The Corpse Is Gone
"It's enough to report this to the court," Mu Zhao lowered his gaze and said lightly. "Since Wang Baitian is dead, the case is closed. Governor Yu, you can also write your annual summary notes once the cleanup is done."
"Yes, yes!" Governor Yu nodded repeatedly, letting out a sigh of relief.
What the prince said aligned with his own thoughts. He had been worried that the prince might want to investigate further. But since Mu Zhao dismissed the matter so easily, it was a great relief!
Although Wang Baitian had died in prison without fully understanding why, the case had reached a conclusion, and the court had its explanation.
Lu Qian remained silent for a long time. After leaving the government jail, he quickened his steps and caught up with Mu Zhao, lowering his voice.
"Huaizhi, you know the fire was suspicious, yet you don't plan to investigate?"
"The officers said they heard a strange flute sound last night," Lu Qian continued. "Some claim someone broke into the prison alone..."
"So, it was a disaster?" Mu Zhao asked calmly.
Lu Qian paused, momentarily speechless. "The officers counted the prisoners this morning. Not a single one was missing."
"Then what else is there to check?" Mu Zhao resumed walking.
"But many officers said they fell into a daze after hearing the flute. They only woke up when the smoke nearly suffocated them."
"And what does that tell you?"
Lu Qian almost laughed. "Huaizhi, you're pretending to be ignorant—that's not like you at all."
"It means someone entered the prison last night. The small dark cell just so happened to catch fire, burning Wang Baitian to death. And now, everything is over."
"A perfect ending." Mu Huaizhi nodded with a smile. "Isn't that the result the court wanted? Just report it as such. To be honest, it's not unusual for an old prison to fall into disrepair, especially in dry weather."
Lu Qian had nothing to say.
He didn't believe for a second that Mu Huaizhi, with his sharp mind, couldn't see what was wrong.
He saw through everything. He simply chose to turn a blind eye.
---
That Night, Mu Mansion Pavilion
In the dead of night, the secret guard Changzhi silently entered the study and knelt, presenting something with both hands.
"Your Highness, I searched the area thoroughly and found only these shattered fragments of copper and iron."
"The copper lock on Wang Baitian's body couldn't have burned away. He was most likely rescued during the night."
"Judging by the cuts on these fragments, whoever did this used immense internal energy to slice through the interlocking copper restraints."
"I suspect more than one person was involved. They moved quickly, cleared the fire, and erased all traces of their presence."
"Wang Baitian was a figure in the underworld. Could this have been the work of his sworn brothers?" Changzhi hesitated before adding, "Your Highness, should I continue investigating?"
Mu Zhao shook his head. "Let it go. There's no need to look further. I will handle Wang Baitian's official cancellation—he will cease to exist in both record and memory."
At his final words, Changzhi cupped his fists and silently withdrew.
---
Liang Palace
According to the emperor's decree, the late Prince Liang had to be buried before the New Year. His tomb was set in Dongshan, hastily closing an old case.
However, the weather was uncooperative. On the day of the burial, rain began falling before dawn, drenching the procession.
Ye Wuchen, seated in his wheelchair, was pushed up the mountain by a servant. Though he wore a straw hat, rain still trickled down his face.
The servants of Liang Palace struggled to carry the heavy coffin up the slick, muddy slope.
Ye Wuchen lifted his head, staring at the misty sky.
Suddenly, a flash of white light streaked across the sky.
With a deafening crack, something struck the coffin lid.
The force sent the pallbearers staggering backward in terror.
The wooden lid shattered into splinters, rainwater rushing into the open coffin.
Inside, the body of Prince Liang remained intact, his face unnervingly clean despite its pallor. Under the dim sky, the sight sent chills down the spine.
Ye Wuchen gripped his wheelchair tightly, his entire body trembling.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry and—"
Before he could finish, a rustling sound came from the bushes on either side of the path.
Everyone turned to look—
From the underbrush, more than a dozen wild dogs lunged forward, eyes glowing, claws digging into the mud.
"The wild dogs are attacking!"
"Protect the Prince of Pingkang!"
"Grandfather! Grandfather!" Ye Wuchen's voice trembled as he reached for the wheelchair's armrest, his eyes filled with horror.
The unarmed servants panicked, scattering in all directions as the wild dogs snapped at their heels.
Some of the dogs leaped into the coffin, snarling as they tore at the corpse.
Before their eyes, the body of Prince Liang, painstakingly sewn together for burial, was shredded apart once more.
"Grandfather!" Ye Wuchen's cries echoed through the rain-soaked mountains. He beat his chest, weeping in despair.
---
Fanlou Teahouse
"Chestnut-steamed flower cake, buttered abalone snails, and three bowls of osmanthus and tremella soup—ladies, all eight of your dishes have been served. Please enjoy!" The waiter bowed with a smile before retreating.
"This is delicious!" Jiujin took a sip of osmanthus soup, eyes shining. "The desserts at Fanlou really live up to their reputation. We must come again!"
"Even eating can't shut your mouth," Baliang said dryly.
"It really is good. I'll have Madam Huang try it next time." Yu Linlang nodded approvingly.
"Yes, yes! Then she can learn to make it for us at home!" Jiujin beamed.
Baliang leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Last night, Governor Yu sent Wu Yong up the mountain in the rain. They searched the area thoroughly—didn't even find half of the old prince's bones."
Jiujin shuddered as she chewed. "That's awful… no wonder the corpse is gone."
"The old prince might have been buried, but it's just an empty casket dressed in grandeur." Yu Linlang scoffed.
Baliang leaned in even closer. "Wu Yong found something in the coffin—a golden Hell King token."
Jiujin gasped softly. "So… was this the work of the Hell King Palace?"
Baliang shrugged. "It's hard to say."
Yu Linlang absentmindedly stirred her soup, resting her chin on one hand as she gazed out the window.
Suddenly, something caught her eye.
Tiny white flecks fluttered down from the sky.
At first glance, they looked like snow.
But upon closer inspection…
They were scraps of paper, drifting through the air.
Pedestrians stopped to watch, curiosity lighting their faces.
Yu Linlang reached out, pinching a piece of paper between two fingers.
Bold letters were scrawled across it:
> The late Prince Liang defiled countless women for eight years. His sins are too numerous to record. The heavens struck his coffin, the Hell King claimed his life, and wild dogs devoured his bones. Retribution is just. Justice prevails! Let the world know of his evil deeds, that all may scorn his name!
Jiujin and Baliang read the note three times before bursting into laughter.
"He deserved it!"
"To be condemned even after death—perfect justice!"
Yu Linlang glanced outside.
Wu Yong and his officers stormed into the street, seizing the floating papers and scattering the crowds.
Yu Linlang pursed her lips.
With a flick of her fingers, a surge of energy lifted the notes, sending them spiraling higher into the sky.