The long night cast his figure in pitch-black darkness, yet his scarlet brocade robe stood out vividly, exuding an imposing aura that was impossible to ignore.
Chi Yan suddenly lowered his head, used the curled horsewhip to lift his chin, and spoke in a low, deliberate, yet extremely cold voice:
"I framed you, what can you do about it?"
He paused slightly, a clear sneer flashing in his eyes. "I thought that since Lord Cao chose to provoke me, he was already prepared to pay the price?"
He used to believe in the principle of "I will not offend others unless they offend me," and he was always kind to others and kept public and private matters separate. But what was the result?
Those people have repeatedly provoked him; even a clay figure has some backbone! If he doesn't fight back, they'll really think he's a pushover!
Lord Cao's pupils suddenly dilated, and he staggered back two steps, staring intently at him, his heart filled with turmoil!
He never expected Chi Yan to be this crazy!
So easily frightened, Chi Yan suddenly felt somewhat bored. He stopped looking at him and ignored the deafening cries from the Cao family. He lazily turned his horse around and said, "Take him to the imperial prison and await His Majesty's judgment!"
Grabbing his shoulders with two men, Lord Cao snapped out of his daze and began to struggle violently: "Chi Yan, how dare you treat me like this! I refuse to accept this! I want to see His Majesty! I want to impeach you!"
The Imperial Guard beside him, annoyed by his loud noise, kicked him hard behind the knee: "Behave yourself! You still want to see His Majesty? What a dream!"
After saying that, he grabbed something and stuffed it into the person's mouth.
...
The commotion at the Cao residence was quite significant; by the next morning, news of what had happened the previous night had spread throughout Yanjing.
The first ray of sunlight streamed in through the window. Her eyelashes fluttered, and Shen Tangning slowly opened her eyes. The bed beside her was empty. She reached out and touched it; it was cold.
Hearing the noise, Xueqing pushed open the door and came in, her tone concerned: "Miss is awake?"
Her whole body ached terribly, especially her arms. Shen Tangning slowly rubbed her wrists and asked, "When did he leave?"
Xueqing realized what was happening and hesitated, "After you fell asleep last night, the young master went out and didn't come back all night."
Startled, she frowned slightly, looked up and saw Xue Qing looking hesitant, and couldn't help but ask, "Has something happened?"
Xueqing dared not hide it from her, and stepped forward to help her up: "I heard that the young master led people to the residence of the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies last night and ransacked his house."
A hint of surprise flashed in Shen Tangning's eyes: "The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial?"
He was indeed a fourth-rank official, which matched what she had said—that the other party had her kidnapped.
But isn't this raid on their homes going too far?
His brow furrowed unconsciously: "Do you know why?"
Xueqing recalled for a moment: "I heard that they kidnapped the crown prince and are also suspected of treason!"
Shen Tangning's expression slowly hardened. Treason? Where did they get the audacity to do this, and by such a convenient time to expose it?
She sensed something was amiss. Someone had arrived outside; it was Chi's mother, who had come to visit. She composed herself and focused on dealing with the situation.
Mother Chi sat by the bed and looked at her with heartache in her eyes: "I wanted to come see you yesterday, but Ayan said you were too tired and needed to rest, so I waited until today."
Shen Tangning pursed her lips slightly: "It's my fault, I made Mother worry."
"How can you blame yourself? It's all the fault of those audacious thieves who dared to kidnap people in broad daylight. They have no regard for the law! Fortunately, they've all been caught!" Mother Chi was still shaken by the memory and talked with her for a while.
Shen Tangning, however, seemed somewhat absent-minded.
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