Banshee in Jail
The next evening, the sun was setting in the west, inside Prince Wen's mansion.
Lin Jian delivered the confession of Zhu Rou Zhang recorded in the Dali Temple. It was said that the female corpse on that day had only eight toes, and no single toe on both feet. It was not found in the entire warehouse.
According to the Dali Temple's investigation, when all the bones were put together, there were indeed only eight toes, and the woman who matched the victim's description was not found in the capital.
Yuanli really wanted to tell Wen Yici who the victim was, but she was afraid that he would suspect her, so she didn't dare to say much. Fortunately, Wen Yici took the initiative to go to Manxianglou to meet the owner.
Since the incident that day, Wen Yici once mentioned that Manxianglou was the secret room for gathering information in Kyoto. If the government could not find the information, Manxianglou would definitely have it.
To obtain information in Manxianglou, one must bring information of equal value to exchange with the owner of the building. Ordinary people cannot easily see the owner of the building.
Rumor has it in Kyoto that the owner of Manxiang Tower is a martial arts expert and a man of great wisdom, but no one would have thought that the owner of Manxiang Tower is a blind man who looks like a delicate scholar.
As soon as they arrived at the lobby of Manxianglou, the shopkeeper handed Wen Yici a secret letter and told her that the owner of the building would not be seeing any guests today. Despite being turned away, Wen Yici was not angry and took her for a stroll on the streets of Kyoto.
The streets of Kyoto were bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of people. Passing by the Taifu residence, the man who shouldn't be in Kyoto was standing silently beside the residence, gazing at the quiet Lin residence.
The man turned around and said, "My Lord, it's been a long time since we last met. I hope you are well."
"Third Prince, you have been guarding the border for three years. I wonder why your father summoned you back to the capital today? But the border is not peaceful again."
The Third Prince paused and said, "My father has not summoned me back to the capital, but he has been ill for a long time and I am very worried, so I am returning to the capital."
"The Third Prince truly values filial piety. However, back then, you volunteered to guard the border and could not return to the capital unless summoned. Now that the Third Prince has made an exception, the ministers in the court are bound to criticize you."
Wen Yici didn't say it explicitly, but only gave him a subtle reminder before leaving on his own. He was a smart man, and the outcome depended on his own choice.
Yuanli was a little confused. The first half of the Life Book given by Siming didn't record much about the Third Prince, only a few brief mentions. However, his behavior, combined with what Lin Lian'er's maid had said, made her certain that this prince must be coming for the deceased Lin Lian'er.
As her thoughts drifted away, Wen Yici had already led her into a two-story shop. "What do you think of this shop, my lady?"
She looked around. The location of this shop was one of the best in Kyoto. The decoration materials used were high-quality wood. What satisfied her most was that this shop had two floors.
Yuanli had looked at shops nearby, but the rent was too expensive and it hurt a bit.
"This shop is open from north to south and is located in a busy area. It has a simple layout and is quite nice."
"Since my lady likes it, you can use it to open your pearl and hairpin shop. Half of the shops on this street are owned by our palace. There is no rent to pay, so my lady doesn't have to worry about it."
Yuanli was a little shocked. She knew that the Mortal Emperor was extremely rich, but she didn't expect that he was so inhumane.
After finishing the shop business and returning to the palace, Wen Yici opened the secret letter, which read: The only person in the capital who is missing two toes is Lin Lian'er, the daughter of the Crown Prince's tutor.
From what was written in the letter, Yuanli felt that Lin Lian'er was a ruthless person. Most women in Kyoto were obsessed with beauty, and they always thought smaller feet were better looking. Unfortunately, Lin Lian'er's big toe was thicker than the average person's, making her feet appear wider. So, Lin Lian'er was so cruel that she chopped off her two little toes with a knife to make her feet appear smaller.
In the previous dynasty, the empress, concubines, and even the prince's wife and concubines in the palace were not allowed to have disabilities, but after the previous emperor ascended the throne and carried out reforms, this rule was abolished. That's why Lin Lian'er dared to chop off her body.
Everyone loves beauty, and although Lin Lian'er's love of beauty was somewhat morbid, it was this behavior that allowed her to prove her identity after her death.
Although Wen Yici didn't know that Lin Lian'er was actually the Painted Skin Demon, he did know that she was a fake. He summoned Lin Jian, copied the secret letter, gave him a few instructions, and then had Lin Jian deliver it to the Dali Temple.
The Painted Skin Demon hadn't been causing trouble for several days, and if it weren't for the host's secret letter, she would have almost forgotten about it. Thinking that the imperial decree granting marriage had arrived at the General Protector's Mansion today, Yuanli felt a sense of foreboding, fearing that the Painted Skin Demon would harm Yun Zhao.
Even after dinner, Yuanli was still feeling uneasy. After Wen Yi left the study, she called Heqi back, but he was accompanied by Hua Xuandu, the man she had bought after he knelt outside the palace to sell himself for his father's funeral.
"Xuan Du, you go down first."
He Qi smiled complacently and said, "If you don't tell her your true identity, A-Li will have to avoid you every time, Tianshu Xingjun."
Yuanli looked at the two of them in confusion and said, "Is there any treasure in my palace? It would make the Demon Lord and the Star Lord rack their brains to enter the palace."
Tianshu said, "The palace has its own charms. Ah Li is looking for him, but has there been any progress on the Painted Skin Demon?"
At this moment, she felt deeply that Tianshu Xingjun was like a roundworm, able to guess everything. After telling the two of them this, Heqi immediately recited the Dust-Bidding Art, and the three of them floated into the air.
