Chapter 32

Chapter 32

With the Golden Feather Guards’ capabilities, finding someone in Shangjing City was not particularly difficult.

Pei Yong was also rather lucky. In just one day, he had a lead.

The result, however, left him stunned.

Because this person was actually connected to Ren Fengjue, the Young Marquis of Renxuan Marquis Manor.

At that point, even if Pei Yong had a hundred times more courage, he would not dare investigate any further.

Left with no choice, he braced himself and reported the matter to Prince Yu, Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing was also shocked when he heard the news.

In recent years, Ren Fengjue had become a prominent figure at court. Ever since he had taken temporary charge of the Ministry of Justice, one old case after another had been unearthed.

Many officials in the court feared him.

Even Zhao Xing was somewhat wary of him.

Still, everyone said Ren Fengjue was upright and incorruptible, and that he had never been interested in women. It was precisely that gentlemanly bearing that had left Princess Ding’an utterly infatuated with him.

If not for the fact that he was already engaged, Ding’an would likely have begged Imperial Father long ago to issue an imperial decree and make him her Prince Consort.

Yet now, he had suddenly hidden a woman in his residence?

Could it be that rumored fiancée of his?

But even if it was, the two of them were not yet married. Living together already was hardly proper.

As this thought crossed Zhao Xing’s mind, an idea suddenly came to him.

–

Princess Ding’an, Zhao Ruozhen, was Emperor Qingkang’s most beloved youngest daughter.

Her birth mother had also once been Emperor Qingkang’s favorite consort. Unfortunately, she had been a beauty fated to die young, passing away from illness not long after giving birth to Ding’an.

For that reason, Princess Ding’an, who had lost her mother at a young age, received even more of the emperor’s favor. Not only had she been granted her title early, but every year on her birthday, she was specially permitted to hold a birthday banquet in the Imperial Garden.

That day, Ren Fengjue rose very early, but to his surprise, Xia Ximo had risen even earlier.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, she would disguise herself as the Young Marquis’s personal attendant and enter the palace with him for the banquet.

And under Tianqing’s skillful hands, Xia Ximo’s “attendant makeup” was quite convincing.

If there was any flaw, it was that her features were too delicate and beautiful.

She was simply too lovely. No matter how heavily Tianqing painted her face, she could not hide the feminine softness between Xia Ximo’s brows and eyes.

Even so, as long as Ren Fengjue was with her, entering the palace went very smoothly.

Around midmorning, the guests began arriving at the Imperial Garden one after another and took their seats.

Because Princess Ding’an had given special instructions, Ren Fengjue’s seat was not only near the front, but also very close to the princess.

He had expected as much.

However, he had only just sat down when he saw a young girl in pink come running over, surrounded by palace maids.

“Brother Feng, does my dress look pretty today?”

Even with so many eyes watching, Princess Ding’an showed not the slightest shyness. Holding up her skirt, she spun around in front of Ren Fengjue several times, her eyes bright and lively, her smile radiant.

The guests did not dare stare at such a scene. They hurriedly rose and bowed. “Greetings, Princess Ding’an.”

Before Ren Fengjue could speak, a clear, hearty laugh followed close behind.

The guests recognized the emperor’s voice and immediately performed the formal salute, crying long life to him.

“Ruozhen, today is your fifteenth birthday. Have you already forgotten what you promised Imperial Father yesterday?”

Facing his most beloved youngest daughter, Emperor Qingkang shed his usual sternness. A smile spread across his face, and his tone was full of indulgence.

Princess Ding’an merely turned back and stuck out her tongue. Then she went straight to Ren Fengjue’s side, affectionately tugged at his sleeve, and coaxed him in a soft voice.

“Brother Feng, you still haven’t answered me.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she had already noticed the attendant standing behind Ren Fengjue, and her curiosity was instantly piqued.
“Who is this? Why have I never seen him before?”

Ren Fengjue quietly slipped his sleeve out of the princess’s hand, then answered without the slightest change in expression, “I have never brought her into the palace before, so naturally, Your Highness has never seen her.”

At that, Princess Ding’an studied Xia Ximo closely.

Her eyes were bright and clear, the black and white sharply defined, and there was a touch of innocence to her look.

“He really is handsome. Better-looking than all the others before.”

“…”

Ren Fengjue covered his lips and gave a soft cough, then stole another glance at Xia Ximo.

Faced with the compliment, she remained completely indifferent.

She did not give the princess any face at all.

With the emperor and the princess present, the banquet officially began.

The first round was for the guests to present congratulatory gifts and recite birthday blessings.

In order to win the princess’s favor, this part of the banquet was nothing short of dazzling.

While no one was paying attention, Xia Ximo quietly left the hall. Even Ren Fengjue only noticed after some time had passed.

The inner court of the imperial palace was simply too vast. The paths of all sizes within the Imperial Garden alone were enough to overwhelm anyone.

After avoiding the crowd, Xia Ximo took out the Soul-Ferrying Lantern and had Wuyou search for Meng Zhiyuan’s ghost.

With that wisp of “ash” from the Yin Soul, Wuyou quickly identified an approximate direction.

The southeast corner.

It seemed her guess had been right. Meng Zhiyuan’s Primary Soul was indeed in the palace.

Now that the target was confirmed, Xia Ximo wasted no time and immediately headed southeast.

However, at a fork in the path, two people came walking toward her.

Before they set out, Ren Fengjue had briefly explained some of the palace rules.

But she had not had much patience to listen. She had only remembered two words: avoid people.

Hearing footsteps now, she immediately stepped to the side of the road and lowered her head, waiting for them to pass.

Yet when the two walked past her, the person at the back clearly paused, as if he had noticed something.

Fortunately, they were on their way to the princess’s birthday banquet and did not linger.

Only after the footsteps faded did Xia Ximo continue forward.

After leaving the Imperial Garden, Wuyou deliberately chose deserted side paths, but they still inevitably ran into eunuchs and palace maids.

Still, with the princess’s birthday banquet underway, these people were so busy their feet barely touched the ground. They had no time to pay attention to anyone else.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, Wuyou finally said, “We’re close. It should be right here.”

Xia Ximo looked up and saw a palace hall before her. The plaque above was engraved with three characters: Dongsheng Hall.

“I heard this is where the emperor summons his ministers to discuss state affairs,” Wuyou explained to her.

Xia Ximo did not care what kind of place this was. She only asked, “Do you see Meng Zhiyuan’s Primary Soul?”

Wuyou sniffed hard, then pointed inside the hall.

“It should be in there.”

Xia Ximo was just about to go in when she noticed two guards still standing watch at the entrance.

It seemed that if she wanted to enter, she would have to get past another obstacle first.

The fingers hidden inside her sleeve twitched, but Wuyou immediately stopped her and volunteered, “Leave these two to me. You should use as little soul power as possible.”

Xia Ximo immediately relaxed her fingers and turned to look at it.

Wuyou transformed into a wisp of white smoke, drifted over to the two guards, and gently blew a breath at them.

The two guards instantly froze. Their eyes went wide, and they stood rooted to the spot.

“Done.”

Wuyou waved at her smugly.

Xia Ximo narrowed her eyes, showing a rare flicker of interest. “What trick is this?”

Wuyou chuckled. “I just invited them into the lantern to play for a little while. But it won’t hold for long, so we need to hurry.”