Seeing Gu Lingling, Rongrong's cold face surprisingly showed a smile. "How did you sleep last night, Lingling?"
The affectionate address and caring words made Liao Feixing couldn't help but sneer and feel somewhat disdainful, then turned sulky. Why could Rongrong be so close to someone she had met only a few times, yet be indifferent to him?
"I slept very well. The Prince's mansion is indeed impressive, with high beds and soft pillows, and the pleasant aroma. I fell asleep as soon as I laid down. By the way, Rongrong, where do we need to investigate today? Has the master given any orders?"
Since Luo Yunzhen was present, they didn't need to rack their brains on how to handle the matter. They just needed to follow orders, which saved them some mental effort.
Rongrong seemed troubled, "Last night, after the master left, he sent a message through the spirit bird, saying there were urgent matters to handle, and asked us to head to the prince's mansion first. But he didn't mention when he would return or how to handle things. Yesterday, the prince was present, and I didn't clearly explain. We are currently discussing how to explain if the prince inquires about the master's whereabouts."
Naturally, the whereabouts of Luo Yunzhen need not be explained to an ordinary person, but it did concern the reputation of the Forget-worry Pavilion. Otherwise, it would be laughable if it got out that the Pavilion Master was unreliable, promising to handle the case but disappearing midway.
"The master didn't return last night?"
"We are not the master's attendants, so how would we know what was going on in his room? Why don't you go and check?" Liao Feixing made a sarcastic remark.
"Your words are inappropriate. Aren't you the master's 'childhood friend'? Shouldn't you be above the attendants? How can you lower your status and compare yourself with them? Your mentality is somewhat dangerous."
"Alright, enough from both of you. I set up a small formation last night to observe the situation at the prince's mansion, and there's no sign of the master returning."
Last night, Rongrong set up a formation, with its focal point connected to her consciousness. Any movement within the mansion would be notified to her. This formation was very effective but also very draining. Even the slightest activity, like a fly buzzing by, would be detected. The luxuriance of the prince's mansion meant there could have been numerous occurrences overnight, and Rongrong had even been injured, yet there was no tiredness evident on her face. It illustrated Rongrong's strong mental fortitude.
Rongrong was meticulous and cautious in her actions, even making Liao Feixing, the deputy pavilion master, feel inferior.
If Rongrong were a man, it was likely the ranking among the prominent disciples of the sect would have to be rewritten.
Gu Lingling frowned, "Have you all found any clues? Why don't we start with these clues, so we can explain to the prince and not overstep our boundaries?"
There was no better way now. They couldn't delay things further for the prince, and Luo Yunzhen could only wait.
"Yesterday we found two suspicious points. The portrait of the princess and the painting in the attic where the incident occurred were both by the same artist. The prince admires this person, but these coincidences together give enough reason for suspicion. The second clue... Lingling, you guessed it right earlier."
Rongrong paused, seemingly creating some suspense, and Liao Feixing looked at Gu Lingling strangely, impressed that she had guessed this, which made him look at Gu Lingling in a new light.
"We asked the household servants, and they are very secretive about the cause of the princess's death. They've all heard that the princess's ghost haunts the mansion, but no one has seen it with their own eyes. Lingling, you go and check if the artist is suspicious. As for me and Feixing, we will continue to investigate the attic at the prince's mansion."
Gu Lingling understood that Rongrong was looking out for her. It was clear that the artist lead was likely a ruse, but it was also the type of lead that could not be overlooked.
Gu Lingling knew her status and capabilities, and understood that Rongrong's arrangement was the most reasonable.
After the arrangements, Gu Lingling planned to set off with Da Bao but was surprised by the prompt appearance of the prince, as if he had guessed their departure time.
Rongrong was already used to the prince following her, so it wasn't too unexpected, but what was unexpected was that this time, the prince stuck to Gu Lingling's side.
"Is Master Gu about to leave the mansion? There's nothing in the capital city that I'm not more familiar with than you. No matter where you want to go or who you want to find, I can assist you."
Since he was the master, Gu Lingling couldn't say anything. If he wanted to follow, then so be it. Gu Lingling could also understand the prince's mentality, similar to that of a "supervisor," after all, he was probably worried about wasting the commission.
"Then I'll trouble the prince." Gu Lingling thanked politely. Da Bao in her arms seemed a bit unhappy, constantly fidgeting in her arms, "Da Bao, what's wrong? Do you have a tummy ache? Do you need to go potty?"
