Chapter 0125: One Servant Serving Two Masters? Aren’t I Serving You?

“The official proclamation stated that Consort Hua passed away from illness, but I secretly checked the imperial hospital’s medical records and found no mention of her condition. Even the medications prescribed were merely sedatives.”

Shen Yuan looked at Xie Chengze. “Do you know anything about this?”

Xie Chengze shook his head. “I haven’t inherited the Second Prince’s memories, so I don’t know.”

Shen Yuan nodded. It seemed he would have to search for clues elsewhere.

“You suspect she didn’t die of illness?” For some reason, when Consort Hua’s illness was mentioned, Xie Chengze suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. An indescribable emotion surged within him, causing his mood to plummet.

“I’ve gathered some information. Although the palace remains tight-lipped about Consort Hua’s affairs, some loose tongues revealed that she fell ill due to melancholy and ultimately died from depression.”

Illness from melancholy? Depression?

But Consort Hua had always been open-minded and broad-hearted—what could have made her depressed?

Shen Yuan pondered, “I remember meeting the Second Prince when we were young. He wasn’t harsh or sinister then and had good relationships with Consort Hua and the other princes. But later, I learned that the Second Prince and Consort Hua had become estranged, and the palace avoided discussing it deeply. Neither the consorts nor the princes were willing to say much.”

This bit of information was something he had painstakingly extracted from Rou Fei in his previous life.

Combining his experiences in this life, Shen Yuan even speculated whether the Second Prince had been switched in childhood—whether Xie Chengze was the true Second Prince, and that other Second Prince was merely a lookalike substitute.

After all, compared to the Second Prince, the Xie Chengze before him seemed more like the “Second Prince” he had played with in childhood, who had left a deep impression on him.

But clearly, that wasn’t the case. There was only one body with this appearance, so he had just ruled out that possibility.

“You think Consort Hua’s death is related to the Second Prince?” Xie Chengze rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Could she have been angered to death by a rebellious teenage Second Prince? But if that were true, why would she leave Wuhen Wuji to him?”

Or is maternal love inherently complex?

Like his own mother—though she couldn’t return to the country to be with him, he knew she loved him.

It’s just that, compared to loving him, his mother had other matters she deemed more important.

So, could it be that Consort Hua regretted entering the palace as a consort? Did she miss her former life in the martial world, the freedom she once had, and see the Second Prince as chains binding her wings?

Xie Chengze’s head ached from thinking. He lay back, collapsing onto the heated kang, deciding to stop pondering. Instead, he asked, “Why are you suddenly investigating Consort Hua?”

Shen Yuan choked on his words.

Seeing Shen Yuan remain silent, Xie Chengze looked at him quizzically. “Why aren’t you speaking?”

Shen Yuan didn’t know where to begin. Should he start with the Crown Prince’s forbidden feelings? Or with the Crown Prince’s statement, “He resented me for ten years, or perhaps never resented me at all”?

He felt he shouldn’t speak of it, but if he didn’t, he feared Xie Chengze would remain unprepared and fall into the Crown Prince’s trap.

“I haven’t figured it out yet. Just stay away from the Crown Prince,” Shen Yuan could only say this.

Xie Chengze had a conditioned reflex upon hearing “Crown Prince.” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Lord Shen, you’re acting very strangely.”

“Could it be that you’re afraid the Crown Prince will find out you’re serving two masters?” Xie Chengze remarked with sarcastic insinuation.

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Shen Yuan pulled the quilt over Xie Chengze’s face, covering his eyes to conceal his own slightly flushed ears. “I never said I serve the Crown Prince.”

Xie Chengze immediately perked up: Huh?

His heart suddenly raced. “Then who do you serve?”

“Isn’t it someone who’s always using me as a shield?” Shen Yuan pressed down on the quilt corner, refusing to let the young man free himself to see his face.

It must be the heated brick bed making it so warm—that’s why his cheeks felt burning hot, the heat lingering stubbornly.

“Ahem, ahem—” Xie Chengze coughed guiltily, his own ears beginning to redden. “Why serve him? He has no intention of becoming emperor. Following him won’t get you anywhere.”

“What Shen seeks has never been about prospects.” The man shook his head, a trace of tenderness shimmering in his eyes. “It’s about ensuring everyone has a roof over their head, farmers have land to till, and the people live in peace and prosperity.”

Xie Chengze’s bright eyes peeked out from under the quilt edge as he murmured softly, “What a coincidence—that’s what I want too.”

This was exactly why he had chosen to trust Shen Yuan. This man was upright and loyal, unswayed by power, seeking nothing more than peace and prosperity for all.

“So how do you plan to negotiate the surrender?” he said cheerfully. “This prince is quite generous—I’ll cooperate with you.”

“Then I thank Your Highness.” Shen Yuan performed an exaggerated bow. “The servant Da Dangjia mentioned must be Wuji, right? Have him casually show himself before Da Dangjia tomorrow. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Alright.” Xie Chengze nodded, but soon frowned as if remembering something.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing his expression, Shen Yuan sensed his concern. “Are you worried about Pingcheng?”

“Yeah.” Xie Chengze made a pained face. “Relocating so many civilians requires money.”

But his useless father was so poor—he had to find ways to earn money himself.

Far away in Jingcheng, Emperor Jian sneezed, wondering how Xiao Ze’er was progressing and whether he had found Shen Yuan yet.

“Don’t worry.” Shen Yuan teased, “We just need to confiscate a few families’ properties—that’ll cover it.”

Xie Chengze immediately glared at Shen Yuan. This damned bastard actually using his own words to mock him?

“Confiscation only treats the symptoms, not the root cause! We need to help Liaozhou’s people establish sustainable livelihoods like those in Yi Province!”

Actually, he already had a plan, but it required some people’s cooperation.

Thinking of this, a cunning smile unconsciously spread across Xie Chengze’s face.

If such a smile appeared on the Second Prince’s face, Shen Yuan would only feel disgusted. But on Xie Chengze’s face, he found it utterly fascinating.

The young man always had clever schemes that made people instinctively want to approach and follow him, curious to discover what else he was capable of.

“No need to rush tonight. It’s late—Your Highness should rest early.” Shen Yuan tucked the quilt around the young man, his tone both teasing and sincere. “If you need anything from your servant, just ask. You can even work me like an old ox.”

He stood up and walked toward the window he came from. Just before climbing out, he slowly added, “And… I’m truly grateful that the Second Prince came to rescue me.”

Xie Chengze’s eyes widened slightly as he immediately turned toward the window, but the man had already vanished without a trace. All that remained was the sound of stumbling footsteps outside, as if someone had slipped on the snow in their haste to flee the scene.

He couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, the corners of his lips curling upward even further. His eyes seemed to hold all the stars in the sky, shining as brightly as the night after a snowfall.

He murmured softly, “What a coincidence. So am I.”