The next day.
Zhan Beiyuan did not take Momo and Mianmian to the military camp. Instead, he and Jiang Yunxi made a grand spectacle of inspecting one Dry Well after another, accompanied by guards. The commotion was so great that it drew crowds of onlookers from across the city.
The events at the Marquis Wenxin Estate had already spread throughout the capital yesterday.
Today, as Zhan Beiyuan and Jiang Yunxi went to inspect the Dry Wells, the people inevitably linked the two matters together, sparking heated discussions everywhere.
They began to speculate whether the rumors about the Marquis Wenxin Estate were true.
To stand by and watch one’s lawfully wedded wife drown, then murder her entire family, and even Suppress their souls and spirits in Dry Wells, preventing their Reincarnation—such deeds were utterly enraging to both gods and men!
Jiang Yunxi and Zhan Beiyuan meticulously searched well after well. When they encountered onlookers, they even asked them to provide locations of other Dry Wells.
The people eagerly shared the locations, for in their eyes, Zhan Beiyuan was fair and impartial.
He would not wrong the innocent, nor would he let the wicked go unpunished.
A whole day passed.
Jiang Yunxi and Zhan Beiyuan had inspected quite a few Dry Wells, with only a small portion left unchecked. They planned to continue the search tomorrow.
…
Hanwang Residence.
In the evening, the Retired Emperor quietly arrived.
“Imperial Grandfather!”
Momo and Mianmian toddled over as fast as their little legs could carry them, each clinging to one of his legs, affectionately nuzzling their small heads against him.
The Retired Emperor’s heart melted at their embrace, and he couldn’t stop smiling.
Since they wouldn’t bring the children into the palace, he had to come himself. He had missed them terribly these past few days.
“Good children, see what I’ve brought for you,” the Retired Emperor said, glancing at Eunuch Qin behind him.
Qin Fu immediately stepped forward, holding an exquisite brocade box. Smiling warmly at the two little ones, he said, “Young Master, Young Miss, let’s go over there and see what the Retired Emperor has brought for you.”
“Thank you, Imperial Grandfather!” Momo and Mianmian chimed before rushing off to see their gifts.
Zhan Beiyuan looked at the Retired Emperor, his expression indifferent. “Why has Father left the palace?”
The Retired Emperor scowled, displeased. “What kind of attitude is that? Do you not wish for me to visit your residence? Hmph, I’m not here to see you anyway.”
“Overthinking is bad for your health,” Zhan Beiyuan offered him these eight words.
The Retired Emperor: “…”
Jiang Yunxi watched the father and son pair, feeling somewhat amused. She knew the Retired Emperor doted on Zhan Beiyuan, as he was the son of the woman he loved and also his youngest child.
“Your Majesty, aside from visiting Momo and Mianmian, you have other matters to discuss, don’t you?”
“I heard you went to the Jingzhao Yin Office and beat the Drum of Injustice. Is what you said true?” the Retired Emperor asked. He was not here to stop her from investigating.
On the contrary, he supported it.
He had heard.
Last night, the two of them went together to inspect the Dry Wells, and today they took guards to search more wells. This was exactly what he had hoped for—more time for them to spend together.
“It is true,” Jiang Yunxi replied solemnly. Last night, after she and Zhan Beiyuan returned to the residence, she had released Xie Sirou’s soul and spirit.
She had Xie Sirou personally recount her grievances to Zhan Beiyuan.
The Retired Emperor’s expression darkened, his gaze sharp as a blade. “The Marquis Wenxin Estate was once glorious and illustrious, with ancestors of impeccable character. How could such a descendant emerge?”
He felt furious on behalf of the estate’s forebears.
A single unfilial descendant could truly bring ruin to an entire family.
“As you sow, so shall you reap,” Jiang Yunxi could only explain it with these words.
“You must investigate thoroughly and bring the truth to light,” the Retired Emperor said with an authoritative expression. The more they interacted, the better they would understand each other, and their relationship would progress further.
“I will make Marquis Wenxin pay the price he deserves,” Jiang Yunxi declared, her beautiful eyes flashing with a bloodthirsty killing intent. That man was unworthy of being called human.
