Just as Princess Chiming had predicted, Han Yan organized the evidence he had painstakingly gathered and submitted it to the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, only for it to vanish like a stone sinking into the sea, with no word ever heard again. He waited patiently for several days. When he tentatively asked his superior about the matter, the man said he had accidentally knocked over a candle while reviewing case files at night, and both the files and the evidence had been burned. He added that the food might have been a local specialty bought from the East Market, and that this alone was not enough to determine the assassin's origin. He told Han Yan not to get fixated on trivial details and to focus on witness testimonies to find more substantial clues.

Although he was mentally prepared, hearing these words still felt like having a basin of cold water poured over his head in broad daylight. The May sky was bright and clear, and the sunlight was already starting to feel scorching, but as Han Yan stood under the eaves of the Court of Judicial Review, he only felt a chill creeping up his back.

After work in the evening, Han Yan did not go home immediately. Instead, he turned his horse around and rode in another direction, toward the East Market.

In a private room on the second floor of an eatery called "Yuanshan Residence," a gentleman of otherworldly beauty in a green shirt and white robe was already waiting by the table. Upon seeing him, he smiled and said, "Brother Chang Gong, what troubles you so?"

Han Yan clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, unable to stand Pei Rusong's radiant, triumphant appearance. The sleeve of his robe nearly knocked over a screen as he threw himself into the seat opposite him, simmering with rage. "Stop playing dumb. Why do you think? It's because you're useless. You getting married was like murdering someone's father, stirring up a whole heap of trouble you can't clean up."

Pei Rusong was speechless.

He quickly rolled up his sleeves and poured wine for Han Yan, showing how much he cherished their friendship. "Vice Minister Han, calm down. I know your investigation has been tough, caught between several powerful figures. I, too, feel deeply remorseful. That's why I rushed over as soon as I got off work to chat with you and ease your worries. Stop looking so glum."

Han Yan took the wine, drained it in one gulp, and snorted coldly. "The Central Secretariat lets out at the same time as the Court of Judicial Review. You arrived before me and even had time to change. It's clear that 'rushing over as soon as I got off work' is utter nonsense. You were probably on duty with—"

Pei Rusong quickly refilled his cup and stopped him in a low voice, "Divine Adjudicator Han, choose your words carefully. Any more and you'll be breaking a taboo."

Pei Rusong had recently been appointed as an Attendant Official, responsible for recording the Emperor's words and actions. It was a position close to the Son of Heaven, thus requiring extreme caution. The slightest misstep could lead to accusations of "leaking words from within the forbidden palace."

However, although he hadn't mentioned a word about attending to the Emperor, Han Yan could deduce most of it with a single glance. This man was sharp and decisive, his mind as fine as a strand of hair. He had never been caught doing anything wrong since childhood. Fortunately, his family had raised him well, preventing him from growing into a poisonous weed. His subsequent entry into the Court of Judicial Review, where he specialized in criminal cases, had further honed his already keen judgment. Pei Rusong wasn't afraid of being figured out, but he was afraid of being figured out correctly. He quickly changed the subject, "Today isn't the first or the fifteenth, so it's not a rest day. It would be improper to drink in official robes. Besides, strictly speaking, you and I shouldn't even be meeting right now, so I changed into casual clothes beforehand."

Han Yan held the small, exquisite celadon wine cup and sighed slowly. "You are thoughtful. It's right to be cautious, but... alas."

Pei Rusong said, "Looking at your face, the evidence really came to nothing and wasn't accepted by your superiors?"

Han Yan nodded without going into detail, his expression listless. "Back then, I thought I was a genius bestowed by heaven, able to solve cases no one else could, so I insisted on joining the Court of Judicial Review when choosing my post. My whole family disagreed, except for my mother. But she also warned me that the official world was different from other places. If I insisted on finding the answer to every puzzle, rather than just enjoying the process of solving it, I might end up deeply disappointed, and even walk myself into a predicament."

"Unraveling a mystery is fascinating, but some mysteries can only be buried, their secrets never to see the light of day." He gave a self-deprecating, bitter smile. "In the past, when people praised me as a divine adjudicator, I would feel smug, thinking I was superior, able to look down on those mortals who knew nothing. But for a moment today, I realized I'm like a fool. Everyone else knows what's hidden in the box, and I'm the only one still jumping around looking for the key."

Pei Rusong raised his cup and lightly tapped it against Han Yan's. "Whether this case can be solved has nothing to do with your ability. Don't push yourself too hard. We, the victims, won't blame you."

Han Yan was speechless.

He gave Pei Rusong a faint, sidelong glance, then tilted his head back and drained the cup. He slumped against the wall and sighed wistfully, "I just can't accept it."

