Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

If he hadn't witnessed her burial, he would have seriously suspected that she had deliberately set up a scheme to fake her death and escape.

Zong Xian sat up, pulling up his long, dark hair, half-clenching his fist, his face gloomy.

He suddenly thought of her younger brother and maid.

She valued these two people more than her own life; perhaps she entrusted them with the land deeds and zodiac wood carvings.

Did they really perish in the belly of the fish?

Is it possible that they were still alive, and she deliberately sent them away before committing suicide?

The word "suicide" suddenly popped into his mind, and Zong Xian's brow twitched abruptly, a sharp pain shooting through his head.

She was someone who valued her life so much, would she commit suicide? He refused to believe it even in his death!

Zong Xian lifted his eyelids, the gloom that had been building up in his eyes for days almost bursting forth. He said in a deep voice, "Find out exactly why Songhe Garden suddenly caught fire after I left that night! Don't miss a single detail!"

Chang Yu hesitated for a moment before quickly replying, "Yes! I'll go investigate right away!"

Just as he was about to leave, Zong Xian added, "Also... send men to Jiangzhou to capture alive the pirates who killed Ji Mingzhe. I want to interrogate them myself."

"Yes!" After a pause, Chang Yu turned around and asked for instructions, "By the way, what should we do with the Ji family?"

Should we kill her, or let her go?

Zong Xian pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "Have that woman go find Xie Huaiyu and tell him about her death. Also, send someone to follow her."

"I understand."

...

Granny Feng and the others did not find the zodiac wood carvings. They even carefully turned over the soil in the courtyard with shovels, but they did not see a single trace of them.

It's so weird.

The group found nothing.

Granny Feng went in trembling to give her answer.

He thought he was about to die, but Zong Xian only asked a few questions indifferently, without any intention of punishing him.

Granny Feng's anxiety eased slightly, and she replied cautiously and respectfully, "Your Excellency, I was almost entirely bedridden recovering from my injuries recently, so I really don't know anything about your wife's situation. However, from my observation, before the incident, you seemed perfectly normal, and your low spirits were simply because you missed home..."

She spoke tactfully and even made a point of defending Mingyi.

But who is Zong Xian? How could he not guess the real reason behind it?

She was depressed before her marriage, not because she missed home, but because she was trapped by his side and simply unhappy.

Zong Xian gripped the purse tightly in his hand, his expression unreadable.

Ji Mingyi, if you truly cannot understand this and choose to commit suicide to prove your point, then even in death you will be my ghost!

Zong Xian ordered his servants to bring his dinner to Shuangxu Garden, where he intended to dine.

But all the hot dishes on this table were Ji Mingyi's favorites when he was alive.

He even had his servants set out two sets of bowls and chopsticks, one in front of him and the other neatly placed on the empty seat opposite him, just as it had been when she was still there.

Ah-Qing bowed as she served the dishes, trying her best to remain calm, but she was actually quite nervous inside.

This is insane!

...

Lin'an Town.

Mingyi lived in the house purchased by Xie Huaiyu. The place was close to the bustling city, but it was very quiet and peaceful.

Since escaping the clan's mansion, except for the first night when I didn't sleep well, I've slept soundly and comfortably every night since.

I didn't even have a dream; I slept until I naturally woke up every day.

After resting for several days, my energy and spirit improved noticeably. I looked radiant, truly enjoying good food and sleep. My cheeks even looked a bit rounder.

"Girl, the Spring Festival is almost here. Shouldn't we go out and buy some Spring Festival couplets and other New Year's goods to decorate the house?"

If nothing unexpected happens, they will be staying here for a long time. Although this two-courtyard house is quiet and elegant, she is still somewhat dissatisfied with it.

Mingyi jumped off the swing, her eyes shining: "New year, new look, of course we need to decorate. Let me go in and change my clothes."

Before long, Mingyi transformed himself into a handsome young man.

Yuegui said, "Miss, you're being a bit too cautious."

"Better safe than sorry. Remember to call me 'Young Master' when you're out in the world."

Before leaving, Mingyi went to the west wing to say goodbye to Ji Mingzhe.

The siblings agreed that no matter where they went, they would inform each other of their destination before leaving home.

Inside the room was an elderly gentleman with gray hair and beard named Wang Changgen. He was the private tutor Xie Huaiyu had hired for him, and a trustworthy person.

As Ji Mingyi said, it's always better to be safe than sorry. He can't go to school for a while; he'll have to wait at least another six months.

"Come back soon, sister."

"Okay, you should study hard with your teacher."

She nodded to the private tutor before turning and gracefully leaving.

Once the beautiful figure had completely disappeared, Ji Mingzhe withdrew his gaze and calmly said to the private tutor, "Teacher, please continue the lesson."

Wang Changgen snapped out of his daze, nodded, and silently observed the boy, secretly amazed.

He was an expert in physiognomy. The boy in front of him was still young and had a tender face, but there was an extraordinary quality between his brows. He had the rare appearance of an emperor!

That's not simple.

...

Mingyi did not wander around for long; within an hour, she returned to the house with the New Year's goods she had purchased.

Wang Changgen stood under the corridor, secretly observing Mingyi.

Strangely, no matter how closely he looked at it, it remained a hazy, indistinct blur, and he couldn't make out anything.

Just who are these siblings?

Mingyi was cutting paper snowflakes under the tree when she noticed Wang Changgen looking her over. Feeling a bit suspicious, she made an excuse to call him over.

Her eyes crinkled into a gentle smile: "Uncle Wang is very knowledgeable and has beautiful calligraphy. Could you please write a couplet for us?"

Wang Changgen readily agreed.

He frowned and pondered for a moment, then picked up his pen and wrote: "A fine sword is forged through tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold."

The horizontal scroll reads "Peace and safety year after year."

Upon seeing the couplet, Mingyi understood the old gentleman's intention.

Wang Changgen said, "Plants can only bloom after enduring the cold winter, and people can have a smooth life after enduring hardship. The current difficulties are temporary, and your good fortune is yet to come."

A warm feeling welled up in Mingyi's eyes, filled with light and hope, and she softly said, "Thank you for your kind words, Uncle Wang."

Wang Changgen turned around, looked through the window at the boy who was still studying hard, and then said to Ji Mingyi, "Your younger brother has been frail and sickly since childhood. The root cause is not that he is physically weak, but that his destiny is too precious."

Mingyi paused, puzzled, and asked, "What does this mean?"

This was the first time she had ever heard of this claim.

Wang Changgen explained softly, "A person's body is hard to maintain, and in youth, one is often burdened by heavy fortunes, hence the many illnesses and hardships."

"You are his benefactor. Only under your protection can he grow up safely. When he reaches adulthood, his body will naturally regain its strength, and he will bring you good fortune in the future."

Mingyi seemed to understand but not quite, only grasping one thing: Mingzhe couldn't live without her.

She solemnly declared, "He is my own brother. Regardless of his fate, I will protect his life."

Wang Changgen smiled with satisfaction and said nothing more.

As night fell, Xie Huaiyu came to see Mingyi, but he did not look well.

Mingyi asked with concern, "Why do you look so worried? Is there something difficult going on at the yamen?"