C92 Waiting for Death

Night, with sparse stars and a bright moon, the sky was as dark as ink. Moonlight, like a delicate veil, filtered through the window, casting its glow on the scattered garments below. The effects of the medicine in the air had dissipated, and Beiming Yuan, feeling drained of energy, lay on the soft couch, gradually regaining his senses. He had only intended to dine with Dugu Rou, not to stay the night, but during the meal, he found himself unable to resist. Was it his own longing for companionship, or was Dugu Rou simply that captivating?

“Your Highness...” Dugu Rou's slender fingers traced Beiming Yuan's chest, her voice sweet and alluring. Beiming Yuan felt a sudden irritation and pulled her hand away. “I have important documents to review. You should get some rest.” Without giving Dugu Rou a chance to persuade him otherwise, Beiming Yuan stood up, gathered his scattered clothes from the floor, and left the hall.

Shortly after, Mo Hua entered the room, where a lingering sense of intimacy remained. “Empress, why did His Highness leave?” Mo Hua asked cautiously as she picked up the clothes from the floor and approached the bed.

Dugu Rou slowly sat up, the silk blanket slipping from her shoulders, revealing her fair skin. “Feng Tiange.”

“What?” Mo Hua thought she had misheard.

"Just now, while Beiming Yuan was here on this couch, he called out Feng Tiange's name!" Dugu Rou's eyes were as cold as water, and the brocade quilt was twisted and deformed in her grip.

Mo Hua was incredulous, "Does the Crown Prince truly have feelings for Feng Tiange...?"

"If he liked Feng Tiange, why did he kill Dugu Yan back then? Weren't they the same kind of person?" Dugu Rou's hatred flared, her beautiful eyes showing a fierce determination.

"But I heard from the Cloud Light Hall that the Empress sent Jinkui to speak with Ye Zhong, and it seems she's interested in Ye Zhixi, the second daughter of Minister Ye," Mo Hua said, puzzled. "If the Crown Prince and the Empress favor Feng Tiange, why would they also be probing Ye Zhong's intentions?"

Dugu Rou's gaze deepened, "What's so hard to understand? Feng Tiange is skilled in martial arts, while Ye Zhixi excels in literature. The mother and son want to have it all, but in their perfect plan, I'm not even a piece on the board... Am I being sidelined?"

"Impossible! How could you be sidelined, my lady?" Mo Hua reassured her.

"Of course, I won't be sidelined," Dugu Rou said, lowering her eyes as she gently placed a hand on her abdomen. "As long as I have him, I will be the one who laughs last."

"You will surely bear the royal heir!" Mo Hua declared confidently.

"Has Ye Zhong responded?" Dugu Rou asked, suppressing the hatred in her eyes, her voice cold.

Mo Hua nodded, "It seems Ye Zhong declined, using Ye Zhixi's unfinished studies as an excuse."

Dugu Rou pondered for a moment, "Tomorrow, bring my disappointing brother to the palace."

Ye Zhong and Ye Zhixi aren't the real concern; it's Feng Tiange who truly worries her...

The night was deep, clouds obscured the moon, and a cold wind blew.

Feng Tiange arrived at the Prince's Mansion as planned and saw Rong Qi waiting for her at the gate.

Dressed in a black cloak, holding a dim lantern.

Rong Qi had set the mood perfectly; every move and glance embodied the essence of stealth.

Feng Tiange couldn't help but question if this was really the Prince's Mansion.

"Follow me," Rong Qi gestured for silence and led her directly to the back courtyard.

The mansion wasn't large, yet what should have taken only a few minutes stretched into a lengthy walk as Rong Qi led her in circles for what felt like an eternity.

When they finally entered a room, Feng Tiange realized they had passed by it at least five times.

"What were you thinking?" Feng Tiange couldn't help but ask as Rong Qi bolted the door and approached.

Rong Qi looked puzzled for a moment before explaining that he was worried about being followed.

Feng Tiange was moved to tears by Rong Qi's foolishness.

Oh, Zhao King, you must be blind to send someone like Rong Qi as a spy. I can just sit back and watch Zhao Country bring about its own downfall.

"Where's Xie Jin's body?" Feng Tiange didn't want to comment on Rong Qi's foolishness, as she was at a loss for words.

Rong Qi heard her and went into the inner room, lighting a candle and blowing out the lantern he held. Feng Tiange saw Xie Jin's body laid out stiffly on a wooden bed against the wall, covered from head to toe with a white cloth.

If it were anyone else, Feng Tiange would have pointed at their nose and cursed them out. No secret room, seriously? Something this important should be hidden away! Are you brainless or what?

But since it was Rong Qi, Feng Tiange found it all understandable. Standing beside the bed, she lifted the white cloth, revealing Xie Jin's face, already marked with livor mortis.

The coroner's report had already circulated outside, stating there were no unusual marks except for the ligature mark on the neck. So, Feng Tiange focused on Xie Jin's neck, gently lifting his chin. Sure enough, there was a purple ligature mark.

"If someone hangs themselves while alive, the mark under the chin should be deeper. If they're hanged after death, the mark is more even." This was common knowledge for Feng Tiange, and she said it to ensure Rong Qi understood.

Rong Qi knew that, in someone's eyes, his intelligence was questionable, so he didn't bother explaining. He just nodded, showing he understood.

Feng Tiange took the candle from Rong Qi's hand and brought it close to Xie Jin's neck. Upon closer inspection, the purple bruise on Xie Jin's neck had two particularly dark spots. Feng Tiange instinctively reached out, noticing that the darker areas matched the size of her right ring and pinky fingers.

"Did you find something?" Rong Qi asked suspiciously.

Typically, when someone is strangled, the thumb, index, and middle fingers exert the most force, so those areas should be the darkest. However, the marks on Xie Jin's neck were the opposite.

A thought crossed Feng Tiange's mind about someone she knew.

Rong Qi noticed the change in Feng Tiange's expression and felt a stir of curiosity. She must have figured something out.

"He was strangled," Feng Tiange said slowly, withdrawing her fingers, her eyes flickering like the candlelight. She thought of someone, but knew it couldn't be them.

"Who do you think did it?"

Given the appearance of the masked figure, Rong Qi suspected the traitor within the Thirteen Sects. Xie Jin's mysterious death made him eager to learn more about the sect leader from Feng Tiange.

Feng Tiange covered Xie Jin with a white cloth and turned towards the table. "You give me too much credit."

"What do we do now?" Rong Qi asked, realizing Feng Tiange wouldn't reveal more, and followed her.

Feng Tiange remained silent, glancing at Rong Qi and then at Xie Jin.

Is there anything more important right now than laying Xie Jin to rest? Then Feng Tiange left without saying a single useful word...

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