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

The second story is also related to Mingyue Manor.

However, the timeline is clearly earlier than the first one.

The "master" and the "coachman" in the story also stayed at the villa for one night, but their memories were not erased, and in the end, they were able to leave peacefully...

However, whether everything they experienced was true or false is something that deserves serious consideration.

Inn, servant, rabbit, corpse, manor, boy, young lady…

Are these real, or just illusions?

Yu Lang put down the booklet, glanced at Ren Fengjue, and said, "My lord, why do I feel like the 'master' in this story looks familiar?"

Ren Fengjue snapped out of his reverie, his eyes revealing a deep meaning.

Just as he was about to answer, Xia Ximo suddenly spoke up and answered for him.

"Is that Meng Zhiyuan?"

Yu Lang was immediately taken aback: "Minister of Works—Meng Zhiyuan?"

When he realized what was happening, he couldn't help but feel confused again.

Why does Miss Xia know more than he does?

Ren Fengjue explained, "Minister Meng personally came to the northern border to inspect the grain transport map, crossing the northern mountains... He must have been there."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lang was slightly taken aback, unsure of what to feel. He hesitated and asked, "Then what about the rumor that he... committed suicide out of fear of punishment?"

On the day Ren Fengjue went to the palace to investigate the ghost of Meng Zhiyuan, Yu Shaoqing happened to be sent to Xiling County.

When he returned, the case had already been quietly closed…

So, before he could find out how the unsolved case was resolved, he was delayed by other matters.

Ren Fengjue replied, "He didn't commit suicide out of fear of punishment; he was murdered..."

Yu Lang's expression changed. "His Majesty is already aware of this matter?"

Ren Fengjue nodded.

Yu Lang hurriedly asked, "Then who is the murderer? Why hasn't it been announced?"

Xia Ximo: "The murderer is not human."

"..."

These words shocked Yu Lang even more. After thinking about the whole story, he was speechless.

Ren Fengjue then briefly recounted to him the strange events that had occurred in the Meng family study that day.

Yu Lang also began to fall into deep thought.

Too many strange things have happened during this time, seemingly unrelated on the surface.

Looking back now, I'm surprised to realize that it wasn't like that at all.

There must be a "mastermind" behind it all, and they have been causing trouble in the court for at least a year, and even longer.

The death of Minister Meng, the former crown prince, and Zhong Yi are all closely related...

So, is this "black hand" human or demonic? And what is its true intention?

"My lord, since the one who killed Minister Meng was not human, could his death also be related to this manor?"

He had been here before, and although he wasn't trapped, he ultimately met a violent end.

Ren Fengjue glanced at the snow scene outside the window and said, "I always thought that Minister Meng died because of that painting, but now I think that's not entirely true..."

Yan Zhengchu suddenly spoke up: "If Minister Meng's experiences are true, then why has this manor become like this?"

Yu Lang said, "The manor must have become like this after that young lady went missing..."

He then asked Ren Fengjue, "Sir, do you think this young lady might still be at the manor, and that these stories are actually what she wanted to tell us?"

Ren Fengjue looked around.

He had already sensed the presence of other "people" in the villa, so he deliberately said, "If that's the case, she should be able to provide the next 'clue' soon."

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

At this moment, Wuyou, who had been dozing off behind Xia Ximo, suddenly sniffed and asked, "Can you... smell a fragrance?"

Upon hearing this, everyone focused their attention and sniffed.

"It smells like... grilled meat."

Yu Lang, who has a fondness for food, could tell just by the smell, and said, "You know what, I'm getting a little hungry too."

As soon as he finished speaking, the stomachs of the rest of the people began to rumble.

The sudden hunger made the aroma even more irresistible...

A-Xia suddenly pointed to the backyard, "The fragrance seems to be coming from behind."

They exchanged a glance and couldn't help but look towards the backyard.

One of the doors was half-open, and a dim yellow light shone through it, which looked very eerie in the dark night.

Yu Lang asked instinctively, "Has a 'clue' arrived?"

Ren Fengjue suspected something was amiss and was about to warn Xia Ximo when Xia Ximo had already walked over there.

Seeing this, he quickly followed behind.

Xia Ximo reached out and pushed open the door, but was gently pulled by Ren Fengjue behind her.

The door creaked open, but the room was empty.

There was only one stove, on which sat a glistening, oily animal roasting...

The fragrance is emitted from this source.

"Is it really barbecue?"

Looking at the golden-brown, sizzling "meat," everyone felt their stomachs were empty, and cries of "hunger" rose and fell.

It was at this moment that they thought of a problem.

If they remain trapped here, their provisions will not be enough.

Yu Lang swallowed hard and said to Ren Fengjue, "My lord, this seems to be testing our patience..."

Ren Fengjue looked away and turned to A Xia, asking, "How much dry rations do we have left?"

A-Xia opened the package containing dry rations, only to find that there were only two steamed buns left.

He said, "I remember there should have been another bag in the carriage, plus these..."

Excluding Wuyou, there are five of them, and this food will only last them for two more days at most.

Ren Fengjue had a bad feeling and instructed, "Go check the carriage now."

Ah Xia responded and left immediately.

However, he rushed back shortly afterward, his face filled with terror.

"My lord, our carriage is gone!"

Everyone's heart skipped a beat.

Yu Lang glanced at the roasting meat inside the room again and said with a wry smile, "It really is a test of our patience."

Ren Fengjue knew that the only way to solve the problem at present was to find out the problem with the villa as soon as possible.

He asked Ah Xia to divide one of the steamed buns so that they could each have a small snack first.

Then, he went into the room where meat was being grilled and said, "This thing doesn't appear out of thin air. The next 'clue' might be in this room."

Yu Lang also forced himself to go in, stared at the "roasted meat" for a moment, and for some reason, felt nauseous.

He suddenly said, "Look at this... doesn't it look like a rabbit?"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately gathered around to take a look, and their expressions instantly froze.

In the second story, the rabbit appears twice.

Judging from its appearance, it is very important to this young lady of the manor.

But now, it appears before everyone in this way…

Thinking about the fate of the post station attendant in that story sent a chill down my spine.