"Failed?" A voice devoid of any emotion echoed in the room, neither sorrowful nor joyful.
The person seated at the head, who had been flipping through pages of policy essays, looked up and asked expressionlessly, "Only you and I knew about this matter. So how did the Ye family catch wind of it? Who told them? Me?"
The tone remained emotionless, without a hint of doubt.
Lu Qian’s face paled in fright.
His knees buckled, and he knelt directly on the ground, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Fear flickered in his eyes as he spoke urgently, "I absolutely did not tell anyone. The news couldn’t have leaked. I, I…"
He stammered at this point, for the situation was truly abnormal. Lu Qian couldn’t guess who had leaked the information.
Not only did the other party clearly know about the issue hidden within the Buddha statue, but they also knew when he would break in, preparing in advance and even using the incident as bait. Not only did he gain nothing, but he also exposed himself.
"Investigate," the person said, setting down the brush and casting a cold gaze at him. "Find out exactly how Ye Pei received the news. If you can’t uncover it, then the one who leaked the information can only be you."
Lu Qian shuddered. "Yes."
After acknowledging the order, he respectfully withdrew, a fire burning in his heart. With his hand pressed against his sword, he strode into the darkness of the alleyways, winding through twists and turns until he reached a secluded courtyard by the riverbank.
Upon entering and seeing the person inside, Lu Qian suppressed his anger and gritted his teeth. "Was it Your Highness who leaked the news about targeting the Ye family? No wonder Ye Changming didn’t attend the Spring Examination yesterday—he must have received the news long ago. But why would Your Highness do this?"
Carrying his sword and speaking with anger in his voice, he inevitably came across as disrespectful. The people in the room stood up simultaneously, their eyes fixed on him like wolves, all raising their swords as if ready to draw and fight at any moment.
"Insolence!" Mole rebuked.
Lu Qian paused.
Remembering the identity of the person before him, his anger instantly dissipated, though a trace of reproach remained in his eyes, tinged with dissatisfaction. "Your Highness, only three people knew about the plan to target the Ye family. Now my superior is holding me accountable. What exactly is Your Highness’s intention?"
If no cause could be found, the blame for the leaked information would fall on him!
Moreover, Ye Pei already knew what he had done and was now watching him like a mad dog, likely having reported it to the Emperor… If his superior grew angry, no one could protect him.
Chizhan Lan Ce, who had been lazily reclining on the chaise longue, opened his eyes. In the flickering candlelight, his complexion appeared even paler, accentuated by his white robes, elegant as an immortal. He reached out to stir the chestnuts roasting over the brazier and remarked in surprise:
"So your operation leaked, and the Ye family found out?"
"Your Highness didn’t reveal the news?" Lu Qian asked, astonished.
Lan Ce plucked a fragrant chestnut, picked it up, peeled it, and ate one. As he reached for a second, a maid beside him intercepted his hand, chiding gently, "Your Highness, too many chestnuts will cause indigestion."
Lan Ce smiled, tossed the chestnut shell into the brazier, and refrained from touching more.
He turned to Lu Qian and spoke calmly, "Why would I reveal the news to the Ye family? Ye Pei went to great lengths to save that person. I’d sooner kill him than help him."
Lu Qian also found it strange.
Chizhan Lan Ce had no reason to leak the information. If he had wanted to save someone, he wouldn’t have assisted in the first place. With only the three of them aware of the news, who could have leaked it?
"It's truly bizarre, how did the Ye family find out?" Lu Qian couldn't figure it out.
Lan Ce leaned back against the soft couch, his dark hair cascading loosely, a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he murmured, "Indeed, those who know the news wouldn't speak of it, yet the Ye family is fully aware… it's downright strange."
He extended an invitation to Lu Qian: "Would you care for some chestnuts, Commander?"
How could Lu Qian have any appetite?
He shook his head, about to decline, when the Northern Yan Crown Prince spoke again: "Lord Lu, there's no need to worry. Since I am cooperating with you, I will naturally ensure your safety."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qian was immediately overjoyed.
