Chapter 56: Xie Heng Risks His Life to Visit the Embassy at Night
The embassy at night was like a dormant beast. Its walls towered, and the light from lanterns swayed in the wind, casting flickering shadows on the guards. The long swords in their hands shone coldly. Xie Heng crouched in the old locust tree outside the wall, watching the patrolling guards' route. He had been observing for half an hour, figuring out the intervals between guard changes and preparing drugs and needles, all for the night to rescue Yun Zhi.
He fished out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom, poured out a small amount of pale yellow powder, and blew it toward the nearby guard with a specially made bamboo tube. The powder drifted away in the wind, and after a moment of inhaling it, the guard staggered and fell straight to the ground. Xie Heng moved swiftly, leaping from the tree and dragging the guard into the shadows. He quickly donned his armor, lowered the brim of his hat, and slipped into the embassy corridor.
The hallway was filled with the scent of exotic spices, making Xie Heng's throat itch. Following the information he had gathered that day, he headed towards the west wing where Yun Zhi was imprisoned. As he turned the corner, he overheard a conversation between two maids: "That woman is truly ungrateful. The envoy treated her with such kindness, yet she dared to hurt him with a wooden thorn. You must teach her a lesson tonight!"
"That's right! I heard that the adults have already prepared chains to lock her to the bed. Let's see how she can resist!"
Xie Heng's heart tightened instantly, and his pace quickened. He reached the door of the west wing and saw two guards dozing against it. Without hesitation, he thrust out two silver needles, piercing their sleep points with pinpoint accuracy. The guards collapsed without a single grunt.
Xie Heng pushed open the door, and a repressive atmosphere hit him. The room was dim, lit only by a small lamp. Yun Zhi was curled up in the corner of the bed, her dress torn, her arms and ankles covered in bruises, her hair disheveled, but her eyes were still open. There was no despair in her eyes, only a hint of vigilance. Only when she saw that it was Xie Heng did her eyes finally relax, a glimmer of tears.
"Thank you, brother..." Yun Zhi's voice was hoarse, filled with incredible surprise.
"I'm here to save you!" Xie Heng stepped forward quickly and untied the rope around her wrist. His fingers touched her cold skin and scars, and his eyes turned red with heartache. "You've suffered so much. Let's go now. It will be too late if we're late!"
He helped Yunzhi up and wanted to take her out, but Yunzhi stood there without moving. She turned her eyes to the window and looked towards the east side of the embassy - that was Batu's study.
"I can't leave." Yun Zhi's voice was soft, but with unquestionable firmness.
Xie Heng was stunned: "Why? If we don't leave now, once the guards notice something unusual, we won't be able to leave!"
"Because I have what I want there." Yun Zhi pointed towards the study, her eyes filled with determination. "Batu and Prime Minister Shen are colluding, and there must be evidence of their collaboration in the study. If I leave like this, not only will the Yun family's grievances not be cleared, but they will continue to harm Daqi. My father's spirit in heaven will not rest in peace!"
"This is too dangerous!" Xie Heng stamped his feet anxiously. "The study is a key area of the embassy. The security is definitely tighter than here. There might even be a trap! Let's get out first. We can find a chance to check for evidence later!"
"There's no future." Yun Zhi shook her head, her voice choking but still firm. "Brother Xie, you don't know that Prime Minister Shen has sent people to the border to hunt down Zhao Feng in order to eradicate him. If we don't get evidence now, once Prime Minister Shen destroys all traces, the Yun family will never be able to overturn the case!"
She looked at Xie Heng, her eyes full of pleading: "I know it's dangerous, but I have to go. If you're afraid, you can go first, I'll go by myself."
"How could I let you go alone!" Xie Heng interrupted her, his tone carrying a hint of anger, but more of heartache. "Since I'm here, I won't let you take risks alone. But you have to promise me that once we get the evidence, we will leave immediately and won't stay any longer!"
Yun Zhi nodded heavily, her eyes red: "Thank you, Brother Xie."
Xie Heng supported Yun Zhi and carefully walked out of the west wing. As soon as they turned the corner, they heard the footsteps of guards in the distance—it was time for the shift change! The two of them quickly hid in the nearby utility room, holding their breath as they watched a team of guards pass by the door.
"Hurry, let's go to the study before they notice anything unusual!" Xie Heng lowered his voice and took Yun Zhi to move quickly along the wall, avoiding the patrolling guards, and finally arrived at the door of the study.
The study door was tightly closed, with a brass lock hanging on it, more complex than the lock in the west wing. Xie Heng fished out the locksmith's tools from his pocket, but just as he was about to start, Yun Zhi stopped him and pointed to a raised wooden carving on the door lintel—it was in the shape of a wolf's head, the same pattern as on Batu's cuffs. "Be careful, it could be a trap."
Xie Heng nodded and gently moved the wooden carving with a silver needle. With a click, the copper lock popped open. The two of them looked at each other, pushed open the door, and walked in lightly.
The study was brighter than the outside. Books and scrolls filled the shelves, and several documents lay spread out on the desk. There was also an open brocade box filled with gold, silver, and jewelry. Yun Zhi quickly walked over to the desk and picked up a document. The writing on it was in Chinese, but it was stamped with the seal of an enemy nation. It contained Prime Minister Shen's promise to cede three border cities to the enemy nation in exchange for Batu's support in overthrowing the emperor!
"This is... irrefutable evidence of treason!" Xie Heng came over to take a look and was so shocked that he was speechless.
Yun Zhi's hands were shaking. She rummaged through the scrolls on the bookshelf and soon found a stack of secret letters - all of which were correspondence between Prime Minister Shen and Batu. They contained not only the agreement to cede the city, but also the detailed plan to frame the Yun family. It was Prime Minister Shen who bribed the Yun family's housekeeper, forged the letter of treason, and had Shen Qingyue pretend to be close to Yun's father and steal the military deployment map, leaving the Yun family speechless!
"So...so that's how it is..." Yun Zhi's tears fell, dripping onto the secret letter and blurring the words, "My father was really wronged...Shen Qingyue...she was actually an accomplice!"
At this moment, the door of the study was suddenly pushed open with a "bang", and Batu rushed in with a team of guards, pointing the long knife in his hand at them, with a ferocious look in his eyes: "Bitch! How dare you steal my things! Don't even think about leaving today!"
Xie Heng immediately protected Yun Zhi behind him, drew the dagger from his waist, and said with a cold look: "If you want to stop us, you have to get past me first!"
Yun Zhi held the secret letter tightly in her arms, looking at the guards rushing over, with only one thought in her mind - she must take these evidences out, and she must make Prime Minister Shen and Batu pay the price!
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