Xiao Huayong had fed Munuha a mute potion, and the tiger had also eaten meat containing the same drug. For the next two days, neither would be able to make a sound—otherwise, roaring in the courtyard would surely attract attention.
Resting his cheek on one hand, Xiao Huayong watched the silent struggle unfold. Munuha put up a desperate resistance. Though Luling had removed the iron cables binding him after administering the potion, Munuha’s frantic dodging was no match for the tiger.
Even as one of his arms was torn off alive, Munuha showed no sign of yielding. Finding the spectacle dull, Xiao Huayong lifted two fingers, and two more tigers were released. Stimulated by the scent of blood and driven by hunger, they quickly pounced.
Xiao Huayong remained expressionless throughout. Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, his first act was to sketch what he had witnessed. He drew scene after scene on a folding booklet, each unfolding image horrifying to behold.
Meanwhile, Li Yanyan learned that Dai Wang Xiao Changtian had been poisoned by a toxic herb from the Turks, intended originally for Xiao Huayong. Xiao Changtian was merely an unintended victim. Furious, she immediately sent a message to the Fourth Prince, Xiao Changtai.
Xiao Changtai, who had his own informants in the capital, had already learned of the Dragon Boat Festival incident before Li Yanyan’s letter arrived. He sensed it wasn’t Munuha’s doing—without using his men, how could Munuha have managed to tamper with the palace’s festival food? Even if he had attempted it himself, success would have been unlikely.
"Your Highness, the Princess Consort of Dai requests an audience," a subordinate reported.
"She’s coming to settle accounts over Third Brother," Xiao Changtai sneered. "This matter is far from simple. Why him, of all people?"
Before his death, Yu Zao had named Third Brother as the mastermind behind the tomb robbery case. Though it was ultimately proven that Third Brother wasn’t the ringleader, the evidence submitted had repeatedly pointed to the Princess Consort of Dai. Only the lack of concrete proof had spared Li Yanyan punishment.
Thus, both His Majesty and others suspected Li Yanyan must have had an accomplice. This was clearly a trap set for Third Brother, designed to lure out whoever stood behind Li Yanyan. Blinded by rage, Li Yanyan acted recklessly, likely unaware she was stepping into a snare.
"What about the Princess Consort of Dai…"
"Ignore her." With the capital so perilous, why would he walk into someone else’s trap?
Just then, footsteps approached. Xiao Changtai signaled with his eyes, and Ye Wantang entered carrying a wooden basin, dressed in simple cloth with a thornwood hairpin.
As they were here for punishment, they had no servants. All daily chores—cooking, cleaning, and washing—fell to them.
Ye Wantang, once a noble lady skilled only in painting and playing the zither, now had to wash clothes and prepare meals at the imperial mausoleum. Xiao Changtai’s gaze softened as he looked at her. "Wanwan, leave those. I’ll wash them."
"In winter, you wouldn’t let me do the laundry because of the cold. Now it’s midsummer—you can’t handle all the chores alone," Ye Wantang replied with a bright smile.
During their travels years ago, they had often ventured into the wilderness, and she had never been pampered. Though life here was austere, Ye Wantang found a rare sense of freedom.
They prepared a meal together and ate. Afterward, Ye Wantang took out needle and thread to make clothes for autumn and winter. "Atai, I need to return to the capital for a while."
Xiao Changtai wasn’t free to leave, but Ye Wantang was. The Emperor hadn’t punished her by forcing her to accompany him to guard the mausoleum—she had chosen to follow her husband. She could return anytime, as long as she didn’t frequently enter and leave the imperial mausoleum, which the Emperor would overlook.
Xiao Changtai, who had been reading, felt his eyelids twitch. "Why the sudden return to the capital?""My mother has fallen ill, and she's been unwell for quite some time. It was only today when Qiaoqiao came to deliver fabric that she secretly informed me. I wish to return to the capital to see my mother." Ye Wantang lowered her head and began swiftly stitching with her needle.
