Li Rоng wаs stunnеd. Аfter a mоmеnt, shе саutiously askеd, "Yоu mean... it's nоt acсurаtе?"
"Соmрletelу inaccurate," Pеi Wеnxuаn statеd dirесtlу. "I've tеstеd it. Аs lоng аs it's a bоne that has turnеd intо a skеleton, anу drop оf blood will sоаk in."
"Аrе уоu surе?"
"Do yоu rеmembеr thе ghоst ship сasе frоm our prеviоus life?" Рei Wenxuаn began.
Li Rong thоught fоr а momеnt, then nodded. "I rеmеmbеr, I havе аn imрrеssiоn оf it. It was sаid thаt a shiр doсked at thе shorе, fillеd with skеletаl соrрses. Theу said the ghosts were sеeking their relаtives and rеturned оn thеir own."
"Аt that time, I happened to be patrolling the coastal area and heard about the case, so I went to take a look. That ship had originally set sail from the town, then disappeared. Years later, it returned, and everyone on board had turned into skeletons. Relatives rushed over to identify them, and they could only rely on the blood-dropping method. As a result, anyone who dropped blood found it soaked in. When I went to see it, I felt something was off. I also dropped some blood randomly and ended up 'recognizing' a relative."
Pei Wenxuan laughed. "So after that, I stopped believing in this method. Just now, to be extra careful, I tested it again myself. Don’t worry, if Qin Lin drops the blood, it will definitely soak in."
Hearing this, Li Rong felt relieved. She thought for a moment and suddenly remembered something. "Tell me, where did you learn all these strange things? Like that egg trick before..."
Hearing Li Rong's words, Pei Wenxuan propped his head up and smiled. "Your Highness, are you perhaps admiring this humble official?"
"Forget it," Li Rong immediately changed her tone. "These are unorthodox methods. Don’t go spreading them around. I’m afraid someone might alarm His Majesty, invite a state priest, and have you burned as a demon."
As she spoke, Li Rong stood up to wash her hands. Before she could finish, Jing Lan walked in calmly and said, "Your Highness, people from the Ministry of Justice are here."
Li Rong nodded, not finding it strange at all. Pei Wenxuan stood up and said calmly, "Your Highness, please rest. I will handle it."
Li Rong acknowledged, and Pei Wenxuan led the others out.
After Pei Wenxuan left, Jing Lan approached, looking somewhat worried. "Your Highness, the Eastern Palace hasn’t responded yet. What if they demand an autopsy..."
"It’s fine, don’t worry," Li Rong waved her hand and smiled. "It’s not a big deal."
Jing Lan was taken aback, but seeing Li Rong so composed, she said nothing more.
Pei Wenxuan led the group outside. As soon as they stepped out, they saw the area brightly lit with lanterns. Pei Wenxuan smiled at the sight of the visitors and raised his hand in greeting. "Well, well, Vice Minister Su, you’re here again?"
"I’ve come on orders," Su Rongqing said calmly. "I hope to see Her Highness."
"Don’t disturb Her Highness so late at night. If you have anything to say, you can tell me."
"Does the Imperial Son-in-Law know that Qin Zhenzhen has come back to life?" Su Rongqing stared at Pei Wenxuan. "I am here on orders to inquire about Her Highness’s arrangements for Qin Zhenzhen’s burial."
"Come back to life?" Pei Wenxuan showed a surprised expression. "Such a strange occurrence?"
"Precisely because it’s too bizarre, I’ve come specifically to ask Her Highness about it."
"This matter is indeed strange," Pei Wenxuan nodded, then looked up. "But what does it have to do with Her Highness?"
"But the burial arrangements for Qin Zhenzhen were handled entirely by Her Highness..." a servant beside them couldn’t help but interject. Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan chuckled."So is she dead or alive?" Pei Wenxuan looked at Su Rongqing, asking with utmost seriousness. "If she's dead, Her Highness would avoid such matters at all costs. How could you come here and offend Her Highness like this? If she's still alive, then she's committed the grave crime of deceiving Her Highness. Shouldn't you, Vice Minister Su, hurry and arrest her to apologize to our Princess instead of standing here?"
The attendant was stunned by Pei Wenxuan's barrage of questions. Pei Wenxuan brushed his sleeves lightly and chuckled. "Vice Minister Su, this isn't your first time at the Princess's Manor. Next time, please have your Ministry of Justice send someone else. If you keep coming like this, I might start thinking you have ulterior motives."
