Chapter 38

Chapter 38

“Consort Qi has arrived-”

When Princess Ding’an left the Imperial Garden, Consort Qi immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Ruozhen had always been obedient and well-behaved in front of her. Even when angry, she was usually able to see reason.

But just then, Consort Qi had called to her several times, and she had not responded at all. It was completely unlike her.

Still uneasy, Consort Qi left her seat and followed after the princess.

Unexpectedly, she arrived just in time to see Princess Ding’an collapse to the ground.

The palace maids nearby were terrified. Some rushed forward to check on her condition, while others hurried off to find an Imperial Physician.

For a moment, everything descended into chaos.

Consort Qi was anxious as well. She turned to one of the palace maids and demanded sharply, “What happened to the princess?”

Afraid of being blamed, the maid simply raised a trembling hand and pointed at Xia Ximo. “Replying to Lady Consort, it was ‘him’!”

“Just now, this servant saw from a distance that ‘he’ nearly harmed the princess…”

Consort Qi recognized Xia Ximo as the servant who had accompanied Young Marquis Ren to the banquet earlier.

At the time, however, “he” had kept his head lowered behind Ren Fengjue, so she had not seen his face clearly.

Now that she was looking carefully, a flicker of astonishment crossed her heart.

This person’s features bore an uncanny resemblance to a shadow from her memory…

She hesitated, then asked, “Have I… seen you somewhere before?”

Before Xia Ximo could answer, someone behind her answered on her behalf.

“Lady Consort, this is a servant from my household. You must have seen him at the banquet just now.”

By the lakeshore, Ren Fengjue was striding over. Though his steps were urgent and swift, his tone remained perfectly steady when he spoke.

In just a few steps, he reached Xia Ximo. First, he bowed to Consort Qi, then immediately bent down to examine Princess Ding’an.

Seeing him arrive, Consort Qi visibly breathed a sigh of relief. It was clear that she trusted this Young Marquis greatly.

“Young Marquis, you came just in time. Quickly, take a look at Ruozhen…”

Ren Fengjue knew some medicine. After checking Princess Ding’an’s pulse, he pressed directly on the philtrum acupoint beneath her nose.

Before long, the unconscious princess slowly came to. However, her gaze was vacant for a while, and she could not recognize anyone.

At that moment, several Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Medical Office arrived one after another, and the chaotic scene was finally brought under control.

After Princess Ding’an was sent back to her palace, Consort Qi had all the palace maids who personally served her stay behind for questioning.

This time, with Ren Fengjue present, the maids did not dare speak carelessly. They recounted the truth from beginning to end.

Consort Qi was deeply puzzled. “Ruozhen has always been sensible and considerate toward the palace servants. Forget hitting anyone-even scolding people is rare for her. Why would she suddenly attack a mere servant?”

The palace maid said softly, “The princess truly was furious at the time. We servants do not know why either…”

Ren Fengjue turned back and gave Xia Ximo a brief, gentle look before saying, “There is likely some misunderstanding in this matter. If Lady Consort trusts me, allow me to ask about the cause first. I will then give Lady Consort an explanation.”

Hearing this, Consort Qi could not very well continue pressing the matter.

She had to show Young Marquis Ren at least some courtesy.

Besides, he was someone Princess Ding’an trusted deeply.

So she smoothed the creases on her sleeve and said, “It is rather cold by the lake. I will return to the Imperial Garden for now. Since the princess is no longer in serious danger, I will trouble Young Marquis to handle this matter.”

“Yes.”

Consort Qi cast another faint glance at Xia Ximo, then beckoned to the palace attendants at her side.

“Let’s go.”

The entire party left in a grand procession.

Ren Fengjue turned around and was just about to ask what had happened when Xia Ximo unexpectedly held something out to him first.

“If you want to know why the princess fainted, investigate the origin of this bead.”
“…”

For a moment, even Lord Ren had trouble telling who was in charge here.

How had he ended up being ordered around by her?

