Chapter 602: Chapter 602: Shen Yanchuan’s Astuteness

Ye Chutang’s eyelid twitched slightly.

Emperor Muwu’s interest seemed to be piqued. "Oh?"

Shen Yanchuan’s expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "In less than a month, it will be Qinyang’s eighteenth birthday. King Yan Nan is far away in the Southwest, but he still remembered it. He sent a letter yesterday asking what kind of birthday gift she wants this year. Qinyang... hasn’t seen King Yan Nan in a long time, so receiving that letter gave her an idea. She wanted to ask for my opinion."

He paused for a moment.

"However, I went out of the city last night to see Xie Anbai off. I had a bit too much to drink and lost track of time. When she couldn’t find me, she went looking for Miss Ye instead."

Emperor Muwu’s mustache twitched as he looked at Ye Chutang.

"Is that so? I had heard she and Chutang were on good terms. It seems that is indeed the case."

"Qinyang has been willful since she was a child. She is still rather immature and can’t keep matters to herself," Shen Yanchuan said with a serious, convincing air. "Perhaps that’s why she’s especially close with Miss Ye and has always treated her like an older sister. After coming up empty at the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, she went straight to the Ye Mansion."

"But of course, this wasn’t a matter for Second Miss Ye to decide, so after calming her down, she brought her here to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion."

Emperor Muwu nodded in understanding and slowly leaned back in his chair.

"Indeed. She grew up with you. For someone who fears nothing, she is only afraid of you, but she also relies on you the most. Chutang has a strong affinity with her, and with you. It’s only natural she would act this way."

Shen Yanchuan bowed his head slightly.

"The Eldest Princess has been working very hard lately and has finally gotten a few days to rest. Qinyang wouldn’t dare disturb her."

A faint smile touched Emperor Muwu’s eyes. "That’s thoughtful of her. The Eldest Princess’s affection wasn’t wasted."

After his brief moment of amusement, Emperor Muwu grew pensive. "That’s true... She hasn’t seen King Yan Nan in a long time, so of course she misses him dearly. The Capital City may be prosperous and bustling, but she doesn’t necessarily have to like it."

Standing to the side, Ye Chutang listened to the exchange and gave Shen Yanchuan a silent thumbs-up in her mind.

’He’s too good at this.’

’Shen Yanchuan really knows what to say.’

’He could spin a complete fabrication and make it sound as if it were true. If she hadn’t known the real story, she would have believed him too.’

From start to finish, Shen Yanchuan made no attempt to hide anything that had happened over the past day and night. His demeanor was one of utter frankness.

Any suspicions Emperor Muwu might have harbored would have completely vanished after hearing that.

After all, Shen Yanchuan hadn’t lied about the timeline or his movements. His story was virtually flawless.

’And the reason he fabricated was so fitting—because parts of it were true!’

In her early years, Princess Qingyang was always by King Yan Nan’s side. But as the king’s power and prestige grew, Emperor Muwu, while saying nothing, inevitably grew wary.

So, King Yan Nan took the initiative and sent Princess Qingyang back to the Capital City.

For one, blades on a battlefield are indiscriminate. He would inevitably be distracted by having to constantly look out for the young Princess Qingyang. Sending her to the Eldest Princess would place her under a guardian’s care and ensure her safety.

For another, it was to appease the Emperor.

Any discerning observer could see that keeping Princess Qingyang in the Capital City was a check on King Yan Nan.

On the surface, she was greatly favored by Emperor Muwu and never backed down, not even to the other Princes and Princesses. She seemed to have all the backing she needed.

In reality, however, she was little more than a hostage, forced to live apart from her father, the king, unable to see him for years on end.

As long as she remained obediently in the Capital City, King Yan Nan would have no cause for concern.

Yet what daughter wouldn’t miss her own father?

When lies were mixed with genuine emotion, who could tell which part was true and which was false?

As expected, Emperor Muwu had no suspicions. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The Southwest is a remote region. The journey would be long and arduous, and I doubt she could endure it. As it happens, King Yan Nan is due back in the Capital City in the third month to report on his duties. I’ll simply have him move the date forward."

Shen Yanchuan flicked his robes aside and knelt. "On behalf of Qinyang, I thank Your Majesty for your grace!"

Emperor Muwu smiled and waved his hand.

"Alright, go back and tell her to wait patiently. That should stop her from pestering you two about it again."

Ye Chutang bowed her head in assent.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Muwu’s gaze drifted between the two of them for a moment before he waved his hand.

"I am tired. You are dismissed."

...

After exiting the palace gates, Ye Chutang boarded the Dingbei Marquis Mansion’s carriage with Shen Yanchuan.

The inexplicable tension finally dissipated.

Hearing the street vendors’ calls from outside, Ye Chutang relaxed slightly and lifted the curtain to glance out.

"We’re almost at Liuwan Lane. Xiao Wu must be getting anxious waiting at home."

They had been out for quite a while today.

"Rest assured. With Lu Yu and the others there, nothing will go wrong."

Ye Chutang turned to look at him.

’He’s certainly not being discreet anymore.’

"I’m not worried about that." The previous scenes replayed in her mind as she said pensively, "I was just thinking..."

She paused.

But Shen Yanchuan seemed to have read her mind. His expression was calm as he said, "The Capital City is filled with His Majesty’s eyes and ears. Besides me, His Majesty has countless other capable ministers at his beck and call. In this vast Capital City, there are no real secrets to speak of."

Ye Chutang had expected as much, but she had grown used to seeing Emperor Muwu in his sick, weak state, confined to his bed. That was what made today’s events so surprising.

’In the end, those in power always prefer to keep that power firmly in their own hands.’

’However...’

"If there are no secrets in the Capital City, then how do you explain what you just said for Princess Qingyang in Qiyuan Hall, Princely Heir?"

"Even if Emperor Muwu uses all his resources, he can’t possibly control everyone completely."

"For one thing—"

"The news that something has happened to King Yan Nan has yet to reach the Emperor’s ears."

That much was clear from Emperor Muwu’s reaction.

"There are three possibilities. One, those people never sent a message. Two, the message is still on its way. Three, the message was intercepted."

Right now, there was no way to determine which it was.

Shen Yanchuan nodded. "This is actually for the best. It gives us more time to prepare."

Ye Chutang frowned. "How do we prepare?"

The corner of Shen Yanchuan’s lip curled.

"Have you forgotten? His Majesty has already issued a decree summoning King Yan Nan back to the Capital City ahead of schedule. Whatever their plans are, they’ll have to respond once they receive this edict."

If they intend to keep it a secret, their cover will be blown before long.

If they have other plans—if they want to use King Yan Nan for leverage... they’ll have to scramble to figure out how to handle this imperial edict.

"Only by luring the snake out of its hole can we catch them all in one fell swoop."

He looked at Ye Chutang. "Now, all we have to do is wait for your friend’s reply. Every day we gain is a crucial advantage."

’His expression was so calm and composed, as casual as if he were commenting on the weather. Who would have thought he was plotting matters of life and death for so many people!’

After a long silence, Ye Chutang finally let out a soft sigh.

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Nothing," Ye Chutang said quietly. "I’m just glad I’m not your enemy."

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