Seeing Pei Rusong picking at the food with a blank expression, he couldn't resist kicking him lightly and asking, "Aren't you frustrated at all? Your grand wedding was ruined. Your old man must be losing sleep over it, right?"

Pei Rusong looked down at him with an expression of pity, and in a tone that made one want to smack him across the face with a court tablet, he replied coolly, "Because the Princess said that what happened was not my fault. She said she would persuade His Majesty not to transfer his anger to the Pei Clan."

Han Yan was speechless.

He was as sour as a pickle jar buried underground for ten years. He slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Fine, it's great to have a backer!"

"Indeed, it's nice and cool in the shade of a big tree." Pei Rusong took a paper-sealed letter from his sleeve and waved it between two fingers in front of Han Yan. "Her Highness asked me to pass on a message to you, Brother Han. Although the truth has not yet come to light, your efforts were not in vain. Vice Minister Han, in your position, every case you solve is one more group of people saved. Do not let a temporary setback hold you back. There is still much time, and the day will come when the clouds part to reveal the sun."

Han Yan never expected to hear such words from him. He was shaken, a mixture of feelings churning within him. He dazedly took the letter, scanned it quickly, and said in astonishment, "This is..."

Pei Rusong smiled. "An Investigating Censor has impeached the Military Governor of Tangshan for favoritism and sheltering criminals, appointing a fugitive as a captain, and allowing lawlessness to run rampant under his jurisdiction. The memorial has just been submitted. When the case is transferred to your Court of Judicial Review, remember to ask a few more questions."

Han Yan carefully tucked the folded paper into his robes, took a large gulp of wine, and remained silent for a long while before asking, "Whose ship have I boarded?"

"It's hard to say. It depends on whether Her Highness has such intentions," Pei Rusong said softly. "She might just hope that the ship we are all currently on doesn't sink. Brother Han, rest assured. Her Highness may appreciate you, but she will not put you in a difficult position."

Han Yan scoffed, "Easy for you to say. If she really forces me to take up a knife and kill someone, should I do it or not?"

Pei Rusong replied calmly, "If that day ever comes, you can come and kill me first."

Han Yan nearly spat out a mouthful of wine and coughed his lungs out. After a long time, he said weakly, "I used to think the Princess was utterly infatuated with you, but now it seems you've drunk quite a bit of her bewitching potion yourself. You've only been married a few days, how have you become so ready to sacrifice your life?"

Pei Rusong raised his cup to him from afar, giving him a look of pity and profoundness.

Han Yan said, "If you look at me like that again, I guarantee you'll be ambushed with a sack over your head and beaten within three days."

The two chatted about everything under the sun until the lamps were lit. Han Yan was still not satisfied and wanted another pot, but Pei Rusong waved his hand to stop him. "It's late. We have to be up early for court tomorrow. We should head back."

Han Yan said, surprised, "You're not even drunk. Are you afraid you won't be able to get up tomorrow?"

Pei Rusong had drunk almost a whole pot of wine, but his eyes were still clear. He shot a cool glance at him and said sternly, "I am not like you, a bachelor with no family to go home to. If I return too late, I will keep Her Highness waiting. Do you understand? If you understand, then shut your mouth and go downstairs. I'll settle the bill."

Han Yan was speechless.

A few days prior, Wen Chan and the Prince Consort had moved their entire household into the prepared Princess Manor. This residence was close to the Imperial City and built according to the standards of a prince's manor, making it exceedingly grand, vast, and secluded. Pei Rusong dismounted in front of the manor gate, casually handed the reins to a groom, and entered the main hall of the inner courtyard first. Cheng Xuan and the others all bowed to him. Pei Rusong gave a slight nod and asked, "Is Her Highness busy?"

Although he was favored by the Princess, he was not arrogant because of it. He was proper in his conduct and willing to observe etiquette, so the Princess's old retainers had a decent impression of him. Xianyun said gently, "Her Highness has given instructions that the Prince Consort may enter directly upon his return, without being announced."

The corners of Pei Rusong's lips curled up uncontrollably. He walked briskly into the hall. Wen Chan was sitting on a long couch reading. Hearing his movements, she looked up and put down her book. "You look fine. Not drunk?"

Pei Rusong sat down opposite her. The wind from riding his horse had kept the alcohol from going to his head, but now he felt a belated wave of intoxication. The corners of his eyes were tinged pink like peach blossoms, brimming with the ripples of spring water. "A little."

He stared at Wen Chan with bright eyes and added, "Just a little."

Wen Chan smiled at that, reaching out to touch his cheek with the back of her hand. "Is that so? I feel like you're already dazed."

