Upon reaching the top, Chen Zhennan gently tapped on a wooden plank.
Chen Zhennan's heart raced. He gritted his teeth, then suddenly pushed aside the wooden plank and jumped out through the hole. He quickly aimed his pistol at his surroundings, cautiously assessing the situation.
The moment Chen Zhennan leaped out of the cave, Yan Shiyu followed closely behind, like his shadow.
The two stood back to back in the unfamiliar environment, silently observing their surroundings.
Where they were, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the treetops, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and flowers.
“This should be the back garden of a house,” Chen Zhennan said in a low voice, his voice tinged with contemplation.
Yan Shiyu nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any potential threats.
"The flowers, plants and trees around here are very well trimmed. Your Majesty, this must be the home of a high-ranking official."
Chen Zhennan nodded slightly: "Yes, it's clear that the officials in Beirong City live in much better conditions than those in Dawu Capital."
Just then, several guards wielding curved swords ran in from the archway not far away. Their movements were swift and orderly, and they raised their swords at Chen Zhennan and Yan Shiyu.
"Who are you? How dare you trespass on the Xiang residence!" The guard's voice carried a hint of warning, his eyes filled with hostility.
Chen Zhennan slightly raised his eyes, a hint of disdain in them. He didn't answer the question, but instead asked, "Where is this place? And who are you people?"
"This is the residence of Xiang Hao, the Minister of Works. This is the back garden of the Xiang residence. We are all servants guarding the mansion." The guard's voice carried a hint of pride.
Chen Zhennan hadn't expected that the exit of this tunnel would be in Xiang Hao's house. It seemed that the Xiang family was definitely not as simple as it seemed.
Slowly lowering the muzzle of his gun, Chen Zhennan suddenly pulled the trigger. With a "bang," a bullet struck the feet of several guards, raising a cloud of dust and startling them into retreating.
The guards' eyes were filled with terror; they had never seen such a powerful weapon before.
Chen Zhennan cleared his throat, his voice carrying an undeniable air of authority: "I am the current Emperor Chen Zhennan. Who else in this court has the final say?"
The guards knelt down almost instantly, and the head guard hurriedly said, "The highest-ranking person in the mansion is the Minister's wife, and she is in the mansion right now."
"Yes, all of you, get up. Lead the way, I want to see Xiang Hao's wife."
Upon hearing this, the guards hurriedly got up and led Chen Zhennan through the gate and alley to the inner residence. Immediately, someone went to call Xiang Hao's wife to come out and greet them.
Soon after, a beautiful woman dressed in plain clothes slowly emerged and knelt down in front of Chen Zhennan.
"Your Majesty, I am Xia Kexin, wife of Xiang Hao."
The woman spoke softly and politely, and her movements and demeanor were very dignified.
Chen Zhennan waved his hand slightly, "Rise."
"Your name is Xia Kexin? Xiang Hao's wife?" Chen Zhennan asked casually.
Xia Kexin gave a soft "hmm" and nodded slightly, saying, "Indeed, I am Xiang Hao's wife. May I ask what brings Your Majesty here?"
Chen Zhennan narrowed his eyes slightly. Xia Kexin spoke very calmly. He was, after all, the emperor, yet she showed no fear whatsoever, and even dared to ask him what he was there for. This woman was no ordinary person.
He coughed, breaking the silence, his voice carrying a hint of heaviness.
"Madam Xia, I have something to tell you."
Xia Kexin's expression changed slightly, but she quickly returned to normal.
"Your Majesty, please speak. Your subject is fully prepared to listen."
"Xiang Hao, your husband is dead."
Chen Zhennan deliberately spoke slowly, wanting to see her reaction.
Upon hearing this, Xia Kexin trembled slightly and immediately began to sob.
Her shoulders trembled slightly, and she choked out, "How...how could this happen? My husband..."
Although Xia Kexin appeared very sad and heartbroken, Chen Zhennan's keen eyes noticed that her eyes were dry, without a single tear.
A cold laugh welled up in Chen Zhennan's heart. This woman was actually pretending to be sad in front of him.
Xia Kexin's sobs echoed in the room. Although her eyes were dry, Chen Zhennan did not expose her.
"Madam Xia, please don't be too sad. I will personally preside over Xiang Hao's funeral."
Chen Zhennan spoke calmly, his gaze fixed on Xia Kexin's face, trying to catch a glimpse of her true emotions from her reaction.
Upon hearing Chen Zhennan's words, Xia Kexin hurriedly knelt on the ground, her head bowed deeply.
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's grace. But how can Your Majesty, the supreme ruler, preside over the funeral of your subject?"
Although Xia Kexin spoke respectfully, Chen Zhennan could hear the rejection in her words.
However, the more she refused, the more Chen Zhennan insisted on doing it.
"Although Xiang Hao is guilty, he has devoted most of his life to the Great Yan Dynasty and deserves this honor. Xiang Hao worked tirelessly, so his funeral should naturally be presided over by me personally."
Xia Kexin lowered her head deeply, her brows furrowed. Since Chen Zhennan had already said so, she could no longer refuse and had no choice but to agree.
"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your grace!"
Seeing this, Chen Zhennan smiled, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He turned to Yan Shiyu and said, "Shiyu, you stay here and discuss the funeral arrangements with the Minister's wife."
Chen Zhennan's voice was low, but the meaning behind it was self-evident—he wanted Yan Shiyu to keep an eye on this unpredictable Minister's wife.
Yan Shiyu accepted the order, and then Chen Zhennan left the Xiang residence alone and hurriedly returned to the palace.
Upon returning to the palace, Chen Zhennan immediately summoned Wang Xiao.
"Wang Xiao, you shall immediately lead the Imperial Guards to the Xiang residence and, under the pretext of maintaining order, seal off all exits. No one shall be allowed to enter or leave."
Wang Xiao immediately knelt on one knee, "Your humble servant obeys!"
Chen Zhennan personally led a team of guards to escort Xiang Hao's body slowly into the Xiang residence.
The people in the Xiang residence were shocked by the sudden appearance of the Imperial Guards. Chen Zhennan ignored their gazes and walked straight to the hall, where a coffin and mourning hall had already been prepared.
Chen Zhennan sat in the hall, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, scrutinizing every busy figure.
Xia Kexin stood to the side, her expression shifting between light and dark, but she certainly didn't seem sad.
Chen Zhennan's gaze inadvertently swept over her. Although he didn't know if Xiang Hao had dug the tunnel, his wife Xia Kexin certainly did.
Chen Zhennan slowly walked up to Xia Kexin and said in a low voice, "Madam Minister, I have something to ask you."
Xia Kexin's expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly nodded: "Your Majesty, please ask."
Chen Zhennan's gaze was fixed on Xia Kexin's face, his voice tinged with inquiry: "Do you know about the secret passage in the back garden?"
Xia Kexin's expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly shook her head: "What? There's a tunnel in the back garden? I had no idea."
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