Her delicate features appeared even more gentle and serene under the candlelight.
"What a coincidence..." Xiao Changtai's first reaction was suspicion.
"What did you say?" His voice was too soft for Ye Wantang to catch clearly.
"Nothing." Xiao Changtai raised a refined and clean smile. "There's no hurry for a day or two. I'll inquire if anyone can escort you. Once arrangements are made, you can return to the capital."
"I've asked Qiaoqiao to inform my father. He will surely send someone to fetch me." Ye Wantang's eyes curved into crescents, her smile sweet and clear. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."
Qiaoqiao was Ye Wantang's former personal maid. Since coming here, they only received basic rations of ingredients, which weren't enough for daily sustenance for two people. Both Xiao Changtai and Ye Wantang would make things themselves and have Qiaoqiao come regularly to exchange them for money outside, then purchase necessary items for them.
Qiaoqiao was trustworthy. If her father-in-law were to come fetch her personally, then her mother-in-law's serious illness must be true.
Xiao Changtai also smiled, but the candlelight couldn't reach the depth in his eyes.
The capital was only two days' journey from the imperial mausoleum. Instead of sending someone, Ye Qi took advantage of his day off to come personally. Xiao Changtai seized the opportunity to advise: "Father-in-law, there seems to be unrest in the capital. I worry about Wanwan and trouble you to take extra care."
In front of Ye Wantang, Xiao Changtai naturally couldn't speak plainly, but both father-in-law and son-in-law understood implicitly - he was to keep close watch over Ye Wantang and prevent anyone with ill intentions from targeting her.
Ye Wantang didn't ponder deeply. With a sweet smile, she followed her father back to the capital.
On the day she entered the city, Xiao Huayong once again left the Eastern Palace to visit Shen Xihe. The sun was scorching, and Shen Xihe disliked moving about, so she refused to go to the Eastern Palace.
Before their engagement, Shen Xihe could visit the Eastern Palace under the pretext of paying respects, but as a young man, he couldn't frequently visit the Princess Manor. Now it was different - he could come openly and regularly. The two were playing chess when Mo Yuan delivered a message through Hongyu: "The Fourth Prince's consort has returned to the capital."
Shen Xihe placed a piece and waved at Hongyu to acknowledge the message, then looked up at Xiao Huayong: "No wonder Your Highness appears so confident."
"The good show has only just begun." Xiao Huayong smiled gently.
Seeing him place his piece, Shen Xihe picked up another, rubbed it thoughtfully for a moment before setting it down: "Your Highness, I don't think the Fourth Prince has much genuine affection for his consort. Knowing it's a trap, he might not take the bait."
Ye Wantang was indifferent to fame and fortune, making her inherently unsuited for marriage into the imperial family. Back then, Xiao Changtai had gone to great lengths to win her affection, even promising not to get involved in power struggles. This nearly caused Ye Wantang to break with her grandfather in her determination to marry into the imperial family.
His behind-the-scenes actions had proven that while he might harbor some affection for Ye Wantang, it couldn't compare to his eight-tenths desire for power.
"We're not the ones holding the Ye family members hostage, so he'll have fewer reservations." Xiao Huayong's smile deepened.
"Hmm?" Shen Xihe looked puzzled."Princess Consort of Dai has sent three messages, all rejected by the Fourth Prince. How could she not be furious? Now that Ye Shi has returned to the capital, she wishes to see the Fourth Prince. She invited Ye Shi for a visit and detained her. Do you think the Fourth Prince won't come?" As Xiao Huayong's words fell, he placed a chess piece and gently reminded, "Youyou, watch your step carefully, or I'll win this round."
(Aunt Flo has arrived, my back aches and I can't sit for long. Let me rest for a couple of days, apologies. We need to resolve the Fourth Prince situation before the grand wedding can proceed. Didn't meet this week's goal, sigh.)
(End of Chapter)
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