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“Sir, your timing couldn’t be worse. The second floor is completely booked, and the last available room was just taken,” the young waiter informed Shen Dalang as soon as he entered the tavern.
Shen Dalang had arrived at the tavern only to learn that there was no room left on the second floor, where he had hoped to dine. His only option now was to eat in the bustling main hall on the first floor.
Shen glanced towards the entrance of the tavern, where a crowd had gathered.
Their sole purpose in coming here was to witness the spectacle of Fei Yanchen. Sitting on the first floor wouldn’t offer them the same view.
Shen Dalang was contemplating whether to decline and search for another tavern farther away where he could secure a reservation for a second-floor seat. After all, it would be better than being stuck on the first floor with a limited view.
Meanwhile, as Bai Mingxi was about to ascend the stairs, he heard some commotion and glanced down, spotting Shen Dalang.
His eyes lit up with excitement. If Shen Dalang was here, could Miss Shen have also come?
Without hesitation, he halted his steps and stood on the staircase, calling out, “Brother Dalang “
Mr. Shen looked up and saw Bai Mingxi. He responded with a joyful shout.
The waiter observing Shen Dalang and Bai Mingxi talking quickly realized that the two of them were acquainted.
The waiter cheerfully suggested, “The last private room was reserved by Young Master Bai. If you know each other, why not join them?”
Shen Dalang hesitated for a moment, considering the large group of people they had.
Bai Mingxi, unaware of Shen Dalang’s concerns, and even if he had known, he wouldn’t have been bothered. He was eager to see Shen Yu’an.
With enthusiasm, Bai Mingxi suggested, “Brother Dalang, who did you come with? Let’s invite them all; it’s almost noon, and I’d like to treat you to lunch.”
Shen Dalang, no longer hesitant, agreed and informed Bai Mingxi that he would wait for Shen Yu’an and the others at the entrance.
Before long, Shen Yu’an and their group arrived, and they all proceeded upstairs together.
It was quite fortunate that Bai Mingxi had reserved the last available private room, which happened to be situated centrally. It offered an excellent view of the scene in front of the government office.
The carriage slowly came to a halt in front of the government office, and the official driver carefully lifted the curtain, gesturing for them to disembark.
All eyes in the vicinity turned toward the carriage.
Even the people on the second floor of the building opposite the government office, with their wide-open windows, gazed in that direction.
Inside the carriage, Fei Yanchen was dressed in dusty gray attire, with fake blood stains splattered across it, all for the sake of deception.
He slowly stepped out of the carriage, and as soon as he disembarked, his figure swayed violently, almost causing him to collapse on the ground. Fortunately, the quick-witted official driver caught him.
“Thank you.”
Fei Yanchen weakly expressed his gratitude, displaying remarkable politeness.
At first, everyone’s attention was drawn to the blood-soaked figure emerging from the carriage, but their gazes soon shifted to Fei Yanchen’s face.
That face could truly be described as that of an otherworldly being.
Because Fei Yanchen was currently playing the role of a weakened character, his body seemed as delicate as a breeze, ready to topple with the slightest push.
“That’s the Crown Prince, isn’t it? Such a handsome young man.”
“How could he have suffered such severe injuries? It’s truly heartbreaking to see.”
The crowd buzzed with discussions as they watched Fei Yanchen being assisted into the government office.
As he walked, Fei Yanchen deliberately crushed a blood pouch he had hidden, leaving a trail of blood stains on the ground. This spectacle elicited sympathetic sighs from the onlookers.
Shen Yu’an, watching from above, knew it was all an act, but despite that knowledge, the sight of Fei Yanchen covered in blood still tugged at her heartstrings.
Others, unaware that it was a ruse, expressed their concern, with Shen Dalang and the rest inquiring, “How did Brother Yanchen sustain such severe injuries?”
They spoke openly because they were aware of Fei Yanchen’s identity. However, they were cautious not to reveal too much, understanding that loose lips could lead to trouble.
As Fei Yanchen entered the government office, he turned his head to glance at the private room where Shen Yu’an was positioned.
Shen Yu’an caught Fei Yanchen’s discreet wink and cleared her throat to conceal her amusement.
This person… truly had them worried unnecessarily.
News of the discovery of the Crown Prince of Wuding had spread like wildfire. It didn’t take long before everyone in the capital city learned of this development.
Within a bustling palace in the imperial city,
Consort Rong, dressed in simple but undeniably luxurious attire, reclined half on her consort’s couch. She extended a hand, allowing her kneeling handmaiden to apply colorless ointment to her fingers.
The Emperor was seriously ill and bedridden, and she needed to attend to his illness. She couldn’t afford to be overly flamboyant in her appearance.
Seated across from Consort Rong was none other than the Fourth Prince, Wei Chenyi.
Consort Rong spoke slowly, “Have you visited the Prince of Wuding again? What are his intentions?”
Wei Chenyi, still maintaining his composed posture, responded to Consort Rong with utmost respect and no hint of concealment, “In response to Mother Consort, your son believes that the Prince of Wuding is a man who can be abandoned.”
Consort Rong looked at her Fourth Prince with a casual demeanor and inquired, “Oh? So, the stubborn man refuses to surrender.”
Wei Chenyi’s face revealed a hint of cunning as he replied, “Yes, your son believes that instead of waiting for his surrender, it might be better to find a way to take the military command token from him and eliminate them all.”
Consort Rong asked, “What plan do you have, my son? Your father, the Emperor, cannot directly demand the military command token from him. If mishandled, it could leave evidence. My son is destined to be the Emperor; we cannot afford such a vulnerability.”
Wei Chenyi smiled and said, “My advisors have indeed come up with a good plan. Fei Yunsong (Wuding Prince) has a daughter in the palace. If we exchange that girl’s life for the military command token, Mother Consort, do you think he will comply?”
Consort Rong nodded and turned to her handmaiden, asking, “Where is that girl currently residing?”
Fei Yanchen’s sister, Fei Jinhe, had been brought into the palace to ensure Fei Yunsong and his wife’s obedience. As for her exact whereabouts within the palace, no one had paid much attention.
The senior palace maid beside Consort Rong pondered for a moment and replied, “When the princess entered the palace, no one paid much attention. I believe she was placed in one of the courtesan palaces.”
“Oh, then take some time to bring a token of goodwill to the princess. Since she has been in the palace for a while, it’s time we extend some hospitality as the hosts.”
Consort Rong casually tended to her freshly manicured nails, then nonchalantly continued, “I heard that Fei Yanchen has also been located.”
The handmaiden knelt softly and replied, “Yes.”
Consort Rong waved her hand to dismiss the person kneeling beside her.
Wei Chenyi’s face darkened in displeasure. Fei Yanchen had indeed been found, but he had dispatched numerous men to capture him, and not one had returned.
Fortunately, there had been some effect. According to reports from subordinates, Fei Yanchen had suffered severe injuries and been poisoned, leaving him so weakened that he could barely walk steadily.
Consort Rong asked, “Once the people arrive in the capital, you should know what to do, correct?”
Wei Chenyi replied coldly, “I understand.”
Fei Yunsong’s military command token was something Wei Chenyi was determined to obtain. There was no need for Fei Yanchen to return and complicate matters. Eventually, Wei Chenyi would reunite him with his family, one way or another.