Following Shen Yunlan into the manor, led by the gatekeeper, Xue Zining found it vast enough to get lost in.
They finally arrived at a room, and the guide suddenly stopped, turning to Shen Yunlan. "Young Master Shen, please wait a moment. This humble servant will go in and report."
Shen Yunlan nodded. "Alright."
Seizing the opportunity, Xue Zining surveyed the surroundings, familiarizing herself with the environment. Xue Li had reported that the manor was likely protected by a formation. They couldn't get in from the outside, and it was unwise to act rashly for fear of alerting the enemy. If they could have entered, Feng Yi would have likely been rescued by now.
She realized the formation seemed familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before.
Just then, someone emerged and addressed Shen Yunlan. "Young Master Shen, His Highness requests your presence."
Shen Yunlan turned to look at Xue Zining, who was still glancing around. He coughed lightly. She snapped back to attention, walked forward, and entered the room with Shen Yunlan.
A sense of familiarity suddenly washed over her. She recalled it was a formation from Miao Jiang secret techniques. She hadn't expected Han Xi Chen to know it as well.
With her doubts lingering, she entered the room.
She looked up and saw Han Xi Chen sitting there. The room was rather dim, but even so, she could see traces of blood on his fingernails and detect a faint scent of blood.
It was undoubtedly Feng Yi's. She wondered how the young lady was.
Shen Yunlan seemed to catch the faint scent of blood and asked, "Feng Yi, where is she? Where is she?"
Upon hearing this, Han Xi Chen placed the teacup in his hand on the table and looked up at Shen Yunlan. After a long pause, he said, "Shen Yunlan, is that the attitude you have towards this prince?"
Gritting her teeth, Shen Yunlan stepped forward, cupped her fists, and bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness. I implore Your Highness to show mercy and release Feng Yi. She knows nothing."
Han Xi Chen pointed to the seat beside him. "Since you're here, why stand on ceremony? Have some tea!"
Sensing the gaze behind her, Shen Yunlan suppressed his rising anger and sat down.
"Drink tea," Han Xi Chen poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards Shen Yunlan.
Shen Yunlan could only drink the tea in large gulps and said, "Can you tell me about Feng Yi's situation now?"
Han Xi Chen looked at Shen Yunlan and asked coldly, "Do you know that besides being the star attraction of Feng Hua Xue Yue, she has another identity?"
Shen Yunlan was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
Han Xi Chen sneered, "She was once Xue Yi, one of the Snow Guards of the Crown Prince of Xue Guo."
Xue Zining, behind them, narrowed her eyes. As expected, Han Xi Chen had discovered Feng Yi's true identity.
Shen Yunlan was shocked and inwardly cursed certain individuals for not revealing the full truth to him. Clearly, they didn't want him to know. It made sense; if he had known Feng Yi's true identity, he might not have come.
Now he was in a predicament, a well-played move. He could only brace himself.
"Even if I know, so what? Your Highness, tell me what Feng Yi has done, and let me handle it?" Shen Yunlan asked.
"Do you know who she tells everything that happens in the Shen family to?"
Shen Yunlan naturally knew and replied, "Your Highness, I've never asked anything of you, but Feng Yi and I lost our child because of you. Is it too much to ask for Feng Yi?"
Han Xi Chen was stunned, his expression showing surprise. He hadn't known Feng Yi was pregnant.
"Are you sure?" Han Xi Chen asked.
Having learned that certain individuals had concealed Feng Yi's true identity from him, he was unsure if Feng Yi's pregnancy was real or not. However, things had reached this point, and he could only press on. "Yes."
Han Xi Chen's expression turned grim. He gave instructions to a person by his side, who then hurried away.
"Shen Yunlan, this was my oversight. If it is my fault, I will not let it go so easily. I will give you an explanation."
Shen Yunlan remained silent. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the smell of blood grew stronger outside. Xue Zining looked towards the door and saw two people carrying a chair. A person sat on the chair, with no part of their body untouched, all the injuries inflicted by whip lashes.
"Sister Feng Yi..." Xue Zining rushed forward, weeping uncontrollably.
Feng Yi struggled to open her eyes. Upon seeing the person before her, her entire body trembled. These eyes were all too familiar. "You..."
"Sister Feng Yi, Xiao Tao was so worried about you. You don't know, but Mother is already dead. You were pregnant and then captured, and I couldn't do anything. I could only find Young Master Shen and beg him to save you," Xue Zining explained the situation.
The intelligent Feng Yi instantly understood. She grabbed Xue Zining's hand and, crying, managed to open her mouth. "Xiao... Tao, you're so foolish, it's not worth it..."
Feng Yi's words held a deeper meaning.
"No, it's worth it. Sister Feng Yi was good to Xiao Tao, so Xiao Tao is good to Sister Feng Yi."
Feng Yi moved her lips, tears streaming down her face.
The Prince also cared for her, and with that, she felt no regret in death.
"Sister Feng Yi, this is an amniotic fluid stabilizing medicine. Take it quickly. I don't know if it can save the child, but we must try."
Feng Yi nodded and swallowed the medicine.
"Don't be afraid, Sister Feng Yi. Young Master Shen will take you out. Many people are waiting for you outside."
Feng Yi nodded. "Alright."
A doctor soon arrived and examined Feng Yi's pulse. After half an incense stick's time, the doctor knelt on the ground and said, "This lady's child might not be saved."
This single sentence was enough. Shen Yunlan embraced Feng Yi and wept profusely.
Han Xi Chen narrowed his eyes. At this moment, he stood up and approached Shen Yunlan. "It was my oversight. You can take her away now!"
Shen Yunlan was stunned and looked at Han Xi Chen. "Does Your Highness keep his word?"
Han Xi Chen's lips curved into a slight smile. "The gift you brought me is very satisfactory. Of course, you can take her away."
Shen Yunlan was taken aback. Han Xi Chen waved his hand and pointed at Xue Zining. "Empress Chang Ning, what do you say?"
Xue Zining heard this and looked at Han Xi Chen. "When did you know it was me?"
Han Xi Chen burst into laughter. "You arranged someone by Shen Yunlan's side; do you think I wouldn't arrange someone in the Shen family?"
"Aunt Liu? Or Jin Si?" Xue Zining asked.
Han Xi Chen chuckled softly and waved his hand. "Shen Cong Jun, come out and meet the Empress."
Xue Zining's gaze flickered slightly, and she said coldly, "This is indeed beyond my expectations."
Shen Cong Jun emerged from the shadows and cupped his fists towards Han Xi Chen. "Your Highness."
Han Xi Chen said, "If this wasn't done, how could His Majesty be willing to risk himself?"
"Han Xi Chen, you've gone to great lengths. My people are here now. If you have the guts, kill me."
Han Xi Chen laughed heartily. "I've suddenly changed my mind. I don't want to kill you. Rather than killing, it's better to make you one of us."
Xue Zining frowned. "What do you mean?"
"If Xue Jingyun knew that you had become my person, how furious would he be?"
Xue Zining's expression changed, and she said coldly, "Han Xi Chen, you're dreaming."
"Are you?"
Xue Zining suddenly waved her hand, and her silver whip whistled through the air, the sound echoing through the heavens and earth.
Han Xi Chen's expression shifted. The formation had been reverted to its original state by her whip.
"Han Xi Chen, your charade can end here. All the gold in your hall has been seized by me. Surrender!" Xue Zining said indifferently.
Han Xi Chen's face turned extremely grim. "You... You actually took my gold for yourself."
"Han Xi Chen, you are surrounded. Surrender." A clear, cold voice echoed from outside the manor.