The main courtyard.
Yun Houxing was still unaware that 'excitement' was approaching.
He had been terrified by his ghostly daughter for most of the night, his face already pale. When Xiao Chenyan slammed a half-copied account book in front of him.
Yun Houxing's vision went black, and he almost fainted.
This account book was clearly hidden in his secret room, how did it fall into Xiao Chenyan's hands!!
As he sat, Xiao Chenyan closed his eyes and twirled his prayer beads. Even though he was wrapped in a fox fur coat and his pale face still carried a sickly air, it couldn't hide the scent of blood and battle that clung to him.
Yun Houxing's mind was a mess, and he felt cold all over. He couldn't understand! He couldn't understand how the situation had escalated to this point.
He had only needed to wait for Madam Luo to deal with that evil ghost, Yun Qingwu, and then he would have had time to breathe and find another way to deal with Xiao Chenyan.
But now...
Yun Houxing's eyes were filled with murderous intent. If Xiao Chenyan didn't die, he would be the one to die!
But how could this man be so easily killed?
In an instant, Yun Houxing realized something was wrong. He looked at the man who was pretending to be asleep with his eyes closed and gritted his teeth, "What does Your Highness mean by this?"
"One path to life, one path to death. You choose."
"A path to life?" Yun Houxing sneered. Given Xiao Chenyan's temper, if he had obtained the account book but hadn't killed him immediately, it was clear he wanted something else from him. "May I ask what path to life Your Highness offers your subordinate?"
"The truth of the Battle of the Northern Territory ten years ago."
Yun Houxing was so shocked that he stood up abruptly, only to meet Xiao Chenyan's suddenly opened eyes. They were like an eagle's, sharp and piercing, making him stagger and almost fall back into his seat.
"What truth? Your subordinate does not understand what Your Highness is talking about!"
Xiao Chenyan was too lazy to play word games with him. "In ten years, you climbed to the position of Minister of Revenue by stepping on the corpses of the Marquis Zhenguo's household, amassing a total of 1.71 million taels of silver in corruption, according to the account book."
"I will give you one chance: write a confession, admit to the mastermind and accomplices who framed the Marquis Zhenguo back then, and I will spare your life."
"Alternatively, you can make up the embezzled silver within ten days, or the contents of the account book will be spread throughout the streets and alleys of the Capital City in ten days."
Yun Houxing's teeth felt cold. Neither of these paths was a path to life!
He truly hadn't expected that after so many years, Xiao Chenyan would still want to overturn the case for the Marquis Zhenguo's household!
Was Xiao Chenyan merely trying to seek justice for the Marquis Zhenguo's household? No! He was clearly trying to uncover the truth behind the Former Crown Prince's self-immolation!
No matter which path he chose, it would not be a path to life for Yun Houxing!
As Yun Houxing's heart was in turmoil, he heard a deafening clamor from outside.
He was furious. "What's all the noise outside!"
With a bang, a figure rushed in. The person's scalp was pitted and covered in blood.
Before Yun Houxing could see who it was, he was tackled to the ground.
"I want to eat your flesh and drink your blood!!"
Yun Qingwu, controlling Madam Luo's body, let out a cackling ghost laugh and bit down on Yun Houxing's ear, tearing off a piece of flesh.
The man's scream was like a pig being slaughtered.
Xiao Chenyan beside him was completely ignored.
Xiao Chenyan raised an eyebrow slightly, guessing it was Qing Wu's doing.
He watched with a blank expression for a moment. The prayer beads in his hand grew hotter and hotter, as if urging him to leave quickly.
"Help! Save me—"
Yun Houxing was desperate and resorting to any means, even asking Xiao Chenyan for help.
Xiao Chenyan's tone was calm. "Minister Yun and Madam are as close as glue. This King will not disturb your intimate moment."
"Minister Yun, you must live well and hold on for a few more days. This King is still waiting for your choice."