The prince closed his folding fan, took a step forward, and said, "I guess the child doesn't want to go out with Master Gu. After all, investigating a case is such a tedious thing, and children don't like it. If Master Gu doesn't mind, I can have my maid help look after him for the day. Despite being young, she has many sisters at home and is quite adept at taking care of children."
Gu Lingling looked at the pretty and well-dressed maid behind the crown prince and felt somewhat moved. Although Dabao was obedient, he was still just a child. If she had a choice, Gu Lingling would not want to bring Dabao around, as there were still some dangers.
The maid curtsied obediently, probably in her early teens. Her face was full of enviable collagen, so fair it almost reflected light. Her round little face was not bloated, but rather brought joy to people's hearts.
The maids from the prince's mansion were also graceful. After exchanging greetings, one of them went up to entertain Dabao, poking his cheeks with her slender fingers. "Sister, would you like me to take you to play?"
Gu Lingling thought it was not a bad idea, but Dabao was indifferent, even to herself, showing a cold face. He was unwilling, especially with a stranger.
However, to Gu Lingling's dismay, Dabao actually opened his arms and let the maid hug him.
Feeling a bit forlorn, Gu Lingling didn't want to show it in front of the crown prince. She forced a smile and said, "Let's go."
The crown prince was dressed in simple and elegant clothes today, but he couldn't hide his nobility. Along the way, he became a highlight on the street, drawing the attention of many girls and women, who shyly looked back at him, unable to stop stealing glances.
"The crown prince is indeed popular. I bet all the men in the city are jealous," remarked Gulingling.
One had to admit that the crown prince was handsome. If it were modern times, there would definitely be girls eager to exchange contact information with him.
"Do you also think so, Master Gu? Do you think I am the best choice for a husband?" The crown prince's smile held a deep meaning. Gu Lingling chuckled awkwardly. If it were someone else who said this, she would have slapped him to snap him out of it. But the crown prince indeed had the capital, family background, and appearance.
"It's not just my opinion, but the opinion of everyone. Look, are there any women sneaking glances at you on the street? None."
Behind them, a figure in white passed by. As he walked past a stall, he paused, picked up a silver hairpin, and put money on the stall before the owner could finish speaking.
Gu Lingling wandered aimlessly on the street, not making efforts to search for the painter.
"Master Gu, why don't we go investigate the case?" asked the crown prince, looking around.
"It seems the prince is quite interested in our Forget-worries Pavilion's investigations," Gu Lingling quipped absentmindedly.
The crown prince was taken aback, but then smiled, "Who isn't interested in eliminating demons and upholding justice?"
Gu Lingling smiled and walked into a ready-made clothing shop. The crown prince did not understand her intention and followed, but was stopped by the owner.
"Sir, this is a women's clothing store. Men are not allowed inside," the owner said, looking disdainful, not expecting someone who looked like this man to be so sordid.
Gu Lingling, who had already walked into the shop, turned back and said to the embarrassed crown prince, "Sorry, Your Highness, I'll have to trouble you to wait outside for a while."
"How long will Master Gu need?" The crown prince struggled to get Gu Lingling's attention but was firmly barred by the owner, who eyed him as if he were a stalker.
The crown prince reluctantly stepped down and waited in place.
In the fitting room, Gu Lingling opened the window, which faced the back alley.
She smirked triumphantly. She was not going to let anyone spy on her!
As she leaped out of the window, she nearly bumped into someone.
"Sorry, I'm sorry," Gu Lingling quickly apologized. Strange, she hadn't seen anyone earlier. But the person in front of her remained silent. Gu Lingling felt embarrassed and lowered her head, only able to see the person in front of her wearing a white robe.
White robe?! Gu Lingling nervously glanced at the person's right hand, slender and fair, not holding a sword.
It wasn't him. Gu Lingling couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. She relaxed, but then the person asked, "Are you looking for this?"
The voice was pleasant, gentle, and had lost some of the earlier coldness and sharpness.
Gu Lingling saw the person flipping their hand, and a chilling long sword appeared in their hand.
Gu Lingling couldn't help but shiver, feeling unlucky.
Luo Yunzhen promptly put the Frost Stream Sword away, and with a wave of his hand, it disappeared.
"The sect leader is such a good joker," Gu Lingling embarrassedly laughed a few times and quickly apologized, "I was reckless. Please don't take it to heart, considering my active investigation work."
Gu Lingling's watery eyes looked like a startled rabbit's, full of anxiety, and her slender brows were not as coquettish and carefree as before, now bent in a worried curve.
This soft, pitiful appearance was something Luo Yunzhen had never seen before. Although Gu Lingling was unreasonable in the past, she was carefree and lively. Did he really scare her so much?
