Chapter 29: Tianlao, who did you meet in the Imperial Concubine’s Palace? …
Shen Xingwan's eyes were filled with heat, and she subconsciously clenched the corners of her clothes with both hands. She raised her head, eagerly and firmly: "I want to go, even if it's only for a moment. I want to know if he is doing well."
There was still a determination in her eyes to find out the truth.
She knew very well that her brother might know many secrets, which was crucial to uncovering these conspiracies.
Yan Jinghuan gently stroked the top of her head and said softly, "Okay." Then he called his confidant and whispered a few instructions.
Under Yan Jinghuan's arrangement, Shen Xingwan immediately changed his clothes and went to the Heavenly Prison.
Along the way, she clenched her fists unconsciously, her brother's face constantly appearing in her mind, and those childhood memories of staying by her brother's side came flooding back like a tide.
As you step into the prison, a dark and damp atmosphere hits you in the face, mixed with the stench of decay and mildew.
Shen Xingwan frowned slightly, but did not hesitate at all. She was led by the jailer to her brother's cell.
Through the cold fence, she saw the familiar figure. He was thinner and looked more haggard.
"Brother!" She choked a little.
Shen Yunchao slowly raised his head, a look of surprise flashed across his eyes, and then turned into worry. He quickly stepped to the fence and held the railing tightly with both hands: "Why are you here?"
Shen Xingwan looked at Shen Yunchao's body anxiously. Seeing that he looked pale but had no obvious external injuries, she felt relieved and choked up, "Brother, you have suffered."
Shen Yunchao forced a smile, "I'm fine, I wasn't tortured, how are mother and father? Are they all right?"
"Everyone in the family is thinking about you. Mother is in good health, but she's worried day and night, and her hair has turned a lot whiter." Shen Xingwan said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Shen Yunchao looked at her, his eyes gradually turned red, and he continued to comfort her: "Xingwan, don't cry, brother is fine." After that, he hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn't help but asked: "Lin'er...is she okay?"
Shen Xingwan took a deep breath and said, "She is doing a great job as the Crown Prince's concubine. She has the Crown Prince's protection, so you can rest assured, brother."
Shen Yunchao looked gloomy and lowered his eyes dejectedly.
Shen Xingwan felt sad when he saw this. He paused and said softly, "Brother, these days, Princess Guang'an has almost broken down the door of the Imperial Household Department for you."
"She found key clues that were beneficial to us in those piles of account books, and she also visited ministers everywhere. Even when she was turned away, she refused to give up and continued to run around to save you."
Shen Xingwan looked at Shen Yunchao earnestly: "Have you seen her love for you? She is your true love."
Shen Yunchao looked up in surprise, with complicated emotions in his eyes.
Shen Xingwan did not try to persuade him any further. After confirming that his life was not in danger, he lowered his head and took out a piece of paper from his bosom. On the paper was a double-sided dark needlework pattern of sparrow gold. His expression was solemn: "Brother, I have something important to ask you. Do you remember this pattern?"
Shen Yunchao's face darkened, and after carefully examining it, he frowned and said, "It looks very familiar, as if I have seen it somewhere before."
"Did you see it a few years ago when you were helping to investigate the theft of tribute from Jiangnan weaving factories?"
Shen Yunchao thought for a moment and suddenly realized, "This is the unique needlework pattern of the stolen goods. The emperor was furious at that time, and since then, Jiangnan weaving has never produced fabrics with this pattern again."
"Right?" Shen Xingwan leaned close to Shen Yunchao and whispered, "But when I was in the Imperial Concubine's palace, I saw that the thangka lining she offered was made of the stolen tribute. Brother, do you know the origin of this thangka? Also, is there really any force in the court colluding with the Western Regions?"
Shen Yunchao's eyes suddenly darkened when he heard this. He looked around cautiously and lowered his voice: "This matter is of great importance. Don't speculate rashly."
"What kind of situation is this? You've already been put in jail!" Shen Xingwan was extremely anxious. He held his brother's hand tightly and said angrily, "The Western Regions have invaded and captured several cities. Someone has impeached you for colluding with the Western Regions to support the enemy and intend to rebel!"
"If we don't try to find out who is colluding with the Western Regions and bring down the people who framed you, our family will be destroyed, brother!"
Shen Yunchao closed his eyes for a long time. After making sure that no one was eavesdropping, he approached Shen Xingwan with a serious expression and spoke in a voice so low that it was almost inaudible: "You guessed correctly. There is indeed a secret collusion between the imperial court and the Western Regions. The thangka is one of the important tokens of their exchanges."
Shen Xingwan's heartbeat suddenly quickened, and he pressed on, "What else do you know? Who is behind all this?" Shen Yunchao frowned, "I also discovered some clues by chance. There are many people involved, and they hold high positions. Even the Imperial Concubine is very likely involved."
Shen Xingwan was shocked, bit her lower lip, and asked again: "Then what should we do?"
Shen Yunchao shook his head slightly. "This matter is too secretive. There are too few clues to confirm right now. If we are not careful, not only will we fail to bring them down, but we will also be doomed."
He paused, and then warned Shen Xingwan: "You must also be extra careful and not reveal any flaws in your actions. Pay more attention to the movements of the Imperial Concubine and the Crown Prince's party. If there is anything unusual, don't act rashly. Tell Yan Jinghuan first, he will definitely have a way."
"But I can't just sit there and wait. I have to do something. I can't just watch them rob our nine clans."
