The person who came to report knelt on one knee, their head bowed low.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. The prison guards on duty found him in time and have already saved him."

Xiao Chengxuan let out a cold laugh.

"What a man, this Ye Heng! I had no idea he had such nerve!"

Ye Heng was already at the center of a storm, his every move under intense scrutiny. For him to do something like this now... is he afraid people *won’t* think he has a guilty conscience!?

Xiao Chengxuan was furious.

He simply couldn’t fathom how Ye Heng could be so stupid at a time like this!

"Your Highness, calm your anger. Lord Ye has been wrongly accused; it’s possible he couldn’t see a way out in the heat of the moment. Fortunately, he’s unharmed. I’m sure the truth will come to light soon."

Xiao Chengxuan closed his eyes, his head throbbing.

For some reason, nothing had been going his way lately. It felt as if every person and every event was working against him.

He suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Keep a close watch on him! Something like this must never be allowed to happen again!"

The man immediately complied.

"Yes!"

...

「Dingbei Marquis Mansion.」

Shen Yanchuan sat behind his desk, holding a letter Yun Cheng had just delivered.

The letter was from Huizhou.

His long, jade-like fingers flipped it over gently, and a very thin sheet of paper fell out.

Yun Cheng was speaking in a low voice, "...A physician has already been sent. Fortunately, he was rescued in time and is not in any serious danger."

Without looking up, Shen Yanchuan asked coolly, "Does Prince Qi know?"

Yun Cheng replied, "I heard Prince Qi threw a huge fit in his residence today. I imagine he’s heard the news."

’Good. Otherwise, wouldn’t Ye Heng’s little drama have been a complete waste?’

Shen Yanchuan said,

"If he dies, the investigation into this case will hit a dead end. All related secrets will be buried with him. Such an act can be considered sacrificing oneself for one’s master. Prince Qi should be pleased to have such a loyal subject."

The thought made Yun Cheng find it amusing as well.

"Isn’t that the truth? After all, from Ye Heng’s perspective, his master has already shown his hand personally, so of course he has to declare his loyalty. Over the years, he of all people should know just how ruthless his master can be."

Shen Yanchuan picked up the letter and instructed as he read, "Make sure you take good care of Lord Ye. He still has a major role to play in the main event to come."

Yun Cheng lowered his head and agreed.

Shen Yanchuan didn’t waste much thought on this minor affair; he was more concerned with something else.

After finishing the letter, he took out a brush and ink and began to write.

Yun Cheng glanced up, surprised.

’Why is the Master replying so quickly this time?’

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Shen Yanchuan ask.

"How are things at the Ye Mansion?"

Yun Cheng naturally knew who his master was asking about and quickly replied, "Princess Qingyang went there today. She stayed for a little over an hour before leaving. The brothers Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng are still at home taking care of Second Miss Ye."

Shen Yanchuan paused. "A little over an hour?"

Yun Cheng smiled. "Yes! I suppose Second Miss Ye must be feeling better, she was even able to—"

"She certainly has a lot of free time."

Shen Yanchuan’s tone was calm, betraying no emotion.

Yun Cheng froze for a moment.

’The Master’s meaning... Is he suggesting Princess Qingyang stayed at the Ye Mansion for too long?’ 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Recalling how his master had personally escorted her home a couple of days ago but seemingly didn’t even step inside, Yun Cheng felt he understood again. When he looked back at his master, his gaze held a faint trace of pity.

’In all these years, she’s probably the only one who’s ever shut the door on the Master, isn’t she?’