The affairs of Northern Yan were of great importance, and peace talks were the key. With Chizhan Lan Ce's assurance, he could survive.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Lu Qian's mood instantly brightened, and he flashed an ingratiating smile, reaching out to take a chestnut, only to be scalded and withdraw his hand with a hiss.
Seeing this, Lan Ce laughed, his eyes crinkling upward.
Lu Qian glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. This Northern Yan Crown Prince reclined lazily against the couch, the plain-colored brocade quilt draped over his knees making him look like a painting. A man, yet more beautiful than a woman…
Lu Qian inwardly grumbled a few words but outwardly bowed respectfully: "Thank you, Your Highness. I shall take my leave now. I apologize for the disturbance."
Lan Ce waved a hand dismissively.
After Lu Qian left, he slowly sat up, the smile on his face gradually fading as he murmured softly, "So, who exactly leaked the news, without even my noticing?"
The one who had "leaked the news," Ye Xiren, had just lain down.
Xue Chan tucked her in, blew out the candle, and quietly left. The room fell into utter silence. Moments later, Ye Xiren abruptly sat up and asked, "What time is it?"
Xue Chan came in, relit the candle, and replied softly, "It's the second day of the third month, Xu hour."
"Has anything happened?" Ye Xiren asked again.
Though puzzled, Xue Chan shook her head. "No."
"Oh." Ye Xiren sighed in relief and lay back down.
Xue Chan blew out the candle and went back to sleep. The room fell silent once more, with faint sounds of insects and birds chirping outside. It was the third month, a time of renewal for all things.
Ye Xiren abruptly sat up again. "What time is it?"
Xue Chan lit the candle and carefully entered again, answering once more: "The second day of the third month, Hai hour."
"Has anything happened?"
"No."
"Oh."
Ye Xiren lay back down. Xue Chan blew out the candle, feeling quite concerned. What was wrong with the young lady? She had taken the Calming Decoction, yet still couldn't sleep well. Tomorrow, she would have to inform the mistress and have a physician come to check on her…
Not long after, Ye Xiren sat up yet again.
Xue Chan: "Zi hour, the third day of the third month."
After a pause, she added, "Nothing has happened. Please rest easy, young lady."
Hearing this, Ye Xiren let out a long sigh of relief, a smile gracing her features.
The third day of the third month!
She had survived the first and second days of the third month and successfully reached the third. The calamity must have passed, right? May the Bodhisattva bless her—she couldn't bear it any longer…
She relaxed and lay back down. "Xue Chan, you can go back to sleep. Just have Xue Juan keep watch. You haven't slept well in a long time either…" As she spoke, her voice gradually faded, and she succumbed to deep sleep, unable to stay awake any longer.
Xue Chan didn't leave. The young lady had been sleeping restlessly these past few days, and she would only feel at ease keeping watch herself.
The third day of the third month.
Ye Changming was still asleep, but the clamor outside—jingling and clattering—was unbearably loud. He tossed and turned under the covers, kicking them about, yet still couldn't fall back asleep.
"What's going on so early in the morning?" Ye Changming sat up angrily, demanding loudly.
Pang Jin jolted awake, yawning as he replied:
"Second Miss is organizing a thorough inspection of the entire residence. She's been at it since before dawn. The residence has issued an order today—all gates are to be closed and sealed, no one is allowed in or out. Even when the master went to court this morning, he had to be searched by the young lady before she let him leave."
The Ye Residence was on lockdown today.
"Is she insane?" Ye Changming scratched his head, asking in disbelief, "Didn't Father, Mother, or Grandmother try to stop her?"
Pang Jin remained silent.
Ye Changming: "…"
Understood.
The whole family indulged Ye Xiren. And with yesterday's incident, no one would stop her no matter how much she stirred things up.
