Chapter 77: To Conceal or Not to Conceal
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Du Zi Heng lifted the moon-white hem of his robe and sat beside Yu Zhi Yi with a smile. “It’s alright,” he said. “Although you’ve figured it out, I can still fill you in on a few small details.”
Without waiting for her response, he continued lightly, “Do you remember the assassin who was flung away by your protective barrier that night? He’s Cang Shan, a notorious assassin leader in the martial world. He commands a group of killers, but the attack tonight wasn’t carried out with his usual band. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been so few injuries that night.”
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow. “That assassin?”
Seeing her interest piqued, Du Zi Heng elaborated on Cang Shan, though Yu Zhi Yi’s mind began to wander elsewhere.
In her previous life, Cang Shan had escaped.
But in this life, his injuries had led to his capture, and he had revealed the mastermind behind the plot.
Prince Loyal?
The name alone made her skeptical. Prince Loyal had earned his title for being honest, unassuming, and timid.
The former emperor had few offspring, and the number of princes was easily counted on one hand. Thus, each was a potential contender for the throne—except for Prince Carefree, the emperor’s younger brother by over a decade. When the emperor ascended, Prince Carefree was still a child, stripping him of any competitive edge.
As for Prince Loyal…
During the emperor’s rise, Prince Loyal’s reluctance to vie for power allowed him to stay in the capital, where he was rewarded with wealth and influence. Even after earning the emperor’s trust, Prince Loyal remained cautious and humble.
Yu Zhi Yi had even seen him last night at the banquet. This Prince Loyal couldn’t possibly be the mastermind.
This was a serious matter…
While Yu Zhi Yi weighed whether to get involved, Eunuch Hu appeared again, delivering an imperial edict for her to report to work ahead of schedule.
Yu Zhi Yi sighed. “…”
What happened to her promised month of rest?
Du Zi Heng frowned. “Eunuch Hu, Zhi Yi’s health hasn’t fully recovered—”
Eunuch Hu chuckled politely, his tone unusually deferential, startling the onlookers.
The young men, who considered him a surrogate father, exchanged surprised glances. They knew Eunuch Hu’s status in court rivaled that of the chancellor. Though courteous, he usually maintained a lofty demeanor while delivering orders.
Today, however, he was remarkably accommodating.
If Eunuch Hu could read their thoughts, he would have scolded them for their ignorance.
Young Madam Du was no ordinary person.
She was practically an immortal!
The talisman she had gifted him had eased his back pain and cleared his eyesight in mere days. Even after standing before the emperor all day, he didn’t feel the slightest fatigue.
This was divine craftsmanship!
Eunuch Hu smiled and explained, “His Majesty is aware of Young Madam Du’s condition, but this case has troubled him for too long. It’s of great importance, so…”
Turning to Yu Zhi Yi, he implored, “Young Madam Du, may I trouble you to make the trip? Don’t worry; a carriage is ready for you, so you won’t have to exert yourself. Your workspace has been stocked with fruits, pastries, and even imperial meals for lunch…”
“Enough, enough! I’ll go,” Yu Zhi Yi interrupted, stifled by the grand promises.
Imperial meals? What was so special about them?
According to Red Luan, they were glorified ready-made dishes—prepared in advance and reheated just before serving. While the ingredients were exquisite, the taste often fell short compared to food prepared fresh by ordinary chefs outside the palace.
“I’ll accompany you,” Du Zi Heng said firmly.
Yu Zhi Yi frowned. “That’s unnecessary.”
But Du Zi Heng was resolute. “Your injuries haven’t fully healed. If Mother and Father find out, they’ll insist on going with you. If you refuse me, I’ll have to inform Mother.”
Yu Zhi Yi was speechless.
He was a grown man, yet he was threatening to tattle like a child?
She didn’t want Madam Du dragged into this ordeal. Aside from sparing her the hassle, Madam Du wasn’t suited to endure the stress of such royal intrigues.
If Du Zi Heng was eager to test his mettle, so be it.
She relented.
Eunuch Hu beamed. “Young Madam Du and Young Master Du have such a harmonious relationship.”
Du Zi Heng’s expression remained composed, devoid of joy or embarrassment, and he didn’t refute the remark.
Yu Zhi Yi, on the other hand, was perplexed.
Realizing his flattery had backfired, Eunuch Hu quickly changed the subject. “The emperor is considerate of Young Madam Du. Do you need to bring anything else? You might be there for a while. You’re welcome to bring a maid.”
“Thank you for the emperor’s thoughtfulness,” Yu Zhi Yi said, declining to bring Zi Yuan for the same reasons she hadn’t wanted Madam Du involved.
Zi Yuan, however, had other ideas. “Please wait, Eunuch Hu. I’ll prepare at once.”
Moments later, Zi Yuan emerged with a bag of Yu Zhi Yi’s essentials—spare clothes, favorite snacks, and medicinal kits.
As for Du Zi Heng’s belongings…
He could manage them himself.
The group departed from the Chancellor’s Mansion, their carriage rolling toward an opulent estate.
Eunuch Hu rode separately in a grand sedan chair. Before boarding, he whispered a few words to Yu Zhi Yi.
When they arrived, the carriage stopped in an alley across from the estate. Eunuch Hu stepped out and declared loudly at the gate, “By imperial decree! All of Prince Shun’s household is to assemble and receive the edict!”
Du Zi Heng gazed at the estate’s glittering plaque, his face tense. “Being entangled in such secrets is never a good thing.”
Prince Shun was one of the rare non-imperial princes of the Great Sheng Empire, once the emperor’s closest childhood friend.
Since the emperor’s ascension, Prince Shun had faded from public view—absent from court and social gatherings, shrouded in mystery.
Some claimed illness kept him secluded. Others whispered he had fallen out of favor and dared not show his face. There were even conspiracy theories suggesting the emperor, wary of his power, had turned on his former friend after consolidating the throne.
Whatever the truth, today’s developments showed the emperor’s suspicion of Prince Shun.
Du Zi Heng’s brow furrowed. “Should you… conceal your abilities?”