28 Demon-Catching

Feng Lisheng frowned, as if he felt that these guys were very embarrassing. After a while, he only said, "…They're not usually like this."

Shen Mingjiao smiled. "They're quite cute."

Under the efficient operation of this group of people, the construction and renovation of the Prince Mansion's garden was in full swing.

Such a huge commotion naturally alarmed the surrounding mansions.

In less than half a day, the news of the Princess Consort starting constructions and sending the Prince's trusted aides to run errands just after getting married into the residence spread.

As a result, Shen Mingjiao left another bad mark on top of her originally arrogant and despotic reputation of disrespecting her elders. She enjoyed extravagance and was vain and mean.

Countless young girls were so angry that they crushed their handkerchiefs and cursed the heavens for being unfair. Why could someone like her marry the Prince?!

Xu Daniu, who was carrying the flower pot carefully, rolled his eyes in disdain when he heard everyone's discussion.

"You're really worrying too much. Our Princess Consort is spending His Highness' money. His Highness didn't even say anything. What are all of you so worried about?!"

At this moment, the topic of the conversation, Shen Mingjiao, was riding a carriage to the palace.

Actually, according to tradition, she and Feng Lisheng should have woken up early in the morning and gone to the palace to greet and thank them.

However, Emperor Jinghe had always been close to Feng Lisheng and never cared about this superficial etiquette. Before the Empress returned to the palace yesterday, she specially instructed that they were all family and there was no need for Feng Lisheng and Shen Mingjiao to rush to the palace.

Despite this, the traditions were there, so Shen Mingjiao still decided to make a trip to the palace.

When she passed by the north street of the city, she seemed to smell an alluring sweet fragrance. Shen Mingjiao licked her lips, lifted the curtain, and said to Feng Lisheng, who was riding a horse,

"Make a turn at the front. I want to drink some milk tea."

Feng Lisheng rode his horse over and refused with a frown. "That's unhealthy. If you want to drink it, get the chef to make it for you when we are back."

Shen Mingjiao just wanted to have it on a whim, but after being rejected by Feng Lisheng, she really wanted to drink it.

She glanced at his expressionless face, then she deliberately pinched her throat and said coquettishly,

"But I just want to have some~"

Tie Zhu, who was driving the carriage, had goosebumps all over his body. He thought to himself, 'So this is the kind of Princess Consort that you are!' He instantly felt disillusioned.

Feng Lisheng saw her look over at him coquettishly with her seductive peach blossom eyes. She had her fingers, which were painted with bright red cardamom, slightly curled. Accompanied with the blood-red mole at the corner of her eye, her already beautiful face looked even more seductive.

Feng Lisheng's throat tightened unconsciously, but he frowned unhappily. "Up to you."

As if he was disgusted and did not want to look at her anymore, he clamped his horse's belly and it galloped further away from the carriage, but his ears had secretly turned red.

Did she know how seductive she was?

Shen Mingjiao, who thought that he was disgusted by her act, leaned against the door and smiled smugly.

The carriage stopped beside the cold beverage shop. Seeing a long line at the entrance, Tie Zhu jumped off the carriage and volunteered to line up.

Feng Lisheng happened to see a young man dressed like a scholar handing milk tea to a girl waiting at the side. The girl took it happily and lowered her head sweetly and shyly.

His eyes paused for a moment before he got off his horse and strode towards the crowd.

Someone immediately recognized him. The originally noisy crowd quietened down.

Feng Lisheng raised his hand calmly and stopped everyone from bowing. He walked around everyone and came to the window where the cold beverages were sold.

The waiter trembled and asked, "Your… Your Highness, what flavor do you want?"

Feng Lisheng glanced at the various menu grades on the wall and thought to himself, this is such a nasty drink, why are there so many different types of it?

"One of each."

Everyone was dumbfounded as they watched the Prince, whom they thought to be wise and mighty, carry dozens of cups of milk tea to the carriage.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted and the beautiful girl frowned speechlessly, as if she despised him for buying so much.

Everyone felt that the rumors were true. This Consort was really obnoxious.

Shen Mingjiao didn't care what these people thought of her.

She held the milk tea and drank it happily.

She had to admit that although Su Qing was a little scheming, the food she developed was really delicious.

The carriage turned past the corner of a teahouse and Shen Mingjiao heard a commotion.

"Hey, have you heard? Demons have appeared in the Luo Capital, and several officials in the Luo Capital have been exterminated. Now, everyone in Luo City is in a state of panic. I heard that no one dares to go on the streets in broad daylight…"

"How can it be so strange? There are no demons in the world…"

"You have to believe me. I heard that those people who were killed did not have any injuries on their bodies, and there were no signs of poisoning. Moreover, I heard from the neighbors that the dogs around them were barking especially loudly on the night of the incident…"

"That doesn't sound credible. The hearts of the dead were clearly dug out by demons. There were even animal scratches on their chests. In my opinion, this must be a nine-tailed fox demon…"

In the beginning, Shen Mingjiao listened excitedly but the more she listened, the more speechless she became.

