paid my respects to you and then returned to the warm pavilion. Many ladies present here can confirm this. After that, I was tired of sitting and wanted to go out for some fresh air. On the way, I met Chi Lan's maid, who showed me the way. Then I talked to Madam Ren in the garden. Madam Ren can confirm this."

Ren Yao nodded, indicating that what Ming Huashang said was true. Ming Huashang continued, "It took about a cup of tea from the time Chi Lan and I said goodbye to Mrs. Ren. We talked for about a cup of tea, and then we heard someone screaming behind us. When we arrived, we saw Miss Zhao and the maid fainted on the ground, and Chi Lan was hung on the beam, her eyes were bleeding, and she died of suffocation."

Ming Huazhang added, "Yes, I heard screams outside and walked over half an incense stick of time. When I put the body down, her limbs were still soft and the skin temperature had not yet dissipated. I think she died not long ago."

Princess Taiping pressed her brows again with a headache. The princess's mansion was full of servants, and she didn't care about the life or death of a maid. But this kind of thing happened at the banquet she had carefully prepared, which was very disappointing. Now in front of so many guests, if Princess Taiping didn't handle it well, it would directly affect her popularity in the court.

After all, if she couldn't even handle the death of a little maid, who in the court would believe in her ability and come to her for support? Now was a critical moment, and she couldn't make any mistakes.

Princess Taiping quickly made up her mind and said, "The Princess's Mansion is large and powerful, and I am too busy to take care of everything. Maybe she has a grudge against someone and took advantage of the lax rules in Feihong Garden to seek revenge. Bury the maid properly and choose a date for her burial. Give her relatives a 100-yuan relief fund. Also, strengthen the patrol of Feihong Garden. I will never allow such a thing to happen again."

The King of Wei sat beside him, twirling the jade ring on his finger slowly. The butler behind him frowned and said, "Your Highness Taiping, I heard that when the body was found, a line of blood was found on the ground, saying 'Whoever looks at me will die'. What's going on?"

Princess Taiping frowned and said in a cold voice, "It's nothing more than a bunch of idle people making up stories. Are there really supernatural beings in this world? Even if there are, my parents are both emperors, my eldest and second brothers are crown princes, my fourth brother is the crown prince, and my husband is a prince. No one in the world dares to obey me. What kind of ghosts dare to approach me?"

There is no woman in the world more noble than Princess Taiping. With such a strong dragon energy, it is impossible that she cannot suppress ghosts and evil spirits. The housekeeper clasped his hands and looked embarrassed. The King of Wei said at the right time: "He is also worried about Fei Hongyan's safety. After all, there are so many young men and women in the mountains. If something happens, he will not be able to explain to the officials in Luoyang. Taiping, don't be angry."

Princess Taiping pursed her lips, her eyes sparkling with anger. Her husband, Prince Ding, tried to smooth things over, "Well, it was just an accident. We'll strengthen patrols and the criminals will flee. How dare they cause trouble? Princess has been busy all day and must be tired. Let's all go."

Prince Ding spoke, and all the guests could only stand up and leave. Ming Huazhang was the first to see the body, and Xie Jichuan, who followed, realized something was wrong and immediately ordered the guards to seal off the backyard. Not many people saw Chi Lan's death firsthand.

But the young men and women present were all pampered and powerless, and suddenly they were so close to the murder, no one could have fun at ease. In a short while, the news of what happened in the backyard had spread everywhere, and after being exaggerated, the whole thing became more and more bizarre.

Ming Huashang also went out with the crowd. She had almost calmed down, but Ren Yao was still in shock. As soon as Ren Yao closed his eyes, he could see the two bloody holes.

Ren Yao was in a very bad condition, and Ming Huazhang was worried about letting Ming Huashang live alone, so he said, "Second Lady, you and Lady Ren should sleep in the same room tonight. I will move next to you and keep an eye on you."

Ming Huashang's eyes widened, and she responded with great joy: "Okay!"

She is not afraid of the dead, but she is more afraid of the living. After all, the real murderer who killed Chi Lan has not been found yet. Who knows if he will continue to commit crimes? She was worrying about how to sleep at night, but she didn't expect Ming Huazhang to move in. Ming Huazhang is next door, so her safety is undoubtedly greatly improved.

