The starry sky is dazzling, the crescent moon hangs high, and the empty firmament remains as it always has, seemingly oblivious to human joys and sorrows.
In the winding corridors of Ningyue Tower, a hurried figure walked quickly, wearing only a single garment that draped loosely over his body, as if he would fall over if blown away by the wind.
In her hand, she gripped a sharp short sword tightly. The blade, drawn from its sheath, gleamed faintly in the moonlight. Ignoring Mu Ci's hurried pursuit behind her, she walked quickly, her steps unsteady and unsteady. Yet, in the moonlight, her face revealed boundless hatred.
This person was undoubtedly Meng Wan. At this moment, she was biting her lip tightly, and her physical weakness was particularly obvious. However, she seemed to be completely unaware of it, with only one thought in her mind—to avenge Huan Yan and find the murderer!
The once empty courtyard was now filled with people. Meng Wan had summoned all the servants of the entire palace. Unlike the previous questioning, Meng Wan now held a sword in her hand, exuding murderous intent. It seemed that if anyone dared to lie and was exposed by her, her sharp blade would stab them mercilessly.
The courtyard was completely silent, everyone was terrified and at a loss, and they all looked at Meng Wan with anxiety.
Meng Wan suddenly seemed oblivious, but instead pointed her sword at the crowd and said sternly, "I'll ask you one more time, did anyone see Huan Yan today? I simply don't believe that a perfectly healthy person could be killed in the Prince's mansion and no one saw it."
She would never treat anyone like this, but now she was truly furious, and she would not give up until she found the murderer for Huanyan!
Everyone shivered, but they looked at each other without saying a word.
Enraged, Meng Wan forcefully thrust her sword into a nearby tree. The impact of the sharp weapon against the tree trunk was loud and eerie in the silent night.
Yet no one spoke up, not because they didn't want to, but because they genuinely didn't know!
Just then, Qingcheng stepped out from the crowd: "Your Highness, we understand that you are saddened by the murder of Huanyan, but none of us have actually seen her. No matter how much you ask, you won't get any answers."
"Elder sister--" Upon seeing this, Liancheng hurriedly reached out to pull her, but Qingcheng dodged her and walked to Meng Wan's side, her expression unchanged.
Meng Wan frowned slightly: "Whether I can find out or not is my business. If you see it, then tell me. If you don't see it, then go back and don't get in my way."
Meng Wan already harbored resentment towards Fu Qingcheng, and now that she's gone and said more, it's no wonder that Meng Wan rebuked her without mercy.
Fu Qingcheng's expression stiffened noticeably: "Since that's the case, Your Highness, please continue the interrogation. It's your business to make the entire palace uneasy. However, I must say I cannot accompany you. I have other matters to attend to and will take my leave now."
"You..." Meng Wan stood there without saying a word, but Mu Ci couldn't bear to watch any longer.
She had just come with Meng Wan and didn't know Qingcheng's personality yet, so she couldn't help but feel impatient. Meng Wan waved her hand and said, "You can leave if you want, but tell me where you've been today."
That's just Meng Wan's nature. If she wants to do something, as long as it doesn't violate morality or harm others, then she will definitely do it.
Just like now, she says she wants to find out the truth, and she will not give up on anyone who dares to obstruct her.
Fu Qingcheng's expression darkened even further. She stared at Meng Wan for a moment, noticing her pale and bloodless face, and then suddenly curled her lips into a smile: "Alright, if it can help the Princess, I don't mind telling you my whereabouts."
After saying that, she turned to Liancheng and said, "I got up late yesterday. After getting up, I went to my sister's place and had lunch with her. We spent the whole morning together."
"What time did you go to Miss Liancheng's place?"
"Three quarters past Chen hour".
"What about before that? Huan Yan left the Prime Minister's residence at 1:15 AM. If she came to the Prince's residence, it wouldn't be longer than 2:45 AM."
