Xie Yunshu was completely stunned. With no time to think, he laid Uncle Lin down on the bed while shouting anxiously, “A Fu, quick! Go find a physician!”
A Fu rushed out in a panic, only to be forced back inside by the people outside. A pair of boots stepped in from outside, the leather was of the finest quality, the shafts fitted snugly around the calves, the soles thin and light, yet they made no sound at all on the wooden floor.
Xie Yunshu hurriedly pulled the curtain closed, watching as those boots stepped toward him one at a time. His gaze involuntarily traveled up along the black-clad figure, finally landing on that face.
Then Xie Yunshu froze.
He recognized that face recognized how, just yesterday, this man had smiled at him with slightly narrowed eyes. Now, set against the night and the black clothes, that face seemed utterly unfamiliar. Just as Xie Yunshu was about to speak, another shadow silently pressed in behind him.
A guard stood in the shadows outside the door, blade sheathed, hand resting on the hilt. Hanging at his waist was a jade pendant, mutton-fat white, which even in the dim light gave off a faint, warm luster.
That was a jade pendant found only in the palace.
Unable to grasp the intent, Xie Yunshu did not speak first.
Shen Yichi bowed first, a faint smile on his face: “Prince Xian, have you seen any remnants of the Marquis Anning’s Estate?”
Shen Yichi raised his voice, pitching his tone: “This humble one tracked them here. Might His Highness Prince Xian have seen anything?”
Xie Yunshu clenched his back teeth, his hand curling into a fist as he demanded, “You’re a eunuch?”
Shen Yichi’s mouth twitched coldly: “Prince Xian, if you are unwilling to tell us, then this humble one will simply have to search personally. But my men outside saw everything quite clearly just now.”
The two locked eyes. Seeing the hatred surging in Xie Yunshu’s gaze, Shen Yichi did not yield, the guards behind him were the Emperor’s men. If he took even one step back, everything would be over.
Shen Yichi could only wave a hand: “Go search.”
Xie Yunshu moved to block him: “Eunuch, there is something this prince does not understand.”
Shen Yichi raised a hand to stop the guard. “Please speak, Prince.”
Xie Yunshu’s mouth twitched coldly: “This prince does not know who this remnant of the Marquis Anning’s Estate might be, but a fly did indeed just fly in here.”
Shen Yichi quietly breathed a sigh of relief. His only fear was that Xie Yunshu would clash with him here and refuse to hand the man over no matter what, that would make things very difficult.
Shen Yichi sighed with a troubled look: “Ah, this humble one forgot, the trouble with Marquis Anning happened while Your Highness was still in Princess Consort Xian’s womb.”
“However, Your Highness need only tell this humble one, did that blind fly happen to be dressed in black?”
Xie Yunshu: “This prince does not remember.”
Watching him confront him head-on like this, Shen Yichi realized he had overthought it. The moment this man saw Uncle Lin, he had clearly made up his mind to protect him.
But the Emperor’s men stood right behind him. He absolutely could not give the Emperor cause against him here. Shen Yichi wasted no more words, stepping back and uttering a single word: “Search.”
The guard immediately began turning the place over. Xie Yunshu’s eyes blazed with fury: “Eunuch, this prince is a Prince of the realm!”
Shen Yichi sighed helplessly: “Prince, if you have any grievances, you may raise them with the Emperor when you enter the palace tomorrow. But this remnant must not be allowed to slip through.”
Xie Yunshu’s face darkened: “Does the Eunuch mean to say he does not trust this prince?”