There was a timed bomb beneath the car.
Another one hundred and eighty pounds of explosives had been planted near Xinmao Department Store.
Yan Changye wanted to see for himself whether, after only just returning to the city, someone truly dared make a move against him in broad daylight.
His adjutant accepted the order and hurried away.
A short while later, Zhao Yuan came running back personally, his face grave.
“Young Marshal…”
“We found two bundles of timed explosives beneath the car.”
Ever since the previous night, Yan Changye had instructed Zhao Yuan to thoroughly inspect both the vehicles and every route they would travel that morning.
Zhao Yuan had taken the order seriously and stationed men to keep watch from daybreak.
When another adjutant had just relayed the Young Marshal’s instruction to inspect the underside of the car once more, Zhao Yuan had thought it unnecessary.
Still, because Yan Changye had only recently returned to Ancheng, he personally carried out the inspection.
To his shock…
He actually found two bundles of explosives.
The timer showed only half an hour remaining.
Had the Young Marshal climbed into that car…
Today’s outcome would almost certainly have been fatal.
Cold sweat drenched Zhao Yuan’s back.
“There must be an insider.”
The automobile had remained parked inside the Yan Residence.
It had already been inspected earlier that morning.
For explosives to have been attached afterward…
Someone from inside the residence had to be responsible.
What Zhao Yuan couldn’t understand was…
How had the Young Marshal learned about it beforehand?
Fortunately, he’d discovered it early.
Otherwise, the trip to the Marshal’s Mansion for the tea ceremony would have ended in disaster.
Yan Changye’s jaw tightened.
“Investigate thoroughly.”
“When you find the culprit…”
“I’ll interrogate him personally.”
He intended to find out whether Yan Changzhuo was behind this one as well.
Meanwhile, Liu Xiyin had changed into another traditional outfit.
She wore a silver-red cross-collared jacket embroidered with plum blossoms, paired with a pale gold horse-face skirt decorated with floral vines.
Soft fur trimmed both the jacket and the hem of the skirt.
Her light crimson embroidered shoes were adorned with tiny pearls.
Two delicate teardrop-shaped jade earrings dangled from her ears.
Her lips were lightly painted red, giving her a lively, youthful appearance.
[The Ninth Concubine has a mature, voluptuous beauty. That’s exactly Yan Changye’s type. If I deliberately dress in the complete opposite style, I’ll definitely avoid becoming his type.]
In an excellent mood, Liu Xiyin slipped a gold bracelet onto her wrist.
[I’m just a skinny, frail, frivolous little weakling. Someone like me would never deserve the attention of a cold, ruthless great villain.]
[Hmm… Later, when I fall flat on my face, I’d better not damage my earrings.]
Hearing her thoughts, Yan Changye turned around.
A brilliant figure emerged through the swirling snowfall.
Because she was worried about damaging her earrings during her planned fall, Liu Xiyin gently touched the tiny jade drops.
Her sleeve slipped back, revealing a slender white wrist adorned with the delicate gold bracelet.
She looked like a ray of golden sunlight piercing through the icy winter.
That ray of sunshine, however…
Was entirely focused on figuring out how to make falling flat on her face look more convincing.
[I need to inspect beneath the car carefully. But I can’t get up too quickly afterward. Yan Changye probably won’t help me up, right? If he doesn’t, I can roll around on the ground while I’m at it.]
[Luckily, the snow’s thick enough. My clothes won’t get dirty. If only I could invent a washing machine.]
“…”
Liu Xiyin looked up and saw Yan Changye standing inside the doorway.
His expression remained cold and stern.
Black military boots.
Long, straight legs.
A gray-blue military uniform beneath a burgundy velvet cloak—the colors reserved for senior officers.
He looked dignified and extraordinarily noble.
[Wow… If only the Ninth Concubine were here too. She’d look amazing in a dark red qipao, all elegant curves, standing beside this cold, aristocratic villain… Then I could quietly slip away without anyone noticing.]
Seeing Yan Changye frown at her, Liu Xiyin secretly became even happier.
[See? I knew I wasn’t his type.]
Pleased with herself, she hurried over while deliberately putting on a timid expression.
