Chapter 490: Chapter 490: The Seventh Night Return of the Spirit

Huangfu Jingchen: "..."

Return of the soul on the seventh night? So, in their eyes, I’m a ghost.

Indeed, Uncle Chen and his group thought so. This is Prince Chen Mansion. Although it is no longer heavily guarded due to Prince Cheng’s Heir being assassinated, they couldn’t be completely unaware if outsiders entered, let alone if it’s the Princely Heir.

What they didn’t know was that, to avoid attracting attention, Huangfu Jingchen had not only disguised himself but also acted silently. Particularly aware of the presence of people from other mansions here, Huangfu Jingchen had to be extra cautious. Being familiar with everything in Cheng Prince Mansion, he avoided the servants easily and arrived here effortlessly.

Thus, his sudden appearance was startling, and it’s no wonder Uncle Chen and the others thought he had truly returned from the soul night.

Uncle Chen, feeling both ashamed and resentful, said, "Master, it’s my incompetence that I couldn’t protect you, causing you and Old Qin to lose your lives in vain. We are determined to disrupt the Crown Prince Mansion to honor your spirit!"

Huangfu Jingchen replied, "Uncle Chen, I’m not dead. I was severely injured then but was saved by someone!"

Uncle Chen’s eyes widened.

The crowd was equally shocked and filled with joy.

Huangfu Jingchen approached them. Though he was no longer in the moon-white brocade clothes he wore upon departure, his green robe looked less superior. Yet his eyes were bright, his stance firm, and his brows and demeanor showed integrity, proving he was indeed alive and vibrant.

Uncle Chen, tears streaming down, expressed mixed joy and sorrow, then bowed: "Heaven has eyes. The Princely Heir is unharmed!"

The others wept with joy, surrounding Huangfu Jingchen, and although they didn’t come forward, their eyes couldn’t hide their joy.

Uncle Chen was very emotional but quickly calmed down. His previously indignant and painful heart found solace and became peaceful, making him increasingly composed. He led the group to kneel on one knee to Huangfu Jingchen, apologizing: "We failed to protect the Princely Heir. Please punish us!"

Huangfu Jingchen helped them up, speaking gently: "It was my own negligence; don’t blame yourselves!"

He then looked at Uncle Chen: "What plan did you mention just now?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Uncle Chen explained their plan to raid the Crown Prince’s heir at the Crown Prince Mansion. Huangfu Jingchen shook his head: "The revenge must be exacted, but the Crown Prince Mansion surely expects Cheng Prince Mansion won’t let it slide easily. Therefore, the Crown Prince Mansion is now heavily guarded. Your plan is too risky; I don’t want any of you harmed, so we’ll change the plan!"

"Does the Princely Heir already have a plan?"

Huangfu Jingchen said: "Does everyone remember what I asked you to investigate before?"

Uncle Chen blinked, then nodded vigorously: "Remember!"

Huangfu Jingchen said: "We’ll start from there!"

Uncle Chen replied: "We are ready to follow the heir’s arrangements!"

They were about to find a place to discuss the detailed plan when they turned and saw the altar and coffin.

Uncle Chen felt embarrassed and promptly instructed: "Get someone to take these down!"

The heir is alive and well, yet they set up a mourning hall—what bad luck!

Huangfu Jingchen didn’t mind; he smiled and said, "It’s alright!" If not for this disguise, without finding his body, the Crown Prince would have secretly searched, and he couldn’t have recuperated safely.

Uncle Chen also understood; there are still some people with ulterior motives in the mansion. If the mourning hall were taken down, the news would spread immediately.

Although Uncle Chen and his group changed their plan last-minute, their action capability was impressive. In just one night, they split up and executed beautifully.

To erase traces and avoid being traced back to them, they returned at different times.

In the evening, they all gathered in the mourning hall to report.

Since arriving in the Capital City, Huangfu Jingchen had been contemplating the assassination incident in Jianghu.

He returned from the Capital City to Yunzhou then, so the assassins could only have been sent by someone in the Capital City. He initially suspected the Crown Prince, which was further confirmed when the Crown Prince suggested the son of the Vassal King visit the Capital City. So, he’d focused on investigating the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince is extremely cautious and secretive in his actions; otherwise, he couldn’t have brought down Prince Liang or fooled Prince Li.

However, Huangfu Jingchen’s side still uncovered quite a bit and discovered some hidden assets of the Crown Prince.

Originally, the findings were just precautions for future preparation. But now, the Crown Prince has acted against him. If he hadn’t been lucky, how could he be standing here?

If the Crown Prince dared to act, let’s make him suffer!

This time, he targeted three identified hidden assets of the Crown Prince.

The operation went smoothly, but after the report, Uncle Chen had an odd expression; he said, "Princely Heir, it seems we weren’t the only ones acting last night!"

Huangfu Jingchen asked curiously, "Someone else acted too?"

Uncle Chen said: "Our people scattered across different locations brought back news. Last night, the Crown Prince’s assets suffered significant losses, at least eight locations, yet we only targeted three!"

One steward said: "Princely Heir, we just received news that the Crown Prince Mansion’s Second Young Master, Huangfu Chi, was abducted from Qingfang House and beaten severely, sustaining severe injuries."

Another person said: "Princely Heir, there’s a private mine in West Mountain that we couldn’t fully ascertain as the Crown Prince’s asset, so we didn’t act on it. But just received news, the West Mountain mine has been reported to the Government, who sent people to take over and thoroughly investigate private mining!"

...

Each person reported the received news.

Uncle Chen concluded: "Princely Heir, the incidents involving Huangfu Chi and the West Mountain private mine and five other assets weren’t our doing. So, there must be someone else acting in secret!"

Huangfu Jingchen pondered and couldn’t figure out who was acting secretly. Moreover, the scale of action didn’t seem smaller than theirs.

Their manpower is only enough to target three locations; additionally, they only confirmed these three as Crown Prince assets. The other suspected ones could result in accidental harm.

However, the Crown Prince is malicious and must have wronged many.

Uncle Chen said: "Last night’s events were significant. Currently, the Capital Governor and the Capital Guard are investigating and the streets are under martial law."

Meanwhile, at Prince Kang Mansion, Huangfu Jinxuan swaggered in with a tipsy look and half-drunken eyes.

Upon entering the courtyard, a deep voice said, "Kneel!"

Huangfu Jinxuan heard his father’s voice and hurriedly knelt down.

King Kang spoke sternly, "Where have you been?"

Huangfu Jinxuan replied with a cheeky smile, "Father, what else can your son do? Obviously went drinking, gambling, and causing trouble!"

Seeing him like that, King Kang was furious.

His gaze was cold: "Don’t think I don’t know, last night’s incident at Qingfang House was your doing, right?"