The explosion in the fireworks storage room was different from the previous fire in the side courtyard. This time, the commotion was so huge that even those far in the front hall felt the tremors of the ground beneath their feet.
The deafening sound pounded on everyone's hearts. They looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion and unease.
"What was that noise?"
"Did a part of the ground cave - in?"
"Cave - in? How could that be! This is Yongding, not the mountains. There's no way for a cave - in! I guess... it must be part of the fireworks show."
Someone guessed like this.
Hearing this, everyone thought it was the only reasonable explanation and was convinced.
At this moment, the fireworks show was nearing its end. The colorful and magnificent fireworks were even more spectacular than before. Everyone quickly forgot about the previous tremor and continued to excitedly look up and enjoy the show.
Only Princess Yunxi and Bai Yinan felt an intense sense of unease welling up in their hearts.
The commotion just now was really unusual.
And Feng Jingxuan, Feng Linyuan, and Bai Zheng hadn't come back yet...
Feng Linche narrowed his eyes slightly. The bottom of his eyes, as black as thick ink, was as cold as ice for thousands of miles.
As a person who had been in a high position for a long time, how could he not know that his sons' performances today were too unusual. The commotion just now was even more strange, as if something big had happened in the mansion.
But due to the presence of the Zhuo Yi father - son pair, he didn't show anything. He still looked calm, as if he was fully immersed in the lively and novel fireworks show, just regarding the previous explosion as part of the show.
"Hahaha... These fireworks are truly wonderful. Third Prince has put a lot of thought into this!"
Even after the last firework faded away, Feng Linche still seemed a bit reluctant to let it end.
He looked at everyone and was the first to laugh heartily. "Thanks to Princess Yunxi, this is the first time I've seen such a novel thing."
Zhuo Yi also smiled and echoed, "Yes, this king has really broadened his horizons..."
"Your Majesty, something bad has happened..."
Suddenly, an abrupt shout pierced through everyone's eardrums, ruining the happy atmosphere on the scene.
Zhuo Yi's echoing words stopped abruptly. He was stunned for a moment, and then a look of watching a good show emerged on his face, and his eyebrows were slightly raised.
Feng Linche's face immediately darkened.
"Panicking like this. What kind of manner is this!"
The personal eunuch beside him, Tie Qing, with a gloomy face, rushed forward and kicked over the servant who was shouting while running to report the news.
The servant endured the pain and quickly crawled on the ground, stuttering, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something bad has happened!"
Hearing this, the coldness in Feng Linche's eyes instantly deepened.
"Who do you say something bad has happened to!" Seeing Feng Linche's expression, the personal eunuch was even more frightened. He slapped the servant who had spoken carelessly hard on the face, and his eyes scraped over the servant like a knife.
The servant who was reporting the news didn't care about the pain and hurriedly continued, "It's, it's the side courtyard that caught fire. His Highness the Third Prince... His Highness the Third Prince..."
Hearing Feng Jingxuan's name, Concubine Yi and Princess Yunxi both stood up abruptly and asked sharply, "What happened to His Highness the Third Prince?"
"The fireworks storage room is next to the side courtyard. His Highness the Third Prince... His Highness the Third Prince is still inside!" There was already a sob in the servant's voice. His pale lips kept trembling, obviously extremely frightened.
"The fireworks storage room? The fireworks storage room... No good!" Zhuo Yi suddenly thought of something and also stood up, his face changing greatly.
Feng Linche also thought of something at this moment. He felt that all the blood in his body began to freeze, and his pupils shrank.
"Could it be..." Princess Yunxi's heart was pounding. She also remembered the loud noise just now.
Zhuo Yi frowned deeply and slowly continued, asking, "Was the sound just now the explosion of the fireworks storage room?"
The servant immediately burst into tears and shouted loudly, "The fireworks storage room is right next to the side courtyard. The fire was too big and spread over in an instant. Before the servants could rescue His Highness the Third Prince, the fireworks storage room, it, it, it exploded!"
The scene suddenly fell into complete silence.
Princess Yunxi felt as if time had stood still. Although it was midsummer, standing there, she felt a continuous stream of coldness seeping into her body, making her shiver uncontrollably.
"Is His Highness the Third Prince really still inside?"
"Not only His Highness the Third Prince, but there was also a noble person who said he wanted to save people and rushed in. We couldn't stop him! Now, I'm afraid..." The servant didn't dare to say any more and knelt on the ground, trembling all over.
The air seemed to be frozen. Everyone didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
It was only at this time that they clearly heard the ear - splitting screams, cries, and the sound of houses collapsing in the distance.
Without the dazzling and magnificent fireworks, they finally saw that the back of the mansion was already ablaze with fire.
That vast expanse of fiery red sea of fire reflected the entire sky red.
"Your Majesty, this..."
The eunuch was so scared that he was in a daze. Before his trembling words were finished, they heard a "thud". Concubine Yi slumped back into her chair, closed her eyes, and fainted.
But at this moment, no one cared about her. Everyone was immersed in this sudden tragic news and didn't know how to react.
Feng Linche stood there stiffly. The color gradually faded from his face and disappeared completely. After a while, his body seemed to lose its support and suddenly slumped into the chair.
"Your Majesty!" Everyone exclaimed, their faces full of worry.
Feng Linche propped himself up with difficulty and said hoarsely, "Help me up. I'm going over there to take a look."
Empress Chu and the eunuch quickly reached out to help him.
Everyone was eagerly watching Feng Linche stand up bit by bit. Some ministers even spoke up to console him, "Your Majesty, your health is the most important thing."
"Yes, Your Majesty. His Highness the Third Prince is still waiting for you over there."
"Yes, please accept my condolences, Your Majesty."
Feng Linche was stunned. Empress Chu was stunned. Everyone was stunned.
They looked up and followed the sound to the source of the words "please accept my condolences" -
Chen Jianzhi.
The hearts of the old Duke Chen and Chen Yanzhi both trembled violently. Before they could react to these words, they saw Feng Linche suddenly explode in anger. He stepped forward and kicked Chen Jianzhi over.
"Condolences for what? Condolences for what! Did you see with your own eyes that the third son was burned to death? Or are you so afraid that the third son didn't die today that you have to curse him!"
Feng Linche gritted his teeth. That blood - thirsty and terrifying expression, the cold and menacing tone, almost instantly made everyone present clearly feel the strong killing intent emanating from him.
Chen Jianzhi rolled on the ground several times before barely stabilizing his figure. Seeing this situation, he was so scared that he immediately threw himself on the ground and pleaded for mercy repeatedly, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! It was this official who was confused and spoke nonsense. This official deserves to die most. Please calm your anger, Your Majesty!"
Empress Chu gritted her teeth. This stupid Chen Jianzhi still couldn't control his mouth even now!
But now, since the Crown Prince Feng Jingye still needed the support of the Duke Chen's Mansion, since Chen Jianzhi had caused trouble, she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.