Only that fleeting, strange expression lingered for a moment.

Soon, he reverted to his usual demeanor, replying to her calmly, "Eunuch Yu? He's gone to Youzhou."

"Youzhou?"

Qing Wu felt a jolt in her heart; the sense of foreboding intensified.

Since the founding of the Wei Dynasty, only those who had committed heinous crimes were sent to Youzhou.

Aside from that, there were the officials stationed to guard Youzhou.

But unless absolutely necessary, most officials were unwilling to go to that remote border region.

Why would her brother, a mere eunuch, be sent there on assignment for no apparent reason?

At that moment, Qing Wu's heart tightened, but in the end, she forcefully suppressed the panic and unease within.

Feigning composure, she spoke again, asking, "Your Highness, what is Eunuch Yu doing in Youzhou for no reason? Is he on a mission?"

"The eldest son of the Ning Prince fled to Youzhou, and Yu Qi went to capture him."

Xie Jin Yan replied gently, then took her hand, changing the subject, "Alright, A Wu, it's getting late. I still have to make a trip to the Heavenly Prison. Let's return to the Eastern Palace first."

Heavenly Prison? What was he going to the Heavenly Prison for?

Interrogating prisoners?

With such a commotion in the capital, the Heavenly Prison was probably quite lively at the moment.

Her enemies were likely among them.

So, the Ning Prince was probably there as well.

"Your Highness, I would like to see the old Ning Prince. Is that possible?"

"You want to kick him while he's down?"

Xie Jin Yan's lips curved into a smile, his eyes filled with amusement.

However, he eventually waved his hand, saying softly, "A Wu, I understand how you feel, but it's not possible right now."

"You know that the Heavenly Prison is where those who have committed serious crimes are held. I already violated the law by taking you there before. Now that the matter is of such great importance, it's even more out of the question."

"Let's go back to the Eastern Palace first. After some time, when things have calmed down, I'll take you to see him."

His tone was extremely gentle, but Yu Qing Wu felt even more uneasy.

She knew Xie Jin Yan too well. They were childhood sweethearts, now sharing the same bed, to the point where she could guess his thoughts from even the smallest of his actions.

It was because she understood him so well that she knew that if he didn't want to say something, no matter how she asked, it would be futile.

So, in the end, Yu Qing Wu said nothing more, only nodding weakly.

In that instant, Qing Wu felt that the relationship between her and Xie Jin Yan had seemed to revert to the beginning, back to those years when she first arrived in the capital.

She was like a golden canary, a dodder flower, only able to live by clinging to Xie Jin Yan.

Even if she had doubts in her heart, she didn't dare to easily reveal her true emotions.

But after so much suspicion and estrangement accumulated in her heart, there would eventually be a time for it to explode.

Therefore, this time, Yu Qing Wu no longer intended to sit idly by and wait for her fate.

Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, she immediately sent for her cousin Yu Zhen and his childhood sweetheart, Ling Er.

She thought that if something had really happened to her brother, he would definitely have come to speak with her cousin Yu Zhen before he left.

Ever since Yu Qing Wu and Xie Jin Yan left the capital, Yu Zhen had been living in a small courtyard in the Eastern Palace. He was afraid of causing trouble for Yu Qing Wu, so he rarely stepped out of the courtyard, and even forbade Ling Er from going out.

Hearing that Yu Qing Wu had returned from the palace, he immediately went to Qing Ning Courtyard.

"Cousin Yu Zhen, has there been any major activity in the capital while I was away?"

As soon as Yu Zhen entered, Yu Qing Wu dismissed everyone else.

She picked up a teacup and handed Yu Zhen a cup of fragrant tea. Her brow was stern and her eyes cold. Before Yu Zhen could speak, she lowered her voice and added, as if emphasizing, "I'm referring to, during the time I was gone, did anything major happen to my brother, Eunuch Yu Qi in the palace?"

She frowned, a sharp glint in her clear eyes.

When their eyes met, Yu Zhen couldn't help but tremble slightly.

In his already cautious gaze, a hint of evasion quietly emerged.

He closed his eyes, as if gathering his courage, and sighed, "Crown Princess, Brother Yu Qi came to see me before he left. At that time, I saw that his complexion was not good. It looked like he was seriously injured. I asked him what had happened, but he said nothing."

"He only told me to tell you that everything was over, to let you live well, to be a good Crown Princess, and not to worry about him."

"And not to… resent the Crown Prince."

Not to resent the Crown Prince?

So, something really had… happened to her brother?

Yu Qing Wu's heart trembled violently, almost causing her to lose her balance.

Ever since Xie Jin Yan told her in Qingzhou that the situation in the capital had changed, that Xie Ru Feng had fallen, and that the Ning Prince had been removed from power, she had felt that it had all come too easily, and she had a bad feeling.

But she couldn't say exactly what was wrong.

After returning to the capital and not being able to see her brother, that feeling became even stronger.

And at this moment, Yu Zhen's words confirmed that feeling.

In that instant, she couldn't help but think of how Xie Jin Yan had unhesitatingly wanted to sacrifice Gao Min Yue's life to protect his reputation.

If he could treat Gao Min Yue so ruthlessly, then… it was not impossible for him to sacrifice her brother for the sake of power and to turn things around.

As for why her brother would compromise, it was even simpler: it was for the sake of her, the sister he hadn't seen in over a decade…

Thinking of this, Yu Qing Wu could hardly sit still.

She bit her lip tightly, trying to suppress her emotions, and looked at Yu Zhen again, asking him in a low voice, "Cousin, do you know where my brother went?"

"I entered the palace today and didn't see him. I haven't heard any news of him being convicted along the way, but His Highness said that he went to Youzhou."

"Youzhou has always been a place for exiling serious criminals. If my brother is innocent, why would he be exiled to Youzhou?"

Her eyes reddened, and she eagerly asked Yu Zhen again, "Cousin Yu Zhen, my brother must have told you, right?"

"This… Crown Princess, Brother Yu Qi really didn't tell me anything about this."

"However…"

Yu Zhen looked troubled, gave Yu Qing Wu a deep look, and then said, "However, when I heard his words at that time, it sounded like… like he was saying his last words."

"But that's just my feeling, and it may not be true."

"During my time in the capital, I only heard about the Ning Prince and Xie Ru Feng. I haven't heard of any eunuchs in the palace committing any mistakes or encountering any misfortune."

Yu Zhen scratched the back of his head and said somewhat haltingly.

Seeing his expression, Yu Qing Wu felt even more uneasy.

But, judging from Yu Zhen's appearance, he really didn't know anything.

So, if she wanted to know the answer, she could only ask Xie Jin Yan in the end.

Even if he might not be willing to tell her.

Closing her eyes, Qing Wu said nothing more, only waved her hand lightly and said, "Brother Yu Zhen, I understand. You may leave."

"Also, take Ling Er and leave in a couple of days. Don't stay in this place of trouble in the capital anymore."