Chapter 1660 - 1503: Yin Yang Inn 59
Chapter 1660: Chapter 1503: Yin Yang Inn 59
The strongest protector beside the Third Prince was Xing Yanfei. With Xing Yanfei around, they couldn’t kill the Third Prince. But if Xing Yanfei was gone, wouldn’t the Third Prince be nothing but a piece of meat on a chopping board?
Xing Yanfei happened to encounter an assassination before his death. This assassination seemed to be targeting the Third Prince, but in fact, the real target was Xing Yanfei.
By the time Xing Yanfei realized something was wrong, it was already too late. He had separated from the Third Prince, trapped in a pit that had been dug in advance just for him.
It was there that Xing Yanfei starved to death, turning into a ghost of hunger.
Even though Xing Yanfei was dead, he still worried about the Third Prince. He feared that without his protection, the Third Prince would be harmed. Thus, he couldn’t pursue reincarnation with ease.
Because of this obsession, Xing Yanfei found his way to the Yin Yang Inn after death. He wanted to save his master, hoping the Third Prince wouldn’t be killed amid the Royal Family’s internal strife.
Shuangshuang and Li Yu exchanged glances with expressions difficult to describe. Overall, just distressed. The Royal Family is protected by the aura of the true dragon, not only keeping evil spirits away but it’s also best for people like them not to go near.
The Royal Family’s karma is tremendously complex. One careless move leads to big troubles. Though with the abilities of Shuangshuang and Li Yu, these troubles are merely inconveniences.
Yet despite this, the hassle of cleaning up such karma-related troubles can be annoying enough to cause hair loss, which is why both Shuangshuang and Li Yu tend to avoid tasks involving royals.
But like it or not, Xing Yanfei is now at the Yin Yang Inn, falling under its jurisdiction, forcing Shuangshuang to get involved.
......
Before dawn, twenty-some candles made of white wax were lit, brightening the room entirely. These candles were made from the wax secreted by the White Wax Tree, burning smokelessly and scentlessly, used as offerings.
Besides the Emperor, only favored Concubines and palace maids could use them. As the Emperor’s most beloved son, the Third Prince could naturally use white wax candles as he pleased.
The shadows of palace maids and eunuchs began to shuffle back and forth outside the room. Although there were many people, their steps were quiet, not a sound was heard, leaving the entire palace very silent.
Such silence was naturally to avoid waking the sleeping Third Prince. However, the Third Prince, so carefully attended to, had long been awake.
He lay in bed, eyes open, yet showed no sign of wanting to rise. His gaze blankly fixed upon the ceiling of the bed canopy, unmoving, lost in thoughts unknown.
Soon, someone pushed the door open and entered. The Third Prince knew immediately that it must be his close-serving eunuch, Tian Jin, responsible for his care since childhood, always dedicated and loyal to him.
Upon entering, Tian Jin approached the bedside, bending over with respectful tone: "Master, it’s time to get up. The Emperor awaits your morning greeting."
The Third Prince blinked his dry eyes, despondent upon hearing this voice. Rising, he quickly flung the bed curtain open. Outside, Tian Jin stood neatly ready to assist him in getting up.
Seeing Tian Jin’s familiar expression, the Third Prince couldn’t help but take a deep breath, closed his eyes briefly, then finally spoke to Tian Jin: "Tell my father I’m sick and can’t pay my respects."
Tian Jin lifted his head in puzzlement, looking at the Third Prince. Master was fine yesterday; how sick today? Yet upon looking up, he was startled by the Prince’s bloodless pale face.
The Third Prince looked indeed like someone who had suddenly fallen gravely ill, frightening Tian Jin.
"Master, what’s wrong with you? Why does your complexion look so bad? I’ll get someone to call the Imperial Physician immediately. If you’re sick, that’s a serious issue!"
The Third Prince’s face was indeed terrible, but he firmly shook his head: "No need. Just go directly to see my father and say I’m ill, unable to pay respects."
Tian Jin grew anxious: "Master, mayhaps I should summon the Imperial Physician before seeing the Emperor? You’re this sick, not tending to it with a physician, how could I be at ease?"
Again, the same words. The Third Prince frowned, feeling inexplicable irritation, somewhat agitatedly said: "I said no! Just go!"
Tian Jin was startled by the Third Prince’s sudden temper, his face stiffened. The Third Prince was gentle, never lost temper at servants, nor liked punishing them.
Tian Jin, being the Prince’s confidant, had never been scolded by him. Though frightened by the Prince’s sudden mood, his worry grew even more.
The Third Prince’s state was peculiar, yet Tian Jin dared not speak more. Fortunately, the Prince soon reassured him with: "Just report to my father directly, say I’m ill. Naturally, my father will send for a physician."
Convinced by the Prince’s words, Tian Jin anxiously departed. After Tian Jin had left, the Third Prince hugged his legs, curling up on the bed, his gaze turning blank again.
The reason why the Third Prince was like this is because he had experienced countless times the scene just now, or rather, he had relived the same day’s events countless times.
Every time upon waking, he faced the same people, the same dialogues, the same occurrences. Initially, the Third Prince dared not do anything, nor dare to change anything.
Later, the Third Prince started to attempt changes, yet no matter what he did, by the next day everything would revert, repeating the same experience.
The Prince moved from initial calm to breakdown, finally settling into tranquility. Each morning, he would have Tian Jin report his illness to his father.
Then routinely welcome the Imperial Physician, handle his father’s visit, ultimately lying in bed all day, empty-mindedly awaiting the repetition of the next day.
......
Under the cover of night, Shuangshuang and Li Yu scaled the walls of the Imperial Palace. Of course, with the Invisibility Spell, so it wasn’t exactly scaling but rather boldly walking atop the palace’s roof.
"I say, what’s the point of this, sneaking in here like thieves? The Third Prince is dead, Shopkeeper, just cast a Summoning Spell to call his spirit over, why insist we personally come here?"
Li Yu spoke while rubbing his shoulder. Before arriving, they encountered an unknown fierce beast. When Li Yu dealt with the murderer, his shoulder was bumped, causing numbness in it still.
"When are you going to change your way of handling things, don’t be so simple and crude. The Third Prince is already dead. Normally, his soul should leave the Imperial Palace immediately.
The palace, enveloped in purple aura, does not tolerate ghosts or evil spirits. Even though the Third Prince was a Prince while alive, post-death he would not be allowed to stay. However, his soul hasn’t left; there’s certainly something unusual."
Shuangshuang spoke while raising his hand to pat Li Yu’s shoulder, instantly relieving the numbness, clearing the congested meridians completely.