Chapter 75 Days passed by...

Days passed by, and Chu Nanmu's scenes were few. Before long, it was time for Shen Li's filming to wrap up.

In the fifty-second year of Xuanping, the King of Chu collapsed in the Golden Palace and remained unconscious for dozens of days. The Crown Prince took over the reins of government. Several months later, at the Fenghua Gathering, he discovered a letter of treason. On the same day, the maternal uncle of the Second Prince openly entered the palace with weapons and took control of three palace gates.

The imperial city is rife with intrigue and unpredictable events, with undercurrents flowing between various factions.

Five days later, at the Third Prince's villa.

"Third brother, the palace is in complete chaos, yet you still have the leisure to play chess and drink tea here."

Chu Huazheng sat down in the pavilion, her gaze falling on the chessboard on the table. After a moment's thought, she frowned slightly.

Chu Huazheng: "This is... a dead end?"

Chu Nanmu did not answer. He coughed twice and pulled his fox fur coat tighter around himself.

A hint of worry flashed in Chu Huazheng's eyes: "Late autumn is the easiest time to catch a cold, and you're sitting in this drafty place."

After saying that, she looked behind Chu Nanmu and met the attendant who was shaking his head helplessly.

"What brings you here?"

"I came here to avoid this place and also to clear my head."

All of this has deviated from Chu Huazheng's original plan. Now the Crown Prince is in prison, the Second Prince is powerful because of his military strength, the Fifth Prince is weak and stays at home, and the Sixth Prince is still young and has no family to rely on, so he is not a threat.

If the King of Chu truly does not wake up, then the Second Prince will become the undisputed successor to the throne.

If the Second Prince were to be considered exceptionally talented and devoted to the country and its people, that would be one thing. However, he is an utterly depraved, bloodthirsty, and cruel individual. Putting aside the possibility that he might become a puppet of his maternal clan in controlling the government, his extravagant lifestyle alone would likely lead to even greater suffering for the people than during the reign of the King of Chu.

This is something Chu Huazheng did not want to see.

But now she too has entered a dead end, just like the chess game played by Chu Nanmu.

As the black pieces were placed one by one, Chu Huazheng couldn't understand how this move was any different from a moth drawn to a flame.

"wait."

"wait?"

"Chu Zhao will not let his father wake up, because he knows that once his father wakes up, given his father's favoritism towards the crown prince, the crown prince's faction will definitely be able to make a comeback."

Chu Huazheng lowered her eyes in thought, then suddenly raised her head: "But someone wants to wake Father up."

“That’s right.” Chu Nanmu placed a piece on the board. “No matter what the outcome, we can only wait for now. There’s one more person who can’t wait to make a move.”

Chu Huazheng understood: "Fifth Imperial Brother."

Chu Nanmu put the chess piece back and laughed: "Why didn't you guess what I was thinking?"

Chu Huazheng: "Because we are the same kind of people."

Chu Nanmu's lips curled slightly. As his hand moved down to hold the chess piece, the black piece landed between the white pieces. The white pieces, which had been as solid as a rock and had a sure chance of winning, were torn open and showed signs of defeat.

With a sharp edge drawn from its sickly frame, carrying a cold, chilling light, Chu Nanmu's expression was complex. He gazed at the distant imperial city and spoke softly, "Hua Zheng, my third brother is different from you."

"Clang!"

"Congratulations, Teacher Shen, on wrapping up filming!!"

Accepting the flowers handed to him by the staff, with a light blue greeting card tucked inside, Shen Li smiled and opened it. Upon reading the words on it, Shen Li's gaze froze for a moment. His eyes slid past the staff member who delivered the flowers and slowly landed on the man not far away who was tidying up the slide rails but keeping a watchful eye on him.

The congratulations around him continued, and Shen Li smiled, casually taking off the greeting card and holding it in her hand.

Jiang Huaichuan has a meeting today, which is scheduled to end at 4 p.m., and he should be on his way now.

Shen Li lowered his gaze, pondering how to stall for time or send the message out.

Under the tight net of manhunt, Jiang Zhirong, who had been hiding for almost half a month, finally couldn't hold back any longer.

[Jiang Zhirong: Xiao Li, Uncle Jiang would like to have a private chat with you.]

