Yan Feng weakly sat on the throne. “Announce them.”
Qi Shangming shouted, “His Majesty has decreed for an audience with Commandery Prince Yan and Prime Minister Ning the Imperial Study.”
Ning Zezhi and Chiyun Nan entered the Imperial Study with heavy expression. After protocol courtesy, Yan Feng let them sit.
Yan Feng frowned. “I know you two are here to interrogate me. If I say the incident has nothing to do with me, you two won’t believe me anyway. I’ve just returned from the retired emperor’s Jingci Palace after having reassured him that the murderer will be brought to justice. I’m asking the same from you, put some trust in me, I will find the culprit.”
Chiyun Nan’s face sank. “General Chiyun shared a brotherhood with Your Majesty. Although he always did things with lack of decorum, he did not deserve to die. I don't understand, who else can hold such a mortal enmity with him that they’d only be satisfied with nothing short
Chiyun Yuexuan was scared that Chiyun Nan would pull a strict face, but to his surprise, Chiyun Nan only displayed relief and kindness. “You little brat, always acting without considering the consequences and always making people worry about you.” Yan Han hurriedly looked over at Chiyun Nan, quietly pleading for help. “It’s good that Xuan’er is fine, no need to be hard on him. Since we can't keep it from him any longer, Prime Minister, you go first.” Chiyun Yuexuan furrowed. “Is there something you’re not telling me, Father?” Chiyun Nan grew solemn. “You are not my birth son. In fact, you’re the son of the retired emperor and grandson of Prime Minister Ning. Your birth mother is the queen of the retired emperor, her name was Ning Yuetong. She gave birth to you in the Cold Palace because she was framed by vile people. For your safety, she entrusted you to your present mother.” Chiyun Yuexuan was shocked, his face puzzled. “Fathe
The atmosphere of dinner could still be considered harmonious, with Chiyun Yuexuan being the only unhappy one. Chiyun Nan gave him a painful look. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the palace to discuss with the retired emperor about your wedding with Princess. If you want to make your marriage grand and honorable, you'd better return to the imperial clan as soon as possible. Also, it’s inevitable that people will gossip if Princess stays at the General Estate. She will move to the Commandery Prince Estate until you two get married.” Chiyun Yuexuan had always respected Chiyun Nan since he was a child and obeyed his word. This time, however, he insisted on his own opinion, “Princess has lost her memory because of a poison called the Exquisite Heartwash Pill. Since I’ve done things that hurt her before, it would be unfair to her if I marry her when she has no ability to distinguish. I have decided, I'll take her back to Fuling Pass tomorrow and talk about marriage when her memory is
Murong Zhining smiled. “There’s no need to worry. I was only poisoned by a kind of memory loss drug. It's not fatal.” Ning Zezhi then raised his cup. “This family banquet was supposed to be a happy occasion, but the atmosphere has grown a little too heavy. Let’s propose a toast and enjoy a delightful meal. My wife and I haven’t had one for many years, and these past years have been truly hard on her. Come on, to my madam. Xuan’er is our hope, there will always be hope as long as you survive.” Everyone raised their glasses to each other, and the atmosphere was no longer heavy. Ning Zezhi then turned the topic to Wu Siyuan, “I heard that General Wu has earned the appreciation of the retired emperor and will soon become Princess Jingrong’s husband. Congratulations, Commandery Prince Yan and General Wu. Prince Yan, you should let General Wu return to his ancestry as soon as possible. It’s been unfair to General Wu all these past years.”Wu Siyuan
