Chapter 200: Anticipation
In the short span of half a month, the once-glorious Han Family had met its complete downfall. Who could look upon their current plight and not sigh in dismay?
The anxiety Ye Shixian had held for so long finally settled.
She closed her eyes, letting out a long, secret sigh of relief.
’Good, she’s dead!’
’Who knew what pillow talk that Su Pei’er might have shared with Han Yao? Had she heard things she shouldn’t have, or seen things she wasn’t meant to see?’
’Besides, if she hadn’t tried to kill herself on that sword, this whole affair wouldn’t have blown up, and Father certainly wouldn’t have been locked away!’
Ye Shixian deeply resented Su Pei’er, so seeing her dead now brought her immense satisfaction.
"Cousin." Ye Shixian stepped forward, her eyes rimmed with red. "Don’t be too sad. Su Pei’er was just too headstrong and always acted rashly. She didn’t even care for her own body, so what could anyone else have done? Now that she’s dead, you could say it’s—"
"What are you talking about?" Ye Chutang interrupted her. "Who died?"
Ye Shixian was taken aback. "W-well, Su Pei’er, of course. Don’t tell me Han Yao also—"
She feigned confusion, but inwardly she was perfectly clear on what she was doing: probing Ye Chutang for information.
Shen Yanchuan had deliberately posted guards at the door, so she couldn’t get inside to confirm whether Han Yao was dead or not. All she could do was beat around the bush and test the waters.
Ye Chutang watched her with a detached expression, her dark eyes calm and ripple-free, as if she were watching a play that had nothing to do with her.
Ye Shixian began to lose her composure, her voice trailing off. She felt that Ye Chutang’s gaze held an indescribable sense of mockery.
"She didn’t die," Ye Chutang finally said. "She just lost the baby and will need to focus on her recovery."
"What?!"
Ye Shixian froze, scarcely believing her ears.
"But she was bleeding so heavily just now—"
Standing to the side, Ye Yunfeng crossed his arms and sneered. "The way you say that, it sounds like you’re disappointed my sister worked so hard to save her."
"Of course not!"
Ye Shixian retorted instinctively, trying to find words to defend herself.
But she was still reeling from the shock, and the thought that Su Pei’er had actually been so lucky as to survive made her grind her teeth in hatred. How could she possibly think of a response?
Ye Chutang paid her no further mind and turned to Shen Yanchuan.
"Princely Heir, Su Pei’er just said that there’s something strange about the secret passage."
Ye Shixian’s eyelid twitched.
Shen Yanchuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh?"
Ye Chutang gazed toward the ruins of the Han Family’s estate.
"Perhaps it contains what you’re looking for, Princely Heir."
...
「Chongyuan Hall.」
Xiao Chengxuan was on pins and needles. Ever since Shen Yanchuan had taken his men and left, his mind was no longer on the palace banquet.
An attendant approached discreetly and whispered in his ear.
Xiao Chengxuan was so startled that his hand slipped, shattering the wine cup on his table.
CRASH—!
The sound immediately drew everyone’s attention, and countless gazes turned his way.
Emperor Muwu’s brow furrowed. "Cheng Xuan, what’s wrong?"
Xiao Chengxuan quickly replied, "Forgive me, Father Emperor. I was distracted for a moment and accidentally shattered my cup."
Emperor Muwu narrowed his eyes.
This son of his was known for being calm and decisive; it was rare to see him in such a state.
As if guessing Emperor Muwu’s thoughts, Xiao Chengxuan added, "Hearing what Lord Su reported earlier left me deeply shocked. I was just thinking that if something is truly found at the Han estate, then Lord Ye Zheng’s case..."