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

When the authorities arrived and examined the body, they came to a very shocking conclusion.

Simeng died by twisting her own head off.

Such a cruel method of "suicide" is truly unheard of.

If it weren't for the presence of a "living Yama" (a powerful figure in Chinese history) and the fact that the Ministry of Justice was specifically in charge of the case, the chaotic scene might not have been under control.

However, once the details of the case are leaked, it will undoubtedly cause a sensation in Beijing for some time.

By the time the aftermath of dealing with the Wang family's affairs was completed, it was nearly midnight.

After a busy day and several close calls, Ren Fengjue was exhausted.

He walked out of the Wang residence, where a luxurious carriage had been brought to the front door.

A-Xia was waiting by the carriage. When she saw him coming, she pointed to the inside of the carriage and said, "That Taoist priest is already asleep in the carriage."

Ren Fengjue peeked through the carriage curtain and saw Yan Zhengchu leaning against the carriage wall, fast asleep.

Seeing that it was late at night, he couldn't bear to wake him, so he said, "Let's take him back to the manor first."

He then asked, "By the way, has Miss Xia returned to her residence yet?"

Xia shook her head: "Miss Xia went to the Yuwang Mansion a quarter of an hour ago."

"Prince Yu's Mansion?"

Ren Fengjue was taken aback. "Going to the Yuwang Mansion at this hour?"

"Yes."

Ren Fengjue wanted to ask more questions, but then he thought that Xia Ximo was never one to give explanations, and Xia Ximo couldn't possibly know.

After a moment's thought, he instructed, "Take me to the Yuwang Mansion first, then take Master Yan back to his residence to rest."

Without hesitation, A-Xia asked, "Is Young Master also going to the Yu King's Mansion?"

"..."

This question made Ren Fengjue feel somewhat awkward.

Fortunately, Ah Xia immediately realized her mistake, "I've been too talkative, let's hurry and catch the carriage..."

The journey from the Wang residence to the Yuwang Mansion is not far, taking only the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

Ren Fengjue had A Xia park the car by the roadside, as he planned to go to the mansion himself to check on the situation.

However, after taking only a few steps, he turned back and instructed, "Go back and tell Uncle Ren to arrange for Daoist Yan to stay in the west wing of the south courtyard."

A-Xia was slightly puzzled.

Why is it the South Campus instead of the East Campus?

But then I thought of Miss Xia, and everything became clear again...

Although there are three rooms in the east courtyard, with Miss Xia living in the main room and the maid Tianqing living in the east side room, the east and west wing rooms are still empty.

Even so, the young marquis did not want anyone to disturb Miss Xia's rest...

They would even rather give up the side rooms in their own courtyard.

That shows great care and effort.

Ren Fengjue had no idea what was going on in Xia Ximo's mind, and he was worried about what Xia Ximo was doing at the Yuwang Mansion.

He took a few steps closer to the Prince's Mansion, only to find his "old-fashioned carriage" parked at the entrance.

Strangely, the main gate of the Prince's Mansion was half-open, and two Golden Feather Guards stood motionless by the gate.

-

Xia Ximo's knocking on the gate of the Yuwang Mansion late at night caused quite a stir.

Zhao Xing was terrified of ghosts, so he lay down early with a pile of talismans to ward off evil.

Hearing that a guest had arrived, he refused to see him no matter what.

However, not long after the butler left, a figure stood by the window.

"I told you, you may want to see him, but he may not want to see you."

Upon hearing this voice, Zhao Xing was immediately terrified.

"Who?"

The person outside the window didn't reply.

Zhao Xing gripped the yellow tally tightly and shouted, "Guards! Guards!"

But the servant outside the door did not reply.

He was terrified, and then he heard the door being pushed open, revealing a woman's figure reflected on the ground.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Her footsteps were light and delicate.

Zhao Xing looked closely and was dumbfounded: "It's you!"

Even though Xia Ximo was dressed in women's clothing, he still recognized her at a glance.

The mysterious woman rumored to be hidden in Ren Fengjue's mansion!

"How did you get in here?"

Zhao Xing was terrified, but he had to pretend to be calm.

Xia Ximo said matter-of-factly, "If you won't come out, I'll just have to come in myself."

"..."

These words were undoubtedly a slap in the face to King Yu. Zhao Xing angrily retorted, "Does the King's residence allow a woman like you to enter and leave as you please? Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have Ren Fengjue backing you up!"

Xia Ximo was too lazy to waste words with him, and instead stuck a yellow talisman on the soul-ferrying lamp: "If you have anything to say, you can tell him directly now."

"Remember, you only have half an incense stick's time."

With that, she placed the soul-ferrying lamp on the table, turned around, and went out the door.

A gust of cold wind blew by, causing the candlelight on the table to flicker.

Zhao Xing felt a chill envelop him, and all his arrogance vanished. He stared wide-eyed at the strange black lotus lamp.

The next second, a woman's figure slowly appeared in the room.

"Like...smoke?"

Under the influence of the "talisman," Ruyan's soul gradually became clear, and illuminated by the candlelight in the room, it seemed to look just like it did in life.

But there was no shadow beneath her feet.

After his initial shock, Zhao Xing was overcome with fear. He retreated hastily, crying, "You... don't come any closer! I have magical artifacts and talismans protecting me!"

In order to ward off evil spirits, His Highness Yu spared no expense, buying all sorts of talismans from several Taoist priests.

He didn't care whether it was true or false; at that moment, he grabbed them all.

Seeing his reaction, Ruyan dared not approach, but whispered, "Your Highness need not be afraid. Ruyan has no intention of harming anyone. I have only come to... say goodbye to you."

As she spoke, she bowed gracefully to him, just like when they met in the Red Sleeve Pavilion years ago.

Zhao Xing's heart skipped a beat, and his expression became even more complex: "Farewell? You..."

Ruyan raised her head again, her eyes filled with tears, and choked out, "That night we parted, and now we are separated by life and death..."

"Ruyan always felt regretful that she could not wait for the day she had agreed to meet the prince."

"Now, Ruyan's journey in the mortal world has come to an end. I bid farewell to Your Highness, with no more regrets in my heart."

These words softened Zhao Xing's heart.

After all, they had known each other for many years, and even with such a difference in status, it was impossible for them not to have feelings for each other.

Moreover, after so many instances of skin-to-skin contact…

Once Zhao Xing was certain the other party meant him no harm, he slowly calmed his fear and asked, "Who killed you? I... will avenge you!"

Ruyan still wore a quiet and gentle smile, just like many mornings when he woke up in her room and saw her sitting by the bed, having already carefully prepared everything he needed.

Her voice was always soft and gentle, like a breeze blowing gently into your ear from the willow-lined banks of Jiangnan.

"The murderer has been brought to justice, Your Highness need not trouble yourself with Ruyan's matter any longer."

"May Your Highness and Miss Zhuang live in harmony from now on, and be forever united in heart and soul."

As her image slowly blurred, Zhao Xing realized the reluctance in his heart.

He couldn't help but take a step forward, but before he could even utter the name "Ruyan," the figure transformed into a wisp of smoke.

"Like smoke..."

Zhao Xing reached out, and a wisp of smoke swirled around his fingertip, as if bidding a final farewell.

He watched the smoke dissipate, as if it were all a fleeting dream. Upon waking, he felt lost and couldn't recover for a long time.

It wasn't until Xia Ximo re-entered the room and took the lotus lantern from beside him that he was able to see the light.

"Wait a minute..."