Chapter 72: Storm is Coming

Storm is Coming

Yin Fengzhan had a strange habit, which was that he didn't like others serving him dishes. Usually, let alone the servants and maids, even Han Luoxue and others, Yin Fengzhan didn't allow it. And it was precisely because of this that even if Yin Fengzhan was usually in the mansion, he rarely ate with Han Luoxue and others.

Therefore, at this time, as soon as Nie Jinxuan said this, everyone in the room was stunned, and Yin Fengzhan instantly stopped his chopsticks and turned to look at Nie Jinxuan.

And regarding everyone's surprise, Nie Jinxuan blinked her eyes, then pulled the corners of her mouth awkwardly and asked:

"Uh... what's wrong? Is there any problem?"

"No, no... but Princess Consort sister, you, don't you remember... actually the Prince, the Prince..."

Han Luoxue didn't know if it was a kind reminder. But she stopped halfway through, and then quietly looked at Yin Fengzhan.

For a time, the large room was silent. Han Luoxue, Qin Yuxia, and Bai Meilan were secretly aiming at the situation in front of them and didn't dare to say a word. And this also made Xiao Xiu, who came over with an empty plate, stand at the door unable to enter or exit.

However, compared to the others' fear, Nie Jinxuan didn't care. Seeing Han Luoxue not speaking, she called Xiao Xiu over.

"Xiao Xiu, what are you standing there for? Why don't you bring the plate over?!"

"Uh... yes, yes..."

Nie Jinxuan was Xiao Xiu's master after all. So, although she saw that the situation in the room was not right, since Nie Jinxuan said so, Xiao Xiu naturally didn't dare to disobey. But just as Xiao Xiu handed the empty plate to Nie Jinxuan, she saw Yin Fengxuan, who was sitting next to her, suddenly throw the chopsticks in his hand onto the table.

'Clang—'

Instantly, the sound of silver chopsticks hitting the table made everyone in the room startled, and after putting down the chopsticks, Yin Fengzhan turned to look at the woman sitting next to him.

"Nie Jinxuan, have you made enough trouble?"

Yin Fengzhan's voice was dangerous, but facing the man in front of her who was full of anger, Nie Jinxuan was also stunned, and then her face instantly sank.

"Yin Fengzhan, can you speak properly? Besides, how did I make trouble? Isn't it just serving dishes? Is it worth you getting so angry?!"

In fact, it's not Nie Jinxuan's fault for not knowing Yin Fengzhan's problem. After all, since the day they got married, Yin Fengzhan rarely spoke to Nie Jinxuan, let alone ate at the same table. So, in the memories of Nie Jinxuan from before, there was simply no such thing as Yin Fengzhan hating others serving him dishes!

Of course, even if Nie Jinxuan hadn't eaten at the same table with Yin Fengzhan, she could know about this. But the key was that the original Nie Jinxuan had a violent temperament and very poor popularity, so even if some servants in the mansion knew about this, they wouldn't specifically tell her!

Therefore, Yin Fengzhan and Nie Jinxuan had been married for more than half a year, but their understanding of each other was very little. And now, Nie Jinxuan was kind enough to help Yin Fengzhan, but she brought about such a result, so Nie Jinxuan was naturally angry and stifled.

Nie Jinxuan was not afraid of Yin Fengzhan, so she naturally didn't speak politely. Hearing this, Yin Fengzhan instantly cooled his eyes.

"I don't need it!"

"Forget it if you don't need it!"

Saying this, Nie Jinxuan didn't talk nonsense with Yin Fengzhan anymore, glared at Yin Fengzhan fiercely, and then turned and walked out.

And after seeing Nie Jinxuan leave, Yin Fengzhan's face became even uglier. He wanted to pick up the chopsticks and continue eating, but just after picking them up, Yin Fengzhan threw the chopsticks onto the table fiercely again, and then without saying anything, he turned and left. Leaving behind Han Luoxue and the others who were already too scared to speak, sitting in their seats for a long time without recovering.

Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan parted on bad terms again. Nie Jinxuan returned to her Ningxiang Yuan, and Yin Fengzhan returned to his Wangyueju with a gloomy face. But just after returning to the room and slamming the door, Yin Fengzhan stopped.

Then after a long while, Yin Fengzhan walked to the side and sat down.

"Gu Hong."

"Yes, this old servant is here!"

Walking in quickly, Gu Hong then stepped forward respectfully. And at this time, looking at Gu Hong in front of him, Yin Fengzhan then ordered without even thinking.

"Gu Hong, let the kitchen make a dish of pickled fish."

Yin Fengzhan's order was still inexplicable. Hearing this, Gu Hong, who wanted to respond respectfully, was stunned.

"Uh... Prince, can you change to another dish?"

"Hmm?"

Gu Hong rarely raised objections to Yin Fengzhan's decision, hearing this, Yin Fengzhan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. Seeing this, Gu Hong then stepped forward and explained in a low voice:

"Replying to the Prince, you have an injury on your leg now, so it's best not to eat spicy and stimulating things, otherwise the wound will be very difficult to heal."

Gu Hong didn't want to say this, but now he had to say it. But upon hearing this, Yin Fengzhan was unmoved on the surface, but suddenly realized in his heart.

And looking at Yin Fengzhan who was a bit stunned, and then after a long while there was no reaction, Gu Hong couldn't help but suggest in a low voice:

"Uh... Prince, you'd better change to another dish."

"Hmm, no need, you step down."

"... Yes."

Gu Hong didn't understand what Yin Fengzhan was thinking, but he couldn't ask too much, then Gu Hong walked away quietly.

Yin Fengzhan's side was considered calm. And at this time, Nie Jinxuan, who returned to the room first, felt stifled in her heart no matter what this time.

Therefore, after returning to the room, Nie Jinxuan sent away Xiao Xiu, who was already trembling with fear, and then began to sulk in the room.

But after sulking for a while, Nie Jinxuan felt that her behavior was very childish, and then began to calm down. Then after a while, Nie Jinxuan finally felt a bit better, then got up and walked to the window, and reached out to open the window...

But just at this moment, just as Nie Jinxuan opened the window, a black shadow as fast as lightning flashed in instantly.

Instantly, Nie Jinxuan was stunned. Then she turned her head reflexively, and then met a pair of familiar and smiling eyes.

"Yo~, long time no see~!"

Tall figure, full of sunshine, but also a handsome face... The person who came was none other than the young man Nie Jinxuan had seen when she checked Wang Fu's corpse at night and suddenly appeared and then left instantly.

The young man's appearance surprised Nie Jinxuan. Standing blankly on the spot, after a long while, Nie Jinxuan came back to her senses.

"... Why did you come?"

It couldn't be said that she was afraid, but for this mysterious man who came and went without a trace, Nie Jinxuan still had a hint of vigilance in her heart. But upon hearing this, the young man smiled brilliantly as usual.

"Hehe~, come to see Princess Consort Chen, why? Princess Consort Chen doesn't welcome me?"

Glaring at the young man, Nie Jinxuan then turned and sat on the chair next to her, then raised her head and fixed her gaze on the young man in front of her again.

"Fine, speak, what is the matter with you coming to the mansion this time?! Looking for me?"

Nie Jinxuan was not a fool, although she didn't know the young man's true origin yet, but because she learned that Wang Fu's true identity was from the Ministry of Punishments, Nie Jinxuan had already realized that this young man must have had a purpose when he came last time.

This time, it was the same. So Nie Jinxuan could be sure that he definitely wouldn't come to the temple without anything to do!

And at this time, upon hearing Nie Jinxuan say this, the young man smiled again, then walked to the position next to her and sat down, and at the same time said with a smile:

"Princess Consort Chen is indeed smart, I am indeed here to find the Princess Consort this time!"

"What's the matter?"

"Want to ask the Princess Consort to help with a small favor!"

"Help?"

