Chapter 58 "My people, I will naturally protect them..."
"I'm snapping out of it!"
Chu Chengji tapped the table with his fan, once again pulling Xie Chengyan's wandering thoughts back to where they had been.
Xie Chengyan calmly raised his eyes and said indifferently, "What?"
Seeing his expression, it was clear he hadn't heard a word of what was said. Chu Chengji's face fell. "What do you mean, 'what'? I said the person has been found. What's next?"
After speaking, Chu Chengji glanced at Xie Chengyan's waist out of the corner of his eye. Just now, he had been staring at that tattered sachet, turning it over and over, and occasionally giving a strange smile. The expression on his face was truly chilling.
Recalling his repeated moments of absentmindedness, Chu Chengji finally lost his temper: "I said, what's so great about your sachet? The stitching is sloppy, the design is crude, and you're wearing this on your person. Did your house get ransacked, or are you just blind?"
Before he could finish speaking, Xie Chengyan gave him a cool glance, still fiddling with the sachet in his hand: "What does this have to do with Your Highness?"
Those few words instantly silenced Chu Chengji. He raised his hand and waved it: "Fine, this sachet has nothing to do with me, but what I'm saying has something to do with you, Chengyan, listen to what I have to say."
Xie Chengyan adjusted his posture and said calmly, "I already know those things."
"Now the Emperor is becoming increasingly harsh on the Crown Prince, but he still gives him face because of the achievements of the Xue and Xie families. No matter what, it cannot damage the foundation."
Chu Chengji paused for a moment, then said, "This time, finding that witness from back then is the only way."
After saying that, he lowered his gaze, his eyes darkening.
Xie Chengyan glanced at his expression, gently stroking it with his fingertips, his face also becoming serious.
Chu Chengji's birth mother was Consort Rou, who was poisoned and strangled to death with a three-foot-long white silk ribbon many years ago, her life ending tragically.
When that incident happened, he was only eight years old. He lost the protection of his birth mother, and the emperor, out of hatred for his own child, imposed his resentment on this child for losing his beloved.
From then on, Chu Chengji was sent away from the capital, and it wasn't until nearly two years later that he finally managed to return to the capital after much struggle.
The witness he just mentioned was the one who witnessed the poisoning case from years ago.
He investigated this matter for more than ten years.
For more than ten years, he devoted himself to this cause, all for the day when his injustice would be redressed.
Xie Chengyan understood the feeling of someone about to avenge a great grudge. After a moment's consideration, he nodded and said, "It's time."
Chu Chengji took a deep breath and nodded firmly, "Alright, I have already secretly arranged for someone to escort her into the capital. The day has finally come."
Besides anticipation, there was also a slight tremor in his voice, the reason for which was unclear.
Xie Chengyan caught the unease in his words, and unusually, he curled his lip slightly, teasingly asking, "Is Your Highness afraid?"
Chu Chengji was taken aback, carefully considering his emotions, and after a long while, he gave a bitter smile: "We've come to this point, it's all or nothing, there's nothing to be afraid of."
He relaxed, slowly waving the fan in his hand. Looking into Xie Chengyan's calm and unwavering eyes, he chuckled and said, "Chengyan, actually, before I met you, I had no thoughts of revenge. As a carefree prince with no maternal clan to rely on, let alone within the palace, I never even considered standing in the capital again like this today."
"At the time, all I was thinking about was when I could find a reason to get rid of myself completely, so I could go wherever I wanted to be for the rest of my life. As for clearing my name and getting justice, how could I possibly do that?"
Xie Chengyan listened, his gaze pausing for a moment.
Although he and Chu Chengji were allies, they had never truly opened their hearts to each other. However, their interests were intertwined, and once the matter was settled, neither owed the other anything, and they parted ways.
But to his surprise, Chu Chengji would say these things to him.
Xie Chengyan remained silent, listening quietly to his ramblings without uttering a sound.
Her gaze fell on Chu Chengji's fan, which swayed with his movements. Occasionally, she would unconsciously curl her lips at Chu Chengji's words.
Chu Chengji didn't know how long he had been talking, but he stopped when he realized his mouth was getting dry. He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and said, "I've been keeping these things bottled up for so long, I just have to get them off my chest. You're my only friend, so just bear with me and listen."
Xie Chengyan frowned slightly: "Your Highness, we are merely allies, from now on..."
Chu Chengji didn't care about all that and casually waved his hand: "Why make such a big deal out of it? Allies are still friends."
As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and gave Xie Chengyan a slightly serious look: "I've been talking about myself for so long. Chengyan, have you thought this through?"
Xie Chengyan didn't understand his sudden change of topic and raised an eyebrow slightly.
Chu Chengji continued, "When you and I planned this scheme, we never imagined you would get married. In the days to come, the situation in the capital will be treacherous, and countless eyes will be watching you amidst the bloodshed. Have you thought about how to arrange things for your wife?"
Xie Chengyan lifted his eyelids and slowly said, "She's my person, and I will naturally protect her."
"I'm afraid you're willing but unable to do so."
Chu Chengji shook his head and sighed.
At that time, when Shen Xi was not yet his wife, she fell into the water in the palace. Xie Chengyan did not hesitate to alert the Empress and shot an arrow directly into the Jiaofang Palace to threaten her into rescuing her.
This one incident alone is enough to show how much Xie Chengyan cares.
