Holding a lantern, guiding souls across, Lady Hou comes from the underworld.

Yan Zhengchu spent the entire night finally opening the box at dawn.

However, there were only a few letters inside.

When Ren Fengjue opened the letters, he found that each one had only a name on it, with no other content, and he had no idea where they came from, leaving him completely baffled.

After disassembling everything, only one familiar name appeared inside.

Minister of Works – Meng Zhiyuan.

The good official who ostensibly set himself on fire in his study and was mistakenly believed to have committed suicide out of fear of punishment, actually died a violent death.

His killer wasn't human...

Ren Fengjue was startled, vaguely feeling that he had found a clue, but he couldn't connect the dots completely.

Meng Zhiyuan's death was suspicious, but one thing is basically certain.

His death must be related to that map showing the transport of grain.

There must be someone in the court who didn't want the map to fall into the emperor's hands, which is why he was killed and framed.

Could this person be Zhong Yi?

But as the Minister of Justice, who served in the capital year-round, what use was this map to him?

After thinking for a while, Ren Fengjue immediately copied down the names on the letter, intending to contact Yao Guang, a member of the Shadow Guard, and ask her to investigate secretly.

"Where is Yu Lang?"

It was already midday, but Yu Shaoqing was nowhere to be seen.

Upon hearing this, Xia replied, "I went to call him before breakfast, so I guess he went to bed too late last night and hasn't gotten up yet."

Ren Fengjue frowned, then went directly to Yu Lang's door and knocked.

But after a long while, no one responded from inside.

Ah Xia wondered, "Is he still half asleep?"

Ren Fengjue sensed something was wrong and immediately pushed the door open and entered.

The moment the door opened, a fragrant breeze wafted towards us.

Ren Fengjue subconsciously covered his nose and mouth, and looked around. He saw Yu Lang lying on the bed fully clothed, without even taking off his shoes and socks, yet sleeping soundly.

A-Xia was even more confused.

"Why is there a woman's perfume scent in Young Master Yu's room?"

And it's so thick...

Ren Fengjue was also surprised. He knew Yu Lang well; he was always joking around and liked to tease pretty girls.

But in reality, he was very self-disciplined.

I would never do anything reckless...

He told Ah Xia to open the doors and windows to let the smell of cosmetics dissipate.

Only then did he walk to Yu Lang's bedside and call out twice.

Unexpectedly, Yu Shaoqing on the bed seemed not to hear anything, and even smacked his lips before turning over again.

Ren Fengjue immediately noticed that he was tightly clutching something in his right hand, which looked like a brocade pouch.

Moreover, the vibrant color scheme clearly indicates that it is a woman's item.

Could it be that a woman came here last night?

Thinking of this, Ren Fengjue's expression was complicated, and he didn't know how to comment, so he directly reached out and pushed Yu Lang forcefully.

"Yu Lang? Wake up!"

Despite several attempts to wake him, Yu Lang showed no signs of waking up.

A-Xia also came over and called out a few times, but still couldn't wake him up.

Only then did the two realize that something was wrong.

Ren Fengjue immediately instructed A Xia, "Go and call Master Yan."

Yan Zhengchu had only slept for about an hour and was so sleepy that he could barely keep his eyes open.

He only rushed over because he heard that Yu Lang was in trouble.

After examining the area, his expression darkened.

"I knew something felt off last night..."

Ren Fengjue hurriedly asked, "What's wrong with Yu Lang?"

Yan Zhengchu pointed to the object in his hand and said, "The problem should lie in that brocade pouch."

The brocade pouch was indeed strange, and its origin was unknown.

"I've never seen that brocade pouch on Yu Lang before..."

Yan Zhengchu then asked, "Did you encounter anything strange when you went out last night?"

Ren Fengjue thought for a moment, "Speaking of strange things, I did encounter a funeral procession at night, but that's about it."

"Do you know who died?"

"The stall owner said it was a young woman who died of illness."

"He shouldn't have died of illness, right?" Yan Zhengchu immediately sensed something was wrong: "I think Young Master Yu is probably haunted by a vengeful spirit."

Ren Fengjue glanced at Yu Lang on the bed and asked, "Is there any way to save him right now?"

Yan Zhengchu hesitated, "This brocade pouch must have belonged to that vengeful spirit in its previous life. Young Master Yu is unconscious and clinging to the pouch, so I'm afraid his soul has already been taken away by the vengeful spirit."

"If I were to forcibly subdue the vengeful spirit, I fear that Young Master Yu would also be implicated."

"What I can do now is to protect Young Master Yu with talismans, but as the saying goes, the one who tied the knot must untie it. To eradicate this situation, we can only look for the cause in the vengeful spirit..."

Ren Fengjue understood immediately, "Is the only solution to remove the resentment from the vengeful spirit?"

"That's right," Yan Zhengchu said. "She wouldn't have become a vengeful spirit for no reason. She must have suffered some injustice and died a violent death to become like this."

Ren Fengjue remained silent for a moment, then instructed A-Xia, who was standing beside him, "Go inside the manor and see if Young Master Zhong is there."

A short while later, Zhong Dingyan arrived directly.

Upon hearing about Yu Lang's situation, he became anxious and hurriedly asked, "If there is anything I can do to help, I, Zhong, will certainly do my utmost."

Ren Fengjue then recounted what he had heard from the stall owner the previous night about Miss Wen.

He further analyzed, "Rumors may not be true, but in my opinion, the death of Miss Wen is not as simple as just dying of illness."

"Therefore, I would like to trouble Young Master Zhong to send some reliable people to inquire about the specific situation."

Without saying a word, Zhong Dingyan summoned his trusted confidants and immediately gave them instructions.

Yan Zhengchu then drew a protective talisman and affixed it to Yu Lang's forehead, and set up a soul-locking array around him.

After much thought, he couldn't help but quietly call Ren Fengjue aside and say, "Young Marquis, there is another way to handle this matter, but we may need to ask Miss Xia for help."

Ren Fengjue was slightly taken aback.

Yan Zhengchu observed his expression and then cautiously probed, "With your intelligence, Young Master, you should have already guessed who saved Young Master Zhong's soul that day, right?"

Hearing him say that, Ren Fengjue decided not to hide it any longer.

"I already know Miss Xia's identity."

Yan Zhengchu nodded: "This matter concerns Young Master Yu's safety, and Miss Xia will not stand idly by."

Ren Fengjue understood immediately and was planning to make the trip himself.

However, just as they stepped out of the room, they saw a figure walking towards them from the corridor.

It was Xia Ximo.

She walked up to Ren Fengjue without making a sound and asked directly, "Has something happened to Yu Lang?"

Ren Fengjue replied truthfully, "I was just about to ask Miss Xia for help..."

Xia Ximo didn't say much and was about to go in when he couldn't help but gently tug at her arm.

"Are you... safe?"

Xia Ximo glanced down at his hand and slowly replied with two words: "No."