Xiao Huayong had given Munuha a silencing drug, and the tiger had also eaten meat containing the drug – they would both be unable to make sounds for these two days. Otherwise, how could their roars in the courtyard not attract attention?

Supporting one side of his face with his hand, Xiao Huayong watched a silent struggle. Munuha was fighting desperately, even though Lüling had removed the iron chains binding him after giving him the drug. Despite his desperate dodging, he was still no match for the tiger.

Even when one arm was torn off, Munuha showed no sign of yielding. Xiao Huayong found it boring and lifted two fingers – the other two cages were also opened. The stimulation of blood and unbearable hunger quickly made them pounce as well.

Xiao Huayong maintained a calm expression throughout. Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, the first thing he did was draw what he had witnessed the day, sketch by sketch on folded papers – when opened, each scene was horrifying to behold.

Meanwhile, Li Yanyan learned that the poison affecting Prince Dai Xiao Changyin came from a toxic grass from Tujue, intended to poison Xiao Huayong, with Xiao Changyin being merely collateral damage. She was furious and immediately sent a message to Fourth Prince Xiao Changtai.

Xiao Changtai naturally had his people in the capital and knew about the Dragon Boat Festival events even earlier than Li Yanyan’s message. His instinct told him this wasn’t Munuha’s doing – without using his people, how could Munuha have accomplished this?

Even if he had done it personally, he might not have succeeded in tampering with the palace food during the Dragon Boat Festival.

“Your Highness, Princess Dai wishes to see you,” a subordinate reported.

“Coming to settle accounts with me over Third Brother.” Xiao Changtai gave a cold laugh. “This matter isn’t simple. Of all people to be poisoned, why Third Brother specifically?”

Before his death, Yu Zao had confessed that Third Brother was behind the tomb robbery case. Although it was ultimately proven that Third Brother wasn’t the mastermind, the submitted evidence had pointed considerably toward Princess Dai, but without conclusive proof, Li Yanyan couldn’t be punished.

Therefore, both His Majesty and others suspected Li Yanyan must have collaborated with someone. This was deliberately targeting Third Brother to draw out him, who stood behind Li Yanyan. Li Yanyan had lost her head, showing complete carelessness, probably not even realizing she had fallen into a trap.

“Regarding Princess Dai…”

“Ignore her.” With the capital so dangerous, how could he step into someone else’s trap?

Just then, footsteps approached. Xiao Changtai looked, and Ye Wantang entered carrying a wooden basin, dressed in simple clothes with a wooden hairpin.

They were here as punishment, so naturally couldn’t have servants – they had to handle everything themselves, from food to clothing.

Ye Wantang was formerly a noble lady, her hands used only for painting and playing the zither. Now at the imperial tomb, she had to wash clothes and cook. Xiao Changtai’s gaze softened looking at her: “Wanwan, leave these, I’ll wash them.”

“In winter’s cold, you wouldn’t let me do laundry. Now in midsummer, you can’t handle all the chores yourself,” Ye Wantang smiled brightly.

Back when they traveled everywhere, often entering the wilderness, she wasn’t spoiled. Though life here was austere, Ye Wantang found it unusually free.

They prepared food together, and after eating, Ye Wantang took out needles and thread to make clothes for autumn and winter. “Atai, I need to return to the capital for a while.”

Xiao Changtai wasn’t free to leave, but Ye Wantang was. His Majesty hadn’t punished Ye Wantang to accompany him in guarding the tomb – she had chosen to follow her husband. She could return anytime, as long as she didn’t frequently enter and exit the imperial tomb, His Majesty wouldn’t mind.

Xiao Changtai, who had been reading, felt his eyelid twitch: “Why suddenly return to the capital?”

“My mother is ill and has been for a while. Qiaoqiao came today to deliver the fabric and secretly told me. I want to go back to the capital to see my mother.” Ye Wantang lowered her head and began to sew quickly.

Her features were gentle, appearing even more tender and quiet in the candlelight.

“Such a coincidence…” Xiao Changtai’s first reaction was suspicion.

“What did you say?” His voice was too low for Ye Wantang to hear clearly.

“Nothing.” Xiao Changtai raised a refined, clean smile. “There’s no rush for a day or two. Let me inquire about someone to escort you. Once arrangements are made, you can return to the capital.”

“I had Qiaoqiao notify my father. He will surely send someone to pick me up.” Ye Wantang’s eyes curved in a smile, sweet and clear. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself.”

Qiaoqiao was Ye Wantang’s former personal maid. Here they only had basic rations, not enough for two people’s daily needs. Both Xiao Changtai and Ye Wantang would make things for Qiaoqiao to regularly come and exchange for money outside, then buy what they needed and deliver it.

Qiaoqiao was trustworthy, and if his father-in-law was coming to escort her, then his mother-in-law’s serious illness must be true.

Xiao Changtai smiled as well, the candlelight not reaching the depths of his eyes.

The capital was only a day’s journey from the imperial tomb. Ye Qi didn’t send someone else but came personally during his time off. This gave Xiao Changtai a chance to give some instructions: “Father-in-law, the capital seems unstable. I worry about Wanwan and trouble you to take extra care.”

In front of Ye Wantang, Xiao Changtai naturally couldn’t speak directly, but both father-in-law and son-in-law understood implicitly – he wanted him to watch Ye Wantang closely, not giving anyone who might harm her an opportunity.

Ye Wantang didn’t think deeply about it. She smiled sweetly and returned to the capital with her father.

The day she entered the city, Xiao Huayong again ran from the Eastern Palace to find Shen Xihe. The sun was scorching hot, and Shen Xihe didn’t like moving about, so she wouldn’t go to the Eastern Palace.

Previously before their engagement, Shen Xihe could visit the Eastern Palace saying she was visiting, but it wasn’t proper for him as a man to frequently visit the Princess’s mansion. Now it was different – he could openly come often. The two were playing Go when Mo Yuan delivered news, passed on by Hong Yu: “Fourth Prince’s consort has returned to the capital.”

Shen Xihe placed a piece and waved at Hong Yu to indicate she understood, then looked up at Xiao Huayong: “No wonder Your Highness is so confident.”

“The good show is just beginning,” Xiao Huayong smiled.

Shen Xihe saw him place a piece as well, and fingered another piece for a moment before placing it: “Your Highness, regarding the Fourth Prince’s feelings for his consort, I feel there isn’t much true sentiment. He knows it’s a trap and might not take the bait.”

Ye Wantang was indifferent to fame and fortune. She originally wasn’t suited to marry into the royal family. Back then, Xiao Changtai had put in considerable effort to win her heart, even promising not to get involved in power struggles, which finally made Ye Wantang nearly fall out with her grandfather to forcefully marry into the royal family.

His behind-the-scenes actions had already proven that while he might have two parts affection for Ye Wantang, it couldn’t overcome eight parts desire for power.

“The one holding Ye family members isn’t us, so he’ll have fewer reservations,” Xiao Huayong’s smile deepened.

“Hmm?” Shen Xihe didn’t understand.

“Princess Dai sent messages three times, all rejected by Fourth Brother. How could she not be angry? Now that the Ye family has returned to the capital, she wants to see Fourth Brother. She invited the Ye family over to continue the relationship, then detained them. What do you think – can Fourth Brother not come?” As Xiao Huayong finished speaking, he placed another piece and gently reminded, “Youyou, be careful below, otherwise I’ll win this round.”