“Get up.” After saying this, Li Shimin walked in front of Shen Moping and said with a half-smile: “Indeed, we can’t be careless at all. You almost escaped again, didn’t you?”

Shen Moping didn’t speak, only secretly exerted force. Unfortunately, this time the knots were tied tightly, and the rope was as thick as a thumb – no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t break free.

Li Shimin saw his intention and said: “It’s useless. Unless you have the strength of a thousand pounds, once you’re bound, don’t even think about breaking free!”

Shen Moping glared at him hatefully: “You set this trap?”

“Correct.” Li Shimin nodded in acknowledgment. That day, Li Jiancheng had wanted to ambush and capture someone at the medicine room, but he felt that compared to the medicine room, the assassin was more likely to go to the kitchen. After all, since the assassination attempt, they had been fleeing and hiding, with nothing to eat. Having obtained the medicine, the next step would definitely be going to the kitchen to steal food to survive. Sure enough, his guess was right. Besides arranging guards inside the kitchen, he personally led people to ambush outside the kitchen, determined to capture them.

“Tell me where the other assassin is. Although I can’t spare you from death, I can give you a quick end.”

Shen Moping gritted his teeth: “I don’t know about any assassin. I was just hungry and came here to steal a few steamed buns. Does even this warrant execution?”

One of Li Shimin’s trusted subordinates stepped forward and slapped Shen Moping across the face, saying sternly: “Still spouting nonsense at death’s door! We’ve already investigated your relationship with Shen Yunyi thoroughly – you can’t deny it. If you’re sensible, confess honestly now and save yourself some physical suffering.”

Shen Moping turned his head away without speaking. His attitude made the man even angrier, and just as he was about to slap him again, Li Shimin’s voice rang in his ears: “Zhixuan, stand down!”

Though Duan Zhixuan was reluctant, he had always followed Li Shimin’s orders absolutely. He immediately withdrew his hand with resentment and stepped back behind Li Shimin.

Li Shimin said slowly: “Shen Moping, this is your last chance. When my elder brother comes, even if you’re willing to talk, he won’t let you die easily. Moreover, do you think an injured and seriously ill woman like her can hide for much longer? Even if we don’t find her, she’ll die of illness or starvation – there’s absolutely no way out.”

Shen Moping stared at him for a long while, then suddenly burst into laughter: “You don’t need to sweet-talk me here. If you have the ability, go find her yourself. If you want to get anything out of me… dream on!”

He knew Li Shimin was telling the truth – given Yunyi’s current condition, it would indeed be difficult for her to survive. But at least there was still a glimmer of hope. Once he revealed Yunyi’s location, that would truly be a dead end.

Li Shimin frowned slightly and was about to say more when hurried footsteps approached, followed by Li Jiancheng’s urgent voice: “Where is the assassin?”

“Elder brother.” Li Shimin called out and pointed at Shen Moping: “This person is the accomplice of that female assassin. I’ve already questioned him, but he refuses to reveal where the female assassin is hiding.”

Li Jiancheng looked Shen Moping over and showed a cold smile: “Don’t worry, I’ll make him obediently tell everything he knows, not missing a single word!” Speaking thus, he called out: “Someone come, take him to the dungeon and treat him well. Remember, don’t let him die before he reveals where his accomplice is hiding.”

After Shen Moping was dragged away, Li Jiancheng showed the first smile he’d had in days: “Second brother, you’re the one with methods, correctly predicting he would definitely come to the kitchen.”

“As long as he’s human, he can’t avoid eating. After being trapped for several days, he couldn’t endure it anymore.” Speaking thus, he frowned: “Speaking of which, it’s really strange. They’re clearly in the mansion, so why can’t we find them? What place have we missed?”

Hearing this, Li Jiancheng also frowned tightly: “Except for father’s Songtao Residence and Second Mother’s Yuxiu Pavilion, we’ve searched everywhere else at least three times, including the residences of us brothers. Logically, there shouldn’t be any oversights.” Speaking thus, his expression changed and he blurted out: “Could it be… they’re hiding in father’s or Second Mother’s residence, thus avoiding our searches?” Li Jiancheng hadn’t considered the ice cellar at all, because it was bitterly cold there – simply not a place where people could stay.

Li Shimin thought for a moment: “Since we have suspicions, I’ll take people to search tomorrow morning. Only by quickly finding the remaining assassin can we truly feel at ease.”

Faced with his words, Li Jiancheng shook his head and sighed: “At ease… how easy is that? After catching these two, who knows when they’ll send more people from that side. It’s impossible to guard against.”

Although he didn’t say it explicitly, how could Li Shimin not understand his meaning? He immediately said: “Elder brother, don’t worry too much. Tomorrow when I go to Songtao Residence, if there’s an opportunity, I’ll find a way to speak with father.”

Li Jiancheng nodded: “That’s all we can do. I hope father can make a decision sooner. By the way, be careful when you go to Yuxiu Pavilion tomorrow. Second Mother probably won’t easily let you search Yuxiu Pavilion.”

“I understand. Don’t worry, elder brother.” After handling the follow-up matters at the kitchen, Li Shimin returned to Jingde Pavilion for a brief rest. As soon as dawn broke, he opened his eyes. After simple grooming, he ordered Duan Zhihong to bring people to Yuxiu Pavilion. Just as he stepped out of Jingde Pavilion, a servant hurriedly ran over and whispered a few words in his ear. After listening, he nodded: “I understand. You may go.”

When they arrived at Yuxiu Pavilion, Wan Shi was still grooming herself. Hearing the servant’s report, she raised her eyebrows: “Search Yuxiu Pavilion?”

“That’s what Second Young Master said. He’s brought people and they’re waiting outside.” As soon as the servant finished speaking, the maid combing Wan Shi’s hair was already scolding: “Audacious! Is Yuxiu Pavilion a place that can be searched at will? Second Young Master’s actions clearly show he doesn’t regard Madam with any respect.” Speaking thus, she continued: “Madam, shall this servant go send Second Young Master away?”

Wan Shi smiled coldly: “People have already come. How can you send them away just by saying so?”

The maid said with difficulty: “Then shall we just let Second Young Master search Yuxiu Pavilion? They were already quite dissatisfied with Madam before. If this continues, they’ll respect Madam even less, and then…”

“No matter how dissatisfied they are, I am still their Second Mother, the Second Madam of this governor’s mansion!” After saying this, Wan Shi steadily inserted the white jade bell hairpin she had been playing with into her hair, then said to the servant waiting with hands at his sides: “Go invite Second Young Master in.”

“Yes.” Shortly after the servant withdrew, Li Shimin, dressed in azure brocade, walked in and respectfully said: “I pay my respects to Second Mother.”

Wan Shi rose with the maid’s support and walked to Li Shimin, saying slowly: “I heard Second Young Master wants to search this Yuxiu Pavilion? What, do you suspect I’m harboring an assassin?”