Chapter 22: The Vanished Corpse

Su Xin could somewhat understand Hua Rong; she was timid to the point of wishing for universal peace—how could she possibly joke about something like this? The more she thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed, and fear crept deeper within her.

Just then, another gust of chilly wind swept past her, eerily reminiscent of before, gliding behind Su Xin. Hua Rong happened to catch sight of it.

"Behind you!" Hua Rong pointed with her slender finger, repeatedly urging Su Xin.

Su Xin turned her head, and out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed a black shadow dart past, sending her into instant panic.

"My lady, I said this place is thick with sinister energy, akin to the depths of hell—could it really be haunted?"

Su Xin was so frightened she felt tears prick her eyes, yet she dared not move, afraid she might anger whatever spectral force lingered there and doom herself on the spot.

The two women stood trembling, the atmosphere suddenly heavy with dread.

The black shadow appeared once more, looking like a corpse risen from the earth, drenched in blood and clad in tattered robes, dark and grim. Its features were unclear, but its movement was swift—it rushed at Su Xin and knocked her unconscious.

The shock was so abrupt that Hua Rong was at a loss, her legs shaking uncontrollably, caught between advancing and retreating.

"This can't be happening. I died once already—if you're really some wandering spirit, we're practically old neighbors. Please, show some mercy and let us go..." Hua Rong pressed her palms together, pleading desperately.

Having survived once, to be killed by a ghost now would be shameful beyond measure.

But her words fell on deaf ears; the figure drew closer, raising its arm high, intent on ending Hua Rong.

Facing imminent danger, Hua Rong squeezed her eyes shut, her mind going blank, and collapsed.

"No, don't come any closer! I bear you no grievance, seek your vengeance elsewhere..."

Nightmares whirled endlessly in her mind. Pale and terrified, Hua Rong jolted awake, sitting up abruptly.

Drenched in cold sweat, her nerves remained tense.

Suddenly, a puzzled voice sounded nearby. "A nightmare?"

"Your Majesty, why are you here? Did you also..." Hua Rong could only recall that someone had stabbed her with a knife, after which she collapsed.

And then... it became now.

Realization dawned, leaving Hua Rong anxious and uneasy. She blurted out, "Your Majesty, how did you die?"

Her words left everyone present—physicians and the concubines feigning concern while angling for favor—utterly speechless.

Most exasperated was Jun Yeli, who, very much alive, was now being asked such a question. Was she cursing him, or merely unaware of her words?

But Consort Wen suddenly snapped, "Such audacity, speaking so disrespectfully to His Majesty! Did you wander through the mass grave and become possessed by spirits?"

Hua Rong was bewildered. "How do you know I went to the mass grave? What's going on? Where is Su Xin?"

Mentioning Su Xin, she wondered about her condition. As a loyal mistress and servant, they ought to stick together even in death—for safety’s sake!

Jun Yeli’s obsidian eyes fixed quietly on the terrified Hua Rong, and suddenly he smiled. "Rest assured, Su Xin is unharmed, and you are not dead."

This news struck like a bolt from the blue, almost too much for Hua Rong to process. "Not dead? But that knife clearly—"

"It didn't strike, because I arrived in time and frightened the assailant away. Whether he’s been caught, I do not know."

Seeing the earnestness in his face, Hua Rong no longer doubted him.

Still, she eyed Jun Yeli with some confusion. "Why did Your Majesty go to that place?"

The mass grave was no place for an emperor.

"I went to save you," Jun Yeli replied simply.

It turned out the two maids of Xuanji Palace had noticed Su Xin and Hua Rong missing from their chambers at midnight and, fearing foul play, reported the matter.

Luckily, the two were fortunate enough to await rescue and escape disaster.

"So that's how it is! I must thank those clever little palace maids—they truly deserve praise!" Hua Rong sighed in relief, patting her chest lightly.

Yet, hearing this, the emperor felt something was amiss and frowned. "Are you not concerned about your own condition? Why thank the palace maids instead?"

"Well... it's thanks to their timely report..." She preferred to let the women attribute her gratitude for the emperor's rescue to their own efforts, so they'd believe it was for currying favor—a strategic move.

Speaking such words against her conscience would make the other women think her foolish, and at least not see her as a rival.

Jun Yeli was rendered speechless, muttering, "I must be blind—why did I bother rescuing you? Should've let him stab you a few more times!"

Though harsh, that fellow likely wouldn’t get another chance.

"The one at the mass grave—was it a man or a ghost? There was something strangely familiar..." Hua Rong mused. Black robes, blood-soaked body, appearing just then.

Most puzzling was that they found no corpse of the would-be assassin where it should have been in the mass grave. That was truly odd!

"Could it be that he's not dead at all, and the one who tried to kill me was actually him?"

Lost in thought, Hua Rong became aware of the others’ eyes fixed upon her, feeling embarrassed.

She forced a smile. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"We’re simply curious—what were you doing at the mass grave in the middle of the night?" As imperial concubines, most were unaccustomed to even the most trivial hardships, let alone venturing into such a haunted place. It was baffling.

At the same time, the emperor regarded Hua Rong with the same questioning gaze, awaiting her answer.

Hua Rong was momentarily speechless. "How am I supposed to tell them I went there to investigate a case..."