Chapter 61

Shen Shuangning was shocked beyond belief.

Suddenly recalling her previous life, the Drunken Cloud Pavilion was burned down by a great fire; shortly thereafter, Emperor Xuanwen took the princes and consorts to the imperial mausoleum to pay respects, only to be assassinated.

The explosives nearly blew up the entire mausoleum; Empress Wang risked her life to shield the emperor, saving him but suffering disfigurement herself, while the Crown Prince also sustained grave injuries and remained unconscious for a long time.

Only the Third Prince, who was absent, escaped this disaster.

Shen Shuangning could not recall the exact details, only remembering that the Third Prince had been locked up for several days; although he later came to no harm, from then on he lost the emperor's favor and also forfeited any claim to the throne.

Now, upon hearing Madame Yu say that the Drunken Cloud Pavilion stored a great deal of gunpowder, Shen Shuangning could not help but connect it to the later assassination of Emperor Xuanwen, and she was seized with sudden alarm.

As it turned out, even at this time the gunpowder had already been hidden right under everyone's noses, waiting for an opportunity to be moved.

And that great fire in her previous life was likely intended to cover up tracks and destroy evidence...

Shen Shuangning said: "The Brocade Guard does not handle cases so hastily, nor would it wrong the innocent; if Second Uncle is blameless, he will surely be fine."

Madame Yu was still worried.

Shen Shuangning again asked: "Aunt, do you know who else has been implicated?"

In the past Madame Yu would not bother telling Shen Shuangning such matters, deeming it a waste of words, but seeing that she now had no idea what to do, she went along with her and continued speaking.

Madame Yu listed the names of over a dozen officials—these were merely the ones she knew—and finally added: "The Third Prince was also arrested, just yesterday."

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuangning exclaimed in astonishment: "The Third Prince was also locked up? How dare the Brocade Guard do that?"

Madame Yu failed to notice that Shen Shuangning's point was how the Brocade Guard dared to imprison a prince, not why.

Madame Yu said: "The Third Prince was on good terms with Sun Zhiping; it is said that in that gambling house the Third Prince also received a third of the profits. Now Sun Zhiping has committed suicide out of fear of guilt, leaving no one to contradict the rumor, and everyone outside claims that the Third Prince is the mastermind behind it."

Given the Third Prince's mad-dog demeanor, it is indeed plausible that he had contemplated rebellion.

But just as Shen Shuangning also came to that conclusion, a thought flashed through her mind and she immediately quashed it!

This was solely because she recalled the figure of Sun Zhiping!

In that assassination in her previous life, Sun Zhiping also earned promotion for rescuing the emperor, being appointed Commander of the Golden Wolf Guard by the sovereign, becoming a close minister of the emperor, and the Sun family rose from humble origins to nobility, becoming the illustrious Pingyang Marquisate.

Sun Zhiping was none other than the famed Pingyang Marquis, whereas the Third Prince, by contrast, suffered a great fall.

From this it is clear that Sun Zhiping is not a follower of the Third Prince!

At least on the surface, but not behind the scenes!

Shen Shuangning clenched her fingers, cold sweat about to break out.

The course of this life has undergone such a tremendous change that she has not even met the Pingyang Marquis in person before he died, and the Sun family was exterminated to a man—does this mean that the future calamity of Emperor Xuanwen's assassination has been averted?

Shen Shuangning does not know, but at present it can be certain that the Third Prince is still as ill-fated as in her previous life, and has been thrown into jail again.

Truly, he has brought his own ruin upon himself.

Shen Shuangning already knew that Zhai Ji was innocent, yet she did not voice the thoughts in her heart.

She would actually prefer that Zhai Ji be locked up for life; as for whether he is wronged, she couldn't care less.

"The current Brocade Guard commandant is the heir of the Prince of Yan's mansion, whom the emperor greatly favors; recently the Salt Transport Commissioner's corruption case implicated many court officials, and even a third-rank official who went in would have his skin peeled off! It is said that whoever enters the Brocade Guard, right or wrong, must first endure a bout of physical punishment!"

Madame Yu's usual calm and shrewdness had completely vanished, leaving only panic in her eyes.

