Chapter 24 – Cherishing: Be Very Careful

“Impossible!”

Shen Xingwan’s limbs turned weak, her entire strength draining from her body.

“Brother would never do something like this! The Shen family has served the court loyally for generations—he has always been devoted to the nation, risking his life time and again to drive back the barbarians. How could he possibly commit treason?!”

Her voice trembled with anguish, tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks as she stumbled out, crying, “I need to find him! I have to find him!”

Yan Jinghuan tightened his arms around her, supporting her collapsing figure.

“Let me go!” Shen Xingwan struggled and wept. “You know what that dungeon is like—no one comes out of it alive. Let me go—I need to save him!”

“Calm down.”

Yan Jinghuan’s voice was low and firm as he grasped her flailing hands and pulled her tightly into his embrace. “And how exactly do you plan to save him? Storm into the imperial prison on your own?”

“……”

Shen Xingwan shut her eyes in despair, tears pouring down like rain.

Yan Jinghuan gently stroked her back, his large, warm hand soothing her panic. His voice was heavy. “Leave it to me.”

He waved off the attendants and called toward the door, “Xing Zhou.”

The moment he finished speaking, a dark figure dropped silently from the rooftop, kneeling on one knee and respectfully addressing him, “My Lord!”

Yan Jinghuan’s expression was icy, his eyes glinting with killing intent. “Mobilize all shadow guards immediately. Investigate the matter of Shen Yunchao being imprisoned in the dungeon. By dawn, I want every detail laid before me—the accuser’s background, motives, and all related evidence.”

“Yes, sir!” The shadow guard responded swiftly and vanished into the darkness.

Yan Jinghuan lowered his head, softly caressing her shoulder. In a gentle voice, he asked, “I’m going to the palace now. Will you rest first, all right?”

Shen Xingwan was lost, her mind unable to settle. But since Yan Jinghuan was already going to the palace on her behalf in the middle of the night, she couldn’t bring herself to argue. She could only nod in agreement.

Just as Yan Jinghuan turned to leave, she suddenly grabbed the hem of his robe. “Wait…”

He turned back.

She bit her lip, her tear-soaked eyes fixed on him for a long time before slowly releasing her grip. “Be very careful.”

A flicker of emotion passed through Yan Jinghuan’s eyes. He gave a soft “Mm” and strode out of the room.

Watching his figure disappear into the dark of night, Shen Xingwan slumped onto the couch, gripping the brocade quilt tightly as she took deep breaths to calm herself.

She knew very well—she must not panic at a time like this. With her brother imprisoned, the Shen residence must be in chaos. She had to return to the Prime Minister’s manor immediately.

She summoned Feiyun and hastily changed clothes, practically sprinting out of the Regent’s residence and boarding the carriage that was already waiting.

“To the Prime Minister’s manor. Quickly!”

She urged the driver. The carriage raced through the darkened streets, cold wind rushing through the cracks in the windows, stinging her cheeks—yet she felt none of the chill.

Clutching her robe so tightly her knuckles turned white, her mind was consumed with her brother’s face, her anxiety growing heavier by the minute.

Before long, the large main gate of the Shen manor came into view, adorned with red silk and pasted with double happiness characters.

She jumped from the carriage in haste and pushed open the doors. The heavy, oppressive atmosphere inside the estate hit her like a wave. She hurried across the courtyard and ran straight into the inner hall.

As soon as she entered, she saw her mother collapsed in the grand chair, as if all strength had drained from her bones. Lifeless. Her eyes were swollen like peaches, tears streaming down and soaking the front of her robes.

“Mother!”

Shen Xingwan rushed forward and threw herself into Madam Shen’s arms, gripping her ice-cold hands. “Don’t be too heartbroken. Brother will be all right.”

Madam Shen slowly raised her head, seeing that it was her daughter. Her lips trembled as if trying to speak, but the flood of tears choked her voice, leaving only faint sobs.

Shen Xingwan’s heart ached unbearably, her own tears falling freely.

She gently wiped her mother’s face. “Please don’t worry. There will be a way.”

At that moment, the Prime Minister strode in from outside, his face haggard, his usually neat hair slightly disheveled.

Shen Xingwan quickly stood and grabbed his arm. “Is there any news of Brother?”

The Prime Minister shook his head and sighed. “I’ve approached several trusted officials, but they all fear the power behind the accuser. None dare get involved.”

Just then, bright lanterns lit up outside and a flurry of hurried footsteps approached.

“Prime Minister Shen, Xingwan!”

They looked up and saw Princess Guang’an arriving late at night.

She was surrounded by servants and palace maids holding crystal lanterns to light her way. She rushed into the hall, clearly in a hurry, wearing only a simple yellow court robe. Her hair was slightly tousled and sweat beaded her forehead.

Shen Xingwan quickly rose to greet her. “Your Highness, what brings you here so late?”

Princess Guang’an grabbed her hands anxiously. “I heard that Brother Yunchao was imprisoned and became frantic. I couldn’t sit still.”

