Yaohua Palace.

The faint scent of sandalwood drifted through the air. The fragrance, usually calming and soothing, did nothing to settle the turmoil in their hearts today.

Xiao Chengxuan had come to the palace to probe for information, but upon learning that the Eldest Princess had also arrived this morning, he realized his actions were rather inappropriate.

If Shen Yanchuan was truly acting on orders, then everything that had happened today was perfectly justifiable.

At a time like this, whoever showed their impatience first would reveal their guilt.

Consort Ru couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, "Cheng Xuan, tell me... what madness has possessed Han Yao? Why must he see Han Tong at a time like this?"

Xiao Chengxuan frowned and shook his head. "I do not know either. Perhaps because Han Tong was to be beheaded today, he was desperate to save his father and resorted to this reckless plan."

"He has that kind of courage?" Consort Ru was skeptical. "The Han Yao I’ve seen before was nothing but a hedonistic wastrel who only knew how to eat, drink, and be merry. How could he now be capable of threatening Shen Yanchuan into intercepting a death row prisoner?"

"Even a cornered rabbit will bite. Once Han Tong is dead, Han Yao will lose his backing. Add to that the great fire last night that burned the Han Family estate to the ground... it’s only natural he would snap."

"But even so, his actions will only lead to a dead end!" Consort Ru simply couldn’t understand. "And then there’s Shen Yanchuan—he actually went along with it and brought Han Tong over!"

He’ll probably be impeached in several court memorials for this!

After all, there’s more than just a family or two who can’t stand the Dingbei Marquis Mansion...

Hearing this, Xiao Chengxuan gave a cold smile. "If it were anyone else being held hostage, Shen Yanchuan probably wouldn’t have bothered. But it just had to be Ye Chutang. Mother, you may not know this, but Shen Yanchuan treats that Ye Chutang... differently."

Consort Ru was taken aback. "Oh?"

She thought for a moment before saying, "But Ye Chutang is his nominal benefactress. Isn’t it normal for him to act this way?"

Han Yao probably chose to target Ye Chutang for that very reason.

Xiao Chengxuan shook his head, a sinister glint in his eyes.

’I fear there’s more to it than that...’

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"Your Highness?"

Xiao Chengxuan turned to see his trusted subordinate, the one he had sent to investigate the situation.

"Enter!"

The man bowed and hurried forward, his expression urgent.

The feeling of unease in Xiao Chengxuan’s heart intensified.

"What is it? Speak!"

The man knelt on one knee. "Your Highness, the Heir of Duke Dingbei just found a box over at the Han Family’s estate. It seems... it seems to be related to Ye Heng!"

"Ye Heng?" Consort Ru paused, startled. "How did he get dragged into this?"

A nerve in Xiao Chengxuan’s mind tightened instantly.

Then, he heard the man continue—

"After Han Tong was brought over, Han Yao publicly declared that his father was innocent. He claimed that his father was only being targeted by Ye Heng because he possessed evidence of Ye Heng murdering his own brother back then, which led to Ye Heng’s retaliation against the entire Han Family!"

Xiao Chengxuan’s mind went blank with a BUZZ.

"Afterward, guided by his directions, the Heir of Duke Dingbei successfully dug up the evidence from the Han Family’s courtyard! The Han father and son have now been detained and are awaiting judgment!"

CRASH—BANG!

In a fit of rage, Xiao Chengxuan swept the teacup from the table, and it shattered to pieces.

The palace attendants serving outside heard the noise and rushed over.

"Your Grace!?"

Consort Ru quickly snapped, "Stay out! None of you are to enter!"

The people outside didn’t know what was happening, but they dared not disobey and could only wait cautiously.

Only then did Consort Ru turn to Xiao Chengxuan and say urgently, "Cheng Xuan, calm down!"

But how could Xiao Chengxuan possibly calm down?

His face was grim as he demanded, "Evidence? What exactly is this evidence they dug up!?"