Chapter 54: Return to the Palace
The leading guard commander was directing the firefighting when he saw Xue Minglan who was invited to the side out of the corner of his eye, and his movements suddenly stopped!
Master Xue from the Wenyuan Marquis Mansion?!
He took a few steps forward, clasped his fists and saluted, his voice full of obvious respect:
"I pay my respects to Master Xue! I didn't know you were here, and I'm sorry to bother you!"
This sudden show of respect instantly broke the tension.
Xue Minglan glanced at the commander, and the tense lines on his face relaxed slightly, but there was still a lingering gloom.
He raised his chin slightly, and his eyes seemed to glance at Zhou Yan'an beside him unintentionally. The condescending look in his eyes was self-evident.
This is the gap in identity.
Zhou Yan'an seemed not to notice Xue Minglan's little action. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and his eyes were lazy, as if he was watching a boring play.
He turned his head and his eyes fell on Shen He's still pale face, with a hint of imperceptible gentleness.
Then, under Xue Minglan's suddenly gloomy gaze, he reached out and gently, yet firmly, held Shen He's slightly cold hand.
Chen He's fingertips trembled, and he subconsciously looked at Zhou Yan'an.
Meeting his soothing gaze, her chaotic heart strangely calmed down a bit.
The warmth from the palm of my hand dispelled some of the chill from the fire and the coldness in my heart.
This scene made Xue Minglan's eyes hurt!
He turned his head sharply to look at the guard leader, his voice carrying an unquestionable command:
"Commander!"
"Send two people to escort Miss Shen back home immediately! It's dangerous here!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "Miss Shen" and "return home", trying to separate Shen He from Zhou Yan'an with status and "concern".
"No need."
Shen He's cold voice sounded, interrupting Xue Minglan's words.
She pulled back the hand that Zhou Yan'an was holding - not out of rejection, but to make her position clear. She didn't want Zhou Yan'an to be targeted by Xue Minglan because of her.
She looked at Xue Minglan with a distant look.
"Thank you for your concern, Master Xue. I can leave on my own."
The guard leader was stunned for a moment, looked at Xue Minglan who looked worried, and then looked at Chen He who had a resolute attitude, with sweat slightly on his forehead.
This... is a fight between gods!
He rolled his eyes and quickly tried to smooth things over:
"Mr. Xue is right. Miss Shen is worth a lot of money. The fire here has not been extinguished and the smoke and dust are everywhere. It is indeed not suitable for us to stay here for long."
He turned to Chen He, his tone respectful but with a tone that could not be refused, obviously understanding Xue Minglan's expression.
"Protecting the safety of the people of the imperial city is our duty. It is only natural that we escort Miss Shen back to the mansion!"
He was determined to do as Xue Minglan wished.
Shen He frowned slightly, a hint of impatience flashing in her eyes.
"Commander."
She took a step forward, her voice not loud, but carrying an invisible pressure.
"I am following the orders of His Majesty to thoroughly investigate the Renxinzhai case."
"Now that Renxinzhai has caught fire for no apparent reason, and there are so many suspicious points, how can I just leave like this?"
"I need to know how this fire started!"
Her sharp eyes swept across the still burning ruins, as if trying to find the answer from them.
The guard commander looked embarrassed when he heard this.
Investigating a case under imperial order? This is a bit tricky.
But he took a look at Xue Minglan's face and said stubbornly:
"Miss Shen, finding out the cause of the fire is the responsibility of our Imperial City Guards."
"Once the fire is extinguished and the on-site investigation is completed, a detailed accident report will be submitted."
“At that time, if Miss Shen wants to check it out, she only needs to come to my office with the relevant transfer order.”
"The scene is in chaos right now, and the evidence may be destroyed. Miss Shen, please step aside first to avoid any accidents. This way, I can concentrate on putting out the fire and investigating the case, right?"
This statement was flawless, saving Xue Minglan's face while also refuting Chen He's excuse.
Shen He was silent for a moment.
She glanced at the guards who were still struggling to put out the fire, and then at Xue Minglan, whose face was gloomy and who was obviously unwilling to give up.
She knew that she couldn't get anything out of him here tonight.
There are so many people around, it is not wise to confront Xue Minglan head-on.
The most important thing is that she already has the account book of Renxinzhai. This is the key!
"good."