After speaking, he ignored Yun Houxing's outstretched hand for help and strode away, even thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
Xiao Chenyan pondered for a moment: "Lock it tight."
The lock was not brought, but the Black Armored Guards were incredibly efficient. They dismantled wooden boards from somewhere and directly nailed shut Yun Houxing's doors and windows.
They were determined to ensure Minister Yun and Madam Luo remained 'as close as glue' and 'respectful to each other' inside, and that no one would disturb them!
The Black Armored Guards had strange expressions. If Xiao Chenyan hadn't instructed them beforehand that there would be a lot of excitement at the Minister's Manor today and that they only needed to observe and not intervene.
They might have drawn their swords when the 'excitement' arrived.
Even Xiao Chenyan, after coming out, was momentarily silent at the sight of the Minister's Manor in chaos.
Without a doubt, he knew whose masterpiece this spectacle was.
It was truly... a sight that soothed the body and mind.
However...
Xiao Chenyan looked at the paper figures and paper horses running past, and a vein throbbed on his forehead.
Those paper figures and paper horses were the ones they had carried over this morning, weren't they?
"Let's go," he said, leading his men elsewhere.
Bai Sui quietly approached from the other side, his face full of horror. "Your subordinate inspected the secret room. It's already empty."
Xiao Chenyan was silent for a few more breaths. "Where is Yun Qingwu?"
Bai Sui swallowed a mouthful of saliva and subconsciously touched the hot talisman on his body. "She's already left. Right after she left, Madam Luo, who had contact with her, and the servants in the Minister's Manor all went mad, as if possessed by ghosts."
Bai Sui encountered several 'possessed' people on his way. At first, they tried to pounce on him, but when the red talisman on his body heated up, they all scattered like startled rabbits, keeping their distance.
Thinking about how he was going to throw the talisman away this morning and how Qing Wu had scared him, Bai Sui now only wanted to go back and offer incense to Qing Wu.
This young lady was not to be trifled with; he would have to worship her from now on!
The group quickly left the Minister's Manor.
Bai Sui and the others felt a sense of regret. If this spectacle hadn't been a ghostly one, they would have loved to stay and watch more.
Xiao Chenyan entered the carriage and saw the woman with her eyes closed, resting her chin on her hand, looking sleepy and languid. She was beautiful, but with a strange, alluring beauty that did not belong to the human realm.
"Finished watching the show?" Her eyelids lifted with her languid tone. Her eyes, like black mercury, sparkled with life and cunning, dispelling any deathly aura and leaving only vibrancy.
"It was very exciting." Xiao Chenyan looked at her and suddenly said, "Yun Houxing's secret room is empty. Was that your doing?"
Qing Wu blinked her eyes. "Guess?"
Xiao Chenyan didn't guess. He said directly, "Yun Houxing embezzled a total of 1.71 million taels of silver. By law, even extermination of his clan would not be excessive."
"So much? I thought it was only 400,000 taels."
The carriage suddenly fell silent.
Qing Wu met the man's meaningful gaze.
She: Oh dear~
Qing Wu feigned innocence and blinked. That 400,000 taels was her 'dowry,' and she had no intention of using her 'dowry' to subsidize a man.
Pitying a man would bring misfortune for several lifetimes.
Even if it was Xiao Chenyan, no matter how strong their past friendship, money was not to be discussed.
Qing Wu changed the subject. "Exterminating the clan might not be enough. Madam Luo also has the lives of hundreds of people in her hands, and they were all children."
"You can have someone investigate the disappearances of children in the Capital City over the years."
Xiao Chenyan's eyes darkened at her words. "Hundreds of children lost their lives?"
Qing Wu nodded. "Those two Demonic Daoists named Wushuang and Wuji back then were probably involved in this matter too. Have their origins been investigated?"
Xiao Chenyan: "These two Demonic Daoists suddenly appeared a few days ago. After entering the city, they went directly to the study. They are already dead, so investigating their origins will be a bit troublesome."
