Chapter 0071: Insider or Outsider? Three Men, Three Acts

Upon receiving Su Qinghe’s plea for help, Shen Yuan rushed to Cheng Huan Palace, only to be stopped at the entrance by Zhu Xiaobiao. Just then, he heard Xie Chengze’s furious voice.

In his urgency, Shen Yuan had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure—shouting outside the bedchamber to interrupt Xie Chengze’s order to punish Su Qinghe.

The palace fell silent for a moment. Zhu Xiaobiao, who had gone inside to report, returned and said to Shen Yuan, “Lord Shen, His Highness permits you to enter.”

As soon as Shen Yuan entered the chamber, he saw Su Qinghe kneeling on the ground in a humiliating prostration. His already slender frame appeared even more fragile and delicate in white robes, evoking pity in anyone who saw him.

What mistake could such an elegant and refined person have made to deserve such humiliation?

Noticing Shen Yuan’s arrival, Su Qinghe glanced up slightly. His gentle, amiable moon-like eyes were now filled with visible grievance from the humiliation, causing Shen Yuan to frown unconsciously.

Shen Yuan’s gaze shifted to Xie Chengze on the bed, but his peripheral vision accidentally caught sight of numerous long scrolls hanging deep on the right side of the bed.

The scrolls all depicted portraits of men, accompanied by absurd descriptions of their family backgrounds and physical attributes.

What were these?!

And why was there—

Shen Yuan felt somewhat disoriented. Steadying himself slightly, he decided to address Su Qinghe’s situation first. “Second Prince, may I ask what offense Young Master Su has committed to incur Your Highness’s wrath?”

Xie Chengze: ?

Who said he was angry?

Shen Yuan’s timing was terrible. If he hadn’t interrupted, Xie Chengze might have already “forced” Su Qinghe to become his friend. Though forced connections lack sweetness, they at least quench thirst!

Once they were together, Su Qinghe would surely discover his good qualities!

Muttering inwardly, Xie Chengze asked irritably, “What brings you here, Lord Shen?”

“The assassination case has developed new leads. This humble official wishes to discuss it with Your Highness privately.” Shen Yuan glanced at Su Qinghe kneeling on the ground, clearly hinting that “unrelated persons” should leave the bedchamber immediately.

Su Qinghe understood Shen Yuan’s implication perfectly—he had come specifically to rescue him. Taking a soft breath, Su Qinghe addressed Xie Chengze, “In that case, this commoner shall take his leave.”

As he prepared to rise, Xie Chengze swiftly interjected, “No need. There are no outsiders here. Young Master Su may stay and listen.”

No outsiders?

Did that mean he was an insider (one of us)?

Both Shen Yuan and Su Qinghe felt their hearts sink simultaneously.

Su Qinghe bit his lip. The Second Prince was clearly declaring that Shen Yuan belonged to him—not content with humiliating Su Qinghe, he had to flaunt it too?

Shen Yuan’s expression turned unreadable, his brows furrowing tightly.

When had Xie Chengze and Su Qinghe become so close? The two had no prior interactions. Even in their previous lives…

Shen Yuan suddenly recalled that Xie Chengze had deeply disliked Su Qinghe in their past life, often mocking him at every glance.

But in this life, Xie Chengze had spared Zhu Xiaobiao and Jing Ze—whom he had executed in their previous lives—even taking them into Cheng Huan Palace and cultivating them as his own people. Could he be planning to… recruit Su Qinghe as well?

Why?

The only value Su Qinghe might possess likely lay solely in the Su Family behind him. While outsiders might perceive Su Qinghe as the Su Family head’s most favored son—believing that befriending him would bring considerable benefits—Shen Yuan knew all too well that Su Qinghe was merely a gaudy flower placed in an expensive vase on the Su patriarch’s desk. With his mediocre talents, he could bring no real profit to the Su Family, except for one thing:

The marital value born from “excessive favor.”

A cherished illegitimate son from a prestigious family could very well marry the daughter of a higher-ranking official, allowing both families to climb the social ladder together and thrive in the political arena.

Xie Chengze couldn’t possibly be unaware of this.

Unless, of course, Xie Chengze had his eyes set precisely on that marital value.

The Su Family held sway over the court of public opinion among scholars. Back in Yi Province, Xie Chengze had excelled at guiding the sentiments of both scholars and commoners. If Xie Chengze had set his sights on the Su Family, his own tarnished reputation would make it impossible for him to gain favor with any other Su family member. In that case, Su Qinghe would indeed be a perfect entry point.

