Two more months passed, and the weather gradually warmed.
Since Feng Shihao had spoken those words that day, Feng Shijin had completely lost his spirit.
He didn't need to be tormented further; he was already on the verge of wasting away his own life.
He required assistance to be fed, lest he starve to death. Kuaishu Ge
"Feng Shijin, originally, this King intended to sow chaos in Jingguo. However, upon reflection, this kingdom was painstakingly preserved by Imperial Sister and General Shenwu through their tireless efforts. This King is not qualified to dispose of it. You shall return to the palace and resume your position as the supremely noble emperor. Guard well what Imperial Sister has left for you!"
Go be a lonely emperor!
He was done playing!
Feng Shijin was secretly sent back to the imperial palace. Apart from Fulu, no one knew that the true Emperor had returned.
Feng Shihao exited the imperial palace and took a deep breath of the sun. He had long been tired of this wretched capital. He was going to find Lingyao and his wife and daughter.
"Master! The Consort and the little Princess are gone!" Thirteen landed before him, his head bowed deeply.
"What the hell are you saying!"
Feng Shihao, for the first time, swore crudely. He grabbed Thirteen's collar, his phoenix eyes chilling.
"It was Lei Hua! He found the villa. Your subordinate was incompetent. The Consort and the little Princess were captured by him."
Thirteen felt utterly foolish for the first time. A simple diversion had managed to lure him away.
The little Princess was still so young...
"Lei Hua!" Feng Shihao gritted his teeth. "Set up ambushes at all the checkpoints returning to the capital. Quickly!"
That wretch likely only wanted to hold them hostage. Linglong and their daughter should be safe.
Despite thinking this, his heart was in turmoil.
On the third day, Lei Hua was finally discovered on a road leading into the capital. However, he was only accompanied by two guards, and the people he was waiting for were not with him.
"Heh! Is the Regent King looking for your woman and child? What a pity!"
Lei Hua looked at the surrounding crowd, knowing that he would not be able to retreat unscathed today.
"It's a pity that woman was too spirited and jumped off a cliff with the child!"
"Capture him for this King!"
A group of elite guards swarmed forward, quickly subduing Lei Hua on the ground.
Feng Shihao pressed his sword against Lei Hua's neck, his voice eerily cold, "Where are they?"
Lei Hua tilted his head fearlessly. "They were invited to drink tea by Yama long ago! A traitor! I only regret not being able to kill you and avenge the Emperor!"
"A scoundrel who preys on women and children should not claim loyalty to the Emperor. You are merely seeking your own power. This King asks again, where are they?"
The blade cut into his skin, and blood flowed.
Lei Hua laughed maliciously, "Before jumping off the cliff, your wife covered your daughter's eyes and said: 'Don't be afraid, Daddy will come to save us.'"
Feng Shihao's hand trembled.
Black blood trickled from the corner of Lei Hua's mouth.
Wei Hu pried open his mouth. It was too late. "Master, he had poison in his mouth!"
As he spoke, Lei Hua's head lolled to the side, and he died.
Feng Shihao's eyes became somewhat vacant.
Seeing this, Wei Hu quickly reminded him, "Master, this man previously belonged to the Criminal Investigation Department and was skilled at manipulating people's hearts. You must not believe his words. The Consort and the little Princess will surely be fine. I will lead men to search along the route."
Yes, they would be fine.
However, whenever she was in danger, he was never by her side.
He would always be indebted to her.
Following Lei Hua's tracks, Wei Hu led his men to meticulously search every route from the vicinity to the capital. Towns, villages, and almost every place was scoured, including countless cliffs, but they found nothing.
No sign of life, no trace of death.
In a short period, his remaining sliver of hope vanished.
The Regent King left the capital, the Emperor was dispirited, and the court officials invited Master Kongji into the palace.
Song Beiting, the former commander of the Imperial Guard who had not been seen for a long time, entered the palace with Master Kongji. After conversing with the Emperor for two days, he left again.
Subsequently, Emperor Mingde announced that the Divine Maiden of Jingguo was in seclusion for cultivation, and prayers for the people would be handled by the Du Sheng Pagoda.
Two years later.
It was once again the third month of spring, with grass growing and orioles flying.
Below Qingyun Mountain, in Bozi Village.
Wang Xiulan pulled a basket of spinach from the field. As usual, she sorted it and took half to deliver to Xiao Shan.
She had lived like this for the past two years. Because Xiao Shan rarely bought vegetables from the market and made do with his meals, she often came to deliver vegetables she had grown. Other villagers also sent something from time to time, leaving it directly at the door. When Xiao Shan returned, he would naturally bring it inside.
Although everyone said Xue Niang was recuperating from injuries elsewhere, as time passed, the villagers became suspicious. They all speculated whether Xiao Niangzi was no longer alive. Otherwise, what kind of injury would require years of recuperation? Moreover, they had never seen Xiao Shan leave Bozi Village. Wouldn't he go to see her?
Especially during the New Year this year, some people had subtly inquired if Xiao Shan had any intention of remarrying.
Alas, with Xue Niang before him, how could anyone else catch Xiao Shan's eye!
But living alone like this was not a solution. The most regrettable thing was that they hadn't even left a child. It would be very desolate in old age.
"Sigh—"
Wang Xiulan sighed and, as usual, placed the vegetables by the corner of the door. However, as she straightened up from a bent posture, she felt a gust of wind from above, and something flew past overhead.
When she stood up, she saw a dark shadow, like a phantom, float towards the road leading out of the village and disappear in an instant.
Was this seeing a ghost in broad daylight?
Wang Xiulan's face turned deathly pale. When she reacted, she felt something was amiss.
That thing had flown out of Xiao Shan's house. It was likely a thief who had just stolen something from Xiao Shan's home.
This was no small matter; she had to quickly find Xiao Shan.
Before the New Year, some villagers had gone to join their children and sold two mu of land, which Xiao Shan had bought. It was now the spring plowing season, and he should be tending to that land.
Upon reaching the fields, Xiao Shan was indeed plowing.
"Brother Xiao! Something bad has happened, something bad has happened! Your house was robbed by a thief!"
Wang Xiulan ran over and recounted what she had seen. "It ran out of the village! Hurry back and see if anything is missing!"
"Don't worry, no one dares to steal anything from my home. Sister-in-law, you don't need to worry. Go back. I'll finish plowing this land first."
The only valuables in the house were the furniture, which a thief couldn't carry away. As for the things in the bedroom, if a thief truly stole them, their heads would roll.
This land was almost finished plowing. After finishing, he also had to go up the mountain. Yesterday, he seemed to hear some movement outside the Ghost Forest, and he had to go and check again.
"Alas, but..."
Seeing Xiao Shan resume his work without a care, Wang Xiulan sighed again.
Brother Xiao was becoming more and more like a monk, devoid of desires, unconcerned about anything.
Wang Xiulan had no choice but to return.
As Xiao Shan thought about the movement on the mountain yesterday, another matter came to mind. A few days ago, Granny Hua had insisted on seeing him.
She was so old that she could no longer get out of bed. Judging by her condition, she wouldn't last a few more days.
"Shan! You shouldn't leave the house these few days."
"The bright red wedding dress is so beautiful!"
"I knew she was the Divine Maiden! Exactly the same."