Chapter 288: Unraveling Consort Wan’s Mystery

The detail was particularly terrifying.

“Clattering sounds? Could it be that Consort Wan wasn’t actually dead at the time?” Yue Mingxuan repeated to himself, imagining the scenario of someone being placed alive in a tomb.

Since she hadn’t really died, and the attendants said the coffin was light, the most likely explanation was that Consort Wan had been alive and had later escaped, which would explain everything.

Yue Mingxuan seemed to have formed a certain line of thought, but the whole situation still felt shrouded in confusion.

In truth, there were still many unresolved doubts, yet regarding Consort Wan, many in the palace were unwilling to speak and there was nothing he could do about it.

Could it really be… that he would have to go to find Rong Tieshan?

Since Rong Qinglei did not know about these matters, Rong Tieshan might not know either.

Yue Mingxuan absolutely would not go to see Rong Zishen unless it was a matter of utmost necessity.

In fact, Yue Mingxuan didn’t even understand why Rong Zishen’s attitude toward him was like this.

He had done nothing to offend Rong Zishen.

If it had anything to do with Princess Xueyin’s marriage, that would have been Shang Qinghua’s affair and Yue Mingxuan’s relationship with Shang Qinghua didn’t seem widely known yet.

But Rong Zishen simply wouldn’t leave him alone, which put immense pressure on him.

Yue Mingxuan didn’t know what Rong Zishen intended, only that he now had one more adversary to deal with.

Moreover, Yue Mingxuan had always been somewhat prone to abductions.

With Rong Zishen’s return, his danger had increased even further.

After careful consideration, Yue Mingxuan finally decided to seek out Rong Tieshan to get some clarity.

He was eager to learn about Consort Wan, but approaching Rong Zishen was absolutely out of the question.

Furthermore, Rong Zishen had spent years commanding troops outside the palace, so he might not even be fully aware of the palace’s internal affairs.

Logically and reasonably, it was far more suitable to consult Rong Tieshan.

Having resolved to go to Rong Tieshan, Yue Mingxuan immediately rose to prepare.

But just as he stepped outside, he unexpectedly ran into Rong Tieshan himself.

Over this period, Rong Tieshan seemed noticeably thinner.

Yue Mingxuan had heard that Imperial Consort Hua had been busy overseeing Rong Tieshan’s marriage preparations.

He didn’t even know what to make of the feeling in his own heart.

Of course, he himself did not actually feel anything, it was just that the residual consciousness of the body’s original owner was still partially present.

Previously, Yue Mingxuan had warned himself not to get upset over Rong Tieshan anymore. Yet now, this body seemed to refuse all commands.

Even if he wanted to control it, he couldn’t.

Fortunately, the body’s reaction was only slight and soon faded.

He looked up at Rong Tieshan and offering a polite but cold smile.

“It’s been a long time, Prince Rong,” he said.

His tone was icy.

Shang Qinghua instinctively stepped forward and subtly wrapped him into his arms.

For once, Yue Mingxuan offered no resistance, instead pressing his body closer.

Rong Tieshan naturally noticed the subtle scene.

His expression darkened, yet he furrowed his brow and said, “I have the information you wish to know.”

“You mean about Consort Wan?” Yue Mingxuan asked lazily as he leaning back against Shang Qinghua.

He was truly exhausted.

The recent cultivation had drained his strength and he didn’t want to overexert himself.

With someone serving as a human cushion behind him, he didn’t hesitate to rely on him completely.

But from Rong Tieshan’s perspective, the gesture was heartbreaking.

Not long ago, Yue Mingxuan had still been the little boy who would chase after him and calling him brother.

Yet now, over time, the distance between them had grown so vast.

He and Yue Mingxuan had once been betrothed.

If not for the series of events that followed, he could have had him.

But now, everything was already too late.

All those events had already occurred.

The Yue Mingxuan of the past and the Yue Mingxuan of the present were no longer the same person.

This Yue Mingxuan was clever and capable, nothing like the one Rong Tieshan had remembered.

“Yes,” Rong Tieshan admitted, though he wasn’t sure exactly where he had obtained the information.

He knew that Yue Mingxuan was investigating matters related to Consort Wan.

In a daze, he recalled that there had indeed been such a concubine long ago, but after being banished to the Cold Palace by the emperor, very few people spoke of her again.

“So what exactly happened?” This time, Yue Mingxuan wasn’t as calm as before.

He straightened in his seat, his posture demanding a story.

Rong Tieshan sighed and said, “To be honest, I don’t know all the details. I only met Consort Wan a few times back then.”

“That’s fine. Just tell me whatever you know.”

“She was a very beautiful concubine, but her face always carried a wary expression. I really don’t know who this woman was,” Rong Tieshan added. “But no matter who saw Consort Wan, they couldn’t deny it, this woman was truly stunning.”

Wary? Wary of what? This was the palace, after all. Yet regarding Consort Wan’s beauty, Yue Mingxuan had to admit it.

Even though it was dim inside the tomb and hard to see clearly, he could still make out her face.

Such a beautiful woman, living in the inner palace where she could have anything she wanted, what could she possibly be wary of?

“Did she have any children?” Yue Mingxuan asked.

“None,” Rong Tieshan replied with certainty and shaking his head. “She had no younger brothers or sisters either.”

Yue Mingxuan furrowed his brows and lightly biting his lip, though, of course, to anyone else observing, it didn’t look quite the same.

Shang Qinghua gently pulled him into his embrace.

“With that brain of yours, you probably won’t figure out anything,” he murmured.

“What do you mean by that!” Yue Mingxuan fumed, though he had to admit that at this moment, he really had no leads.

Regarding Consort Wan, there were far too many suspicious points, yet so many mysteries remained unsolved.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep