Chapter 196

Chapter 196

“The compass gave only a general direction…”

“It indicates that Minister Zhong has not left Beiding County…”

“The approximate location is east of the city…”

Yan Zhengchu studied the compass for a long while before offering his conclusion.

He added, “But I cannot be completely certain. This is the first time I have used the Soul-Seeking Spell to find a living person.”

Zhong Dingyan was overjoyed. He immediately went to the door and instructed a guard, “Go tell the steward to recall everyone we sent out.”

“Narrow the search. Look only in the eastern district!”

The guard hurried away at once.

Zhong Dingyan glanced at Concubine Qiu beneath the covered walkway. Seeing that she looked as though grief had left her utterly numb, he could not harden his heart.

He approached her. “Please return and rest, Concubine. I will uncover the truth of Second Brother’s death and give you an explanation.”

Concubine Qiu sneered. “He is already dead. What use is your explanation to me?”

Without even looking at him, she turned and walked away.

Watching her retreating figure, Zhong Dingyan truly feared she might do something rash. He instructed a servant, “Watch Concubine Qiu carefully. Do not let her harm herself.”

Inside the room, Ren Fengjue suggested, “In that case, we should help search as well.”

“No, no.”

Zhong Dingyan hurriedly refused. “All of you traveled through the night, ate breakfast only recently, and have already spent so long investigating this room.”

“Now that we know Father’s general location, leave the rest to me.”

He then insisted on personally leading them to the guest quarters to rest.

Ren Fengjue knew his character and did not press the matter.

The Zhong residence’s guest rooms had already been prepared.

Whether intentionally or not, Zhong Dingyan placed Yan Zhengchu, Yu Lang, and Axia in one courtyard.

Ren Fengjue and Xia Ximo were placed in another, in adjacent rooms.

Ren Fengjue appeared indifferent, but his feelings were difficult to describe.

Xia Ximo gave it little thought. After returning to her room, she leaned against the couch and closed her eyes to rest.

Although she had traveled without sleep for nearly the entire night, she felt no drowsiness.

After lying there with her eyes closed, she only grew restless.

One thought even formed in her mind: they had to find Zhong Ming as quickly as possible.

Once the thought appeared, she did not delay for an instant. She rose and opened the door.

But the moment it opened, she saw Ren Fengjue’s face.

He was leaning against a pillar outside.

Their eyes met, and both were startled.

Ren Fengjue had not expected her to open the door so suddenly and appeared momentarily flustered.

“Miss Xia, aren’t you resting?”

“No.”

She swept him a puzzled glance. “Why are you standing here?”

Ren Fengjue hurriedly explained, “I… was thinking about something.”

“Zhong Ming?”

“Yes…”

Xia Ximo nodded and came straight to the point. “I intend to go look for him.”

Ren Fengjue was surprised again.

Though this did not seem like her usual behavior, he asked no questions. “Then… let us go together.”

Xia Ximo seemed confused. “You are going too?”

If she had not proposed going, Ren Fengjue would certainly have waited at the residence for news from Zhong Dingyan.

But now…

“I cannot rest easy while the matter remains unresolved. It appears you and I had the same idea.”

“…”

As sparing with words as ever, Xia Ximo said, “Let us go.”
The two left the courtyard side by side.

At the gate of the Zhong residence, a servant approached. “Are our guests going out?”

Ren Fengjue answered, “We would like to stroll through the city.”

“Shall I prepare a carriage?”

“No.”

Barely had they left when Yan Zhengchu and Yu Lang emerged from the residence as well.

Daoist Yan had been unable to set his mind at ease. Worried that Zhong Ming had been possessed by a Vengeful Ghost and might hurt innocent people, he intended to investigate the eastern district.

Yu Lang loved joining any excitement. When he encountered Daoist Yan on his way out, he happily went along.

The moment they left the Zhong residence, sharp-eyed Yu Lang began making a commotion.

“Daoist Yan, look. Who is that?”

Following his finger, Yan Zhengchu was startled too. “The Young Marquis and Miss Xia?”

“What are they…”

Secretly going shopping without them?

Yu Lang narrowed his eyes. “The Young Marquis probably wants to walk around with Miss Xia. Those two… well, well.”

They truly were growing closer.

Yan Zhengchu calculated on his fingers and smiled. “They are a match made in heaven. Even though the engagement was broken, the thread of fate still binds them.”

Yu Lang deliberately asked, “Then calculate mine too, Daoist Master. Where is my destined beauty?”

“You?”

Yan Zhengchu calculated, then suddenly frowned. Before he could speak, Vice Minister Yu cut him off.

“Forget it. I expect my marriage is still far away.”

“We had better see where those two are going…”

With that, he somehow produced a folding fan and strode forward while waving it.

Yan Zhengchu clicked his tongue at the display and followed. “Have you forgotten why we came out?”

“Don’t worry. I haven’t.”

Elsewhere, Ren Fengjue and Xia Ximo soon reached a bustling market street.

Both were new to Beiding County and unfamiliar with the area, so they naturally had to ask for directions.

Lord Ren surveyed the surroundings and spotted a miscellaneous-goods market at the main intersection. A hawker with a booming voice was loudly advertising his wares.

Without hesitation, Ren Fengjue drew Xia Ximo over.

As its name suggested, the market sold a bewildering assortment of goods. Genuine and counterfeit items were mixed together, as were old and new.

Besides common household goods, there were curios and antiques collected from other regions.

Naturally, there was also no shortage of women’s jewelry and hair ornaments.

Shangjing did not permit such markets. Ren Fengjue had seen them only in books such as Records of Rumors.

At a glance, good and bad were indeed hopelessly mixed, making authenticity difficult to judge.

While calling out his wares, the hawker saw a handsome man and beautiful woman approach. “Would the gentleman and his lady like to buy something?”

Ren Fengjue smiled. His eye immediately fell upon a crescent-shaped, double-sided carved silver comb. He picked it up. “How much?”

Knowing he had met someone who recognized quality, the hawker answered playfully, “If you mean it as a gift for this lady, pay whatever you think it is worth.”

Ren Fengjue took the largest silver ingot from his robe and handed it over. “I would also like directions. How do we reach the eastern district?”

The hawker beamed at his generosity and pointed down the street behind him. “Follow this street to the very end, and you’ll reach the eastern district.”

“But it is desolate over there. There is nothing to see.”

Ren Fengjue thanked him, then handed the silver comb to Xia Ximo with a faint smile. “This should sit more comfortably in your hand when you throw it.”