“I went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to request an audience with Father, but it was late and he had already retired. The Imperial Noble Consort forbade anyone from entering. With no choice, I came here first.”

She turned to the Prime Minister and Madam Shen. “What exactly happened? Tell me everything.”

The Prime Minister sighed. “Your Highness, I’m truly ashamed. The accuser has great influence, and most officials fear him. It’s difficult to proceed.”

“What is there to fear?!”

Princess Guang’an snapped, “Brother Yunchao has always served the country loyally—how can we let him be wronged by baseless accusations and break his heroic spirit?”

She looked at the Prime Minister. “Though I have no real power at court, I do have some connections. Perhaps I can help him.”

Shen Xingwan’s eyes welled with tears, and she gripped the princess’s hand. “Your Highness, the Shen family will never forget your kindness. But this matter is too dangerous. We fear it may implicate you…”

“This is no time for pleasantries.” The princess stamped her foot. “We must come up with a plan.”

“You’re right,” Shen Xingwan said with determination. “Yan Jinghuan has already gone to the palace to investigate. We can’t just sit here. Do you have any ideas?”

Princess Guang’an thought for a moment. “I have an informant in the Household Department who can help us investigate the accuser’s dealings with the palace. Perhaps we can uncover proof of corruption.”

“And I have a companion whose father is a senior official in the Censorate—an upright man. I’ll try to convince him to denounce those framing Brother Yunchao in court.”

The Prime Minister frowned, bowing. “We dare not trouble Your Highness.”

Princess Guang’an raised him gently. “It’s no trouble. I do this willingly for Brother Yunchao. There’s no time to lose—I’ll go make arrangements now.”

Shen Xingwan and her father escorted the princess to her carriage.

After she left, gloom still hung over the Shen manor.

Shen Xingwan finally persuaded her mother to rest. Then, forcing herself to stay alert, she began discussing the next steps with the Prime Minister.

Suddenly, Feiyun entered the hall hesitantly. “Master, Miss—Miss Tang is here. She’s waiting outside.”

Shen Xingwan’s expression hardened slightly, and she instinctively looked at her father.

The Prime Minister’s face froze briefly, then softened with a trace of warmth. “Let her in.”

Tang Lin’er, led by Feiyun, entered the hall with unsteady steps. Her face was pale, and one cheek was red and swollen—the mark of a slap from the Crown Princess.

Tears welled in her eyes. “Father, Sister—Lin’er has come home.”

“Lin’er, what happened to your face?” the Prime Minister frowned, rising to meet her.

Tang Lin’er bit her lip, eyes misting. “It’s nothing. The Crown Princess was just teaching me some ‘rules’ of the Eastern Palace.”

“Outrageous!”

The Prime Minister’s face darkened further.

Shen Xingwan stood quietly, watching for a moment before calmly saying, “You’ve suffered. That Lu woman has always been hard to deal with. But coming back now—won’t she use it as an excuse to trouble you?”

Tang Lin’er lowered her gaze, resentment flickering in her eyes.

“I may be just a side consort in the Eastern Palace, but so what? I can only swallow my grievances. But when I heard Brother was imprisoned, I couldn’t rest—I had to come back.”

The Prime Minister sighed. “It’s kind of you to still care about Yunchao. But this case is delicate, and you’re in a precarious position yourself. Best not get involved.”

“I may not have much power, but I want to help clear my brother’s name.”

Tang Lin’er pleaded sincerely, “Father, please—how is he now? I’m close to the Crown Prince—perhaps I can find something out.”

Shen Xingwan felt a chill in her heart. She didn’t believe Tang Lin’er truly wanted to help. What her intentions were, only she herself knew.

She said nothing, sitting quietly.

The Prime Minister, reluctant to involve her due to her pregnancy, could not resist her persistent pleas and explained the current situation to her.

Once Tang Lin’er left, Shen Xingwan immediately sobered and said to her father, “She’s now part of the Eastern Palace. I still believe this matter is linked to the Crown Prince and the Imperial Noble Consort. We must not trust her words easily.”

The Prime Minister sighed deeply. Though he still harbored affection for her, he couldn’t deny that Shen Xingwan’s words made sense.

Meanwhile, Tang Lin’er had just stepped out of the Shen manor. The moment she turned away, her tearful, pitiful expression vanished, replaced by a glint of malice.

Ruyi helped her onto the carriage and whispered to the driver, “Return to the Eastern Palace.”

As soon as they arrived, Tang Lin’er headed straight for Wei Zilin’s study.

Night cloaked the Eastern Palace. She tiptoed to the study door, carefully tidied her disheveled clothes, deliberately exposing her cheek’s bruise. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she knocked lightly.

“Come in.” A deep voice came from inside.

Wei Zilin was reviewing memorials by lamplight. He glanced up and frowned when he saw her walk in, covering her swollen cheek.

“What happened to your face?”