Repeating the young man's words reflexively, then Nie Jinxuan's brain instantly flashed with brilliance.

"Do you want me to help with an autopsy?"

"Right! Princess Consort Chen is indeed smart, guessed it right away! A friend of mine encountered some small problems this time, no way, so I had to come and ask the Princess Consort to help... Hehe, how about it? Princess Consort Chen is decisive and enthusiastic, I think you should help me with this small favor!"

The young man said it cleverly. But hearing this, Nie Jinxuan shook her head directly without even thinking.

"No!"

"Uh... why?"

The originally smiling face was instantly stunned because of Nie Jinxuan's refusal. Then the young man couldn't help but ask. But at this time, Nie Jinxuan just looked at him quietly, and then said in a peaceful tone:

"This young master, you and I are not familiar, although we have met once before, we can't say we know each other. And now it is late, the sky is dark, and you ask me to help with an autopsy... May I ask young master, how do you want me to help you with an autopsy?! Do you want to go out?! If so, that's fine, please go and tell the Prince first, if the Prince agrees, I will go with you immediately!"

"Besides, although I don't care much about it myself, don't forget that I am also the dignified Princess Consort Chen, how can I leave the mansion privately with a man at night?! Don't you want to ruin my reputation, young master?!"

Nie Jinxuan spoke unhurriedly, and her reasonable words instantly blocked the young man and he couldn't speak. And looking at his stunned appearance, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but purse her lips, and then stood up.

"So this is the reason why I can't help you. Besides, there is still Old Master Meng, the number one coroner of Dongling, in the Ministry of Punishments, so you can just ask him for help, young master. Why do you have to ask a woman like me for help? Therefore, since you understand what I mean, young master, please go back, so as not to be discovered by anyone later, that wouldn't be good!"

After finishing, Nie Jinxuan turned and walked towards the dressing table, and at this time, looking at her back, the young man couldn't help but scratch his head in embarrassment, and then his eyes flashed instantly.

"Does the Princess Consort really not intend to help me?"

"It's not that I don't help, it's that I have no way to help! Or you can go directly to the Prince, if the Prince agrees, I will help!"

Replying to the young man without looking back, Nie Jinxuan then sat on the chair in front of the dressing table. But just after Nie Jinxuan sat down, she heard the young man behind her laugh lightly, and then said as if talking to himself.

"Sigh, okay, since the Princess Consort refuses to help, then I won't force it... Sigh, otherwise, I'll ask the Prince? I just don't know if I should wait for him in the palace, or somewhere else..."

The young man said loudly, and while speaking, his pair of beautiful and smiling eyes kept staring at Nie Jinxuan, who was facing away from him. And upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan, who originally thought he was going to leave, instantly froze her expression, and then turned to look at the young man.

"What do you mean by this? What palace or not palace, why don't I understand?"

"Don't understand? Hehe, since the Princess Consort doesn't understand, then forget it, anyway the Prince understands~!"

Saying this, the young man smiled deeply at Nie Jinxuan again, and then turned and made a gesture to leave... Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan stood up from her position, and then stepped forward to block in front of the young man.

"Stop, what exactly do you know?"

Threat, this is an obvious threat! But now...

Nie Jinxuan saw through the young man's intention, and then couldn't help but lower her eyes.

"Want me to help, okay! But, you have to promise me one condition!"

"Hehe~, easy to say, as long as the Princess Consort is willing to help, I will have seen nothing, heard nothing~!"

"A gentleman's word!"

"A fast horse's whip!"

"Good, then I will help you!"

"Hehe, the Princess Consort is straightforward! Then Princess Consort, let's go!"

Saying this, then before Nie Jinxuan could come back to her senses, she saw the young man wrap his arms around Nie Jinxuan's waist, and then his figure flashed instantly.

As a modern person, this was the first time Nie Jinxuan experienced the legendary flying over eaves and walls. But in fact, Nie Jinxuan didn't feel how good such an experience was, so much so that along the way, Nie Jinxuan spent a lot of effort to keep herself from screaming.

