Upon hearing this, Shen Xihe's gaze sharpened, a thought flashing through her mind. She abruptly stood up: "Mo Yuan!"
The sudden exclamation startled everyone. Mo Yuan rushed in immediately, swiftly scanning the surroundings before even reaching Shen Xihe: "Princess, what is the matter?"
"Send someone... you personally lead a team to the Shen residence to check if Second Lady is present!" Shen Xihe commanded with a stern expression.
Xiao Huayong also realized—the second prince had been coveting the Shen family's Second Lady for quite some time. If the fourth prince had kidnapped Shen Yingluo to threaten the second prince, he could both gain the second prince's support and restrain Shen Xihe.
He had been careless. Shen Xihe had never been close to Shen Yingluo, and he had nearly forgotten Shen Yingluo's existence.
Just as Mo Yuan received the order and led his men to the entrance of the Princess Manor, someone stumbled toward them—it was Shen Yingluo's wet nurse, Tan Shi. As soon as Tan Shi saw Mo Yuan, she rushed over, grabbed his arm, and knelt with a thud: "General Mo, Second Lady has been abducted..."
Shen Yingluo was at the Shen residence, which was heavily guarded with the same security standards as a prince's manor. Moreover, being under the emperor's nose, no one would dare to easily infiltrate the Shen residence—except for someone as audacious as Xiao Changtai.
Since the death of Changling Princess, Shen Yingluo had lived a reclusive life. Observing mourning for her mother, she rarely left the Shen residence unless necessary for banquets or occasional outings for relaxation. She never imagined that someone would break into her bedchamber and abduct her—such an incident occurring in a prince's manor was unthinkable.
A quarter of an hour earlier, Xiao Changtai arrived at Zhao Wang's manor dressed in coarse cloth, disguised as a firewood deliverer. Through a steward, he bypassed the surveillance of others in Zhao Wang's manor and met with Zhao Wang, Xiao Changmin.
"Fourth Brother, you are quite bold to secretly escape from the imperial mausoleum and return to the capital. If Your Majesty finds out, even as a prince, your life will be in grave danger."
Xiao Changtai removed his bamboo hat: "Second Brother, if I die today, I will merely be heading to the underworld a little earlier to wait for you."
"What do you mean by that?" Xiao Changmin's expression darkened.
"I was forced to come to the capital today—my wife has fallen into the hands of our dear seventh brother." Xiao Changtai revealed Xiao Huayong's true nature to Xiao Changmin. "Second Brother, are you still foolishly hoping, like I was, for our Crown Prince to pass away?"
With a light, mocking laugh, Xiao Changtai continued, "Stop hoping. If you don't see his true face soon, you might not even know how you die. Second Brother, think about it—since he returned from the Taoist temple to the capital, how many changes have occurred in the capital over this past year?
How many power shifts have taken place in the court? In just one year, the leaders of the Six Ministries have all been replaced. In the Three Departments, aside from the Secretariat Director, Cui Zheng, everyone else has been changed as well—and these are the pillars of the state, not to mention countless other official positions.
While we are openly fighting and scheming, he sits back and watches us like monkeys performing. It's quite possible that both you and I are nothing but monkeys in his show."
Xiao Changmin showed little surprise. He had considered all this, especially since Munuha had claimed in front of His Majesty that he had seen the highly skilled Xiao Huayong. He had never let his guard down against Xiao Huayong for a moment. However, Xiao Huayong was the Crown Prince—who would dare to act rashly?
What difference is there between plotting against the Crown Prince and rebellion? Who would be willing to sacrifice themselves for someone else's benefit? Toppling the Crown Prince only to pave the way for others?"Crown Prince is unfathomable, but are you not equally profound and reserved?" Xiao Changmin sneered coldly. "Fourth Brother, I am no fool. Your words are wasted on me. I would be delighted to see you contend with the Crown Prince. Reaping the benefits would be ideal; if not, I shall remain untainted."
"Second Brother has always been hesitant and indecisive." A trace of mockery flashed in Xiao Changtai's eyes. "However, I have learned a trick from the Crown Prince..."
As he spoke, Xiao Changtai produced a peony hairpin and placed it before Xiao Changmin. "Fourth Brother, does this look familiar?"
This hairpin was well-known among all the princes and princesses who had studied with Shen Yingluo—it was her favorite, worn frequently.
"How dare you!" Enraged, Xiao Changmin slammed his palm on the table and stood up abruptly. At the sound, guards rushed in from outside. "Seize him!"
"Second Brother, capturing me is futile." Xiao Changtai showed no fear. "From the moment I stepped into the capital, I had no intention of returning. What harm in having a few more accompany me to the grave? Only pity for the County Lord of Huaiyang—in the bloom of youth, yet fated to a tragic end..."
Xiao Changmin swiftly drew his sword and pressed it against Xiao Changtai's neck. "Where is she?"
"Help me leave the capital alive, and I will ensure the County Lord of Huaiyang returns to the manor unharmed." Xiao Changtai laughed, utterly unperturbed.
Xiao Changmin's gaze turned icy, his grip on the sword hilt tightening gradually.
"Heh heh heh..." Xiao Changtai chuckled softly. Instead of retreating, he leaned forward, allowing the blade to graze his neck and draw a thin line of blood, yet he remained fearless.
In contrast, Xiao Changmin stepped back repeatedly until his back hit the wall, with no further retreat possible. The surrounding guards, without Xiao Changmin's order, dared not act rashly.
Xiao Changtai grabbed Xiao Changmin's shoulder with one hand and pressed down on his sword-holding hand with the other, his expression sinister. "Second Brother, even if I escaped from the imperial mausoleum, it is not your place to kill me. Do you dare lay a hand on me? If I die, your beloved will join me in death, and your comfortable days will be over."
Just as not everyone has the right to execute a criminal, Xiao Changtai's unauthorized escape from the imperial mausoleum was an unforgivable crime. If Xiao Changmin killed him, he would be equally guilty.
Shoving Xiao Changmin away, Xiao Changtai ignored the bleeding wound on his neck. "The Crown Prince's men will soon track me down. Whether to assist your younger brother or not is your choice, Second Brother."
He had stayed in Zhao Wang's residence for only a quarter of an hour—any longer, and he truly would not escape. If the Crown Prince caught him there and presented him before His Majesty, it would be enough to convict him.
Just as Xiao Changtai left Zhao Wang's residence, Tan Shi rushed to the Princess Manor to report the news of Shen Yingluo's abduction.
Xiao Huayong personally visited Zhao Wang's residence, where Xiao Changmin, now composed, received the Crown Prince with utmost respect.
"Second Brother, do you have anything to say to me?" Xiao Huayong asked.
Xiao Changmin appeared puzzled. "Why does the Crown Prince ask this? Your Highness's visit is to inquire if I have something to report?"
Xiao Huayong regarded him calmly. "Since Second Brother has nothing to say to me, I shall inform you of one matter."
"Your Highness, please speak." Xiao Changmin replied respectfully.
"The person behind the tomb robbery case, who colluded with the Li family, was Fourth Brother." Xiao Huayong uttered these words softly.Xiao Changmin slightly bowed his body, his eyelids half-lowered to conceal the unfathomable darkness in his eyes: "Thank you for informing me, Your Highness. I will verify it."
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