Chapter 312: Border Mutation

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Shen Anan heard Mo Xiang's call in her ears while she was half asleep and half awake. She opened her eyes a little and saw Mo Xiang's anxious face, "What's wrong?"

Her voice was a little hoarse and she closed her eyes again in fatigue.

"Princess, the young lady is here. She has something urgent to discuss with you. She is sitting in the side room."

"Young Madam?" Shen Anan repeated, and suddenly opened her eyes again, "My sister-in-law?"

Mo Xiang was thankful that the prince's wife was normal today, otherwise she really didn't know how to explain and cover up the lie to the young lady.

"yes."

Shen Anan lifted the quilt and got out of bed, telling Mo Xiang to change clothes and wash up, while asking, "Do you know what this is about?"

She was afraid that she had forgotten something and would reveal it in front of her sister-in-law.

"It seems to be about the eldest master's matter, but the young lady is already three or four months pregnant. In the past, you always went back or sent servants to deal with it. This time, I saw that the young lady was very flustered and her eyelids were swollen from crying. I didn't dare to delay and came to report it immediately."

Mo Xiang's words revealed messages implicitly.

Shen Anan responded lightly, and went to the wing room immediately after everything was packed up.

"Sister-in-law."

Lin Yurou was sitting in a chair wiping her tears. When she saw her, she immediately stood up and bowed.

"There's no outsider here, no need to be polite." Shen An'an stepped forward and helped her up. "What happened? What news did my brother send back?"

Lin Yurou was stunned.

An An doesn’t know?

She glanced at Mo Xiang inconspicuously, and the latter was also confused.

Therefore, the Fourth Prince did not tell An An that he was hiding it from An An. If I came here in a hurry, wouldn’t that be going against the Fourth Prince’s intention?

"Sister-in-law," Shen Anan frowned, "If you have anything to say, just say it."

Lin Yurou was still a little hesitant, and finally shook her head slightly.

The Fourth Prince must have his own reasons for not saying anything, and she couldn't ruin the relationship between the couple.

"Nothing, I just... haven't seen you for a long time and wanted to come see you."

Shen Anan naturally wouldn't believe it, "Then why are you crying? Your eyelids are so swollen that you can't open them."

After she said that, Lin Yurou couldn't hold back her tears any more and they just fell.

"Good sister-in-law, tell me what's the matter. As long as I can help, I will definitely find a way. If it's about my brother, who else can you ask for help except me?"

Lin Yurou bent down, holding her stomach, and suddenly covered her mouth and started crying.

Yes, the Shen family is not what it used to be. Even my father-in-law can’t find out the situation at the border. Apart from An An, no one can help Chang He.

Shen Anan reached out to help her and sat back in the chair. Lin Yurou held her hand tightly and said, "The letter your elder brother sent back home a few days ago was fine, but today at the morning court, the Minister of War said that he received an urgent report last night that the border had lost three battles in a row. Your elder brother, your elder brother is missing and his life or death is unknown."

Shen Anan was stunned.

"How is that possible? A few days ago, I saw an official document from the border in Xiao Yuan's study, saying that everything was going well."

"I thought so too, but the matter was reported by the Minister of War today. The Emperor has already sent the Prince of Yongning Marquisate to lead troops to provide support. How could the news that my father brought back to the palace in person be false?"

Shen Anan's hands and feet were cold and she was in a trance. Mo Xiang immediately stepped forward and helped her sit down. "Don't worry, Princess. The son-in-law is in the study. We will go and ask him later."

Shen Anan seemed to have grasped the backbone, "Yes, you are right, I will go to Xiao Yuan to ask about the situation, sister-in-law, don't worry, you take care of yourself first, I will definitely find a way to deal with my brother's matter."

If this is true, she will get her brother back no matter what the cost.

It was because of her that her elder brother went to the border. Shen Anan felt indescribable self-blame when facing Lin Yurou, and she felt very uncomfortable.

My sister-in-law is pregnant. If anything happens to my brother, she will live in self-blame and guilt for the rest of her life and will never be able to rest in peace.

After sending Lin Yurou away, he asked the housekeeper to go to the storehouse to get some nourishing medicine and put it on the carriage. Then Shen Anan hurried back and went straight to the study.

When she arrived in the yard, Ling Chenyi just came out of the study with a bag in his hand, obviously dressed for a long journey.

Shen Anan's eyes went dark, and his heart sank to the bottom.

"Cousin."

"Are you going on a long journey?"

Ling Chenyi nodded slightly, without elaborating, but turned his gaze to Xiao Yuan who followed him out.

His subtle action made Shen An'an feel cold, and a chill slowly rose from the soles of his feet.

Ling Chenyi left without staying any longer. Xiao Yuan walked down the steps and gently held her in his arms. "Aren't you taking a rest? Why are you here?"

