|Part 1|
It was a rare snowstorm that hadn't been seen in the last few decades in Ding Capital. However, on the second day, it abruptly stopped. The thick snow had piled up to one's knees, and in such cold weather, even the most diligent traders preferred to stay in their warm beds rather than risk the cold to set up stalls.
The person responsible for the night watch had overslept and hastily rose with the gong. The sun had yet to rise, and the skies were dark, but he tightened his worn-out jacket and stepped into the snow. He proceeded at a steady pace, passing the main gates of Prince Yu's residence.
The main gates of Prince Yu's residence were slightly ajar, with only half of the word 'Joyous' visible on the door. The elderly man responsible for the night watch didn't spot a single guard, which raised his suspicions. The people in Prince Yu's residence were known for being fierce and evil, and he had been scolded by them many times. It was strange not to see them today. After noticing the half 'Joyous' word, he realized that it was because Prince Yu's residence had welcomed the new Wangfei (prince's wife) the previous day. Perhaps the guards had been rewarded with food and drinks and had become drunk.
Thinking about the future of the young lady who had married into Prince Yu's residence, the old man shook his head and was about to continue walking past the main gates of Prince Yu's residence. Coincidentally, a cold wind blew out, causing the heavy door to squeak and the narrow opening to widen. The old man was surprised by this and felt a strange sensation in his heart. He couldn't explain the feeling but stood at the door for a long time until a hawker passing by noticed him and asked, "Old Fourth Lee, what are you doing at the door?"
The person responsible for the night watch jumped and suddenly understood the strange feeling. In broad daylight, there should have been some noise coming from the residence, even if everyone was drunk and fast asleep. There should have been dogs or pet birds making some sounds, but there was nothing. The air was eerily still, as if it were a graveyard.
His hand trembled slightly, but he couldn't help himself and took two steps forward. Just as he reached the creak at the door, a strong, pungent odor washed over him, almost causing him to stumble. He pushed the door, but it didn't budge. Looking down, he saw a piece of solid ice wedged in the door, most likely frozen there due to the wind and snow from the previous night.
The old man responsible for the night watch stared wide-eyed and took a couple of steps back before screaming, causing people on the street to look over at him.
With the first rays of dawn, the piece of crystal-clear ice became particularly visible. It was thick, concentrated blood that had solidified into a block of ice. An ice river flowed from the door slits, but it stopped right at the front of the door, as if those inside had been desperately struggling to escape but were cut off by the door.
As if it were a river of fresh blood.
The entire household of Prince Yu of the First Rank in Ding Capital was exterminated on the day they welcomed the new Wangfei. From the highest ranking officials to the lowly servants, even the pets like cats, dogs, chickens, and ducks were not spared. The extermination was carried out with such ruthless efficiency that it seemed like the perpetrator held a deep-seated grudge, as they left no one alive. The clean and precise execution, the fact that no gold or jewelry was taken, indicated that this act was not motivated by greed.
Prince Yu was known for his cruelty and had made numerous enemies, so no one could pinpoint the culprit. However, the boldness of the act, going against the powerful Prince Yu's household, was equivalent to challenging the imperial family of Ming Qi. It was well-known that Emperor Wen Hui held his brother, Prince Yu, in high regard, and the prince had enjoyed imperial support for many years. This action was unexpected to most. Emperor Wen Hui's decision not to issue orders for a vigorous manhunt or offer a reward signaled that he did not want to expend too much effort on the case. People with insight speculated that Prince Yu might have done something to anger the emperor, as his actions appeared unusually cold.
Speculation and rumors abounded, with many veering far from the truth. However, some conjectures came close to the actual situation.
In the case of the extermination of Prince Yu's entire household, one person survived – Shen Qing, who had married into Prince Yu's residence the previous night. The night watchman was the first to realize that something was amiss at the Prince Yu residence. Many brave individuals accompanied him to investigate. The scene they encountered was gruesome, and even the rumors couldn't fully capture the horror.
Inside Prince Yu's sprawling mansion, corpses lay frozen, and blood had turned the courtyard into a field of red ice. The corpses were rigid, resembling sculptures. The atmosphere was heavy with death, and not a single person had survived. Prince Yu's lifeless body bore knife wounds on his chest, and two maids lay nearby, while Shen Qing had collapsed at the entrance to the bedchambers. She was surrounded by gold and silver. At first, it seemed like she too had been killed, but she regained consciousness when moved.
Shen Qing became the sole survivor of the entire Prince Yu residence. Her situation, however, was far from enviable. The unexplained survival of Prince Yu's wife amidst the extermination raised many suspicions. Why did the perpetrators leave her alive? If she had no involvement with the Prince Yu residence, why didn't they let even the servants and concubines go? Her presence, surrounded by gold and silver, only added to the mystery. Prince Yu's body bore signs of being attacked with a woman's hairpin. Shen Qing, freshly married into the residence, became the prime suspect.
