Gu Lingling turned back to look for the man in black, but he had already disappeared.
"So our investigation is not wrong. He is anxious to silence us. There must be some clue on the painter, and this matter is definitely related to the man in black."
Gu Lingling hugged her shoulders, her delicate little face extremely serious.
Luo Yunzhen felt a slight shock in his heart. His indifferent eyes showed a hint of panic.
"Ah, Sect Leader, why did you leave? We haven't checked the studio yet."
Luo Yunzhen was already a few steps away with his clothes fluttering. Gu Lingling was still immersed in the analysis of the case and hurriedly caught up.
"Let's talk about it when we get back."
Listening to the voice coming from the elegant figure, Gu Lingling pursed her lips. It was really impossible to figure out the Sect Leader's thoughts, even more so than her previous boss.
But since the leader had spoken, she had to listen. Thinking of this, Gu Lingling adjusted her pace and walked alongside Luo Yunzhen.
Gu Lingling was very close, and a faint fragrance drifted into Luo Yunzhen's nostrils. Although he was very familiar with this fragrance and even sniffed this warm and warm scent with body temperature, this faint and elusive fragrance was like a small hand, teasing his heart intermittently. He didn't know when it would tease him.
This unpredictable and irresistible feeling made Luo Yunzhen, who had always been in control of everything, feel at a loss, but unconsciously, he became addicted...
A surge of thoughts emerged, and the Flowing Frost Sword appeared uncontrollably in his hand.
Luo Yunzhen felt an unusual vibration from the Flowing Frost Sword. He looked at the Juelu sword held by Gu Lingling and did not expect that a slight negligence of his had allowed the Juelu sword to recognize its master.
Something attracted Gu Lingling, and she ran away from Luo Yunzhen.
Luo Yunzhen looked at her lively figure. Perhaps the Juelu sword in her hand could unleash its power after all.
Gu Lingling seemed to have seen a familiar figure buried deep in her memories from the original owner. When she realized this, she uncontrollably chased after it.
However, although the figure was that of a slender middle-aged woman, it disappeared as soon as it turned the corner.
"What's the matter?"
Gu Lingling turned around, and Luo Yunzhen didn't know when he was standing behind her.
"It's nothing, I just saw someone I knew, but it should be my illusion."
Gu Lingling didn't say more, and Luo Yunzhen didn't ask further.
The two returned to the prince's mansion. Liao Feixing and Rongrong were already waiting there. When they saw Luo Yunzhen coming back, they were also surprised and quickly got up to greet him.
Luo Yunzhen just nodded in response, and Liao Feixing and Rongrong did not dare to sit. They let Luo Yunzhen take the lead and stood beside Gu Lingling.
After Luo Yunzhen sat down, he took out a small bottle and a scroll from his sleeve.
No wonder why he had stopped them from checking the studio, he had already prepared. Gu Lingling watched as Luo Yunzhen opened the small bottle, and some powder spilled onto the table. Whether it was an illusion or not, as soon as the powder appeared, Gu Lingling felt a gust of wind blowing in from the door, seeming to consciously bypass the three people in the way and head towards the powder on the table.
It was like a tiny tornado, and the wind carried the powder but didn't leave, just kept spinning on the table.
Luo Yunzhen sat calmly, ignoring the shocked expressions of the three people. He said, "This kind of powder seems no different from ordinary pigment powder, but it can attract evil spirits. It is colorless and odorless, and mortals cannot distinguish it. When mixed with pigments and used in a painting, the painting will attract demons, becoming a place for them to reside and absorb energy."
After speaking, Luo Yunzhen released a bit of spiritual breath, and the small tornado immediately disappeared, and the powdered ink spread all over the table.
The three of them felt a strong gust of wind blow past, and their eyes couldn't even open. Luo Yunzhen only released a bit of breath, and he could make these things so terrified. If he were to unleash his full force, the demons in the prince's mansion would probably flee on their own.
The painting that Luo Yunzhen had brought also had an unusual aura due to his powerful spiritual breath.
The space within the perfectly fine scroll began to distort, and a faint, almost invisible aura emanated from it, dissipating into the air.
It seems that this painting also harbors evil spirits, it's just that the time is too short for it to fully manifest.
Meanwhile, Rongrong and Liaofeixing also made a new discovery.
The two found what was said to be the painting possessed by the soul of the deceased concubine. Although the portrait was burnt, the scroll remained. They followed the method provided by the previous prince, using the concubine's birthday and death ritual to summon the soul. However, they did not summon the concubine's soul. Generally, if there is an inability to summon the soul, it means either the summoned spirit has already dispersed, or it has been reincarnated.
"We talked it over, it's impossible for the spirit to have dispersed, as according to the file at the time, the ancient sect leader had already exorcised the menacing ghost within the painting. It's also impossible for the spirit to have reincarnated, as the process of reincarnation in the underworld involves a series of procedures, and it's impossible for it to occur within such a short time."
