At this moment, in the capital.

Madam Chen learned that Jiang Yuancheng and Wang Hanqi had taken Yuanxi out and immediately sent someone to inform Jiang Fengyuan.

Jiang Fengyuan investigated all the way and finally discovered that they had bought horses and left the city.

However, their exact destination was unknown, as Yuanxi had not brought any hidden guards with her this time.

Jiang Fengyuan wasted no time and rushed straight to the Grand Duke’s residence.

Upon questioning, the Grand Duke learned that his son had also left without attendants and had avoided everyone’s sight within the residence.

Even Fugen, who always followed Wang Hanqi, had been shaken off.

Fugen suddenly remembered something.

“Master, a few days ago, the young master somehow heard about a certain manor outside the city. He wanted to go there for excitement, but I don’t know if he actually went.” The young master had been secretive about it ever since the last time Fugen tattled on him.

Jiang Fengyuan and the Grand Duke gasped in shock.

Could it be… the Mu Prince’s Manor outside the city?!

The Grand Duke couldn’t sit still.

“Quick, quick! Send for the Imperial Astronomer and the Imperial Physician! We need to get there immediately!”

When the emperor in the palace got word, he was so furious that he nearly flipped the table.

“These little troublemakers! Didn’t they learn their lesson last time? If anything happens to Yuanxi this time, I—” The emperor almost cursed but caught himself. “I will spank them until their butts break!”

“Caosheng! Go summon the Chief and Deputy Imperial Astronomers—no, forget it,” the emperor waved his hand. “Summon the entire Imperial Astronomy Bureau!”

The emperor still seemed uneasy.

“I’m going too!”

Wang Hanqi had no idea that his little adventure nearly threw the entire imperial court into turmoil.

…

Seeing his younger sister eager to explore, Jiang Yuancheng felt even more uneasy.

[There’s something inside! I saw it!]

Jiang Yuancheng looked toward the dilapidated courtyard.

The sky was clear and blue, the sun shining brightly.

What could possibly be there?

As Wang Hanqi and Jiang Yuancheng hesitated over whether to enter, Zheng Yu had already pushed open the door.

“What are you waiting for? Come in!” Zheng Yu waved.

He truly couldn’t understand why the dignified heir of a noble house was so hesitant about entering a small, rundown courtyard.

Jiang Yuancheng nudged Wang Hanqi. “Has he always been this bold?”

Wang Hanqi shook his head.

The courtyard was old and desolate, abandoned for years, with dry weeds growing everywhere.

As soon as they stepped inside, a chill ran through them.

Wang Hanqi laughed, “I must say, this place is quite cool.”

Yuanxi followed behind them.

[Of course, you have a hanged ghost perched on your head.]

Jiang Yuancheng was the only one who felt utterly wronged.

He swallowed hard, looked up, and unconsciously grabbed his sister’s hand.

“Yuanxi, your brother will protect you.” He forced a smile.

Yuanxi smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Brother.”

[There’s also a little ghost clinging to Fourth Brother’s arm. Should I help him pull it off?]

Jiang Yuancheng’s hands trembled as he turned to face the little ghost, who made a funny face at him. Unfortunately, Jiang Yuancheng couldn’t see a thing.

[Forget it. It’s summer anyway. Let Fourth Brother enjoy the coolness.]

Jiang Yuancheng: …

Sister, am I even your real brother?

That’s a ghost! A ghost!

The deeper they ventured, the colder it became.

Zheng Yu, who was following behind, shivered.

“Maybe… we should head back?”

Wang Hanqi turned to him. “Weren’t you the one who opened the door first? Now that we’re in, we should at least take a good look around.”

Zheng Yu glanced nervously around. “I just have a bad feeling about this.”

It was as if countless invisible eyes were staring at them.

Moreover, despite the scorching sun outside, there wasn’t a single breeze in the courtyard, and it was unnaturally cold.

Their teacher had said that ghosts and spirits didn’t exist, but something just didn’t feel right.

Especially those two siblings up front.

Wang Hanqi mused, “I heard this place used to be a prince’s residence. The prince had some… peculiar tastes. He kept many young boys here, and countless of them were tortured to death.”

Jiang Yuancheng’s face darkened. “Then why are we even here?”

“This estate is currently ownerless. It was passed through the hands of six merchants, but guess what?”

Everyone leaned in.

“The first owner’s entire family went mad after just a few days of living here. The second was a prince who mysteriously died after half a month. The third planned to demolish the place and rebuild, but the workers all died of poisoning right after breaking ground. And it only got worse from there.”

“This estate is now held by the royal family, but no one dares to take it.”

The massive courtyard, with its mountains, waters, and pavilions, still held traces of its former glory.

Yuanxi’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Zheng Yu was puzzled. “How did His Highness even know about this place?”

“A few days ago, I overheard Sima Yi talking about it. I originally planned to bring the Crown Prince here, but you guys got lucky instead.”

Jiang Yuancheng: Thanks… I guess?

Yuanxi suddenly stopped and grinned mischievously. “Do you want something even more exciting?”

A stick of incense later, each of them had a yellow talisman stuck to their foreheads.

Yuanxi clapped her hands. “Alright! Open your eyes!”

Wang Hanqi opened his eyes first—and found himself face to face with a ghost child.

“AHHHH!” His scream echoed throughout the courtyard.

“AHHHH!”

Another scream followed.

Only Jiang Yuancheng clenched his fists, refusing to open his eyes.

“Sister, have… have they left?” He was asking about the ghost clinging to him.

Yuanxi glanced at the two who had already bolted.

“They’re gone!” They ran faster than donkeys.

Jiang Yuancheng hesitantly opened his eyes.

“AHHHH!”

Yet another scream.

Jiang Yuanxi dug at her ears.

She grabbed the ghost clinging to Jiang Yuancheng and casually tossed it away like a crumpled paper ball.

Jiang Yuancheng burst into tears, wailing and hugging his sister.

“Ahhh, my clothes! You got them all wet!” Jiang Yuanxi shoved him away in disgust.

Mother had just dressed her in a new outfit today.

Suddenly, her gaze landed on the lake not far away.

The surface shimmered, but a foul stench lingered in the air.

Jiang Yuanxi lifted her foot to walk over, but Jiang Yuancheng clung to her leg.

Sighing like a tiny adult, she dragged her useless older brother to the lakeside.

Jiang Yuancheng kept his eyes tightly shut the entire time.

She tossed a golden talisman onto the lake’s surface. It ignited without wind and slowly descended.

The lake instantly turned black as something stirred beneath.

A massive turtle emerged, its long neck stretching toward the sky.

The surrounding ghost children fled, not daring to approach.

“Who dares disturb my cultivation?”

Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes lit up.

“An old turtle!”

Such a big turtle—Grandpa Han would love it!

Maybe Grandpa Han could cook it.

A turtle this size… they could eat it for seven or eight years!

Thinking about the taste of the last little turtle she ate…

Jiang Yuanxi licked her lips, drooling.