Chapter 119 Return as a Vengeful Ghost to Find You

Chapter 119: Return as a Vengeful Ghost to Find You

After so long, why has Young Master Liu come knocking?!

Back then, he had followed the prince’s orders, personally overseeing the thirty lashes that nearly beat Young Master Liu to death.

Who would have thought that the very next day, the prince would be gone? And later, the Liu family’s case was overturned?

Now, with His Highness Prince Rui in power and holding real authority, he could even back Young Master Liu.

Fu’an’s heart pounded, his cold sweat growing heavier.

Could Young Master Liu be here today to settle scores with him…

“Fu’an, when was the last time you saw me?” Liu Qingci asked.

Fu’an, who had already braced himself for death, was caught off guard by this question.

He wiped his cold sweat for a long while before his mind could process it.

The last time he saw Young Master Liu?

“That… that was several months ago, at His Highness Prince Yu’s funeral… I caught a glimpse of Young Master Liu from afar, and haven’t seen him since.”

Because Prince Yu’s funeral was entirely handled by Prince Rui, and back then, Young Master Liu was always by Prince Rui’s side, often attending the ceremonies.

After hearing this, Liu Qingci made no comment, only saying, “Take me to Lan Yue Xuan.”

Fu’an cautiously looked up at Xiao Jing.

Xiao Jing said, “Let’s go.”

Only then did Fu’an lead the way.

The path from the main hall to Lan Yue Xuan was one Liu Qingci knew by heart.

They arrived shortly.

No servants lived in Prince Yu’s mansion, so Lan Yue Xuan was shrouded in darkness.

Before even entering, Liu Qingci frowned.

Xiao Yan loved brightness; at night, he would light candles everywhere, making Lan Yue Xuan feel warm and cozy.

Liu Qingci stepped inside, and the scene before him unfolded.

This bedchamber, where he had lived for so long, was completely different from his memory.

Fu’an stepped forward eagerly, bowing as he said, “Young Master Liu, since you’ve never been to Lan Yue Xuan, let me show you around. This is the prince’s usual resting chamber, and this is the warm pavilion. The prince loved lively gatherings, often inviting friends over at night to drink and listen to music…”

Liu Qingci looked over. The warm pavilion, once meticulously arranged, now bore no trace of its former state.

It didn’t even look fit for habitation.

He walked over and saw a row of shelves against the wall, holding some books and a few rolled-up scrolls.

Liu Qingci casually pulled out a scroll, untied the ribbon, and unrolled it.

The painting depicted a woman, scantily clad, with a seductive posture and flirtatious eyes.

He set it down and picked up a book, flipping it open.

Lewd verses and obscene content, utterly offensive.

Even Fu’an felt awkward watching. “These… these are the prince’s belongings. I haven’t removed them.”

As they left Prince Yu’s mansion, Liu Qingci remained silent.

Xiao Jing said smugly, “Seeing it with your own eyes, can you finally give up?”

Though he still didn’t understand why Liu Qingci was so determined to let go of Xiao Yan.

Liu Qingci lowered his eyes and asked, “Where is Xiao Yan buried?”

“In the imperial mausoleum, of course. Don’t tell me you want to visit?”

Liu Qingci said flatly, “No…”

Those five days he had waited in vain were sustained by faith, but without any real confidence.

He wasn’t sure Xiao Yan would return, but he chose to believe.

He believed in Xiao Yan’s words, that he would wait.

But after today’s events, seeing these almost supernatural occurrences,

Liu Qingci’s mind suddenly cleared.

A dying man asking someone to wait for his return—

That was inherently impossible.

Yet today, so many impossible things had happened, especially… at this very moment when he had seen Xiao Yan for the second time.

Instead, it made Liu Qingci even more certain.

He was sure Xiao Yan would come back.

“Since that’s the case, can you come back to the palace with me now?” Xiao Jing asked.

Liu Qingci turned back to look at the plaque of Prince Yu’s mansion, then his gaze fell on Xiao Jing.

Xiao Jing felt a chill from that look, an inexplicable coldness.

Liu Qingci didn’t answer his question, only said to him:

“Xiao Yan will return.”

With that, under the watch of layers of guards, he boarded the carriage.

Xiao Jing, hearing Liu Qingci’s words, felt an even greater chill down his spine.

After a moment, he shook off the discomfort and yanked open the curtain, climbing into the carriage.

“Liu Qingci, what do you mean?” Xiao Jing leaned in, demanding, “Return? Could he come back as a ghost?”

Liu Qingci recoiled in disgust.

“Maybe?”

Xiao Jing’s face turned icy cold. “Shut up!”

A few days ago, he only wanted Liu Qingci to speak a few more words to him.

Now, he truly wished Liu Qingci were mute! Every word he spoke precisely angered him—better left unsaid!

“Didn’t you kill Xiao Yan? In the dead of night, don’t you feel guilty?”

Liu Qingci naturally wouldn’t heed his command. Not only did he refuse to shut up, but his tone turned eerie and sinister.

“Xiao Jing, maybe he’ll come back as a vengeful ghost to haunt you?”

Xiao Jing’s face instantly went pale.

His pupils contracted slightly, his Adam’s apple bobbed, but he quickly steadied himself.

He gave a cold laugh, leaned forward, and propped one hand against the carriage wall beside Liu Qingci, trapping him between himself and the carriage wall.

“A vengeful ghost?” His voice lowered, tinged with a mocking smile. “Liu Qingci, do you think those words can scare me?”

Liu Qingci looked at his feigned calm, at the flash of guilt in his eyes.

“You’re afraid,” he said.

It was not a question, but a statement.

Xiao Jing’s brow furrowed.

“Afraid of what?” His voice rose. “A worthless good-for-nothing like Xiao Yan—I wasn’t afraid of him alive, so why should I be scared of him dead?”

Liu Qingci turned his head away, closed his eyes, and fell silent.

Furious, Xiao Jing returned to the palace and had Liu Qingci locked up.

When Xiao Jing stormed into his bedchamber, even the old eunuch who had served him for years was startled, for he had rarely seen Prince Rui so angry.

Xiao Jing walked into the hall, grabbed a tea set from the table, and threw it to the ground.

With a series of sharp crashes, shards scattered everywhere.

The old eunuch’s legs gave out, and he quickly fell to his knees.

“Call someone to serve me,” Xiao Jing ordered.

The old eunuch understood immediately.

After he left to execute the order, a slender young man soon stepped into the bedchamber.

Shaking with fear, the young man approached Xiao Jing and bowed.

If Xiao Yan had been there, he would have recognized the young man—one of the boys Xiao Jing had previously brought to Prince Yu’s Mansion, intending to give him as a gift.

This particular one resembled Liu Qingci the most, not only in appearance but also in build.

Yet his presence was far inferior.

Seeing the newcomer’s submissive posture, Xiao Jing’s expression softened considerably.

That’s more like it. Liu Qingci should be obedient and docile in front of him.

Xiao Jing leaned back on the soft couch and said in a practiced tone:

“Take off your clothes and come wait on me.”