Chapter 1: I Demand to Open the Coffin and Examine the Body.

Twin lotus blossoms bloom side by side, one yin and one yang, never to meet.

On a black steed, a young girl clad in a gray Taoist robe rode fiercely. Her delicate brows and eyes bore a mixture of anger and icy resolve. Snowflakes drifted down in the cold ninth month of winter, yet nothing could stop her from returning home.

She had left home at a young age, never having seen her parents, yet harbored a deep admiration for her twin sister, whose exquisite poetry seemed to possess a captivating charm.

Gentle and refined, a jade maiden as pure as cream.

But just two days ago, Tang Chaochao received a letter from home—the news of her twin sister Tang Mumu’s death.

The cause was vague, merely brushed over with the words “sudden illness.”

Huai City, far from her home in Yunwu Mountain, was a three-day ride even at full speed.

The messenger had been delayed further by the difficulty in locating the Taoist temple.

Now, she would not even make it in time for her sister’s seventh day after death.

Tang Chaochao refused to believe her sister had succumbed to a sudden illness.

Not to mention the Tang family’s prominence throughout Kang Kingdom; her father was the unparalleled General Tang, commanding an army of one hundred thousand.

Even if her sister fell ill, it was impossible she would die within mere days.

There must be a hidden conspiracy.

“No matter who you are, even if you are of royal blood, if you killed my sister, I, Tang Chaochao, will take your life!”

A long sword hung at her waist—accompanying her since the old Taoist master had trained her for sixteen years. Though she was not well-versed in Taoist doctrines, she had mastered formidable martial skills.

Unlike her sister Tang Mumu’s gentle and elegant nature, this young mistress was the unchallenged ruler of Yunwu Mountain, doing as she pleased.

Only because the old Taoist master could never defeat her, he was forced to clean up the mess after her misdeeds.

The snow on the official road had already covered the horses’ hooves. From her sleeve, Tang Chaochao drew out a map, confirmed the direction toward Huai City, and cracked her whip again.

“Giddy-up!”

Huai City, situated in the northeast of Kang Kingdom along the coast, experienced distinct seasons. Every winter, households would light fires indoors, sending wisps of smoke curling upward.

Approaching afternoon, a black steed arrived at the city gates. The guards, clad in leather armor and holding long spears, were about to shout when a voice rang out.

“Clear the way! I am the second daughter of General Tang. An order from me is as an order from General Tang himself. Make way immediately!”

A rectangular copper token flew forward. The guards caught it and recognized it as General Tang’s official waist token. They shouted loudly, “Stand aside! Clear the way on both sides, quickly!”

Within ten seconds, the path was cleared. Many townsfolk watched the scene with fearful eyes.

“Deliver this token to the mansion!”

Tang Chaochao cracked her whip once more and rode away swiftly.

“Who was that Taoist just now? So imposing.”

“Are you deaf? She said she’s General Tang’s second daughter.”

“Second daughter? You must be joking. General Tang only has one daughter. Didn’t she die twelve days ago? Only a few days since the burial—where did this second daughter come from?”

The grand general’s mansion was adorned with carved railings, painted rafters, and colorful glazed tiles. The large estate bore the plaque “General’s Mansion,” a title bestowed by the late emperor. Those below the fifth rank had to kneel before the gates.

Though the eldest daughter’s funeral had been some time ago, the mansion remained desolate, heavy with an ominous feeling.

Every servant was burdened with worry. Though they outwardly claimed the eldest lady had died suddenly of illness, in truth, all sensed something suspicious beneath the surface.

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The horse thundered through the streets, heading straight for the general’s mansion.

Before the servant who was to open the door could reach it, the rider had already vaulted from the horse and landed before the gates.

“Bang!”

A delicate foot kicked the door fiercely.

The door burst open, and the servant trying to open it cried out in pain as he fell to the ground.

“Who dares?! This is the general’s mansion! Are you looking for death?”

As he struggled to stand and adjust his hat, the servant cursed loudly at Tang Chaochao.

Looking up, he saw a little Taoist girl standing at the gate.

Just as he was about to scold her, he caught sight of her face.

Fear spread across his features and he shouted:

“A ghost!”

Seeing the servant collapse in terror, clutching his head, Tang Chaochao strode past him into the mansion.

Behind her came the incoherent muttering of the terrified servants.

Along the way, many servants and maids reacted similarly—some screamed upon seeing her, others fled in fright, and some watched warily from afar.

The commotion reached the ears of Tang Wu in the study.

He and his wife, Song Rongzhi, followed the sounds to the main hall.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Tang Chaochao turned.

A man in his thirties, heroic and imposing, wore a long black robe cinched with a jade belt.

His somewhat haggard face held eyes that seemed to carry a killing intent. Upon seeing her, those eyes trembled sharply.

Beside him stood a beautiful woman.

Her features bore a resemblance to Tang Chaochao—about fifty percent alike.

Perhaps due to ill health, her complexion was pale, and a maid supported her.

When the woman saw Tang Chaochao, tears welled in her already swollen and red eyes.

Before Tang Chaochao could speak, Song Rongzhi brushed aside the maid’s hand and stepped swiftly forward.

Her pale hands trembled as she touched Tang Chaochao’s face.

Her voice quivered as she spoke:

“My Chaochao, my son has returned.”

Tang Chaochao had no memory of ever meeting these parents; they had only exchanged letters, none arriving even once a year.

The sudden intimacy unsettled her.

Her body stiffened as the woman embraced her.

A warm embrace faintly scented with fragrance.

A feeling Tang Chaochao had never known before.

Though unfamiliar, it was not unpleasant.

Moreover, the woman’s body was visibly trembling.

A hoarse male voice came from nearby—it was Tang Wu.

“It’s good you’ve come back, it’s good you’ve come back.”

Though this youngest daughter bore the same face as the eldest, as her father, he could discern immediately.

Because the eldest daughter, Tang Mumu, had been gentle and obedient since childhood.

Though from a military family, her manners and upbringing surpassed even noble girls from other households.

This youngest daughter, dressed in a Taoist robe with a sword at her waist, bore an air of freedom and ease.

Clearly someone raised with a carefree spirit, unlike a lady kept confined within the boudoir.

Song Rongzhi, hearing Tang Wu’s words, shook off her complex emotions.

She tried to suppress her sorrow over losing her eldest daughter and the joy of the youngest returning.

She took Tang Chaochao’s hand and noticed the many calluses on the seemingly delicate skin.

Her heart ached once more.

Tang Chaochao did not notice her mother’s pained gaze.

She looked directly at her father, speaking with unwavering determination:

“I demand to open the coffin and examine the body!”

At this declaration, Song Rongzhi’s pale face turned even whiter.

Even the curious servants nearby broke into cold sweats.

From the general and his wife’s earlier demeanor, they had roughly understood—this must be the second young lady of the mansion.

But this second young lady dared to say anything. She actually wanted to open the coffin and inspect the corpse.

Such an act was a grave disrespect to the dead.

The general would surely not agree.

Sure enough, Tang Wu’s stern face turned icy cold.

With a sweep of his sleeve, he shouted coldly:

“What did you say?! This is utter nonsense!”