Volume One, Chapter 11: The Prince Has Yet to Dress

Her brother... Song Xinyi.

Ye Fusang nearly overlooked such an important figure upon hearing this. Song Xinyi knew about her being a woman and would need to find an opportunity to resolve any lingering concerns.

Just when they discovered Ji Yan’s existence, another Song Xinyi appeared — truly...

If he dies, everything ends.

“What nonsense are you talking about? I’m actually—” Ye Fusang hadn’t finished speaking when Ye Wanqing quickly covered her mouth, smiling at Song Dailan: “Dailan, don’t speak recklessly. My little brother just wrote a love letter to Miss Ye yesterday.”

Ye Fusang didn’t struggle; she had no intention of revealing her identity anyway.

Ye Wanqing not only managed to obtain the elusive “Floating Thirteen Spices” from the ghost market but also possessed inner strength. Noble ladies certainly kept their secrets well.

“Miss Ye... Sister Qing, do you mean Ye Nitian?” Song Dailan and her group recalled the dissolute woman they found in the side room and sneered: “They are quite the match! Ye Fusang, when will you marry?”

Ye Fusang sighed, “Miss Ye demands a dowry of a hundred thousand taels. I’m penniless. I’ll discuss marriage when my eldest sister gathers the dowry for me.”

“I don’t think this is right. Why would he run off halfway without even consummating? And with someone dead in the backyard, could it be that someone silenced him?”

Ye Fusang’s long brows knitted slightly, yet she maintained a flippant tone. It was obvious who had silenced him; otherwise... it would be a case of using a borrowed knife to kill.

Ye Wanqing frowned slightly, worry flickering in her eyes. “Brother, you wouldn’t do something foolish, right? I was terribly worried when I saw your jade pendant at the scene.”

“So that jade pendant belongs to Ye Fusang? Wanqing, stop covering for your shameless murderous brother! I think he killed someone because he was afraid of being caught cheating!”

“At that time, it was only him and his maid there!”

Ye Fusang clapped her hands, smoothing her clothes, then stretched out her hand: “I don’t have money to buy a jade pendant. Could it be that eldest sister gave me one out of thin air? Eldest sister, show me my jade pendant?”

Ye Wanqing stared at Ye Fusang and produced a blue-and-white warm jade pendant. “This was a birthday gift I gave you. Have you forgotten?”

“Beautiful.” Ye Fusang’s gaze darkened as she took the pendant from Ye Wanqing’s hand, fondly caressing it. “Perhaps Father had it sent. Eldest sister liked it, so she kept it herself? Sigh. Where the jade pendant fell is a thousand words in vain. If it’s said to be mine, that’s fine.”

“Enough. Women always cherish their reputations. If eldest sister says so, then so be it.” Ye Fusang waved off the matter indifferently, the grey robe billowing with a natural elegance.

The situation only grew murkier. Ye Wanqing frowned slightly, about to speak when another person interjected: “You can lie about the jade pendant, but what about those clothes?”

Ye Fusang chuckled, “These clothes were a gift from the prince I saved from drowning. Don’t believe me? Go see for yourselves; he’s right behind there. The prince fainted and hasn’t yet dressed.”

At this, the women blushed instantly. This androgynous beauty was the coveted bride of the powerful Lan Yue. “Not... not dressed... We can’t offend the prince.”

Ye Fusang raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you just bring him some clothes then?”

“That... that’s improper... Men and women shouldn’t have such contact.”

“Don’t blame the crowd. If we all go together, it’s fine.” Seeing Ning Zhen break through the crowd, Ye Fusang pulled her close, resting against her shoulder with a lazy smile. “The prince needs care and attention now. The closer you are, the more you gain.”

“But someone just died. Mobilizing so many people...”

Ye Fusang shook her head. “That’s a mistake. Ladies, it’s natural to be timid. Let eldest sister take me to see where the guards died.”

Hearing this, the others gave Ye Fusang a knowing look and moved en masse toward Ji Yan’s direction.

“What’s brother planning?” Ye Wanqing looked coldly at Ye Fusang.

