The implications of his words shocked everyone into silence. The entire street fell deathly still.

Ye Zheng and Ye Heng were brothers!

Ye Chutang was visibly stunned. The color drained from her lips in an instant, and her long lashes trembled.

"W-what did you say?"

Han Yao sneered. "Everything I’ve said is the truth, of course. How he orchestrated his own brother’s murder step by step, well—"

"Shut your mouth!"

Clinging to his last shred of reason, Han Tong immediately cut him off.

’If they expose Ye Heng today, there’s no telling if *that person* will be implicated!’

Han Yao cursed in frustration, "Father! At a time like this, what are you still so worried about? Let everyone know! Let them all know how that Ye Heng leaked his own brother’s location and deliberately lured assassins to ambush him!"

...

「The Ye Residence.」

Ye Shixian waited anxiously.

Suddenly, a sound came from beyond the door curtain.

She instinctively turned her head, and the moment she saw who it was, she shot to her feet in excitement.

"Mr. Murong!"

Who else could it be but Murong Ye, the very man she had been waiting for?

Overjoyed, Ye Shixian rushed forward two steps.

"Mr. Murong, you’re finally here!"

Murong Ye took two steps forward and gestured for her to keep her voice down. "Xian’er, we mustn’t disturb anyone. I slipped in by climbing over the wall when no one was looking."

Ye Shixian’s heart sank.

She thought he had come openly, through the main gate. Who would have guessed... ’Doesn’t this mean the situation outside is still dire?’

Seeing her haggard appearance, Murong Ye’s heart ached for her.

He could tell at a glance that she hadn’t slept well. Her eyes were red and swollen, with faint dark circles beneath them. She looked utterly pitiful.

"Xian’er, what on earth happened last night? Why was the Ye residence suddenly seized?"

Ye Shixian bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with tears.

"I... I don’t know how it came to this..."

Choking back sobs, she haltingly recounted the events of the previous day. By the end, she was so overwhelmed with tears she could barely speak.

Murong Ye’s brow furrowed deeply.

"Are you saying they found something at the Han Family’s residence first, and that’s why they came here?"

’Knowing how Shen Yanchuan operates, he must have had conclusive evidence to act this way.’

Murong Ye began to feel uneasy.

Ye Shixian’s eyes darted nervously, her voice thick with unshed tears. "I don’t know either, but it was an order from the Princely Heir. Who would dare defy it? At first, I thought it would be fine. My father is innocent, so as long as the investigation clears his name, we can endure a little hardship. But... but I never expected my mother to be so proud... She couldn’t bear the humiliation and threw herself against the wall! And with Mingze still unconscious, I... I’m so afraid I can’t protect them..."

The sight of her tears instantly dispelled the flicker of doubt in Murong Ye’s mind. He instinctively wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Don’t cry, Xian’er. I will find a way to help you!"

Ye Shixian’s body stiffened. Hearing his promise, she suppressed the urge to pull away, instead tilting her face up to him. Her eyes were filled with hope as she asked, "Really?"

Holding such a soft, fragrant beauty in his arms, Murong Ye naturally couldn’t refuse.

"Of course!"

He raised a hand to wipe away her tears.

"Don’t cry. You’ll make yourself sick. The Ye family is counting on you to hold everything together until Lord Ye returns."

Her eyes brightened as she remembered something. "Right, the palace banquet yesterday—"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Murong Ye’s face.

"It’s a long story. I spoke to the court on Lord Ye’s behalf, but... but this involves a high-ranking official. It’s not something I can resolve with a single word. Lord Ye’s case is still under investigation, but don’t you worry! Lord Ye never did those things, and I will not let them continue to slander his name! Once the truth comes to light, I’m sure Lord Ye will be able to return and reunite with all of you."

The light in Ye Shixian’s eyes died. Her first instinct was to pull away, but she reminded herself that besides Murong Ye, she had no one else to turn to for help. She had no choice but to endure it.

Her shoulders trembled slightly, like a frightened rabbit. She looked up at him, her eyes red and brimming with tears, and forced a smile.

"Then I must thank you in advance, Mr. Murong."