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

"Who exactly are you?"

Zhao Xing felt a mixture of fear and curiosity towards this mysterious woman.

Xia Ximo put away the lamp, glanced at him, and said coldly, "From now on, remember to pay respects to the deceased every year on this day."

Zhao Xing could only watch helplessly as she turned and walked away, just as silently as she had come.

The night was as still as water. As that slender figure walked through the courtyard of the Prince's Mansion, those whose souls had been invited into the lamps by Wuyou gradually regained consciousness.

Upon reaching the gate of the Prince's Mansion, Xia Ximo saw a figure standing at the entrance, while the two Golden Feather Guards who had been guarding the gate were nowhere to be seen.

Ren Fengjue leaned against the door, head bowed, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

Although he was dressed in dark colors, his tall figure and outstanding temperament still made him stand out in the night.

However, upon closer inspection, one would notice the weariness between his brows.

Xia Ximo paused, "What are you doing here?"

When Ren Fengjue saw her, his eyes flickered slightly, but he asked her in return, "Shouldn't I be the one asking Miss Xia that?"

To dare to sneak into the Prince's mansion alone at night is more than just a matter of extraordinary courage.

That's absolutely outrageous!

Xia Ximo replied casually, "Just getting things done."

Ren Fengjue nodded without asking any further questions. He then turned and pointed to the carriage beside him, deliberately saying, "Miss Xia, would you mind if I rode in the carriage parked at the door?"

"Our paths diverge."

As she spoke, she sat down in front of the car.

Ren Fengjue wondered, "It's already past midnight, and she still doesn't plan to go back?"

"Is there something you need so late?"

"Um."

She responded, then suddenly remembered something, looked up at him and asked, "What will you do with Ruyan's body?"

Ren Fengjue was surprised that she would ask such a question. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "The case is handled by the Ministry of Justice. After the coroner examines the body, it stays at the Ministry of Justice."

"Generally, after a case is closed, the family will be notified to come and collect the body for burial."

"If no one claims it, the authorities will handle it themselves after the case is closed."

Xia Ximo, however, said in a serious tone, "In that case, may I dispose of Ruyan's body?"

These words stunned Ren Fengjue once again.

Suddenly, I thought of the relationship between Ruyan and King Yu…

It's not hard to guess that she broke into the Yuwang Mansion at night to fulfill Ruyan's last wish.

Just like Meng Zhiyuan that day in the palace.

Ren Fengjue couldn't help but ask, "You intend to bury her yourself?"

Xia Ximo paused for a moment before saying, "You could say that."

For Ren Fengjue, this was not a difficult matter.

However, Ruyan's body was already in a state of partial decomposition, and the coroner had to suppress his fear when examining the body.

Is she truly unafraid to make this request?

Seeing that he did not answer, Xia Ximo said, "If it's difficult for you, I can go myself."

"..."

The meaning was clear: if he didn't agree, he was going to storm the Ministry of Justice...

Ren Fengjue chuckled: "It's not difficult. The case is closed. Of course, it's better to let the deceased rest in peace as soon as possible."

"But the body is already half-rotted, I'm afraid you won't be able to bear it."

Xia Ximo said, "It's just a corpse."

She's not even afraid of ghosts, so why would she be afraid of a corpse?

Ren Fengjue suddenly realized his worries were unnecessary and asked her, "Is this... really necessary to do now?"

Xia Ximo was about to respond when he noticed that Xia Ximo looked slightly tired under the moonlight.

Thinking about this long day, it is indeed quite a heavy burden for a mortal body.

A thought crossed his mind, and he changed his mind, saying, "Tomorrow is fine too."

Ren Fengjue was relieved to hear her reassure him, and immediately got into the carriage: "Then I'll trouble Miss Xia to take me back to the manor."

Xia Ximo, who was sitting in the front of the car, did not drive off immediately. Instead, she turned half her face to him and said, "There's something else I'd like to ask you for help with."

Ren Fengjue was surprised: "What is it?"

"Lend me a gold ingot."

-

Ren Fengjue sat up with a start from his sleep, and seeing the faint morning light outside the window, he was momentarily dazed.

He dreamed again of the year he was seven, when the Nanchuan Courtyard caught fire and his uncle went missing.

His mother held him and wept, and his father's eyes were also filled with sorrow.

A cold sweat broke out on my back.

Hearing the commotion, A Qiu came to ask, "Is the young master awake?"

"Okay, come in."

A-Qiu brought over the toiletries and said, "The Taoist priest who stayed at the manor last night has woken up and is having breakfast in the hall right now."

Ren Fengjue rubbed his slightly heavy forehead, then remembered that there was another person in the house, and said, "Then set out my breakfast in the hall as well."

When he finished washing up and went to the front hall, he could hear Yan Zhengchu's voice from afar.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that this person was mingling with Ren Cong and A Chun.

Ren Cong asked, "What happened between the son of the wealthy Wang and the Cui family in the end?"

Yan Zhengchu took a sip of tea and said seriously, "Before I left, I heard Cui Shi making a scene about wanting a divorce. Wang Rui was an attempted murderer. If it weren't for that old master kneeling on the ground and begging, I'm afraid the young marquis wouldn't have let him go..."

"cough."

Ren Fengjue deliberately coughed softly as he approached.

Upon hearing the sound, Ren Cong and A Chun were so frightened that they immediately scattered to the sides, not daring to ask any more questions.

"Did you sleep well last night, Taoist priest?"

Ren Fengjue asked, and then sat down next to him.

Master Yan had changed into a brand new set of clothes. Not only was his hair neatly combed, but his beard had also been shaved off, making him look more in line with his original age.

Upon hearing the young marquis's question, he quickly stood up and pretended to be polite.

"I'm really sorry about last night. I just wanted to take a nap, but I ended up falling asleep."

"I'm so sorry to bother you!"

Despite saying that, his expression clearly showed that he was very satisfied with it.

Ren Fengjue accepted the congee and side dishes handed to him by A Qiu. While eating, he slowly said, "As the Daoist Master said, I have a deep connection with Yunhe Mountain. In that case, it is only right that I entertain the Daoist Master."

Yan Zhengchu thought he was trying to trick him into revealing information, so he quickly lowered his head to drink his tea and added, "Let's keep things separate. I'll give you a few spirit talismans later to thank you for taking me in, young marquis."

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door.

Just then, the maid Tianqing walked in and said to Ren Fengjue with a smile, "Young Master, Miss Xia asked me to inquire whether it is time to depart."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people in the room became somewhat strange.

Ren Fengjue had not forgotten his "promise" with Xia Ximo, but he did not expect that the other party would take the initiative to urge him.

This feeling is very subtle.

It was as if their relationship had quietly and imperceptibly grown closer.

He immediately put down his chopsticks: "Coming..."

Ah Qiu couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "Young master, you haven't even taken two bites yet."

Ren Fengjue rinsed his mouth with tea, lightly wiped the corners of his lips, and said to Yan Zhengchu, "If you don't mind the simplicity of my humble abode, Daoist, please stay here for a few days. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."

He walked to the door, but suddenly turned back and said to Ren Cong, "Uncle Cong, go to the storeroom and get a gold ingot for this Taoist priest."

Ren Cong and Yan Zhengchu were both taken aback.

Ren Fengjue continued, "I'll give you the gold ingot that Miss Xia promised to give you first."