Strings of tears fell from Murong Zhining’s eyes. “I thought my fate was bitter, but compared to hers, it’s nothing.” Chiyun Yuexuan quickly pulled her into his arms and glared at Cai Sang. “Can’t you just stop for a while and wait until she has finished eating?” Murong Zhining tearfully looked up at Chiyun Yuexuan. “Can we help her find her family?” Chiyun Yuexuan soothed her lovingly, “Alright, whatever Ning’er wants to do, I will unconditionally support you.” The fool at the other table happily imitated, “Alright... Support...” Murong Zhining wiped her tears and chuckled aloud. Wu Siyuan, eating with his head low, occasionally glanced at Cai Sang. Chiyun Yuexuan could as if see through his mind. “Cai Sang, General Wu is going to be a princess’ husband, but I know that he has you in his heart. If you want, I will help you and make him take you in.” Cai Sang blushed. “A maid of low sta
Murong Zhining nervously grasped Chiyun Yuexuan’s hand. The latter softly chuckled. “Ning’er is also a ghost now, why are you so afraid of ghosts? My Little Tabby is such a scaredy-cat.” Murong Zhining poutily pinched his palm with her nails. “You’re so hateful. Stop scaring me, I’m already very nervous.” Chiyun Yuexuan tried to refrain himself from laughing. “My wife has the guts of a chicken and still insists on following people to catch ghosts. I'm looking forward to see how scared you’ll get when the ghost appears. It’s almost time actually, put out the torches and we’ll see it.” Du Youtian and the other soldier put out the torches. The four concealed themselves in the darkness. Before long, a metallic rumble echoed from above the basement stairs. Murong Zhining knew that someone had activated the switch in the study. Right after, there was a slight sound of footsteps on the stairs. Both scared and curious, Mu
Murong Zhining nodded. “General and I also noticed the tunnel not only leads to the openings on the city wall, but also has an end that’s deliberately blocked. Oh, there are several corpses in the basement. Do you know who they are? Do you remember a maid named Cai Shao in the Zhuang Estate?” Feng Yingfan lowered her head in ponder, her brows wrinkled tightly. “I remember her, she was the daughter of Shen Tianshun, the boss of Shen Memory Silk Villa. Shen Tianshun monopolized the silk business in the Imperial Capital for many years and earned a lot of money, making himself a target of Zhuang Cheng's behind-the-scenes master. I remembered one time Zhuang Cheng was furious when Shen Tianshun refused to pay him a sum of one million taels extortion.” She replied after some time. This seemed to have opened the door to some terrible memories. “A few days later, a sensational case occurred in the capital. Miss Shenyang simply disappea
Chiyun Yuexuan led Murong Zhining and Cai Sang to the Zhuang Estate and saw a line of people already waiting at the entrance. A man of 60 years of age bowed to Chiyun Yuexuan. “Peasant Shen Tianshun greets General Chiyun. May I ask why you’ve invited us here?” Shen Tianshun looked ruddy and good-natured, he wore a refined twilled silk dark-blue gown with leopard prints. Behind him was a woman in her fifties. She was dignified and elegant wearing luxurious jewelry, one could tell from a glance she was a woman from a rich family. Chiyun Yuexuan nodded. “You need not be courteous, Old Mister Shen. Your good moral standing and reputation have my admiration. A few days ago, I discovered the remains of a woman during my investigation in the basement of the Zhuang Estate and was reminded of the former servants’ word about your lost daughter. Therefore, I invited you and Madam to have a look. I only hope that the remains of the woman in the dungeon
Mrs. Yin and Butcher Du hurried to the village road to welcome. Upon seeing Murong Zhining, they wanted to kneel. Murong Zhining stepped forward to stop Mrs. Yin. “Foster Mother and Father, Ning’er doesn’t deserve this. The favor of raising a child is greater than heaven. Ning’er will always be your child. Please don’t stand on ceremony, I’m still the little girl you adopted.” Mrs. Yin took Murong Zhining to a big compound with green bricks, red tiles, and a red door with a cornice like that of a rich family, her face full of smiles. “I only thought A’Niu had done a great job in the army and was rewarded by the general, who could have known it was because of Little Ling’er that we received such a big return for adopting you less than one year? We’re both ashamed.” Murong Zhining walked into the courtyard and looked around. “Please don’t say that. Ning’er has nothing else to repay your for your kindness. Besides, you’ve treated me like one of