In a secluded mansion in the Imperial Capital, a large residence sparsely populated with servants, a figure quietly entered through the back gate.
"Have you found anything?"
"Replying to Master, we have. Of the noble ladies who had contact with Wulan Na, and who are not currently in the Imperial Capital, there is only one."
"Who?"
"The Third Miss of the Protector General's Mansion, Xiao Ling."
Wei Wuji looked at Murong Shengrui. Xiao Ling, the third daughter of the Xiao family, fifteen years old, sister to Xiao Luo, fit all the criteria!
"Have her whereabouts been traced?"
"She is said to have gone out for her studies. To this day, no one knows her destination."
"A young lady, going out for her studies?" Murong Shengrui curved his lips into a smile. "Interesting. Are all the young ladies from the Protector General's Mansion this interesting?"
"Replying to Master, this Third Miss has a bad reputation."
"In what way is it bad?" Murong Shengrui asked softly.
"Earlier this year, this Third Miss's engagement was broken. Not long after, she disappeared. The outside world rumors say that the Third Miss of the Xiao family was murdered by the eldest daughter of the Xiao family, and that 'going out for studies' is merely an excuse."
"Xiao Man..." Murong Shengrui murmured these two words. For some reason, whenever he heard the name Xiao Man, he felt a strange, indescribable sensation.
"How many daughters does the Xiao family have?"
"Replying to Master, the Xiao family has four daughters and one son. The eldest son, Xiao Luo, is currently guarding Yunzhong City. The eldest daughter, Xiao Man, is severely injured and comatose, and has not woken up. The second daughter, Xiao Xiang, was originally engaged, but for some reason, the marriage fell through, and she is still unmarried. The third daughter, Xiao Ling, had her engagement broken by Prince Qi and has disappeared. The fourth daughter, Xiao Ting, is still young and has not yet come of age."
Murong Shengrui pondered the news about the Xiao family. No matter how he thought about it, something felt off. "I am going somewhere."
Gan Ye Temple, as the imperial temple of Yusheng, had always been bustling with worshippers. The Protector General's carriage stopped at the entrance, and a senior monk immediately came to greet them, leading them to a side chamber to rest.
Xiao Xiang first went to the Hall of Longevity to pray and lit a long-burning lamp. Yuan Yang, puzzled, asked, "Miss, is this long-burning lamp for Madam Qin?"
Xiao Xiang smiled, "No, I lit this long-burning lamp for myself."
Yuan Yang's expression became even more bewildered. Lighting a long-burning lamp for oneself, wasn't that for the deceased? Lighting it for the living would be cursing oneself with a short life!
"Miss, long-burning lamps are lit for the departed."
Xiao Xiang did not explain, only looking at the flickering candlelight. Her beautiful face, illuminated by the flame, cast shadows, making her expression unreadable.
Suddenly, the candlelight in the Hall of Longevity dimmed, and another figure appeared within. Tall and imposing, they blocked the external light, making the already dim hall even darker.
Xiao Xiang turned to look. The person was dressed in a black brocade robe embroidered with golden auspicious clouds, and wore boots of the same color. This only accentuated his face, which was as beautiful as the winter moon, and his eyes, like autumn water.
Xiao Xiang had thought that no one in this world could surpass the king of Qin in his magnificent beauty. She had not expected to see a man in Gan Ye Temple today whose appearance rivaled that of the king of Qin.
The man slowly walked forward and lit a long-burning lamp. His fair face was solemn, yet his eyes seemed to hold an endless sorrow, about to overflow, making one's heart ache and wanting to fathom what troubled that pool of autumn water.
"For whom did you light the long-burning lamp?" Xiao Xiang asked.
The man's thin lips parted, and his voice was as clear and cool as a spring: "For myself."
Yuan Yang thought that her young lady lighting a long-burning lamp for herself was strange enough, and now a very handsome man appeared and was also lighting one for himself. Could this be a new trend? Lighting a lamp for oneself to prolong life?
Xiao Xiang's mind was filled with the man's image, his brows, his lips. If she could have such a man as her husband, she would have no regrets in this life.
Thinking this, a smile curved Xiao Xiang's lips. "I wish to walk alone for a while. You need not follow me."
Yuan Yang hesitated for a moment, then withdrew. This was Gan Ye Temple, and the second young lady would surely not act recklessly. Moreover, the eldest young lady was also at Gan Ye Temple. If the second young lady were to act recklessly, she would be the one to suffer.
Xiao Xiang was quite pleased with Yuan Yang's understanding and leisurely strolled towards the back mountain. Xiao Man was currently recuperating in the forbidden area of the back mountain, and she wanted to see how Xiao Man was doing.
As she approached, she saw the man she had met earlier in the Hall of Longevity, sitting alone on a rock outside the forbidden area, resting his chin on his hand, gazing at the bamboo forest within the forbidden area as if something there held his attention.
"Sir, are you alone?" Xiao Xiang looked around. He was the only one there.
Murong Shengrui did not turn around. His gaze remained fixed on the bamboo forest, as if he could see through it, into its depths, and to the person he sought.
"What are you looking at, sir?" Xiao Xiang walked forward and stood beside Murong Shengrui, mimicking his posture and gazing into the bamboo forest. But apart from lush greenery and fallen leaves, she saw nothing.
"Looking at someone." Murong Shengrui's voice was very steady, without any inflection, as if he truly were looking at someone, even though there was no one in the bamboo forest.
"Then, sir, did you see them?"
Murong Shengrui shook his head. "I wish to see someone, but I search and search, scouring all the places she might be, yet I cannot find any trace of her."
"Is that person very important to you, sir?" Xiao Xiang said with a hint of sourness. This nascent affection was about to be nipped in the bud.
Murong Shengrui did not answer Xiao Xiang. He turned his head to look at her. "Why have you come here?"
"To see someone."
Murong Shengrui's brow unfurled into a smile. "Then, have you seen them?"
"Not yet." Xiao Xiang was momentarily dazzled by Murong Shengrui's smile. Such a pure smile was truly irresistible.
"Who is the person you wish to see?"
"My elder sister." Xiao Xiang pointed towards the depths of the bamboo forest. "My elder sister is recuperating in the deepest part of the bamboo forest."
Murong Shengrui's gaze flickered. A young lady from the Protector General's Mansion. Xiao Man was severely injured, Xiao Ling was missing, Xiao Ting was young. This person was the second daughter of the General's family, Xiao Xiang.
"Do you want to go in and see her?" Murong Shengrui asked softly.
Xiao Xiang shook her head. "There are many mechanisms and traps inside. I cannot enter."
"Do you wish to enter?" Murong Shengrui inquired.
Xiao Xiang shook her head. "Elder sister is recuperating inside and should not be disturbed. I just came to see, I do not wish to disturb her."
"Are you very close with her?"
"We are alright," Xiao Xiang said, sitting down on a nearby rock. "Elder sister is kind-hearted. No matter how much her sisters quarrel, as long as they don't cross her bottom line, she will tolerate us. Once her bottom line is crossed, she will not show leniency."
"From what you say, your elder sister is quite an impressive figure."
Xiao Xiang smiled, her smile somewhat meaningful. "Naturally, she is an impressive figure."