Chapter 163: Their Time Alone
Ye Heng noticed that Xiao Chengxuan seemed reluctant to discuss the matter and quickly said, "To be honest, I never wanted to get involved in this. But... two days ago, Han Yao came to my estate and caused a huge scene. He seems to know a lot about the incident three years ago and is using that to blackmail me into saving his father. I have no other choice."
Xiao Chengxuan’s expression turned even colder. "A good-for-nothing dandy who does nothing but fool around all day—what could he possibly know?"
Ye Heng said awkwardly, "Well... I’m not entirely sure, but one thing is certain—he definitely has evidence! Perhaps Han Tong deliberately left him with this leverage before he was arrested?"
Xiao Chengxuan’s face was grim. He remained silent for a long moment.
He wouldn’t deign to look at a punk like Han Yao, but his father was indeed a man of some cunning.
’If Han Tong really told Han Yao everything... then Han Tong won’t be the only one I need to eliminate.’
Ye Heng ventured, "My position is low and my words carry little weight. Right now, only Your Highness’s personal intervention offers a sliver of hope."
As if he had just heard a joke, Xiao Chengxuan let out a cold laugh. "Han Tong has made this enormous mess, and I’m itching to kill him myself! Save him? What a foolish fantasy!"
Ye Heng immediately dropped to his knees. "Calm your anger, Your Highness!"
He lowered his head, his mind racing.
’Before coming, I hadn’t been sure if Prince Qi would save Han Tong. After all, Han Tong had done much for the prince over the years. Even if he hadn’t earned any great merits, he had certainly put in the toil. But the mess this time was truly too big to clean up...’
’Just as I expected.’
Ye Heng said respectfully, "Whether he lives or dies is for Your Highness to decide!"
’In any case, I’ve made the trip to the Prince Qi Mansion in person. Now I have something to tell Han Yao.’
’I promised to help, but I never guaranteed success. I’ve done all I can.’
’If Han Yao isn’t satisfied, he can come beg for help himself!’
Xiao Chengxuan had already wanted to deal with Han Tong as quickly as possible. After hearing Ye Heng’s report, his murderous intent toward the Han father and son only intensified.
He suppressed his thoughts and changed the subject.
"You need not ask about this matter again. However, I’ve heard you’ve already returned those shops and lands to Ye Chutang and her family?"
Ye Heng’s heart leaped, though he wasn’t surprised the prince knew. He quickly explained, "Yes, they have been returned. But rest assured, there are no issues with the ledgers."
Xiao Chengxuan was still displeased.
The very thought of Ye Chutang now brought back the string of mishaps on Wulan Mountain. How could he not be irritated?
"If she wants them, let her have them! But... you know what must be done."
Ye Heng nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, Your Highness. Everything has been handled properly."
Seeing his confident and earnest expression, Xiao Chengxuan felt reassured.
He hadn’t slept all night and was utterly exhausted.
"That’s enough. You may leave. Someone will take care of the Han Family’s affairs." Xiao Chengxuan closed his eyes and waved his hand dismissively.
Ye Heng looked as if he wanted to say more, but in the end, he could only lower his head and comply.
"Yes. Your humble official takes his leave."
...
Ye Shixian organized her jewelry box, her gaze flitting toward the courtyard from time to time.
’Father went to the Prince Qi Mansion early this morning. I wonder how things went...’
"Miss!"
Shaoyao hurried back from outside, her face alight with poorly concealed excitement and gossip.
"I have huge news today!"
Ye Shixian sifted through the jewelry in her box, her heart filled with irritation.
’This is all old. Ever since we moved back here, what with the fire and Han Yao causing a scene, our family’s situation has just gone from bad to worse.’
’Father is being ostracized at work, and things aren’t going well for him. We’ve suffered such huge losses, and to top it all off, Ye Jingyan took back all those shops and lands. Now...’
’I haven’t been able to get new clothes or jewelry in ages.’
’On top of all that, Mingze shows no signs of waking up, and Mother does nothing but cry all day.’
’All these family problems were driving her mad. She had no mind or energy left to even think about her appearance.’
Ye Shixian closed the jewelry box and asked casually, "What is it now?"
Shaoyao entered, a conspiratorial air about her, and whispered, "I heard that when Ye Chutang went to Wulan Mountain to offer incense yesterday, she fell off a cliff!"
Ye Shixian froze. "What did you say?"
Shaoyao said smugly, "It’s true! The news is all over town! Someone saw Ye Chutang drop her little sister off at the Long Princess Mansion yesterday, then drive out of the city alone toward Wulan Mountain. Turns out, she was on the mountain all night! It wasn’t until this morning that she returned in Princess Qingyang’s carriage to pick her sister up!"
’That’s as good as confirmed.’
’Ye Chutang has always doted on her sister. She would never leave the girl to stay overnight at someone else’s home unless something had happened.’
Ye Shixian felt a flicker of joy, but then found it odd. "But why would she just fall off a mountain out of the blue?"
Shaoyao curled her lip, her expression full of disdain.
"That’s the part you don’t know, Miss. Yesterday, the Heir of Duke Dingbei was ambushed! Ye Chutang only fell because she was trying to save him!"
"What?!"
Ye Shixian’s heart instantly tightened.
"The Princely Heir was ambushed? How is he now?"
The news had been tightly controlled, so Ye Shixian, having been at home for the past few days, naturally knew nothing.
Shaoyao quickly replied, "Don’t worry, Miss, the Princely Heir is fine. But as for that Ye Chutang... she finally seized her chance! I heard that the Princely Heir fell down with her, and it took Princess Qingyang and the others several hours to find them in a cave. If you ask me, it wasn’t so much that she saved the Princely Heir, but more that he got dragged into her mess!"
Ye Shixian’s eyelid twitched.
"Are you saying... they were alone together for several hours?"
"That’s what everyone is saying. After all, a lot of people were part of the search party!" Shaoyao pursed her lips. "Who knows what her real intentions were."
A flicker of calculation crossed Ye Shixian’s eyes.
Just then, the sound of familiar footsteps came from outside. Ye Heng was back.
Ye Shixian stood up and went to greet him. "Father."
Seeing that Ye Heng’s expression was relatively relaxed, she asked, "Father, did your trip go smoothly?"
Ye Heng nodded. "In any case, we won’t have to worry about Han Yao and his family causing trouble for us again."
Ye Shixian felt a sense of relief, and a smile appeared on her face.
’Prince Qi isn’t an easy person to deal with. Thank goodness the outcome was positive!’
Ye Shixian asked hopefully, "Then, what about your reappointment? What did Prince Qi say?"
Ye Heng’s movements paused, and the expression on his face froze for a moment.
"That... I haven’t mentioned it to His Highness yet."
The smile on Ye Shixian’s lips gradually faded.
"You were there for so long. How could you forget something so important?"
’Father’s career at the Ministry of Justice is going terribly. Things can’t go on like this. How could Prince Qi refuse to help him at a time like this?’