He could tell that Xie Chengyan cared about this lady; others might not have missed it either.
Although they got married under the guise of cleaning up their younger brother's messes from beginning to end, their relationship after marriage was genuine.
If the information is correct, the Duke's Mansion has made several attempts to take action, although Xie Chengyan ultimately blocked them, but this is not a long-term solution.
What should Xie Chengyan do if he is attacked from both sides?
Xie Chengyan merely glanced at him indifferently, without the slightest doubt: "No matter what happens, I can protect her and keep her safe."
These words sound arrogant, but coming from Xie Chengyan, they somehow make people believe them.
Chu Chengji lowered his eyes and couldn't help but find it amusing. The person in front of him was no longer the Xie Chengyan he had known before.
*
Shen Xi went to Renfeng Hall as usual that day. It was a cold winter day, and many people in the capital were suffering from coughs. Renfeng Hall was packed with people these days.
She helped prepare the medicine in the back room, working all day until it was completely dark before she finally had a moment to rest.
Wangyou was already so tired that she yawned. She didn't eat dinner and floated unsteadily back to her bedroom to lie down.
Wen Tingmao was still studying the case at his desk, while Shen Xi, holding a hand warmer, chatted with him for a couple of minutes.
The warm, cozy temperature quickly made Shen Xi's eyelids droop, and he became sleepy as he talked. After only a few words, Wen Tingmao sent him back to rest.
Once inside the carriage, Shen Xi leaned against the side of the carriage for a short rest.
As dusk fell and the surroundings were deserted, the carriage drove calmly toward the General's Mansion.
Suddenly, the wheels rolled over a pebble, the carriage lurched, and then the horse abruptly reined in and stopped.
Shen Xi was startled, and her drowsiness vanished instantly.
Outside the carriage were the guards arranged by Xie Chengyan: "Madam, are you alright?"
"What happened?"
"Madam, please don't worry, we've just encountered a little trouble."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the sound of a sword being drawn rang out in the silent night.
Shen Xi's breath hitched, and she focused intently on the sounds outside the car.
Without any warning, suddenly, the sharp, clanging sound of clashing swords rang out outside the carriage.
Immediately afterward, the guard shouted, "Protect the lady!"
Shen Xi was startled, and roughly guessed what was happening outside. She didn't dare to peek out, but stayed inside the carriage, trying her best to calm herself down and not cause trouble for the guards outside.
But the next moment, something was suddenly thrown into the carriage. Before Shen Xi could see it clearly, a cloud of white smoke suddenly rose up and spread throughout the carriage.
White smoke drifted into her nostrils, and Shen Xi suddenly felt dizzy and weak in the limbs. Realizing something was wrong, she quickly covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve.
But it was all in vain. Before long, she found that everything went black and she lost consciousness.
When Shen Xi opened her eyes again, she saw a bed curtain painted with ink wash landscape. Looking around, she found the furnishings and layout to be completely unfamiliar.
She tried to sit up, but fell back down instantly, feeling dizzy.
Unfortunately, the commotion alerted bystanders.
Shen Xi heard a gentle female voice coming from not far away: "Save your energy, the effects of the medicine haven't worn off yet, you need to lie down for a while longer."
The person seemed to be not far away, their clothes trailing on the ground as they moved, making a rustling sound, and there were also faint sounds of beads clinking together.
Just as she said, Shen Xi opened her eyes and felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her, but she bit her tongue hard.
The taste of blood filled her mouth, and the stinging pain on her tongue brought her to a moment's clarity.
Shen Xi tilted her head, trying to make out the figure of the person through the shadowy curtains, and asked with difficulty, "Who are you?"
The woman chuckled softly: "How could I forget? You've never met me before."
She moved closer, and Shen Xi could hear the voice clearly. It seemed to belong to someone middle-aged, whose gentle voice inevitably bore the marks of time.
But Shen Xi had never heard this voice before.
She frowned, fighting off the persistent drowsiness, and said, "I don't know you."
Before the words were even finished, the bed curtains were lifted by a servant, and a person approached slowly, looking at Shen Xi with kind eyes, and said gently, "It's alright, I've seen you before, but unfortunately you were still unconscious at the time."
Shen Xi took a closer look and saw that the newcomer was dressed in a bright yellow palace robe, holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads in his hand, and smiling gently with a kind face.
But Shen Xi's heart skipped a beat. With that outfit, she knew who it was without even guessing.
It turned out to be the current empress.
She hesitated and asked, "You are... Her Majesty the Empress?"
Xue Ningrong sat on the edge of the couch and smiled, saying, "Sister, you've misjudged me. You're clearly a smart child."
If there's no denial, then so be it.
Based on her observation of the surrounding furnishings, she must have been abducted into the palace by Xue Ningrong.
Shen Xi closed her eyes in annoyance. Why were all the members of the Xue family targeting her?
First, Xue instigated the incident, and then Xue Ningrong took him hostage.
She was unaware that she had such a close relationship with them.
Seeing her expression, Xue Ningrong remained gentle and chuckled, "You don't need to worry. I just invited you here for a short while. My sister said that Chengyan has been quite disobedient lately and needs to be taught a lesson to make him behave. But after thinking it over, I realized that you are the only one left by his side."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xi frowned and asked, "What happened to Xie Chengyan?"
Xue Ningrong avoided answering, only saying, "Don't worry, after tonight, I will let you go back."
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