Unable to sleep, Ye Changming stumbled outside with bleary eyes, one arm hanging limply and a limp in his leg. Outside, everyone in the Ye Residence was in motion, bustling about in haste.
"That's right, all doors must be tightly shut—no one in or out. Li Wu, check even the dog holes and block them all. Absolutely no openings should be left."
"Nanny Zhou, how's the warehouse inspection going? Report any unusual items to me immediately. Remember, it's better to be overly cautious than to miss something."
"Nanny Wang, you check the kitchen. Even dig out the insides of the stoves to make sure nothing is hidden."
…
She was issuing orders one after another, bustling with activity.
Ye Changming scratched his head: "Ye Xiren, what are you doing? What's all this fuss about?"
Seeing him emerge, Ye Xiren immediately remembered he was a "dangerous element" and promptly ordered:
"The young master is up. Xue Chan, Xue Juan, you two go with Pang Jin and Shou Yin to inspect the young master's room. Remember, check the warehouse, study, bedding… leave no stone unturned!"
Already guessing what he was about to say—nothing good could come from his mouth—Ye Xiren slapped him on the shoulder and scolded, "Dare to utter that word and see what happens!"
Ye Changming: "…" He instinctively shut his mouth.
Fine.
He couldn't afford to provoke Second Miss.
Ye Xiren continued her exhaustive inspection, digging through every corner. Once wasn't enough—she insisted on two or three rounds. Fearing others in the residence might be threatened, she had them alternate inspections, not even sparing the servants' quarters, observing everyone's expressions closely.
"Are you frightened by what happened yesterday?" Ye Changming leaned in, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Father already knows who the culprit is. Nothing else will happen."
That was far from certain!
Having been attacked four times already, Ye Xiren couldn't let her guard down completely.
"We still have to be cautious. Today, no one leaves the residence, no one makes contact with outsiders. We'll inspect every nook and cranny inside and out. I refuse to believe anything could still go wrong like this!" Ye Xiren gritted her teeth.
As if struck by a thought, she immediately raised her voice:
"Oh, and don't overlook the stables or the doghouse—inspect each one carefully. Have someone use poles to check the trees too, in case there's anything that shouldn't be there."
Ye Changming: "…"
From morning until evening, even the water drawn from the well had to be examined by Ye Xiren before she could rest easy.
Ye Changming was left speechless.
Unable to take the Spring Examination and with nothing to do while recuperating, he simply followed Ye Xiren around. Of course, it was also because Second Miss was exceptionally stern today, forbidding him from leaving her sight—as if he were some kind of threat?
Watching her inspect everything inside and out, over and over again, even the observers grew weary, let alone those doing the inspecting…
"That's enough." Ye Changming sat on the veranda, watching Ye Xiren bustling in and out. "You've already searched three times. Little White in the front yard, Little Black in the back, and Little Yellow in the rear courtyard—all have been inspected. There are no stragglers. Nothing will go wrong."
Little White was a horse, Little Black a donkey, and Little Yellow a dog.
"It's time for shift change. Second team rests, third team rechecks, first team continues guarding. Keep a close eye on every corner of the Ye household. Don't miss a single spot," Ye Xiren was still giving orders.
Suddenly, as if spotting something, her pupils contracted:
"Quick, over there!"
Ye Changming jolted upright in alarm—had she really found something unusual?!
Ye Xiren pointed urgently beside the courtyard wall: "A bird just flew in over there. Catch it immediately and inspect it thoroughly. Only release it after confirming it's safe. Don't let it stay in the Ye household!"
Ye Changming: "…"
He lay back down, squinting, his handsome face filled with exasperation. "So just how far are you planning to take this lockdown?"
Hearing this, Ye Xiren turned her head and smiled faintly: "Today, anything that enters the Ye household—even a fly—I will keep under close watch!"
She refused to believe it.
How could anything still go wrong like this!
Author's note:
Ye Changming: The second young lady has gone mad!!
Ye Xiren smiled faintly: Yes, I have gone mad.