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墨書 Inktalez
Lin Xiaofan felt his blood run cold. The person in the painting bore a striking resemblance to him, almost seven parts alike!
"How is this possible..." He trembled as he reached out, wanting to take a closer look at the portrait.
Suddenly, a light laugh came from behind him: "Young Master Lin, are you here in the dead of night just for this painting?"
Lin Xiaofan spun around abruptly to see the Fifth Prince leaning against the doorframe, lightly waving a folding fan, his eyes glinting with an inscrutable light.
"Fifth... Prince..."
Lin Xiaofan's throat tightened, and he instinctively clenched the jade pendant at his waist. The flickering candlelight in the study cast shadows on the Fifth Prince's enigmatic smile.
"Don't be nervous." The Fifth Prince stepped closer, lightly tapping the strange attire in the painting with his fan. "Are you very interested in this artwork, Young Master Lin?"
Lin Xiaofan forced himself to remain calm. "Why does Your Highness possess such... peculiar attire in this painting?"
"Peculiar attire?" The Fifth Prince chuckled softly. "This was given to me three years ago by a merchant from the Western Regions. He claimed it was a popular style back in his homeland." He looked at Lin Xiaofan meaningfully. "Have you seen it before, Young Master Lin?"
"No, I just find it... strange." Lin Xiaofan's heart raced; the outfit in the painting was clearly modern attire. The Fifth Prince was testing him!
The Fifth Prince suddenly closed his fan and lowered his voice: "The body of Old General will be transported back to the capital tomorrow."
Lin Xiaofan's pupils constricted. "Father... really..."
"Tomorrow at the mourning hall, Young Master Lin should prepare yourself." The Fifth Prince glanced meaningfully out the window. "The Crown Prince has already arranged the 'performance.'"
Just as Lin Xiaofan was about to ask more, the distant sound of a bell echoed through the night. The Fifth Prince made a gesture for silence: "It's late; please return, Young Master Lin. Remember—when they open the coffin tomorrow, make sure to see clearly."
The next morning, white banners hung throughout the general's residence.
Lin Xiaofan knelt in mourning attire before the mourning hall, glancing at the dignitaries who had come to pay their respects. The Crown Prince stood at the front, his expression sorrowful; Princess Ning An looked pale and occasionally covered her mouth to cough; Liu Rushuang occasionally adjusted her hairpin, its blue light appearing particularly enchanting under the candlelight.
"The time has come—seal the coffin!" announced the Ritual Official loudly.
Just as the coffin lid was about to close, Lin Xiaofan suddenly stood up: "Wait!"
The hall erupted in an uproar.
"Fan'er!" Old Madam trembled as she admonished him, "Do not disturb your father's spirit!"
Ignoring her words, Lin Xiaofan strode toward the coffin: "I want to see my father one last time!"
The Crown Prince shouted sternly, "Stop him!"
Several guards rushed forward, only to be blocked by Huo Qubing and the Flower Skirt Army. Seizing the moment of chaos, Lin Xiaofan forcefully lifted the lid of the coffin—
It was empty!
"This... how is this possible?!" Old Madam staggered back.
The Crown Prince's expression changed drastically. "You dare, Lin Xiaofan! To desecrate my father's coffin!"
"Your Highness," Lin Xiaofan sneered, "where is my father's body?"
The hall fell into a deathly silence. A flicker of panic crossed the Crown Prince's eyes, quickly replaced by fury. "Someone! Strip Lin Xiaofan of his title and expel him from the General's residence!"
"Wait!" Princess Ning An suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, this matter is suspicious..."
"The Imperial Sister is unwell; she should return to the palace to rest," the Crown Prince interrupted decisively, waving his hand. Two guards immediately stepped forward to "assist" the princess.
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