Shen Yuan’s gaze inadvertently swept over the scrolls on the right, and sure enough, he found Su Qinghe’s portrait among them.

Was it possible… that Xie Chengze intended to take a male consort?

The moment this thought crossed his mind, coupled with the memory of Su Qinghe’s humiliated, aggrieved expression earlier, a surge of anger rose in Shen Yuan’s chest, accompanied by an inexplicable restlessness.

So, had Xie Chengze just tried to force Su Qinghe into becoming his consort?

Yet, based on their interactions over the past six months, Shen Yuan didn’t believe Xie Chengze was the type to coerce others. He could have easily befriended Su Qinghe and, with Shen Yuan’s mediation, secured the Su Family’s influence without resorting to such a lose-lose approach.

Unless…

Had Xie Chengze fallen for Su Qinghe at first sight?

A heavy stone seemed to lodge in Shen Yuan’s chest, suffocating him with irritation. Clenching his fists, he only wanted Su Qinghe to leave as soon as possible. His tone turned stiff as he said, “The matter of the assassin concerns Your Highness’s safety. How can we handle it so carelessly? I request that Your Highness dismiss Second Young Master Su!”

“No.” Xie Chengze rolled over, showing no intention of indulging him. “Say what you want or leave. Don’t disturb me and Young Master Su.”

Don’t disturb him and Su Qinghe?

Was he being treated as an obstruction now?

When Xie Chengze had used him as a shield, he hadn’t been this heartless!

Shen Yuan let out a cold, mocking laugh, unable to resist provoking him. “It seems Your Highness doesn’t care at all about who attempted the assassination. Why is that? Aren’t you afraid of another attempt? Or could it be that this assassination attempt is actually connected to Your Highness in some—”

“Shen Yuan!” Xie Chengze bolted upright in bed, cutting him off with a guilty start. “How dare you be so insolent!”

This man knew perfectly well that Xie Chengze had played a part in the assassination plot, and now he was stating it so bluntly—was he trying to blackmail him?

But why?

Xie Chengze hadn’t provoked him, and Shen Yuan was well aware that sending Wuhen to assassinate him had actually helped Xie Chengze purge corrupt officials. Given Shen Yuan’s temperament, he shouldn’t have confronted him so openly.

Yet here he was, storming in with such fury…

Xie Chengze frowned, his gaze shifting past Shen Yuan to land on Su Qinghe, who was kneeling on the floor, his eyes filled with anxiety.

Shen Yuan hadn’t sought him out earlier or later—only when Xie Chengze had summoned Su Qinghe…

Was he afraid that Xie Chengze would harm Su Qinghe?

But Su Qinghe hadn’t blocked his path, so why would he wish Su Qinghe harm? Or was it that Shen Yuan still thought of him as the temperamental Second Prince who would bully Su Qinghe without reason?

Xie Chengze felt momentarily vexed and immediately lost interest in continuing to make friends. He waved his hand dismissively, saying, “All of you may leave now.”

Had he been too hasty? Perhaps he should wait until his “injury” healed and then personally seek out Su Qinghe.

After all… he had other means.

Seeing that Xie Chengze had issued a dismissal, Shen Yuan immediately turned around, bent down to help Su Qinghe up, and headed out.

Perhaps from kneeling too long, Su Qinghe seemed slightly unsteady and stumbled against Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan reached out to steady his arm and asked in a low, concerned voice, “Can you still walk?”

Su Qinghe smiled wryly and nodded, “It’s fine. Walking a few steps will help.”

Shen Yuan supported Su Qinghe as they left the bedchamber. At the door, the Su Family servant who had accompanied Shen Yuan hurried forward to take over supporting Su Qinghe from him.

Seeing his young master’s pale complexion, the servant couldn’t help but say with concern, “Young master, did the Second Prince torment you?””

“Don’t speak nonsense,” Su Qinghe quickly covered his mouth, then looked apologetically at Shen Yuan. “Brother Shen, thank you for your help earlier.”

“It’s nothing. Earlier, you and the Second Prince…” Shen Yuan wanted to ask for details, but seeing the redness around Su Qinghe’s eyes, he fell silent.

Never mind. Even though they were childhood friends, Qinghe was after all an upright and straightforward man. The matter of being forced into marriage by the Second Prince was ultimately too embarrassing to speak of. He shouldn’t bring it up without reading the situation.

So he changed his words: “If the Second Prince summons you to the palace again in the future, pretend to be ill and don’t go. Presumably after several times, he’ll lose interest.”