CHAPTER 334: CHAPTER 280: THE ANCESTRAL TEMPLE PART 3

Princess Rong swiftly slipped inside, and the surroundings reverted to a tomb-like silence.

The oppressive atmosphere carried the scent of sandalwood.

In the center of the courtyard of the ancestral shrine, several large incense burners were placed. Even on a night when the moonlight was unclear, and there were no lights around, the silent and massive figure was still discernible under the faint twilight.

Princess Rong clenched her hands and stepped through the second gate along the corridor.

The main hall of the second gate was dedicated to the gods of the five directions of heaven and earth. Impressions of the images of gods hanging everywhere were vivid, and the open doorway resembled the gaping maw of a mythical beast, making one’s heart involuntarily clench.

However, Princess Rong did not intend to go into the main hall, because when Prince Rong came, it was never to spend extended time with the divine and Buddhas.

A guard led the way ahead, guiding her into the third courtyard.

The main hall of the third courtyard was dedicated to the ancestors of the Yang Family, including Prince Rong’s parents and the original Princess.

The wing rooms to the east and west were used for sutra copying and meditation.

Princess Rong immersed herself in the east wing.

It consisted of three rooms, and the guard lit a fire stick, gradually bringing everything into view.

The room contained only the necessary furnishings: a bookshelf against the wall for storing scriptures, an antique shelf for some sacrificial artifacts, several chairs, and two Eight Immortals tables.

There wasn’t even a cabinet that could be deemed private.

Indeed, it did not seem like a place to hide things.

After making a round, Princess Rong exited and went to the opposite west wing.

The west wing was somewhat similar, but there were more books, more chairs, and an additional meditation bed.

If you looked at it this way, where could there be any secrets? Even Baihe Temple’s meditation rooms for accommodating pilgrims seemed more interesting than this place.

"Where else have you checked?"

The place was so quiet that they could hear each other’s heartbeats, and the atmosphere was indescribably eerie. Princess Rong desperately wanted to leave at once, but she was unwilling to leave without conducting a thorough investigation.

"Except for the ancestral hall dedicated to the late Prince, we’ve been to all other places."

"Ancestral hall?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Rong involuntarily looked toward the dark hall to the north, where the ancestral tablets of Prince Rong’s line were enshrined.

In such an awe-inspiring atmosphere, images of the room filled with ancestral tablets during past sacrificial ceremonies resurfaced in her mind, making her unconsciously clench her hands into her palms.

"Let’s go."

She withdrew her gaze and walked back the way they came.

At that moment, a hollow thud suddenly echoed from outside the second gate, resonating in the tranquil night. Princess Rong’s heart nearly leaped out of her throat, and she instinctively took a step back with her feet!

Her throat was hoarse: "What was that sound?!"

As soon as she spoke, the cawing of birds erupted again. The guard visibly let out a sigh of relief: "It’s crows. The night watchmen have been dismissed by my subordinates long ago. There’s usually no one here, and they don’t remain here constantly. At least for two hours, they won’t come back."

When Princess Rong heard it was crows, she still kept her brows tightly knitted.

Why did such ominous creatures appear at this moment?

It cast a layer of gloom upon one’s mind.

"Then let’s go."

She was even more unwilling to stay any longer.

However, as she was crossing the threshold in haste, she tripped over the threshold, knocking into the copper bell at the door, which prompted a distant coughing sound!

After the coughing ceased, a lantern lit up, and Princess Rong immediately held her breath, retreating along the corridor!

However, the lantern was heading in their direction, clearly detecting something amiss and coming to check.

Princess Rong glanced back at the ancestral hall packed with tablets, clenched her jaw, lifted her skirt, and headed toward the hall!

The room full of tablets loomed before her, row upon row in the dim light, like shrunken coffins!

Princess Rong was so nervous that she could only hear her own heartbeat, clutching the sleeve of the guard tightly, allowing them to shield her, as she hid behind the door.

Soon, footsteps sounded outside, and the lantern’s glow faintly cast into her sight. At this nerve-wracking moment that almost suffocated her, the footsteps halted, followed by a sluggish cough. The light vanished, disappearing entirely as the footsteps retreated.

Princess Rong exhaled a breath, nearly collapsing against the wall.

"Are you alright, Princess?"

The guard quietly inquired.

Princess Rong nodded, her hand against the wall as she stood upright: "I’m fine..."

Before she could finish the three words, the hand supporting her against the wall recoiled as if pricked by a needle!

She paused for a moment, then took out a Luminous Pearl from her sleeve. Under the ghostly glow, it was revealed that what she faced was not a wall, but a cabinet embedded in the wall!...