Chapter 107: Aftermath

Shen Siyuan didn’t find out until the next day that the events of last night had blown up big time.

Firefighters, police, reporters, and some people of unknown identity all showed up—some wandering around with instruments, others going door to door asking questions, and still more gathering to gawk.

With today’s self-media booming and short videos flying everywhere, the incident shot straight to number one on the trending list; some residents even planned to go to the hospital for checkups to see if they’d suffered any hidden physical damage—the entire neighborhood was in an uproar.

Damp hair clung to his temples, the black undershirt long battered and wrinkled beyond recognition, clinging tightly to him from the moisture. He couldn’t help wondering—how was his hand still warm, even like this? Did men really not feel cold at all?

Xuan Yuan Che’s expression changed instantly; he reached out and grabbed her wrist, his handsome face suddenly twisted with panic he could never have imagined.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Su couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath inward—how much more so Su Yeshi?

With this, Deng Chao’s pair paired with Kun Ling now held an advantage: as long as Deng Chao could hold on without falling off the horizontal bar, there would essentially be no problem.

A soft grunt came from the side; I thought it was Lu Xu, but when I turned my head, I saw Brother Liang had opened his eyes and was staring right at us. I looked up at Lu Xu’s expression—he was as inscrutable as ever.

After sending off the drowsy Juan’er, Xiangxiang had the servants bring hot water and sat by the bathtub herself, combing Shen Yan’s hair. Steam filled the room; Xiangxiang leaned forward to speak to her master, but saw tears on her face—she couldn’t tell if they were from the bathwater or real tears.

When my hand closed around the doorknob marked with the half-blooded palm print, I turned it slowly—the door creaked open, and in that instant, at least four long blades, glinting with cold light, slashed outward from four of the most unexpected, most effective angles.

No matter what pain she endured, no matter how desperately she wanted to escape it, the moment she thought of Gu Ruoyi, she immediately quashed the thought.

“These soldiers came with me,” Xiong Yi said, bowing low to King Ji Gongsheng and Bao Si. “I heard Your Majesty wished to present Lady Bao with a white fox as a gift. We, your humble servants, recalled our past offenses against Minister Bao and intended to hunt one or two to beg her forgiveness.”

Ye Shixuan suddenly reached up and ruffled her hair; she tilted her head, saying something to him—he laughed with clear delight.

Xiao Ming nodded and asked Zhao She to recount his experiences during that time. He knew these personal tiger guards had done nothing wrong—it must have been Zhao She using the emperor’s authority to pressure them, leaving them no choice but to obey. He ordered guards to secure the door and listened as Zhao She told his story.

Now Guan Yan had openly questioned him in front of everyone—He Qing’s face flushed with shame.

Yun Mengxue ran to a large tree, leaning weakly against its trunk, removing the silver fox mask from her face, tears glistening in her eyes.

“To thank you for renting me the apartment so cheaply, I’m treating you to lunch today! The place? The Thousand-Person Banquet Hall!” Xiao Xiao grinned slyly. He’d promised to take her out to eat yesterday—he was just combining two meals into one, no wonder he couldn’t stop smirking.

To split forces like this is a cardinal sin in military strategy! Guan Yan understood this well—if this issue wasn’t resolved, it would become a latent threat, capable of erupting at any moment and tipping the balance of victory or defeat.

“Has Young Master Wu Bing entered yet?” Ding Meilin clearly cared deeply about the main guest of this banquet. She’d heard Ye Cheng mention Wu Bing before, and now that she had a chance to see him in person, she wouldn’t miss it. Anyone connected to the Ye family, she intended to know thoroughly—it would benefit her future moves.

Soldiers have never been a respected social class, yet Xiao Ming demanded military academies train true, knowledgeable military specialists—and select them by merit alone! This was unlike the military examinations, which drew from the common people; military academies were state-run, and their selection process was fundamentally different.