Chapter 202: Death Knell
Ye Chutang used the light to survey the secret passage.
"The Capital City really is a den of crouching tigers and hidden dragons," Ye Chutang remarked pointedly.
For a mere Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites to go to such lengths, to pour so much effort into building a secret passage... it was hard not to read more into it.
If the Han Family’s residence hadn’t caught fire today, allowing Su Pei’er and the others to escape through this passage, no outsider would have ever guessed such a secret was hidden here.
Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow.
Suddenly, he stopped, his gaze fixing on the wall to his left.
Ye Chutang also stopped, following his gaze.
"Princely Heir?"
Shen Yanchuan didn’t speak, only curling his finger to knock lightly on the wall.
KNOCK KNOCK.
The wall was hollow!
He turned to Lian Zhou and ordered, "Get it open."
"Yes!"
Lian Zhou acknowledged and immediately stepped forward.
He tapped a few spots along the wall and, after pressing something, a small door suddenly sprang open!
A sudden silence fell.
Ye Chutang glanced in that direction, a subtle smirk on her lips.
Beyond the small door lay a huge stash of gold bars!
At a glance, it was at least ten thousand taels!
On Han Tong’s official salary, he could work until he died of old age and never amass such a fortune.
It was rare to find an official who wasn’t corrupt, especially in the Capital City. Even a low-ranking official could easily line their pockets.
But this amount still startled everyone present.
"My Lord, there’s a booklet here!"
Lian Zhou’s movements were swift. He spotted a thin booklet tucked against the inner wall of the compartment, immediately retrieved it, and turned to present it to Shen Yanchuan with both hands.
Shen Yanchuan took it and opened it to the first page.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, he glanced sideways at Ye Chutang.
The woman stood quietly, her hands folded over her lower stomach, her expression serene and her eyes clear, as if she cared little for any of this.
A suspicion began to form in Shen Yanchuan’s mind.
He lowered his gaze to the booklet, and as he scanned its contents, an eyebrow lifted almost imperceptibly.
This was indeed Han Yao’s bribery ledger, and it was also—
The death knell for Ye Heng!
...
In the aftermath of the fire, the thick stench of burning hung in the air.
Ye Shixian waited anxiously by the entrance.
’Not only did Su Pei’er survive, but now Shen Yanchuan and Ye Chutang have even entered the Han Family’s secret passage!’
Though she didn’t know what this so-called secret passage was, she had a terrible feeling that something uncontrollable was about to happen.
’Han Tong is a suspicious and cautious man. He managed to get his hands on leverage against Father back then; who knows what other tricks he still has up his sleeve! This secret passage... I’m afraid it’s—’
Time became an agonizing crawl. Ye Shixian felt that in all her years, she had never spent such a difficult Mid-Autumn Night.
"My Lady, perhaps we should head back for now?" Shaoyao said, glancing around. The occasional stares from the crowd were unsettling, and with the soldiers standing guard, the grim atmosphere was downright terrifying.
"It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today, and the Madam is waiting for you at home!" she urged in a low voice.
But Ye Shixian refused to move, her eyes fixed ahead, afraid of missing something.
"What’s the rush? We’ll wait a little longer."
’Father’s been locked up. How could I possibly be in the mood to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival?’
’If Father doesn’t make it home safely this time, I’m afraid our good days will be numbered!’
Shaoyao’s lips parted, but she didn’t dare to defy her mistress. She could only murmur her assent and stand obediently to the side.
Ye Shixian clutched the handkerchief in her hand.
’No, no... Murong Ye promised me he would do his best to help. There might still be a chance!’