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

Yu Lang clutched his chest and turned around, looking helpless.

"Miss Yaoguang, when will you be able to get rid of this habit of 'not using the door but insisting on climbing through the window'?"

Yao Guang glanced at him. "Personal habits, can't be changed."

"Moreover, Lord Ren didn't say anything, this is the Ministry of Justice."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lang was truly indignant and was about to get up to argue with her.

Ren Fengjue tapped the desk with his finger: "Yu Shaoqing!"

Knowing that Lord Ren would inevitably show favoritism, Yu Lang had no choice but to sit back down in his chair and silently take a sip of tea.

"Yaoguang, then tell me, what 'evidence' have you found this time?"

When Ren Fengjue asked her questions, Yao Guang's attitude became noticeably more respectful. She replied, "This humble servant has already inquired with the steward surnamed Zhou."

Compared to Yu Lang's methods of "open and covert investigation," Yao Guang of the Shadow Division watched the Mu family's every move like a shadow.

She used her superb lightness skill to enter and found that since Madam Mu was imprisoned and hanged herself, most of the servants in the mansion had been dismissed, leaving only a few old servants to guard the courtyard.

The once grand mansion had become deathly still, and the rumored "Miss Mu" had vanished without a trace.

Having discovered something strange, Yao Guang simply grabbed the steward and questioned him.

When asked about Xia Ximo and Mu Tingting's whereabouts, Butler Zhou gave a rather plausible explanation.

"After the lady's accident, Miss Cousin went to the Marquis's residence in the capital."

"As for my young lady... she's pitiful too."

"She has suffered from hysteria since childhood, which is why she rarely goes out to see guests. That day, she went mad again and injured her cousin, after which she disappeared."

This explanation is consistent with what "that person" from the Renxuan Marquis's residence said, suggesting that they may have already discussed it beforehand.

Yao Guang then relayed the information that Yu Lang had learned from the gatekeeper.

"Some people in your household say that Miss Xia has 'come back from the dead to seek revenge.' What's that all about?"

Butler Zhou seemed to tremble with fright, but reacted very quickly.

"I bet the doorman said that, didn't he?"

"His eyesight is failing, and he hasn't shaken his drinking habit. He mistook my young lady for Miss Xia and made up some stories to scare her!"

"He's the kind of person who loves to talk about ghosts and spirits. Tell me, where are the ghosts in this world?"

Yao Guang then asked, "Minister Mu only has one daughter, and now that she's gone missing, isn't he worried?"

Butler Zhou sighed, "Why didn't we search? We've searched the entire Xiling County, and even the neighboring prefectures and counties!"

"I don't know if they're dead or alive..."

After listening to Yao Guang's account, Yu Lang couldn't wait to interject, "In my opinion, what Steward Zhou said is more suspicious, isn't it?"

"It's like... the wording was prepared in advance, just waiting for you to ask."

Yao Guang glared at him. "How did he know I would ask him?"

Yu Lang smiled. "Naturally, the people in the capital had anticipated this..."

As he spoke, he raised an eyebrow at Ren Fengjue, "My lord, am I right this time?"

Ren Fengjue did not answer, but stood up and began pacing back and forth in the room.

Because he had practiced martial arts for many years, he had an upright posture. Although he was dressed in casual clothes, he could not hide the awe-inspiring air of someone in a high position.

A moment later, he stopped, his expression turning cold.

"You two have spent all this time, and haven't you gotten a single clue about 'Xia Ximo's' past?"

Seeing that Ren Fengjue's expression was off, Yu Lang immediately stopped joking and said carefully, "Lord Ren, the strange thing is that no one in Xiling County has ever seen Miss Xia, let alone heard of her deeds over the years. She's practically a ghost!"

"Even the old gatekeeper said he rarely sees her. We've lived in the same household for so many years, yet this Miss Xia never leaves her home!"

Yu Lang continued, "As instructed by you, I have also inquired with all the clothing shops, jewelry stores, and even rouge shops in Xiling County. The results all say that the women of the Mu family never come to the shops in person; it is mostly the shopkeepers who come directly to them."

"I asked a shop assistant who had delivered clothes to the house before, and he said he hadn't seen her. But it was winter, and only two sets of winter clothes were made for the young lady, both of the same size. He remembered it well and thought there was only one young lady in the household..."

"Furthermore—I also inquired at various pharmacies, and the shopkeepers said that a physician from the Mu family does indeed come every month to get medicine and purchase tonics. The prescription is for treating madness. Although it is unknown who is actually taking it, it is quite similar to that 'Miss Mu' who suffers from hysteria..."

At this point, Yu Lang glanced at Lord Ren's expression again and coughed lightly: "Time is of the essence, and this is all the information I can find."

Yao Guang, standing to the side, also lowered her head and truthfully reported, "The steward Zhou said that Miss Xia has been living in Tingshui Nuange, and because she is not in good health, she rarely goes out."

"I also went inside to check. There was General Xia's sword and Madam Xia's paintings in the room, so it does seem to be Miss Xia's residence."

Ren Fengjue paused for a moment, then asked, "The place she lives in is called 'Tingshui Nuange'?"

"Yes."

"Besides General Xia and his wife's belongings, what else is in that pavilion?"

Yao Guang thought for a moment and replied, "This subordinate remembers that, in addition to that, there are some needlework items that Miss Xia seems to be good at."

Ren Fengjue then asked, "Is there a medicinal smell in that room?"

"There's not much of a medicinal smell left."

Yao Guang answered with certainty: "But there is a stove for decocting medicine next to the entrance, and on one side, there are also many medicines and tonics."

"Butler Zhou said that Miss Xia's health has gradually improved in the past two years, and she has gradually stopped taking some of the medications she used to take."

After hearing these words, Ren Fengjue's expression softened slightly. After pondering for a moment, he smiled.

"You two have worked hard. The clues you've found should be sufficient."

These words startled Yu Lang and Yao Guang, but their tense hearts finally relaxed a little.

Yu Lang said, "Actually, whether it's true or false, the Mu family has already concealed everything that can be concealed..."

"I recall Lord Ren once said, 'The less you can find out, the more suspicious it is…'"

Ren Fengjue patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "Young Master Yu, this trip was worthwhile."

-

Ren Fengjue returned directly to the Marquis's residence without prior notice.

Upon entering, I learned from the servant that the Marquis was fishing in the back garden.

The lady had already taken Miss Xia out.

He asked, "Where did the lady go?"

The servant replied, "In the past few days, people have been sending invitations one after another. They all want to see General Xia's daughter after hearing that she has come to the capital. Yesterday, Madam took Miss Xia to the Yong'an Marquis's residence, and this morning, she went to the Du State Duke's residence."

Ren Fengjue understood after hearing this.

They've only been here a few days, and they're already in such a hurry to make a name for themselves in the capital...

If this trend continues, I'm afraid I'll have to go to the palace to meet the Empress tomorrow.

He smiled, said nothing, and went straight to the east courtyard.

When Lady Hou's personal maid, Rong Shu, saw the young marquis, she was also taken aback and hurriedly stepped forward to ask, "Young master, why have you suddenly returned?"

"Madam, she..."

Ren Fengjue asked directly, "I know Madam went out, but I wanted to come and see which room Miss Xia is staying in."

Rong Shu pointed to the east wing: "Miss Xia is staying in that wing; it's just been cleaned up."

Without saying a word, Ren Fengjue walked straight inside.