"Now he even dares to seize a prince—if your second uncle falls into his hands, will he still have a scrap of good flesh? He cannot withstand the suffering of prison! I sent people to inquire, but that place is as sealed as an iron barrel; we simply have no idea what is going on inside."

Although Madame Yu harbored resentment toward Shen Wei for his licentiousness, after all he is her husband who shares her bed and the pillar of the second branch—how could she not be anxious?

After speaking, Madame Yu rubbed her forehead, plopped down onto the side chair, shook her head and said: "Forget it, forget it—what's the use of telling you? Go amuse yourself."

In Madame Yu's eyes, Shen Shuangning is merely an unmarried young lady who could not possibly understand these stakes; speaking would be in vain.

She could not help but think: if Shen Shuangning had been betrothed to that Xiao heir back then, perhaps there would still be a way, but now she can only sit and fret anxiously.

"Aunt, don't worry, Second Uncle will be fine," Shen Shuangning soothed.

Madame Yu could not hear a word at present, sighing: "Now your elder sister is pregnant; I fear that if she finds out she will be agitated and endanger the fetus."

When one branch prospers, both prosper; when one suffers, both suffer—Shen Shuangning cannot stand by idly.

At present the affairs of the second branch are urgent; we must first bring Second Uncle back, then go find Pei Zhi to discuss our father's matters.

Having made up her mind, Shen Shuangning said no more and immediately ordered a horse to be readied for the Brocade Guard.

A draft through the Brocade Guard's hallway carried the scent of blood as it swept past the corridors.

Shen Wei sat alone in the hall awaiting interrogation, faintly hearing distant wails from somewhere; he forced a calm expression, hoping to sip tea to steady his nerves.

But when he raised his hand, the entire teacup trembled, and even the lid nearly shook loose.

The Brocade Guard's fearsome reputation was well known; he had heard of it long before, previously dismissing it with contempt and cursing it in private on several occasions.

But now that he had actually entered the Brocade Guard, his legs went weak.

Outside it was clearly bright sunshine, yet the Brocade Guard seemed shrouded in a gloom, dark and oppressive, filled with a murderous aura.

Shen Wei's stout, rotund figure shrank into the chair, appearing utterly helpless, pitiable, and insignificant.

He was not the first court official to come here; those who arrived before him, or after, had all been taken inside, yet only he was left waiting out here.

People came and went before him, seemingly ignoring him altogether, which made Shen Wei feel even more ill at ease.

After much effort he spotted a man in a green robe, not so fierce-looking, walking over; Shen Wei hastily set down his teacup, rose, and intercepted him, asking: "Sir, may I inquire why the interrogation of this official is still delayed? When might I be released?"

As fate would have it, the person Shen Wei stopped was none other than Su Chen.

Su Chen glanced at him twice, recognized who he was, and immediately put on a smile he considered kindly, speaking in an extremely gentle tone:

"Minister Shen, do not be anxious; your turn will come soon."

"The Fourth Miss carries great weight, and since Minister Shen truly knows nothing, the entire Brocade Guard will not make things difficult for him."

"The reason he has been detained until now is that the Heir is waiting for the Fourth Miss to arrive."

Su Chen's remark would be unremarkable in ordinary conversation, but spoken here in the Brocade Guard it is like the soul‑snatching chain before the King of Hell's hall—each word strikes the heart with a shudder.

Shen Wei's vision went dark for a moment.

Su Chen, however, lightly patted his shoulder and said: "The required procedures will not be lacking......"

Shen Wei's heart gave a sudden thump, and he nearly fell to his knees begging for mercy.

On this side, Shen Shuangning had just driven her carriage to the Office of Pacification.

The two stone lions before the gate were fierce and ferocious; the black iron gate was dark and somber, and a chilling solemnity swept over.

Shen Shuangning steadied herself, lifted her skirt, and stepped up the stairs, with Aheng following behind.

The gate of the Office of Pacification stood wide open, yet no one dared to peek around.

At the left and right of the gate stood two black-armored guards with swords each; Qingfeng shouldered his sword and stood bluntly in the middle.

He watched that slender figure approach, raised an eyebrow, and before Shen Shuangning could speak, he said: 'Fourth Miss, you came for Vice Minister Shen, right? Don't waste your effort—just go back.'

