In an instant, a swarm of soldiers poured in, encircling the men who had been besieging Wanruo.
“What a display of authority from Eunuch Sun!” someone muttered.
The crowd fell silent, all heads turning toward the newcomer—Prince Pingnan, Si Hongxi himself. At the sight of the prince, Qin Manman let out a silent breath; rescue had finally arrived.
Eunuch Sun spun around and, seeing the prince, dropped to a perfunctory bow. “Prince Pingnan is here—how could your old servant dare—? These unruly commoners were causing trouble and even struck me. Look, Your Highness, that wretch knocked out my front tooth!” He pointed at his swollen mouth, his voice a mixture of indignation and calculated hurt.
“You deserved it!” Madam Su snapped, glaring at Sun Wu with predatory hatred. “This dog used his official position to molest my daughter. I can’t wait to rip him apart myself!”
Si Hongxi’s eyes flicked to the bundle in Su’s arms. Wei Qingshan’s hair and dress were disheveled—someone had clearly harmed her. Then he looked to Wanruo. Wanruo nodded once, confirming the story. That was all it took to put the prince’s temper into motion.
“Is Madam Su’s accusation true?” Si Hongxi’s gaze cut to Sun Wu.
Sun’s confidence wavered. “Your Highness, your servant only followed the emperor’s orders! They intended to carry precious items out of the house—how could I stand idly by? I simply had men search them—”
“Search them?” The words barely left Sun’s mouth when Prince Pingnan’s boot came down, driving Sun to the ground.
“Who gave you the gall?” Si Hongxi snapped. “Once I report this to the emperor, there will be no leniency for you.” He barked an order. “Take these scoundrels into custody!”
His soldiers wasted no time. The men who had been attacking Wanruo were rounded up and restrained.
Seeing the turn of events, Eunuch Sun’s bravado dissolved. He had always relied on imperial favor to intimidate others—no one could hold a candle to the emperor’s inner circle, or so he had thought. Now, facing Prince Pingnan, he felt his advantage slip away.
“Prince Pingnan, I serve at the emperor’s side—if you dare touch—” He stammered, trying to leverage his position.
Si Hongxi’s eyes were cold. “I will explain to the emperor myself. But if you continue to wield his name as a license to bully and abuse, I won’t be so polite.”
Sun scrambled to his feet, his two petty eunuchs shuffling at his side. “We’ll see about that!” he spat, and fled in a fluster of skirts and fear.
Si Hongxi stepped forward, concern plain on his face. “Are you both all right?”
Wanruo and Qin Manman both shook their heads. Si Hongxi turned to Wei Qingshan, whose face was pale.
“Qingshan?” he asked, voice softer.
Madam Su did not bother to thank him—her family’s ruin had been set in motion long before his arrival, and she could not forget that. She helped Wei Qingshan to her feet, but Si Hongxi stopped her with a word she could not avoid.
“Madam Su, there is something else you must be prepared for.” He hesitated, then said it flatly. “Chancellor Wei—he died in custody last night. It appears to have been an assassination. Did he have any enemies? Anyone he was in contact with?”
The words hit the courtyard like a jarring thunderclap. For a moment nobody moved; faces went slack with disbelief.
Madam Su stood frozen, eyes wide and unblinking, as if the news had robbed her of the ability to breathe. Si Hongxi’s voice was gentle when he asked again, “Madam Su, are you well?”
Slowly. She forced herself back to some composure. “No need for you to worry, Your Highness. I—know nothing of my husband’s dealings.” Her tone was flat, practised. Then she took Wei Qingshan’s arm and, with heavy, deliberate steps, left the compound.
Si Hongxi watched them go, a flicker of pity crossing his features. He had hoped she might know something—anything—but it seemed clear she would say nothing.
When he turned, Wanruo and Qin Manman were waiting, eyes searching. “Is it true?” Wanruo asked quietly. “He’s really…dead?”
Si Hongxi nodded. “It happened last night—one precise strike. It had the feel of a professional killer.”
Qin Manman’s mind raced. “There was a man with a white mask who once met with my foster father. He claimed to use some sort of magic and even healed my wound—could he be involved?” Her voice was small, laden with dread.
“Chancellor Wei mentioned such a man before,” Si Hongxi replied. “They called him the Old Demon Kaiji. Bai Chen said he was dead, but…” He trailed off. The prince’s face was grave.
Wanruo felt the color drain from her. She had no appetite for more news. “Prince, please—take care of Manman for now. I need some air.” She turned and fled from the chancellor’s mansion, wanting nothing more than to be alone.
“I understand how she feels,” Qin Manman murmured after her.
Si Hongxi sighed. “There’s no bringing someone back from the dead. My condolences. Miss Qin, where is your home? I’ll have someone escort you.”
Qin Manman swallowed. Her family was gone; she had nowhere to return to. “Your Highness…there’s no one left. Could I—could I stay at your residence for the time being?”
Si Hongxi considered, then nodded. “Very well. Miss Qin, you may stay at my house for now. I’ll have someone take you there. I must go to the palace.”
Relief flooded Qin Manman’s features. “Thank you, Your Highness!”
“Mu Qing, accompany Miss Qin back to the Prince’s mansion. Prepare a room and see that she’s settled.” Si Hongxi instructed.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Mu Qing bowed. “Miss Qin, please come with me.”
Qin Manman allowed Mu Qing to lead her away. Si Hongxi lingered in the quiet courtyard, letting his gaze drift over the now desolate chancellor’s mansion before ordering the main gate sealed with official placards and climbing into his carriage for the ride to the palace.
Outside the walls, Wanruo wandered aimlessly through the streets, replaying her sharp words to the old man over and over. Why had she been so cruel? Their first meeting had become their last—and the thought of it lodged like a stone in her chest.
She sat on the edge of a bridge, chin cupped in her palm, watching the river flow and letting the world blur at the edges. She had wanted silence—just a little time to think.
A hand gently tapped her shoulder.
“Ruo Ruo? Why are you sitting out here alone? You—” A familiar voice drifted down the path. Wanruo looked up and answered without much interest, “Oh. It’s you. I’m fine—just needed some time to clear my head.”