The scene before Zhong Li was such that if Lu Wuxie were not holding her hand, the scorching heat would have felt real. She would have truly believed she was dreaming.
The room, merely two zhang wide, was enveloped in a crimson hue. Dense red candles were stacked on either side of the walls; some had burned out, while others emitted a dazzling firelight. Directly opposite stood a dark, amorphous object. In front of it was an incense burner, clearly well-used, filled with ashes.
"What is this?" Zhong Li wanted to step closer.
Lu Wuxie grabbed her arm, stopping her. "That is an Evil Buddha."
"Evil Buddha?" Zhong Li had never heard the term before. She narrowed her eyes, examining the dark mass.
As the candlelight flickered, she finally discerned the object's appearance.
The Evil Buddha, as Lu Wuxie called it, was a child, about half-grown. Its eyes were closed, giving it an appearance of serenity. However, upon closer inspection, its tightly drawn thin lips and downcast eyes revealed a fierce expression.
"A Kuman Thong?" Zhong Li instinctively uttered the phrase.
"What did you say?" Lu Wuxie looked at her, bewildered.
Zhong Li didn't answer immediately but countered, "Did Mo Cang see the appearance of that thing clearly?"
Lu Wuxie nodded.
"Why do you call it an Evil Buddha?" she asked.
Lu Wuxie replied, "Most people in the Southern Yue Kingdom may not know of this. However, fortunately, I saw one in the palace in my previous life. It is rumored to originate from the Shu Rong Kingdom. It grants wishes to those who nurture it. Yet, it is called an Evil Buddha because its backlash is extremely potent. One wrong step can lead to death."
"In the palace? Whose?" Zhong Li pressed.
"Nangong Xiaodie," Lu Wuxie said.
"Her?" Zhong Li narrowed her eyes. She never would have imagined Nangong Xiaodie would keep such a thing. And now, Xie Yunxi's secret chamber also contained one. Could this case truly be related to Nangong Xiaodie?
"I heard Li'er mention Kuman Thong just now. What is that?" Lu Wuxie asked Zhong Li.
Zhong Li gazed deeply at the 'little figure' opposite. "Kuman Thong, sometimes also called a Buddha Child. Legend has it that a warrior in a certain country, after killing his wife, disemboweled her, wrapped the child tightly, and roasted it. This child can speak, has thoughts, and helps people fulfill their wishes. Of course, the person nurturing it must be devout, otherwise, they will suffer backlash and eventually die a violent death."
After speaking, her gaze swept across the floor. She saw a glazed bowl placed in front of the shrine, a dagger beside it, and faint traces of dried black blood.
"Indeed, Xie Yunxi has been using her own blood to nurture this little ghost. This explains why her wrist had bandages. If I'm not mistaken, Consort Shu also has such a thing, but I didn't find it when I went to her chambers," Zhong Li said.
"Kuman Thong, that's an interesting term. Where did Li'er learn of it?" Lu Wuxie asked curiously after hearing her, looking at the bowl and dagger on the floor.
Zhong Li shook her head and didn't answer. She casually drew her dissection knife from her waist and approached the Kuman Thong step by step. "Does Mo Cang believe the legend of this evil god?"
Lu Wuxie smiled and shook his head. "No. If it were true, wouldn't Nangong Xiaodie have died so miserably? Shouldn't the evil god she revered have protected her?"
Zhong Li heard this and turned to him. "You said Nangong Xiaodie would die in the end?"
Lu Wuxie nodded. "That was just in the previous life. Who knows in this life?"
"Yes, so-called ghosts and gods are merely tricks used by others to achieve their own goals. Otherwise, as Mo Cang said, how could Xie Yunxi, who worshipped it, have suddenly died? Someone must be behind this!"
As Zhong Li spoke, she raised the dissection knife in her hand, slicing through the golden robe that wrapped around the evil god. A shriveled corpse toppled to the ground. Simultaneously, the Evil Buddha's head and body were violently separated.
"What is that?" Lu Wuxie's eyes were sharp. As he saw the head roll aside, a worm the size of a pinky fingernail flew out from within.
Zhong Li also saw it and quickly pulled out a handkerchief from her embrace, deftly scooping the worm into it.
Lu Wuxie picked up the glazed bowl from the ground and carefully tipped the small worm from Zhong Li's handkerchief into it.
"This worm is quite strange!" Zhong Li casually picked up the brightest burning candle nearby and held it closer for a better look.
Lu Wuxie nodded. "Indeed. Ordinary insects have only one pair of wings, but this insect's hardened shell is covered with two pairs of wings. Wait..."
He said this, suddenly thinking of something, and his brow furrowed.
"Does Mo Cang know what this is?" Zhong Li asked.
Lu Wuxie's thin lips tightened. "I seem to have seen it somewhere, but I simply cannot recall. Let me go back to my study and check. I will give you an answer once I have results."
Zhong Li nodded, carefully covering the bowl with the handkerchief. She pulled a long strand of hair from her bun, tied it around the bottom, and placed it into her sleeve. "We have been in here for quite some time. We must leave quickly before anyone discovers us."
"Alright, my study is next door. We will go to a safe place until morning. I will have Lin Jin find a discreet way for you to leave the mansion," Lu Wuxie said, and together with Zhong Li, they left the secret chamber.
The next day.
Zhong Li walked along the corridor of the imperial harem. This time, she did not bring Hua Yao. In fact, to avoid Hua Yao, she had entered the palace very early. Her purpose was none other than to thoroughly search Consort Shu's residence, avoiding everyone. She knew this action broke the rules. To avoid implicating anyone, she could only do it this way. At this hour, the Emperor was usually in the morning court. Apart from essential palace staff, most areas of the harem were deserted.
Just as she rounded the next corner and stepped into Consort Shu's residence, a voice called out from behind her.
"Oh, who do we have here? It's Minister Zhong. Coming to the palace so early, here to investigate a case?"
Zhong Li froze, then slowly turned. Nangong Xiaodie's stunning face appeared before her eyes.
"Empress Nangong, so early..."
"Ah!" Zhong Li was about to pay her respects when Nangong Xiaodie yawned and waved her hand, telling her to dispense with the ceremony. "Since there's no one around, Minister Zhong, you can skip the formality."
Zhong Li remained silent, standing in place.
"By the way," Nangong Xiaodie yawned again. "Yesterday, I sent my servant to Dali Temple to look for Minister Zhong, but the people at Dali Temple said you were not there. I thought perhaps it was not fated for me and Minister Zhong to meet. Now that I see you here, and it's still early, the Emperor has not yet finished court. Would Minister Zhong care to join me for a short while at my residence? You've been here before, so you should know my courtyard is just ahead."
She added, as if fearing Zhong Li would refuse.
"This..." Zhong Li knitted her brows. Consort Shu's chambers were empty at this time. According to palace rules, Xi Yun should be reporting to the supervising nanny. If she delayed...
"What, Minister Zhong is unwilling?" Nangong Xiaodie said, her beautiful, clear eyes narrowing slowly.
Zhong Li sighed and said, "This humble minister is willing."