Chapter 184: Tension
The rain at Pu Ji Temple intensified, and the ancient sutra banners rustled urgently in the wind. The mountain breeze wailed like ghosts, making the temple’s vegetation tremble, creating an atmosphere of desolation.
Princess Ruihe clutched the hem of her skirt as she hurried through the corridor. Her plain white jacket and skirt were largely soaked by the rain, and the white jade hairpin at her temple was precariously loose.
Several maids and old women followed behind her, trembling.
News of Xizi death warriors infiltrating the temple had already spread…
The laborers stopped their work, whispering to each other under the corridor, and the pilgrims seeking shelter also wore looks of alarm, discussing the matter incessantly…
Ruihe rushed through and stopped outside a monastic room on the east side, her gaze like a knife piercing the closed wooden door.
“Is Madam Ping’an inside?”
Xiao Zhao, dressed in plain clothes, stood with her arms crossed, her expression cold.
“She is.”
Before Xiao Zhao could finish speaking, Ruihe stepped forward to push the door open.
“Princess, please wait,” Xiao Zhao blocked her path. “Princess Protector of the Nation and Madam Ping’an are copying scriptures to pray for blessings for the Empress Dowager. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter!”
“Unauthorized personnel?” Ruihe let out a cold laugh from her throat, her fingertips pinching a silk handkerchief as she pointed at Xiao Zhao. “You insolent cur, do you not see who this Princess is? How dare you block this Princess?”
Xiao Zhao rolled her eyes.
She had wanted to let Ruihe taste the “Returning Wind Palm,” but for the sake of her young lady, she swallowed her anger and curtsied.
“This maidservant would not dare. I beg the Princess to take a seat and wait. Once the Princess Protector of the Nation and the Madam finish copying scriptures, I will inform you… Otherwise…”
She paused, then raised her eyebrows with a smile that was not quite a smile.
“If you delay the Empress Dowager’s task, I fear the Princess will not be able to bear the consequences.”
Ruihe had always considered herself the Empress Dowager’s most beloved young lady. Recently, the Empress Dowager’s favor towards Wen Jia had already filled her with jealousy. Hearing Xiao Zhao’s dismissive tone further ignited her anger.
“I think you are deliberately making things difficult…”
As she spoke, she snorted coldly through her nose, lowered her eyes, and caressed the jade bracelet on her wrist, her voice so soft it was almost drowned out by the rain.
“Fu Ling, slap her.”
The leading maid rushed forward, her arm just raised…
With a “slap,” the maid’s cheek instantly swelled and reddened, a clear handprint branded on her face.
After a moment of stunned silence, she lowered her head and spat out a bloody, broken tooth, then burst into tears of pain.
“Princess…”
Ruihe had not expected Xiao Zhao to act so quickly and so ruthlessly…
After a long while, she gasped and reprimanded in disbelief.
“You… you lowly slave, how dare you lay a hand on me?”
Xiao Zhao moved to stand in the middle of the doorway, remaining silent.
“I think you’ve rebelled!” Ruihe said, preparing to rush inside.
“Ruihe, are you trying to cause a scene at a Buddhist Gate?” Wen Jia’s clear voice drifted through the window.
Upon hearing this, Ruihe felt a surge of anger, her eyes filled with fury. However, she did not immediately lash out. Instead, she stopped and looked towards the half-open window.
“Greetings, Princess Wen Jia…” she curtsied. “I came to Pu Ji Temple to offer incense today and was caught in a sudden downpour, so I sought shelter in a side hall. I heard there were Xizi death warriors causing trouble, and thinking of you and Madam Ping’an copying scriptures in the temple, I came to visit.”
Wen Jia said, “There are no death warriors here. Princess, please do not believe rumors and leave…”
Ruihe raised an eyebrow, seeing Wen Jia’s pale face, and lifted her damp skirt.
“Look at how I’ve been drenched by this sudden rain. Could you allow me to come in for a moment to rest and find a place to dry my clothes, and perhaps avoid catching a chill…”
“The monastic room is small and not suitable for entertaining guests. Please, Princess, find somewhere else to go.” Wen Jia reached out to close the window, her expression blank.
“Princess Wen Jia!”
Ruihe frowned, her tone aggressive.
“You are so eager to drive me away, could it be that the Xizi death warriors are hiding in the inner room?”
Wen Jia’s arm paused, and she straightened her back, looking at Ruihe.
“If the Princess has suspicions, she should invite the patrolling Imperial Guards or government officials to search, rather than speaking carelessly…”
Her voice was gentle yet unyielding, sharp as if she had transformed into someone else, which greatly displeased Ruihe.
The former Wen Jia, as a princess, was merely a timid and pitiful figure. Now, favored by the Empress Dowager, she felt superior and never needed to show Wen Jia any respect.
“Your refusal to let me in means you have something to hide. Hmph, today I insist on seeing what unspeakable business is going on inside…”
Ruihe gave a look to the maid accompanying her and reached out to push the door…
However, before her hand could touch it, her body was suddenly yanked as if she were a kite with a broken string. Before she could react, she was flung outwards.
Ah!
With a cry of pain, she slammed onto the stone steps, falling heavily to the ground.
Her soaked skirt was stained with mud, making her look utterly disheveled. The relentless rain lashed down on her, and she resembled a defeated, drenched chicken…
“Who? Who did that?”
After a moment of stunned silence, she realized there were no men present.
The one who acted was only Xiao Zhao.
Her eyes widened in fury, “Was it you?”
