Chapter 220
Chapter 220
With Zhong Dingyan’s arrangements, Ren Fengjue and Yu Lang soon arrived at the gates of the Fu Family residence.
When the Fu Family heard they were guests from Minister Zhong’s residence, no one dared neglect them. The two men were quickly invited into the main hall.
While a servant went to announce them, Ren Fengjue lightly tapped the Lotus Lamp in his hand. “Is Miss Xia here?”
Yu Lang thought Ren Fengjue was speaking to him and looked puzzled.
Inside the lantern, Wuyou froze slightly.
Wuyou had not expected Ren Fengjue to search for Xia Ximo this way.
“How did you know I could sense her presence?”
With the lantern itself in his hand, Wuyou could transmit words to Ren Fengjue through the Soul-Ferrying Lantern even though he was not the Soul Ferryman.
Yu Lang, however, could not hear them.
Ren Fengjue replied quietly, “A guess.”
Wuyou fell silent.
Perhaps because the Earth Lord had granted Wuyou a physical form, the Pure Yang Body no longer frightened Wuyou so much.
Wuyou even dared poke half their head out and sniff the air.
“I can sense her inside this residence, but she should be in the inner compound.”
If she was there, Ren Fengjue and Yu Lang would have great difficulty entering. Even the prestige of a minister’s residence would likely not be enough.
Just then, a man who appeared to be the steward rushed out and bowed respectfully to Ren Fengjue.
“Young master, please forgive our poor hospitality. Something has suddenly happened… in the inner residence. I fear our eldest young master will be unable to leave for some time.”
“The eldest young master said he would visit Minister Zhong’s residence as soon as the matter is settled!”
After hearing this, Ren Fengjue showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he asked, “Does the matter in the inner residence concern your young master and his wife?”
The steward was astonished. “How… did you know?”
Imitating Yan Zhengchu, Ren Fengjue pinched his fingers together and pretended to perform a mysterious calculation.
“I possess some modest knowledge of mystic arts. I also calculated that this matter is connected to the Wen Family.”
He deliberately emphasized the words “Wen Family.”
The steward’s expression changed again, and he offered unreserved praise. “Young master… your calculations are truly divine.”
Yu Lang opened his mouth but said nothing. Behind the steward’s back, he quietly gave Ren Fengjue a thumbs-up.
Ren Fengjue continued, “If you trust me, report to Young Master Fu once more. Perhaps I can help…”
The steward knew the matter was urgent and could not be delayed. He immediately ran to report.
Before long, a dignified young man strode out from the inner compound.
When he saw Ren Fengjue and Yu Lang, his brows seemed to draw together slightly, and suspicion flashed in his eyes.
Only out of respect for the minister’s residence did he force a little more warmth into his smile.
Ren Fengjue could tell from his expression that he did not trust them. Still unhurried, Ren Fengjue offered a slight bow. “Young Master Fu.”
Fu Yuan hurriedly returned the courtesy and asked, “May I know how to address you gentlemen?”
Ren Fengjue grew solemn. “We are not from Beiding County and are only staying briefly at the minister’s residence because of certain circumstances. As for our names, we would rather not disclose them.”
Fu Yuan was displeased by the slight, but he could not make trouble and could only smile in agreement.
Ren Fengjue immediately asked, “The steward said something happened in the inner residence. Does it concern your wife?”
When Ren Fengjue brought up Zuihuan, Fu Yuan’s expression darkened, and his brows furrowed deeply.
He explained, “It is nothing serious. My wife lost her temper, struck a servant, and said several strange things.”
Yu Lang immediately adopted a grave manner. “That does not sound minor. It sounds more like possession…”
Young Master Fu’s face fell at once, but Vice Minister Yu pretended not to notice.
“We have heard about Young Master Fu and Miss Wen. If I am not mistaken, Miss Wen’s funeral procession took place only last night…”
“Think carefully, Young Master Fu. Could these events be connected?”
Anger filled Young Master Fu’s eyes. He plainly no longer intended to show them courtesy and had decided to send them away.
Ren Fengjue suddenly stepped forward and softened his tone. “There is no need to be angry, Young Master Fu. We did not come to cause trouble.”
“We truly know some of the inside story.”
His voice was gentle, but his steady presence made others instinctively inclined to believe him…
Fu Yuan suppressed his anger, and his voice returned to calm. “What inside story… do you know?”
Ren Fengjue did not circle the issue. He stated the truth directly.
“Miss Wen did not die of illness.”
Those few words made Fu Yuan’s heart sink, and an inexplicable chill crept down his back.
Seeing his reaction, Ren Fengjue continued, “Young Master Fu must have heard that those who die violently harbor the deepest resentment. They may become Vengeful Spirits or fierce ghosts and be unable to enter reincarnation.”
“Miss Wen’s greatest regret in life was likely that she failed to marry into the Fu Family.”
“Now that she lingers in the mortal realm after death, whom do you suppose she would seek first, Young Master Fu?”
By the time he finished, Fu Yuan’s legs had nearly gone weak.
He immediately protested, “Why would she come for me? I did not kill her!”
Ren Fengjue did not answer. Instead, he asked, “After breaking the engagement, Young Master Fu immediately married Zuihuan, the leading singer at Wangyou Tavern. Have you ever regretted it?”
The question made Fu Yuan’s expression ugly again.
Yu Lang deliberately leaned closer and studied his face. “Judging by your expression, you must regret it.”
Fu Yuan’s complexion shifted between pale and flushed, but he refused to answer.
In truth, regret was inevitable.
He had broken the engagement in a fit of anger, heedless of the condemnation he would face.
He had married Zuihuan in a burst of reckless passion as well, urged on by his disreputable friends.
Every one of them had claimed to envy him for plucking the loftiest, most unattainable flower from its branch.
In reality, they had been waiting to laugh at him.
Some things truly were “to be admired from afar but never possessed.”
A woman like Zuihuan belonged at Wangyou Tavern, surrounded and adored by admirers.
Once she descended into ordinary life, there was nothing special about her…
Fu Yuan sometimes wondered whether married life would have been different if he had wed Wen Yu.
At the very least, she had been willing to expend every effort to please and accommodate him.
He would only have needed to enjoy everything she gave him…
Ren Fengjue said, “This began with you, Young Master Fu, and should end with you. Lead the way. Perhaps we can help.”
Fu Yuan slowly emerged from his thoughts. He seemed about to speak, but in the end, he compromised.
“Please follow me.”