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

Seeing Sister Fu approaching aggressively, she raised her hand to scold someone.

Ren Fengjue blocked her way, coldly saying, "Steward, are you trying to obstruct my investigation?"

Sweeping her with his cold gaze, Sister Fu seemed to suddenly come to her senses, quickly retreating and kneeling on the ground.

"I wouldn't dare, I just..."

She seemed somewhat annoyed, and after stammering for a while, she finally came up with a reason: "I was just afraid that the young lady wouldn't be able to speak properly, and that it would delay your investigation."

Ren Fengjue continued coldly, "Miss Simeng just mentioned that several incidents of assault and injury have occurred in the building recently. Is that true?"

Sister Fu's face was grim; she clearly didn't want these things to get out. She tried to distort the truth: "It was just a few arguments among the girls in the building. Where there are many women, how can there not be disputes?"

This statement sounded rather guilty.

In fact, there have been more than one assault incident recently. Even Chunhua, the courtesan who is usually very kind, actually assaulted someone yesterday.

The person who took the taxi was a very important guest.

It should be noted that since Chunhua entered the Red Sleeve Pavilion, she has not only been gentle in nature, but also has excellent skills in serving people. High-ranking officials and nobles have always been eager to have her.

But just last night, she actually injured the young master of the Wu family, the vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue, in her own room.

When Young Master Wu came out of the room, his face was scratched by fingernails.

If the manager of the building hadn't personally come out to apologize, given many valuable gifts, and personally selected two courtesans to serve him, I'm afraid Young Master Wu wouldn't have let it go so easily.

But the strangest thing is that after Chunhua hurt someone, she couldn't explain why, as if she were possessed.

Ren Fengjue knew that Sister Fu was not telling the truth, so he said, "Since such a bizarre murder has occurred in the building, everyone in the building must cooperate with the Ministry of Justice in investigating the case before the matter is thoroughly investigated."

"If the steward has no objections, then come back to the yamen with me now, and we can talk slowly there. There's no rush."

Upon hearing this, Sister Fu was quite frightened and quickly said, "Sir, please give your orders right here. I will definitely cooperate!"

Ren Fengjue nodded knowingly, then took out a bead from his pocket, handed it to her, and instructed, "Take a close look at this bead."

"From now on, order the servants to thoroughly search every room to see if this thing has appeared."

Sister Fu readily agreed.

Ren Fengjue added, "The one we especially need to investigate is Hua Niang, who has physically assaulted anyone in the past few days. Do you understand?"

Although she didn't understand the intricacies of the situation, Sister Fu readily agreed.

"Rest assured, sir, I will make sure they investigate thoroughly!"

-

When Ren Fengjue and Xia Ximo walked out of Hongxiu Tower side by side, Tian Qing was still anxiously looking around at the door.

When she saw the two of them walking together, her eyes lit up at first, but then she felt very embarrassed.

She had no idea what the seemingly indifferent Miss Xia was thinking at that moment.

I wonder if she'll be angry with the young marquis...

"Go back by yourself."

Xia Ximo gave Tian Qing an instruction in his usual tone.

Tian Qing, however, was still somewhat uneasy. He glanced furtively at Young Master Ren and whispered, "Young Master, may I speak to you in private?"

Ren Fengjue was somewhat surprised, thinking she had something to tell him, so he nodded.

Unexpectedly, after pulling him aside, Tianqing whispered as softly as a mosquito's buzz, "Miss Xia, weren't you angry just now?"

Ren Fengjue was completely bewildered: "Why are you angry?"

Tian Qing's almond-shaped eyes widened: "You...you went into a place like this, and she's not angry?"

"..."

Ren Fengjue resisted the urge to slap her head and said irritably, "I'm here to investigate a case. What do you take me for?"

Tian Qing suddenly understood and finally felt relieved. He then said, "In that case, young master, you should try to coax Miss Xia more. I think she still cares about you..."

These words stirred something within Lord Ren.

Suddenly, she remembered the first words Xia Ximo had said to her in Ruyan's room.

She did indeed come in because she saw me.

If this can be considered a form of "caring"?

Ren Fengjue suddenly flicked his sleeve, seemingly slightly annoyed: "If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense."

Tianqing stuck out his tongue and quietly lowered his head.

Then Xia Ximo's slightly impatient voice rang out behind them, "Can we go now?"

"Coming!"

Ren Fengjue glanced at Tian Qing again before turning and leaving.

He asked Xia Ximo, "Would you like to ride in my carriage?"

"Um."

Xia Ximo responded and walked directly toward Lord Ren's carriage.

The servant, A-Xia, had prepared footstools early on, waiting for her as if she were the owner of the carriage.

Ren Fengjue followed behind, watching Xia Ximo get into the car, but glanced at Xia with an ambiguous expression.

"You don't need to come along on this carriage."

Upon hearing this, A-Xia was slightly taken aback, "What do you mean, young master?"

Ren Fengjue gestured for him to lean closer, and then whispered a few words to him.

After hearing this, Ah Xia was even more confused, but dared not say anything and quietly left.

Lord Ren personally drove out of the west gate and, following Simeng's advice, walked two miles south, where he indeed found a bridge.

After crossing the bridge, the view opens up, and an abandoned temple stands by the roadside.

Ren Fengjue had heard people mention that this temple was the predecessor of Qingping Temple. It had collapsed without cause, destroying the main Buddha hall and killing several young novice monks who were sweeping the floor.

The abbot at the time felt that Buddha was blaming him, so he moved the temple to Qingping Mountain and recast the Buddha statue with gold.

Although the new temple is located in a remote and high place, its incense has flourished, and decades later, it has become the number one Buddhist temple in the capital.

The old temple was gradually abandoned.

"We've arrived, Miss Xia."

The two remained silent throughout the journey, and Xia Ximo did not ask any questions about Lord Ren's decision to transfer Xia away and personally drive the carriage.

Hearing the sound, she lifted the carriage curtain but did not get out of the carriage.

Ren Fengjue realized what was happening and quickly put the footrest down for her and helped her down.

After the two entered the temple side by side, the first thing they saw was a courtyard overgrown with weeds. The main hall had collapsed and was no longer visible. Only the side halls on both sides were barely big enough for people to fit in.

Upon entering, one could see a considerable amount of wood ash piled up on the ground, indicating that someone had indeed come here recently to take shelter from the rain or rest.

The two looked around, but found nothing unusual.

Ren Fengjue asked, "Did you find anything?"

Xia Ximo didn't reply, but shook the soul-ferrying lamp in his hand.

The spirit of the lamp, Wuyou, trembled inside the lamp: "Grandma, don't ask me, I don't even have time to be afraid..."

"It's no use."

"..."

Ren Fengjue glanced at her, then at the lamp in her hand. Although he didn't know who she was talking to, he chose not to ask.

But after taking only a couple of steps, Xia Ximo took the initiative to speak.

"Do you think that woman named Simeng is trustworthy?"

Ren Fengjue raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Miss Xia, do you mean you don't believe me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a gust of cold wind swept by, making the dilapidated windowpanes rustle.