"My sister-in-law came just now."

Xiao Yuan paused and fell silent.

Shen Anan looked up at him, holding his hand tightly, "Xiao Yuan, don't hide it from me. Did something happen to my brother? He's missing, right? What does the urgent report mean by "uncertain about life or death"? Is it serious?"

"Don't worry." Xiao Yuan led her into the study and gently stroked her back. "Don't worry, big brother will be fine."

How could Shen Anan feel at ease? Her heart felt like it was being fried in hot oil and it hurt so much.

She didn't dare to think about how she would face it if something really happened to her elder brother.

Her face turned pale. "He clearly brought back good news a few days ago, how come he suddenly disappeared?"

"An'an." Xiao Yuan stood up and held her in his arms. She put her cheek against his waist. The familiar temperature and breath made Shen An'an feel at ease for a moment.

"Believe me, big brother will be fine. He will come back after some time."

Shen Anan was slightly startled, then slowly raised her eyes and looked at Xiao Yuan. She didn't say anything, but her clear almond-shaped eyes kept staring at Xiao Yuan. After just a moment, she seemed to understand something.

"Are you sure?"

Xiao Yuan nodded slightly, "When have I ever lied to you?"

Shen Anan frowned slightly, her head aching. If it was to set up the game, was it necessary to let Ling Chenyi go to the border?

It was Xiao Yuan who was comforting himself.

But her heart was undeniably silent. She pursed her lips and slowly hugged his waist, "Xiao Yuan, I trust you the most in the whole world."

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In the dark and damp dungeon, several people who were tied up and unable to move were thrown casually on the ground, squirming constantly. They looked at the handsome young man sitting in the chair, their eyes widened with fear.

"Is the person here?" The handsome young man tilted his head and asked the servant beside him.

"Zhang Laoqi has already taken their personal belongings and sent them to the palace. I believe there will be a result soon."

The young man nodded slightly, his eyes lightly falling on a person on the ground.

His mouth was blocked, but he kept making "hmmmm" sounds at him madly.

"Take the rag out of his mouth," the boy ordered.

The servant immediately stepped forward and did as he was told. The man first exhaled heavily a few times, then widened his eyes and looked at the boy viciously, "Do you know who my brother is? If you dare to catch me, you will be killed without a burial place."

"How dare you." The servant kicked him to the ground, "Who the hell are you to threaten the Fifth Prince?"

As soon as the servant finished speaking, the man fell into a brief silence. His eyes changed from resentment to blankness, and then to horror. "Fifth...Fifth Prince?"

He looked around and moved back, "Fifth, Fifth Prince, I just talked nonsense. I am just an ordinary citizen."

No matter how stupid he was, he knew that although his brother was powerful in the palace, he was just a slave and eunuch who served others. His life and death were all decided by the master's words. Although he could act foolishly, he also knew who he could not afford to offend even if he jumped up.

He thought the other party pulled him out of jail because they were afraid of his elder brother.

"Eunuch Liu is too modest." Xiao Tian changed his posture and leaned lazily on the chair. "Eunuch Liu is the chief steward in front of the emperor. All the ministers, including me, have to please him. How can you be an ordinary citizen?"

After hearing this, Brother Liu was not happy at all, but trembling with fear.

He had heard from storytellers about the struggles in the palace. He was most likely being used as a target to threaten his eldest brother. He was playful, but not stupid.

"Fifth Prince, it's probably useless for you to arrest me. I am a rotten person who eats, drinks, gambles and prostitutes. My elder brother has long wished that I would die. Just arrest them."

He pointed to the elderly couple on the ground beside him and said, "My eldest brother is the most filial. No matter how angry he is, as long as my parents cry and complain, he will give them money. I don't care if you threaten him with them. He would rather I die."

Xiao Tian narrowed his eyes and looked at him, his eyes were cold.

"We are a family, but you put your relatives and your elder brother who has helped you many times aside for your own life and death. You are so cold-blooded. The people I hate most in my life are people like you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the servant clenched his fist and swung it at Brother Liu. Soon, wailing sounds were heard in the prison.

Xiao Tian watched quietly, with a dark look in his eyes.

How can a person be so heartless? Brother, shouldn’t you be the closest person to you in this world?

The man was beaten so hard that he rolled on the ground begging for mercy. Xiao Tian didn't shout to stop, so the servant kept beating him.

"Fifth Prince." Zhang Laoqi glanced at the situation in the prison and walked to Xiao Tian's side. "Here are the people."

Xiao Tian then asked the servant to stop. After a while, a man wrapped in black and wearing a hood came in hurriedly. When he saw the person on the ground, his pupils immediately shrank.

"Fifth Prince...what does this mean?"

As soon as he spoke, the family of three who were curled up on the ground and shivering recognized him, their eyes lit up, "Brother, please save me."