Shen Qiu, Shen Qing's elder brother, made arrangements to visit Prince Yu's residence for further investigation. Jennie, his younger sister, expressed a desire to accompany him.
Shen Qiu initially hesitated but realized that Jennie was determined. He knew from recent events that she had a strong will, and once she decided on something, it was challenging to dissuade her. In this case, he believed it was safer to bring her along than to have her venture there on her own without supervision.
Jennie's firmness and resolve were evident in her words, and Shen Qiu had no choice but to accept her decision.
Shen Qiu, somewhat reluctantly, agreed to take Jennie with him to Prince Yu's residence.
As they prepared to leave for Prince Yu's residence, Jennie's presence did not go unnoticed by her family. Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan were also getting ready to leave for the palace. Shen Qiu had a quick conversation with his parents about the situation.
"Qiu-er, go and visit the residence of the Prince of the First Rank," Luo Xue Yan instructed Shen Qiu. "Now that your brother has gone to the Administrator of the Capital and your sister has entered the palace to gather information, someone needs to keep an eye on the Prince's residence. Your father and I are heading to the palace because this matter is significant, and we must ensure no spies enter the city."
Shen Qiu readily agreed. "Rest assured, Mother. Leave it to me. I'll negotiate with the Prince's residence and find out which of our family members perished so that we can arrange compensation."
After Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan left, Shen Qiu tidied up his attire, ready to depart for Prince Yu's residence. However, he suddenly heard Jennie's voice from behind.
"Eldest Brother."
Surprised, Shen Qiu turned to look at Jennie. "Younger Sister? Why are you not staying at home and coming out?"
Jennie replied, "Is Eldest Brother going to the residence of the Prince of the First Rank?"
"That's correct," Shen Qiu answered. "There are still matters to attend to. Once everything is sorted out, I will return as soon as possible."
Jennie gazed at him and said, "Eldest Brother, take me with you."
Shen Qiu was taken aback, then shook his head firmly. "Younger Sister, I understand that you have grievances with Prince Yu's residence. With their current state, it seems like they brought this upon themselves. If you wish to see their fate, I can do it for you. There's no need for you to go in person."
However, Jennie's resolve remained unshaken. "I only want to take a look."
Shen Qiu added, "There's nothing worth seeing, Younger Sister. It's said that those people suffered a gruesome death last night, and the blood stretched for several feet. If a person dies so horrifically, their soul might linger in the residence. It's possible for you to encounter ghosts. I don't think a delicate lady of our status should witness such a gruesome scene."
But Jennie seemed undeterred. She smiled and replied, "As children of a military family, we shouldn't be afraid of ghosts and spirits. Would Eldest Brother fear witnessing death on the battlefield?"
"Of course not!" Shen Qiu quickly responded, but he realized he had said the wrong thing. Jennie was looking at him quietly, and she said, "If that's the case, there's nothing to be afraid of. Please, take me along."
Shen Qiu sighed, recognizing his sister's strong will. "Alright, but remember that you must stay close and not wander around."
Jennie smiled, "Alright."
|Part 2|
It was in just one night that Prince Yu's residence had undergone a transformation. The contrast between last night's lively scene and today's desolation was stark. The main doors, once bustling with guests and adorned in vermilion, were now sealed with a white emblem, and the guards wore stern expressions, as if expecting some brutal event to unfold.
Half of the 'Joyous' character dangled from the door, swaying in the wind until it could no longer withstand the cold and fell to the ground. A passing guard stepped on it, and it disappeared in the snow.
A crowd of commoners had gathered in front of Prince Yu's residence, observing the scene and offering their comments. While the event was tragic, there was a subtle sense of satisfaction among the onlookers. Prince Yu had a notorious reputation for his malevolence, and witnessing the downfall of the wicked was a guilty pleasure for many.
As Shen Qiu and his entourage arrived at Prince Yu's residence, they were met with this scene. The sharp contrast between the festive atmosphere of the previous night and the eerie stillness of today left Shen Qiu with a sense of disorientation. Even though he was accustomed to scenes of death, this one had an unsettling effect on him.
The bodies of the servants had been removed, but the bloodstains from last night still remained. The blood had frozen into grotesque shapes, creating an eerie crimson spectacle that not even the fresh layer of snow could conceal. The scent of blood lingered in the air, making it feel like a place of horror. The entire mansion seemed to bear witness to the tragic massacre that had occurred during the snowstorm the previous night, and one could almost hear the desperate cries of the victims.
The soldiers and even Shen Qiu himself were murmuring in hushed tones, taken aback by the gruesome sight. Suddenly, Shen Qiu remembered that Jennie was with them and turned to check on her, intending to provide comfort. However, when he looked at her, he found her strangely calm, her eyes unflinching.
Jennie gazed at the grisly scene, her emotions detached. The blood that stained the ground didn't move her, nor did she feel any sympathy or sorrow. She harbored only one desire—to see Prince Yu's suffering and to exact revenge for her past self.
