Shen Yunxuan’s eyes paused as he looked up and saw the approaching figure. It was none other than Han Xichen, the seventh prince of the Han Kingdom.
“Lord Shen…” Han Xichen walked forward, looking at Shen Yunxuan.
Shen Yunxuan stepped forward and bowed, “Your Highness.”
“Lord Shen, no need for formalities. Please!” Han Xichen said.
“May I ask why Your Highness wishes to see this humble official?”
Han Xichen smiled faintly, “Lord Shen, this prince wishes to make a deal with you.”
Shen Yunxuan’s gaze flickered. He looked at Han Xichen and said, “This humble official is merely a fourth-rank Imperial Guard. If Your Highness seeks something beyond my capabilities, perhaps you should find someone else?”
Han Xichen’s smile did not reach his eyes. “Is Lord Shen unwilling?”
Shen Yunxuan bowed, “This humble official’s position is too lowly. I am afraid I cannot assist Your Highness.”
Han Xichen chuckled softly, with a hint of mockery, “It seems Lord Shen is unaware of certain matters.”
Shen Yunxuan faltered and asked, “What matters am I unaware of?”
Han Xichen stepped closer and said, word by word, “Lord Shen, your second brother, Shen Yunxiu, has already partnered with this prince. The first batch of gold from this collaboration has already been transported to the Han Palace through Shen Yunxiu.”
Shen Yunxuan’s body trembled, and he became enraged. “Your Highness, Shen Yunxiu is merely a dismissed member of the Shen family. Your actions have nothing to do with the Shen family.”
“How can it have nothing to do with it? Second Young Master Shen uses the Shen family’s connections for everything. Without the Shen family, this gold could not have been moved out of here, nor could it have reached the Han Palace safely.”
Shen Yunxuan trembled with anger, “You are forcing my hand.”
Han Xichen shook his head, “This is not me forcing your hand. Second Young Master Shen is more sensible than Lord Shen.”
“Cease your cooperation with the Shen family immediately!” Shen Yunxuan said coldly.
“It is too late. Lord Shen, why not join us? This prince will not forget your contributions.”
“Han Xichen, I will not agree, nor will I use the Shen family as the foundation for your success.”
“Lord Shen, the wise adapt to circumstances. If you refuse a polite request and insist on facing punishment, how can this prince proceed?”
“Han Xichen, stop this at once, or I will not hesitate to report this to His Majesty upon my return!”
Han Xichen sneered, “You can report to the Empress, but you must consider carefully. The Empress is currently missing. Would you say my actions are faster, or your informing the Empress is faster?”
“You…”
“Lord Shen, perhaps you should reconsider. The Shen family is already deeply involved. Even if you personally are not participating, other members of the Shen family are. Even if the Empress favors you, she will only protect you. The other members of the Shen family will not be so fortunate.”
“Han Xichen, you are doing this deliberately. You intend to bring down the Shen family, and drag me down with them…” Shen Yunxuan gritted out each word.
“You are not entirely wrong. Lord Shen, will you save yourself, or will you save your entire family?” Han Xichen laughed wildly, seemingly unconcerned that Shen Yunxuan might refuse.
After a long pause, Han Xichen spoke again, “Lord Shen, my patience is limited.”
“I implore Your Highness to leave a path of survival for the Shen family.” With that, Shen Yunxuan bowed, slowly lowering his head.
Han Xichen laughed heartily and stepped forward to help Shen Yunxuan up. “Lord Shen is too polite. Once successful, this prince will certainly not mistreat you.”
As Shen Yunxuan was helped up, Han Xichen called out behind him, “Come out!”
Shen Yunxuan saw a figure slowly emerge from behind.
It was a woman. As she stood before him, he recognized her. This person was none other than Princess Anping, who had replaced Prince An and become Prince Changping.
“This humble official pays respects to Prince Changping.” Shen Yunxuan bowed.
Han Xichen smiled and said, “With Lord Shen’s participation, our efforts will surely be doubled.”
Anping glanced at Shen Yunxuan and stepped forward, disdainfully saying, “It seems Lord Shen’s feelings for Xue Zining are not that profound after all.”
Shen Yunxuan chuckled softly, “Your Highness thinks too highly of this humble official. This humble official is indeed loyal to His Majesty, but when compared to my family, I can only be an unfaithful person.”
Anping sneered at his words, “I wonder if Xue Zining will be angry when she finds out. I eagerly await seeing her heartbroken.”
“Your Highness, since you have partnered with this humble official, what about Shen Yunxiu? How will Your Highness handle him?” Shen Yunxuan asked.
Han Xichen countered, “What are Lord Shen’s thoughts on the matter?”
Shen Yunxuan sneered, “Since he is already married, perhaps it would be best to let him live a leisurely life. This would also honor the brotherly affection I have for him.”
“That is only natural. Lord Shen is truly a man of loyalty and righteousness.”
As evening fell, Shen Yunxiu and Xue Zining were unceremoniously driven out.
“My lord, what is the meaning of this?” Shen Yunxiu asked the Prefect of Mocheng, confused.
The Prefect of Mocheng sneered, “Lord Shen, pitying Second Young Master Shen for being newly married and living here, has specially prepared a secluded place suitable for Second Young Master Shen and his wife to stay. Please, Second Young Master Shen and Madam, do not refuse Lord Shen’s kind intentions.”
“My lord, I wish to see Your Highness. Your Highness had promised me…” Before Shen Yunxiu could finish his words, he was struck by those wielding clubs under the Prefect of Mocheng’s command and driven out.
Shen Yunxiu tried to argue further, but was held back by Madam Shen beside him. “Husband, you cannot win this argument…”
The Prefect of Mocheng scoffed, “Second Young Master Shen, listen to your wife!”
“This is too much!” Shen Yunxiu was furious.
Finally, Shen Yunxiu was bound and gagged and thrown into a carriage by men dispatched by the Prefect of Mocheng, marking his exit from Mocheng.
“Let me out! You people are simply…”
“Enough, there are no more of Han Xichen’s men around.” Xue Zining, seated in the carriage, suddenly spoke.
Shen Yunxiu breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at the composed young woman. This was perhaps the first time he could observe her at such close proximity.
Although she had been close to him before when in the presence of Han Xichen, he had never dared to reveal any flaws then. Thus, he had never felt this relaxed.
Now, he could openly look at her. This feeling was quite subtle.
“Let me untie your ropes.” Xue Zining stepped forward, about to loosen Shen Yunxiu’s bindings, but before her hand could touch the ropes, she heard a rustling sound from outside.
Xue Zining’s brows furrowed, and she whispered, “Don’t go out. Stay here. I’ll go and see.”
“Don’t…” Before Shen Yunxiu could finish speaking, Xue Zining had already disappeared.
Shen Yunxiu felt tears welling up. If she were going out, at least she could have untied his ropes! This was like throwing a lamb to the wolves!
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, parting a slit in the carriage curtain. Shen Yunxiu saw the young woman’s back, and several black-clad figures in front of her.
“Who are you?” Xue Zining asked the five black-clad men with cold indifference.
The black-clad men remained silent, drawing their long sabers and swiftly advancing towards the carriage.