But this is not the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. She and Ren Yao share the yard. Does Ren Yao mind men entering? Ming Huashang looked at Ren Yao: "Sister Ren, look..."

Ren Yao still looked resolute and strong, as if he didn't care at all, and said, "Okay, since you are afraid, then you can make the arrangements."

Ming Huashang glanced at Ren Yao, but didn't expose her stubbornness. Since Ren Yao agreed, that couldn't be better. Ming Huashang smiled and said, "Then I'll trouble Sister Ren to take me in tonight. Brother, my room is already cleaned up, you move into my room, I'll stay with Sister Ren tonight."

Xie Jichuan heard this from not far away, raised his eyebrows, and said with a smile: "Jingzhan's worry is justified. Tonight, I will move over to help my sister look after her."

"No." Ming Huazhang refused coldly and glanced at him unkindly, "It's a girl's room, how can you move in?"

"But I'm scared." Xie Jichuan said, "You're gone, and I'm the only one in the yard. I don't dare to sleep."

Everyone in the capital knew that Ming Huazhang and Xie Jichuan had a good relationship. When arranging the guest rooms this time, Princess Taiping directly arranged for the two of them to stay in the same courtyard. Ming Huazhang froze for a moment, speechless for a while, and looked at Xie Jichuan with a look of extreme disgust.

Ming Huashang whispered, "Thank you, brother, for your kindness. There is no need to be so fussy about it. Besides, that is not my concubine's room, but Princess Taiping's guest room. I will go back and clean it up. Thank you, brother, you can stay here."

Ming Huachang wished there were more people in the courtyard. Compared with safety, what was the difference between men and women? Although Xie Jichuan looked weak, he was a man after all, and staying was always a guarantee.

"Look, my sister has agreed!" Xie Jichuan argued. Ming Huazhang didn't want to do what Xie Jichuan wanted, but when he turned around, he found that Ming Huashang and even Ren Yao were looking at him expectantly. Ming Huazhang paused and said helplessly, "Okay. But you live outside, keep your eyes open, and don't do anything rude."

"Also, she's not your sister, don't call her that."

Xie Jichuan heaved a sigh of relief and waved his hand impatiently: "I know, I know. My Xie family is not so decadent that we don't know etiquette."

Ming Huashang suddenly had three more bodyguards, and she walked with a sturdy manner. She and Ren Yao went back to pack up their belongings, followed by Ming Huazhang and Xie Jichuan. Ming Huashang pulled Ren Yao out of the palace and walked into the endless snowstorm. Ming Huashang looked up at the swirling broken jades above her, and murmured, "The wind is blowing."

It was windy and snowing. Feihong Garden was originally built on the top of the mountain, so the way down the mountain became even more difficult to walk on.

Ming Huashang suddenly had a thought that they were all trapped in the mountain.

Ren Yao saw Ming Huashang staring at the night sky, so he also raised his head and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something up there?"

Ming Huashang shook her head and said, "It's nothing. I was just daydreaming. Let's go back quickly."

Ming Huashang thought that she was just worrying too much. There were so many dignitaries on the top of the mountain, including the King of Wei and Princess Taiping. How could they be trapped? Ming Huashang no longer wanted to attend any banquets. She planned to wait until the main banquet was over tomorrow, give Princess Taiping enough face, and then go down the mountain in the afternoon.

She didn't want to know why Chi Lan died, why the murderer killed her so cruelly, and what the weird words "Anyone who looks at me will die" on the ground meant.

If she endured for a while longer, she would be able to return to her daily life.

Ming Huashang had a good plan, but she didn't expect that the accident would happen earlier than she planned.

At four o'clock in the morning, Ming Huashang was sleeping soundly when she suddenly heard a rumbling sound. Ren Yao beside her grumbled impatiently. Ming Huashang never needed to get up so early. She turned over and continued to sleep without any burden.

There was a creaking sound from next door, someone came out, and there seemed to be whispers outside the window, followed by the sound of several doors opening and closing. After an unknown amount of time, there was a knock on their door.

"Second mother?"

Ming Huashang struggled to open one eye: "Ah?"

"Wake up! There was an avalanche just now and the mountain road is blocked."

Ming Huashang blinked blankly. Her body was awake, but her mind was not. She could not understand the meaning of this sentence. The person outside the window sighed and said, "We may not be able to get down the mountain."