Lin Teng’s investigation in Cat’s Eye Alley had reached an impasse.

The matter of Prince Pingnan Manor’s young princess’s disappearance had spread like wildfire, with everyone saying it was related to Princess Changle. With such rumors circulating, even if people had seen anything unusual, they couldn’t speak of it.

She was a princess, after all. Speaking out would be courting death.

Lin Teng was helpless in the face of this situation.

There were over a dozen households in the Cat’s Eye Alley area. He couldn’t possibly arrest all these common people and torture them for confessions.

He was very clear that the young princess’s disappearance couldn’t avoid Princess Changle.

“You want to investigate at the princess’s manor?” After hearing Lin Teng’s report, Minister Zhao’s beard trembled.

Lin Teng replied calmly: “His Majesty has permitted it.”

Minister Zhao was so angry he laughed. Glancing at the tightly closed door, he said in a low voice: “You stubborn boy, even if you investigate and find that Princess Changle is connected to the young princess’s disappearance, you couldn’t possibly convict Princess Changle, could you?”

Lin Teng said flatly: “This humble official is only responsible for investigating.”

Minister Zhao nearly fell over backward in anger.

Listen to this—was this even human speech? This meant that after investigating, he wouldn’t care anymore and would leave this old man in his twilight years to deal with it.

“Lin Teng, these old bones of mine can’t withstand your torment.” Minister Zhao sighed deeply.

Lin Teng lowered his eyes and listened without the slightest bit of sympathy.

Given Lord Zhao’s appetite as demonstrated at the Youjian Tavern, he hardly looked like he had old bones.

He ate even more than Lin Teng did.

Minister Zhao glared and asked: “You insist on going?”

“Since I’ve already gotten involved, I can’t give up halfway.”

“Aren’t you afraid Princess Changle will take a fancy to you?”

Lin Teng’s expression stiffened: “This humble official’s appearance is ordinary and won’t catch the princess’s eye.”

Having dealt with Miss Luo for so long, he hadn’t seen Miss Luo— Thinking this, Lin Teng’s ears reddened involuntarily, and his expression became even more serious.

Minister Zhao’s eyes flickered.

Not even afraid of this kind of threat—had he been toughened up by Miss Luo?

“Fine, go investigate. Just remember one thing: no matter what you find out, report it first.” Minister Zhao waved his hand irritably and shooed Lin Teng out.

Only Minister Zhao remained in the study. The old man picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip.

Let him investigate. When the time came, he would report the results to His Majesty, and His Majesty could handle it however he wished.

Luo Sheng had a good sleep and had just finished breakfast when she received an invitation from the princess’s manor.

Princess Changle was requesting her presence.

Luo Sheng thought for a moment and instructed Kou’er: “The west courtyard is quite lively now. Keep a good eye on things for me.”

With Mingzhu, Lingxiao, and Feiyang who had been brought back from the princess’s manor yesterday, they now had not only players but spectators for their chess games too.

With more people came more matters.

“Don’t worry, Miss. This servant may not be good at other things, but watching people is my specialty.” Kou’er smiled and guaranteed with pursed lips.

Luo Sheng nodded: “Hong Dou, let’s go.”

Hong Dou followed behind Luo Sheng and shot Kou’er a triumphant look.

The little wench might be capable, but she could only stay home. When Miss went out, she still took Hong Dou.

The master and servant boarded the carriage and rushed to the princess’s manor, where servants were already waiting.

Luo Sheng followed the maid through layers of vermilion gates into the most spacious courtyard. Noticing the maid was leading her in the wrong direction, she asked: “Is Her Highness not in her bedchamber?”

The maid respectfully replied: “Her Highness is currently in the meditation chamber.”

Luo Sheng’s steps paused slightly: “Then I’ll wait for Her Highness outside to avoid disturbing her.”

The maid smiled: “Miss Luo is not an outsider. Her Highness said to see her whenever you arrive.”

Luo Sheng said nothing more.