"Younger Sister..." Shen Qiu hesitated as he addressed her. "I need to investigate further. Would you like to wait in the house?"
Jennie gazed toward the southwest corner of Prince Yu's residence and offered a gentle smile. "Yesterday, when I was here, a maid from the Prince's residence mentioned a tea room where one can rest. I'll go there and wait. How about you come find me when you're done, Eldest Brother?"
"In the southwest corner?" Shen Qiu followed her gaze. The lush trees and well-maintained surroundings indicated that Prince Yu had renovated the area for leisure. He nodded and agreed, "Let Mo Yoongi accompany you, and don't wander."
Jennie complied and went with Yoongi to the southwestern area. To ensure no one was alarmed by the sight of blood, she hadn't brought any of her personal maids along. Mo Yoongi, as a guard, wasn't easily frightened.
As Yoongi followed Jennie, he noticed that she seemed unusually familiar with the layout of the area. She knew the corners, corridors, and routes to different locations. It was as if she had been here before, even though she had only visited yesterday.
While he pondered this, Jennie had already reached the tea room. The room was nestled among flowers, and a grapevine-covered shelf indicated it was meant for enjoying fruit during the grape-bearing season. Jennie looked around and confirmed there were no immediate threats before instructing Yoongi to wait outside.
Yoongi was somewhat hesitant but eventually agreed, saying, "I'll be just outside. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call for me."
Jennie nodded and entered the tea room.
In the deepest part of the secret chamber within the very same tea room, an open coffin stood empty. Two figures, one in purple and one in white, stood before it.
Taehyung held a bright yellow cloth bag, the contents of which remained a mystery. Hoseok commented, "That old dog, Prince Yu, actually placed the item here. If it weren't for the Chen family's massacre, we'd have had a more challenging time finding it."
"Wait for the secrets to reveal themselves," Taehyung said casually. "Check the surroundings."
Hoseok complied, examining the area meticulously. He commented, "It's surprising that Prince Yu didn't station any guards here. This place is incredibly well-hidden, and it seems no one else knew of its existence."
"The Fu family is paranoid," Taehyung said with a hint of annoyance. "If you were in their shoes, wouldn't you hide such a secret?"
"Of course," Hoseok said, shaking his fan with a gentle and elegant smile. But his words carried a chilling undertone. "If I were that old dog Prince Yu, and anyone discovered this place, I'd eliminate them, even if they didn't know the secret. The dead can keep secrets. That old dog Prince Yu was clever in this regard."
Taehyung remained uninterested in the conversation and continued his inspection.
Meanwhile, Jennie, carrying a torch, moved quickly through the dark secret corridor. She was aware that she needed to act swiftly, as she couldn't predict when Shen Qiu would arrive. The secret she had uncovered required immediate attention.
The secret chambers were initially discovered by Fu Jong Kai when Jennie overheard a conversation between him and Namjoon. Pei Namjoon had shown Fu Jong Kai a blueprint that indicated the switch to access Prince Yu's secret chamber—a painting of a banquet. Pei Namjoon had mentioned that "the item" was hidden in the secret chambers, and Fu Jong Kai was instructed to investigate.
Jennie didn't know what "the item" was, but the tone of Pei Namjoon and Fu Jong Kai had indicated its immense importance to Fu Jong Kai. This is why she had ordered the extermination of the entire Prince Yu residence—she couldn't afford to leave any loose ends. If someone in the household knew of the secret chambers, it could pose a threat.
As she walked through the secret corridors, Jennie suddenly found herself in a well-lit hall. At the center of the chamber. To her surprise, two figures were present in the room—Kim Taehyung and Gao Hoseok.
Jennie froze, her mind racing with questions. Why was Kim Taehyung here? What was Gao Hoseok's role in this? Her usual calm demeanor gave way to confusion.
One of the figures snapped, "Who is it!"
Jennie's heart raced as she struggled to find a place to hide.
What were they doing here? Her mind spun with unanswered questions, but before she could process it all, she was forcefully pushed against the stone wall, the impact sending a jolt of pain through her body. Taehyung's hand tightened around her throat.
As Taehyung pressed her against the wall, Jennie could feel the cold fabric of his coat against her face and the icy grip of his hand. His appearance was striking, his features handsome and his lips curved into a chilling smile. Despite his outward charm, his eyes were cold and calculating.
Jennie felt a sense of danger. Hoseok urged Taehyung to take action, saying, "Shen Jennie must not survive. This is a matter of utmost importance. She's unfortunate to die here. We can leave her body behind and make our escape. No one will discover us. Taehyung, you mustn't hesitate; do it!"
Jennie's gaze remained fixed on Taehyung. She sensed his intention to kill her and felt a surge of panic. His slender hand on her throat was unyielding.
Taehyung's eyes darkened as he leaned closer to Jennie's ear. His voice was a whisper, intimate and chilling. "Do not look at me, I will not be able to bear it."
CHAPTERS COMPLETED & HEAVILY EDITED