Chapter 162: Pleading
Princess Qingyang also knew that Ye Chutang had gone up the mountain specifically to pray for her father, mother, and older brother. For some reason, looking at Ye Chutang’s calm profile, Princess Qingyang’s heart ached with a strange sadness.
"Sincere hearts will be answered. If your parents and older brother know of this in the afterlife, they would surely want nothing more than for you to be safe and sound. Besides, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. You saved my brother this time, so the Bodhisattvas will certainly take note."
Something stirred in Ye Chutang’s eyes. She lowered the curtain and turned back to smile at Princess Qingyang.
"Thank you, Commandery Princess."
To others, Princess Qingyang might seem spoiled, willful, arrogant, and domineering. But after spending time with her, Ye Chutang found her to be candid and open by nature. It was no wonder that someone like the Eldest Princess, who had seen her share of deceit and turmoil, was always so fond of Princess Qingyang.
Princess Qingyang raised an eyebrow. "Thank me for what? I’m just telling the truth."
Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if she were lost in a memory.
"Actually, my mother passed away when I was very young. I don’t really remember her, but my father said that when she was dying, she made him promise that he would let me live a happy and carefree life. That’s why I’ve never been one to tolerate being wronged, not since I was little."
Ye Chutang was rather surprised. She hadn’t expected Princess Qingyang to bring this up with her so readily.
Princess Qingyang then added with great earnestness, "The same goes for you from now on. If anyone comes after you, don’t you dare hold back!"
Ye Chutang couldn’t help but laugh.
"You have a point, Commandery Princess. I’ll remember that."
...
The carriage made its way into the city, finally stopping outside the main gates of the Long Princess Mansion.
Princess Qingyang stopped Ye Chutang. "I’ll go get Xiao Wu. You’re still injured. What if you’re not careful and tear your wound open again? Just wait here."
Ye Chutang didn’t argue. She thanked the princess and waited inside the carriage.
A short while later, Princess Qingyang emerged with Xiao Wu, just as she’d said.
Zhuxin followed at her side and curtsied by the carriage.
"The Eldest Princess is concerned about Miss Ye’s injuries. She had wished to see you, but she was worried that coming and going would aggravate your condition, so she said it would be best to wait until you’ve recovered a bit more."
Ye Chutang, of course, did not mind. She smiled faintly. "It is I who should be thanking her. Having Xiao Wu here must have been a bother for the Eldest Princess."
Zhuxin smiled gracefully. "Miss Ye, you’re being too formal. The Eldest Princess is very fond of the Fifth Miss. She couldn’t have been happier to have her!"
Xiao Wu was precious and cute, obedient and sensible—practically everyone who met her adored her. With a little darling like her around, the entire Long Princess Mansion had become much livelier.
’It wasn’t just the Eldest Princess; even we servants were reluctant to see her go.’
Princess Qingyang lifted Xiao Wu into the carriage. Xiao Wu turned back and gave a sweet wave.
Zhuxin took a step back and curtsied again.
The moment the curtain fell, Xiao Wu turned around. Upon seeing Ye Chutang, her eyes instantly welled with tears.
Ye Chutang beckoned to her. "What’s wrong?"
Xiao Wu snuggled close, and crystal-clear tears began to fall uncontrollably.
She had been by her sister’s side since she was little; how could she not tell that she was injured?
Ye Chutang knew she couldn’t hide it from her. With a soft sigh, she stroked the little girl’s face.
"I’m fine. It’s just a flesh wound. It’ll heal after a few days of rest."
Xiao Wu’s eyes were filled with disbelief.
’If it really wasn’t serious, her sister, given her usual ways, would have gone into the Long Princess Mansion herself to formally express her thanks before taking her home. She wouldn’t have asked Princess Qingyang to do it for her.’
Ye Chutang leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear.
Xiao Wu froze, tears clinging to her eyelashes, looking both pitiful and adorable.