Shen Li had just taken the phone from his assistant when, before he could do anything, the man who had been spying on him earlier had already silently approached.

The man's voice was somewhat hoarse, and his black hat brim was pulled low: "Mr. Shen, it would be best not to act rashly. The boss only wants to see you and doesn't intend to see anyone else. Mr. Shen, you don't want innocent people to be implicated, do you?"

As he spoke, he quickly glanced to the side.

Shen Li followed his gaze and abruptly stopped her hand, which was about to send a message.

Not far away, two people were sitting in front of him. Shen Li recognized the one with her head down as Su Su, who played Chu Huazheng's maid. They had spoken this morning.

Seemingly noticing someone watching her, the little girl looked up and smiled at Chen Li, completely unaware of the gleaming needle tip on the side of her neck.

The man seemed to enjoy seeing Shen Li's expression, and he curled his lips with interest: "Mr. Shen, what do you think is in there? Hmm?"

Shen Li lowered her brows and handed the phone to the man.

The man was satisfied and turned off Shen Li's phone: "Mr. Shen, please hurry. The boss doesn't like waiting. Also, please don't say anything out of line. That girl's life is in your hands."

"Know."

Ten minutes later, Shen Li came out.

He followed the man's directions to the back of the film set, where he encountered Ning Yun, who was walking hurriedly towards him.

As soon as Ning Yun saw Shen Li, he quickly said, "Su Ye and I only have one more shot to finish today. How about we have dinner together tonight?"

Shen Li paused, looked at Ning Yun, and then saw the man hidden in the shadows not far away. The man tapped his earpiece at him.

Shen Li knew this was a warning to him not to speak carelessly, as he could inform the other person to take action at any time.

Shen Li's eyes flashed, and he said gently, "No, I have something urgent to attend to today. I'll treat you to dinner after filming is over, as a way of thanking Sister Su for the coffee she gave me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Yun's pupils contracted sharply. He raised his eyes without making a sound and met Shen Li's gentle gaze. He realized something and said, "Okay, we'll talk about it later. I have to go to my filming."

After saying that, Ning Yun quickly walked towards the director.

Inside the car, besides Shen Li, sat a burly bodyguard. Half a minute later, the car door opened, and the short-haired girl who had been sitting next to Su Su bent down and got in.

The familiar syringe was pressed against his neck.

Shen Li stared silently at the uneven cement road ahead. He tilted his head slightly and asked curiously, "Are you sure your hands won't shake on the road?"

The girl was taken aback, and she subconsciously looked at the man sitting in the driver's seat.

"Put it down." The man pulled down his hat brim and started the car.

There's something real in here. If their hand slips and Shen Li actually gets stabbed, they'll all be dead.

"Oh, okay." The girl took out a syringe cap from her pocket, put it on, and then sat quietly in the corner.

Looking at the trees rushing past the window, a hint of melancholy appeared in the girl's eyes. Ever since she received that money, she had no way out.

She was picked up in a bar alley. About two weeks ago, someone approached her and asked if she would take a job that would pay 100,000 yuan.

100,000...

"I'll take it."

The car drove out of the film studio area and slowly drove onto the ring expressway. The burly bodyguard took out a black hood and put it on Shen Li's head.

——

Ning Yun strode over, and his assistant, who was looking around, came to greet him.

Ning Yun: "What's wrong?"

"Has Teacher Shen left? He left his phone on set."

Ning Yun took the phone: "I'm leaving. I'll ask Director Gao to contact President Jiang."

Ning Yun glanced across the film set and casually asked, "Where's Director Gao?"

"Inside the shed."

Ning Yun lifted the curtain. Inside the studio, there was only Gao Wei and an assistant director. Seeing the hesitant expression on Gao Wei's face, the assistant director understood and got up to leave.

Ning Yun: "Director Gao! Do you have President Jiang's contact information?"

Gao Wei looked at Ning Yun, who was covered in sweat, and his heart sank instantly: "Yes, what's wrong?"

Ning Yun cut to the chase: "Shen Li is in trouble."

Before he could finish speaking, Gao Wei had already dialed the number.