"So what then?"
Lo Yunzhen asked leisurely.
Rongrong and Liaofeixing glanced at each other, hesitated, and said, "Using the object possessed by the menacing ghost and supplemented by the birth and death rituals seemed foolproof. So, we think that perhaps the soul in this painting is not that of the concubine."
Lo Yunzhen finally looked up, his ink-colored eyes resembling the black night sky, making people unconsciously look up but also feel fearful.
"Are you saying that the ancient sect leader made a mistake?"
"Leader, we are not suggesting that the ancient sect leader made a mistake." Liaofeixing quickly said, as this conclusion was mutually agreed upon by him and Rongrong, not solely by Rongrong. However, after meeting Lo Yunzhen's gaze, the impetus diminished slightly, “Perhaps the ancient sect leader was being manipulated...”
"Gu Xianshi, Gu Xianshi? You're back?"
The prince fanned himself as he walked in from outside. Although he still exuded an air of nobility, his straight back had acquired a weary curve, perhaps from standing for too long.
Gu Lingling patted her head, wondering how she forgot about this gentleman. She immediately greeted him with a smile, "I'm really sorry, Sir. I was thinking of buying clothes at that time, but halfway through I suddenly noticed something, so I forgot to greet you..."
Gu Lingling did feel guilty, Lo Yunzhen's sudden appearance, the silencing of the artist, and the familiar figure overlaid one after another, diverting Gu Lingling's attention, causing her to forget about the prince.
The prince's expression was somewhat awkward, he sighed, closed the fan, and took a step forward.
Lo Yunzhen seemed to pay no attention to Gu Lingling and the prince, but when the prince took a step forward, Lo Yunzhen's eyes sharpened, his palms tightly clenched, ready to act at any moment.
But the prince did not blame Gu Lingling. He softly inquired, "So, Gu Xianshi didn't find suitable clothes? It's fine, the styles in the shops outside are rough and unworthy of Xianshi's status. Coincidentally, there are several sets of brocade bestowed by the emperor in the mansion, made of the finest cloud brocade, cut and sewn by the most experienced embroiderers in the palace, but the styles are not visible on the outside."
The people in the room were instantly surprised. Rongrong raised her eyebrows, first looking at the prince who was earnestly hoping, then at Gu Lingling who had widened her eyes, a faint smile appeared on her usually cold face.
"Lingling is shy, so it's embarrassing to accept. I thank the prince on behalf of Lingling."
"Thank you for your kindness, but these brocades are very valuable, and they are personally bestowed by the emperor. Lingling is just an ordinary subject, I'm afraid she doesn't have the fortune to wear them."
Gu Lingling was somewhat embarrassed. She did not have the vanity to think that the prince was interested in her. Whatever the reason the prince had, she did not want to accept it. But she couldn't refuse directly and embarrass him publicly.
But the prince seemed not to hear the hidden meaning in Gu Lingling's words, inquiring further, "Does Xianshi not like cloud brocade? It's okay, there's also the rosée brocade, and colorful brocade..."
"Thank you for your concern, but the disciples of the Worry-free Pavilion have their own immortal robes, and the prince need not worry."
Lo Yunzhen was sitting in the upper position, and did not get up, saying in a deep voice.
"Oh, by the way, where is my son Dabao? I've missed him today."
Gu Lingling timely changed the subject. The light brown eyes of the prince coldly turned away from Lo Yunzhen, his stiff expression replaced by a faint smile, "Please wait a moment, I'll ask Xiaoqing to bring the little lord over."
Xiaoqing is the name of the maid.
Gu Lingling nodded, she had missed Dabao's plump little face during the day.
Lo Yunzhen looked a bit unnatural, lowering his head, lost in thought. Even when his arm hit a nearby vase, spilling powder on the table, he did not notice.
"Leader? Are you feeling unwell?"
Liaofeixing couldn't help but express concern.
"It's nothing. I want to meditate in my room, please do not disturb me."
Finishing his words, without waiting for everyone to bow and bid farewell, he left hastily.
The prince stared at Lo Yunzhen's graceful figure, squinting his eyes, a barely noticeable cold smile on his lips.
After a short wait, Xiaoqing arrived with Dabao in her arms. However, Xiaoqing seemed to be acting strangely. She appeared nervous and flustered in her gaze. At one point, she even stumbled and almost fell, almost taking Dabao down with her.
Gu Lingling frowned, immediately stepping forward, "Thank you for taking care, but give the child to me."
Even though Dabao was held in her arms, he kept his small hands in front of him, standing straight, a fierce expression on his face, not wanting much physical contact with Xiaoqing.
If it weren't for the fact that he was afraid that the woman had waited too long, he would not have allowed anyone to touch him casually.
Gu Lingling reached out, and Dabao leaned forward obediently, falling into Gu Lingling's arms. He leaned against Gu Lingling's neck, smelling the familiar scent. Dabao felt extremely relaxed, his small eyelids involuntarily closing.