Chapter 474: The Observing the Sounds statue, is it her likeness?

Indeed, the most suspicious thing is the Jiekong right before his eyes!

Unfortunately, by the time Jiechen realized something was wrong, the hidden guards had already swiftly dragged him away.

After moving behind a big tree, Jiekong then tore off the human-skin mask on his face and head.

As it turned out, this Jiekong was Shaer wearing a mask to impersonate, while the real Jiekong had already been tied up.

Shaer swiftly took off his monk's robe, coldly stuffing the mask into his chest: "With that brain, you still want to go up against our miss?"

Soon, only a few scattered monks remained in the entire Tranquil Distance Temple.

The other monks had all mysteriously disappeared.

The remaining monks were all panicked and hurriedly reported this to the abbot.

Soon, Zongzheng Zhiyan also learned of this news.

"Alive and well, people just all disappeared?"

"How is this possible?"

"This Tranquil Distance Temple is a holy Buddhist site. How could ghosts possibly haunt it in broad daylight?"

"Wait! What about those merchants?"

"Why haven't they been brought to my palace yet?"

As they were speaking, a eunuch came running in, stumbling.

"Princess, something's wrong, something's wrong——"

"The guards you sent to capture that female merchant are all, all missing!"

Zongzheng Zhiyan whooshed to his feet.

"Damn it! How is this possible!?"

The eunuch said: "Furthermore, I just took people to look for them, but those merchants are all, all missing."

"The courtyard is indeed piled with things, but there isn't a single person in sight."

Zongzheng Zhiyan: "Quickly take me to have a look!"

When Zongzheng Zhiyan arrived at the south wing chambers where Li Qingluo had stayed, he saw that the remaining guards beside her had already searched the interior.

Finally, the guard came out holding a portrait, looking flustered.

"Your Highness, an Observing the Sounds portrait was discovered on the table."

Observing the Sounds?

Zongzheng Zhiyan, for some inexplicable reason, took it over wanting to have a look.

But when she closely examined the pattern on the portrait, she was instantly startled all over.

Her originally rosy complexion quickly faded to a deathly pallor.

Beside her, Princess Changning curiously asked: "Mother, what's wrong with you?"

Isn't this just an Observing the Sounds portrait?

How come Mother looks as if she's terrified?

Prince Consort originally had his hands behind his back, but after he also came over and took a glance, he muttered: "No, this is not an Observing the Sounds portrait..."

Because the person in the painting, although it's that face, is not the deity's guise seated on the altar.

It looks more like…

Changning: "Who is that? Father, Mother, what's wrong?"

Prince Consort let out a cold laugh: "An old acquaintance. Because your mother has done wrongdoings, that's why she's now afraid."

"Changning, remember: people must not do too many evil deeds, otherwise they will be haunted by nightmares for the rest of their lives."

Zongzheng Zhiyan slapped Prince Consort across the face.

"Here, when did you get the right to speak?"

"Zhang Tinggui, don't forget your status! Get lost!"

Prince Consort had not yet reacted when Princess Changning already stepped in front of her father.

"Mother, how could you possibly hit Father?"

"Moreover, there are so many servants watching……"

Changning's eyes were filled with disbelief.

For over twenty years, the relationship between father and mother has always been cold.

They say they treat each other with respect like guests, but it's more like Prince Consort completely ignores Princess Zongzheng Zhiyan.

And Princess Zongzheng Zhiyan never gently flatters her husband, merely indulging in her luxurious princess life.

Each year, only when coming to this Tranquil Distance Temple does Prince Consort Zhang Tinggui accompany her.

This is also one of the few opportunities for them as a couple to go out together.

Changning, eyes red, stood in front of Zhang Tinggui, not understanding why Mother was so harsh specifically toward Father.

Princess Zongzheng Zhiyan flicked her long robe, let out an "hmph", and strode away.

"Someone, quickly take me to find Abbot Jiaguan!"

Zongzheng Zhiyan hurriedly left.

Changning quickly turned and touched her father's face: "Father, are you alright? Does it hurt?"

The humiliation in Zhang Tinggui's eyes gradually dissipated upon seeing his daughter's concerned gaze.

"Father's fine. Changning, be good, today the Tranquil Distance Temple is unsettled, quickly go back to your quarters and stay."

"Father will go check on Mother, lest she do something wrong."

"Someone, take the princess down and look after her properly, don't let her go out running around. If the princess comes to any harm, I, the Prince Consort, will hold you responsible!"

Having said that, Zhang Tinggui ignored Changning's cries and quickly pursued in the direction of Zongzheng Zhiyan.

Inside the Guanyin Hall.

Li Qingluo crawled out from the secret passage beneath the table.

She brushed off the ash on her hands, then quickly turned and lifted the curtain, letting Duan Rongshi out as well.

But the dust down there was too much, causing Duan Rongshi, who was all black yet covered in a lot of dust, to involuntarily furrow his brows high.

Li Qingluo hurriedly patted him: "It's fine, it's fine; we'll change into clean clothes when we go back."

Is she coaxing him?

Duan Rongshi:...

After a moment of astonishment, Duan Rongshi watched her hand patting up and down on him and quickly grabbed it.

"I understand. This place—how exactly did you discover it?"

Li Qingluo smiled: "Of course, it's thanks to the help of Jinni's natal gu."

"Besides, Ah Shi, I now know a bit of witchcraft. As long as I want to find a place, I just control the nearby little bugs, and they'll quickly lead me there."

"Hehe, am I not awesome?"

She stood with hands on her hips, looking quite pleased with herself.

Duan Rongshi flicked her forehead.

"Those witchcraft techniques will drain your inner power and damage your meridians, yet you dare to use them recklessly?"

"You want me to discipline you, don't you?"

Li Qingluo hadn't expected that after doing something so big, he wouldn't praise her but instead harshly criticize her.

It's outrageous!

"I'm just not yet proficient in my practice... I won't use it recklessly unless absolutely necessary."

Duan Rongshi: "I know. But from now on, unless absolutely necessary, you are not allowed to use witchcraft recklessly."

Li Qingluo kept nodding to show she understood.

Duan Rongshi: "Since we've hidden everyone down here, we'll just wait for the fish to take the bait."

As his words fell, a tight series of footsteps sounded outside.

Duan Rongshi brought Li Qingluo in a light leap onto the high platform, and the two quickly hid behind the Guanyin statue.

Li Qingluo and Duan Rongshi involuntarily lifted their heads to look at the Guanyin's face.

Kind eyebrows and kind eyes, compassionate toward all beings.

This is Zongzheng Qingyue, yet not her.

The hall door was pushed open.

It was Zongzheng Zhiyuan who walked in.

She held in her hand the portrait that Li Qingluo had deliberately dropped, her face pallid as she sneered at the statue: "Zongzheng Qingyue, I never expected you to have been dead for so many years, yet you suddenly have your portrait appear."

"These years, I, Zongzheng Zhiyuan, have bowed before all kinds of Buddhist statues."

"Yet I especially refuse to bow to this Guanyin statue of yours!"

"Do you think that because your portrait appears today on those lowly merchants' tables, this palace will be frightened?"

"Do you think that because those monks have all disappeared, this palace will assume it's you haunting things?"

"What's more, even if it were you, what then?"

"You're dead and gone, yet you still won't behave; you've angered me so I sent people to DaLiang to pour a basin of black dog's blood on your grave to suppress this evil spirit!"

"If you dare to cause trouble again, we'll dig your bones from the grave, nail them with that soul-locking nail, and prevent you from reincarnating for eternity!"

"Can you hear me, Zongzheng Qingyue?"