Chapter 275
Chapter 275
As soon as the five-horse carriage left, the beggars dispersed too.
Watching it recede, Zhao Wan snorted. “I don’t know what they have to be so pleased with themselves about.”
Clearly, the princess was deeply displeased with these so-called Three Holy Sons.
Ren Fengjue immediately asked, “Have you met these Three Holy Sons, Your Highness?”
Yu Lang followed with another question. “Are the Three Holy Sons actually one person or three?”
Zhao Wan glanced at the two men and answered them together.
“I hear there are three, but I’ve only seen one, and I didn’t see his face. They usually wear masks and never show their true faces. You can tell they’re no good…”
Ren Fengjue nodded, then instinctively glanced at the refugee who had spoken earlier.
The man immediately avoided his gaze and lowered his head.
Clearly, he must know something…
On the way back from the temple to Liangzhou City, Zhao Wan gave them a general account of the rumors about the Three Holy Sons circulating in the city.
It had begun roughly three years earlier, when the Marquis of Zhenbei was gravely ill. His advisers began leading searches through the city for boys of the same age, with matching birth dates and hours and similar destinies. No one knew why.
About half a year later, talk of the Three Holy Sons began spreading through the city.
Ostensibly, they were the Marquis of Zhenbei’s adopted sons, but they were said to possess vast supernatural powers. As long as someone was not entirely dead, a blessing bestowed by a Holy Son could save them.
For a time, they enjoyed immense devotion among the people of Liangzhou City.
“That was the very year Father was at his sickest…”
A trace of grief rose in Zhao Wan’s eyes at the mention of Prince Wu, but she quickly suppressed it. “I was so desperate then that I wanted to try seeking help from the Three Holy Sons.”
“So I sent a formal request in Father’s name to the Marquis of Zhenbei’s residence, asking to see the marquis…”
Everyone straightened and listened keenly, their expressions turning serious at once.
Clearly sensing the change in atmosphere, Zhao Wan asked in confusion, “Why are you all looking like that? Do you think I was foolish too?”
They hastily waved their hands. “No. Not at all…”
Yu Lang said, “I’m simply curious whether Your Highness actually met the Marquis of Zhenbei and managed to invite the Three Holy Sons.”
Zhao Wan looked regretful. “No. When Father learned about it, he was so angry that he got out of his sickbed and personally came to the Marquis Mansion to drag me back…”
Dejected, she added, “Everyone in Liangzhou City knows Father and the Marquis of Zhenbei were at odds. Even if the Three Holy Sons had been willing to help, with Father’s stubborn temper, he might not have agreed.”
“It was that day at the marquis’s residence that I saw a masked man standing under a covered walkway in the distance. Judging by his build and appearance, he should have been one of the Holy Sons people spoke of.”
Yan Zhengchu, who had remained silent, suddenly said, “There can be no true gods walking the human world. To my mind, these so-called Three Holy Sons are little different from the Ghost God in Beiding County. Most likely, evil beings are causing trouble.”
Yu Lang said, “It seems we’ll have to begin our investigation with these Three Holy Sons…”
Ren Fengjue considered quietly and formed a plan of his own.
Back at the mansion, the four newcomers alighted and looked up at the plaque reading “Prince Wu’s Mansion.” They froze, utterly at a loss.
Though Zhao Wan had complained aloud, she still turned and instructed Steward Sun to take them inside and have the Household Physician treat them.
The visit to Kaifu Temple had indeed kept them busy for much of the day.
So as not to miss staying up to welcome the New Year that night, they each returned to their rooms to rest first.
Xia Ximo had only just reached Zhenxia Courtyard when she encountered Zhao Wan’s personal maid, Xiaoxizi, coming out.
Still somewhat afraid of her, the maid immediately stopped and explained, “I was… sent by Her Highness to bring you a few things, Miss Xia.”
“What things?” Xia Ximo asked calmly.
“Several sets of new clothes for the New Year, and some matching jewelry.”
Xia Ximo showed no delight. “There’s no need to go to so much trouble. I have no use for them.”
Xiaoxizi was astonished. “How could you have no use for them? Tomorrow is New Year’s Day. These clothes were all freshly made, and Her Highness picked out some of her finest jewelry from her own chest last night.”
She muttered more quietly, “She wouldn’t even give them to the imperial princess when she asked before.”
Xia Ximo said, “If they’re so valuable, that’s all the more reason I can’t accept them. Take them back.”
“Miss Xia!” Xiaoxizi was plainly a little angry. “Her Highness meant well. She… truly considers you a friend!”
“…If you really don’t want them, tell Her Highness yourself.”
Having spoken indignantly, Xiaoxizi turned and ran off.
Xia Ximo remained standing there for a while, taken aback.
The word “friend” was very unfamiliar to her.
She did not need friends either.
Yet in that brief moment, she had actually hesitated and kept those words to herself.
After Xia Ximo entered her room, Wuyou immediately appeared as well. Sniffing repeatedly, they said, “Mogu, I think I’ve caught the faint scent of a soul that died an untimely death. It keeps coming and going…”
“Where?”
“On the way back to the mansion from outside the city just now. I kept feeling that a soul was following us, all the way to the gate. But it doesn’t seem to have come in.”
Perhaps it was wary of Yan Zhengchu’s presence and dared not approach?
“Let’s go and look now.”
Xia Ximo picked up the Soul-Ferrying Lantern and headed out.
Meanwhile, Ren Fengjue had not returned to the guest courtyard either. He intended to check on the four newcomers in the rear courtyard.
Guided by a servant, he found the room where they had been lodged. The Household Physician was treating the boy’s wound.
The others had just changed into clean clothes and stood nearby.
At the sight of Ren Fengjue, the older man immediately came forward and tried to kneel again, but was stopped.
“There is no need to thank me. Princess Fenghua is the one willing to take you in.”
Ren Fengjue smiled slightly. “My surname is Ren. I’m a friend of the princess and a guest here myself. May I know your names?”
The man answered, “We’re from the same village, and our surname is Zhu. My given name is Peng, for the great bird spreading its wings.”
Zhu Peng pointed to the other two men, who were close in age and looked alike. “These two are brothers. Everyone calls them Zhu Da and Zhu Er.”
“The youngest is Xiaozai, my nephew.”
Ren Fengjue nodded. “It’s New Year’s Eve today. Since the princess is willing to take you in, stay here without worry and recover from your injuries. You can spend the New Year here as well…”
Zhu Peng visibly froze. Perhaps the words had touched a painful memory, for his eyes reddened at once.
Suddenly remembering something, he grew anxious and instinctively looked down and around. Then panic seized him.
“My… where are my clothes?”