Prince Qi Mansion.

Xiao Chengxuan looked at the full table of food, but he had no appetite at all. He asked in a low voice, "Have you found out what Shen Yanchuan said to Father-Emperor after he entered the palace last night?"

The Hidden Guard bowed his head. "In response to Your Highness, no. We only heard that... after the Princely Heir left, His Majesty summoned Xu Fengchi to the palace as well."

Xiao Chengxuan furrowed his brow. "Xu Fengchi?"

"Yes. But he was in the palace for a very short time and returned to his residence quickly."

Xiao Chengxuan was lost in thought.

Shen Yanchuan had led his men to search the Han Family’s residence, but a fire had suddenly broken out. No matter what, he had to enter the palace to report these events.

But why was Xu Fengchi involved afterward?

"Also, early this morning, Han Yao took Ye Chutang hostage, demanding that the Heir of Duke Dingbei release Han Tong. Han Tong has already been taken over there."

"What did you say!?"

Xiao Chengxuan shot up in shock.

"Han Yao is awake!? And that Shen Yanchuan! Han Tong is a death row inmate! He dares to intercept a prisoner!?"

Today was supposed to be Han Tong’s execution day. Once his head rolled, many matters could have been buried with him.

’Who would have thought Shen Yanchuan would be so audacious!?’

’With Han Tong in his hands, who knows what he might dig up—’

Seeing his master’s fury, the subordinate was terrified. "Your Highness, th-then are you still going to the palace?"

"Change course! Go to the Han—" Xiao Chengxuan stopped mid-sentence, a conflicted expression on his face. Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he said, "Never mind them! To the palace, immediately!"

’Rushing over to the Han Family’s residence now would be a dead giveaway.’

...

「Imperial Palace.」

Xiao Chengxuan walked briskly, arriving at Yaohua Palace.

"Where is Mother-Consort?"

he asked as he walked inside.

Hearing the commotion, Consort Ru called him in. She dismissed her attendants, leaving only a trusted palace maid to stand guard at the door, before asking, "What happened? Why are you in such a rush?"

Xiao Chengxuan’s sharp brows knitted together. "Mother-Consort, something has happened with the Han Family."

He quickly recounted the events, and Consort Ru could not hide her astonishment.

"Han Yao is mad, and has Shen Yanchuan gone mad as well!? Even if he is the Heir of Dingbei Marquis Mansion, to act in such a way is far too audacious and reckless—"

Suddenly, she seemed to recall something. "Could it be that the Eldest Princess came to the palace earlier for this very matter!?"

Xiao Chengxuan furrowed his brow. "What did you say? The Eldest Princess was here?"

’Ever since she fell ill, the Eldest Princess has rarely come to the palace. For her to come today—’

"She must have come to back Shen Yanchuan! But his actions are far too tyrannical! How is this any different from defying an imperial edict!? Do they still have any regard for—"

At this, Consort Ru took a deep breath, feeling a tightness in her chest.

"I will go see His Majesty at once!" she declared, immediately turning to leave. However, she was stopped by Xiao Chengxuan after just one step.

"Mother-Consort, you must not!"

Consort Ru’s delicate brows tightened. "And why not?"

"With the Eldest Princess making a personal appearance, even Father-Emperor must show her some deference. What good would it do for you to go now? Besides, I heard that after Shen Yanchuan searched the Han and Ye Families yesterday, he entered the palace overnight. No one knows what he and Father-Emperor discussed in the Imperial Study Room."

Xiao Chengxuan had been thinking it over and over on his way here. He felt that things were not so simple.

"For him to dare do this... could it be that he isn’t defying an edict at all, but rather... following one?"

He lowered his voice so much on the last part that it was barely audible, but it was enough to leave Consort Ru frozen on the spot.

She opened her mouth and took a step back. "How... how could that be possible..."

"The Dingbei Marquis Mansion has always acted domineeringly, but they’ve always operated within certain bounds. Today’s incident—" Xiao Chengxuan paused. "That’s why I came to the palace. I wanted to ask you about Father-Emperor’s attitude toward this matter."

Consort Ru was fraught with worry. She hadn’t seen His Majesty since the palace banquet ended last night, so how could she possibly know?

"Also," Xiao Chengxuan’s fists slowly tightened, "Father-Emperor summoned Xu Fengchi overnight. Do you have any idea why?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

...

"Start digging!"

At Yun Cheng’s command, several soldiers began to move.

Soon, a strange sound was heard, and the corner of a box was revealed beneath the soil.

Ye Yunfeng’s heart pounded. Unable to wait for the others, he immediately jumped down and sped up the process, digging the box out himself.

It was a heavy iron box, locked with an extremely thick chain. The lock was already rusted, looking as if it had been buried here for several years.

Ye Yunfeng gave it a pull, and the chains rattled.

Yun Cheng stepped forward. "Fourth Young Master Ye, this lock is rusted through. It’ll be hard to open. Why don’t we take it to find Han—"

Before he could finish, there was a loud CLANG! Ye Yunfeng had already ripped the chain clean off, pulling the lock with it. All that remained were the bent nails, sticking out brazenly.

"..."

Yun Cheng’s expression shifted slightly, and he couldn’t help but size up the young man before him once more.

He knew, of course, that Ye Yunfeng was skilled—otherwise, he couldn’t have so easily defeated Murong Ye. But his equestrian and archery skills could be explained away by experience, whereas this...

Ye Yunfeng had clearly seen how the lock was attached at a glance, quickly identified its weakest point, and acted without hesitation.

This required not only astonishing strength, but also a sharp and precise eye.

He was a half-grown boy from the countryside, and anyone would have assumed he was simply reckless and impulsive. But seeing this, Yun Cheng realized he was far more clever than anyone imagined.

Ye Yunfeng held the box with one arm and reached out with his other hand, but just as he was about to open it, he suddenly froze.

’I don’t know what’s in here yet. With so many prying eyes around, it’s better to be careful.’

With that thought, he closed the box, held it tighter, and then leaped up, easily jumping out of the pit.

Watching the young man’s agile movements, Yun Cheng grew thoughtful.

’His every move doesn’t look self-taught at all. It’s more like he’s been meticulously trained and coached...’

’But when Ye Zheng had his accident, he was still young. Could he really have achieved this much based on nothing but leftover childhood memories?’

Before he could sort out his thoughts, Ye Yunfeng was already rushing away.

Yun Cheng snapped back to reality and immediately followed.