Chapter 0260: Guts Full of Shit, That Works Too, You’re Quite Thorough

The suspicious glint in Wuji’s eyes didn’t fade as he sheathed his longsword, remarking sarcastically to Wuhen beside him, “I truly don’t understand what these palace folks have in their guts. His Highness clearly went to the inner court for morning audience early and never returned, yet they claim he’s resting in his bedchamber, even attempting to lure us into perishing in the great fire.”

Wuhen, holding his broadsword, replied impassively, “It’s shit. I’ve dissected them before—all shit inside.Shen Yuan’s expression shifted subtly as he forcibly steered the conversation back on track. “The Prince Regent has likely been imprisoned by the Crown Prince. Searching alone is too slow—I need your assistance.”

Upon hearing this, Wuhen and Wuji exchanged glances.

They immediately began murmuring to each other:

“So it’s come to this after all.”

“I always said the Crown Prince was a madman who’d snap sooner or later.”

“We should’ve just killed the Emperor and Crown Prince outright back then, letting His Highness ascend the throne.”

“Not enough. In for a penny, in for a pound—should’ve eliminated the Empress and Cao family too.”

“Why not just slaughter the entire Crown Prince faction while you’re at it?”

“That works too. You’re quite thorough.”

Shen Yuan: “…Enough!”

“This isn’t the time for such discussions. Could we focus on locating the Prince Regent before plotting murders?” Shen Yuan was genuinely anxious, fearing what irreversible actions Xie Jinyu might take against Xie Chengze.

He dreaded even more that someone might exploit the situation using Soul Incense, potentially resurrecting the former Second Prince.

Wuhen and Wuji locked eyes again.

“Any ideas?”

“Since he dared conceal His Highness, he must have hidden him somewhere we can’t access.”

“The inner palace.”

“Be specific.”

“Can’t be specific—we’re not allowed in.”

Wuji couldn’t help muttering: “Useless.”

Wuhen retorted flatly: “You’re useless too. Made two trips delivering messages to the inner palace without even memorizing the layout.”

Wuji choked momentarily: “…”

Shen Yuan rubbed his temples. “Forget it. Just disguise yourselves and come with me to search the inner palace directly.”

With Wuhen and Wuji present, even if he was severely injured and temporarily unable to fight, they should still be able to extract Xie Chengze.

Wuhen and Wuji ducked into Cheng Huan Palace, emerging later dressed in imperial guards’ uniforms.

Night fell.

Likely because Xie Jinyu had discovered Shen Yuan’s departure from the imperial hospital and feared he might find Xie Chengze, palace patrols had multiplied several times over.

Splitting up to search, Shen Yuan located his covert contact in the rear palace, connecting with Princess Zhaohua Xie Shu.

Princess Anhe Xie Ping’an arrived alongside her. Two small heads cautiously peered over the rear wall before vaulting down upon seeing Shen Yuan. “Minister Shen, what brings you to seek us so late at night?”

“His Highness the Prince Regent has disappeared secretly, likely concealed somewhere in the inner palace. I wished to ask if you know of any underground chambers that might hide someone?”

Xie Ping’an and Xie Shu exchanged uncertain glances.

They certainly knew about the secret rooms in the inner palace—but such information could be shared with their second brother, not outsiders.

After all, Shen Yuan was an external official, not royalty.

Seeing their hesitation, Shen Yuan understandingly said, “Never mind. I only hope both Highnesses could assist in searching for His Highness the Prince Regent.”

“I wish to confirm the Prince Regent’s safety, and would like to request both princesses to deliver this letter to His Highness the Prince Regent.”

After speaking, he took a letter from his bosom and handed it to Xie Ping An.

Xie Ping An reached out to accept it, nodding, “Very well, I shall go find Second Brother.”

Shen Yuan bowed in salute before hurriedly taking his leave.

Xie Shu stared at the letter in Xie Ping An’s hand, her eyes appearing somewhat restless. “Shall we take a look?”

“Is that appropriate?” Xie Ping An hesitated.

“Who knows if his words are true or false? This is for Second Brother’s sake!” Xie Shu snatched the letter. The envelope wasn’t sealed, clearly indicating it wasn’t meant to be hidden from their inspection. After reading it, Xie Shu’s expression turned peculiar.

“What is it?” Xie Ping An ultimately couldn’t resist her curiosity and leaned over to glance at it.

Then, “…”

“I hope I’m not misunderstanding this?”

Xie Shu trembled, feeling as if she had stumbled upon some incredible secret.

Xie Ping An also began to tremble. “Th-this… it can’t be. Second Brother and Crown Prince are biological brothers…”

Xie Shu opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Actually, she knew Second Brother and Third Brother weren’t blood-related. She had accidentally learned this from her mother, who had been deeply secretive about the matter. After that slip of the tongue, her mother had repeatedly and sternly warned her not to tell anyone.

So Xie Shu didn’t dare tell Xie Ping An.

Oh no, she and Second Sister now shared a little secret between them!

“Anyway, let’s find Second Brother first!” Xie Shu quickly changed the subject, afraid Xie Ping An might notice something amiss.

Xie Ping An nodded.

The two returned to change into night clothes, then skillfully opened a secret passage door in the palace’s side chamber.

Walking through the dark, narrow secret passage, the flickering candlelight in their hands cast their black shadows on the earthen walls like monstrous figures running wildly.

Xie Ping An suddenly spoke.

“Who do you think is better – Shen Shilang or the Crown Prince?”

Hearing this, Xie Shu paused in her steps. She clearly understood that Xie Ping An wasn’t simply asking about whose personality was better.

As a devoted enthusiast of romance storybooks, she was definitely asking which man was more suitable for Second Brother.

But with her guilty conscience, fearing Xie Ping An might detect something unusual, Xie Shu put on an exasperated expression. “What are you thinking? Of course it’s Shen Shilang! The Crown Prince is Second Brother’s biological brother!”

Xie Ping An muttered under her breath, “Who knows?”

The sharp-eared Xie Shu: ?

Xie Shu glanced suspiciously at Xie Ping An, but found her looking away, walking ahead with a serious expression as if those words had just been an illusion.

Xie Shu felt something wasn’t quite right.

But she couldn’t figure out what at the moment.

Never mind, finding Second Brother was more important.

Xie Shu quickly put the matter out of her mind.

Seeing that Xie Shu didn’t press further, Xie Ping An secretly breathed a sigh of relief, the tightly clenched fist in her sleeve relaxing.

Actually… she knew Second Brother wasn’t of royal blood.

When she was young and wanted to play with Second Brother, her mother’s maid had accidentally let it slip while trying to stop her. Later that maid disappeared, and her mother had sternly warned her to forget about it and never tell anyone, lest it bring fatal consequences.

Being young and forgetful at the time, she hadn’t paid it much mind. But as she grew older, she gradually came to understand.

So the Emperor had not only taken another man’s wife, but also stolen his son. How shameless.

Concerning the dignity of the imperial family, Xie Ping An naturally could not disclose it to anyone—not even Xie Shu—lest it bring fatal disaster upon her.

Therefore…

Sob… my dear sister, it’s not that your elder sister is keeping secrets from you, but that she must conceal this for the sake of your life!