No matter what, Ye Heng was Ye Chutang’s second uncle. Besides, this was a critical moment in the investigation of that old case. If something happened to Ye Heng, wouldn’t that leave no one to question?

"You already knew, didn’t you?!" Princess Qingyang suddenly realized, her gaze toward Ye Chutang filled with shock.

’But this news has been sealed. Only a handful of people know. How could Ye Chutang—’

"How could I? I haven’t left the house since my return. Where would I hear such inside information?" Ye Chutang said with a faint smile. "I just figured that if he were really dead, Princess Qingyang would hardly be so relaxed, and there would have been a huge uproar outside by now. Don’t you agree?"

’That does make sense...’

Princess Qingyang was partially convinced, but for some reason, she still felt that something was off.

She sized up Ye Chutang again. Seeing the young woman’s open and composed expression, she pushed down the strange feeling in her heart.

Ye Chutang continued, "He probably thought that with Han Yao unconscious, none of those things would be uncovered. He was just waiting for his detention period to end, assuming the Ministry of Justice would find no evidence and release him. He just never expected that Han Yao would not only wake up but would also be hell-bent on taking him down with him."

Now, any hope he had of getting out of prison was a distant dream.

Princess Qingyang snorted. "I’d say it’s a guilty conscience! If he were truly innocent, he would have done everything in his power to clear his name after hearing such accusations. But instead, he pulls a stunt like this? Does he really think this investigation will just stop if he’s dead?"

Ye Chutang shook her head. "Second Uncle was too impulsive. If something really were to happen to him, what would Second Aunt and the others do?"

At this, Princess Qingyang seemed to recall something and gave a sarcastic smile.

"Mrs. Gao is useless, but that Ye Shixian of hers is quite capable. Maybe he’s still waiting for his precious daughter to bail him out!"

"Then again, Ye Shixian has her own hands full right now. Her brother has been in a coma for ages. Not only has he shown no signs of waking, but he’s come down with a high fever in the last couple of days." Princess Qingyang was clearly well-informed about the Ye Family’s circumstances. "If he keeps burning up like this... I’m afraid he might never wake up." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Ye Chutang touched the wound on her neck, a look of regret on her face.

"If I wasn’t injured, I could go and check on him."

It was a true pity she was unable to help.

Princess Qingyang pursed her lips. "At a time like this, why are you even bothering with them? Back then, that Ye Heng showed you and your siblings no mercy at all—"

She stopped abruptly.

Every time the subject came up, it was tantamount to reopening the old wounds of Ye Chutang and her siblings.

A gust of wind swept through, sending leaves scattering across the courtyard. A chill had already settled in the air.

Ye Chutang pulled her clothes tighter around her, her expression distant.

"Right or wrong, there must always be a reckoning."

...

「Prince Qi Mansion.」

For the past few days, everyone in the residence knew that Prince Qi was in an extremely foul mood. The slightest misstep could get one dismissed and severely punished.

Everyone was on pins and needles, terrified of making a mistake that would bring disaster upon them.

A sharp sound suddenly shattered the silence of the oppressive courtyard.

CLATTER—BANG!

Xiao Chengxuan had violently flipped the game board off the stone table, sending black and white pieces scattering across the ground.

The servants attending him immediately dropped to their knees, terrified.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger!"

Hearing the commotion, the people outside were even more terrified, not daring to take a single step closer.

Xiao Chengxuan’s expression was as dark as a thundercloud.

"Are you saying that yesterday, Ye Heng attempted suicide out of guilt?"