Prince Rui's royal residence lay beneath a gray autumn sky. When Qin Guan's carriage came to a halt, she was suddenly struck by an overwhelming sense of desolation. Sighing, she stepped forward and knocked on the gate.
The gatekeeper, clearly not expecting Qin Guan at this hour, was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure and respectfully invited her inside. Qin Guan followed the small Path northward through the estate and soon saw Yan Chi striding toward her.
Two unfamiliar men trailed behind Yan Chi. Spotting her from a distance, they quickly averted their gaze and turned toward a side gate. Unaware of their identities, Qin Guan simply waited with a food box in hand as Yan Chi approached.
Yan Chi glanced at the container she held. "This is..."
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager asked me to bring it to you."
Qin Guan's reply made Yan Chi's eyes flicker with disappointment, and she realized he had misunderstood. With a playful glint in her eyes, she added, "If you'd prefer something I made myself, I could give it a try—though the results would likely be far from impressive."
Yan Chi's expression immediately brightened. Taking the food box with one hand and grasping her hand with the other, he led her inside. "I wouldn't dream of letting you do that now. But in the future, if you're willing to cook for me, my life would be complete."
Qin Guan chuckled. "Your idea of 'complete' is far too easily achieved!"
Yan Chi gently squeezed her palm. "Actually, your timing is perfect—"
Catching the implication in his tone, Qin Guan turned to face him. "What do you mean?"
Yan Chi's gaze darkened slightly. "The person you wanted to see has been found."
Qin Guan halted abruptly. "You mean Wang Han?!"
Yan Chi nodded with a smile. Qin Guan's breath caught in her throat. So soon! Wang Han had actually been found!
"How? Where did you find him?"
Yan Chi could see her excitement clearly. Her bright, clear eyes—like a shallow stream—shone with startling intensity. His smile widened. "He had already left the capital, but he has a distant uncle here in the city. I sent men to locate his uncle and had him send a message to Wang Han. We captured him on his way back."
Qin Guan's eyes widened, and she immediately tightened her grip on Yan Chi's hand. "Where is he? Take me to see him!"
Yan Chi's smile deepened. Handing the food box to Baiying, he led Qin Guan by the hand deeper into the royal residence. Prince Rui's estate had no dungeon, so after his capture, Wang Han had been confined to an empty room in the rear courtyard. Two guards in black stood watch outside the compound. Seeing Yan Chi approach with Qin Guan, they promptly bowed in respect. Yan Chi waved them off and guided Qin Guan through the courtyard gate.
Before pushing the door open, Yan Chi asked, "Do you want to reveal your identity?"
Understanding his meaning, Qin Guan shook her head. "Let's question him first."
Yan Chi nodded and opened the door. Upon entering, Qin Guan first noticed the barren room, thick with cobwebs, and then the man bound hand and foot in the corner, his eyes blindfolded.
Wang Han was a large man; even tied up and curled into a ball, he appeared tall and robust. As a former member of the imperial guards, subduing him had required considerable effort. Now, his exposed cheeks and wrists were covered in dark bruises. Though blindfolded, his hearing remained sharp. At the sound of their entrance, he flinched, his body tensing with alertness.He slowly pushed himself up from the ground, becoming increasingly aware of the approaching footsteps. Wang Han shouted in terror, "Who are you?! Who are you…"
Yan Chi remained silent, and Qin Guan, with perfect understanding, also said nothing.
The soundless silence was like a blunt knife slowly grinding away at Wang Han, who was already consumed by fear. He pressed his back tightly against the wall, his entire body trembling and shrinking in terror. Qin Guan frowned slightly. A man like Wang Han—an ordinary bandit would hardly reduce him to such a state. His current fear must stem from believing they were here to take his life.
Thinking this, Qin Guan had even less intention of speaking.
Wang Han’s body shook uncontrollably, his face drenched in cold sweat. Qin Guan stared at him, her gaze as sharp as a physical presence. When confronting a murder case, her delicate and gentle appearance vanished entirely. At this moment, her eyes were as cold and imposing as Yan Chi’s.
Wang Han grew increasingly terrified. "I… I didn’t mean to come back… I… Are you… Are you from the palace?"
