Song Qingan left a message before he departed.
The mysterious person who had infiltrated the heavenly prison tonight was there to silence someone, and that someone was the suspicious individual he had apprehended in the palace that day.
The timing of this person's appearance was already highly sensitive. Despite days of interrogation, Song Qingan had not obtained any useful information. Now, with the person suddenly silenced, the matter had undoubtedly escalated to a grave level.
Feng Yinwan pondered upon hearing this.
For a mysterious individual to personally act, risking exposure, the identity of the person in prison was likely far from simple.
Now that the person was dead, the only remaining avenue to uncover any clues was through an autopsy.
"Once the body is brought out, may I have permission to examine it?"
Song Qingan agreed without hesitation, "I will make the arrangements."
The progress of this matter was not swift.
As the interrogation had been conducted under the emperor's command, any incident now required reporting to the emperor first. However, the hour was late, and the emperor had already retired for the night. Thus, they had to wait until the following day.
A prisoner being silenced in jail was, in itself, a dereliction of duty by the guards.
After returning, Song Qingan reprimanded the Imperial Guards. Subsequently, no one mentioned his disappearance due to injury that night.
The next morning, the emperor did not attend the morning court.
When Song Qingan went to report, the emperor was in the Imperial Study, flying into a rage.
Eunuch Gao stood by the door. Upon seeing Song Qingan, he quickly stepped forward.
"Young General Song, are you here to see His Majesty so early in the morning?"
Song Qingan nodded, casting a glance towards the Imperial Study, and said, "I have important matters to report to His Majesty. Kindly inform him for me."
Almost the moment he finished speaking, a loud "bang" echoed from within the hall.
Eunuch Gao's face immediately showed difficulty. "Young General Song, it's not that this old servant is unwilling to go in, but His Majesty is currently discussing matters with several officials inside. As you heard, His Majesty's mood... seems displeased."
The somber atmosphere within the Imperial Study showed signs of persisting.
Being a favored new official in the emperor's eyes, Eunuch Gao intended to ingratiate himself. He paused, then whispered.
"Early this morning, news arrived from Yuzhou stating that Prince Mo has been captured by them. To release him, they demand the withdrawal of troops."
"It's already morning, and His Majesty is currently enraged. He likely won't be receptive to other matters. See here, if it's not an urgent matter, perhaps you could return later?"
The capture of Ye Tinglan was unexpected by everyone, including the emperor.
Aware of the seriousness of the situation, Song Qingan paused slightly upon hearing this and immediately nodded.
"Thank you, Eunuch, for the reminder. I will return later."
When he arrived at Jiuzhou Xiangxie, Feng Yinwan was preparing the Jade Skin Dew using collected materials. Ye Tingyun sat with his legs crossed, exuding an air of both supervisor and overseer.
Their gazes met mid-air. Ye Tingyun let out a heavy snort, his expression clearly indicating, "I knew it," as he spoke.
"Why are you here again!"
He jumped up from his seat, glaring at Song Qingan, thoroughly displeased with him.
It was bad enough that he was injured last night, but he was here again today!
Did he truly consider this place his own home? Coming and going as he pleased!
Caught off guard, Song Qingan was momentarily stunned. Just as he was about to pay his respects, Feng Yinwan grabbed Ye Tingyun by the back of his robe and pulled him back onto the seat.
He landed with a thud, and heard her threaten him.
"If you're not good, watch out for the bump on your forehead."
She had applied medicinal oil last night, but the boy's constant fussing meant that he had come knocking on her door early this morning, claiming the task was too difficult for him and that she needed to guide him.
As he said this, his eyes kept darting into the room, his intentions so obvious that Feng Yinwan could tell with her toes.
She had initially intended to send him away directly, but the persistent and stubborn fellow had managed to slip in when she was not paying attention, and now he refused to leave.
Ye Tingyun knew he was in the wrong and dared not speak too loudly, only fixing his gaze on Song Qingan's every move, issuing a silent warning.
Song Qingan seemed accustomed to this. He bowed to Ye Tingyun and then turned to Feng Yinwan.
She had been preparing medicine and was still holding a strand of herb he couldn't name. Song Qingan's gaze paused for a moment before he spoke.
"I went to the Imperial Study just now to petition, but His Majesty was discussing matters with several ministers. He likely won't be able to spare any attention for a while."
His eyes flickered between her and Ye Tingyun. After some hesitation, Song Qingan still did not disclose the news of Ye Tinglan's capture.
Feng Yinwan did not dwell on this. A thoughtful glint flashed in her beautiful eyes, and she said, "If not an autopsy, then a surface examination will suffice for me."
After all, she was looking for something that could ascertain the person's identity, not their exact cause of death.
This was not difficult.
Song Qingan nodded, the frown on his brow easing slightly. "I can take you there now."
The people in the heavenly prison were all his subordinates. Bringing Feng Yinwan inside was not a difficult task.
Feng Yinwan nodded and was about to disguise herself when Ye Tingyun abruptly stood up from his seat.
"Where are you two going? I'm going too!"
The two had been speaking cryptically, and he didn't know what secret conversation they were having.
He didn't understand, but he didn't care. He was going with them!
Today, no, from today onwards, he would never let this woman out of his sight, nor would he give this "Song what's-his-name" any opportunity!
Feng Yinwan glanced at him, feeling a headache coming on.
"Going to the prison to see a dead person, and you want to go too?"
"Dead... dead person?"
Ye Tingyun's face clearly stiffened at this. "How did they die?"
Feng Yinwan had not yet seen the body. She pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and then curved her lips into a chilling smile. "An unnatural death."
An unnatural death was considered an abnormal cause of death. According to superstitious beliefs, it was very easy to generate vengeful spirits.
Ye Tingyun clearly thought of this too, and his face paled further.
But as he met Feng Yinwan's slightly raised eyebrows, his mind raced, and he stubbornly declared.
"Yes, why wouldn't I go! I'm not afraid of dead people!"
It was a joke; he was terrified, but would he admit it?
However, having been by his imperial grandmother's side for many years, he had memorized some sutras for pacifying departed souls.
Once they arrived, he would start chanting. It would surely help somewhat.
Besides, Song what's-his-name would be there too. If he couldn't pacify the spirit, he could burn some paper offerings and let the vengeful spirit haunt him instead!
With this thought, Ye Tingyun felt less afraid. He looked up at the two of them and even issued a嚣张 threat.
"If you dare not take me with you, I'll report you to Father and Imperial Grandmother, and you won't be able to go either!"
It must be said, this was something he was quite capable of doing.
Feng Yinwan's temples twitched slightly. She had no choice but to agree.
"Fine, but don't regret it."