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
Yan Feng tightened his grasp on Murong Zhining's hands. “Since you have forgotten the past, I’ll remind you of everything one by one, we have all night. You belonged to me, I had already taken you into my imperial harem but Chiyun Yuexuan took you away from me, not because he loved you, but to clear the way for his sister, Chiyun Ping.” Murong Zhining shook her head. “No, it’s not what you said. Ning’er and General Chiyun have been engaged since childhood. Before I knew what marriage was, I already agreed to his proposal.” Enraged, Yan Feng shook her. “Then he explained the wrongs he had done to you? Why do you turn a blind eye to my sincerity, while being unable to forget him who tortured you in every way? I know you’ve remembered what happened, stop trying to fool yourself, okay? I can make you the most honorable empress of Huayan, and I can promise you a love that will never change for the rest of our life.” Murong Zhining pleaded, “Since
Chiyun Yuexuan nodded with a contemptuous smile. “I already know what words are engraved on it. ‘Imperial Guard,’ isn’t it? Du Youtian, let’s head back to your house and look for clues.” Yin Hua followed them out of the courtyard. “General is formidable. How about reward this little me some more silver?” Du Youtian spat on the ground. “How did the Yin family produce such a bastard like you? Just you wait, General will come back to settle with you very slowly about your abducting and selling Princess.” He snatched back the 500-tael note from Yin Hua and stuffed it into Chiyun Yuexuan’s lapel. … Chiyun Yuexuan squatted in the bush opposite Mrs. Yin’s house and observed the rut marks on the ground. “Indeed, a carriage from the palace. The emperor said he wouldn’t compete with me, but he never really gave up on Princess. I’ll need to return to the capital and see him.” Du Youtian pulled him back. “What makes you so su
When Chun Xing saw Yan Feng standing outside, she knelt to pay her respects. Two little eunuchs escorted Yan Feng into a room and removed the eunuch clothes off him, changing him into a casual dragon-patterned outfit. Murong Zhining curtsied. “Fengyi greets Your Majesty.” Still angry at what he had just heard, Yan Feng answered coldly, “You are the princess of Shangxia. You need not be polite.” Chun Xing tactfully passed a cup of tea to Yan Feng and silently retreated outside, closing the door while she did. Yan Feng looked at Murong Zhining who was quietly sitting opposite him at the stone table. “I came out of the palace disguised as a little eunuch to see you. Don't you have anything to say to me?” Murong Zhining lowered her head. “Ning'er doesn't know what to say. I'm the fiancee of General Chiyun and imprisoned here by Your Majesty. Your actions have not been rational. If this gets out, my reputation along wi
Yan Han rushed to Yan Feng, his voice choked, “Feng'er, you're out of your mind. Feng'er, please forgive a father's heart. You're both my flesh and blood, I will not favor one over the other. This matter needs to be discussed carefully, impulse won't bring results. “ He pulled Yan Feng back to sit down on the chair and personally put the crown back on his head. Chiyun Yuexuan also calmed down. “Can you let me go to that temporary palace and look for clues? The most important thing now is to find Princess. With some of her memory still missing, the consequences will be dire if she falls into the wrong hands.” Yan Feng summoned Qi Shangming and ordered, “Arrange a eunuch to take General Chiyun to the temporary palace. Call people of the Imperial Security Office to see me.” … As Chiyun Yuexuan meticulously searched the temporary palace, Chun Xing stood nervously with her head down. Chiyun Yuexuan aske
Yan Jing's tall body inched closer to Murong Zhining. “Princess is truly a legendary figure in Huayan right now. You despise the emperor and insists on following a small general. Is Chiyun Yuexuan's city bigger than mine, then? That's kind of interesting. And just so you know, it's not that difficult for me to hide someone here in the Imperial Capital.” Murong Zhining cast her eyes down with a faint smile. “I never discuss a hero by the size of their city. What I value is the hero himself. If Your Highness releases me, I'll tell you a plan to get away with your crime.” Yan Jing put his face close to Murong Zhining's. “Let's hear it. They all say Princess is a clever girl, I want to see it for myself.” Murong Zhining furtively turned her body put some distance between them. “If Your Highness wants to hear my plan, you must show some sincerity first. I've already provoked your two brothers in the Yan family. If I provoke you now, I'm afraid I
Murong Zhining said coldly and proudly, "If Your Highness dares to try to slight this palace? This palace will immediately crash and die in your mansion. This palace is still the same, if Your Highness wants to get off the hook, you still have to rely on this palace."Yan Jing furiously pinched Murong Zhining's chin and lifted her head up, ''This king hates being threatened, isn't it good for you to be a little woman? You have to be aggressive. If you want to push this king to the brink, I'll do you immediately. This king is really moved by you, and wants you to be the queen, if you don't know how to behave, don't blame this king for disregarding your feelings. You will be this king's ghost even if you die in this king's mansion."Murong Zhining was pinched under her chin, she didn't dare to show her inner panic. When her gaze flicked to the roof, her gaze softened, "Your Highness just promised this palace that you would be gentle. With Your Highness being gentle one mom