Chapter 33: An Inescapable Fate

  I pushed open a small door and walked forward along the low shrubs, coming to a body of water. On the surface of the water stood a pale figure, her hair hanging straight down onto the water's surface, covering her entire face. Her arms hung straight down, and she just stood there on the water's surface.

  I looked at her, it was very quiet around us, no one disturbed us anymore, I walked forward, step by step, into the water...

  "Snowy?" Xuan Yuan's cry echoed.

  It scared me, and only then did I realize that this wasn't a dream at all. I was actually standing in the pond of the 'flower' garden of the Qi Wang Fu. The female corpse saw Xuan Yuan Mu and was so frightened that she escaped back into the water.

  Xuanyuan rushed over and lifted me out of the water "You..."

  In the living room of the Qi Wang Fu, Xuan Yuan Qi, who was woken up with disheveled hair and clothes, said: "I think that female corpse has taken a liking to Mei Lingxue! Otherwise, Third Brother, you might as well do me a favor and let Lingxue come over to resolve this matter. After all, the female corpse is afraid of you, if she gets out of line, you can just chase her away!"

  "If she dares to be unfavorable to Ling Xue, I'll 'get rid' of her and make sure she never comes back!" Xuan Yuan Mu said fiercely, his eyes even turning yellow.

  I hung my head and didn't dare speak.

  "If I hadn't followed you tonight, who knows what would have happened? This is all your fault for raising a corpse!" Xuan Yuan Mu glared at Xuan Yuan Qi.

  "Alright, it's all my fault. What to do now? You can't follow her for twelve hours a day, can you?" Xuan Yuan Qi said with effort, pointing at me.

  Xuanyuan fell silent, he didn't want me to take risks, but now that the situation has developed like this, the female corpse has already identified me and definitely won't let me go easily. Moreover, she's undergoing a transformation into a more powerful undead creature, her resentment growing deeper by the minute. Once she becomes stronger, it will be even harder to deal with her.

  "Xuanyuan dusk", I walked up to him and said softly: "Let me try, with you by my side, I'm not afraid!"

  Xuanyuan Mu raised his head and looked at me, frowning tightly. After a long time, he sighed and nodded slightly.

  Xuanyuan doesn't have much time, the prince is trying every means to deal with him, he doesn't have much 'energy' to spare taking care of me, so this matter must be resolved as soon as possible.

  Xue Qiufeng also rushed to the Qi Wang Fu, and everyone re-discussed their strategy. It can't be delayed until the first day of next month anymore. This matter must be settled as soon as possible, the longer it takes, the more unfavorable it is for us.

  "Last night, Mu Wangye injured the 'female' corpse. I think she won't dare to be too presumptuous this time. Tonight we'll try again. Xue big sister must pay attention and contact us as soon as there's any movement. This time can't be like last time, you must keep in touch with us at all times."

  I nodded, recalling the icy feeling in the water, and couldn't help but shiver.

  "Don't be afraid, I'm here. My time of death is longer than hers, my resentment is deeper than hers. She's not my opponent." Xuan Yuan Mu stroked my hair gently.

  I nodded again "Yeah, I'm not afraid!"

  Xuanyuan's eyes had a reluctance to part, but what could be done? Even if hiding further away, the female corpse would still be able to connect with me, bringing me to the edge of the pond and making me take her place.

  "I think that if we want to change the mind of 'her' corpse, instead of finding a substitute corpse, we should find the one who killed her. There's another way!" Xue Qiufeng said, stroking his chin.

  Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to continue speaking.

  "Bring the murderer here, let her see his appearance, it will definitely stimulate her resentment, and maybe she can shift her target to take revenge on the murderer instead of finding a scapegoat to replace her."

  "Xuanyuan Qi? Xuanyuan Li? I thought of it, actually from the beginning, Princess Yulan had told us who her murderer was, only that she led my thoughts to Xuanyuan Qi in the Qi Wang Fu, two names with similar pronunciation, so that night by the pond, Princess Yulan's mouth opening and closing wasn't saying Xuanyuan Qi, but Xuanyuan Li, she was telling us that the one who killed her was Xuanyuan Li!"

  "Now what we need to do is find the evidence!" Xuan Yuanqi heard my words, nodded and a hint of anger flashed across his face.

  "Bring the prince here, let's have a confrontation like back then!" Xue Qiufeng stood up and looked in the direction of the pond: "As long as we let the prince see the 'female' corpse, he will definitely 'expose' himself!"

  "Alright, let's use this method." Xuan Yuan Qi excitedly stood up: "In a moment, I'll enter the palace and invite the Crown Prince to come home as a guest tonight. Third Brother, at that time you hide for a bit, and tonight just wait and see the good show. As long as there is evidence, I guarantee that within two days, you can return to the palace and continue being the Crown Prince."

  "I just want Ling Xue to be safe!" Xuanyuan said quietly, turning his face away.

  This time, we just need to make Crown Prince Xuan Yan Li Lan Gongzhu. This matter was a bit difficult to do in the past, but now it's much simpler because of me. If I appear by the pond, that 'female' corpse will also appear.

  At night, Xuan Yuan Qi had already invited the crown prince to his mansion. The king set up a banquet, which was very thoughtful and unique. He even set up the wine table in the Shui Xin Liang Ting. After the singing and dancing, Xuan Yuan Qi raised his cup and was about to toast the crown prince when the red lanterns on all sides suddenly shook and then went out.

  The scene was quiet, and the two maids waiting in the pavilion also went to find fire starters according to previous orders. Then I dressed up as a maid and walked towards the pavilion. I walked very slowly, my eyes darting around, my whole body tense. I wasn't afraid that the prince would recognize me, but rather that the "female" corpse in the water would suddenly attack me.

  The last time she used her hair to drag me into the water, I still remember that feeling of solitary death, fearful and helpless.

  I was still some distance away from the pavilion, and I whispered softly to myself: "Come on, aren't you fond of me? Come out!" My voice was trembling, and my little legs were shaking too.

  "Qí Wáng, the people in your mansion are so slow in doing things. Haven't they found the tinder yet?" The crown prince was somewhat displeased, and a gust of 'yīn' wind blew by, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

  The prince is on his way out. Generally, there are people protecting him in the dark, so we need to act quickly. However, the female corpse seems to be afraid of the prince and doesn't move at all.

  "This king will go take a look!" Xuan Yuan Chi pretended to be very angry, stood up and walked out.

  In the pavilion, only the prince was left. I bumped into Xuan Yuan Qi and he gave me a look, asking me to think on my feet. The female corpse didn't appear, what could I do? Was I supposed to jump into the water to find her?

  Thinking of this, seeing Xuan Yuanqi walking far away, I pretended that my foot slipped, "Ah!" and fell into the water...

  There's only me and the prince left on the scene, I'm a good swimmer so I won't drown for a while. The prince has already rushed over, I held my breath underwater watching him, he shouted loudly for someone to come, anxiously staring into the water...

  Suddenly, I felt a tightness around my waist, as if someone had hugged me. I turned my head to look and was shocked to see that it was the female corpse. Her hair covered her face, but through the strands of hair, she was staring at me with an icy gaze.

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