What demon? Ghosts are the ones who make dogs bark. Would dogs even be able to bark if they were really demons?

They even mentioned the Nine-Tailed Fox at the end. She reckoned that there would be new content for the picture book market soon.

However, it was a fact that there was a massacre in Luo Capital.

She frowned and thought about it. In her previous life, she had been living in a constant state of confusion. She had never heard of any sensational case in Luo Capital.

There were only two possibilities. The first was that this case had not been solved. The second was that it involved some inhumane secret.

…

The carriage stopped in front of the palace gate. Shen Mingjiao followed Feng Lisheng to the palace where the Emperor was.

According to normal procedures, as a woman, she should head to the Phoenix Hall to pay her respects to the Empress.

However, the Emperor this time was a loyal man. There was only one woman in the harem, the Empress.

In order to make things less troublesome, Emperor Jinghe simply let the Empress move into the palace and live with him.

The love between the two of them had envied countless young girls, and there were even more books written based on the Empress.

Shen Mingjiao couldn't help but sigh. "His Majesty is such a devoted and decent man. It is so rare!"

Feng Lisheng extinguished her fantasy with a straight face. "You're thinking too much. My brother just doesn't want the harem to be too powerful and affect the court."

"Also, since you and I are already married, you should address him as your brother like me."

Shen Mingjiao rolled her eyes impolitely.

It was really suffocating to chat with such a silly and boring straight man!

When the chief eunuch, Eunuch Li, saw the two of them coming over, he smiled and went forward to greet them.

"I haven't congratulated Your Highness on your wedding. This must be the Princess Consort. She looks really noble!"

Shen Mingjiao smiled and pulled out a pouch with golden flowers from her waist. Then, she handed it over.

She thought to herself. This man is indeed a person who could stay close to the Emperor. Look at how good he is at complimenting others.

Eunuch Li did not decline the gift but he accepted it with a smile. "Your Highness, please head to the side hall first. His Majesty is discussing some matters with the minister of the Dali Monastery."

Just as he finished speaking, the minister of the Dali Monastery walked out with a frown.

Emperor Jinghe was very happy to see Feng Lisheng and his companion.

He waved his hand to stop Shen Mingjiao from bowing.

"You guys came at the right time. Your sister-in-law's Centaurea Wine has been unsealed. Come and try it. We brothers shall not go home until we're drunk tonight."

With that, he hooked his arm around Feng Lisheng's shoulder and walked towards the back hall. Shen Mingjiao could only follow.

The palace maid was busy serving the dishes. When she saw them coming over, she smiled and bowed. "Your Majesty, please wait a moment. Her Majesty said that there are still two dishes left."

A palace maid came forward to serve tea to Shen Mingjiao. Shen Mingjiao waved her hand to thank her and she followed the palace maid into the kitchen.

She couldn't just sit and wait while the Empress cooked.

When Shen Mingjiao entered the kitchen and saw that everyone was busy, she picked up the cucumber on the side hesitantly and began to wash it. She had no other options. This was the only thing she knew how to do.

When the Empress saw her actions, she was surprised for a moment. Then, she smiled and waved her hand. "Sister-in-law, put it down quickly. There's no need to be so polite here. Rest assured, just go back and wait for dinner to be served."

'Sister-in-law'. Shen Mingjiao was stunned by the way she addressed her.

If it was an ordinary family, it would not be wrong to call her that. However, it was very strange in a royal family that only used honorific titles as a manner of address.

The Empress was very beautiful. Unlike Shen Mingjiao's beauty, hers was like an ink painting in Jiangnan. Her aura was elegant and gentle.

Shen Mingjiao felt that compared to the Empress, those wives who claimed to be virtuous were simply fake.

Not long after, all the dishes were served. Strangely, while the top few people of the Great Xia Kingdom gathered together to eat, they were not particular about not talking while eating.

After eating, Emperor Jinghe patted Feng Lisheng's shoulder.

"Little Sixteenth, you just got married and there's nothing important in the court now. I'll give you a month's leave so you can take Sister-in-Law out exploring."

After saying that, he smiled kindly at the two of them, as if to say, "Look, I'm so considerate of the both of you. Hurry up and thank me."

Shen Mingjiao kept quiet. No, she didn't want to do that. She just wanted to stay in the mansion and continue her garden planning.

However, this wasn't the end. Emperor Jinghe continued to pat Feng Lisheng's shoulder and smiled as he continued.

"I think Luo Capital is not bad. In two weeks, the peony flowers in Luo Capital will bloom. Take Sister-in-Law there to admire the flowers and the scenery. At the same time—"

"Just at the same time, help me solve a case."

"You should have already heard that there have been several consecutive massacre cases in Luo Capital. I just received news that Luo Capital's silver has been stolen. According to the clues left at the scene, it should be related to the massacre."

After saying that, he patted Feng Lisheng's shoulder again with a kind expression, as if to say "Work hard. I believe in you…"

Shen Mingjiao was speechless. Not only was she forced to travel, but she also had to catch demons!