Chapter 86: Shu Yu Begins to Feel His Blood Boiling

Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Wei Nian had already been waiting for the Crown Prince for quite some time.

Xiao Youlan had entrusted him with the task of investigating the evidence of Zhong Yun's tampering, and Wei Nian had been forced to carve out time from a mountain of urgent matters to resolve this trivial affair.

At this moment, Wei Nian had come to report on this matter.

However, he first noticed the damage and bloodstains on Shu Yu and the others, and quickly realized that something must have happened.

He furrowed his brows and asked, "The city guards have long since been reinforced, so how could Your Highness still encounter an attack?"

Shu Yu clapped his hands together, "That's just it, the ambush happened outside the city!"

Wei Nian paused, his gaze shifting to Nan Xueyin.

Aside from the Crown Prince, she was the only one who remained clean, so she must have been very well protected.

Such...

Before he could say anything, Xiao Youlan spoke first: "Changling, take Zhong Yun to Baoci Palace."

Wei Nian looked up, revealing a slightly confused expression.

"Zhong Yun does not understand the rules and dared to scheme within the Eastern Palace; naturally, she should be properly taught by the Momo in Baoci Palace."

Wei Nian pursed his lips, "But as for the Emperor..."

Xiao Youlan had already made arrangements for this: "I will go to see the Emperor myself in a moment."

Wei Nian sighed, knowing he could not refuse the Crown Prince's order, and could not help but look at Nan Xueyin again; that look was far from friendly.

Nan Xueyin felt that the words "a beauty who brings disaster" were almost about to spill from his lips.

But since Xiao Youlan was by her side, he ultimately remained silent, led Zhong Yun away, and went to Baoci Palace with the Crown Prince's order.

"I am going to see the Emperor," Xiao Youlan said softly to Nan Xueyin before leaving, "You have worked hard today, get some good rest."

Nan Xueyin waved her hand in distaste, "Hurry up and go."

Xiao Youlan smiled, "We will have dinner together later."

Having said that, he set off and left the Eastern Palace.

Nan Xueyin glanced at his back, confirmed that he had already left and would not be back for a while, twitched her eyebrows, and walked toward the nearest corner of the wall, pushing aside the flowers and grass and kicking away stones with the tip of her shoe.

"What are you looking for?" Shu Yu came over; he actually hadn't gone with the Crown Prince.

Nan Xueyin didn't even turn her head, saying, "Looking for nothing, just taking a look."

Shu Yu guessed boldly: "You wouldn't be trying to find bugs to scare the Crown Prince, would you!"

Nan Xueyin didn't make a sound.

There was indeed a bug under the stone, but it felt like it had just been born and wasn't even an adult yet.

Something so small, who could it possibly scare?

"You won't find any," Shu Yu hummed with a laugh, "Because the Crown Prince is afraid, the Eastern Palace often sends people to inspect everywhere; any scary bugs or rodents are naturally disposed of immediately."

Nan Xueyin ignored him and changed to another spot to continue searching.

Shu Yu followed her again, "I haven't asked you yet, just now outside the city, you, me, plus the people from the Eastern Palace, and the men under the Prince, could clearly have wiped out those Assassins, why did you spare their lives and even let them run away?"

Nan Xueyin didn't even lift her eyelids, "Didn't you see what clothes they were wearing?"

Shu Yu recalled for a moment, "Just... very simple coarse cloth clothes, nothing special, not worth fearing!"

Nan Xueyin glanced at him.

That was why she said that someone like Shu Yu, who came from a prestigious family, would never understand the suffering of those at the bottom.

"You also know there was nothing special. They were just destitute and driven to become bandits and Assassins because they had no other choice; when it comes down to it, they are also pitiful commoners of the Ye Dynasty. If you wiped them all out, what would happen to their elderly mothers, wives, and children? Wait at home to die?"

Shu Yu was stunned; he truly had never thought of this layer.

A moment later, Shu Yu said again: "But... since they chose to be Assassins and chose to attack the Prince and the Crown Prince, they naturally were prepared to accept all the evil consequences. You still shouldn't have let them go. If they come back, what then?"

Nan Xueyin straightened her body, turned to Shu Yu, and said coldly: "First of all, they didn't choose to be Assassins voluntarily. If they had fields to farm and work to do, there would be no need to risk their lives killing people."

"Secondly, why did they hunt and attack the Prince? Because the imperial relatives and nobles of this world are supported by their blood and sweat. Most of the heavy taxes every year flow to the imperial relatives and nobles, and some of them are not satisfied with that, relying on their official positions to exploit and oppress the people, which is what stirred up public anger."

"Finally, you say the imperial court sets up military camps and the Eastern Palace keeps personal guards; what is it for? To protect them and defend their power. Then, if all the assassins and killers were killed, do you think you would have any reason to exist?"

Shu Yu was left stunned by her words, unable to react for a long while, only feeling as if a heavy gloom was pressing down on his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe.

This was a feeling he had never experienced before.

Having finished speaking, Nan Xueyin withdrew her gaze and continued to bend down to search in the grass.

Shu Yu watched her back, feeling moved in his heart; clearly, she looked to be about the same age as him, but she viewed problems much more profoundly than he did.

She was not only skilled at archery and swordsmanship, but also very good at fighting.

Shu Yu finally understood why the Crown Prince liked her so much.

"Anything else you want to ask?" Nan Xueyin didn't turn her head.

Shu Yu scratched his head, "Well, you aren't called Hua Lianying, you're called Nan something... how do you write those three characters?"

Nan Xueyin sneered.

No wonder he is the Crown Prince and you are just a personal guard; you still have to ask about this.

"I don't know how to write them either," Nan Xueyin said, being mischievous on purpose, "I am illiterate."

Shu Yu let out an "Ah," and while admiring her, he felt a bit more sympathy for her.

Nan Xueyin caught that bit of sympathy, found it amusing, and also had a very good idea, saying: "Shu Yu, are we friends?"

Shu Yu was startled and immediately said: "Of course we are!"

"If I need your help, you would definitely help me without hesitation, right?"

"Of course!" Shu Yu began to feel his blood boiling.

Nan Xueyin cooperated with a "Wow," "You are so loyal, your righteousness reaches the heavens."

Shu Yu puffed out his chest proudly.

"So, can you help me find a bunch of bugs? It would be best if there are more than two cockroaches, and they need to be big. Other bugs should also be big, as long as they look scary enough."

Shu Yu rubbed his hands hesitantly, "Are you wanting these bugs to scare His Highness the Crown Prince? If that's the case, I definitely cannot do it. I am also very good brothers with His Highness the Crown Prince; I cannot betray him."

Nan Xueyin said with great solemnity, "Of course it is not to scare him; I want the bugs for the sake of His Highness the Crown Prince as well."

"Is that so?" Shu Yu was half-doubting.

"His Highness will be the emperor in the future, so he certainly cannot have any flaws or weaknesses. If his opponents find out about this matter of fearing bugs, it could also become a way to attack His Highness the Crown Prince," Nan Xueyin tilted her head, "Do you want such a thing to happen?"

"That absolutely will not do!"

"So," Nan Xueyin coaxed him patiently, "I just want to use these bugs to correct His Highness the Crown Prince's flaws, to make him more perfect and impeccable."

Shu Yu was completely convinced and patted his chest in assurance, "I will definitely find them for you!"