After a moment’s thought, Xiao Wu finally nodded, hugged Ye Chutang’s arm, and stopped crying.
Seeing the Little Milk Group crying until her eyes and nose were red, Princess Qingyang’s heart softened. She comforted her, "Don’t worry, Xiao Wu. We’ll make sure that for all the suffering your sister endured this time, it’s paid back several times over!"
...
「Prince Qi Mansion.」
Xiao Chengxuan hadn’t slept all night.
The men he had sent out still hadn’t sent back any news, and he was growing increasingly uneasy.
This anxiety reached its peak in the morning when he heard that Shen Yanchuan had come down the mountain.
"What? You’re saying he’s already back?!"
Xiao Chengxuan shot to his feet in disbelief.
The subordinate bowed his head, trembling. "Y-yes... I heard he returned with Princess Qingyang. They went to the Long Princess Mansion first, then to the Ye Mansion. It seems... it seems they were escorting Ye Chutang and her younger sister home..."
’In other words, all of them are safe and sound?!’
Xiao Chengxuan’s mind went blank for a moment.
"Then, what about our men?"
’What about the men I sent?’
The subordinate’s head hung even lower.
"N-no news..."
’No news was the worst news!’
Xiao Chengxuan slowly collapsed back into his chair. He finally realized that things seemed to have spun out of his control.
’If his men were dead, that would be one thing. But if they weren’t...’
Seeing that Xiao Chengxuan was silent for a long time, the subordinate couldn’t help but ask, "Your Highness, what should we do next?"
Xiao Chengxuan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
’What should we do? How the hell should I know what to do!’
"So, it was Shen Yanchuan. He actually set such a huge trap for me! Good. Very good!"
Xiao Chengxuan quickly put the pieces together, grinding his teeth in hatred.
’In the beginning, that Lian Zhou said they had captured a Death Warrior, and that the man wasn’t dead, just unconscious... It was all clearly an act for my benefit!’
At this thought, Xiao Chengxuan was suddenly alarmed. ’Could it be that Shen Yanchuan already suspects me?’
’No, even if he suspects, he won’t act rashly without evidence.’
’So right now, the most important thing is to find out exactly how many of my men Shen Yanchuan is holding, and whether they are alive or dead!’
After a long period of contemplation, Xiao Chengxuan finally said, "Tell our men to halt all activities and watch for further developments!"
The subordinate hesitated. "Your Highness, but if we do that—"
"Just do as I say!"
Xiao Chengxuan’s tone was fierce.
The man’s heart trembled, and he quickly responded with respect, "Yes!"
Xiao Chengxuan leaned back in his chair, but the agitation and apprehension in his heart still hadn’t subsided.
Just then, an attendant announced from outside.
"Your Highness, Lord Ye Heng requests an audience!"
Xiao Chengxuan’s brows furrowed tightly.
’What is Ye Heng doing here at a time like this!?’
"Your Highness, if you don’t wish to see him, I’ll send him away—"
"Let him in!"
As he spoke, Xiao Chengxuan gave the man before him a meaningful look.
The man immediately stood up, retreated into an inner room, and disappeared from sight.
...
Ye Heng hadn’t actually wanted to make this trip. But he was worried that Han Yao would show up at his home and cause a scene again, so after much deliberation, he had come anyway.
Han Tong was locked in the Heavenly Prison, and there were very few people who could save him now. Prince Qi, Xiao Chengxuan, was one of them.
Ye Heng entered the study and immediately knelt.
"I have disturbed you today, Your Highness. I hope you will forgive my intrusion."
Xiao Chengxuan’s expression had already returned to normal.
"Lord Ye, please rise. If you have something to say, speak freely."
Only then did Ye Heng raise his head and glance at Xiao Chengxuan.
He thought for a moment before speaking carefully, "Your Highness, regarding Han Yao’s matter, I was wondering... what your thoughts are?"
A flash of impatience crossed Xiao Chengxuan’s eyes.
"You came today for him?"