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

The ghost suddenly vanished.

Xia Ximo frowned and turned around, only to see the carriage curtain being lifted, revealing a handsome and jade-like face.

Ren Fengjue seemed to have just returned from the Ministry of Justice. He was still dressed in his solemn official robes. The setting sun on the bridge illuminated him, and the soft halo softened his "official authority," giving him a more refined air.

He asked with a smile, "Would Miss Xia like to return with me?"

Gazing at his purple official robes, Xia Ximo paused slightly, as if recalling something, and asked, "What rank is the official wearing the same color robes as you?"

This question surprised Ren Fengjue somewhat.

But he still replied in a serious tone: "The official robes of the Great Qi Dynasty are blue for officials of the ninth rank and above, green for officials of the seventh rank and above, vermilion for officials of the fifth rank and above, and purple for officials of the third rank and above."

"Why does Miss Xia ask this?"

Xia Ximo didn't answer, but stepped on the footstool next to him, seemingly intending to get directly onto the carriage.

Seeing that she was carrying her pleated skirt and had some difficulty moving, Ren Fengjue immediately reached out to help her.

The two instantly closed the distance, and he could smell the light fragrance of her perfume and the floral scent of her hair oil.

He paused slightly, then looked into a pair of dark, bright eyes.

"Where should I sit?" Xia Ximo asked.

The carriage wasn't very spacious, but it was more than enough for Ren Fengjue to use by himself on ordinary days, and it wouldn't be a problem to have Yu Lang join him occasionally.

However, Xia Ximo is a woman, and it would be somewhat impolite for the two of them to sit close together.

So, Lord Ren gave up his seat and sat on the small stool that Yu Lang usually sat on.

"You can sit here."

Upon hearing this, Xia Ximo didn't stand on ceremony at all and sat down directly.

A barely perceptible smile crossed Ren Fengjue's face before he told A Xia to drive the carriage.

The car wheels rumbled and slowly made their way through the bustling streets of the East Market.

A ray of sunset shone through the car curtain onto Xia Ximo's face.

She suddenly asked, "Has your court recently lost an official of the third rank or higher?"

Ren Fengjue was secretly alarmed.

This is a secret matter of the imperial court, and it has been going on for over a month.

Because it was too suspicious, the Emperor ordered Ren Fengjue to investigate secretly.

Currently, only the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review know the general situation.

How did Xia Ximo find out?

If someone else had asked him this question, Lord Ren might have given a formal reply, but he would definitely not have answered.

But this person is Xia Ximo…

A newcomer to the capital stirred up a miscarriage of justice that had been dormant for a year.

What exactly are her abilities?

Ren Fengjue quickly considered the matter in his mind, but said, "Before answering this question, I also hope that Miss Xia can answer one of my questions first."

Xia Ximo didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "What?"

"How did Miss Xia learn about the injustice at Jinxiu Clothing Store?"

Their eyes met lightly, like two gleaming blades clashing, each revealing its sharpness.

Xia Ximo looked away first, then coldly replied, "I can see things that you mortals cannot see with your naked eyes."

Ren Fengjue chuckled: "Miss Xia, are you talking about ghosts?"

"Yes."

Xia Ximo glanced at him again, her expression clearly warning: "I know you may not believe me, but you'd better not pry into my affairs."

"Of course I believe it."

Ren Fengjue, however, didn't get angry at her "rudeness" at all.

Even he himself was somewhat surprised.

He then asked, "So, you learned about this because you saw Zhu Yan's ghost?"

"Yes."

Xia Ximo was a woman of few words, and it was clear that she did not want to reveal any more.

Ren Fengjue, being quite tactful, immediately changed the subject, asking, "So, Miss Xia asked that question just now because she saw a ghost?"

The soul-ferrying lamp inside the purse trembled immediately.

Although Wuyou dared not show himself, he still whispered in her ear, "It might be faster to find him for this."

Xia Ximo frowned slightly.

She has been in the body of another for over ten days, but she has gradually come to realize that the human world is full of entanglements.

Unlike the past I remember…

Because it is powerful enough, it can do anything.

However, relying solely on weak soul power and this body that could "dissipate at any moment" presents too many limitations.

"Yes, I saw its ghost."

Xia Ximo simply admitted, "Just now on the bridge, it was wearing the same official robes as you, and it was burned alive."

Upon hearing this, Ren Fengjue's expression changed.

From these few simple sentences, he knew that the other party was not lying.

The case, which had been stalled for over a month, seemed to have found a new breakthrough at this moment.

"good."

Ren Fengjue continued, "You must be referring to Meng Zhiyuan, the Minister of Works, who committed suicide by self-immolation in his study a month ago."

"Self-immolation?"

Xia Ximo expressed doubt: "He was wronged; it doesn't seem like suicide."

Ren Fengjue was shocked again.

indeed.

Meng Zhiyuan was an honest and upright official. Since taking office as Minister of Works, he had always devoted himself to serving the court.

Even in the days before his death, he was still revising a map of the grain transport route.

However, the plan failed. A fire broke out in the study, and troubles continued to emerge from under the Ministry of Works. All the blame was placed on Minister Meng Zhiyuan.

The dead cannot speak, and the cause of death is unknown, yet it is labeled as "suicide out of fear of punishment."

The Emperor was deeply saddened by this matter, which is why he ordered Ren Fengjue to investigate it secretly.

Unfortunately, all available clues were cut off, clearly indicating that someone was indeed manipulating things behind the scenes.

"I also believe he was wronged."

At this point, Ren Fengjue frowned slightly, a hint of regret in his voice: "To be honest, I've been tasked with investigating this case for over a month now, but I haven't made any progress..."

Wuyou's voice reached Xia Ximo's ears first.

"If we can't find anything on the living, then we'll investigate the dead. Hurry up and have him take you to the crime scene; we're sure to find a ghost there..."

"Shut up."

Xia Ximo was getting annoyed by its noise and couldn't help but scold the garrulous spirit of the lamp.

However, Ren Fengjue, who was preparing to reveal the suspicious points of the case, thought she was talking to him and was momentarily taken aback.

Xia Ximo seemed unwilling to know too much, nor did she explain. She simply said, "Now you just need to tell me, where was that person's residence when he committed suicide by fire?"

Ren Fengjue snapped out of his daze: "It's not too far from here, why don't I go with you?"

"No need."

Xia Ximo refused outright: "You investigate your case, and I have my own things to do. We're not on the same path."

Ren Fengjue laughed and said, "Miss Xia, you're being a bit ungrateful for what you've done."

"It doesn't count."

Xia Ximo remained unmoved: "I'm only responsible for investigating matters concerning the dead. I have no interest in matters concerning the living."

"it is good."

Ren Fengjue readily agreed and instructed A Xia, who was rushing to catch the carriage, "Turn around and go to Dongsi Street."

He then asked her with interest, "I'll take you there directly; surely Miss Xia won't refuse?"