Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Six: Investigation

Even now, Hua Mulan found it hard to accept that a case which had troubled them for three days without progress could be so easily solved by a man known as the Blind Seer.

They, with their sharp eyes and fifth-rank martial prowess, had been powerless—so how had a blind man managed it?

Chen Chang'an could clearly hear the doubt in her words, and feigned innocence: "Reporting to you, sir, the accused really is blind."

Beneath the slant of her bangs, Hua Mulan's beautiful eyes narrowed sharply. "I'm a woman."

Chen Chang'an repeated, "I am blind!"

Hua Mulan's mouth twitched. "So I'm talking to you—can't you tell from my voice?"

Chen Chang'an defended himself, sounding aggrieved, "Your Excellency, I really am blind."

At the side, Li Shu couldn't help but cover his mouth and stifle a laugh. But when he received a glare from Hua Mulan as sharp as a blade, he immediately grew serious and said, "Given the current circumstances, it does seem the princess was switched in the Zhenqing Hall."

"Who would have expected this case to involve the Daoist sects? Her Majesty the Empress has always revered the Daoist temples!"

Hua Mulan snorted impatiently. "You talk too much. Is the princess more important, or the sects that Her Majesty reveres? The princess, in broad daylight, was switched in Zhenqing Hall—they can't escape responsibility. I’ll take men right now and round up those Daoist priests."

This woman is so impulsive; best not to get close in the future. I haven’t even seen her eyes, but I’m sure she belongs on my blacklist.

Chen Chang'an tugged the corner of his mouth into a crooked smile, then straightened it and said, "All we know for certain is that the princess disappeared inside Zhenqing Hall. If we act rashly, we’ll only alert the enemy."

"Shut up! It's not your place to speak here!" Hua Mulan was getting agitated.

Chen Chang'an groped around until he found Li Shu, then hid behind him, poking his head out like a meddlesome little wife who refuses to admit her wrongdoing. "Lord Li, what I said is true. If we go now, we’ll tip them off. And she’s actually scolding me!"

Li Shu threw Hua Mulan a look that said "he’s right," and replied, "At the moment, all we can be sure of is that the Zhenqing Hall at Sanyuan Temple is the first crime scene in the princess’s disappearance. As for where she is now, we still don’t know. We must proceed carefully."

See? Shot down! Try being fierce again. Brainless girls can only toil away; they have no right to choose their manner.

Chen Ping'an raised his chin proudly, clasped his fists, and half-knelt. "Lord Li, I am willing to atone for my crimes by finding clues at Sanyuan Temple."

"You..." Li Shu drew out the syllable.

Hua Mulan sneered coldly, "You? A blind man? What clues could you possibly find?"

Just then, there was a soft cough at the door of the Wugou Hall. Wu Yuanheng, who had just made an excuse to slip out, walked in and said steadily, "I think we should let him try."

"No. He’ll only waste precious time," Hua Mulan retorted, hands on her hips, ready to argue. The two squared off, both waiting for Li Shu’s decision.

Chen Chang'an spoke up again, "Lord Li, I promise to do my utmost to find Princess Changning."

Li Shu said nothing, but nodded his assent.

He pulled three items from his document pouch, hid their auras, and set them before Chen Chang'an: a paper-folded lizard, a smoothly polished jade token, and a shiny black pill.

Li Shu popped the pill directly into Chen Chang'an’s mouth. "This is the Severed Fate Pill. To prevent you from escaping, you'll get the antidote once you find Princess Changning."

"The lizard is your guide. Since you’ve never been to Sanyuan Temple, its tail will make a sound. Follow the noise. The jade token lets you communicate with me from a distance—report any discoveries at once."

A thousand curses thundered through Chen Chang'an’s mind. He’d thought Li Shu was the most reliable of the three, but it turned out he was the most cunning.

But what else could he do? At least it was better than losing his head. So he accepted the mission willingly. "I will not fail you."

Thus, the three lined up at the door of Wugou Hall and watched as Chen Chang'an, bamboo staff in hand, walked off into the distance.

Hua Mulan sneered, "You two are really something, trusting a blind man."

Li Shu shot back, "Mulan, don’t forget—it was this blind man who gave us the clue when we were at a loss. Now he’s desperate to redeem himself; he’ll throw himself into the task more than you or I."

Wu Yuanheng, who had been silent until now, spoke for the first time, "Moreover, ever since the incident, he’s been locked up. How did he know the princess used her right hand to lift the carriage curtain when leaving Zhenqing Hall?"

"He described it clearly, as if he’d seen it with his own eyes. There may be secrets about him we don’t know!"

Wu Yuanheng’s words served as both a reminder and a warning, and they finally silenced the unwilling Hua Mulan.

...

"Sugar-coated hawthorns, sweet and sour sugar-coated hawthorns! And noodles, steaming hot noodles! An old family recipe, don’t miss out as you pass by!"

"Mother, mother, I want a sugar figurine! And some sugar-coated hawthorns! Buy some for me!"

"Spicy tiger-skin peppers, Princess Changning’s favorite dish—personally praised and inscribed by her hand!"

"Lanterns for sale, beautiful lanterns! The Empress’s birthday is in a few days—light a longevity lantern and bless your family with peace and good fortune!"

"Today is Wuri day, the City God Temple is closed. Let’s all go see a play. Burn incense and pray tomorrow instead!"

Leaning on his bamboo staff, which served much like a modern white cane, Chen Chang'an—deliberately disheveled and threadbare, with a sprig of fresh green bamboo stuck in his tangled hair—walked out of the Office of Criminal Detention. His ears twitched as he listened to the sound of the lizard’s tail ahead, weaving his way through the lively streets of Chang’an.

He’d never expected that one day he’d actually cross into this world and experience the city’s ancient splendor himself: the vibrant street cries, the alluring aromas of snacks, and the dazzling variety of performers—all exuding a bustling, prosperous air.

“With such a wonderful life ahead, how could I possibly die now?” Chen Chang'an’s determination to clear his name only grew, and he quickened his pace.

Mount Daxing lay east of Chang’an, its lush peaks stretching for miles like a coiled dragon. Sanyuan Temple, the scene of the crime, was nestled halfway up the slope. Apart from Ganye Temple and Baiyun Temple in the city, it was the third most popular temple in terms of incense and worship.

Before reaching Sanyuan Temple, Chen Chang'an leaned against a pine tree, gasping for breath. The blazing sun hung high overhead, drenching his clothes with sweat.

Even the wind blowing in his face was hot, making him feel as though he were inside a steamer.

Oh, Mother—if only I could have an ice-cold cola or Sprite right now! That would be heaven. He couldn’t help but miss his old world, where office drones and mortgage slaves were everywhere and gold-diggers even more common, but one shouldn’t despise an entire era for the faults of a few. That would be too narrow-minded.

Resting briefly in the shade, Chen Chang'an tousled his hair, smeared mud on both cheeks, and disguised himself thoroughly as a beggar.

Once everything was ready, he gripped his bamboo staff with his left hand, groped the air with his right, and hobbled toward the temple gate of Sanyuan Temple, calling out in a tearful voice as he went, "Princess! Princess Changning! Where are you? Where are you?"