“Alright, go ahead.”
After arranging all necessary matters, Shen Yue returned to bed and slept until the sun was high in the sky, only waking leisurely when Zhang Dayong came knocking on her door again.
“All settled?” she asked through the door while getting dressed.
Zhang Dayong’s voice was unusually excited. “You can count on me! The entire Shadow Guard Bureau, nearly five hundred people, all participated. Even those from Division Four who just received corporal punishment came limping to place their bets!”
Shen Yue curled her lips into a smile. “Well done! Then this Director will just wait for our distinguished guests to arrive.”
After washing her face, brushing her teeth, and changing into a handsome white robe, she finally sat down at the dining table.
Bai Yunfei brought steaming baskets of soup dumplings to the table, then leaned close to whisper in her ear:
“Director, I’ve completed the tasks you assigned. A Director should be visiting shortly.”
Shen Yue gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.
Right after finishing breakfast, a shadow guard reported that the visitor was Yao San, Director of Department Three.
“Well now, Brother Shen, your attire today is truly unparalleled in elegance!”
Yao San was the familiar type, immediately offering flattery upon entering.
Shen Yue matched his energy. “Ah, well, since His Highness gave me two days off, I dressed more casually. Can’t compare to Brother Yao’s handsomeness. Speaking of which, what brings you here today?”
“Well, about that…”
Yao San certainly couldn’t tell her that he’d lost at rock-paper-scissors and was forced to come inquire whether she was a top or bottom. He could only carefully probe for information.
“I heard you suffered some injuries yesterday, with sore back and weak legs. Thinking we’re colleagues, I figured I should come check on you.”
Shen Yue clasped her hands in salute. “Ah, thank you for your concern, Brother Yao! This younger brother is young and strong – I could go another three hundred rounds without problem!”
“Heh heh, that impressive, eh?”
Yao San smiled apologetically and leaned closer, lowering his voice:
“I’ve heard that besides their extraordinary beauty, the Lingyuan Clan are also exceptional in certain aspects… Brother Shen will have to endure quite some hardship in the future…”
Shen Yue instinctively said “Oh?” before suddenly realizing something was off.
“Huh?”
Had she just stumbled upon some gossip? What Lingyuan Clan? What exceptional aspects?
“Could it be Brother Shen doesn’t know?” Yao San asked in surprise.
“Before her marriage, Lady Rou Taifei was the Saintess of the Lingyuan Clan. As her son, our Prince naturally carries half Lingyuan bloodline. The Lingyuan people are all born with peerless beauty – anyone who sees them becomes captivated. Moreover, they’re exceptionally gifted in certain aspects… ahem, you know what I mean?”
“Heh heh heh, well… of course this younger brother knows.”
Shen Yue laughed it off while her mind filled with countless question marks. What nonsense is this? How can I understand if you don’t explain clearly!
“That’s good then.”
Yao San chatted about several other topics for a while longer but still didn’t obtain the key information. Growing impatient, he switched to a more direct approach:
“So… I wonder, when Brother Shen is with His Highness, who has the harder time?”
Shen Yue was laughing internally ten thousand times over but couldn’t show it. She could only suppress her amusement and answer vaguely:
“As a subordinate, how could I let His Highness suffer even a little? His Highness already works hard enough handling official duties. It pains this younger brother’s heart to see him like that, so I naturally serve with all my devotion…”
This time, Yao San finally caught the key information—”Little brother is upstairs.”
“Is that so… Well, Brother Shen, I’m relieved to see you’re alright. I won’t disturb you further.”
“Ah? Leaving already? Won’t you stay a bit longer?”
Shen Yue voiced her reluctance while inwardly praying for him to leave quickly.
If he didn’t go soon, she wouldn’t be able to hold back her laughter, haha!
“No, no…”
Yao San stood up as he spoke. “Brother Shen, there’s one more thing I don’t understand.”
“Brother Yao, feel free to speak plainly.”
Yao San glanced around, confirming no one was eavesdropping, and whispered like a mosquito:
“I heard that night, the Four Divisions knocked on Wangye’s door several times with no response. Did you truly not hear it? Or… did Wangye take you to some secret place?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Yue maintained her smile, but a trace of imperceptible coldness flickered in her eyes:
“What secret place? I don’t quite understand. But when one is focused on certain matters, it’s quite normal not to hear external sounds, don’t you think, Brother Yao?”
“Uh, hehe, you’re right, Brother Shen. Farewell.”
Watching Yao San disappear into the distance, Zhang Dayong approached.
“Director, is there a problem?”
Shen Yue stroked her non-existent beard. “How did they select Yao San?”
Zhang Dayong thought for a moment. “They say it was through rock-paper-scissors. Strangely enough, the Director of Department Three is usually unbeatable at it, but this morning he lost several rounds in a row.”
“I see.” Shen Yue’s gaze grew increasingly profound and cold. “Never mind. Let’s return to our room and wait to split the money.”
“Ah, right away!”
In the study, Xiao Yuheng was reviewing documents while Changfeng knelt respectfully on one knee.
“Wangye, my injuries have mostly healed. I can resume my duties today.”
“Hmm.”
The man didn’t look up. Just as Changfeng was about to exit, he suddenly remembered something: “Changfeng.”
“Your subordinate is here.”
After a moment’s thought, Xiao Yuheng spoke: “These past two days, has there been anything unusual in the Shadow Guard Bureau?”
“N-no, nothing…”
Changfeng kept his head lowered, his voice calm and composed, yet cold sweat had already formed on his forehead.
Having served by Xiao Yuheng’s side since childhood, Changfeng had always been humble and respectful, never losing his composure. Today’s sudden stammering couldn’t escape Xiao Yuheng’s notice, even if he were normally inattentive.
“This prince merely feels the shadow guards have been looking at me rather peculiarly today. Are you truly unaware why?”
“Your subordinate…”
“Changfeng, you grew up with me. You wouldn’t deceive me, would you?”
Xiao Yuheng’s voice was exceptionally gentle, yet it sent chills down one’s spine.
With reddened eyes, Changfeng gritted his teeth and finally knelt with a “thud.” “Your subordinate deserves punishment…”
Moments later, Xiao Yuheng’s face turned as dark as iron, anger simmering in his eyes. “Are you telling the truth?”
Changfeng was drenched in sweat. “I wouldn’t dare deceive Wangye. This news has spread throughout the mansion. Not just the Shadow Guard Bureau, even the ordinary guards at the main gate have heard about it. The maids know too.”
Baozhu, who was about to enter to serve tea, sensed the tense atmosphere. “Um… This servant forgot to put tea leaves in the pot. I’ll be right back!”
“Halt.”
Thus, Changfeng gained a companion in misery.
“You’re saying the Shadow Guard Bureau used this matter for betting?” Xiao Yuheng’s face was filled with disbelief.
“Indeed.” Baozhu shot Changfeng a sidelong glance, her delicate face puffed up with anger like an inflated pufferfish. She thought to herself: Since you dragged me into this, I won’t hold back either.
“Nearly all the shadow guards were involved in this matter. I heard Head Guard Changfeng even placed a twenty-tael bet, wagering that Wangye would be the one on top!”