Her hand was gently pressed down by Pei Rusong, as if he wanted to borrow the coolness of her skin to soothe his heat. His actions were incredibly clingy, yet he still said with great propriety, "I smell strongly of wine. I will bathe and stay in Agarwood Courtyard later, so as not to disturb Her Highness. Your Highness should rest early and have a good night's sleep."

"Alright, go on," Wen Chan said indulgently. "I'll have someone send you a bowl of sobriety soup in a bit. Remember to drink it."

Pei Rusong held her hand, unwilling to let go, perhaps wanting to be spoiled a little longer. "Sobriety soup is sour and bitter. I don't like the taste. Can I not drink it?"

Wen Chan turned her head and called out, "Qingshuang, bring the sobriety soup over. The Prince Consort wants to drink it here!"

Pei Rusong was speechless.

Thanks to the Princess's favor, the sobriety soup the kitchen ultimately presented was savory, with a hint of tartness and spice. With Wen Chan's encouragement, Pei Rusong whimpered his way through it. He then clung to her, chattering about trivial things for a while longer before reluctantly leaving for the other courtyard to wash up and rest.

Agarwood Courtyard was the courtyard he had lived in during his previous life. When they were first married, Wen Chan and he did not sleep together every night. Both had official duties to attend to, and sometimes an extra person felt like a disturbance. Living separately was more comfortable for both of them. But this time, when they moved, Wen Chan had tacitly allowed him to place his personal belongings in her bedchamber and had shown a high degree of tolerance for him staying over every night. Thus, Agarwood Courtyard, like the Prince Consort's Manor, had finally become a temporary place for him to rest and transition.

After the lights were extinguished, Pei Rusong lay on the bed. Perhaps it was the influence of the wine, or perhaps the suddenness of sleeping alone, but in this familiar yet strange room, his senses felt as if they had been yanked back to his past life.

After the palace coup ended, he had returned here several times, questioning everyone he could find about why. But he never dared to step into the Princess's bedchamber, only able to pace sleeplessly in Agarwood Courtyard night after night like a caged beast. The furnishings in the room were just as they were when he left home, only now covered in a thin layer of dust.

Later on, the old retainers left or were scattered. There was no one left for him to ask. The Princess Manor became a desolate, empty city.

Finally, one day, even he was blocked at the gate by the Imperial Guard. The commanding general said, "This is His Majesty's decree. Please understand, Lord Pei, and do not make things difficult for your subordinate."

It was as if all the strength had been drained from his body. Pei Rusong's mind went blank, his reason walled off, only able to repeatedly ask himself in his heart, 'Why doesn't she want me anymore?'

Rain began to fall from the sky. The ground was covered in scorched black embers and mottled yellow leaves, like fragmented poems on old, yellowed paper. His vision was blurred by the rain. Pei Rusong looked up. The gray sky was reflected in his eyes like a dull bronze mirror that cast no shadow. He could no longer see the raging fire that had reddened half the sky, and he would never have the chance to grab the hand of the person who walked into that karmic fire.

'It's Ciyun Temple.'

He looked around at the ruined walls and broken ramparts, thinking in a daze, 'So I've walked to Ciyun Temple.'

Then, as if he had repeated it a thousand times, he skillfully followed a non-existent path, stumbling over collapsed wood, stone, and tiles, and staggered toward where the Buddha hall once stood.

A giant Buddha statue lay askew in the ruins. Its supporting base had been destroyed, and half of its golden body was scorched black by the fire. The other half was soaked by the rain, glinting with a dim, coppery yellow. Pei Rusong stopped in front of it and subconsciously lowered his head to search.

There seemed to be an unfillable void in his heart, through which the wind and rain passed, leaving only echoes. He knew full well that what he was doing was futile, but he didn't know why he was still struggling in his death throes.

Suddenly, his gaze froze, fixed on a certain point in the air.

It was a corner beneath the collapsed Buddha statue, piled with broken tiles and withered leaves. Amidst the chaotic, dull colors, a hint of an out-of-place grayish-white could be faintly seen.

Pei Rusong knelt in the mud and frantically swept away the fallen leaves. Scalding tears streamed down his cheeks. As he dug, the secret hidden beneath the leaves was finally revealed—

He met the empty eye sockets of a white skeleton.

"Your Highness!!!"

Pei Rusong awoke with a start, bolting upright in bed. Vivid images seemed to linger before his eyes. His heart pounded wildly, blood roaring in his ears, making his temples throb with pain.

The room was filled with the light scent of bergamot, mixed with the unique dampness that precedes rain. The bed curtains were dark, and the sky outside was still black. He raised a hand to wipe his face and found it covered in tears.