At these words, Yan Chi and Qin Guan exchanged a glance.
"All my assets are managed by my uncle. Without that money, I can’t survive… I only came back to take my silver. I swear I never meant to betray the Empress…"
Qin Guan narrowed her eyes, while a cold glint flashed in Yan Chi’s gaze.
Wang Han seemed utterly terrified. "Don’t kill me, I won’t say a word… If you let me go, I’ll leave and never return to the capital. Please, don’t kill me… I beg you…"
Watching Wang Han plead for mercy, Qin Guan pressed her lips together expressionlessly.
Hearing no response, Wang Han quickly added, "I swear, I truly swear! I’ll follow the Empress’s orders without fail. I dare not disobey her commands. I’ll even give up my position in the imperial guards. My loyalty to the Empress is as unwavering as the sun and moon. Please, don’t kill me… Don’t kill me…"
As if struck by a sudden thought, his expression shifted again. "Wait—please don’t harm my uncle. He knows nothing. He’s just an honest, law-abiding merchant… I beg you…"
As Wang Han continued to plead, Qin Guan suddenly glanced at Yan Chi and signaled toward the outside with her eyes.
Yan Chi followed her out.
After walking a few steps away from the room, Yan Chi asked, "What is it?"
Qin Guan replied, "This man is crucial, but he won’t cooperate if we question him directly. Earlier, I heard him pleading for his uncle. What exactly is the relationship between him and his uncle?"
Yan Chi explained, "His mother passed away early, and he only has a seriously ill father at home. He possesses exceptional martial arts skills, but it was his merchant uncle who paved the way for him to become a palace guard. He holds deep gratitude toward his uncle. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked returning at such a critical time."
Qin Guan nodded. "He’s someone who repays kindness. That’s perfect!"
A glimmer of anticipation shone in Yan Chi’s eyes as he looked at her expectantly. Qin Guan’s gaze shifted, and she said, "Don’t blame me for using him. At this point, we have no choice but to make him our pawn."
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow. Qin Guan then whispered a plan. Upon hearing it, Yan Chi couldn’t help but chuckle. "Guan Guan, this really doesn’t seem like a plan you would come up with…"Qin Guan, who was usually aloof and serious, felt somewhat embarrassed by Yan Chi's teasing. "Do you think it's feasible?"
Yan Chi chuckled, "Why wouldn't it be? Leave it to Bai Feng—he's the best at handling such matters!"
Hearing this, Qin Guan immediately felt relieved. Yan Chi promptly took Qin Guan to instruct Bai Feng. Bai Feng showed no surprise upon receiving Yan Chi's orders, but when he learned the strategy was Qin Guan's idea, he nearly dropped his jaw in astonishment. This made Qin Guan even more flustered...
As night fell, the door to the room where Wang Han was confined creaked open once more.
Bai Feng, accompanied by two guards, roughly dragged Wang Han out of the house.
Listening to Wang Han's pleas and shouts, Bai Feng delivered a swift chop to the neck, knocking him unconscious.
On a moonless, windy night, Wang Han awoke amidst a cluster of graves at the foot of Qiwu Mountain outside the city. Qiwu Mountain was covered with tombs, but only wealthy families from the capital had the privilege of burying their dead on the mountain. Because it was considered an auspicious site, commoners gradually began placing tombs in the vast pine and cypress forest to the southwest. Due to its remote location and lack of supervision, the forest accumulated more and more graves over time, until the entire area became a sprawling burial ground.
As soon as Wang Han regained consciousness, a sharp pain throbbed in his head. His hands and feet were still bound, and darkness enveloped him. However, likely due to being dragged for so long during transport, the ropes binding him had loosened considerably despite the pain in his wrists. Twisting his hands slightly, Wang Han realized he could potentially free himself, and a flicker of hope sparked within him.
"Brother, this guy's still out cold..."
"Keep digging. It's better if he stays unconscious—no noise when we bury him."
"Right, we need to return to the palace before dawn."
The budding hope in Wang Han's heart instantly turned into a cold sweat...
Who were these speakers? Who were they planning to bury? Were they from the palace?!
These questions flashed through his mind, and Wang Han suddenly felt a chill seize his entire body—these people were going to bury him alive to silence him forever!
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