But what could that prove?
The Emperor was the Empress Dowager’s own son. The Empress Dowager doted on him, how could mother and son not sense his strangeness? So one could only say that as people grow up, they change. The late Emperor had misjudged him.
Shangguan Lin said no more. Such a shocking matter, if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he feared no one would dare believe it. The new Emperor ascended the throne, and for a moment he had been stunned, but in the end, he accepted him, almost never doubting him.
Even if he no longer possessed his former unparalleled grace, his former concern for him, the natural harmony between them, or the deep bond of brotherhood.
But he believed that his imperial brother had become Emperor, ruling the world with might, how could he be the same as before? He never dreamed it was due to a case of stolen heavens and substituted sun.
“Alright, I still have things to do. I’m leaving.”
Shangguan Lin rose. Sima Qingyun immediately rose respectfully, cupped his fist, and said, “I bid farewell to Your Highness.”
Sima Qingyun thought of the Prince’s words just now, still trembling, and quickly followed a couple of steps, saying softly, “Your Highness, please think twice before you speak in the future.”
Shangguan Lin said nothing and walked lightly out of the study. Sima Qingyun stood dumbfounded for a long time before remembering and calling loudly to the outside, “Butler, escort His Highness.”
The entire Yan Capital was permeated with silent smoke and fire. From the brilliant morning glow to the twilight of the setting sun, a day passed in a blink. The large-scale searches by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of War found no clues. On the contrary, they only caused widespread panic.
As the last ray of twilight slid down from the treetops, shadows enveloped the entire sky, and the long night began. It should have been the scorching heat of midsummer.
Even if there was wind, it should have been hot and stuffy, but apart from mosquitoes flying in swarms and stink bugs dreaming in corners, the long night was so cold.
The clear moonlight, wrapped in fine gauze, sprinkled on the road. The cicadas cried out, their calls growing louder and louder, not only irritating but also subtly eerie. The streets were deathly quiet, unlike the usual liveliness and prosperity. Many shops had closed their doors and barred their windows to avoid trouble.
The Opium Poppy Medical Hall was no exception. It closed and bolted its doors as soon as it got dark. The shopkeeper, Yan Mei, the young shop assistant, and a doctor tallied the day’s medicinal herbs, checked what was missing, and then rested on time. Of course, the medical hall had always been like this.
However, tonight was a bit unusual. Not long after closing, there was a forceful knocking at the door. Yan Mei was startled. At this time, she feared unusual noises. She asked softly,
“Who is it?”
“My Prince wishes to see your master.”
The one knocking at the door was Mu Li, Shangguan Lin’s personal attendant. He spoke coldly. Yan Mei heard this.
She knew which Prince it was, of course. She quickly instructed the young shop assistant to open the door and hurried to the back building. She soon reached the ground floor.
Yun Xiao and Wanwan were not asleep. They were eating dinner. Looking up, they saw Yan Mei rush in from outside and were puzzled.
“What’s wrong? Why are you so out of breath?”
Yun Xiao raised her eyebrows slightly. Under the bright light, her clear eyes flickered with two small sparks. Her complexion was soft, as if veiled by a layer of silk. Her face was like a bright pearl amidst swirling clouds and mist, exuding a striking beauty.
Yan Mei sighed slightly in surprise. Why had no one realized that her master was a woman? Every move she made carried a hint of flirtatiousness, a touch of petulance. Even when free-spirited, she was charming.
“Master, Prince Shangguan has come to the medical hall.”
“Hmm, what is he here for?” Yun Xiao continued to eat, but quickened her pace. Shangguan Lin’s arrival must be for a reason. Could it be about last night? Her eyes flickered.
After finishing her meal, she pushed her bowls and chopsticks aside and followed Yan Mei out.
Wanwan, while cleaning up, anxiously said, “Master, wait for me.”
Yun Xiao faintly said, “You don’t need to go. Stay in the small building.”
She didn’t want Wanwan to be discovered by Shangguan Lin, which would only lead to unnecessary trouble. The Yan Capital was now extremely vigilant.
She just didn’t know why Prince Shangguan was coming to the medical hall so late.
Yun Xiao’s footsteps were light, like ripples on water, and in a blink of an eye, she had left Yan Mei behind.
Upon reaching the front hall, she saw Shangguan Lin in the shop, his whole body shrouded in cold air, his face grim. His black pupils were covered with a network of red blood vessels, and his sensual lips were tightly pursed.
It showed he was suffering from consecutive exhaustion and mental distress. Yun Xiao, not understanding the reason, couldn’t help but sigh.
This Prince Shangguan was truly devoted to the Emperor, to have become so worn out.
“May I ask why Your Highness has come to the medical hall?”
Shangguan Lin did not speak. He took a step forward, put his arm around Yun Xiao’s shoulder, turned her body, and pulled her outside. His icy voice rang out,
“Let’s go, accompany me for a drink.”
Yun Xiao was startled and quickly struggled. Why did he want to drink? Did this Prince Shangguan suspect her? She raised her head and saw the dense sorrow in Shangguan Lin’s eyes, like a misty, rainy southern landscape, a small boat gently drifting on a green lake, alone and helpless.
Yun Xiao’s heart gave a jolt, feeling a little uneasy. What was wrong with Shangguan Lin?
It was truly rare to see him like this. Although she had always enjoyed teasing him, through their interactions, she knew Shangguan Lin was not a wicked person.
On the contrary, he was very upright and loyal. He did not bully the common people around him or his colleagues. Unconsciously, she had come to regard him as a friend.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Yun Xiao asked softly. Shangguan Lin laughed, a laugh that was exceptionally harsh and filled with deep pain. He looked at Yun Xiao and said, “Leng Yue, I consider you a brother. As brothers, accompany me for a drink.”
Behind him, Mu Li and Qiao Chu looked on with sadness and a hint of pleading in their eyes, “Young Master Leng, please accompany our Prince for a drink.”
Mu Li’s words did not earn Shangguan Lin’s favor. On the contrary, he turned and glared coldly at Mu Li, saying in a deep voice, “Withdraw.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the two dared not say more, or perhaps they did not want to displease the Prince. He seemed to be in great pain since returning to his residence last night.
And of this, they had no idea what had actually happened. Last night, the Prince had not slept at all. Today, he had been busy all day, and now he wanted to go drinking. They truly feared the Prince would not be able to bear it.
The capital city was now filled with a strange undercurrent. Although the Prince was the Emperor’s younger brother, they did not know when this trend might turn, and by then, the Prince might not be in a good position.
Yun Xiao looked at the situation before her and estimated that Shangguan Lin had encountered some trouble. As his friend, and now his brother as he called her, she naturally could not refuse.
However, she would not go to Yan Zhi Lou to drink. Firstly, that was Murong’s stronghold, and she did not wish to be discovered. Secondly, Mo Ru Yan was infatuated with Murong.