Hu Xiaotian said, "The journey to Great Kang is long, and the weather is growing hotter. To ensure that the princess's remains do not decay, I must ask Your Majesty to lend us something."
Xue Shengkang said, "Shi Kuan, prepare a fine Cold-Jade Coffin at once, then fetch the Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl. Have them delivered to Qichen Palace immediately." Placed in a corpse's mouth, the Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl could keep it from decaying for a hundred days. The Cold-Jade Coffin was carved from thousand-year-old cold jade, a specialty of Great Yong's Snow and Ice City. A body kept inside could remain lifelike even after a hundred years. Both were priceless treasures, yet Xue Shengkang gave them to Hu Xiaotian without hesitation. This was not merely out of gratitude for relieving his suffering, but also out of guilt over Princess Anping's assassination.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Seeing how readily Xue Shengkang agreed-not only giving them the Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl, but throwing in a Cold-Jade Coffin as well-Hu Xiaotian warmed somewhat to the emperor of Great Yong. He continued, "I have one more request. I beg Your Majesty to uncover the true culprit as soon as possible and bring them to justice, so that our princess may close her eyes in peace in the Yellow Springs..." His eyes reddened again as he spoke. Hu Xiaotian had now immersed himself completely in his role. Every movement and gesture was measured to perfection; even someone as capable as Xue Shengkang could find no flaw in his performance.
Xue Shengkang said, "You need not worry. Princess Anping was not only a princess of Great Kang, but also my future daughter-in-law. Whoever dared commit an assassination in the Yong Capital has set themselves against me. Even if I must dig three feet beneath the entire city, I