It's not a question, but a definite meaning. He didn't know if it was Gu Lingling's illusion or not, she actually felt a hint of a smile in Luo Yunzhen's tone freezing people to death.
Gu Lingling laughed dryly twice. She couldn't figure out why the sect leader, who had always been aloof from the world, would care about the affairs of her lowly disciples. She could only answer, "The heir is a mortal. It is inconvenient to follow the investigation. So I used a little trick to get away."
She couldn't directly tell Luo Yunzhen that she found him obstructive and didn't want to be supervised by him, so she had to shake him off. If her boss, Luo Yunzhen, knew about this, it would only bring her disdain and a bad attitude.
Luo Yunzhen's eyes darkened several times, and this answer made him inexplicably depressed. But his expression was always indifferent, and people couldn't tell.
"You seem reckless, but I didn't expect you to act so carefully," he remarked.
Gu Lingling frowned, unable to detect any trace of praise in his words. "I acted on my own, and I ask the sect leader for forgiveness."
"This matter is complicated. Let's investigate first, and we'll discuss the rest later."
Gu Lingling dared not ask Luo Yunzhen why he was here, and what he had been doing last night. She thought Luo Yunzhen would assign her new tasks, but surprisingly, he had no issues. Instead, he instructed her to do what she was supposed to do. Gu Lingling couldn't be too sentimental. Since the sect leader had spoken, she would act according to the previous arrangement.
This was an alley. According to the clue Rongrong provided in the morning, after passing through another street, they would arrive at the painter's studio.
Gu Lingling cautiously followed, her first time being alone with Luo Yunzhen, making even the thick-skinned Gu Lingling somewhat nervous. She was torn between leading the way and being respectful, and following Luo Yunzhen, uncertain if he knew the way.
Gu Lingling suddenly felt that this ancient workplace was not that much superior to the modern one.
Luo Yunzhen silently watched as Gu Lingling alternated between leading and following, his eyes flashing a few times. His deep voice, filled with magnetism, said, "Stay by my side."
Since the leader had spoken, Gu Lingling was happy to comply.
Luo Yunzhen's demeanor was aloof and forbidding, but he was exceptionally handsome, like a red plum standing tall in the vast white snow, dazzling to the eyes, yet too cold to approach.
Unable to approach, she could only steal glances. Unlike the previous "dream husband" of all the city's women, Luo Yunzhen's beauty was so overwhelming that it made Gu Lingling feel unworthy, unable to stretch her limits even in her thoughts.
Being envied and resented felt pretty good, and Gu Lingling stole a glance at the seemingly unperturbed Luo Yunzhen. His profile was beyond words, even his casually tied hair was perfect.
Luo Yunzhen remained clad in his white robe, but this time, it was plain white, without any dark or floral patterns, yet it was not dull. It seemed that the ultimate beauty did not need much color to enhance it, just like Luo Yunzhen himself, the purer, the more it emphasized his temperament.
Gu Lingling couldn't help but lower her gaze. Luo Yunzhen had a long and well-built figure, but not frail. His frame was symmetrical, indicating a substantial physique. His waist was outlined by a belt, and his garment, which should have been smooth, had a few wrinkles, perhaps due to hurrying.
Gu Lingling subconsciously reached out to straighten out the clothing, removed the creases, and patted herself on the back, only to meet Luo Yunzhen's enigmatic eyes that could not be fathomed.
Heavens, what was she doing?
She was used to tidying up Da Bao's clothing, which led to a terrifying instinct in her.
It was her fault for not paying attention, but Luo Yunzhen could have stopped her right away and not tacitly allowed her to make the adjustments.
A woman's scream cut through the awkward silence.
Gu Lingling immediately had a bad feeling. The pedestrians on the street were all attracted by the scream, and soon the place was crowded with people. Gu Lingling ran over to see that it was the studio she was looking for.
Entering the crowd, the area within two meters of the studio was accurately separated by everyone. A dazed woman sat on the ground, her eyes filled with panic and fear.
It seemed as if she had been heavily shocked, and it was unlikely she could be asked anything.
Gu Lingling carefully stepped into the studio, which was divided into several rooms. Sunshine seeped through the low windows, but failed to dispel the darkness within the studio, instead dividing it into light and dark areas.
Through the sunlight, Gu Lingling could see various paintings hanging on the walls, including landscapes and portraits. The style was similar to the painting in the victim's house, indicating that the landscape painting was also the work of the painter.
Suddenly, a commotion was heard behind her.
