Chapter 354: Temporary Residence (Part 2)

Yin Wen quickly sent the steward away and said to Sun Wei, "Aju is right. It was Sima Deng who found him."

A'ru was surprised: "Sima Deng is really capable. He found such a nice house in just two days."

"Of course." Yin Wen laughed dryly, then said to Sun Wei, "I wonder if the Lady has any other instructions. If not, I will return to report to Your Highness."

Sun Wei nodded and said affably, "Thank you, Captain Yin. If Your Highness has no special instructions, Captain Yin need not come today. These are extremely tense times, and Captain Yin is a capable officer by Your Highness's side, so he's always under close scrutiny."

"I understand." Yin Wen replied, "I'll come back tomorrow when I find the right time."

Sun Wei thanked Yin Wen and asked Aju to see him out.

After the two left, Sun Wei walked around the house, getting familiar with his surroundings while thinking about his worries.

I didn't sleep last night, so today feels especially long.

The prince's behavior was unusual.

His sudden visit at this time was obviously for Lu Qiuyan.

But Lu Qiuyan is just a prisoner now, what can he gain?

She immediately thought of Li Mo.

Yu Yi said that the prince had personally gone to the Supreme Court to interrogate Li Mo. I wonder what Li Mo said to the prince?

A Ru came back and she pulled Sun Wei aside mysteriously and said, "Oh my god, I discovered a secret."

"What secret?" Sun Weixiao asked.

"I noticed something was amiss with Yin Wen. He was always evasive when it came to Deng Lian. So, I just tried to get some information from the manager," A'ru said. "Did you know that Deng Lian has been renting this house for a month? He's actually been in Liyang the whole time!"

Sun Wei was stunned.

"Really?" she asked.

"I think the steward is too honest to lie about something like this," A'ru said. "He hasn't left Liyang since we separated. You remember me telling you that when I fell ill and went out to look for you, I saw a figure very similar to Deng Lian. I think it must be him."

Sun Wei frowned.

Ah Ru continued, "Don't you think? He might have deliberately led me to find you, but I just happened to meet Master Yu on the way. He clearly knew where we were. In other words, His Highness knew you were in Liyang all along! Think about it, why did Deng Lian prepare this house? He has no crime against him, so there's no need to hide. Isn't it just to give you a place to hide in case something happens?"

Sun Wei raised his eyes and looked at her with a calm expression.

"What do you want to say?" Sun Wei asked.

"Alas, what is your heart made of?" A'ru sighed. "The prince was afraid you'd find out, so he had a Sima Ou from the royal palace secretly follow you for a month and even arranged many escape routes for you. And you say, so what? Is there another man like you in this world, with such status, such good looks and such a delicate heart?"

"You're overthinking it," Sun Wei said calmly, "Your Highness just wants to know what I'm going to do, not what you think."

"His Highness's feelings for you, others may not know, but don't I?" A'ru curled her lips. "The way he looks at you is clearly different, and the way he calls you Madam is so easy, it's like calling her your own wife."

"Nonsense! Never say such things again." Sun Wei turned and went to the bedroom. "Now you and I are in danger. We should think more about how to leave Liyang alive."

A'ru followed her and said, "Don't worry, His Highness knows what you're thinking. He might have already made arrangements for you."

"I am a criminal and a burden to everyone. I have to walk this path alone."

"You never asked him, so how do you know you're a burden to him?"

Sun Wei paused and looked back at her.

Ah Ru knew what she meant and said quickly, "Forget it, forget it. Can't I just stop talking? It's not me who missed out on such a great marriage anyway."

Sun Wei ignored her.

"Remember, only when everyone is alive and well, for me, this life will be complete."

A'ru found it funny: "Why are you thinking about everyone? Only the gods in heaven would have such thoughts. Are you here to repay a favor?"

To repay a favor?

Sun Wei looked at the sky outside the eaves, smiled to himself, and said nothing.

——

In the provincial capital, the prince was still furious about the assassination of Luqiu Yan.

Yu Pu went in and out of the mansion, but there was still no news of Sun Wei.

The prince grew increasingly impatient as he waited. He called Sima Jun into his room and scolded him, "I told you to escort Lü Qiuyan to the capital. Who told you to conduct the trial in private?"

"I am not asking this privately, but to ask the Left Supervisor of the Imperial Court to interrogate him. Lü Qiuyan still has a number of old cases pending before the Imperial Court, and I believe it would be appropriate for the Imperial Court to conduct the trial first. If Your Highness is concerned..."

"I said I would let the Seventh Lieutenant's Department conduct the trial!" The Crown Prince interrupted Sima Jun. "Am I the Crown Prince, or are you? Do you know that this is disobeying an imperial order?"

"I dare not."

"Is there anything in this world that you dare not do?" The prince pointed at him.

Zhao Tong quickly advised: "Your Highness, calm down..."

"Step back!" The prince waved his hand and knocked over the tea in Zhao Tong's hand.

Zhao Tong didn't dare to say much, and hurriedly led the eunuchs to bow and retreat.

The prince took a deep breath, looked at Sima Jun who was kneeling on the ground, and after a while, sat back on the couch.

"And the Concubine Dowager... and that woman named Sun Wei," the Crown Prince asked, "was it you who ordered her to assassinate Lü Qiuyan?"

Sima Jun said, "Your Highness, please understand. If I had wanted to kill Lü Qiuyan, he would not have reached Liyang and would have died in Guangzhou."

The prince did not question this.

"Then what's going on with the Sun family? How could they have assassinated Lu Qiuyan?"

"Please understand, Your Highness. Your Majesty is too weak to kill anyone."

"You are still speaking for her now."

"I dare not say a single word of falsehood."

The Crown Prince snorted coldly, "So you're saying that Lü Qiuyan is talking nonsense? What deep hatred does he have with that Sun family that he would even try to frame her with his last breath?"

"I don't know. I only know that it's impossible for your granddaughter to assassinate Lu Qiuyan."

Seeing his cold attitude, the Crown Prince couldn't help but say, "Forget it, there's no point in our conversation. Ever since I asked you to hand over the military power of the Northern Palace, you haven't been in a good mood. As the Crown Prince, do I have to listen to your expression?"

Sima Jun bowed again and said, "I dare not."

The Crown Prince sneered, "The Queen Mother once said that the Sima family is extremely fortunate to have you, a natural born general with illustrious military exploits and a powerful awe-inspiring reputation. Is that true? Tell me, is this my great fortune?"

"I have never changed," Sima Jun said. "From the beginning to the end, I have always been determined to serve the world."

The prince looked at him and said slowly, "That's very good. If I ask you to hand over Jiangzhou and Jingzhou, would you be willing?"

Sima Jun raised his eyes and looked at the prince.

At this time, Zhao Tong was heard outside reporting: "Your Highness, Luqiu Yan has woken up."