The coffin was carried all the way to the prepared residence.

Ji Yunshu had been waiting inside early on.

Everything was ready!

Duke Yuguo’s coffin was made from the finest sandalwood, somewhat heavy, with exquisitely carved patterns on the outer shell that had been meticulously rendered with gold lacquer—grand and noble. However, after being buried for over ten years, much fine dirt had accumulated on the surface. Because it had been hurriedly transported from Ji Mountain, encountering wind and snow along the way, the dirt had become sticky and clung to the coffin, mixed with some fine grass fragments.

Everyone placed the coffin in the room, already drenched in sweat.

Lang Bo said, “Miss Ji, we trouble you.”

“Open a small gap in the coffin lid first.”

“Alright.”

Several guards dressed in black night clothes followed her instructions and opened the coffin lid just slightly. A stale, unpleasant odor gradually wafted out from inside.

Shi Ziran did not understand and asked, “Miss Ji, why not just lift the coffin lid open directly?”

“That absolutely will not do.” She explained, “Although the terrain at Ji Mountain is flat, it is surrounded by green trees on all sides, with a circular lake at the base of the mountain. Moisture rises and easily seeps into the mountain soil. The entire Ji Mountain is like being steamed in a basket. A fine sandalwood coffin buried underground for a hundred years would be fine, but the inside is different. Moisture penetrates through the wood into the coffin, and combined with the putrid gases from the corpse that have settled there for many years, it is highly likely to produce gases harmful to the human body. Opening the coffin rashly would be very dangerous. Therefore, when opening coffins, one usually opens a small gap first, just in case.”

Everyone listened in stunned amazement!

But they all understood the meaning.

“Miss Ji is truly formidable,” someone remarked.

She remained silent, shaking her head inwardly. She wondered which feng shui master had determined the location for Dalin’s imperial mausoleum, actually choosing such a moisture-heavy place like Ji Mountain. No wonder that centuries later, some imperial tombs would become “water reservoirs,” with most of the valuable artifacts inside destroyed by moisture.

Lang Bo suddenly asked, “By the way, where is His Highness?”

You’re only noticing this now?

Ji Yunshu said, “Right after court dismissed, he was dragged to Prince Xian’s residence. Apparently they opened several bottles of wine and he drank too much, so he could not return in time. I was worried the city gates would close, so I brought Zijin and left first.”

Lang Bo was shocked: “At such an important time, His Highness went drinking? This…” was too outrageous!

He ultimately did not dare speak those last few words aloud.

Before long, Commander Xiao arrived.

Lang Bo hurriedly asked, “What about those four people we knocked out?”

“Don’t worry. They’re just guards! Just deal with them a bit and they won’t dare say anything.” Commander Xiao said with furrowed brows.

“You’re quite bold for a commander.”

“I’ve walked on knife edges before—how could I not be bold? Besides, what His Highness Prince Rong entrusts, how would I dare not handle it well?”

He patted his chest.

After lingering a while longer and confirming everything was proceeding smoothly, he felt reassured enough to leave and rush back to the mausoleum.

Ji Yunshu saw that the gases in the coffin had mostly dissipated, so she had people lift open the coffin lid.

Once the lid was opened, it revealed the black skeletal remains inside that had long since fallen apart. The clothing on the skeleton had not completely decayed or oxidized—faint traces of fabric could still be seen tightly adhered to the bones. Fine fabric was indeed superior. Around the skeleton were many valuable burial objects placed.

Because the coffin had been jostled, they were arranged somewhat haphazardly.

“No wonder the coffin is so heavy—there are so many burial objects inside,” someone exclaimed.

Ji Yunshu had already put on gloves and pressed all over the skeleton before lifting out the skull and placing it on a table covered with white cloth.

She began studying it carefully.

She only had two days!

On the other side, Prince Rong’s residence.

Night had deepened, and at this moment, heavy snow was falling.

Wei Yi stood under the eaves at the entrance, draped in a cloak with a fluffy scarf wrapped around his neck. He looked up at the night sky with swirling snow before him. Those clear, clean eyes seemed to contain a pool of emerald green water—looking into them, one seemed able to see through to his innocence and passion.

The light stretched his shadow very long…

He appeared extremely lonely.

A young maid had tried to persuade him several times, “Young Master Wei, it’s already so late. You should go rest.”

He would not listen.

“Miss Ji must be busy with something. Don’t worry—perhaps she’ll return first thing tomorrow morning.”

“You go rest.” His voice was gentle and low.

The maid was worried. “Why don’t I pour you a cup of hot tea? You can drink it to warm yourself before continuing to wait.”

“Mm.”

The maid turned to go inside and pour tea.

Wei Yi continued standing in place. Suddenly a strong wind arose around him, blowing down a lantern hanging in the corner. It crashed to the ground and the candle went out.

At the same time, a flash of white light “swooshed” across the snow-covered ground.

Huh?

He looked in the direction where that white light had flashed. Just as he turned his head, a force struck the back of his neck.

Pain!

His head grew heavy.

He instantly lost consciousness.

His body fell and was caught by someone.

The person quickly hoisted him onto their shoulder, leaped onto the roof beams, and disappeared into the black night.

When the young maid came out carrying hot tea—

Not even a ghost was there!

“Young Master Wei? Young Master Wei?”

She called out several times with no response. She quickly searched around the courtyard but still could not find him.

Finally she grew anxious.

She hurried to report to the head steward Lu Jiang.

Lu Jiang sent people to search inside and out. Finally they discovered some footprints on the rooftop and realized the severity of the situation.

But now—

Ji Yunshu had left the city!

His Highness was at Prince Xian’s residence!

After much deliberation, he decided to take people to Prince Xian’s residence to demand his return.

In the depths of night, cold wind whistled.

Carrying a lantern and leading people, he had just arrived outside Prince Xian’s residence when he was stopped by servants guarding the entrance.

“So late at night, what business do you have?”

“Go inform Prince Xian—we have come to escort His Highness back to the residence.”

The two servants exchanged glances. “Prince Xian said that Prince Rong has not yet recovered from his intoxication. When he wakes, he will naturally send him back.”

“We have already prepared a sedan chair. We must take His Highness now.”

Without further words, they forced their way in!

Those two servants were no match for Lu Jiang and the others—naturally they could not stop them and could only chase after them.

The group had just entered the courtyard.

Jing Xian came upon hearing the commotion.

He said courteously: “So it is Uncle Lu.”

Lu Jiang: “Greetings to Prince Xian.”

“In the middle of the night, Uncle Lu has come to…?”

“Escort His Highness back to the residence.”

Jing Xian showed a surprised expression: “Did I not already send someone to notify you? Jingrong and I were in good spirits, so we had a few more cups. Who knew the wine would be so strong? He has been drunk and unconscious until now. Tomorrow morning first thing, I will have someone escort him back.”

“We have already prepared a sedan chair, so we need not trouble Your Highness.”

“Why such urgency? Has something happened at the residence?”

Lu Jiang: “Your Highness worries too much.”

“If not, then wait until tomorrow morning when Jingrong wakes before discussing this. Besides, it is currently the depths of night—the cold air on the roads is heavy, and snow is falling. Jingrong is already drunk—why trouble him with this journey?”

“But…”

Jing Xian interrupted: “Does Uncle Lu not trust this prince?”