Perhaps there was a god like Tianshu here, and a strong auspicious cloud and aura were shrouding the sky above the palace. Yuanli looked at those different kinds of fairy air with curiosity.
"Ali, there's no need to be surprised. Most of the mortals in the palace are transformed from celestial gods and immortals. Therefore, the palace is shrouded in abundant spiritual energy, but most of it comes from the Emperor."
There are so many gods in the palace, as well as a ghost and a demon. Yuanli feels a little embarrassed to let them serve her anymore. It will be difficult to face the heaven this time.
Seeing Yuanli's expression, Tianshu comforted her, "Don't worry, Ah Li. It's common for immortals to change their status when they descend to the mortal world to experience tribulations. Some immortals are powerful in the celestial realm, and when they descend to the mortal world to experience tribulations, they may become the grandsons of the gods who came down earlier. Immortal friends who can work in the Emperor's palace are not petty people, so there's no need to worry."
Hearing the words "small-minded", He Qi snorted silently, his expression full of disdain.
Arriving at the Lin residence, they floated into the house through the wall. They could hear the sounds of vases falling to the ground and porcelain breaking one after another. Three or five maids were kneeling outside Lin Lian'er's boudoir, trembling with fear.
Inside the room, Ling Ling'er smashed the tea set like crazy and roared, "I actually lost to that bitch, Princess Wen, I'll tear your skin off!"
Heqi and Tianshu turned their heads to look at her at the same time. Yuanli laughed awkwardly and said, "You are so petty. You are so petty."
"Just beat him to death. It's too troublesome to have him squatting against the wall." He Qi said impatiently.
Just when Yuanli was about to persuade Heqi, there was a commotion outside the courtyard. A group of officers and soldiers from the Dali Temple rushed in, and the kneeling maids were frightened and huddled aside.
"Take it."
Following the order from the leading officer, the followers immediately rushed into the boudoir and took Lin Lian'er away. The Grand Tutor did not stop them.
"Dad? You just watch them offend your daughter?"
Although the Grand Tutor felt a little distressed, he still frowned and called the old nanny beside him. Two maids pulled up a piece of silk to cover Lin Lian'er's feet. Lin Lian'er looked at them in confusion.
The old lady said in a trembling voice: "My Lord, there are indeed ten."
Hearing this, the Grand Tutor took a deep breath and closed his eyes in despair. He felt that the words the Dali Temple officials had told him when they stormed into the Grand Tutor's residence were absurd and impossible. However, his daughter's recent change in personality was truly suspicious, and he couldn't help but suspect Lin Lian'er as well.
The leading officer asked, "Taifu, have you seen clearly whether what I said is true or not?"
Although the Grand Tutor didn't say anything, he acquiesced. The leading officer nodded slightly, and his followers picked up Lin Lian'er and tried to drag her out.
Lin Lian'er sneered for no reason, and pressed her hands behind her back to gather magic. He Qi flicked his fingers slightly, and the gathered purple demonic power disappeared.
Lin Lian'er was terrified and tried to gather her strength again. She felt a heaviness in her chest and spat out a mouthful of black blood. The Painted Skin Demon then realized that there was someone in the yard who was suppressing her demonic power.
Lin Lian'er looked madly at the empty sky and said viciously, "What kind of ability is it to hide in the dark and suppress me!"
Everyone who didn't understand what was going on thought Lin Lian'er was crazy. After the attendants dragged Lin Lian'er out, the Grand Tutor asked, "Then where is my real daughter?"
The leading officer couldn't bear to hesitate for a moment and told him the story of the human flesh case a few days ago. After hearing this, the master covered his chest with his hands, his face in pain, and he spit out a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground. The maids quickly called the servants and carried the master into the room for treatment.
He cares more about power than his daughter, but the emperor's edict has arrived at the Yun family today. The fact is set and there is no other way. If the edict had arrived at the Lin family, he would definitely recognize this fake daughter.
Now he had lost both his wife and his army. It wasn't that he had no affection for his daughter, but the way she died was truly unacceptable.
After watching this farce, Yuanli returned home with peace of mind. This result could be considered an explanation to the human world. On the way, Tianshu Xingjun's brows were furrowed.
"Xingjun, the matter has been resolved, why are you still distressed?"
"Recently, evil spirits have been constantly committing evil deeds in the human world. I have a feeling that this matter is not simple, perhaps it is related to the remnants of the Xieyuan from 30,000 years ago. I need to return to the Heavenly Court to report. Ah Li, you go back to the mansion with Heqi first, I will follow." After saying this, Tianshu hurried back to the Heavenly Court without stopping.
There was an explanation in the human world, but the whereabouts of the jade hairpin were still unknown. The Painted Skin Demon had not taken any action yet, and no news had been leaked. Yuanli was really in a dilemma.
The road back to the mansion became increasingly unfamiliar, and Yuanli gradually realized she was heading in the wrong direction. The vast courtyard was pitch black, its walls twice as high as those of an ordinary mansion, and a few white lanterns lit the brick walls.
All the gates of the courtyard were guarded by soldiers. The deeper you went, the darker the surrounding environment became. There were even no flowers or trees planted. Crows were flying in the air, making the surrounding environment even more eerie.
Yuanli then understood that perhaps because Heqi noticed that she was worried, he did not take her back home as planned, but brought her to the Dali Temple prison.
Lin Lian'er was taken into the dungeon after passing through the thick stone wall. The jailer tied her to a wooden cross without any hesitation. The wooden frame was dirty and covered with blood that had not yet been washed off, but the Painted Skin Demon's expression was calm and she was not afraid at all.
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