As darkness fell, Shen Youying had not yet returned.
Xue Shen was about to send someone to the Prince Chen's residence to inquire about the news when the coachman returned with a message, saying that the princess and Madam Shen were having a lively conversation and would not return until about 5 PM.
In winter, it gets dark early; by the time one is in the late afternoon, it's completely dark.
"They're not even that close, sisters. What are they talking about that makes them stay until 5 PM?"
Xue Shen had intended to have dinner with her, but upon hearing that she would be returning later, he frowned in displeasure and instructed Wang Deshun, "Prepare the carriage; I will personally go to fetch her." As he boarded the carriage, he muttered to himself, "Indeed, I have spoiled her too much; her heart is growing wilder and wilder."
The Prince of Qin's residence and the Prince of Chen's residence were not far apart; the carriage sped along and arrived in the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.
When the gatekeeper of Prince Chen's mansion saw that Prince Qin had come to pick up the person in person, he hurriedly invited him to sit down in the flower hall and rushed to the Banana Garden to report the news. After a moment, he came out again, bowing and scraping, and said, "Reporting to Prince Qin, Madam Yu said that the Princess Consort has already returned in her carriage a little while ahead. It seems that she just missed Your Highness."
"What bad luck!"
Xue Shen narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, "Didn't you see the Princess Consort leave in Madam Yu's carriage? Why did you have to ask Madam Yu to find out?"
The gatekeeper was taken aback, then panicked slightly and stammered, "Perhaps I... I dozed off and didn't see you."
Xue Shen asked as if it were just a casual question, and gestured to the guards to push him out.
After getting into the carriage, he said with a slightly somber expression, "There's something fishy going on inside."
He instructed his accompanying guard, "Go back to the Prince's residence and confirm whether the Princess has returned." Afterward, he changed clothes with another guard, selected two people, and said, "Come with me to the Prince Chen's residence to investigate. Wang Deshun, you take your men and wait here for my orders."
The doorman's eyes darted around and he stammered; he was clearly up to something.
Xue Shen felt a slight heaviness in his heart and a darkening in his eyes when he thought of the Prince of Chen who had not shown up and Shen Youying whose whereabouts were unknown.
It's best if things don't turn out as he suspects; otherwise, it wouldn't be a pity if Prince Chen died in vain.
*
Xue Shen and his men easily bypassed the patrolling guards and sneaked into the Chen Prince's mansion.
He led his men to the Banana Garden first, but on the way they bumped into two maids who came out of a room with their heads down, acting furtively as if they were hiding something.
He had sharp eyes and recognized Danzhu at a glance. The other familiar-looking person looked like Shen Muyu's personal maid, named Dongqing.
Danzhu was left alone, and Shen Youying indeed got into trouble.
Xue Shen's face was ashen, and he gestured for the accompanying guards to come forward and ask.
Upon recognizing the familiar guard, Danzhu grabbed him as if he were a lifeline, abandoning all pretense of concealment, and cried out in a tearful voice, "Quick, quick, go save the Princess! Prince Chen, Prince Chen, he..."
"Where is the princess?" The guard helped her up.
“Most likely in the front yard, near Prince Chen’s study,” Dongqing interjected. Remembering what the girl had told her, her face paled slightly: “You must hurry. It would be best to invite Prince Qin. If you are late, something terrible might happen.”
The girl had originally asked her to secretly send Danzhu out to deliver a message, but she never expected to encounter the King of Qin's guards on the way.
Dongqing recalled the expression on the girl's face when she gave her instructions, and silently recited a Buddhist prayer.
The guards from the Prince of Qin's residence have all arrived; they should be able to make it in time.
Before Dong Qing could even speak, Xue Shen had already dashed away like lightning.
He had been to the Prince Chen's residence before and was familiar with the route, so he quickly found the study. It was dark at the moment, but the Prince Chen's study was not lit. Instead, a small courtyard not far from the study was brightly lit and guarded by guards.
Xue Shenchao gestured to the guards who followed him, signaling them to deal with the people outside, while he himself sneaked directly into the guarded room.
There were no servants in the outer room, only voices coming from the inner room, it was the voice of Prince Chen.
"Why be so stubborn? Just ask me and I'll give you everything."
A fierce killing intent flashed in Xue Shen's eyes, and he kicked the door open.
The loud noise startled King Chen, who turned around, but before he could see who it was, the back of a knife struck his neck, and he lost consciousness.
Xue Shen stepped over him and looked at the person on the bed.
Shen Youying's limbs were chained, and she was curled up on the inside of the bed, her mind clouded and unable to recognize anyone.
Fortunately, they arrived in time, before Xue Zhan could do anything.
Xue Shen softened his expression and gently bent down to hug her.
Shen Youying's eyes were filled with terror, and she struggled violently. It was unclear whether she was injured before or during the struggle, but blood was seeping from her lips and teeth.
"It's me, sweetheart." Xue Shen glanced at Xue Zhan on the ground with a gloomy expression, then pulled her into his arms and stroked her back repeatedly. "It's me, Xue Shen. It's alright now. Let's go home."
Something struck her, and Shen Youying looked up blankly, her hazy eyes seeming to clear for a moment: "Xue Shen?"
Her face was flushed with an unusual redness, and her body trembled slightly. Yet she stared intently at Xue Shen, as if desperately trying to discern whether the person before her was truly Xue Shen or an illusion.
"It's me." Xue Shen wrapped her in his cloak and held her firmly in his arms. "Don't be afraid."
Shen Youying nestled in his arms and finally couldn't hold back her tears. She clutched Xue Shen's sleeve tightly, bit her lip until it bled, and sobbed, "Xue Shen, I feel so bad."
It's so uncomfortable; only physical pain can temporarily relieve the unbearable feeling of ants crawling on my skin.
Xue Shen placed his finger between her lips and let her bite it to stop her from hurting herself, patiently coaxing her, "Just bear with it a little longer, we'll go back soon."
As Xue Shen passed by the unconscious Xue Zhan, he stared at him with a gloomy expression, his toes pressing heavily between Xue Zhan's legs.
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