Chapter 580: Chapter 580: My Heart is Manifest

As her words faded, the air seemed to freeze for an instant.

Shen Yanchuan paused. He didn’t answer her question, saying only, "The Duke Zhongyong Mansion has deep and complex entanglements. Your visit here tonight will only bring you trouble."

His reaction told Ye Chutang the answer, and her heart sank.

’So it’s true.’

Regardless of what illness Xie Pei had supposedly contracted, or the current state of the Duke Zhongyong Mansion, everything had already been decided.

If the emperor wants his subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die!

She paused for a moment and looked past Shen Yanchuan.

At night, the Duke Zhongyong Mansion was already shrouded in grief. The faint sound of weeping drifted over, enough to make one’s heart tremble.

She lowered her voice.

"Marquis Zhongyong suffered immense pain before his death. Yet from start to finish, he never made a sound, attracting no one’s attention."

Even as his mouth filled with blood and his body convulsed in agony, he clenched his jaw and swallowed all the torment.

’He knew his time was up, because this was the path he had chosen.’

Ye Chutang didn’t know what kind of trouble the Xie Family was entangled in, but it was obvious that anything forcing Xie Pei to atone with his life to ensure the safety of the entire Duke Zhongyong Mansion could be no small matter.

And it was very likely connected to the Wazhen Mission currently staying in the Capital City.

Shen Yanchuan fell silent for a moment before saying,

"Marquis Zhongyong distinguished himself on the battlefield and his military exploits are legendary. It’s only natural that his willpower and intellect were extraordinary."

The implication was that Xie Pei’s reaction was to be expected.

Ye Chutang’s eyes met his for an instant, and she understood. This was another warning from Shen Yanchuan.

A warning that while she might have guessed some things correctly, they were things she was not supposed to know.

’So even if I’ve figured it out, I must pretend I know nothing.’

The corners of Ye Chutang’s lips curved slightly.

"You speak truly, Princely Heir."

As she spoke, she glanced up at the sky. "You still have to report back to the palace, Princely Heir. Time is of the essence, so you should go. I should be heading back as well. Yan and Xiao Wu are with me, so you needn’t worry."

Shen Yanchuan’s gaze lifted.

Not far away, by the carriage, Ye Jingyan was holding Xiao Wu and looking their way.

Ye Chutang hadn’t let them enter the Duke Zhongyong Mansion, but the two of them were too worried to leave and had been waiting outside the whole time.

Shen Yanchuan withdrew his gaze and gave a slight nod.

"Be careful on your way."

Although Ye Chutang had recently survived an assassination attempt, she wasn’t particularly concerned.

For one, she had her own ways of dealing with such people. For another, she had the Black Cavalry Guard protecting her from the shadows.

With that kind of protection, there was no need to be overly worried.

Ye Chutang nodded, gave a small curtsy, and had just taken a step to leave when she seemed to remember something and turned back.

"Oh, one more thing."

Shen Yanchuan looked puzzled. "What is it?"

Ye Chutang looked at him, her lips curving into a playful smile.

"I’m not one to meddle in other people’s affairs. In fact, I hate trouble more than anything. But since Second Young Master Xie was your close friend, Princely Heir, then of course I must help."

With that, she turned and walked away. Her steps were light, and the hem of her dress fluttered behind her like a ripple spreading through the dark night.

The ripple spread, layer by layer, surging uncontrollably into Shen Yanchuan’s heart, a silent, swelling tide.

"Master? Master?"

Lian Zhou, who had been waiting behind them, finally couldn’t take it anymore and let out a series of loud coughs.

"The palace is still waiting!"

Shen Yanchuan snapped back to reality. When he turned around again, the myriad emotions in his dark eyes had vanished, leaving only a frigid calm.

"Keep watch on the Duke Zhongyong Mansion. I’m going to the palace for an audience with His Majesty."

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