The meditation chamber dedicated to Princess Changle’s worship of the Longevity Immortal Maiden was located not far from her living quarters. As Luo Sheng followed the maid inward, the scent of agarwood grew increasingly rich.

The sound of sutra chanting, melodious and pleasant, came through—familiar yet strange.

Princess Changle walked over and smiled: “Ah Sheng has arrived.”

Her face was beautiful, her wide sleeves steeped in fragrance. Standing in this mist-filled chamber, she momentarily seemed not like a mortal person but rather indistinguishable from the worshipped Longevity Immortal Maiden.

Luo Sheng couldn’t help but take another look at the Longevity Immortal Maiden behind the incense table.

A hand fell on her shoulder, and Princess Changle’s voice, with emotion difficult to discern, came through: “Ah Sheng, worship the Longevity Immortal Maiden with me.”

“Worship the Longevity Immortal Maiden?” Luo Sheng repeated in a murmur, as if she had never considered this question.

Princess Changle looked at her, suspicion appearing in her eyes: “Has Ah Sheng forgotten?”

Luo Sheng’s heart tightened, but she looked at Princess Changle without revealing anything.

“Before, you said you wanted to be like me and not marry, to live a long and carefree life.” Princess Changle looked toward the Longevity Immortal Maiden and said leisurely, “Only by worshipping the Longevity Immortal Maiden can one live long and enduring.”

The young woman before her had a serene expression and sweet voice, yet Luo Sheng felt a chill in her heart and began to tremble.

To reach this point, she had relied not only on meticulous planning but also on that inexplicable intuition.

And now her intuition was telling her that Princess Changle was somewhat dangerous.

Just then, a maid came to report: “Your Highness, Lord Lin from the Ministry of Justice requests an audience.”

Princess Changle turned, her gaze cold: “Lord Lin?”

The maid stood outside the door and explained: “Lord Lin is in charge of investigating the disappearance of Prince Pingnan Manor’s young princess. He requests an audience with Your Highness, saying he wishes to ask about some matters.”

Princess Changle laughed lightly: “He truly has courage. I recall now, someone from the palace mentioned it this morning.”

The maid waited silently.

“Ah Sheng, do you think I should see him?” Princess Changle suddenly asked Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng had already sensed Princess Changle’s capriciousness and smiled: “If Your Highness wishes to see him, then see him. If not, then don’t.”

“Ah Sheng speaks well.” Princess Changle smiled and asked the maid, “How does this Lord Lin look?”

The maid showed not the slightest surprise and replied: “Passable.”

“Passable, you say—then this princess will see him.” Princess Changle’s gaze shifted to Luo Sheng. “Ah Sheng, Lord Lin has come to find me, and when you think about it, it’s because of you.”

This remark referred to yesterday’s incident when Feiyang fell from the carriage.

Before Luo Sheng could say anything, Princess Changle walked toward the exit: “Ah Sheng, go wait for me in the bedchamber. I’ll return after seeing this Lord Lin.”

“I’d like to worship the Longevity Immortal Maiden here for a while.”

Princess Changle stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng smiled slightly: “I plan to be like Your Highness and worship the Longevity Immortal Maiden from now on.”

Princess Changle’s eyes flickered, and she smiled with curved lips: “That’s good. Worship for a while then. I’ll return very soon.”

Princess Changle quickly walked out the door, which soon closed again.

The chamber was extremely quiet, with only the flowing incense and the gently smiling Longevity Immortal Maiden keeping Luo Sheng company.

The fragrance drifting to her nose was very rich. Luo Sheng took a deep breath.

Her mother consort also worshipped deities, and she was all too familiar with this scent of incense.

Incense for worshipping deities should be naturally pure, yet mixed into this chamber full of fragrance was a trace of an unusual odor.

Using impure incense was taboo, and the incense in the princess’s manor was all for imperial use—such a situation couldn’t possibly occur.

So what was the reason?

Luo Sheng walked step by step toward the Longevity Immortal Maiden.

The Longevity Immortal Maiden, dignified and gentle, gazed compassionately at the approaching young woman.