Ling Yan was quick - witted and snatched Yun Xi from Shen Zhou's hands. Hugging her, she rushed outside while shouting, "Quickly, call a doctor!"
Shen Zhou didn't have time to argue. He ordered Sheng Yu to take the soldier down and take good care of him. Then he led the way ahead and guided Ling Yan towards the back wing - room.
The lively atmosphere just now instantly dissipated without a trace.
Shen Zhai, sitting upright in the honored seat at the upper left, gave a subtle signal to an unremarkable maid in the crowd. Then he slowly got up to comfort and entertain the guests.
Yixing, who had deliberately dressed up as a maid to attend the ceremony, immediately followed the young soldier after receiving the signal.
Not long after, Shen Zhai, who had comforted the guests and moved to the back hall, saw Yixing returning to report.
"My lord, Your Highness," Yixing knelt respectfully and saluted. "I've confirmed with them that Yun Weisheng's death is true. What the young soldier said is also consistent with the news sent back from there. It's indeed not a ruse released by the Yun family to deceive others."
"I've also asked the doctor who examined Yun Xi. She really fainted due to extreme anger and mental stress. There's no pretense of illness."
With a satisfied smile, Shen Zhai waved his hand, indicating Yixing to get up, and said, "That's good. As long as Yun Weisheng is dead, Yun Qi, a hot - headed young man, won't be able to achieve much."
Saying this, Shen Zhai turned his head and glanced at the dark shadow on the left. "Now, Prince Yu'an is in prison, and Hun Yuan is under house arrest. With their left and right arms cut off, the time is ripe. We can start preparing to act."
The person in the shadow moved slightly. Faint dimples on his face could be vaguely seen. He should also be smiling.
"Don't be hasty," the person said calmly. His voice was extremely familiar. "We arranged the people on Yun Weisheng's side, so there's no need to worry. Although Yi Yuan has no power now and Chong Shuang has been taken back by the emperor, he's still alive."
"Unless we're absolutely certain, don't expose ourselves easily. Otherwise, like the Holy Master and his people fourteen years ago, decades of planning will end in failure."
"Yun Xi is already in our hands. When the Holy Master brings that thing later, Grandfather..."
The person in the dark curled his lips sinisterly. He slowly tidied up his sleeves and continued, "Such a wonderful thing. We should offer a bit to the Holy Master too."
"This..." Shen Zhai's eyes flashed with a hint of suspicion. He hesitated. "This is something made by the Holy Master himself. Using his own thing against him might lead to trouble."
The person in the dark seemed to shake his head. His distinct jawline flickered in the shadow.
"But Grandfather, they had that ambition fourteen years ago, and it surely won't change now. We must be on guard against others. When we take action, they can't be the ones waiting to reap the benefits like a mantis - catching - cicada - while - the - oriole - waits situation."
"Moreover, didn't the Holy Master say that once this thing is used on someone, it can't be detected at all? Those people we tested before didn't have the slightest suspicion."
"Let's test it on the Holy Master. It's like an additional experiment. If he can't detect it either, we can act on Hun Yuan in the palace without worry. Otherwise, Emperor Zhaohuan might suddenly trust Hun Yuan again for some reason and release him. That would really cause trouble."
Shen Zhai's expression became more and more ruthless as he listened to the person's words.
His sharp and shrewd eyes stared at the person in the dark for a moment. Suddenly, Shen Zhai let out a sigh and said with a smile, "Although you look like your mother, your temperament is nothing like hers."
The shadowy figure seemed to freeze for a moment but didn't say a word.
Shen Zhai didn't care. He just continued on his own, "Of course, you're not like your stupid father either. He was actually fooled around by a foreign woman. Hmph—"
"Grandfather," the person suddenly interrupted Shen Zhai. His tone was faintly impatient. "We're at a crucial moment now. My good third brother is deeply in love with that Yun Xi. You'd better go and keep an eye on him."
"Otherwise, when the Holy Master comes later and can't take the person away, our cooperation will fall through."
Knowing that his capable grandson harbored great resentment towards his biased father, Shen Zhai didn't say more. He just straightened his clothes and strode out.
Yun Xi woke up at dusk.
A strange room, a strange smell, concerned Ling Yan and Saixing, and - Shen Zhou.
The words of the soldier still echoed in her ears. Yun Xi suddenly sat up, muttering, "Father..."
However, the next moment, her weak and sore body slumped back onto the bed.
Saixing hurriedly leaned over to support her and said anxiously, "Miss, please don't get excited. The doctor said your body is very weak. You must rest quietly and not be stimulated again. Otherwise, if you faint again, you might not wake up."
"Eldest Young Master has already sent a letter to Deputy General Hu on the border about General Yun. He also led people to rescue him. Miss, you don't have to worry too much. Just wait for good news."
Yun Xi felt a little relieved, but the next moment, her heart tightened again. She turned to stare at Saixing and asked, "You said elder brother led troops to rescue him? Who approved this? Does he have the emperor's order?"
"This... this..." Saixing looked at Ling Yan nervously and stammered, unable to answer.
Yun Xi immediately understood: Her eldest brother had led the troops out privately without Emperor Zhaohuan's consent!
It made sense. It was Emperor Zhaohuan who refused to receive the Yun family, thinking they were colluding with Yi Yuan to usurp the throne. It was also Emperor Zhaohuan who ordered Yun Weisheng to go thousands of miles away to suppress the bandits. He probably wished Yun Weisheng wouldn't come back. How could he agree to send troops to rescue him?
Yun Qi, eager to save his father, must have gone to rescue him. Leading troops out of the city without permission was a definite death penalty!
In this way, Emperor Zhaohuan would also have enough reason to deal with Yun Qi.
There were only two male members in the Yun family who led troops in battles. If both of them were taken care of, the Yun family was bound to fall!
A look of determination flashed across Yun Xi's almond - shaped eyes. She threw off the quilt and was about to get out of bed and rush outside.
But she was blocked by Shen Zhou's tall figure.
"Yingying..."
"Shut up!" Yun Xi roared angrily. Her eyes were red, and the hatred in them was clearly visible.
Taking a deep breath, Yun Xi tried her best to hold back her tears. Her previously furious voice suddenly became terrifyingly calm. "I'm going to save my father. Get out of my way."
Saying this, she bypassed Shen Zhou and walked straight outside.
Shen Zhou dodged and blocked Yun Xi again. "I've sent people to stop elder brother. You don't have to worry."
"As for father..." Shen Zhou's voice dropped. "He's gone. I've found someone to collect his body..."
"Slap!" Yun Xi slapped Shen Zhou hard on the face. The slap was so heavy that the outline of her slender palm quickly appeared on his face. It also cut off Shen Zhou's words.
"Get out of my way." Yun Xi's voice was so calm that it made one's hair stand on end.
Shen Zhou pursed his lips but didn't move an inch.
Not wanting to entangle with Shen Zhou any longer, Yun Xi bypassed him again and rushed out with her head down.
But her wrist was suddenly grabbed by Shen Zhou, and she was pulled back.
It was like an iron chain, impossible to break free.
The suppressed grievance and fear in her heart welled up. With her free hand, Yun Xi angrily slapped Shen Zhou again with a "slap".
"How could you do this!" The tears in her eyes couldn't be held back any longer and fell like broken beads. Yun Xi beat Shen Zhou frantically and shouted, "You promised to protect my father well. You said you'd protect my Yun family if I married you. Why did you break your promise!? You promised! You promised..."