HLnovel Chapter 793 Disguise
Chapter 793 Disguise
Seeing Lu Yangyang's caution, Ying Xun felt relieved.
He also comforted her, saying, "Just be careful. Even if you are found out, it doesn't matter. Just tell him I asked you to come, and he can ask me any questions he may have."
Ying Xun gave Lu Wei special instructions because he found him to be a very intelligent and perceptive person. He was happy to work with such a person, but he was worried about causing trouble for Lu Yangyang. Fortunately, Lu Wei was also very understanding, and as long as things didn't escalate, there wouldn't be any problems.
He only hoped that with Lu Yangyang's help, they could successfully find the truth and restore justice to the Tenth Prince.
"Thank you, sir." Lu Yangyang thanked Ying Xun and then asked, "May I take a look at the case file first?"
“The official case file is at the yamen. I only have some manuscripts I’ve written myself these past few days. They’re a bit messy, and I’m afraid I can’t sort them out in a short time. Why don’t you stay here and rest tonight? I’ll give you the case file after we’ve examined the body at the yamen tomorrow. How about that?” Ying Xun suggested after thinking for a moment.
Lu Yangyang didn't learn much from Xue Wanyue, and to delve deeper into the case, she would have to wait until she entered the Dali Temple. Ying Xun had asked her to examine the autopsy before reviewing the case files, probably to prevent her from being misled by the current clues and to see if she could get some new insights from her. Lu Yangyang pondered the other party's intentions and didn't insist, nodding in agreement, "Okay."
Ying Xun called for servants to take Lu Yangyang and Hongyu to rest.
After entering the room, Hongyu finally found an opportunity to ask Lu Yangyang, "Won't it be dangerous for you to go into the Dali Temple alone?"
Lu Yangyang raised an eyebrow: "As long as the person who wants to deal with me isn't Xue Wanyue, do you think anyone who wants to target me right now would expect me to go to the Dali Temple at this time?"
Hongyu shook her head. She was certain that today's events were purely coincidental. They had come from Qingzhou alone, and it was impossible for a third person to know that they had accidentally gotten the road wet and were unable to enter the city. Therefore, resting at the dilapidated temple was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and meeting Xue Wanyue was even more unexpected.
Xue Wanyue's sudden inspiration to ask Lu Yangyang for help in investigating the case was an even more unexpected turn of events.
So not only did those who wanted to target Lu Yangyang not expect this, but even they themselves did not expect it.
That's really true... As long as you don't give yourself away, it couldn't be safer.
Lu Yangyang couldn't help but chuckle at her expression. "Tomorrow, go to Tiancheng Trading Company to find my second brother. If you can't find him, go to the dance hall area. You'll find him there every time. Ask him how much he knows about the Tenth Prince's case, and also find out if the Prince has returned to the capital."
Hongyu agreed, "Aren't we going to tell anyone else?"
"Don't rush. The Tenth Prince's case won't drag on for too long. There will be a result in the next few days. Whether or not the truth is found, the case will be closed. If all goes well, I'll go back to my Princess's residence. That way, I can attract their attention openly, and the prince and the others will be safer," Lu Yangyang said in a low voice.
She hadn't originally intended to make a high-profile appearance in the capital, but Xue Wanyue's suggestion gave her a new idea. Now that everyone probably knew Zong Que was still alive, countless people in the capital wanted to kill him, making every move inconvenient. As the deposed crown princess, she would attract attention whether in the shadows or in the open. Therefore, she might as well openly attract attention, which would buy her time and even allow her to mislead some people—a win-win situation.
Therefore, she will definitely do her best in the case of the Tenth Prince.
"I understand. Please get some rest, young lady. I'll find a way to let you know as soon as I have any news," Hongyu said.
Lu Yangyang patted her shoulder: "Okay, go and rest first."
……
Early the next morning, Lu Yangyang changed into the clothes of a Dali Temple yamen runner that Ying Xun had sent, and disguised her face before going to find Ying Xun.
Ying Xun was even more surprised when he saw her change of clothes. "Miss Lu is really skilled. This disguise technique is truly amazing!"
If he could still recognize Lu Yangyang yesterday, he could at most make out some resemblance to her. But today, she only looks a fraction of her former self; even familiar people probably wouldn't recognize her. With just a slight change in her voice, she could easily deceive everyone.
Lu Yangyang shook her head and chuckled: "You flatter me, sir. This is hardly a disguise technique. It's just an inspiration from women's makeup. We only use powder and cream for makeup. If you are interested, sir, we can discuss it sometime in the future."
"Oh? Was it done with makeup like those opera troupes?" Ying Xun was genuinely interested. He had read quite a few martial arts novels, which described top-tier disguise techniques using masks made of genuine leather that could completely transform one into another person. He found that highly improbable; a person's bone structure is fixed, how could a mask possibly transform them into someone else? Just now, seeing Lu Yangyang's dramatic transformation, even the sides of her face seemed wider, he wondered if such a magical disguise technique truly existed, only to find out it was just makeup?
"You are indeed clever, sir. It is true, but you only used a few tricks," Lu Yangyang replied with a smile.
Ying Xun also smiled and said, "Then I really need to learn a thing or two from you sometime in the future."
Ying Xun took Lu Yangyang to see Min Lingshi first, and she replaced Min Lingshi's little apprentice, Xiao Liu. It is said that he is a boy of fourteen or fifteen years old who occasionally does odd jobs with Min Lingshi. Not many people in Dali Temple have seen him. Lu Yangyang's current appearance is just right.
Min Lingshi was acquainted with Ying Xun. Upon learning of Ying Xun's request, he made arrangements without asking any further questions and took Lu Yangyang with him to the Dali Temple.
Ying Xun still had official duties to attend to and could not take Lu Yangyang with him all the time, so as soon as he entered the yamen, he wrote a note to Clerk Min, instructing Clerk Min to take Lu Yangyang to the morgue to re-examine the body of the Tenth Prince.
Lu Yangyang followed Min Lingshi toward the morgue. Upon entering the courtyard, she first heard the chanting of monks. In such a small courtyard, there were more than a dozen monks sitting there early in the morning, solemnly chanting sutras. Lu Yangyang glanced at them and quickly lowered her head.
Min Lingshi explained to her in a low voice, "His Majesty has permitted that the Tenth Prince's departure was not peaceful."
Lu Yangyang nodded knowingly.
Min Lingshi led Lu Yangyang to the outside of the morgue, showed the guards Ying Xun's warrant, and was then allowed to enter.
As soon as Lu Yangyang entered the door, she felt a wave of cold air wash over her.
The Tenth Prince has been dead for almost twenty days. The Dali Temple has gone to great lengths to preserve his body. Large blocks of ice have been kept in the morgue for twelve hours straight, and even the Tenth Prince's body has been kept in an ice chest.