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

After Ren Fengjue and Yu Lang parted ways at Yusheng Teahouse, Ren Fengjue went to the Ministry of Justice.

Recently, the Ministry of Justice has been secretly investigating the case of "Minister of Works committing suicide out of fear of punishment" for a long time, but unfortunately, there has been no progress.

So much so that Guan Yue, a secretary in the Ministry of Justice, would break out in a cold sweat like a mouse seeing a cat whenever he saw the Vice Minister.

He had thought that today, being a vice minister on leave, he could finally catch his breath.

Unexpectedly, I still couldn't escape it.

"Lord Ren..."

Upon hearing the clerk's report, Guan Yue immediately stood up to greet him.

Ren Fengjue nodded slightly and said, "I heard there's been some progress in the case, so I came to check it out."

Guan Yue broke out in a cold sweat. "It's the assassin who tried to kill you on the ship last time. We've already found out their identity."

"Who is it?"

"In the north, there's a martial arts organization called 'Suspended Mirror Hall,' which employs a group of assassins..."

Ren Fengjue understood immediately.

Someone paid money to take his life.

However, hiring such a civilian organization to carry out an assassination seems more like intimidation and a test.

The underlying intentions are worth investigating.

After Guan Yue finished his report, he carefully observed Lord Ren's expression and said cautiously, "As for the person who hired the killer..."

"There's no need to investigate further; they'll slip up sooner or later."

Ren Fengjue interrupted him calmly, then said, "Vice Minister Guan should still focus more on the case at the Ministry of Works."

"Yes."

Ren Fengjue stayed at the Ministry of Justice until around 5 PM before heading home.

He thought about many things along the way, and his thoughts inevitably wandered.

However, as soon as he entered the Ren residence, a figure walked towards him, which made him momentarily dazed.

"I've been waiting for you all day."

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Xia Ximo changed her usual appearance, wearing bright clothes, with her hair neatly styled in a bun, and even her face was covered with a thin layer of powder.

Her attire was actually no different from that of many noble ladies in Beijing at the time.

However, paired with that indifferent face and aloof eyes, it gained a unique charm.

At this moment, she still looked at him coldly: "Today is the fifth day, you should give me an explanation."

Ren Fengjue slowly shifted his gaze from her, but changed the subject, saying, "You look good today."

"..."

Xia Ximo narrowed his eyes slightly.

Ren Fengjue could only cough lightly, "It's rather cold outside, Miss Xia, why don't you come to my study for a cup of hot tea?"

With that, he made a "please" gesture and leisurely walked ahead to lead the way.

Watching his retreating figure, Xia Ximo hesitated for a moment, but still silently followed.

The Ren residence is not large; a short walk towards the south courtyard leads to Ren Fengjue's study.

Xia Ximo remained unconventional, casually finding a small couch and sitting down, completely unaware that it was the seat reserved for the master of the study.

Seeing this, Lord Ren didn't mind, casually sat down to the side, and poured her a cup of tea.

The hot tea steamed and the air was filled with wisps of smoke, but Xia Ximo remained unmoved.

Ren Fengjue deliberately asked, "Does Miss Xia find my tea-making skills lacking?"

She then picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

"Can you tell me now?"

His tone was cold, clearly indicating he had no intention of giving her any more face.

Ren Fengjue, knowing when to stop, nodded and said, "Of course."

His slender fingers gently tapped the white jade teacup, his eyes lowered, and he said softly, "I returned to the Marquis's residence today, but a strange thing happened, which may require Miss Xia to explain first."

Xia Ximo lifted her eyelids to look at him, clearly puzzled: "What do you mean?"

It's clear she's unaware of this yet.

Ren Fengjue smiled slightly: "A woman came to the Marquis's residence yesterday. She also claimed to be Xia Ximo, the daughter of General Xia. She is currently at the Marquis's residence with my mother."

"She is not."

Xia Ximo only responded with three words.

This reaction surprised Ren Fengjue somewhat.

Her face was expressionless, even her eyes were too calm.

I had no intention of explaining myself, nor did I intend to defend myself.

Unlike that "Miss Xia" from the Marquis's mansion...

He carefully observed the subtle changes in her facial expressions as she spoke, which made him question the authenticity of her words.

Ren Fengjue paused for a moment, then asked, "How can you prove it?"

"prove?"

Xia Ximo chuckled. "Why do I need to prove anything that has nothing to do with me? I just need a letter of annulment; you can write it for me."

Ren Fengjue was stunned again.

To be honest, he has solved many complicated cases and met many complicated people over the years, but this is the first time he has encountered something and someone that makes him feel "difficult".

Unfortunately, this "affair" happened to this "person".

He couldn't help but chuckle, a hint of helplessness in his voice, as he explained, "Of course this concerns you. Our engagement isn't so easily dissolved; at the very least, I need my parents' consent..."

"But the current situation is that I have two 'fiancées,' one who wants to marry me and the other who wants to break off the engagement."

"Tell me, which one should I listen to?"

Xia Ximo replied without hesitation: "You can break off your engagement with me first, and then marry her."

"..."

Lord Ren was both annoyed and amused.

Xia Ximo suddenly stood up: "If you cannot make the decision on the annulment of the engagement, then please take me to the Marquis's residence so I can discuss it with you in person."

If others say that, Ren Fengjue will probably just let it go.

What kind of place is the Marquis's residence? And who is Marquis Renxuan?

Everyone in the capital city knows this.

Even the most daring person wouldn't dare to run wild there.

However, Lord Ren harbored some selfish motives towards the woman before him.

At least, before Yu Lang goes to Xiling County to investigate the situation, they should protect her.

The matter of "the real and the fake Xia Ximo" will eventually come to a conclusion.

It's not too late to break off the engagement when that time comes.

But what exactly is behind this? We must find out.

Having made up his mind, Ren Fengjue replied, "I'm afraid I can't agree to this."

Xia Ximo was slightly taken aback, and when his dark pupils looked at him again, they were clearly filled with coldness.

In that instant, she was clearly angry.

As Ren Fengjue was being stared at like that, he inexplicably felt a strange chill envelop his body.

He couldn't help but soften his tone and said, "It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that my parents value this marriage very much."

"Now another 'Xia Ximo' has suddenly appeared, and it won't be easy to break off the engagement with just a few words."

"Only after you find out what's behind this can I give you an explanation."

Hearing this, Xia Ximo relaxed slightly, and her thin lips parted slightly: "How long?"

Ren Fengjue estimated the time: "Seven days at most."

"it is good."

Xia Ximo gave him another deep look. "Then I'll give you seven more days. If there's no result after seven days, I'll go to the Marquis's residence myself."

After saying that, she turned around and walked away.

But this time, as she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, turned half her face to look at her, and said, "Four years ago, the person your mother met at the Mu residence when she went south was Mu Zheng's daughter—Mu Tingting."

"If I'm not mistaken, the person currently staying in the Marquis's residence is also her."

"I don't care whether you believe me or not, all I want is a letter announcing the annulment of the engagement."