“I’m sorry, Young Marshal.”
“I wasn’t sure how to match the clothes.”
“I’ve kept you waiting.”
“Mhm.”
Yan Changye withdrew his gaze.
“Let’s go.”
“Alright.”
Yan Changye strode over the threshold.
Liu Xiyin gathered up her skirt and followed in quick little steps.
As they approached the car…
Her foot suddenly slipped.
“Ah…?”
Just as she’d carefully calculated the distance, the angle, and the perfect dramatic fall—
A large hand caught her arm and pulled her upright.
A handsome face suddenly filled her vision.
The scream she’d prepared lodged itself in her throat.
[I’m doomed! He caught me!]
[Why did you catch me?! If you hold me up, how am I supposed to inspect underneath the car? You’ve got villain plot armor—you won’t die! I’m only cannon fodder!]
[No… I’ll have to fall again.]
[If he catches me again, I’ll drag him down with me. Where are my silver needles?]
The moment that thought crossed her mind—
Yan Changye suddenly turned around and barked,
“Who cleared the snow?”
A servant immediately threw himself to the ground.
“Mercy, Young Marshal! Mercy!”
The servant trembled violently.
An adjutant beside him kicked him hard in the chest.
“You insolent fool!”
“The Young Madam has only just entered the household, and you already dare neglect your duties!”
“If she had been injured, ten lives wouldn’t have been enough to compensate!”
The kick was so powerful that the servant rolled several times across the ground.
Just as he struggled back to his feet—
His eyes suddenly locked onto something beneath the automobile.
“There are explosives!”
?
Liu Xiyin froze.
“Young Marshal! Young Madam! Be careful!”
Chaos instantly erupted outside the Yan Residence.
Before Liu Xiyin even understood what was happening, Yan Changye had grabbed her hand, taken several quick strides back inside, and pressed her firmly against the wall.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted outside the front gate.
The wall behind Liu Xiyin trembled violently.
Dust rained down from above.
Fortunately, Yan Changye’s cloak shielded her from the falling debris.
[Wasn’t the explosion supposed to happen on Heping South Street? Why did it happen outside the Yan Residence instead? Nobody even lit the fuse!]
[Could it be because I spent too long changing clothes and delayed the timing?]
Her head filled with confusion.
Standing nearly a head taller than her, Yan Changye completely shielded her with his broad shoulders.
His own expression was equally complicated.
Zhao Yuan had already found the explosives beneath the vehicle.
Yan Changye had deliberately ordered that they not be removed.
Since someone had planted them…
Someone needed to suffer the consequences.
So those two bundles had to explode.
If explosives were also found on Heping South Street…
They would likewise be brought out into public view.
The entire scene outside the residence had been arranged for one purpose—
To show it to his little bride.
He wanted to prevent her from deliberately throwing herself to the ground or becoming suspicious about how he’d learned of the explosives.
But…
Everything she’d predicted had proven true.
Which meant…
She truly might have come from the future.
And in her eyes…
This entire world was merely a novel.
So…
He was the villain?
The ringing in everyone’s ears gradually faded after the explosion.
An adjutant, covered head to toe in dust, rushed inside.
“Young Marshal!”
“Explosives had been attached beneath the vehicle.”
“Fortunately, the Young Madam’s little stumble delayed everyone just enough.”
“Thanks to that, no one was injured.”
Liu Xiyin blinked.
Something about this feels… strange.
When the shaking finally subsided, Yan Changye looked down at her.
“Is Young Madam alright?”
Even stranger…
Frowning, Liu Xiyin placed one hand against Yan Changye’s chest, preventing him from leaning any closer.
Still…
She had to keep acting.
“Young Marshal…”
“I was so frightened.”
Sob, sob…
It really exploded.
I’m just an innocent country girl who’s never seen anything like this.
I’m really not a spy.
Yan Changye glanced at the pale, delicate hand resting against his chest, then at the tearful expression on her face.
He turned to his adjutant.
“Screen every person in the residence.”
“Find the culprit at all costs.”
“Also… contact the Security Bureau.”
“Order them to inspect every road between the Yan Residence and the Marshal’s Mansion.”
“Yes, sir.”