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

Outside the warm pavilion, Xia Ximo quietly found a secluded corner to stand in, trying to avoid the crowd.

Before long, she saw Emperor Qingkang walking out in the distance, surrounded by a group of palace servants.

Although they were some distance apart, Emperor Qingkang seemed to sense it and looked over from afar, as if deep in thought.

Xia Ximo could sense the probing look in those eyes, and wondered how Ren Fengjue had explained it to the emperor.

Fortunately, he only glanced at her and did not call her over to ask questions. His figure quickly disappeared into the distance.

However, no sooner had Emperor Qingkang left than Prince Yu, Zhao Xing, arrived, followed by Pei Yong, the commander of the Golden Feather Guard.

Xia Ximo recognized Pei Yong at a glance as the person who had blocked her way outside Tianxiang Pavilion that day, so the former's identity was obvious.

As the two reached the doorway, Zhao Xing asked a palace maid beside him, "How is Princess Ding'an now?"

The palace maid bowed gracefully. "Your Highness, the princess is talking with the young marquis."

"oh!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing seemed somewhat gloating, "Then we won't disturb them any longer."

He made a move to leave, but then caught sight of Xia Ximo in the corner and asked, "Who's that over there?"

The palace maid said, "They are the young marquis's men."

As Zhao Xing nodded, he also looked the other person up and down, and a strange feeling suddenly flashed through his mind.

This servant looks a bit off.

Intending to make things difficult, he said, "Call that person over here, I want to ask him some questions."

Pei Yong immediately stepped forward and said without any politeness, "His Highness Prince Yu wants to see you for questioning!"

Xia Ximo raised his head, his deep eyes looking over, which made Pei Yong's heart flutter.

"It's you!"

He recognized him.

The person who opposed Miss Zhuang that day in Tianxiang Pavilion!

It's true what they say, "You can search high and low without finding it, but then it comes to you effortlessly."

Pei Yong was inexplicably excited and immediately turned around to whisper to Prince Yu, "Your Highness, this is the person who offended Miss Zhuang at Tianxiang Pavilion that day."

"Is it a woman?"

Zhao Xing suddenly narrowed his eyes, clearly intrigued.

He put his hands behind his back and took a few steps closer to Xia Ximo.

When I could see the other person's face clearly, I was slightly startled.

Although the woman in front of him was dressed in men's clothing, she was quite beautiful.

At the very least, with such looks, she would certainly be among the most renowned noblewomen in the capital today.

No wonder even a man as upright and honorable as Ren Fengjue couldn't resist the urge to "keep a mistress in a golden house".

If it were him, he would also find it hard to refuse...

"Young Master Ren really can't be without the young lady for a second."

Zhao Xing, in a rather teasing tone and with a hint of sarcasm, added, "To even attend the princess's birthday banquet, you have to bring her along; how deeply affectionate you are!"

Xia Ximo originally did not intend to pay any attention to this person.

But a quick glance revealed a faint aura of malevolent energy emanating from him.

It is consistent with that of Princess Ding'an.

Therefore, it's not hard to guess that he was the one who sent that pearl.

Xia Ximo glanced at Pei Yong behind him and deliberately asked, "Did you do as I said at Tianxiang Pavilion that day?"

Pei Yong was taken aback when she asked him this question in front of King Yu.

"Wha...what did you say?"

Xia Ximo remained cold and sarcastic: "You didn't do as I said, so Miss Zhuang went back and became possessed, didn't you?"

"..."

Even King Yu's expression changed.

He glared at Pei Yong, a hint of anger in his eyes. "How could such a thing happen?"

"Your Highness, I would never dare to deceive you. It's all this woman... talking nonsense!"

Actually, looking back now, Xia Ximo did say that back then.

But Pei Yong didn't take it seriously at all.

Thinking back on it now, a chill began to creep up my back, and when I looked at Xia Ximo again, I felt a bit of fear.

That's too weird!

Xia Ximo's face was as cold as ice, and his words were like icy blades.

"Whether I said it or not, you know perfectly well in your heart."

"But after tonight, your Miss Zhuang should be feeling better."

"but--"

Her voice was cold and clear, and her gaze suddenly turned to King Yu Zhao Xing beside her: "You've probably been tainted by evil spirits too."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing felt as if a dark cloud had descended upon him.

Pei Yong's murderous intent flared: "If you dare to spout nonsense again, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Although he said that, he had no real confidence in his words.

He even thought that if what the other party said was true, King Yu would probably also suffer.

By then...

Suddenly, the door to the warm pavilion was opened, and Ren Fengjue appeared in the doorway, tall and elegant.

"His Royal Highness King Yu."

He broke the silence by saying, "Your Highness has come at the perfect time; there are some things I'd like to ask you in person."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing's already unpleasant expression turned even more unpleasant.

In today's court, who would willingly be questioned by Ren Fengjue?

This could mean that bad luck is about to strike!

He slowly turned around, adopting his usual forced smile, and said, "Young Marquis, your words have startled me somewhat."

"Anyone who didn't know better would think I was involved in some murder case."

Ren Fengjue smiled slightly, turned to the side and pointed to the flower hall next to him, "The princess has taken her medicine and fallen asleep. Please allow me a moment to speak with Your Highness, Prince Yu."

Although Zhao Xing was unwilling, he had no choice but to cooperate.

After all, the other party has the support of the imperial power, while he himself is not yet favored by his father.

The two entered the flower hall one after the other, and the palace servants immediately served them hot tea.

Ren Fengjue was humble and invited King Yu to take a seat, then placed a bright pearl on the table.

Amidst the swirling tea mist, the pearl shone brightly, clearly indicating its considerable value.

Zhao Xing expressed his confusion: "This was a birthday gift I gave to Ruozhen, why is it with you?"

Ren Fengjue slowly sat down before saying, "To be honest, Princess Ding'an fainted because of this bead."

"What?"

Zhao Xing immediately flew into a rage: "Nonsense! It's just a single bead! How can you blame me for that?"

Ren Fengjue remained calm, picked up the tea on the table, took a small sip, and then said, "Your Highness, why don't you first tell me the origin of this bead?"

Zhao Xing looked slightly taken aback, but deliberately maintained his composure: "Naturally, I bought it at great expense..."

Having served in the Ministry of Justice for many years, Ren Fengjue was adept at concealing his true intentions and observing people's expressions...

Experience told him that King Yu was clearly lying.

"Where did you buy it?"

Zhao Xing said impatiently, "I sent my servants to buy it; how could they possibly know so much?"

Ren Fengjue remained calm and composed: "Very well, since Your Highness does not know, then tomorrow I will have someone from the Ministry of Justice go to your residence and bring back the servant who bought the beads for a thorough questioning."

Seeing that King Yu was about to lose his temper, he continued, "This matter concerns the safety of Princess Ding'an, so I will inform His Majesty before taking any action..."

Zhao Xing's face turned pale with anger. "You, Ren Fengjue, dare to use Father Emperor to intimidate me?!"

Ren Fengjue smiled. "I wouldn't dare. The investigation will be completed not only for the princess, but also for His Highness Prince Yu."