"I already told you, I got up late and was still asleep at that time."
Who can testify?
"Who can vouch for you when you're sleeping? Your Highness is joking. Did you have someone beside you when you were still a young lady in your boudoir?"
Meng Wan was stunned. She remembered how Huan Yan used to always stand guard outside the door. No matter what was happening inside, that girl could enter immediately. The scene was still vaguely in her mind, but from now on, it would only be a dream.
Suddenly, she lost the strength to speak and stood there slightly stunned. At this moment, Fu Qingcheng stepped forward and said, "It seems that the princess has asked all the questions she needed to ask. In that case, Qingcheng will take her leave."
Having said that, she ignored Meng Wan's expression and walked towards her own courtyard, leaving Meng Wan standing there in the same position, not coming back to her senses for a long time.
--
After that, they asked everyone again, one by one, but everyone gave the same answer: they hadn't seen them. In the end, they could only let everyone go home.
It was already late at night, and Meng Wan stood there, but she had no strength to move. Her mood was lower than ever before, and a feeling of helplessness spread from the bottom of her heart.
She thought that perhaps she had always overestimated herself. In reality, she was nothing at all, unable to protect the people around her, and now, she didn't even have the ability to avenge her, nor did she have any clues.
She clenched her fists in despair, staggering aimlessly like a lost soul. Unconsciously, she arrived at the courtyard where Huan Yan had placed her body. Standing at the door, looking at the swollen body soaked in water under the white sheet, Meng Wan's tears welled up again.
Zhenzhen, you're so useless, Huanyan. You must be hating me for being so useless right now, right? I couldn't even find a single clue, and you died in vain.
But I'm not reconciled. I want to sort things out and avenge you, but with so many thoughts swirling in my mind, I can't find a way.
Huanyan, Huanyan, if you know this from beyond the grave, please tell me, please tell me what to do.
"Ah!" As Meng Wan's thoughts raced, Mu Ci suddenly screamed from behind. Before Meng Wan could react, she pointed at Mu Ci's corpse with a look of terror on her face.
Meng Wan then looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Mu Ci's hand had fallen from a height and was hanging there, which was somewhat frightening. No wonder Mu Ci exclaimed in surprise.
"If you're scared, go outside. Don't shout and disturb Huanyan." Meng Wan said calmly, then stepped forward to Mu Ci's astonished gaze, gently taking Huanyan's hand, and said in a soft voice, "Huanyan, be good, hold your hand tight. Tomorrow morning, I'll find you a good place. You've suffered too much following me in this life; there's never a good ending. In the next life, please don't come to my side again. Hide far away and find a good family—"
Her words abruptly stopped there, and even the tears welling up in her eyes froze. Meng Wan was startled as she watched something slip from Huan Yan's swollen hand.
What lay on the ground was a Chinese knot button, its bright red design featuring peony patterns. Judging from its material, it was likely made of silk or similar fabric, not the kind Huan Yan was wearing.
Meng Wan picked it up and placed it in her palm. As her mind raced, her previously dull eyes suddenly lit up. Could this button be the murderer's? The one Huan Yan held in her hand before she died?
With that thought, she suddenly stood up, looked at Huan Yan's corpse, and a smile that hadn't appeared in a long time finally appeared on her lips: "Huan Yan, this is a clue, isn't it? I knew it, my Huan Yan is so smart, she would definitely leave a clue, she would definitely..."
With this, Meng Wan believed that she would be able to follow the clues and find out whose clothes it came from.
She squeezed Huan Yan's hand again. Now full of fighting spirit, Meng Wan turned around abruptly, gripped the button tightly, and rushed out without looking back. However, she didn't see that in the dim light and shadow of the courtyard, a person who had been hiding behind a tree for a long time froze when he saw Meng Wan rush out with a hint of joy, and then quickly followed after her.
--
"Mu Ci, immediately order a carriage to be prepared; I need to go to the palace."