Chapter 64

The carriage from the Duke Qingguo’s mansion drove straight into the courtyard, and Sheng Qishan got off the carriage neatly and efficiently.

Sheng Cheng’s face was streaming with tears and snot as he stumbled out of the carriage, almost falling to the ground.

The servants in the mansion, witnessing this scene, thought that the young master had been reprimanded by the Duke again, so they quickly lowered their heads, afraid to look.

“Cheng’er, come with Grandpa!”

Sheng Qishan hurried to the study, dismissing all the servants, and called Sheng Cheng to his side.

“What Grandpa said to you on the carriage, repeat it here.”

Sheng Cheng’s eyes were red, his voice choked as he repeated, “After getting the list, make sure to keep it safe…”

Sheng Qishan listened while walking to the deepest part of the study, where he twisted a seemingly inconspicuous vase on the shelf.

Click-clack…

The sound of gears turning echoed, and the next moment, a hidden compartment appeared on the wall in front of Sheng Qishan.

He carefully took out the envelope inside and handed it solemnly to Sheng Cheng.

“Remember, this is your and Ran’er’s lifeline, absolutely must not be lost!”

“Ran’er is infatuated with the Second Prince, afraid she might be deceived. After much thought, Grandpa decided to leave the remaining one-third of the list in your hands.”

“As long as the Second Prince treats Ran’er well, you can slowly reveal it.”

After hearing Sheng Qishan’s instructions, Sheng Cheng cried out again.

“Grandpa, it’s all grandson’s fault, hit me! Beat me, kick me, scold me, anything!”

Sheng Qishan wearily waved his hand, “Back then, I was busy currying favor in the court, neglecting your father, and still haven’t learned my lesson, failed to discipline you properly.”

“The responsibility for the downfall of the Duke Qingguo’s mansion ultimately falls on me.”

Sheng Cheng knelt down before Sheng Qishan with a thud, full of regret, but it was too late to change anything.

“Don’t make a sound, don’t tell anyone, take enough silver with you, hide with Ran’er and leave the mansion first, you must see the Second Prince!”

Sheng Qishan firmly believed that the Emperor would protect the Second Prince. If the Second Prince interceded, the bloodline of the Duke Qingguo’s mansion could be preserved!

“Let’s go.”

Sheng Qishan waved his hand at Sheng Cheng.

“Grandpa!”

Sheng Cheng lay on the ground, tightly grabbing Sheng Qishan’s shoes, crying out loud.

“Grandpa, how could it come to this!”

Sheng Qishan’s face darkened, “Hurry! Tan Hanchi is already in the Jinluan Palace. Soon, people from the palace will come. By then, you and Ran’er won’t be able to leave!”

“Hurry!”

Sheng Qishan kicked Sheng Cheng’s shoulder fiercely, then resolutely went to the desk and prepared to write a confession, recounting his own faults, hoping to evoke even a little sympathy from the Emperor.

Only then would the Second Prince have a better chance of pleading later…

“Grandpa!”

Sheng Cheng knocked his head several times, seeing that Sheng Qishan didn’t even look at him anymore, he wiped away his tears, held the envelope tightly to his chest, and hurriedly left the study.

In Chunxiu Courtyard, Sheng Xiuran was still focused on practicing calligraphy.

For the past few days, upon hearing that the Emperor personally invited Xu Meng to the palace for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, she was almost driven mad with anger!

In order to outshine Meng Guxue at the palace banquet, she had been diligently practicing calligraphy and composing poetry these days.

Bang!

The door suddenly burst open rudely, startling Sheng Xiuran, causing her strokes to falter.

“Who the hell has no eyes! Can’t you see I’m practicing calligraphy here!”

Sheng Xiuran scolded angrily, but as she lifted her head, she saw her brother Sheng Mingcheng, with eyes red and sweat dripping from his forehead.

She instantly paled, “Brother, what’s wrong with you? Did Grandpa hit you again?”

“Sigh, I’ve warned you before. Behave yourself and don’t go flirting around outside. Grandpa will arrange a good marriage for you.”

While Sheng Xiuran was rambling, Sheng Mingcheng suddenly approached and grabbed her wrist tightly.

“Sister, come with me now!”

Sheng Mingcheng exerted great force, evident from his grip, and tears streaked his face, truly frightening Sheng Xiuran.

“Brother, you… you’re hurting me. What’s going on?”

Sheng Mingcheng took a deep breath, his voice trembling, “Sister, come with me now. It’s Grandpa’s orders.”

Sheng Xiuran felt bewildered, “Go? Go where? I don’t want to go anywhere today. Brother, don’t you know that Meng Guxue—”

“Sister! Our Duke Qingguo’s mansion is finished! They’re going to arrest us all! If you don’t come with me now, you’ll die here!”

Sheng Mingcheng couldn’t bear it anymore, shouting in despair.

You see, this chance of survival was arranged by Grandpa at all costs for them!

“W… what?”

Sheng Xiuran stood frozen on the spot, her face drained of color, then she burst into laughter.

“Brother, what kind of joke are you making? What arrest? If you keep talking like this, Grandpa will break your legs!”

Sheng Mingcheng panicked. He had just sent away the maidservant earlier, and now was the perfect time to leave quietly.

“Sister, I’m not lying to you. Grandpa’s cheating in the imperial examinations has been exposed! The palace will send people soon. If we don’t leave now, we’ll all die!”

Sheng Xiuran’s whole body trembled, her complexion turned ashen.

“No… it’s impossible, brother, you’re lying…”

Seeing Sheng Xiuran struggling to process the information, Sheng Mingcheng grabbed her and started to lead her outside.

“Sister, from now on, you listen to me. I’ll do my best to get you to the Second Prince.”

Sheng Mingcheng knew his sister well. She was infatuated with the Second Prince to the point of obsession. As long as he said this, she would obediently follow him.

Sure enough, with a vacant look in her eyes, Sheng Xiuran finally summoned some strength and murmured, “Let’s go beg the Second Prince, beg him to save the Duke Qingguo’s mansion.”

“He once saved me without any relation, he’s so kind, he definitely won’t stand idly by.”

Sheng Mingcheng led Sheng Xiuran out of Chunxiu Courtyard. The servants they encountered on the way were curious and fearful, but none dared to approach or ask questions.

Sheng Mingcheng escorted Sheng Xiuran out of the Duke Qingguo’s mansion through the western gate.

Standing in the alley behind the mansion, Sheng Xiuran was still confused. She asked blankly,

“Brother, where are we going now? Are we going to find the Second Prince?”

Sheng Mingcheng touched the bulging bag on his chest, hoping to gather courage from the crucial list.

Just as he was about to speak, he felt a chill at his neck. Lowering his head, he saw two gleaming swords resting on his and his sister’s necks.

Sheng Xiuran, seeing this, was so terrified her mouth opened wide, but before she could scream, the person behind her struck her on the back of her neck, knocking her unconscious.

Sheng Mingcheng trembled as he looked up, only to see the figure before him clad in night clothes, with the face covered tightly, leaving only the eyes and nostrils exposed.