“Just a reminder to eldest sister.” Ye Fusang picked up a pebble and lazily tossed it into the lotus pond with a splash. “Being too clever often invites being used as a pawn.”

Ye Wanqing glanced at Ye Fusang and said coldly, “Do you think you can hide your affair with Miss Ye from the princess?”

Ye Fusang raised an eyebrow, impressed by her certainty. The “Floating Thirteen Spices” was indeed Ye Wanqing’s doing.

“Then eldest sister need not worry. The princess is wise and knows who’s behind this rebellion.” With that, Ye Fusang grabbed Ning Zhen and headed toward the backyard.

Back at the lotus pond, a crowd had gathered. A sword-bearing guard swiftly pressed the blade to Ye Fusang’s neck. “Were you here just now?”

“Hey... brother, let’s talk this through.” Ye Fusang’s slender fingers flicked the blade aside but did not move it.

“Enough nonsense. Seize him!” The guard scowled, eager to close the case. “Hand him over to the Ministry of Justice!”

“Wait! I’m...” Ye Fusang’s words were cut off as Ye Wanqing covered her mouth again. Pretending to shake her head, Ye Fusang quickly said as the guard released her, “They’re from the Regent Prince’s men!”

Silence fell, followed by whispers.

“I might have a way to catch the real culprit.” Seeing the guard slightly ease his sword, Ye Fusang flicked the blade and grinned, “Haste makes waste. You can arrest me today, but what if the prince kills you by mistake tomorrow? What do you say, brother?”

The guard eyed Ye Fusang’s clothes, skeptical. “You really think you can catch the culprit?”

“Exactly. Give me a day.” Ye Fusang asked, “Why are you so sure this was a ghost murder?”

“They were supposed to be at Wenyue Manor but appeared here out of nowhere, their bodies scorched red, rolling in thorns until they died. No sane person would have such madness! It’s obviously not suicide!” the guard explained.

“Then why arrest me?” Ye Fusang sneered.

“You... you! There are no ghosts in this world. I think you killed them and are pretending otherwise!” The guard realized he’d been tricked and grew angry.

If this were recorded, Ye Fusang would surely show her brother how quickly she could change faces.

“Hey, calm down. I never said I’d stop investigating.” Ye Fusang hurriedly added, “Brother, is the Flower Folding Banquet still going on?”

Though Ye Fusang agreed, the captain remained irritable. “Miss ordered no panic. The banquet proceeds as usual.”

Once they left, Ning Zhen tilted her head beside Ye Fusang. “They’re really gullible.”

“You’re the big fool,” Ye Fusang lightly tapped Ning Zhen’s head, chuckling. “Since when did your master lack the strength to bluff?”

“Whether you have strength or not, the bluff is impressive.” Ye Wansu approached, linking arms with Ye Wanqing, lips curled in a mocking smile.

Ye Fusang looked thoughtfully at Ye Wansu. “Aren’t eldest and second sisters always together? Where did second sister run off to just now?”

Ye Wansu concealed her sleeve and chuckled softly. “What, are you so busy you have to control me now?”

“Not at all.” Ye Fusang didn’t bother with them further. She looked at the line of bodies covered in white cloth and crouched to lift a corner.

The bodies were swollen all over, rotten, and tangled in thorny vines. They were wrapped in wood ash, emitting a sour stench.

“When did brother become a coroner?” Ye Wansu, holding her nose, watched Ye Fusang examine the mouth and nose with a wooden stick, clearly displeased. “Sigh... a day has passed. We can’t delay brother any longer. Eldest sister, the Flower Folding Banquet is about to start. Let’s go.”

Ye Wanqing nodded and cast a glance. One body beneath the cloth had hands and feet reduced to bones, the decayed flesh covered in mud. In just half a day, the decay was this severe. She frowned slightly and said calmly, “No rush. Let’s pay a visit to Miss Ye first.”

Ye Wansu linked arms with Ye Wanqing as they departed. She smiled faintly. “Ghost murders aren’t easy to trace. If he can’t find evidence within a day, then he must be the killer.”