Chapter 98

Inside Prince Qi’s residence, it was not as lively as the Zhang family’s. It truly seemed, as Li Zhi had said, as though they were mourning for the deceased Emperor.

Prince Qi,Zhu Jingchen, sat in the front courtyard teahouse, lifting his cup and taking a few sips, lazily listening to the reports from his subordinates.

“Master, the guards that were previously borrowed from the Zhang residence have been sent back, but according to the spies, it’s already too late.”

“Did he die?”

“Reporting to the master, Li Zhi is dead, and Zhang Huaian… he’s been burned beyond recognition, but he still clings to life.”

Zhu Jingchen smiled at the news. Indeed, the methods employed by the Eastern Bureau’s chief were truly unparalleled in tormenting people.

“Go and inform the Empress Dowager of this good news.”

“Yes.”

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***

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***

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Without hesitation, Qin Yan stepped over the threshold and saw Zhu Jingchen waiting in the front courtyard. It seemed like he had been standing there for a while.

“You finally came.”

Qin Yan halted his footsteps and looked at the young man in his princely attire, who had not yet reached adulthood. He sneered, “You’ve been waiting for death.”

“Is it worth risking your own life to kill off everyone associated with Zhu Jingchen, just for the sake of one Zhu Jingyu?” Zhu Jingchen turned around, his meaning unclear.

Qin Yan had no patience for idle talk. He furrowed his brows and had already grabbed Prince Qi by the neck.

“Brother… big brother.” Suddenly, a figure emerged from inside the house. He had a slender figure and was wearing ill-fitting palace attire. Half of his face was covered by a palace hat, and his hesitant and unnatural address caused Qin Yan to instantly release his grip, turning around to look at him in disbelief.

“You…” Qin Yan stepped forward and grabbed Zhu Jingyu’s collar, knocking off his palace hat. From the initial shock and doubt to the inability to believe and then the overwhelming joy, although it lasted only a moment, these emotions quickly merged together, leaving him speechless.

Zhu Jingyu lowered his head, filled with deep guilt. “Brother, I didn’t mean to…”

He knew nothing. After waking up from his fainting spell, he found himself lying in Prince Qi’s residence, unable to leave as someone kept a close watch on him. It wasn’t until today that he was finally released from the room, and the first person he saw was Qin Yan.

Before Zhu Jingyu could finish his words, Qin Yan had already embraced him. He had a frail body, and Qin Yan’s grip was tight, causing him pain. But the feeling was too reliable. This was the first time he had been hugged by Qin Yan.

Even though he struggled to breathe under the pressure, Zhu Jingyu suddenly smiled foolishly. Compared to Prince Qi, who seemed even younger now, he appeared more like a youth.

Prince Qi straightened the collar that Qin Yan had wrinkled. “Qin Yan, I saved him. Don’t you have a word of thanks?”

Qin Yan pulled Zhu Jingyu behind him, his gaze returning to calmness. “You also used me to destroy Zhang Huaian, didn’t you?”

Prince Qi chuckled. “Yes, you’re right.”

He wanted to ascend the throne, but he and the empress dowager would never be puppets. Zhang Huaian was merely a tool. Since he was about to take the throne, there was no need to keep him around.

Using a borrowed knife was always better than keeping a good bow hidden. It prevented people from feeling uneasy. Besides, everyone outside the palace was associated with Zhang Huaian, and he couldn’t find anyone trustworthy enough to use for an assassination. Only Qin Yan was the least suspicious.

One of Prince Qi’s attendants looked at Qin Yan and Zhu Jingyu’s figures retreating. “Master, are we just letting them go like this?”

“And what else can we do? Can you defeat Qin Yan?” Zhu Jingchen breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and continued walking. “I have achieved my goal. All I want now is to become emperor peacefully. As for their matters, they are the mistakes of my father back then. It has nothing to do with me.”

***

In the chief’s mansion, Su Mi sat anxiously at the stone table in the front courtyard. So, when she saw Qin Yan, she didn’t care about the astonishment on his face and rushed forward to hug him.

“Lord! You’re finally back.”

Qin Yan felt the force of her embrace and carefully wrapped his arms around Su Mi’s waist. “You didn’t go to Mocheng?”

“No…”

Su Mi was afraid that Qin Yan would blame her, but it was strange. The Lord suddenly seemed to have lost the hostility he had shown in the past few days. She lifted her head and noticed the man behind Qin Yan.

It wasn’t Ling An; he was dressed like a palace guard. His hat was pulled down low, following behind Qin Yan. Su Mi looked at him several times before finally seeing his face.

“He is…” Su Mi exclaimed in surprise after recognizing him. “The Emperor, the Emperor.”

“Yes, I’ll tell you about it later,” Qin Yan said.

Since Su Mi had already recognized him, Zhu Jingyu no longer needed to hide under the hat. He seemed like a different person, cautious and hopeful on his face. Only he understood that he felt like a new person who had been given a fresh start, finally able to escape the confinement that had held him for twenty years and experience the joy of liberation.

“Are we going to Mocheng?” he asked.

“Mm.”

“But, can I go to Jiangling City in Jiaozhou first?”

Qin Yan furrowed his brows. “Why do you want to go to Jiangling City?”

“I… I want to find someone.”

Qin Yan was about to ask who that person was when the young gatekeeper came in to report, “Master, there’s someone outside looking for Madam.”

“Who?” Su Mi wondered if it was her mother or sister, since the gatekeeper should know them.

The young servant pondered for a moment and replied, “She said her surname is Zhang, and her name is Yue’er.”