Upon returning to her quarters, Shen Yue immediately launched into a stream of complaints. The shadow guards had no idea what had happened and could only hide in silence.
Bai Yunfei brought over a plate of plums, hoping to calm the Director’s temper. To his surprise, she grew even angrier after eating one: “What is this? So sour it could kill me!”
“Th-then I’ll take it away…”
“Ah Fei, wait!” Seeing Bai Yunfei’s innocent expression, Shen Yue finally realized she shouldn’t take her anger out on others.
“Dry them in the sun. I like dried plums. Also, bring me some blood stasis resolving medicine!”
Bai Yunfei instinctively replied “Yes,” then realized something was wrong.
“Director, are you injured? Tell me who did it, I’ll settle the score with them!”
“Ah, forget it,” Shen Yue said impatiently.
If he knew who did it, he’d probably be scared to death.
“Well… I was bitten by a dog. It’s nothing. Just go get the medicine and don’t ask too many questions.”
“Oh.”
Bai Yunfei scratched his head, walking out while wondering – are there dogs in this prince’s mansion?
Back in her room, Shen Yue took off her outer robe and sat on the bed, lifting her pant leg to examine the injury. Sure enough, a large bruise had formed on her leg.
That damned prince looks lean and slender, yet he’s surprisingly strong!
After all that effort, not only did she fail to get the silver back, but she also got kicked. What an unlucky start.
However, Xiao Yuheng probably didn’t come out unscathed either – his injuries couldn’t be any lighter than hers.
Thinking this, Shen Yue suddenly felt less upset.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Thinking it was Bai Yunfei with the medicine, Shen Yue called out:
“Ah Fei, just leave the medicine by the door.”
Unexpectedly, the person outside didn’t stop but instead pushed the door open with a creak.
Hearing this, Shen Yue immediately burrowed under the covers.
“Damn it, didn’t I tell you not to come in… P-Prince?”
Xiao Yuheng had just rounded the screen when he heard “damn it,” his face visibly darkening.
Shen Yue belatedly remembered the curse word she’d blurted out in the study earlier and instinctively shifted backward.
“Hiding from what?”
The man looked suspicious, stepping forward to sit by her bedside.
“Why do you need medicine? Are you injured? Let me see.”
Speaking, he put on a concerned superior act and reached to pull back the covers.
Shen Yue’s face turned pale with fright.
Although she still wore her inner garments, her pant leg was rolled up. If he lifted the covers, he would definitely discover the injury on her leg.
“No!” She quickly pressed down on the quilt corner, tucking it firmly beneath her.
“Well… this subordinate isn’t injured, it’s just…”
She pretended to be embarrassed, “This subordinate has developed hemorrhoids. It’s really not suitable for inspection, and I haven’t bathed in over a month – afraid I might offend your senses.”
She spoke with such seriousness that even Xiao Yuheng couldn’t detect any falsehood.
However, this Shen Er’s voice really did sound somewhat similar to that person from earlier…
After a moment’s consideration, he ultimately decided to stand up. “Then rest well. If the condition is severe, have the mansion physician examine you.”
“Yes, yes, yes! Your Highness shows such consideration for subordinates, truly a blessing for our Shadow Guard Bureau!”
Shen Yue felt as if granted amnesty, casually offering flattery. But before she could say much more, Bai Yunfei’s voice sounded at the door.
“Director, your medicine is here. Should I apply it for you?”
Shen Yue, who had already stood up, gave a look, and Xiao Yuheng immediately understood, quickly saying, “No need, no need, just leave it by the door!”
Bai Yunfei nodded. “Alright then, Director, remember to apply the yellow bottle first. Brother Zhang said that if bitten by a dog, you must apply this anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving one first. Only after the wound heals can you apply the blood stasis resolving ointment.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Yue felt as if the sky had collapsed.
Ah Fei, Ah Fei, the Director knows you’re thoughtful, but you’re about to get the Director killed!
She glanced up at the man before her—his expression could no longer be described as merely unpleasant.
“Director, Director? Did you hear me?”
“Heard you, get out!” Shen Yue gritted her teeth, enunciating each word clearly.
“Oh.”
The door closed, and the man approached menacingly, gripping her right calf through the quilt with force.
“You were bitten by a dog? Was it here?”
Shen Yue gasped in pain, a thin layer of sweat instantly beading on her forehead, but she still managed a cheerful smile. “No, I just fell and was too embarrassed to tell them, so I made something up. Yeah, that’s it.”
“Oh? So was it hemorrhoids or a fall?”
The man’s lips curled into a sinister smile, sending a chill down Shen Yue’s spine.
“Your Highness, please investigate carefully. I truly have hemorrhoids, and I truly fell. I haven’t lied!”
She narrowed her eyes, feigning pitifulness, while her left hand stealthily reached toward the inner side of the bed, retrieving a finger tiger and slipping it onto her finger with ease.
At the same time, she began mentally rehearsing how Xiao Yuheng might attack and how she could counter and retaliate, running through the scenarios again and again.
Unexpectedly, after watching her for a moment, the man suddenly stood up.
“Rest well. I’m leaving.”
Seeing him depart, Shen Yue let out a sigh of relief but felt a faint unease stirring within her.
Early the next morning, Xiao Yuheng’s study had already been restored to its original state. He sat at his desk, casually flipping through a book, showing no surprise at Changfeng’s report. “You say the person last night was Shen Er? What evidence do you have?”
Changfeng stood respectfully before the desk and replied, “Although I have no concrete evidence, Shen Er is indeed suspicious.”
“First, that night when the Netherworld Hall attacked, it was he who silenced the assassins.”
“Second, the shadow guards on surveillance reported yesterday that after Shen Er left Mantingfang, aside from the pastry stall, he also went to Songhe Tower. Upon questioning, we learned he was searching for an antidote to Shi Gu San. Shi Gu San is the poison the Netherworld Hall uses to control its assassins. This indicates he is a member of the Netherworld Hall, and the incident that night was orchestrated by him with the aim of defecting from the organization.”
“Hmm, that makes sense.” Xiao Yuheng nodded. “Then tell me, why did he come to my study last night?”
“Well…” Changfeng scratched his head. “I believe he infiltrated Your Highness’s study either because he discovered the secret room or to retrieve the bundle Qiao Er left behind.”
“The bundle?”
“Exactly. Yesterday, I left the bundle in the study and only remembered to retrieve it later. Upon reflection, Zhang Dayong from the Second Division came to me, hesitantly asking to take back Qiao Er’s bundle. Although he didn’t explain why, I investigated today and found that Qiao Er’s silver was mostly extorted from the shadow guards, and a large portion of it belonged to Shen Er.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuheng raised an eyebrow as if suddenly understanding.
“All this commotion just to retrieve silver for buying the antidote… How intriguing.”
Changfeng knelt on one knee, “This subordinate failed to maintain proper discipline, allowing villains to infiltrate. I beg for Your Highness’s punishment!”
“The matter of your punishment can wait. What do you think should be done with Shen Er?” Xiao Yuheng tapped the table surface.
After a moment’s consideration, Changfeng replied, “This subordinate will go eliminate him immediately!”
“No.” Xiao Yuheng curved his lips, slowly rotating his teacup. “Such exceptional martial skills would be wasted if killed. We should test him first.”