"My lord, the situation is very unclear for both the Grand Eunuch and this servant. His Majesty was assassinated at Yuntai Mountain and I'm afraid he won't be able to return."
An Ran continued, "After the Prince of Huainan returned from Yuntai Mountain, the first thing he did was to arrest the Grand Eunuch. He also sent people to the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and anyone who disobeyed him was executed on the spot."
"This servant had no choice but to do this in order to protect himself..."
Su Tiyue sighed, saying disappointedly, "I can understand what you're saying, but Xiao Anzi, do you know... that betraying Master Xiao is the same as betraying me? Now that Master Xiao is imprisoned, there's no one in Yong'an City who can protect me, and I can't save him either. Is this the result you wanted?"
"We were master and servant for a time, and I've always treated you well, but this time you've ruined everything for me..."
“Master, I know I was wrong, but I have nowhere else to turn. Master, the Prince of Huainan is now in power, please don’t go against him. Once I have rendered meritorious service this time, I will definitely plead with the Prince of Huainan to make things difficult for you…”
"You should take care of yourself; there's no need for you to plead for me."
What's the use of pleading?
She only had two options to save Xiao Heye.
Alternatively, they could obediently agree to a marriage alliance and marry into the Rouran.
Alternatively, she could return to the palace, serve Zhou Lin, and try to please him...
Su Tiyue knew perfectly well what kind of person Zhou Lin was.
Now that he knows Xiao Heye's true identity and that Xiao Heye is the former crown prince who was demoted back then, how could Zhou Lin let him go so easily?
Even if she obediently complied, Zhou Lin might not let Xiao Heye off the hook.
She knew all of this. But as long as there was even a sliver of hope, she was willing to try...
Su Tiyue clenched the hem of her skirt with her fingers, looking down at An Ran kneeling on the ground: "Get up, take me to see him quickly. We all chose our own paths, little Anzi... no, Eunuch An, from now on, let's forget our past friendship."
Upon hearing this, An Ran's heart grew colder and colder.
He remained prostrate on the ground, his tone tinged with coldness and despair. He said, "It was clearly the master who taught the servant. You said that in this palace, only by becoming stronger can one protect the people one wants to protect."
Su Tiyue said, "That's right, I did say that. But I never taught you to betray your benefactors and your master to achieve your goals."
"I have nothing more to say to you. Eunuch An, take care of yourself." After saying this, Su Tiyue walked past him.
Seeing this, An Ran quickly got up and chased after him. He was still unwilling to give up, and under the pretense of doing what was best for her, he advised, "It's fine if you hate me or resent me, but... I would like to say one last thing to you, Your Highness. It seems that the Prince has been quite critical of your Su family lately. To avoid suffering, Your Highness, please listen to him and do not do anything against the Prince."
After listening, Su Tiyue suddenly found it somewhat ridiculous.
Don't do anything against Zhou Lin's wishes.
It's a pity, she just rejected Zhou Lin's offer without hesitation.
Su Tiyue stopped and turned to look at him: "Eunuch An, you don't need to worry about what kind of life I lead. But... I'm very curious, how did you know about Minister Xiao's identity? Whether it's the fake eunuch's identity or the late Crown Prince's identity... how did you find out?"
An Ran hesitated for a moment, his dark eyes darting around as he looked around. He paused, then replied calmly, "This servant... saw it with his own eyes."
Su Tiyue's eyes widened in astonishment. "You...you were spying on us?"
An Ran lowered her head in shame and remained silent.
That's the default.
Su Tiyue was speechless and instantly didn't want to say anything more.
Xiao Anzi is no longer the same Xiao Anzi she used to be.
That's why Su Tiyue didn't want to ask the second question anymore.
How exactly did An Ran know that Xiao Heye was the late emperor's crown prince?
Now it seems none of that matters anymore; overnight, the entire city of Yong'an knows.
Xiao Heye was a fake eunuch who committed the capital crime of deceiving the emperor. It was Zhou Lin who arrested him and brought him to justice, ridding the people of this scourge.
Xiao Heye is still the jinx prophesied by the shaman master as a harbinger of disaster; as long as he lives, Northern Liang will face great calamity.
Overnight, Xiao Heye, the head of the Directorate of Ceremonial, became the target of public criticism.
Everyone wants to witness the moment when someone else's head falls to the ground as soon as possible.
Just like many years ago, when Xiao Heye was demoted to a commoner and sent to the top of the Nine Heavens Snow Mountain.
Everyone wished for his death.
Only Su Tiyue longed for him to live.
*
As the guards jingled as they unlocked the iron gate, Su Tiyue spotted Xiao Heye, who was imprisoned in the dungeon and covered in wounds, in the distance.
The cell was dark and damp, with a layer of dirty weeds covering the floor. He leaned weakly against the corner of the wall, wearing only a white undergarment, which was already soaked with blood.
It's easy to see that he had just been subjected to another severe torture.
Seeing this scene, Su Tiyue's heart broke. She forced back the tears in her eyes and gently stepped into the cell.
Walking to his side, Su Tiyue squatted down, cupped his face in her hands, and was too heartbroken to speak.
Her once handsome and dashing face was now covered in scars. Her fingertips slowly traced those scars, and tears silently streamed down her face.
"Does it hurt?" she asked softly.
"I knew you'd come, I expected it... Yue'er, I'm fine. Physical pain doesn't bother me, except..." Xiao Heye paused, his dark eyes fixed on her tear-streaked face.
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