Wang Han’s shout caused the two pursuers to immediately panic!

With the word “Empress,” their mission was effectively ruined. Their fierce eyes swept over Wang Han, but Yan Chi’s carriage was right there, along with five guards. What had seemed a certain burial had now taken an unexpected turn. These two couldn’t defeat Yan Chi’s men, much less instantly take Wang Han’s life. Escaping whole would be their best outcome now. Almost without hesitation, they leaped into the forest they had come from.

On the cover of the night, entering the forest was the best choice. Moreover, the mountain slope continued upward, and once among the graves, pursuit would be difficult. Immediately, Bai Feng ordered, “After them—”

Four riders from behind the carriage spurred their horses forward, disappearing into the forest. Seeing how swiftly these four moved, Wang Han’s heart lightened – their martial skills matched those of the two men! Four against two, those two couldn’t escape!

As his breath finally steadied, Wang Han realized he was in excruciating pain. He collapsed sitting on the ground, without even the strength to stand. Seeing this, Bai Feng dismounted and approached him. “What’s your name? Why are the Empress’s people trying to kill you?”

Wang Han looked at Bai Feng, then glanced at the hanging curtain, pressing his lips together in momentary silence.

Bai Feng’s expression cooled, “Perhaps we should send you to the Imperial City Guard!”

Wang Han’s face immediately went white. “No, please don’t send me there… I… I am indeed from the Imperial Guard, I… I used to work for Her Majesty the Empress, but because I failed in my duties, they brought me here. They were just about to bury me alive…”

Bai Feng narrowed his eyes, “How would an Imperial Guard end up working for the Empress? What did she need you to do? If you can’t provide proof, we’ll have no choice but to take you to the Imperial City Guard—”

Wang Han tremblingly assumed a kneeling position. “I dare not deceive you. Thanks to His Highness, I’m alive, and I absolutely wouldn’t dare lie. Otherwise, why would the Empress send people to kill me?! I… I shouldn’t have worked for the Empress but in the palace…” As he spoke, Wang Han’s eyes suddenly brightened as if remembering something. “Your Highness must know about the most controversial court case recently! What I did for the Empress is related to that case!”

Before Bai Feng could respond, a hand with distinct knuckles lifted the constantly lowered carriage curtain.

A tall, straight figure emerged from the dark carriage interior. Wang Han’s pupils involuntarily contracted. Even in the thick darkness where he couldn’t see Yan Chi’s features, that imposing presence still made him tremble. Though he had seen Yan Chi from afar while on palace duty before, never had he felt such terror as now.

Before, he had been a dignified Imperial Guard; today, he was a discarded pawn who couldn’t see the light of day. His life was temporarily saved, but he understood perfectly well that he had merely passed from the Empress’s claws into the hands of the Crown Prince of Prince Rui.

Yan Chi stepped down from the carriage, his black wide-sleeved robe particularly soul-stirring in the night. He approached unhurriedly, his gait seemingly relaxed and at ease, yet Wang Han felt as if his robes carried a storm that pressed him down until he could barely breathe. Yan Chi stopped three steps from Wang Han. “The Prince Jin case?”

His voice was deep, carrying the nobility of one high above, but at this moment, Wang Han detected more dangerous undertones in his tone. He instinctively lowered his head further, cold sweat on his forehead falling onto his hands, whether from pain or fear unclear. Wang Han trembled as he said, “Yes…”

Yan Chi’s phoenix eyes narrowed, his gaze particularly sharp and terrifying. “It seems you know quite a bit.”

Wang Han trembled and hurriedly prostrated himself. Yan Chi’s gaze hung over his head for a moment, and Wang Han, unable to gauge Yan Chi’s intentions, instinctively spoke, “Not about the current case of the corpse in Prince Jin’s Manor… but… but about the Prince Jin case from a year ago…”

Wang Han felt Yan Chi’s gaze suddenly gain the weight of a thousand pounds after these words. This made him even more fearful, thinking sadly that meeting Yan Chi might not count as fortune after all.

“The Prince Jin case from a year ago.”

Yan Chi murmured meaningfully, his voice as calm as the autumn night wind and equally chilling. Wang Han pressed his lips together and hurriedly said, “Yes… This time they found a corpse in Prince Jin’s Manor’s back courtyard, later said to be Prince Jin’s guard, but… but a year ago, that guard actually… died in the palace…”

Wang Han couldn’t help but swallow as if only this could suppress his fear.