"Boss."

"Boss, please save your brother quickly. We can't let our Liu family die out because of you."

Eunuch Liu's eyes revealed deep disappointment, and his gaze towards the three people turned cold.

"I don't need to say what I mean. Eunuch Liu can understand."

Eunuch Liu retracted his gaze, frowning, "The Fifth Prince also knows that the Emperor is still angry about the matter of Minister Shen. How can an old eunuch like me help?"

Xiao Tian lowered his eyes, his face hidden in the darkness, making it hard to see clearly, "Since Eunuch Liu is not sincere, then forget it."

He waved his hand, and the servant walked towards Liu Xiaodi again. The latter was so frightened that his face turned pale. He kept curling back and roaring at the top of his lungs.

The Liu couple also began to blame Eunuch Liu.

"That's enough." Eunuch Liu closed his eyes, opened them again, and said through gritted teeth, "I can try, but I can't guarantee the results."

Xiao Tian waved his hand and said, "Eunuch Liu, do your best. I will also treat your family well."

Eunuch Liu naturally didn't believe him, "If this is successful, I hope you can release my family and we will be even now."

Xiao Tian raised his eyes and looked at him. "Sir, don't you want to continue to sit in your current position in the future? For a eunuch, this is already the limit."

Eunuch Liu curled his lips and said, "I am afraid that I can live to think, but not to enjoy."

Before leaving, Eunuch Liu turned around and looked at little brother Liu on the ground with a deep gaze. The latter looked at him with a pleading face, but his eyes were calm.

"Brother, I'm waiting for you to save me. You must come."

...The servant escorted Eunuch Liu out of the dungeon, and after many twists and turns, he got on a carriage and left.

The anger on Eunuch Liu's face slowly dissipated, and he was replaced by contemplation. After a moment, he told the driver to take a detour and finally stopped at a deserted small house. "You all wait here, and no one is allowed to approach. We will be back soon."

"yes."

Eunuch Liu stayed inside for nearly an hour. After coming out, he closed the door quietly, got on the carriage and left.

When he returned to the palace, the young eunuch saw him from afar, as if he had finally seen his savior, "Eunuch, you are finally back. The emperor is very angry at the moment, and the servants dare not go in."

"A bunch of useless things." Eunuch Liu glared at a few people, picked up the teacup and walked in slowly.

"Where have you been?" the emperor asked coldly.

Eunuch Liu smiled widely, "Your Majesty has been having nightmares these days, so I went to the Imperial Hospital to see if there is a cure. Court Judge Zhang said there is a folk remedy that is very effective, so I bravely found a palace maid and went out to look for the folk remedy. I came back a little late, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The emperor's frown slowly relaxed, "You are thoughtful, get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for not blaming me." Eunuch Liu stood up and said with a smile, "I have already handed the recipe to the imperial kitchen. I will serve it to Your Majesty when it is ready."

The emperor raised his eyebrows, "The imperial physician can't do anything, can folk remedies be useful?" He didn't have much hope. Since Shen Yunbai's death, he had hardly slept well. As soon as he closed his eyes, he would see Rou'er's eyes full of resentment, saying that she wanted to take his life!

I've been so good to her and supported their son, but how could he be inferior to that lowly son she had with someone else?

During this period, the emperor was tortured mentally and aged visibly.

Eunuch Liu said, "Even the imperial physician said that this is an effective prescription. I think we can try it. However, the person who gave me the folk prescription also said a few words..."

"explain."

"I dare not." Eunuch Liu lowered his head, a little scared.

"I told you to speak, so you speak."

Eunuch Liu bravely looked at the emperor and knelt on the ground again. "I am overstepping my authority. That person said that the prescription is only part of the solution. We also need to calm down. Generally, people with such symptoms are depressed. If this continues for a long time, the depression will turn into a disease, which is a disaster."

The emperor was speechless.

He leaned back in the dragon chair in silence.

He knew it very well, but he just couldn't get out of Rouer's dream.

Eunuch Liu said cautiously, "Your Majesty, I have a few more words to say, but I don't know whether I should say them or not."

"explain."

"As the saying goes, you dream about what you think about during the day. It is very likely that you are depressed and can't get rid of it. Even if it is a myth, that person is Shen Yunbai's biological mother. Naturally, she has a lot of complaints about you, Your Majesty, but... that person has more than one son, Shen Yunbai."

The emperor frowned and narrowed his eyes slightly, "You mean...?"

"She loves Shen Yunbai, and she loves the Fifth Prince as well. If this illness is caused by a knot in her heart, you can offset it by being nicer to the Fifth Prince. If it is really the one who blames her, and you compensate the Fifth Prince for everything, I believe that he will gradually calm down and won't be angry with you anymore."