Ji Lingchuan cast a dispassionate glance at the booklet in Fu Zhou's hand. There was not a hint of emotion in his dark eyes. "Put it down and leave," he said.
Fu Zhou looked at his expression, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, he said nothing, put the thing down, and left.
Ji Lingchuan was in no hurry to open the booklet Fu Zhou had brought. Instead, he held up the clothes in his arms, pressed them against his cheek, and gently rubbed them.
The fabric of the clothes was smooth and soft. Just holding them, one could tell they were good for keeping out the cold. The embroidered patterns of mountains and clouds on them were so delicate and lifelike that it was as if one was wearing a picture of the mountains and rivers on their body. Just a glance showed that it was not yet finished, which was a pity.
He admitted that he had never really understood her. He never thought she could be so heartless, leaving without a backward glance and showing no attachment to him at all.
Was it because he hadn't been good enough to her, or his feelings weren't obvious enough?
It felt as if a rusty saw was tugging at his heart. With each breath, the pain made his fingers tremble.
There was no charcoal brazier lit in the room. The cold seeped into Ji Lingchuan's body. He wrapped the unfinished robe around himself, then picked up the booklet Fu Zhou had left on the table and started to flip through it.
Taking the opportunity of searching for Northern Di spies, he had his soldiers keep an eye out for women who resembled her. He wouldn't miss any chance. As long as he hadn't found her body, she was still alive in this world.
The booklet recorded in detail the search conducted by the Xuanjia soldiers in the city. Which neighborhoods they entered, which alleys they searched, whose houses they went into, and what they said to the owners were all recorded word for word.
Ji Lingchuan's eyes scanned the lines of writing as he patiently flipped through the booklet.
The capital city had been a bit chaotic recently. Most of the city's residents stayed indoors, trembling with fear. When they saw the Xuanjia soldiers coming to search, they all cooperated very well.
After such a thorough search, they hadn't found the person he was looking for, but they had discovered quite a few spies and fugitives.
When he turned to one page, there seemed to be nothing suspicious at first. He was about to turn the page when his eyebrows furrowed, and he flipped back.
This was the search record of Jiquanfang. There was really nothing special about this place, but when they searched one of the houses, the old woman owner asked about the features of the "fugitive." The Xuanjia soldier answered truthfully according to Song Yihuan's appearance and age.
But Ji Lingchuan's face suddenly tightened.
He suddenly remembered that in Tianxiang City of Xingzhou, Song Yihuan had shown her talent for imitation when she took Song Yixuan to play in the market.
She could quickly imitate the accent and tone of the local people in Xingzhou, making it impossible for others to tell that she was from the capital. And when she pretended to be Song Nanxin and served him in bed, she had also imitated Song Nanxin's tone and manner of speaking, deceiving him for a long time.
He also remembered that after the maid named "Baishao" disappeared, she still came to him in the guise of Song Nanxin.
Maybe she had also learned Cui Muyuan's art of disguise!
Song Yihuan was undoubtedly the smartest woman he had ever met. She had a photographic memory, and her ability to learn and imitate was extremely strong. She was tough-minded and patient, able to lie low and wait for the best opportunity to strike a fatal blow at her enemies.
He shouldn't have judged her by ordinary people's reactions. If she was still alive, in order to avoid him, she would never show her true face.
And there was also Qi Lei.
He remembered that after Song Yihuan returned to the capital, she went back to the Marquis's Mansion to retrieve the deed of her biological mother, Rou Shi. That day, she met Qi Lei and they left the city together. They burned the deed in front of Rou Shi's grave.
The secret guards he sent only watched from afar and didn't get close, but they had told him that Song Yihuan and Qi Lei had talked a lot in front of Rou Shi's grave that day and didn't return to the city until the sun was about to set.
With her intelligence and wisdom, had she already discussed everything with Qi Lei?
Although Qi Lei had no power or influence, he had been living in the streets for many years and must have known some capable people. Had these capable people secretly taken away Song Yihuan, who had fallen off the cliff, and hidden her?
The more Ji Lingchuan thought about it, the faster his heart beat. He couldn't wait a moment longer. He immediately got up and left the room, hurrying back to the Prince Ning's Mansion.
In the guest room of Yunqian Courtyard, Qi Lei sat in the room, sighing as he looked at the food brought by the servant and his bound hands.
It seemed that Ji Lingchuan was determined to keep him here. Now that he had fallen into Ji Lingchuan's hands, what else could he do?
He might as well accept his fate obediently.
Qi Lei struggled to pick up a piece of food with his hands and was about to put it into his mouth when the closed door was suddenly pushed open. Ji Lingchuan, who had returned, appeared outside the door.
Qi Lei was stunned for a moment. He put down his chopsticks and sneered at Ji Lingchuan, "Why did General Ji come back again? Haven't you asked enough questions?"
Ji Lingchuan walked towards him, drew out his sword, and stabbed at Qi Lei.
Qi Lei's heart raced. He instinctively closed his eyes. But the expected pain didn't come. Instead, his hands felt loose, and the ropes binding him were cut off.
Opening his eyes, Qi Lei looked at his hands. He could move freely again.
Ji Lingchuan said coldly, "You can go."
Qi Lei was a bit confused. He tentatively asked, "Really let me go?"
Just now, Ji Lingchuan had been so insistent on tying him up and bringing him here. Why did he change his mind all of a sudden? Had he finally faced reality and accepted the news of Miss Huan's death?
Anyway, being able to leave the Prince Ning's Mansion was a good thing for Qi Lei. Otherwise, it would be difficult to continue with the next plan.
"You said it yourself. Don't go back on your word," Qi Lei said.
He got up and moved his wrists, then walked out. When he passed by Ji Lingchuan, he paused for a moment and said to him, "Your Highness is a person of high status and noble identity, which makes people flock to you. Without Miss Huan, Your Highness will surely find a good marriage again and strengthen our Yu State. Since the person has passed away, I hope Your Highness won't be too obsessed. Take care of your health."
After saying that, he didn't stay any longer and walked away quickly.
After Qi Lei left, Ji Lingchuan whistled. A secret guard landed in response.
"Follow him and keep a close eye on his movements. I want to know who he meets and what he does after he leaves," Ji Lingchuan ordered.
The secret guard replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
...
The sky was gradually brightening. Song Yihuan opened her eyes in a courtyard in Gouwei Alley.
She propped herself up and yawned, then stretched her limbs.
She thought she would toss and turn and couldn't fall asleep in this strange small courtyard. But perhaps because her great revenge had been avenged and there was no more worry in her heart, she had slept soundly last night. When she woke up, the fatigue on her body had also subsided a bit.
The sounds of other people getting up and starting their work faintly came from outside, and she could also hear the barking of dogs. This kind of earthly atmosphere actually made her feel comfortable.
After washing up, Song Yihuan put on a new disguise in front of the mirror. She stuffed some cotton wool into her clothes to make herself look like a bloated and old woman. After having a simple breakfast, she picked up a wooden basin and carried the dirty clothes out of the house.