Qing Wu raised an eyebrow: Blame me?
"If you encounter trouble, then solve the trouble." Qing Wu had a 'I believe in you' expression. "Prince Yan's intervention, it's a piece of cake~"
Xiao Chenyan: "..." He ignored her banter and instead ordered an investigation into the missing children to be carried out.
Qing Wu had her own plans. Soul-snatching, from a public perspective, was stealing souls from their Underworld!
From a private perspective, were the souls of her parents and elder brother also in a similar situation, which was why they had remained untraceable?
The Old Emperor was obsessed with seeking immortality and neglected state affairs, leaving everything to the Eastern Palace. This led to the rampant spread of ghost and god worship in recent years.
All sorts of strange beings had emerged in the land of Great Yong.
In soul-snatching, there were no shortage of audacious individuals who courted death.
But it happened to be related to someone close to Yun Houxing, and Qing Wu felt this was a clue worth pursuing.
As her thoughts raced, she heard Xiao Chenyan say:
"I heard that only ghosts with resentment linger in the human realm. If their great vengeance is avenged, they will depart."
Qing Wu turned her head to meet those deep phoenix eyes.
"Has the Princess Consort's vengeance been avenged?"
Qing Wu countered instead of answering. "Does Your Highness still think I'm a ghost? Worried about the separation between humans and ghosts?"
"If you can be of use to me, what does it matter if you are human or ghost?"
Xiao Chenyan's eyes were deep. Ten years of preparation and training had long since smoothed away the sharp edges of his youth, tempering them into a profound and unfathomable depth, like a Mo Shi ink stone stabilizing the ink, deep enough to contain greater ambition and courage.
Qing Wu's smile faded slightly. "It's best for Your Highness to avoid provoking ghosts. Once you're entangled, it's very difficult to break free."
Xiao Chenyan's gaze was deep: Like you?
Qing Wu changed the subject. "I'm different. I'm virtuous, kind, and as a couple, Your Highness and I are united, our strength unbreakable. Since I arrived, haven't you felt your physique has become healthier~"
She extended her ghost claws. Xiao Chenyan directly grabbed her wrist. Qing Wu climbed up his arm, hugging him, and regardless of his expression, she first snuggled up to him to inhale some malevolent energy.
The smell from the Minister's Manor had truly choked her.
Xiao Chenyan could clearly feel her curves and softness. His back tensed, wanting to push her away, but a deep, uncontrollable desire stirred within him.
Every time he was close to her, his cold illness would lessen.
It was like long-awaited sweet dew, or like a moth drawn to a flame.
But for Xiao Chenyan now, it was more like drinking poison to quench his thirst.
The woman beside him was that poison.
He didn't mind using poison to fight poison, but he wouldn't allow himself to lose control.
Xiao Chenyan pulled his arm away. Just as he stood up to distance himself from Qing Wu, the carriage suddenly stopped abruptly.
He was tall and could steady himself by bracing his hand against the carriage wall, but Qing Wu was caught off guard. She was already leaning askew in an unladylike manner, and with the sudden jolt, her head was thrown violently towards Xiao Chenyan.
Coincidentally, Xiao Chenyan had just prepared to stand up at that moment.
The angle was just right, the timing so perfect, Qing Wu's head, like a stubborn stone, struck him just below the abdomen, in his most vulnerable spot.
"Ah!"
"Ugh—"
Qing Wu hastily sat up straight. She looked up and saw the man's already pale, handsome face now as white as a corpse that had been dead for three days. Veins bulged on his forehead, and his tall body was slightly hunched.
The look in his eyes was one of deep, profound hatred!
Qing Wu's heart trembled. She glanced down at his waist and abdomen. It was over, it was all over...
"Xiao Chenyan, are you alright!"
"It's over, it's over, it's ruined. Don't stay silent, blink if you're not okay!"
"Calm down. As long as it's not broken, there's still hope. I'll go all out and find a way to fix it for you!"
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