Yan Chi didn’t speak for a moment. He didn’t even show surprise, yet his silence felt like a heavy ice wall pressing down on Wang Han’s head. Wang Han couldn’t guess Yan Chi’s thoughts. This matter was too strange and involved too much. Prince Rui’s Manor had just suffered misfortune – would Yan Chi get involved? If not, would he simply kill him?!

The mountain wind was strong, making Yan Chi’s robes flutter wildly, but he stood before Wang Han like an imposing Buddha statue. Wang Han’s heart pounded, even more breathlessly than when he was fleeing earlier. He could feel Yan Chi’s gaze sweep over his head like a dull knife as if weighing options or hesitating. Wang Han’s hands trembled in fear, knowing deeply that fundamentally, Yan Chi was no different from the Empress – both were rulers who viewed the lives of minor characters like him as worthless as grass.

Only now he was undoubtedly a discarded pawn in the Empress’s eyes, while to Yan Chi, he might still have value. Or perhaps this Crown Prince, who had just experienced the pain of losing his father, was too preoccupied to deal with these court matters and might mercifully let him go?

Just as this thought arose, the scent of blood suddenly wafted from the forest. The next moment, several figures leaped out of the woods. Wang Han saw clearly that their long swords were all bloodied.

Seeing the four return, Bai Feng quickly asked, “Where are they?”

“We subdued them, but they took poison and died.” He raised his sword as he spoke. “Confirmed dead. We put them in an empty grave, left no traces.”

The night wind suddenly grew stronger. Tonight’s sky had neither stars nor moon, with black clouds pressing in from the horizon. It looked like a large autumn rain was about to fall. Once it did, all traces in the forest would be completely washed away.

Bai Feng looked at Yan Chi, and Wang Han suddenly raised his eyes to look at Yan Chi as well.

Everyone waited for Yan Chi’s decision. After a moment, Yan Chi said, “Take him back.”

Wang Han’s suspended heart suddenly dropped, and he collapsed limply. A guard stepped forward and grabbed him with one hand, supporting Wang Han as he stumbled forward, then lifted him by his belt onto horseback. Finally, Wang Han shared a horse with that guard as they headed toward the capital…

The capital… was now the place Wang Han feared most.

If he could, he would only want to flee far away, but seeing the capital’s tall gates approach, Yan Chi’s guards showed no intention of hiding him. Wang Han’s hair stood on end with tension. When they reached the gates, the gate guards didn’t dare even look twice before letting their group pass. The capital’s imperial road was empty and desolate in the deep night. Wang Han’s heart slowly returned to his stomach – at least he wouldn’t die tonight…

Back at the prince’s manor, Wang Han was again lifted down from horseback.

The guard’s grip was strong, and seeing his serious injuries, he kept his hold. Wang Han naturally didn’t dare expect to be carried in and was nearly moved to tears of gratitude just for this support.

Wang Han was taken to the back courtyard, while Yan Chi went to the main courtyard.

The side room was simple and clean. When Wang Han sat down, his whole body relaxed greatly. His clothes were soaked with sweat, and he was exhausted. Soon, a guard brought medicine, efficiently applied it, and left several bottles for his scrapes. Wang Han almost knelt in thanks, knowing that Yan Chi truly wouldn’t kill him.

Wang Han felt grateful for surviving this calamity but knew in his heart that Yan Chi wouldn’t save him without reason.

However, now that he had no loyalty left to his former master, Yan Chi’s rescue seemed particularly precious. At any rate, he hadn’t been buried alive by the Empress’s two henchmen—

Wang Han was extremely tired. Soon, someone he hadn’t met before brought food. Wang Han wanted to ask about Yan Chi’s plans, but the person left without a word after setting down the food. Once they left, Wang Han frantically stuffed the food into his mouth. After eating, he was overwhelmed by drowsiness and collapsed into sleep. When Wang Han next opened his eyes, it was already early the next morning.

Wang Han opened his eyes to see the sky barely light, and looking at the room’s surroundings, remembered what had happened the previous night. He couldn’t help feeling terrified again and grew anxious about Yan Chi’s attitude. This wasn’t a small matter – if the Emperor learned of it, the Empress’s nearly twenty years of virtuous reputation would be ruined, and even the Crown Prince couldn’t escape involvement.

