Chapter 88 The Crown Prince and Crown Princess have passed away.

Chapter Eighty-Eight: The Crown Prince and Crown Princess Have Passed Away

Shen Tang didn't think about it for long; she was certain she wanted to leave, even though she already had a child.

However, she has Youlan by her side, and Meng Huaiyan also has such a powerful Shadow Guard by his side. As long as Meng Huaiyan doesn't give up on her, even if she gets Wang Xi's help, she can successfully escape the capital.

But there's no guarantee that Meng Huaiyan's men won't find her again.

Shen Tang told Wang Xi about how she had escaped last time but was quickly caught and brought back.

Wang Xi, however, was not afraid at all and said to her, "Meng Huaiyan is looking for Shen Tang, but what if 'Shen Tang' is dead?"

Shen Tang was stunned for a second before her eyes widened instantly: "You want me to fake my death?"

"But it's not that easy. What about the bodies?"

Wang Xi said, "You don't need to worry about that. I've already come up with a plan. We'll go to the mass grave, find a female corpse that's about your size, and then start a big fire."

"The fire will destroy your face and body, and even the coroner will not be able to tell whether it is Shen Tang or not."

Shen Tang was still a little worried: "How do we cover up the baby in my belly? It's probably hard to find a female corpse that's about my size and also pregnant, right?"

"You don't need to worry about that. I've consulted a doctor. Once the body is burned, it's impossible to take a pulse and find out if someone was pregnant."

Wang Xi paused for a moment and then said, "Luckily, you're not far along in your pregnancy, so your belly isn't showing yet, making it easy to hide."

Shen Tang listened in silence for a long time, feeling both anticipation for their escape and fear of Meng Huaiyan's wrath should the truth be exposed.

But there are never times when you can have it all. Since she wanted to leave, she had to bear the consequences of leaving.

After much deliberation, the urgency to leave finally overcame her fear, and Shen Tang made up her mind, saying to Wang Xi, "Alright, I'll do whatever you say."

During the waiting period, Shen Tangsheng was afraid that Meng Huaiyan would notice something was amiss, so she had to try to avoid meeting Meng Huaiyan.

Fortunately, there was a previous experience of getting angry and kicking Meng Huaiyan out, so even though Meng Huaiyan felt that Shen Tang's temper had been getting worse lately, he didn't suspect anything after Shen Tang deliberately got angry and kicked Meng Huaiyan out these past few days.

That day, Shen Tang received a letter from Wang Xi, inviting her to a gathering at Cui Ming Lou the next day.

Shen Tang clutched the letter in her hand, her heart pounding like a drum, her body trembling with excitement.

She suppressed her excitement and gestured to Ayun beside her. Ayun received the instruction and quickly withdrew.

The more critical the moment, the less one should panic. As usual, Shen Tang ate her meal alone and soon went to bed.

But I have something on my mind, and I can't fall asleep tonight, tossing and turning.

In the latter half of the night, Shen Tang, half asleep, suddenly felt a familiar sandalwood scent wafting from beside her; it was Meng Huaiyan.

What is he here for?

Shen Tang's heart jumped into her throat. Afraid that he would notice, she quickly composed herself, relaxed her body, and pretended to be asleep.

"You slept so well today?"

Meng Huaiyan suddenly said this, and Shen Tang was puzzled. What did he mean by being so well-behaved today? Did he come to see her sleeping every day?

Before Shen Tang could figure it out, she suddenly felt a warm touch on her lips.

Meng Huaiyan kissed her several times, then gently pressed his head against her belly, whispering something to the baby inside her with a hint of grievance.

“Manman, your mother has been very strict with me lately. Don’t be like her in the future.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to realize that it was wrong to speak ill of Shen Tang in front of the child, and quickly added.

"Your mother's temper is bad because of her pregnancy. She is actually a very good-tempered person. You should listen to her."

Meng Huaiyan stayed a while longer, then tucked the blanket around Shen Tang before getting up and leaving.

Shen Tang lay on the bed, not knowing what she was thinking for a long time.

She turned over and felt a dampness on her cheek where it touched the pillow.

She then realized that those were her tears.