Xiao Zhao spread her hands and innocently retorted, “The Princess is so grown up, how can she not even walk properly?”
Ruihe shrieked, “You pushed me?”
Xiao Zhao: “I didn’t? I’m just a weak woman, how could I possibly push you?”
“You!” Ruihe was enraged and about to retaliate, but also felt a hint of fear.
Xiao Zhao’s speed had been too great; no one had seen clearly.
The powerful and fierce force left her with lingering fear, making her hesitant to approach rashly.
“You wait! The Right Imperial Guard is already on their way and will arrive soon. Then we’ll see how you two can argue your way out of this…”
Before her voice faded, a stern shout was heard.
“Someone, escort the Princess back to the capital.”
Li Huan walked out slowly from the shadows of the corridor. The Prince’s python robe made him appear tall and imposing, noble and extraordinary. His chiseled face held a chilling, bone-piercing cold light in the rain.
“Second Brother!” Ruihe’s eyes lit up, and she quickly went to meet him, a hint of surprise on her face.
“You’re finally here. Wen Jia is so rude, not only did she refuse to let me in, but she also allowed her servant to push me to the ground…”
She complained impatiently.
However, Li Huan’s gaze swept over her face, then settled calmly on the closed door. His tone was unreadable, betraying no emotion.
“Move aside.”
Ruihe turned and pointed at Xiao Zhao, “Did you hear that? I told you to move aside!”
Li Huan: “I told *you*! Someone, escort the Princess out of the monastic courtyard.”
Two guards approached, “Princess, please.”
Ruihe’s eyes widened, and she stared at Li Huan in disbelief. Tears welled up in her wronged eyes. She called out “Second Brother” twice. Seeing that he was unmoved, she bit her lip and turned away with a look of indignation.
Li Huan continued to walk forward, appearing gentle.
“Open the door.”
This was said to Xiao Zhao…
Xiao Zhao remained still, her expression unchanged, and bowed.
“Replying to Your Highness, Madam instructed that during scripture copying, no disturbances are allowed. Your Highness is of noble status, but Xiao Zhao is Madam’s maidservant and must obey Madam’s orders.”
Seeing Xiao Zhao’s unyielding stance, Li Huan let out a cold snort.
“Good servant!”
Just as he was about to reach out, Wen Jia’s urgent voice came from the window.
“Imperial Brother, copying scriptures to pray for blessings requires a clear mind. There is a distinction between men and women; you cannot barge in.”
“I am Ping’an’s husband, and your elder brother. What need is there for avoiding suspicion?”
Li Huan frowned, scrutinized her for a moment, and slowly raised his hand, signaling two guards to pull Xiao Zhao aside—
Xiao Zhao clenched her fists secretly, but then a monk in grey robes rushed over, panting.
“Bad news, Your Highness… A body has been found in the Sutra Repository. It’s said to be the head of the Imperial Hospital… Imperial Physician Fu. He’s covered in blood, seemingly wounded by a sharp weapon. It’s rumored that Xizi death warriors have infiltrated, and the entire temple is in a panic… The Abbot requests Your Highness to come and take charge of the situation.”
Li Huan’s pupils contracted, and his knuckles turned white.
He glanced at the quiet monastic room in the misty rain, signaled the guards to keep watch, and turned to leave with large strides.
A Prince known for his virtue, overseeing affairs in Shangjing, could not ignore such a bizarre murder case.
–
Fu Qingsong lay dead in the Sutra Repository, the fatal wound on his chest.
Blood stained a large area of the floor, a shocking sight.
Li Huan approached, and the onlookers parted to the sides…
He walked closer with a stern expression, slowly crouching down to examine the body.
Beside him, a servant boy was weeping uncontrollably.
“Doctor Fu sent me to fetch incense and candles. When I returned, Doctor Fu was gone. I searched for a long time, and I never expected him to fall victim to a villain’s cruel hand…”
Li Huan did not reply, his gaze fixed on the dagger half-buried in Fu Qingsong’s chest.
Slowly, he moved it, then pulled it out, dripping with blood.
Blood from the blade dripped down from the tip.
Li Huan narrowed his eyes gravely and murmured.
“Xizi death warriors?”
Fu Qingsong was known for his low profile and rarely made enemies.
Why would Xizi death warriors kill Fu Qingsong?
In a sacred Buddhist place, a murder had occurred. The monks chanted Buddhist names, their faces filled with grief.
The entire Sutra Repository seemed to have its air frozen.
Li Huan’s brow furrowed, and he said sternly, “Search thoroughly, not a single corner is to be missed!”
The Right Imperial Guard immediately acknowledged the order and dispersed.
Li Huan’s face darkened as he pondered for a moment, his gaze shifting towards the monastic room where Wen Jia and Xue Sui were.
He took a deep breath and walked towards it with heavy steps.
–
“Ping’an, Ping’an…”
Li Huan’s voice grew closer.
With a hint of anxiety, it struck the heart like a heavy hammer, blow after blow.
At the end of the corridor—
Behind a dilapidated wooden door piled with miscellaneous items, there was a narrow space.
Xue Sui and Li Zhao hastily hid behind it, squeezing their bodies into the dark, damp corner, listening to the rain and Li Huan’s footsteps slowly approaching…
I’m traveling and my laptop’s touchpad is broken. Apple asked me to update the system, and it’s still not done downloading. I’m writing this on my phone, so it’s a bit shorter. Please forgive me.
Ahhh, hasn’t Mercury retrograde ended already… *covers face*!
