"It was just a suspicion before, but now it should be confirmed without a doubt."

Ye Chutang tried several times, but Xiao Chenglin always made excuses to evade her. Although she had doubts in her heart, due to the other party's identity, it was difficult for her to verify it directly, so she kept this suspense in her heart.

Now, everything can be answered.

"His leg has long since healed. It was just a disguise all these years. Now that he's ruined, he has no scruples. He's using every possible means to escape, just to cling to a glimmer of hope."

Xiao Chengqi sneered, "My fourth brother used to be quite reserved, but now I know he's incredibly resourceful. However... we still need to investigate how that secret passage came about."

Shen Yanchuan should be.

"Let's not talk about that anymore." Xiao Chengqi changed the subject. "We've almost finished the negotiations with Wazhen. He's quite cooperative. Zhuola needs time to recuperate and won't cause any more trouble in the short term. Northern Xinjiang will be stable for a while."

He looked at Chen Yanchuan, his tone much softer, "I remember that Marquis Dingbei hasn't been back for some years. Now is a good opportunity. It's time for him to return to the capital so that you and your son can be reunited. Also... the eldest princess has been in poor health recently. Although she doesn't say it, she has always been thinking about Marquis Dingbei."

Shen Youyan has been stationed in the Northern Frontier for decades and rarely returns.

Now that the situation with Wazhen has finally gotten better, it's time to come back and take a look.

Xiao Chengqi glanced at Ye Chutang again, and finally a smile appeared on his face.

"Even if I want to grant the marriage, I have to wait until Marquis Dingbei has seen the talent first."

Ye Chutang was stunned for a rare moment.

Granted marriage?

She and Shen Yanchuan?

Before she could even open her mouth, Shen Yanchuan had already bowed his hands in thanks and said seriously,

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Ye Chutang: “…”

"Don't thank me yet." Xiao Chengqi's smile faded slightly, and he sighed, "I have always seen the affection between you two. I wanted to finalize this matter earlier, but due to the national mourning period, we have to postpone it. How about choosing a good day when Marquis Dingbei returns?"

Xiao Chengqi had a close relationship with both of them, needless to say with Shen Yanchuan. The two had known each other since childhood and had a deep friendship. Shen Yanchuan made an indelible contribution to Xiao Chengqi's smooth ascension to the throne.

And Ye Chutang had once saved Xiao Chengqi's life, so their friendship was naturally extraordinary.

So when facing the two of them at this time, Xiao Chengqi did not put on any airs of an emperor and told them directly and frankly.

Chen Yanchuan nodded, "Your Majesty has thought it through thoroughly, and I will follow your lead."

Xiao Chengqi glanced at him and couldn't help but said, "Of course you have no objection, I'm asking Miss Ye Er!"

Chen Yanchuan: “…”

Ye Chutang: “…”

Well... although it was a bit sudden, the new emperor is quite particular about his work.

Xiao Chengqi smiled and asked, "Second Miss Ye, what do you think? If you don't want to marry him, just tell me!"

Chen Yanchuan also looked over, and there seemed to be waves rising in his deep phoenix eyes, but they were suppressed by him.

——He was actually nervous.

When Ye Chutang thought of this, he suddenly couldn't help laughing.

Although they once held each other's hands under the moonlight and candlelight on Xijiang Bridge, Chen Yanchuan was still not sure whether she was willing to marry him.

After all, she had said more than once that she had no intention of getting married.

If she is unwilling to take that step, then...

When that person is her, he will also worry about gains and losses.

"OK."

Ye Chutang smiled, her eyebrows curved,

"Then we'll talk about it later."

…

The two left together, walking side by side.

"We can tell Uncle Di about this," Ye Chutang said. "Perhaps he also knows about the secret passage."

Wasn't he himself imprisoned in death row for several years?

It doesn't seem surprising that Xiao Chenglin could escape from prison quietly given his ability.

Chen Yanchuan nodded, "He probably still won't say anything. But..."

Ye Chutang studied his expression, vaguely guessing, "Have you found out his identity?"

"Yes, and no." Chen Yanchuan pondered, "It's just a clue. As for whether it's true or not... I have to find Xiao Chenglin and ask him in person to find out."

Ye Chutang nodded in understanding and asked again,

"But where would he be now?"

Prince Jing's mansion has been ransacked and sealed off, and officials at all levels of the court who have relationships with Prince Jing have been arrested one after another.

It seems that he no longer has a place in the capital.

Where can he go?

Chen Yanchuan pondered for a moment, then looked into the distance.

The sky is clear and blue, and the towering palace stands there, full of majesty and solemnity.

"If he's still in the capital, it's fine. We'll find him sooner or later. But if he's already out of the city... I'm afraid it'll be troublesome."

Ye Chutang glanced at him sideways, "You think so? Perhaps he wants to stay away from the capital and never come back? Only in this way can he save his life, right?"

Shen Yanchuan smiled.

"You know perfectly well that he won't."

"Living in exile like a dog, living a miserable life, is like being tortured to death. How could someone who once wanted to control the entire imperial city be willing to accept this?"

He looked at Ye Chutang, his tone light and firm.

"He will come back, one way or another."

…

The news of Prince Jing's disappearance was thus concealed.

The Black Cavalry secretly searched for his whereabouts and turned almost the entire capital upside down, but they still couldn't find him.

It was as if he had suddenly disappeared from the face of the earth, leaving no trace.

But this did not seem to have any impact, and the people in the capital continued to live their lives as usual.

Whether it was the late emperor or the new emperor, whether it was Xiao Chengqi or Xiao Chenglin, these open and secret struggles were actually not important to them.

Anyway, as long as the final winner takes that position, it's fine.

However, all the peace and tranquility were broken on this day by an urgent message that traveled eight hundred miles.

——A rebel army suddenly appeared in the southwest, fighting in various places. In just one month, they had captured three cities in succession!

No one knew where these people came from or how they gathered and organized themselves. In short, by the time everyone realized that something was wrong, the situation was already precarious.

These are not ordinary bandits, but an army with strict military discipline!

On the one hand, they captured cities and territories, and on the other hand, they offered huge sums of money and frantically recruited soldiers to expand their team.

When the news reached the capital, it had already become a huge concern! (End of this chapter)