Gao Wei shoved the phone into Ning Yun's hand. Before Jiang Huaichuan could speak, Ning Yun said first, "President Jiang, Shen Li may have been taken away by someone."

A sudden screech of brakes came through the phone. A few moments later, Jiang Huaichuan's calm voice came through: "What was the last thing he said to you?"

Ning Yun repeated it very quickly.

Jiang Huaichuan's gaze was dark and brooding.

"knew."

"Shen Li's phone is still on set."

"Okay, I'll have someone come and get it."

Jiang Huaichuan hung up the phone with a sullen face, and the car sped up instantly.

Ning Yun offered him the coffee apologetically. Shen Li has a good memory and wouldn't make a mistake in such a short time. He deliberately said it was Su Ye to tell Ning Yun that he was in trouble. Ning Yun understood Shen Li's meaning and contacted Jiang Huaichuan as soon as possible to buy some time.

Shen Li also knew that Jiang Huaichuan would definitely ask him what his last words were.

coffee……

When Ning Yun brought over the coffee, Shen Li and he were talking about Jiang Zhirong's escape.

Jiang Huaichuan's eyes were dark; it was indeed Jiang Zhirong.

Even knowing there was a 99% chance Jiang Zhirong was behind it, Jiang Huaichuan would still hesitate without absolute certainty, as he couldn't afford to gamble on that tiny possibility.

Shen Li knew Jiang Huaichuan too well, so when she hinted to Ning Yun, she also helped Jiang Huaichuan eliminate another one percent of uncertainty.

Within ten minutes, the surveillance video from the film set was sent over. It was clear that the other party had scouted the location beforehand. The black van was last seen on a small road behind the film studio, and it had no license plates.

Upon receiving the news, the police immediately checked the surveillance footage at all entrances and exits outside the film studio, but found no trace of the vehicle, as if it had vanished into thin air.

Jiang Huaichuan sat in the police station, with Shen Wenyuan beside him, who also had a gloomy face.

The atmosphere in the waiting room was oppressive.

Shen Wenyuan: "Where do you think he'll take Xiao Li?"

Leaving City A is impossible. Under such tight surveillance and investigation, forcibly leaving City A with Shen Li would only expose their current whereabouts. Jiang Zhirong is cautious and always waiting for an opportunity to turn the tables, so this is not a wise move for him.

Jiang Huaichuan placed his hands on his thighs, his gaze as cold as ice, and remained silent.

An hour later, neither the police nor their men could find any trace of her. Shen Wenyuan finally lost his temper and yelled, "Is he out of his mind? What's he doing staring at Xiao Li all day long?"

Jiang Huaichuan's Adam's apple bobbed.

Shen Wenyuan froze on the spot. He stood up in astonishment, and the chair fell to the ground with a dull thud.

——

Shen Li saw the light again when she saw Jiang Zhirong.

It was less like light and more like a few candle flames in a pitch-black room.

Jiang Zhirong's aged face was hidden behind the flickering firelight, looking somewhat distorted and terrifying.

Meeting Shen Li's gaze, Jiang Zhirong did not move. He leaned back in his chair, his cloudy pupils scrutinizing Shen Li's face. Seeing that Shen Li did not show any panic or fear, he clicked his tongue in displeasure.

"Long time no see, how have you been lately?"

Shen Li surveyed her surroundings without changing her expression: "Things have been good lately, but not so good today."

"Haha, don't be nervous." Jiang Zhirong poured a cup of tea and pushed it across the table in front of Shen Li. "I just wanted to catch up with you. I know Huai Chuan is definitely looking for you. He's as smart as his father, he can't keep it a secret for long."

Shen Li didn't answer; he sat quietly on the stool.

Jiang Zhirong was not annoyed. He stood up, and with each step, his wooden cane tapped the floor.

Shen Li watched as he took an iron box out of the freezer in the distance.

Jiang Zhirong carefully placed the box in front of Shen Li.

"Can you take a look and tell me if it looks a lot like it?"

As he spoke, Jiang Zhirong opened the box.

As the contents were revealed in their entirety, Shen Li's pupils constricted sharply.

The box was still emitting a faint chill, but it couldn't compare to the bone-chilling coldness that Chen Li felt.

A human skin mask lay quietly inside.

That was Jiang's father's face.