“Jasmine sister, is that the physical evidence you're carrying?”
Jasmine nodded.
At this moment, the Lotus Cult Leader also stood up. He cupped his hands towards Xiao Jingyun, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, take care. Tang Lianhua bids farewell.”
Xiao Jingyun made a gesture of invitation and saw the Lotus Cult Leader off outside the Crown Prince's mansion.
Xiao Jingyun's low profile and respect made the Lotus Cult Leader feel much better, and his expression was much more relaxed than when he arrived.
He stopped a long way after leaving the Crown Prince's mansion and turned to look at Princess Zhaoning beside him.
“Princess, you should go back first. If there’s anything, I’ll find you tomorrow.”
Princess Zhaoning cupped her hands, “Master, where are you going?”
“I’m going to accompany your martial aunt,” the Lotus Cult Leader said and continued walking. Unexpectedly, Princess Zhaoning was also stubborn and followed closely behind him.
“I’ll also kowtow three times to martial aunt.”
The Lotus Cult Leader didn’t object, allowing Princess Zhaoning to follow him. They returned to the inn in a grand procession.
At the inn, Chen Xiaobei was burning paper money one by one in front of Huang Ying's spirit tablet, with Cui Hongyu accompanying him.
Feng Xiaoyue also arrived. Laduo, Yang Chun, and Yang Zhi were all there, accompanying them in tears.
Upon seeing the Lotus Cult Leader arrive, they merely nodded in greeting. No one spoke.
The disciples of the Lotus Cult Leader knelt down in unison, keeping vigil for Huang Ying.
Even Princess Zhaoning, without regard for her status, knelt before Huang Ying's spirit tablet and kowtowed three times respectfully.
After kowtowing, she showed no intention of getting up. It was the Lotus Cult Leader who spoke, “Your Highness, what kind of demeanor is this, kneeling there? Please get up.”
“Master, today I am not a princess. I am your disciple. I am here to keep vigil for martial aunt.”
The Lotus Cult Leader waved his hand, “I already said, you don't need to be here. You should go back quickly and come back tomorrow morning.”
Princess Zhaoning opened her mouth but finally obeyed the Lotus Cult Leader's arrangement and got up to leave.
Meanwhile, back at the Crown Prince's mansion, Xiao Jingyun’s face did not show much relief.
Seeing this, Zhou Quan asked cautiously, “Your Highness, what are you still worried about? Giving Tang Lianhua a pair of shoes shouldn't have any major impact, right?”
Xiao Jingyun sighed, “It shouldn’t have a major impact, but I’m afraid that if the murderer isn’t found soon, Tang Lianhua will relentlessly pursue it.”
“That is a troublesome character.”
“Moreover, if it’s just Tang Lianhua, it’s manageable. But if he incites my sister, Jing Feng, to make trouble, and we don't find the murderer’s identity, I’m afraid they won’t rest until it’s resolved.”
Hearing Xiao Jingyun's words, Zhou Quan tentatively said, “But it’s just a pair of cloth shoes. He won’t be able to find anything on Xiao Dezhi, will he?”
Xiao Jingyun sighed again, “Now I’m in a predicament. I can’t reveal the truth, nor can I not say anything. It's agonizing.”
He then looked at Zhou Quan, “Go to the palace again tomorrow and see if Xiao Dezhi has appeared. If he’s still missing tomorrow, then it must be him.”
Time flew by until the third watch. As the curfew approached, Liu Kai once again arrived at the imperial prison.
Upon seeing Liu Xiangnan, Liu Kai secretly took out a roasted chicken from his sleeve and handed it to him.
Liu Xiangnan took the roasted chicken but did not open it. He simply hung it on the wooden bars beside him.
“Liu Kai, since you are here today, I have a few questions for you. Answer me truthfully.”
Liu Kai bowed, “My Lord, please give your orders. I promise to tell you everything I know.”
Liu Xiangnan nodded, “The Emperor is to bestow a marriage upon Ru Mei. Do you know about this matter?”
Liu Kai quickly replied respectfully, “Your Lordship, this matter is a long story. Chen Xiaobei did this to save you and the young lady…”
Before he could finish, he glanced at Liu Xiangnan, felt he had said the wrong thing, and quickly corrected himself, “My Lord, this matter is very complicated. Let’s go out first, and we can talk about the rest later…”
Liu Xiangnan looked at Liu Kai and sighed deeply again, “Last time, you told me that if I wrote a memorial to the Emperor stating my willingness to become a monk, the Emperor would release Ru Mei and Yuan Wen.”
“But why in the end, Ru Mei has to marry such a country bumpkin to get me out?”
Hearing this, Liu Kai fell silent for a long time. After a long pause, he slowly said, “My Lord, the situation has changed. The Emperor is adamant about not releasing you. To put it this way, a few days ago, schools of fish gathered at the gates of the capital. Some say it was to plead for justice for you, while others say it was your doing.”
“Later, successive eminent monks failed to perform rituals, so the Emperor posted a royal decree.”
“It was Chen Xiaobei who traveled from Hetou Village to claim the decree and also eliminated the unusual phenomenon of fish gathering.”
“The Emperor asked Chen Xiaobei what reward he desired. Chen Xiaobei said he hoped the Emperor would release you and the young lady!”
“But the Emperor said that it would be easy to release you and the young lady if Chen Xiaobei accepted the bestowed marriage.”
At this point, Liu Kai's expression turned gloomy.
“My Lord, frankly, I am also conflicted. However, after all, Chen Xiaobei’s second wife was assassinated on the altar and died. It was a tragic event.”
Hearing Liu Kai’s words, Liu Xiangnan was stunned for a long time, then burst into hearty laughter.
“Good! Excellent! My daughter, the Duke of the Nation Liu Xiangnan, is to marry a country bumpkin and become his secondary wife!”
“I understand now! I understand now! Bai Han came to tell me, and I still couldn’t figure out why she had to marry Chen Xiaobei. Now I know. It’s to kill the heart, to kill the heart!”
He then waved his hand, “Forget it, forget it. Power and wealth are but fleeting clouds. I am about to become a monk. Please convey to Ru Mei and Yuan Wen that their future paths are up to them.”
Liu Kai was very surprised and looked at Liu Xiangnan, “My Lord, it’s too early to say that. We…”
“Alright, you can go. The Emperor has already sent word. Once I reach Xiangguo Temple, I will not receive visitors. We bid farewell here and each follow our own fate!”
Liu Kai’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Liu Xiangnan. Finally, he took two steps back, pulled up his robe, knelt down, and silently kowtowed three times, “My Lord, take care. Liu Kai will come to see you again.”
The next morning, the city of Wannian was bathed in sunlight. The common people flocked to the streets and rushed out of the city gates.
Outside the four gates, the moat was calm. There were no fish in the water.
The stone that had been weighing on the hearts of the people was finally lifted.
In an instant, the people erupted in excitement, spreading the news to each other.
The news quickly reached the palace.