Gu Lingling cautiously turned around. In the dark, a paint bottle rolled out. The crimson paint spilled on the floor. Gu Lingling picked it up and found it empty, emanating a strong bloody scent.
It was blood!
As her eyes gradually adjusted to the light in the studio, in the darkness, a man was leaning against the wall, his disheveled hair covering his face. A large pool of blood stained the ground beneath him. It seemed he wouldn't survive, and the fatal wound was the hole in his chest that kept bleeding.
Although Gu Lingling was mentally prepared, she was still shocked by the scene before her and the pungent smell. Fear made her step back, but she bumped into a solid chest halfway.
"Don't be afraid."
"Leader, this person..."
"His heart was directly taken out by someone. Fresh blood still flows, only the time it took to finish a cup of tea. It seems someone doesn't want us to find out something."
Someone beat them to it, and Luo Yunzhen carefully looked around for a week, without sensing anything amiss.
"Did you discover the body?"
Gu Lingling walked to the door. The woman who had collapsed on the ground was now wiping away tears, indicating that her emotions had been released. But for ordinary people, witnessing such a shocking scene for the first time would leave an indelible shadow.
However, Gu Lingling overestimated the woman's ability to endure, as she remained silent, unable to ask anything.
"Let me handle this."
Luo Yunzhen stepped forward but didn't approach the woman, forming a gesture with his fingers.
A beam of white light shot directly into the woman's forehead. Before Gu Lingling could understand Luo Yunzhen's purpose, he suddenly grabbed her hand.
Different from the cold feeling usually given by Luo Yunzhen, his long fingers unexpectedly felt warm, and the calluses on his palm did not chafe. Instead, they gave a sense of security as they enveloped Gu Lingling's small hand. The scene in front of her instantly changed. The scene appeared directly before her, overlaid onto reality.
Gu Lingling watched as the scene passed through the street she had just walked down, to the entrance of the studio. The door stood open, and a clear voice in the scene called out, "Artist Shen?" The excitement in the voice was evident, but it received no response. The scene then entered the studio, and after a brief search, it discovered the terrifying corpse of the artist. The woman screamed in terror, the same voice heard in the alley earlier.
The image kept trembling, and on the edge of the picture, Gu Lingling saw a dark figure flash by.
The screen came to an abrupt stop because Luo Yunzhen released Gu Lingling's hand.
"The man in black."
The magic that Luo Yunzhen had just used was called "retrospection." It was a method of perceiving everything that happened at the time by reading someone else's memories. After all, the account of the person involved would overlook some important details, and this magic could maximize the presentation of the details at the time. It was like the events were being played back.
However, this kind of magic was not suitable for all cases. Firstly, "retrospection" required extremely high cultivation, and secondly, it damaged the mind. It relied on the mental power of the caster, and the best target was a mortal with a weak consciousness. If it was someone with a little cultivation, it was easy to be detected and subsequently attacked by the caster. After all, reading someone else's memory was taboo anywhere.
Hearing the words "man in black," the sharp whistle seemed to be right next to her ears, causing her teeth to ache. Gu Lingling drew the Juelu sword from her waist, cautiously scanning the onlookers, trying to find the possible hidden man in black.
Unexpectedly, she actually saw the familiar black cloak and the covered face of the man in black.
The man in black stood outside the crowd, with only the corners of his mouth curving into an exaggerated arc, revealing the snow-white teeth inside.
This was a blatant provocation.
At the moment of seeing the man in black, Gu Lingling sensed a strong smell of blood and a hidden heavy intent to kill under the smell.
Gu Lingling held the Juelu sword, with a serious expression. Just as she was about to step forward, she was caught by Luo Yunzhen for the second time.
"Calm down, don't fall for his tricks. He deliberately appeared and released his aura, wanting to lure us away. By being so conspicuous, he is fully prepared to deal with us."
Luo Yunzhen's palm was full of strength, but the force was just right, causing Gu Lingling's mind to waver. She seemed to feel that Luo Yunzhen's cold, frosty face was not as cold, and even carried a hint of worry and tenderness.
Suddenly, the force on her wrist loosened, and Gu Lingling suddenly came to her senses. What was she thinking? It was such an urgent situation, and she was daydreaming, and the object of her distraction was actually Luo Yunzhen.
After all, Luo Yunzhen would soon get involved with Tao Fanru, and then the public display of affection would make people want to vomit.
Gu Lingling shivered a bit and felt a hint of desolation. After all, she was just a background character; it would be good enough if she could survive. Why was she thinking about all this?