Chapter 201: Together?
Consort Ru’s heart leaped, and she immediately cut him off.
"Cheng Xuan, you needn’t worry. With Yanchuan there, everything will surely be fine."
Meeting her warning gaze, Xiao Chengxuan was jolted back to his senses. ’I’ve said too much!’
’If the investigation into Ye Zheng’s death three years ago truly uncovered a connection to Ye Heng, his imperial father would surely have second thoughts.’
’After all, his decision to demote Ye Zheng and banish him from the capital was made in a fit of anger. He had only meant to teach him a lesson and never intended for him to be killed.’
’If not for that edict of banishment, perhaps Ye Zheng and his family would never have died.’
’By bringing this up now, wasn’t I just needlessly upsetting my imperial father?’
Xiao Chengxuan said quickly, "You are right, Mother Consort. I was worrying needlessly."
Emperor Muwu’s face was expressionless, his emotions unreadable.
Within the grand hall, no one else dared to speak, and they only exchanged furtive glances.
Everything had been going perfectly fine, but then this suddenly happened. Who could possibly enjoy the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet now without a single worry?
Everyone was waiting for news from Shen Yanchuan, wondering what the situation was...
Xiao Chengxuan’s fists clenched and unclenched. It took every ounce of his willpower to resist the urge to stand and ask to be excused.
He could not draw any more attention to himself right now. Yet, the thought of the news he had just heard was torture, like a hundred claws scratching at his heart.
’The Han Family’s residence went up in flames, yet Han Yao didn’t die!’
Although the man was still in a coma and could do nothing, Xiao Chengxuan couldn’t calm his heart for some reason. He had a nagging feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
A palace attendant brought him a fresh cup of wine, and Xiao Chengxuan downed it in a single, frustrated gulp.
Now, all he could do was wait.
...
The bright moon hung high.
The stench of burning filled the air. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but ruins.
Up close, they could still feel the scorching heat that hadn’t fully dissipated.
"My Lord, Second Miss Ye, please watch your step."
Lian Zhou carefully led the way.
The front and back courtyards were scattered with charred objects, leaving almost no place to step.
Few ordinary people had ever witnessed such a scene.
Yet Ye Chutang, who followed behind them, looked completely unfazed.
Hearing his words, she offered a faint smile. "You don’t need to worry about me. My second uncle’s home caught fire once before. It wasn’t as devastating as this, but it was still a great shame."
The implication was clear: this wasn’t her first time seeing such a sight, so there was no need to make a fuss.
Lian Zhou let out an "Ah." Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Ye Shixian’s ghastly pale face not far behind. It took all his effort to suppress a laugh. He coughed once, then continued to lead the way forward.
A quarter of an hour later, the group found the entrance to the secret passage.
"This is it." Lian Zhou raised his hand and pointed. "This passage must be quite old. It’s spacious and leads straight to the side gate. You could use it to leave without anyone being the wiser."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and moved the inkstone on the desk.
CREAK—
A dark, bottomless secret passage was slowly revealed!
Shen Yanchuan turned back. "Together?"
"After you, Princely Heir."
Ye Chutang raised her hand, gesturing for Shen Yanchuan to go first.
Shen Yanchuan stepped forward. The dark entrance looked bottomless, and a faint chill seemed to emanate from it.
Yun Cheng handed him a lantern to light the way ahead.
With a long stride, Shen Yanchuan headed inside.
Ye Chutang followed close behind.
The secret passage was wide enough for two people to walk abreast. Its construction wasn’t refined, but it was serviceable.
"I never would have thought the Han Family had such a secret hidden beneath their estate," Shen Yanchuan mused. "Roughly speaking, he must have started secretly preparing for its construction as soon as he bought this residence."