Still, he took the bead from her and asked, “What is strange about this bead?”

“It fell from the princess. Just now, the princess was wreathed in Baleful Qi. It should have something to do with this.”

Ren Fengjue asked in puzzlement, “Was it a ghost?”

“I didn’t see a ghost. I only saw a mass of Baleful Qi.”

Generally speaking, ordinary ghosts carried only Yin energy on them, not Baleful Qi.

Those capable of forming Baleful Qi were only fierce spirits and Vengeful Ghosts who had committed countless evils.

Beyond that, those with even heavier Baleful Qi would be the Nine Abyss Soul Prisoner.

But the Nine Abysses lay in the deepest part of the Underworld Administration, suppressed by an evil god and guarded by a hundred thousand Yin soldiers. Without the Earth Lord’s permission, there was no way to escape.

Yet the Baleful Qi that had possessed the princess just now had been extremely dense. If it truly belonged to a Vengeful Ghost or fierce spirit, then it must have lingered in the mortal world for a very long time.

Of course, following that line of thought inevitably brought to mind the Vengeful Ghost that had killed Meng Zhiyuan. Could there be a connection between the two?

Ren Fengjue held the bead in his palm and examined it. It was indeed no ordinary object. Someone must have paid a great price to obtain it.

Just then, a palace maid hurried over to report, “Young Marquis, the princess has awakened. She is making a fuss and insists on seeing you.”

Ren Fengjue put the bead away, then said to Xia Ximo beside him, “Come. I’ll ask the princess about it while I’m there.”

Unexpectedly, Xia Ximo replied coldly, “This matter has nothing to do with me. You can go by yourself.”

Ren Fengjue could not help but ask in confusion, “Why are you refusing to involve yourself in this now?”

“It isn’t the ghost I’m looking for, so naturally I won’t bother with it. Nor do I want to.”

Seeing her resolute attitude, Ren Fengjue could not force her.

He gave a faint laugh and had no choice but to put it another way. “Fine. You don’t have to concern yourself with this matter.”

“However, your current identity is my ‘personal page.’ This is the imperial palace, a place of utmost importance, with eyes and ears everywhere. Aside from following me, you have nowhere to go.”

“…”

Although Xia Ximo was unwilling, she had to admit he was right.

The mortal world had many rules, and the imperial palace had even more.

If she did not want trouble, she could only obediently stay by his side.

“Let’s go.”

Seeing Xia Ximo compromise, Ren Fengjue felt an inexplicable burst of satisfaction.

For the convenience of the Imperial Physician’s treatment, Princess Ding’an had been placed in the nearest warm chamber.

At this moment, quite a few people stood both inside and outside the room. Even Emperor Qingkang had been invited over.

After Ren Fengjue entered, Princess Ding’an, who had been acting spoiled in the emperor’s arms, immediately lifted her head.

“Brother Feng…”

Emperor Qingkang turned back to glance at him and immediately beckoned. “Come here. Ruozhen has something to ask you.”

Ren Fengjue could only obey and step forward.

“What does Your Highness wish to ask me?”

Princess Ding’an glanced at Emperor Qingkang and said in a small voice, “Father, may I speak with Brother Feng alone for a few moments?”

The emperor saw right through his beloved daughter’s little thoughts.

He stroked his beard and smiled. “Very well. Since you are fine, Father will return to the banquet first.”

After Emperor Qingkang left, the palace attendants on either side tactfully withdrew as well.

Princess Ding’an got straight to the point and asked, “Brother Feng, people outside are all saying that you are hiding a woman in your residence. Who is she?”

Ren Fengjue choked.

He had not expected her to ask that.

“Who told Your Highness such a thing?”

Princess Ding’an did not hide it. “It was Third Brother…”

“He also gave me a very pretty bead. Unfortunately, I lost it just now. They still haven’t found it and returned it to me.”

Ren Fengjue’s expression shifted slightly. He took the bead from his robes and asked, “Was it this bead?”