Chen He nodded, his eyes swept over Zhou Yan'an, and then looked at Chu Yue and Gu Yu who had been waiting quietly not far away.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Commander."
She turned around, no longer looking at Xue Minglan, and her voice returned to calm.
"Let's go."
Zhou Yan'an followed her naturally, and his protective attitude made Xue Minglan's eyes even more sinister.
Chu Yue and Gu Yu hurriedly followed, protecting Chen He on the left and right.
The group of four, "escorted" by several guards, gradually moved away from Renxinzhai, where flames were soaring into the sky, and disappeared into the night.
Only Xue Minglan was left standing there, looking at their departing backs, especially the figures of Chen He and Zhou Yan'an who were almost walking side by side. His face was so gloomy that water seemed to drip out of it, and his fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force.
Zhou Yan'an...
He made note of this account!
***
It was already deep night.
The vermilion gate of the Zhenbei General's Mansion exudes majesty under the hazy moonlight.
The sound of the guards' horses' hooves was particularly clear in the quiet street, and finally stopped in front of the mansion gate.
The guard leader dismounted, his face showing some official respect, but also a hint of embarrassment.
He cleared his throat and bowed to Shen He.
"Miss Shen, it's getting late, and the road may not be safe."
"Master Xue specifically instructed me to...make sure I see you enter the mansion with my own eyes, only then can I feel at ease."
As soon as these words were spoken, the air seemed to stagnate for a moment.
Chu Yue and Gu Yu exchanged glances, and both saw worry and a hint of resentment in each other's eyes.
Zhou Yan'an stood beside Shen He, his eyes calm, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Chen He's eyes suddenly turned cold, and a sarcastic arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"oh?"
"Watch me enter the mansion?"
She laughed softly, but there was ice in her laughter.
"Commander-in-chief, am I, Chen He, a wanted criminal of the imperial court, or a person awaiting punishment?"
"Do you need to 'watch over' me like this?"
Her voice suddenly rose, with an awe-inspiring and inviolable aura:
"He, Xue Minglan, is the son of the Marquis Wenyuan's mansion. Am I, Chen He, not the daughter of General Zhenbei?!"
The last sentence is very powerful!
General Zhenbei's daughter...
These words were like a tiny needle, gently pricking Zhou Yan'an.
Just now, Xue Minglan used his status to bully others, but he just thought it was ridiculous and didn't even bother to argue with him.
But at this moment, hearing Chen He's family background so clearly, made his heart feel a little bitter.
Yeah, he almost forgot.
The unwavering loyalty in the fire, the subconscious closeness and protection, made him momentarily confused and forget the insurmountable gap between them.
After all, she is the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking general.
And he... was just an unknown person with an unknown identity who was doing a small job in the Ministry of Justice.
He lowered his eyes to hide the emotion that flashed across them, and the subtle curve at the corner of his lips also quietly disappeared.
The guard leader was left speechless by Chen He's words, and cold sweat was almost coming out of his forehead.
My great aunt!
What is this?
One is the son of a marquis, and the other is the daughter of a general. He can't afford to offend either of them!
He secretly glanced at Chen He's frosty face, and thought of Xue Minglan's gloomy eyes when he left, and felt overwhelmed.
Forget it, forget it. The person has been sent to the gate of the mansion, and I have given an explanation to Master Xue.
As for Miss Shen's refusal to come in... that's not his fault! You can't just force her in, right?
Thinking of this, he quickly cupped his hands again, forcing a smile uglier than crying:
"Miss Shen, you are too serious, too serious!"
"It was my fault for not thinking things through and speaking out of turn! I spoke out of turn!"
"Since the young lady has been safely delivered, I will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave now! Bye!"
After he finished speaking, without waiting for Shen He to speak again, he waved his hand swiftly and quickly evacuated with his men. The sound of horse hooves faded away, as if they were afraid of being involved in any more trouble.
In the blink of an eye, only Chen He, Zhou Yan'an, Chu Yue and Gu Yu were left on the street.
Chen He looked at the tightly closed gate of the General's Mansion. The five large characters "Zhenbei General's Mansion" on the door plaque shone with a cold and hard luster in the moonlight. His eyes were complicated, but he had no intention of stepping in.
She turned around and looked at Zhou Yan'an and Chu Yue.
"We're not going back home."
Her voice was soft, but it carried an unquestionable determination.
"Return to the palace."
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