And after not knowing how long it had been, Nie Jinxuan finally felt her feet touch the ground, then opened her eyes, and met the young man's smiling eyes.

"Hehe~, Princess Consort, we are here!"

At this very moment, if possible, Nie Jinxuan really wanted to slap this young man who always smiled like a spring breeze. But Nie Jinxuan wouldn't be so impulsive, so after suppressing the resentment in her heart, Nie Jinxuan calmed down slightly, and then looked around... But the moment she saw some scenery around, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but be stunned.

It turned out that at this time, Nie Jinxuan was actually in a room without windows on all four sides. So rather than a room, it was more like a cave. A simple door, actually made of iron, a simple wooden table in the corner, and a flickering light on the table.

Instantly, this made Nie Jinxuan feel a trace of panic for no reason. And as if

……

As a modern person, this was the first time Nie Jinxuan had experienced the legendary feat of vaulting over walls and walking on roofs. In truth, however, Nie Jinxuan did not find the experience particularly pleasant, to the point that along the way, she had to exert great effort to keep herself from screaming out loud.

It was not until some time later that Nie Jinxuan felt her feet touch the ground. She opened her eyes, only to be met with the smiling gaze of the young man.

"Hehe~, Princess Consort, we have arrived!"

At this very moment, if it were possible, Nie Jinxuan would have liked to reach out and slap this man who always smiled as brightly as the spring breeze. But Nie Jinxuan was not so impulsive after all, so after suppressing the resentment in her heart, she calmed her mood slightly and looked around... yet, the moment she saw the surrounding scenery, she could not help but be stunned.

As it turned out, Nie Jinxuan was currently in a room with no windows on any of its four sides. It would be more accurate to call it a cellar than a room. A simple door, which was actually made of iron, stood in the corner, and on a crude wooden table sat a lamp, its flame flickering with an eerie light.

This immediately caused a sense of panic to rise in Nie Jinxuan's heart for no reason. Seeming to notice her unease, the young man smiled slightly and explained in succession:

"Princess Consort, do not panic. This is indeed a prison, but it is the Ministry of Punishments' prison, so you have no need to be afraid!"

"The Ministry of Punishments?"

"Hehe~, that's right! Otherwise, where did you think I would take you? Performing an autopsy naturally has to be done here at the Ministry of Punishments; otherwise, who else would care how a dead person actually died?!"

What the young man said was reasonable, so Nie Jinxuan immediately regained her usual composure.

"Hmm, what you say is reasonable, Young Master. However, there are no corpses here, nor are there any tools. How do you expect me to perform an autopsy?"

"Hehe, Princess Consort, do not be anxious. I brought you here only because I wanted you to meet someone. After all, it would be too impolite to have a corpse lying right next to you during our first meeting!"

"Uh, that's fine, but I wonder who it is you want me to meet..."

Nie Jinxuan was somewhat curious about who the other person was. But before she could finish her sentence, the only iron door in the room was suddenly pulled open from the outside, and a man even taller than the young man walked in!

……

He was also in his twenties, with dark skin... clearly, the man who had arrived possessed the temperament of a tough guy. His tall frame stood at the doorway, completely blocking the small iron door!

As for the man's features, they could not be called delicate, but the rigid lines and his sharp, angular face added an invisible, intense aura that made people instinctively want to keep their distance.

At this moment, as soon as the man entered, he cast his gaze directly onto Nie Jinxuan. After giving her a simple, unabashed look from head to toe, he took a few long strides and arrived before her.

"I am Mo Yujue. I have troubled the Consort of Prince Chen to come and help this time; I hope you will forgive me."

The man spoke quite politely, his slightly rough voice matching his temperament well. Upon hearing his name, however, Nie Jinxuan was momentarily stunned, and she could not help but frown slightly.

Mo Yujue?!

Where have I heard this name before? That's right, Yin Fengzhan mentioned it once before; I remember he was speaking to Meng Xian at the time...