Shen Yunchao raised his hand and gently touched Shen Xingwan's head, comforting her like he did when they were little: "Brother knows you are anxious, but this matter cannot be rushed. Don't forget that the Imperial Concubine has been operating in the palace for many years, and her power is intertwined and cannot be easily shaken."
Shen Xingwan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down: "What will you do in the prison?"
"Don't worry, since I've survived until now, they won't do anything to me for the time being."
Shen Xingwan nodded silently, still worried, and discussed with his brother in a low voice for a long time, anticipating all possible situations.
The guard who was being bribed was about to change shifts, and he came over anxiously to urge him several times. Shen Xingwan reluctantly let go of his brother's hand: "Brother, take care. I will definitely get you out."
"Brother believes in you." Shen Yunchao stared at Shen Xingwan and smiled, "My little sister has grown up and can take care of herself, mother and father."
Shen Xingwan tried hard to hold back her tears and turned away.
Walking out of the prison, the sunlight outside was a bit dazzling. She squinted her eyes and vowed secretly that she must get to the bottom of the conspiracy behind this, clear her brother's grievances, and restore the innocence of the Shen family.
Shen Xingwan dragged heavy steps into the Regent's Palace. Every step felt like stepping on cotton, soft and weak.
Her brother's haggard face kept lingering in her mind along the way.
The Shen family is now in deep trouble. The elder brother has been wrongfully imprisoned, and the entire family is charged with treason and is in danger.
Just as I was filled with worry, a low voice of conversation came into my ears.
She subconsciously looked in the direction of the voice and saw Yan Jinghuan standing in the shadow of the courtyard. The moonlight outlined his sharp profile and his expression was solemn.
In front of him, Xing Zhou was instructing a team of secret guards. All of them were dressed in black, had stern expressions, and exuded a murderous aura. It was obvious at a glance that they were going to carry out a dangerous mission.
"What are you going to do?"
Shen Xingwan walked forward quickly, his voice trembling slightly.
Yan Jinghuan turned around and saw that it was her, his eyes were complicated, a little surprised but he didn't seem to intend to hide it from her, "Enter the palace to steal the account book." His tone was light, as if he was talking about a very ordinary little thing.
Hearing this, Shen Xingwan's face lost all color, and she reached out to grab his sleeve anxiously, "No, absolutely not! Do you know how dangerous this is?"
"The palace is heavily guarded, and the Imperial Concubine is even more cunning and ruthless. She must have expected that we would do everything we could to find evidence, and she may have laid a net around the account book, waiting for us to fall into it."
She shook his arm anxiously.
"If we are caught as assassins, not only will we not be able to save my brother, but we will all die! It's really not worth it!"
Yan Jinghuan stared at her worried and anxious look, and smiled soothingly, "I know it's dangerous, but no matter how dangerous it is, someone has to do it. I'll go."
"You've done enough for the Shen Group, and I know it all." Shen Xingwan's eyes were red, tears welling up in them. "Although I want to save my brother, I can't take the risk and hurt you in vain. Let's think of a way. There will always be a way, okay?"
Yan Jinghuan was silent for a long time, finally sighed, slowly raised his hand and waved, signaling Xing Zhou and others to leave.
He looked at Shen Xingwan, the murderous look in his eyes gradually faded, and after a long while, he whispered to her, "I'll listen to you, we'll find a way."
The night was deep, the moonlight was like water, and the bright moonlight scattered in the cold courtyard of the Regent's Palace, reflecting two figures walking side by side.
Yan Jinghuan accompanied Shen Xingwan back to the room. The journey was quiet, with only the sound of footsteps echoing softly on the stone road.
Shen Xingwan was worried and her steps were unsteady, sometimes fast and sometimes slow. Yan Jinghuan followed behind her all the time and never took his eyes off her for a moment.
Shen Xingwan was extremely tired. After returning to her room, she had some snacks and went to wash up, hoping to wash away all the bad things of the day.
After washing up, the two lay on the couch. Shen Xingwan was very sleepy, but tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.
In the dark night, she opened her eyes wide, her mind filled with the thrilling events in the Imperial Concubine's Palace and the scene of meeting her brother in the Sky Prison, which replayed over and over again.
Yan Jinghuan noticed her tossing and turning, and his originally steady breathing stagnated slightly.
He got up from the bed, walked to the cupboard, took out the mother-of-pearl lacquer box, opened it and took out a stick of calming incense, then picked up the fire starter, blew gently, and a faint blue flame instantly jumped up.
He brought the flame close to one end of the calming incense, and when the wisp of green smoke rose up, he slightly turned sideways and waved his sleeves lightly, and the faint calming aroma slowly spread.
Shen Xingwan smelled this familiar fragrance, hesitated for a long time, and finally couldn't help turning over and looking at him, "You..."
Yan Jinghuan was just putting down the incense holder and sitting on the couch, holding her hand to tuck the corner of the quilt for her, but as soon as he touched her wrist, his originally gentle movement froze instantly.
His eyes fell on the red mark on her snow-white wrist, and his thin lips were tightly pursed.
He gently stroked the red mark with his cool fingertips, and as he caressed it, he confirmed that it was clearly the mark left by the man's big hand clenching tightly.
Yan Jinghuan's Adam's apple rolled, his drooping eyelashes trembled slightly, and the aura he exuded was so cold that it could make the air around him freeze.
He suddenly grabbed Shen Xingwan's wrist.
"Who did you meet in the Imperial Concubine's Palace?"
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