Chapter 12: She's Really Haunted!

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Hua Lin, sleepless and relentless, applied life-saving medical techniques for several days before Yuetang finally awoke from her coma. Only then did she learn that at the time of her misfortune, the late emperor had already passed away, and her father had died within the palace. She had been hiding in the mountains near Luoyang to recover, gradually hearing news of the new emperor's ascension and the changing officials at court.

Her widowed sister-in-law single-handedly maintained the Duke’s residence. Having been married to Yuetang's brother for only half a year before becoming a widow, she had no children. A year later, with permission from the palace, she took in an infant from their clan to continue the Duke’s lineage.

All these events happened so coincidentally that it was clear there was a conspiracy behind them. Yet this plot was not something the Marquis of Guangling could have orchestrated alone.

Yuetang sought revenge but also needed to uncover what truly happened that night at the Duke’s residence, what transpired in the palace, and the real cause of her father’s death.

Over three years, Wei Zhang traveled between the capital and Luoyang with young Huo, and it was Yuetang who, by removing He Xu’s face covering, identified a vital clue in his appearance, narrowing down the suspects to the He and Zhang families. Following the trail, they traced the mastermind back to the Marquis of Guangling.

On the surface, it appeared the Marquis had set a deadly trap to seize power; afterward, he succeeded in obtaining the position of Commander of the Imperial City Guard. His plan seemed flawless and justified. However, the Du family, to which he belonged, was already in decline. In the capital, the Chu and Yin families—one the maternal clan of the late emperor’s empress, the other the maternal family of the Duke’s heir’s wife—were far stronger than the Du family.

Yet he dared to act against the Duke’s residence.

Where did the Marquis get the funds to lavishly reward the He family?

Yuetang’s first step in her revenge was to expose the forces behind the Marquis of Guangling.

But after three years of change, clues that should have been within reach were severed.

Initially, she only suspected the King of Jingyang without concrete evidence. But now, with his sudden appearance and interference, Yuetang had no choice but to be cautious.

“Princess,” Huo Yun, who had been idly fiddling with his chin like Hua Lin usually did, said, “Actually, revealing the Du family’s mastermind through Lady Liu’s influence would be satisfying.”

“I refuse to believe the King of Jingyang would openly defy the imperial court and recklessly aid the Du family,” he added.

“I’ve already discussed this with your master,” Yuetang smiled. “He wouldn’t dare. But without the princess’ seal, I have no right to enter the Clan Registry to compare fingerprints and seals. Even if we exposed the truth, who would believe us?

“With their influence, they could easily brand us as counterfeit clan members, swindlers trying to defile the Duke’s residence. Just imagine how many in the capital would rush to help them cleanse the ‘fake’ royals.”

Children born into the clan have their fingerprints and palm prints recorded by the Clan Registry and the Ministry of Rites, checked annually until the age of fifteen.

If any bloodline doubts arise, this secret archive would serve as the most definitive proof.

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Furthermore, all princes, princesses, dukes, and princesses receive a seal on the day they are bestowed their title.

This seal must never leave their possession; any illegal activity involving it is considered conclusive evidence.

Naturally, possessing it is also strong proof of identity.

After Yuetang jumped off the cliff signaling Wei Zhang amidst the chaos, Wei Zhang replaced her with the body of her maid, Lin Xiuying.

To make the substitution convincing, they left the Spirit Spring Sword, a gift from the late emperor when she was ten, under the corpse, and the seal, with its pouch, hung on A Xiu’s waist.

The King of Jingyang wielded great power, and the Marquis’ household was also influential.

Yuetang now had no name or status; recklessly accusing them would be futile. Even without the King’s involvement, the Du family could easily eliminate any impostor under the pretext of rooting out fraud.

“I don’t understand,” the youth’s face was full of confusion. “If the Marquis of Guangling could act so boldly, why did he fly into a rage upon hearing Lady Liu’s petition?”

Yuetang sighed. “Because they want to avoid unnecessary trouble. If they can deal with problems early, there’s no need to prolong matters. Besides, the Marquis’ household isn’t powerful enough to act without restraint.”

Huo Yun crossed his arms in silence.

At that moment, the door was knocked. A few firm but somewhat urgent knocks preceded the entrance of a young woman in her late twenties carrying a basket of vegetables.

“The Du family is making their move, did you know?” she asked.

Huo Yun hesitated. “Aunt Lan, what news have you heard?”

Lan Qin approached Yuetang. “As soon as He Jianzhong returned from the Marquis’ residence, he immediately sent people to withdraw the complaint from the prison. I also heard they are searching the streets for He Hui, ordering him to complete the withdrawal procedures before retrieving Lady Liu from the prison.

“In just a short time, the people sent to withdraw the complaint must already be at the prefecture office.”

“That’s rapid,” Yuetang paused. “This only shows the Du family fears exposure more than I imagined.”

She beckoned to Huo Yun: “Come with me back to the He residence. We’ll follow the plan and tie up loose ends.”

…

After returning from the Marquis’ residence, He Jianzhong vented his anger on He Hui and the stewards. First, he ordered the complaint withdrawn; once done, they were to retrieve the prisoner. Lady Liu must not survive the night!

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As they sent people out, Madam He heard that Lady Liu was to be brought back and became agitated, sending several groups to urge He Jianzhong to retreat upstairs.

He Jianzhong, burning with rage, kicked over a stool upon entering. “Can you just keep quiet!”

Madam He froze, then dismissed the servants and walked barefoot to face him. “Why are you angry with me? That doctor has ghosts—she’s not normal!

“She’s always frightening me. She must have killed Xu’er; all these things are her doing!

“How many times have I told you? Why don’t you listen?”

He Jianzhong grew impatient. “With one problem after another at home, I have no time for your nagging.

“Besides, isn’t she the one you praised repeatedly? You’re acting like you’ve lost your mind!”

“I haven’t!” Madam He’s voice turned urgent. “Did you know what she told me yesterday—that drinking the medicine would make the ghosts disappear? Do you hear yourself? Is that something she should say to me?

“Also, she encouraged me to oppose Lady Zhang, even incited me to accuse her as the murderer. Didn’t you notice?

“She has ghosts—she really has ghosts!”

He Jianzhong pushed her aside and turned his back.

Madam He circled to face him, teeth clenched. “She was recommended by Lady Liu!”

He Jianzhong had ignored her earlier words but froze at this. Finally, he turned around and faced her squarely.

The woman was recommended by Lady Liu. Lady Liu’s quarters contained poison. Could the doctor she recommended be innocent?

With troubles mounting these past days, he hadn’t even closed his eyes, never thinking to lock the doors and investigate.

Lady Liu dared to hold his secret as leverage. The very day the doctor she introduced entered the residence, trouble began… the more he heard, the more suspicious it became.