*

Today the weather is sunny and cloudless, a rare treat.

Meng Huaiyan finished his shift, and Shen Tang had lunch as usual before preparing to leave the mansion.

Although the sun was shining today, the weather was still very cold, so Ayun brought out a floor-length white cloak and wrapped her up completely.

After everything was tidied up, Shen Tang slowly walked out of the mansion without looking back.

Shen Tang told the waiter at Cui Ming Lou about Wang Xi's name. After checking the reservation information, the waiter enthusiastically led her to a private room on the third floor.

Youlan was still standing guard at the door. Inside the private room, Chen Tang and A Yun sat facing each other, both looking anxious and uneasy.

A moment later, the sound of swords clashing came from the door of the private room. Chen Tang and A Yun stood up with a somewhat flustered expression because of this sudden movement.

Suddenly, a noise came from one side of the private room. Shen Tang looked up and saw two men dressed in black with their faces covered.

This private room was actually connected to another area, with a very hidden little door in the corner.

Upon seeing her, the man in black immediately bowed and said, "We are Miss Wang's men."

Shen Tang suppressed her inner panic and nodded to them.

Time was of the essence. One of the men quickly opened the burlap sack he was carrying on his shoulder, placed the two female corpses on the ground, and said to Shen Tang, "Miss, please change your clothes quickly."

Shen Tang didn't dare to delay. She went around to the screen and took out the clothes she had prepared in advance to change. When she saw the tortoiseshell bracelet inlaid with gold and jewels on her hand, she was stunned for a moment. The next second, she took off the bracelet without hesitation.

The man quickly put the clothes and bracelets she had taken off on one of the female corpses, and then tied her to a chair.

Another man then poured tung oil over the entire house and the corpse. Once that was done, he led Shen Tang and the other man out through the hidden door.

The passage through this small door is hidden and leads directly to the backyard.

A carriage was already waiting in the backyard. Upon seeing them arrive, the carriage quickly helped the two women into it, then cracked its whip and headed straight for the city gate.

The weather was dry in winter, and the entire private room was covered in tung oil, so it quickly burst into flames when it came into contact with fire.

In just a short time, the fire had become uncontrollable.

"Fire! Fire! Help! Put out the fire!!!"

The front courtyard of Cuiminglou was in complete chaos. Everyone's attention was drawn to that place, and no one noticed that a carriage had discreetly and quickly left the city.

Youlan was constantly entangled in a fight with three men in black, who were extremely skilled in martial arts but never managed to kill her; it seemed more like they were trying to slow her down.

Youlan felt a chill run down her spine and instantly sensed something was wrong. She wanted to make a quick escape.

However, if she were to face these people individually, she would have a chance of winning. But with all three of them attacking together, Youlan would be at a disadvantage.

Youlan was extremely anxious when she suddenly saw a fire break out in the private room where Shentang was.

Youlan was horrified and became even more ruthless, but the three people cooperated so well that they managed to hold her back.

The fire was too fierce, and it was on the third floor, making it difficult to get water. People carried buckets of water and poured them onto the fire, but it had no effect whatsoever.

Seeing that the time was right, the three of them didn't linger with Youlan any longer and quickly fled.

Youlan was covered in wounds, and her clothes were all intact. Finally free, she rushed into the fire.

Those nearby, seeing her covered in blood yet still rushing towards the fire, hurriedly shouted, "It's no use you going over there! The fire is too big; the people inside can't be rescued!"

Youlan ignored everything and rushed off in that direction alone.

The fire was too intense; the scorching heat burned her exposed skin. She wanted to go further, but a beam engulfed in flames suddenly crashed down on her.

Youlan reached out to block, but was still knocked to the ground and lost consciousness in an instant.

*

Meng Huaiyan was handling official business in the Censorate when, for some reason, he suddenly felt a strange sense of unease.

He rubbed his chest, trying to suppress the strange feeling.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from the doorway. Meng Huaiyan looked up when he heard the noise.

The usually composed Qingyang rushed in with a panicked expression, then knelt down on the ground with a thud, speaking to him in a sorrowful tone.

"Your Highness!"

"I just received news that the Crown Princess has passed away."