Yet Yan Chi hadn’t questioned further – this was too abnormal!

Wang Han grew inexplicably anxious. He wasn’t Yan Chi’s man, and Yan Chi had no reason to save and protect him. If he couldn’t demonstrate his value, he could at any moment become meat on the Empress’s chopping block again…

Wang Han sat restlessly, pacing the room until he broke into a cold sweat.

Only those who have faced death know its terror. Never had Wang Han wanted so desperately to live as now. He paced the room, almost wanting to rush before Yan Chi, but knew deeply this wasn’t a place for him to act rashly. Wang Han waited and waited until broad daylight when the same unfamiliar person from last night brought breakfast.

Wang Han gathered his courage and grabbed the person. “Brother, I… I wish to see His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The man’s expression was cold as he raised an eyebrow, his look seeming to say, “Who do you think you are to request an audience?!”

Wang Han swallowed. “About last year’s Prince Jin case… I… I know some inside information. These things… His Highness should know about them… please, brother, just tell him…”

The raised eyebrow slowly lowered as he shook off Wang Han’s hand and left.

Wang Han felt empty, not understanding the man’s meaning. The food on the table steamed with fragrant aromas, but Wang Han had no appetite now. With his fate uncertain, how could he think about eating…

He paced anxiously, frequently glancing at the courtyard entrance. After about two cups of tea’s time, Bai Feng, whom he’d met last night, entered. “You want to see His Highness the Crown Prince?”

Wang Han nodded repeatedly. Bai Feng pondered for a moment. “Follow me.”

Wang Han was overjoyed! Being willing to see him meant he had a chance!

Wang Han followed Bai Feng toward the main courtyard, seeing many serious-faced guards along the way. Though not numerous, every guard’s stern expression and the trained, fierce air about them surpassed even the elite Imperial Guard. Wang Han’s heart suddenly steadied – Prince Rui’s Manor wasn’t defeated in one night as rumors claimed. On the contrary, though quiet, it had a solemn air of readiness. If the guards were like this, how could their master be dejected and defeated?!

This was what Wang Han hoped for – only if Yan Chi had ambitions could he maximize his value!

Arriving at the study, the door was half-closed. Bai Feng stood at the entrance. “Your Highness, the person has arrived.”

Wang Han nervously swallowed as Yan Chi’s voice came from within. “Enter.”

His voice now differed from last night, less grim and sharp, yet still cold and calm like deep flowing water. This calmness seemed able to freeze even the wind, and Wang Han’s forehead began to sweat again.

He followed Bai Feng in, head bowed, and feeling he’d reached the right position, immediately dropped to his knees with a thud.

“This humble one greets His Highness the Crown Prince and thanks His Highness for saving my life… I was hunted by the Empress’s men for failing in my duties. This matter… directly concerns last year’s Prince Jin case. Last year, Prince Jin accidentally killed Consort Jin and was caught in the act by many, but there was a guard with Prince Jin at the time – the one who died. That guard was taken to the Office of Punishment, initially questioned casually, waiting for His Majesty’s decision before formal interrogation, but… but the Empress took him away first. I don’t know why the Empress took him, only that when I next saw him, he was already dead. I was responsible for removing the corpse from the palace. I had taken Minister Zhu as my godfather, and this matter didn’t involve the Empress directly – Minister Zhu sought me out, but I knew Minister Zhu was acting on the Empress’s orders…”

Wang Han spoke until his throat was burning, quickly glancing at Yan Chi only to meet a pair of dark eyes. Those eyes were as deep as the ocean yet carried piercing dark light that seemed to see through everything. Wang Han’s heart immediately raced, and he hastily increased his pace. “At the time, I took the corpse out of the city and threw it in a ravine southwest of Qi Wu Mountain, but… but now the corpse has appeared in Prince Jin’s back courtyard. This is… this is impossible. Either the person the Empress killed then wasn’t Prince Jin’s guard, and my godfather… no, Minister Zhu was deceiving me, or that corpse is fake…”

Though Yan Chi maintained his stern, intimidating demeanor, waves stirred in his heart.

Before one mystery could be fully solved, an even greater one had emerged.

Song Xi Wen had died in the palace then – why had the Empress killed him?

And how could his corpse possibly appear in Prince Jin’s back courtyard?!