Qingfeng clearly remembered the previous lesson: because he had secretly let Shen Shuangning in, he had been punished.

Shen Shuangning knew it wouldn't be that easy; she had already braced herself.

"Please tell the Heir Apparent I have an important matter to discuss."

Qingfeng bluntly said: 'No, no, the Heir Apparent just issued a deadly order last time, forbidding anyone from letting Fourth Miss enter from now on; no matter what you say, I won't let you in. If you truly have business, go to the Treasure Pavilion and find Yaoniang.'

Shen Shuangning startled at the words, the fingers clasped before her abdomen slightly curled.

Xiao Jingyuan actually despised her so much.

Shen Shuangning slightly lowered her eyes: 'If so, could you please tell the Heir Apparent not to make things difficult for Second Uncle? He too is kept in the dark; I ask the Heir Apparent to show leniency.'

Qingfeng hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Only then did Shen Shuangning turn and leave.

Soon after, a black-armored guard hurried over and whispered a few words to Qingfeng.

Qingfeng widened his eyes: 'What? Why didn't you say so earlier?!'

Qingfeng hurried to look for Shen Shuangning's figure.

Seeing the Duke's mansion carriage already departing, Qingfeng hurriedly gave chase.

Shen Shuangning sat in the carriage, wondering whether to go to Prince Yan's mansion to beg the Princess Consort, when she heard Qingfeng's voice.

"Fourth Miss, halt!"

Shen Shuangning didn't quite understand why Xiao Jingyuan was willing to see her again.

Anyway, it's a good thing, so she didn't think much of it.

Only Shen Shuangning was allowed inside; Aheng and Ahzhao were left outside.

"May I first go see Second Uncle?" Shen Shuangning asked, looking at Qingfeng walking ahead.

Qingfeng refused: 'Idle persons may not set foot in the Interrogation Hall.'

Shen Shuangning did not insist, and added: 'Is Second Uncle still well?'

Qingfeng said: 'I'm not over there, so I don't know.'

As they passed a certain place, the air grew especially cold; Shen Shuangning faintly heard some wailing drift out, and her hair stood on end.

Qingfeng, however, kept his usual expression, as if he had long learned to ignore those sounds.

Soon after, they finally left that place and arrived at a tranquil spot.

Qingfeng stopped before a house; even if the person inside couldn't see his expression, he respectfully said: 'Heir Apparent, Fourth Miss has arrived.'

Shen Shuangning stood silently to the side, faintly hearing the sound of water, then silence again.

Soon after, a deep, cold voice said: 'Come in.' The voice sounded somewhat distant.

Qingfeng then pushed the door open, gesturing for Shen Shuangning to enter.

She keenly noticed Qing Feng's movement; the one who opened the door was him, meaning there was no outsider inside—only Xiao Jingyuan.

Xiao Jingyuan seemed to be busy with something.

"Fourth Miss, please," Qing Feng urged.

Shen Shuangning hesitated a moment, then lifted her foot and stepped inside.

Just as she stepped in, Qing Feng closed the door behind her.

Perhaps because the current scene was too similar to yesterday's, the lingering psychological shadow made her now somewhat afraid of being alone with a man in a room; thus she subconsciously stayed alert, standing and waiting for a while.

She turned her head and glanced.

The silhouette outside the door disappeared, and the door was not locked.

Shen Shuangning inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief, then turned her head to look inside.

Inside, the furnishings were simple and elegant: there were bookshelves, tables, and also a daybed for resting.

The lighting inside was good, quite bright, unlike the gloom outside.

Shen Shuangning instantly recognized this as Xiao Jingyuan's private quarters; the layout was actually very like his study in the Prince Yan's mansion.

A familiar soothing incense burned in a censer not far away, and Shen Shuangning felt a momentary daze.

In his previous life he needed that soothing incense to fall asleep, but since it contained a bit of musk, which is harmful to women, once he learned of it he stopped using it in their sleeping quarters.

However, at that time she was afflicted with cold poison, and thus had no destiny for offspring......

Whoosh—

The water sound that rang again startled Shen Shuangning back to awareness, and she then realized she had unconsciously walked into the inner chamber; the sound was coming from behind a screen nearby.

Shen Shuangning's eyes widened suddenly.

Xiao Jingyuan was actually bathing!!