In an instant, the origin of the name surfaced in Nie Jinxuan's mind. She turned around abruptly and nodded slightly toward Mo Yujue.

"It doesn't matter. Since I am here, Young Master Mo, please lead the way!"

"Good! Consort of Prince Chen, please follow me!"

Mo Yujue was also a straightforward man; hearing Nie Jinxuan say this, he naturally had no further words. He led Nie Jinxuan out of the room and, after several turns, arrived at another room that was roughly the same as the previous one.

However, this room was much larger than the first. As soon as she entered, Nie Jinxuan saw a large white cloth covering a wooden table in the center of the room.

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan understood immediately. In the corner of the room, the tools needed for the autopsy had already been prepared. Without further ado, Nie Jinxuan walked over, deftly put on her gloves, and turned to face the wooden table.

Then, Nie Jinxuan reached out and pulled back the white cloth, instantly revealing three corpses that were already beginning to rot.

At this time, Mo Yujue and the young man walked one after the other to the wooden table, and then Mo Yujue said in a low voice:

"These three corpses were discovered in a small woods on the outskirts of Yao Family Village, ten miles outside the city. Because their faces were destroyed, their identities cannot yet be determined. Furthermore, the time of death is unknown. The Ministry of Punishments originally had a coroner, but the most skilled one, Mr. Meng, caught a cold a few days ago and has been recuperating at home. With the bodies rotting more and more by the hour, we had no choice but to ask the Consort of Prince Chen to come and help."

Mo Yujue gave a brief account of the sequence of events. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan finally understood the reason, nodded in understanding, and immediately lowered her head to begin examining the corpses.

……

Nie Jinxuan examined them carefully. After checking everything on the three people, she reached out and began to strip the clothes off the corpse on the far left.

Instantly, a foul stench permeated the room, but Nie Jinxuan did not change her expression. She used a cloth soaked in vinegar to clean the corpse and began the autopsy on the spot.

Thinking that Nie Jinxuan wanted to finish the autopsy as quickly as possible, she did not say a single word during the process. Watching her busy and exceptionally agile movements, Mo Yujue, who was standing on the other side of the wooden table, was astonished. The young man standing next to Mo Yujue, seeing this, could not help but curl his lips in triumph.

Time passed second by second. After an unknown amount of time, when Nie Jinxuan had finished organizing the last corpse and covered it with the white cloth, she stretched her tired back and took off the sheepskin gloves she was wearing, placing them to the side.

"The time of death for the three victims was approximately three days ago, and the cause of death was arsenic poisoning. Their ages are likely between twenty-five and thirty. They were abandoned after death. Furthermore, none of the three victims have obvious calluses on their fingers, and their joints are slightly smaller than those of an average man, so all three were people who did not engage in manual labor in their daily lives. Or rather, it is very likely that these three were young masters from wealthy families."

Nie Jinxuan said calmly. At this point, she paused slightly, turned her eyes to look at the three corpses covered by the white cloth once more, and then cast her gaze back onto Mo Yujue.

"Moreover, I just found a die on one of them. Therefore, if Young Master Mo wishes to investigate, you might as well start by checking some of the gambling dens in the capital. At the same time, send people to search among the well-to-do families in the city to see whose young master is fond of frequenting gambling dens and has not returned home for three days; I believe there will be some clues. Once the identities of the victims are confirmed, finding the true culprit will be easy. After all, the person who could invite all three out at once and poison them would not be a stranger!"

Nie Jinxuan gave the answer clearly. Without waiting for Mo Yujue to speak, she asked the young man to take her back. Seeing this, Mo Yujue naturally could not stop her; after expressing his sincere thanks, he had the young man take Nie Jinxuan back to the Chen Wang Fu.

By the time the young man brought Nie Jinxuan back to the Chen Wang Fu, it was already nearly the hour of the Dragon (7:00-9:00 AM). Nie Jinxuan did not waste words with the young man; after dismissing him, she turned and returned to her room. But the moment she pushed the door open and walked inside, she heard a familiar voice come from within.

"Where have you been?"