Back then, the Marquis Wenxin Estate had married Xie Sirou, a merchant’s daughter, because the estate was struggling to make ends meet.
She brought a substantial dowry and, with her business acumen, revitalized all the loss-making shops of the Marquis Wenxin Estate, turning them profitable.
Thanks to her, the Marquis Wenxin Estate’s fortunes improved steadily.
Yet, in the end, she suffered the most tragic fate.
The Marquis Wenxin Estate had wronged Xie Sirou.
After enjoying a decade of wealth and luxury, it was time to repay the debt.
The Retired Emperor looked at her with admiration and praised, “Your sense of justice reminds me a bit of your grandfather.”
Jiang Yunxi replied, “Indeed, I am like my grandfather. Even now, in Diyu, he remains just and righteous.”
“What did you say?” The Retired Emperor was stunned.
Zhan Beiyuan: “…”
He had heard clearly—she said the old Duke of Ying was in Diyu.
“My grandfather has not undergone Reincarnation in Diyu,” Jiang Yunxi explained without hiding anything.
“Hasn’t he been deceased for over a decade? He still hasn’t undergone Reincarnation?” The Retired Emperor wore an expression of shock and disbelief.
Jiang Yunxi had no choice but to repeat what she had told her grandmother that day.
The Retired Emperor: “…”
Zhan Beiyuan: “…”
Both father and son were utterly bewildered, hearing such a bizarre tale for the first time.
During dinner.
The Retired Emperor stayed at the Hanwang Residence.
At the dining table, he asked Jiang Yunxi to recount many miraculous and supernatural stories.
Jiang Yunxi was more than happy to oblige.
After dinner.
Jiang Yunxi and Zhan Beiyuan escorted the Retired Emperor out with their children. Originally, the Retired Emperor had wanted to take Momo and Mianmian to the palace for a few days, but Jiang Yunxi mentioned that her father had returned from the border and she planned to take the children to see him tomorrow.
The Retired Emperor had no choice but to wait for another opportunity to bring the two children into the palace.
“Your Majesty should be cautious in the coming days to avoid injury,” Jiang Yunxi reminded him after some thought.
“If I get injured, so be it. At least I still have five years to live. I’m not afraid,” the Retired Emperor replied, unperturbed by her warning. As long as it wasn’t life-threatening, he didn’t mind.
Jiang Yunxi was speechless.
You certainly have a broad perspective, old man!
What a remarkable mindset!
Truly worthy of being the Retired Emperor!
…
Marquis Wenxin Estate.
“Master, this Jiang Yunxi is truly despicable. It seems she is determined to oppose our estate,” Madam Yao said, gripping her handkerchard tightly, her face fierce and her heart burning with rage.
Lu Ze’an no longer wore his usual gentle and refined expression; only gloom remained. He had thought that after Qu Daren from the Jingzhao Yin Office found nothing during the investigation at the estate, Jiang Yunxi would give up.
Little did he expect that not only did she persist, but she also involved Prince Han.
During the day, they had made a grand show of searching everywhere for the Dry Well. If he wasn’t mistaken, they were likely trying to find the Suppressed souls and spirits of the Xie family.
He hadn’t anticipated that Xie Sirou’s soul and spirit would escape.
However, it seemed she didn’t know the location where they had been Suppressed back then; otherwise, she would have told Jiang Yunxi already.
“Without evidence, even Prince Han’s involvement won’t be enough to harm the Marquis Wenxin Estate,” Lu Ze’an quickly calmed down. They were deliberately making a big fuss, likely to pressure him into dealing with the Xie family’s souls and spirits.
How could he fall for such a trick!
If he didn’t lead them there, they would never find that place!
Hearing this, Madam Yao finally felt the weight lift from her heart. “That Jiang Yunxi truly deserves to die. Judging by her attitude, she won’t let this go easily. If she keeps making a fuss like this, it won’t be good for the Marquis Wenxin Estate either.”
Suddenly.
The steward hurried in and reported urgently, “Master, Consort Li has sent Granny Xu to the estate.”