Cui Hongyu recounted her and Huang Ying's vigil at the altar and the subsequent attack, her voice growing increasingly agitated until she finally broke down in tears.
"So it was me, that damned person, Huang Ying saved me," Cui Hongyu sobbed uncontrollably.
The Lotus Sect Leader listened in silence, her heart a turmoil of emotions. She felt sympathy for her junior sister and admiration for her bravery in sacrificing herself to save another in the face of danger.
After a long pause, the Lotus Sect Leader finally spoke, "Where is the killer? Have they been caught?"
"The killer was mostly devoured by three tigers, leaving only a pile of bones, which the Crown Prince took away."
Hearing this, the Lotus Sect Leader wiped her tears and turned to leave, saying to the kneeling sect leader, "Come, let's go to the Crown Prince's mansion."
Watching them depart in a grand procession, Chen Xiaobei hesitated but ultimately did not try to stop them, knowing he couldn't possibly succeed.
The Lotus Sect Leader led her followers to the Crown Prince's mansion.
The guards at the entrance, seeing their approach, quickly drew their swords and asked sternly, "Who are you? What do you want?"
The Lotus Sect Leader waved her hand. Her personal disciple, Jasmine, stepped forward, cupped her fists, and politely said, "Please inform His Highness the Crown Prince that Lotus Sect Leader, Master of Princess Zhaoning, requests an audience."
The tactic of invoking the Princess's name was a safeguard in case Xiao Jingyun refused to see her.
Indeed, upon hearing it was the Princess's master, the guards dared not delay and immediately turned to report.
Xiao Jingyun's heart sank upon hearing the report. He was well aware of the Lotus Sect Leader's relationship with Huang Ying. They must be here about Huang Ying's death, especially since he had taken the killer's remains. However, since she had announced herself as the Princess's master, he had no choice but to grant an audience. Besides, if he refused now, he would have to see the Princess later.
With this in mind, Xiao Jingyun instructed Zhou Quan to escort the Lotus Sect Leader in, while he proceeded to the reception hall to await her, ensuring a respectful demeanor.
Zhou Quan arrived at the entrance and, seeing the tearful Lotus Sect Leader, bowed respectfully. "Zhou Quan, by order of His Highness the Crown Prince, welcomes the Sect Leader into the mansion."
The Lotus Sect Leader nodded. Zhou Quan's words at least offered a measure of respect, allowing her to save face in front of her followers. What happened next further boosted her standing.
Zhou Quan led the Lotus Sect Leader to the entrance of the reception hall, where Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun was already waiting. Upon seeing her, he offered a slight bow from a distance. "Welcome, Sect Leader. Forgive my failure to greet you properly."
This pleased the Lotus Sect Leader greatly. After all, even the Crown Prince himself was showing such deference in front of her followers. She then turned to her group, "You all wait here and do not cause any trouble."
With that, she entered the reception hall with Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, bringing only her personal disciple, Jasmine. They took their seats as host and guest, and tea was served.
Xiao Jingyun then asked, "Sect Leader, to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
The Lotus Sect Leader was direct. "My junior sister, Huang Ying, has met an untimely end. I heard you took the killer's remains and have come to inquire if you found any clues."
Xiao Jingyun sighed. "To be frank, they were so mangled by the tigers that only two feet remained. Despite extensive investigation, I have not been able to identify the perpetrator."
Hearing this, the Lotus Sect Leader could no longer sit still. "Your Highness, may I examine the killer's remains?"
Xiao Jingyun nodded and stood up, leading her out. "Sect Leader, please follow me."
The Lotus Sect Leader followed Xiao Jingyun to the back garden, where a small room in a corner housed the skeletal remains of Xiao Dezhi. Of course, Xiao Jingyun had instructed Zhou Quan to remove the belt, the only item that could prove the deceased's identity. Everything else was common merchandise.
"Sect Leader, as you can see, apart from these feet, the rest was mostly destroyed by the tigers. Only a bare skull remains," Xiao Jingyun said, pointing to a corner. The Lotus Sect Leader stepped forward and examined the bones closely, inwardly lamenting that this pile of bones offered no clues.
Xiao Jingyun observed her from the side, and seeing her worried expression, felt a sense of relief. As long as the Lotus Sect Leader couldn't find anything, he could brush the matter aside.
Unexpectedly, after her meticulous examination, the Lotus Sect Leader turned to Xiao Jingyun and said, "Your Highness, may I take his shoes? I wish to try and avenge my junior sister."
Xiao Jingyun naturally could not refuse. He nodded. He had already examined the shoes and found nothing unusual; they were just a common pair. "Sect Leader, please take them. I truly am powerless to help further."
The Lotus Sect Leader waved her hand. Jasmine nodded, removed her headscarf, wrapped the two cloth shoes in it, tied them securely, and carried them.
Xiao Jingyun accompanied the Lotus Sect Leader back to the reception hall and respectfully said, "Sect Leader, please have another cup of tea. I have already sent word to Jingfeng, and she will be here shortly."
Before he finished speaking, they heard greetings from outside, the familiar voices of sisters and senior sisters. The Lotus Sect Leader frowned. There was no doubt Princess Zhaoning had arrived. Princess Zhaoning was her twenty-somethingth disciple, so she had both senior sisters and junior sisters.
Indeed, with hurried footsteps, Princess Zhaoning burst in, exclaiming, "Master, you came without even telling me!" Her words stopped short as she saw the Lotus Sect Leader's tear-streaked face. She immediately pointed at Xiao Jingyun, "Big Brother, what happened? Why did you make my Master cry!" As she spoke, she raised her fist, ready to attack. In a real fight, Xiao Jingyun would not have been a match for Princess Zhaoning, so he instinctively took a step back.
The Lotus Sect Leader coughed softly. Hearing her Master's cough, Princess Zhaoning snapped back to attention. She quickly stopped and turned to her Master, "Jingfeng greets Master."
The Lotus Sect Leader nodded. "Princess, I am grieving for your aunt, it has nothing to do with His Highness the Crown Prince."
Princess Zhaoning fell silent, tears welling up in her eyes. After a long moment, she looked up at the Lotus Sect Leader and said, "Master, my elder brother will surely get to the bottom of this matter." She then turned to Xiao Jingyun.
Xiao Jingyun, feeling helpless, began to explain again, "Jingfeng, I have already given the physical evidence to your Master."