"Lord Pei, even if it's just to provide clues, please let us see Her Highness once?"
Seeing Pei Wenxuan's arrogance, the attendant beside him suppressed his anger. Pei Wenxuan shook his head and simply said, "No."
"You're looking for Qin Zhenzhen, so please focus on finding her properly. Look for the living on the streets, and the dead in the graveyard. If you think Qin Zhenzhen is in the Princess's Manor, apply for a search warrant from the Dali Temple. Without a warrant, what are you doing here causing trouble at the Princess's Manor?"
"Get out!"
Pei Wenxuan shouted loudly, then turned and walked back inside, instructing the gatekeeper, "Close the gates."
With that, Pei Wenxuan went straight back into the house.
Li Rong was eating breakfast. When Pei Wenxuan entered, she looked up in surprise. "So fast?"
"Yes," Pei Wenxuan maintained his smile. "They're just some insignificant minor characters. I said a few words and they left. Has Your Highness finished eating? We need to prepare for court soon. Have you finished writing the memorial?"
At the mention of writing memorials, Li Rong felt a headache coming on. She glanced cautiously at Pei Wenxuan. "Um, Pei Wenxuan."
Pei Wenxuan sipped his tea, pretending not to hear.
Li Rong extended two fingers, tugged at Pei Wenxuan's sleeve, and gently shook it. "Brother Pei?"
Hearing this address, Pei Wenxuan felt exceptionally pleased. He looked up with a smile. "What does Your Highness command?"
"I've always heard that your literary talent is exceptional, that you can draft memorials in an instant. Time is running short, and we need a statement about this Qin Zhenzhen matter. What do you think..."
"I understand what Your Highness means," Pei Wenxuan nodded, looking at Li Rong. "But if I help Your Highness write the memorial, what will you give me in return?"
"What do you want?"
Pei Wenxuan smiled, leaned his face closer, and lightly tapped his cheek with his hand.
"Your Highness?"
Pei Wenxuan said with a smile, "If you lean just one inch closer, I'll have the memorial ready for you within a quarter of an hour."
Hearing this, Li Rong also smiled.
"The night was still too short, and the Imperial Son-in-Law hasn't had enough dreams," she said, lightly patting Pei Wenxuan's cheek with small, gentle slaps. "Sleep a bit more, alright?"
After saying this, Li Rong snorted coldly and got up to go to the desk herself.
She'd write it herself—what was there to fear?
Li Rong struggled at the desk for a while as Pei Wenxuan drank tea, ate breakfast, picked up a book, read, and wrote.
By the time Pei Wenxuan finished his breakfast, it was time to go to court. Li Rong still hadn't finished writing her memorial, so she had no choice but to take it to the carriage and continue writing there.
Writing memorials required careful attention to wording and phrasing. Li Rong pondered each word meticulously, and even when they arrived at the palace, she still hadn't finished.Li Rong gave up, clutching the memorial she had hastily concluded after writing most of it, resigned to explaining privately to Li Ming in the imperial study later. Since no one else would see it anyway, she decided to leave it as it was.
Holding the memorial, Li Rong walked forward while Pei Wenxuan strolled leisurely beside her, occasionally glancing at her with a smile.
Li Rong kept a cold expression and ignored him, cursing him silently the entire way.
When they reached their designated positions, Pei Wenxuan accompanied her as she stepped forward. Li Rong said coldly, "The Imperial Son-in-Law should go to his own place. I don’t want to stay with you."
Pei Wenxuan chuckled. "Your Highness is truly temperamental."
Li Rong stared straight ahead, ignoring him. Pei Wenxuan laughed for a moment before pulling a memorial from his sleeve and handing it to Li Rong.
Li Rong raised her hand and knocked it away, saying coldly, "Don’t shove things at me."
"Don’t want it?" Pei Wenxuan waved the memorial in his hand. "Are you sure?"
Seeing Pei Wenxuan’s expression, Li Rong snatched the memorial away and whispered, "Hurry up and leave."
"Taking my memorial means you owe me now," Pei Wenxuan said with a light laugh as he turned away. "Your Highness, I’ll keep a tab on it."
Without giving Li Rong a chance to reply, Pei Wenxuan returned to his position, holding his court tablet.
He was known for his good temper in court, and as he walked back, he greeted others with smiles.
Today, everyone in the court wore varied expressions, as the matter of vengeful spirits killing people was too unsettling.
Some did not believe it, but more did.
As soon as Pei Wenxuan returned to his position, people crowded around to ask about the matter. Meanwhile, Li Rong stood alone on the side, and no one dared to approach her to inquire.
When the court session began, Li Ming asked about the day’s affairs. Before Li Rong could speak, many officials immediately began accusing Qin Zhenzhen of murder.
Hearing this, Li Ming frowned deeply. "Such a mysterious matter... What do you all think should be done?"
After a moment of hesitation, he added, "How about having monks from Huguo Temple recite sutras in front of Qin Zhenzhen for three months to dispel the resentment?"
At these words, everyone exchanged glances. Having monks recite sutras to brush the case aside clearly showed Li Ming’s intention to cover it up.
Xie Lanqing stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, Confucius said not to speak of strange forces or chaotic spirits. The matter of Qin Zhenzhen’s resurrection requires thorough investigation. When Miss Qin was placed in the coffin, it was handled entirely by Princess Pingle. Only Her Highness knows whether she was truly dead or alive. This old minister believes the matter should be strictly investigated."
Hearing this, Li Ming paused for a moment before turning to Li Rong. "Pingle, what do you think?"
"If Minister Xie says so, wouldn’t I be unjustly smeared if we don’t investigate?" Li Rong replied. "It’s simple to determine whether Qin Zhenzhen is alive or dead—just open the coffin and examine the body."
"Since Your Highness agrees, that’s even better," Xie Lanqing said calmly. "Why don’t we set out now? The Ministry of Justice has already prepared coroners. Under the supervision of the court officials, we can see who is truly in the coffin."
"Wait..." Li Chuan urgently spoke up, but before he could finish, Li Rong raised her voice and said, "Very well, Father." She looked at Li Ming. "What do you think?"
Seeing Li Rong’s confident demeanor, Li Ming hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Go ahead. I will wait here for the results."
Li Rong bowed and then walked toward Minister Xie, gesturing politely. "Minister Xie, please."
"Your Highness, please."After Xie Lanqing finished speaking, she led the officials out. Pei Wenxuan waited for Li Rong, and the two of them walked out alone. Li Chuan approached with his men, walking beside Li Rong, and said anxiously, "Sister, the Ministry of Justice has locked down all the coroners. I couldn’t find anyone. We’re done for."
Li Rong patted Li Chuan’s hand and said calmly, "It’s fine. I have a plan."
"Don’t do anything reckless," Li Chuan urged. "So many people are watching."
"Your Highness, rest assured," Pei Wenxuan said with a smile. "The princess knows what she’s doing."
Hearing Pei Wenxuan say this, Li Chuan glanced at them suspiciously but finally felt somewhat reassured.
Li Rong remained composed and boarded the carriage with Pei Wenxuan. The officials followed in a grand procession toward the outskirts of the city.
When they arrived at Qin Zhenzhen’s gravesite in the outskirts, Xie Lanqing ordered her men forward and said directly, "Dig."
As the gravediggers struck the soil with their shovels, they noticed it was unusually loose. They immediately reported, "Minister Xie, this grave has been disturbed."
Xie Lanqing’s expression remained unchanged as she said, "Continue."
Li Rong twirled her fan with a smile, while Li Chuan’s heart raced. Before long, the grave was fully excavated. In front of the officials, the coffin was opened, releasing a foul odor of decay. Most people took a step back. Pei Wenxuan gently placed a scented handkerchief over Li Rong’s nose, and she took it, glancing at him. "How do you have everything?"
"I knew we were coming, so I prepared in advance," Pei Wenxuan replied softly.
Li Rong nodded.
Xie Lanqing ordered the coroner to step forward. The coroner circled the body once, then put on specially made gloves and carefully examined the bones in front of everyone.
After the examination, the coroner said respectfully, "Minister Xie, the characteristics of this skeleton are largely consistent with those of Miss Qin. It should be her."
"Characteristics can be falsified," Xie Lanqing said calmly. "Check again."
The coroner hesitated for a moment and looked toward Qin Lin, who stood among the crowd. "To verify further, we may need the cooperation of Miss Qin’s blood relative."
With that, the coroner bowed to Qin Lin. "May I ask if Qin would be willing to step forward and provide a drop of blood?"
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