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

"Consort Qi has arrived!"

When Princess Ding'an left the Imperial Garden, Consort Qi noticed something was wrong.

Ruozhen was always obedient and well-behaved in front of her, and even when she was angry, she could understand things.

But at that time, she called out to the other person several times, but there was no response, which was completely unusual.

Consort Qi was still worried, so she left her seat and followed behind the princess.

Unexpectedly, he happened to see her faint on the ground.

At this moment, the palace maids nearby were terrified. Some went forward to check on the situation, while others hurriedly ran to find the imperial physician.

Chaos erupted instantly.

Consort Qi was also anxious and sternly asked one of the palace maids, "What's wrong with the princess?"

Fearing punishment, the palace maid pointed tremblingly at Xia Ximo beside her, "Your Highness, it's 'him'!"

"Just now, I saw from afar that 'he' almost injured the princess..."

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

At the time, "he" stood behind Ren Fengjue with his head down and did not see his face clearly.

But after taking a closer look, a sense of surprise flashed through his mind.

This person's features bear a striking resemblance to a shadow from my memory…

She hesitated before asking, "Have I... seen you elsewhere?"

Before Xia Ximo could answer, someone behind her answered for her.

"Your Highness, this is a servant from my household. You must have seen him at the banquet earlier."

On the lakeshore, Ren Fengjue strode over, his steps quick and hurried, yet his tone of voice remained steady.

He walked up to Xia Ximo in a few steps, first bowed to Consort Qi, and then immediately bent down to check on Princess Ding'an's condition.

Upon seeing his arrival, Consort Qi visibly breathed a sigh of relief, demonstrating her great trust in this young marquis.

"Young Marquis, you've come at the perfect time! Quickly, take a look at Ruozhen..."

Ren Fengjue knew some medical principles. After taking Princess Ding'an's pulse, he directly pinched her philtrum.

A short while later, the princess who had fainted slowly woke up, but her eyes were glazed over and she couldn't recognize anyone.

At this moment, several imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau arrived one after another, and the chaotic scene was finally brought under control.

After Princess Ding'an was sent back to the palace, Consort Qi kept all the palace maids who served her closely behind for questioning.

With Ren Fengjue present this time, the palace maids dared not speak carelessly again and told the truth in detail.

Consort Qi was very puzzled: "Ruozhen has always been reasonable and considerate of the palace servants. He rarely hits or even scolds anyone, so why would he suddenly attack a servant?"

The palace maid whispered, "The princess was indeed very angry at the time, and we servants don't know why..."

Ren Fengjue turned around and glanced at Xia Ximo, then said, "I'm afraid there's some misunderstanding. If Your Highness trusts me, please let me find out the reason first, and then give Your Highness an explanation."

Upon hearing this, Consort Qi realized that she could no longer pursue the matter further.

She had to give Young Master Ren some face.

Moreover, the other party was someone Princess Ding'an trusted implicitly.

So she smoothed out the wrinkles on her sleeves and said, "It's rather cold by the lake. I'll return to the Imperial Garden first. Since the princess is out of danger, I'll trouble the young marquis to handle this matter."

"Yes."

Consort Qi glanced at Xia Ximo again and beckoned to the palace servants beside her.

"Walk."

The group then departed in a grand procession.

Ren Fengjue turned around, about to ask a question, when Xia Ximo handed him something first.

"To find out why the princess fainted, we need to investigate the origin of this bead."

"..."

For a moment, even Lord Ren couldn't distinguish between what was important and what was not.

How come I'm being ordered around by her?

But he still took the bead and asked, "What's so strange about this bead?"

"The bead fell from the princess's body. The princess was just surrounded by evil energy, which should be related to this."

Ren Fengjue asked doubtfully, "Could it be a ghost?"

"I didn't see any ghosts, only a malevolent aura."

Normally, ghosts only possess yin energy and no malevolent energy.

Only malevolent spirits and evil ghosts can generate evil energy.

Besides these, the one with even stronger malevolent aura is the Nine Nether Soul Imprisonment.

However, the Nine Netherworlds are located in the deepest part of the Underworld, where evil gods suppress them and 100,000 Yin soldiers guard them. Without the permission of the Earth Lord, one cannot escape at all.

However, the malevolent energy that had just possessed the princess was extremely strong. If it was truly an evil spirit, it must have lingered in the human world for a long time.

Of course, this connection inevitably brings to mind the evil spirit that killed Meng Zhiyuan. Is there any connection between the two?

Ren Fengjue held the bead in his hand and examined it closely. It was indeed no ordinary item; he must have acquired it at a high price.

Just then, a palace maid came running over to report: "Young Marquis, the princess has woken up and is clamoring to see you."

Ren Fengjue then put the bead away and said to Xia Ximo beside him, "Let's go, I'll go ask the princess while I'm at it."

To everyone's surprise, Xia Ximo coldly replied, "This matter has nothing to do with me. You can go by yourself."

Ren Fengjue couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Why are you ignoring this matter again?"

"If it's not the ghost I'm looking for, I naturally won't bother with it, nor do I want to."

Seeing her resolute attitude, Ren Fengjue could not force her to do something against her will.

He chuckled and then changed his approach, saying, "Fine, you can leave this to me."

"However, your current status is that of my 'personal servant.' This is a very important place, with many people and eyes. You have nowhere else to go but with me."

"..."

Although Xia Ximo was unwilling, she had no choice but to agree with him.

Human society has many rules, but the imperial palace has even more.

Not wanting to cause trouble, she obediently stayed by his side.

"Let's go."

Xia Ximo compromised.

Ren Fengjue felt a strange sense of relief.

To facilitate treatment by the imperial physicians, Princess Ding'an was placed in the nearest warm pavilion.

At this time, many people were standing both indoors and outdoors, and even Emperor Qingkang was invited over.

After Ren Fengjue entered the room, Princess Ding'an, who was snuggling in the emperor's arms, immediately raised her head.

"Brother Wind..."

Emperor Qingkang turned and glanced at him, then immediately beckoned, "Come here, Ruozhen has something to ask you."

Ren Fengjue had no choice but to obey and step forward.

"What does the princess wish to ask me?"

Princess Ding'an glanced at Emperor Qingkang and whispered, "Father, may I speak with Brother Feng alone for a few minutes?"

The emperor saw through his beloved daughter's little scheme.

He stroked his beard and smiled, "Alright, since you're alright, your father will return to the banquet now."

After Emperor Qingkang left, the palace attendants on either side also withdrew on their own initiative.

Princess Ding'an then went straight to the point, asking, "Brother Feng, everyone outside is saying that you're hiding a woman in your residence. Who is she?"

Ren Fengjue choked.

I never expected it to be such a sentence.

"Who told the princess this?"

Princess Ding'an didn't hide anything, "It's my third brother..."

"He also gave me a very beautiful bead, but unfortunately I just lost it, and they haven't found it and returned it to me yet."

Ren Fengjue's expression changed slightly, and he took out the bead from his bosom, asking, "Is this the bead?"