Chapter 26: Shen Yan

Shen He gazed into Shen Yan’s eyes, which were filled not only with panic but also with secrets hidden deep within. In her past life, she had harbored suspicions too, yet back then, her heart and mind were so consumed by Xiao Jingren that she had lost all reason and judgment. Now, facing Shen Yan’s fear, Shen He took a deep breath, forcing herself to pull away from the whirlpool of memories. A moment later, she slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her gaze was clear and resolute. "Very well, I understand. Tell me this: when the Madam ordered you to harm Suixin, do you know why?"

Learning that Shen He would not press further, Shen Yan sighed in relief and shook her head. "I don’t know. The poison, the scissors, and instructions on how to proceed—they were all delivered to me. I simply did as I was told."

"Silly girl, you are far too naive! To be blindly manipulated without even knowing the truth of the matter? To let yourself be used as a pawn for others! If this scheme succeeds, they will reap the rewards without lifting a finger, but if the plan is exposed and things go wrong, you will undoubtedly be their scapegoat!"

Shen Yan hung her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito’s hum, laced with helplessness and despair. "I know... but what else can I do?"

Hearing this, an indescribable ache welled up in Shen He’s heart. She gripped Shen Yan’s trembling shoulders tightly. "A-Yan, I will help you."

At these words, Shen Yan seemed like a drowning person suddenly grasping a piece of driftwood. She snapped her head up to meet Shen He’s firm gaze. In that instant, she felt as though she had caught sight of a beam of light piercing through the darkness.

"Eldest Sister?"

"For today, just report back to the Madam as expected. With so many eyes watching, you cannot afford to act suspiciously. Whatever they ask of you next, you must find a way to tell me, and we will devise a plan together."

Seeing a flicker of unease in Shen Yan’s eyes, Shen He added, "I will send someone to look after your mother, Lady Lin. I will not let the Madam bully her, so rest assured."

At the mention of Lady Lin, Shen Yan dropped to her knees with a thud. "Eldest Sister! Please! I beg you, you must save my mother!"

Shen He hurried to pull her up from the floor. "Get up! You really must break this habit of kneeling at every turn. You are a daughter of the General’s Mansion; even as a concubine’s daughter, the glory of the General’s house flows through your veins. You have been suppressed by the Madam for too long, but you should be more confident—you are worth it!"

Shen Yan rose slowly, watching Shen He’s eyes soften, a glimmer of hope gradually beginning to radiate from within her own.

"Thank you, Eldest Sister."

"After today, if the Madam has any further tasks for you, go to the Laundry Bureau and find a maid named Cui Ya; she will relay the message to me. For now, go back and focus on your dance. I shall wait to see you rise to fame with a single performance."

The next day, at the Eight Treasures Pavilion, in the Cloud Cliff private room.

"It was you!" Yan Qingyi roared, his voice seemingly echoing throughout the entire second floor.

Yan Qingyu sat opposite him, sipping his tea with indifference. He set his cup down and looked up at his brother. "Do not be like this; keep your voice down. Besides, I have heard that your heroic rescue of the beauty left Miss Chen unharmed, and it even granted you an opportunity to grow closer to her."

"Yan Qingyu! Are you even human?" Yan Qingyi stepped forward and grabbed Yan Qingyu by the collar, veins bulging on his face as his fury threatened to consume his brother.

Yan Qingyu watched the outburst with a cold, sinister smile, as if the more enraged Yan Qingyi became, the more delighted he was.

Yan Qingyu tapped the hand gripping his lapel and brushed it away. "Am I not human? Qingyi, as your elder brother, I have tried my best to protect you. I am merely offering you a word of advice: some things are better left ignored. Why make it awkward for everyone?"

Yan Qingyi’s rapid, angry breathing made his chest heave. "She is Chen Heran’s only daughter! Are you not afraid?"

"That is why I did not seek her life. Qingyi, you are too simple-minded, too rigid. Your second brother is simply trying to help you understand that in the Imperial Palace, there are countless ways to make one suffer."

Yan Qingyi glared viciously at Yan Qingyu, who spoke of such things with such ease. The long-suppressed rage erupted like a volcano.

Gritting his teeth, a flash of determination in his eyes, Yan Qingyi clenched his fists and suddenly drew his sword. A flash of silver light cut through the air as he pointed the blade directly at Yan Qingyu.

"Do you underestimate me so much? Yan Qingyu, when it comes to killing, you are not qualified to threaten me!"

The reflection of the blade shimmered on Yan Qingyu’s sinister face. He gave a cold laugh and snapped his fingers near the edge of the sword.

A group of armed men appeared out of nowhere, surrounding Yan Qingyi completely.

Yan Qingyi did not spare them a glance. "These people are not even enough to satisfy my appetite!"

"And what of me?" A deep, oppressive voice sounded. The door to the private room pushed open, and Xiao Jingren stood in the doorway. He was dressed in a long, dark robe, his deep eyes concealing a danger even more profound than Yan Qingyu’s, sending an involuntary chill down one’s spine.

"What is the meaning of this? It was I who requested your brother to host this banquet for the Third Young Master Yan today. Why draw swords? Everyone, stand down!"

At his command, the men sheathed their weapons but remained in the room, standing on either side.

Yan Qingyi’s eyes were cold as ice. Recalling his brother’s warning to never act impulsively, he lowered his hand after a moment. "Your Highness."

Xiao Jingren waved his hand, and the guard at the door shut it tightly. Xiao Jingren smiled. "I know that the Third Young Master has earned the title of the 'Cold-Faced Judge,' so I came personally today to share a cup of wine with you."

He gestured for Yan Qingyi to sit, signaling for Yan Qingyu to pour him a drink.

Yan Qingyi watched coldly and said, "Your Highness, there is no need. I am on official business and cannot drink."

Xiao Jingren chuckled. "It is a great fortune for our Great Han to have a man as dedicated to his duty as the Third Young Master Yan."

As he spoke, he placed a brocade box on the table and pushed the wine cup toward him.

Yan Qingyi looked at Xiao Jingren, puzzled. "Is Your Highness trying to bribe me?"

Xiao Jingren couldn't help but laugh. "How could that be? I know the Cold-Faced Judge is incorruptible and self-disciplined; I would never offer such a petty bribe. Open it, and you shall see."

Yan Qingyi took the box and opened it. Inside lay a crystal, fan-shaped hairpin—it belonged to Chen Suixin.

Yan Qingyi stood up abruptly, shouting, "What is the meaning of this, Your Highness?!"

"Third Young Master Yan, I admire your devotion to Miss Chen. If you cease your interference in the case of the plundered tribute ships, I can petition His Majesty to grant a marriage decree for you and Miss Chen, fulfilling your heart's desire." As he spoke, Xiao Jingren took the crystal hairpin and toyed with it in his hand. "But if you remain obstinate and insist on opposing me, then..."

With a sharp *snap*, the crystal hairpin slipped from Xiao Jingren’s fingers and shattered into two pieces.

Yan Qingyi’s hands tightened into fists, his fingernails digging into his palms.

For Yan Qingyi, known to all as the Cold-Faced Judge, his greatest weakness was Chen Suixin.

With reddened eyes, he looked at Yan Qingyu, who truly knew how to kill a man’s spirit.

"Third Young Master, the choice is yours."