Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 374 The Emperor's Wrath

Shen Yuxi paced back and forth a few times, his dragon boots making a soft sound as they stepped on the broken porcelain shards, yet it felt like a heavy hammer striking everyone's heart.

He took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his surging anger, his eyes sharp as knives: "Yu Heng!"

"The old slave is here!"

Yu Heng quickly replied, his voice still trembling.

"Go immediately and summon Lin Yongnan, and order him to lead three thousand Imperial Guards to reinforce East Street!"

Shen Yuxi's voice was icy, carrying an unquestionable command.

"Tell Lin Yongnan that I want him alive! If the Crown Prince loses even a single hair, he will lose his position as Commander of the Imperial Guards and Grand General of the State!"

"Yes! This old servant will go right away!"

Yu Heng scrambled to his feet, not even bothering to brush the dust off his clothes, and turned to run outside.

He knew that every moment of delay would increase the danger to His Highness the Crown Prince.

Shen Yuxi stood in the hall, gazing at the deep night outside the window, his anger still burning, but now tinged with worry.

The sudden fire on East Street was already suspicious, but now someone dared to attack the Crown Prince in the heart of the capital; there must be more to this than meets the eye.

He walked to the wall, looked at the map of the capital hanging there, and his finger landed heavily on the three characters "East Street".

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me!"

He muttered to himself, his voice carrying a chilling undertone.

"Whoever is behind this, I will make them pay a bloody price!"

The night wind blew in through the window, causing the candlelight to flicker and casting a long, imposing silhouette on the wall.

Outside the palace gates, the sound of horses' hooves rang out rapidly. Yu Heng, carrying His Majesty's decree, was galloping toward the residence of Lin Yongnan, the Duke of the State.

An even bigger storm is brewing quietly in the dead of night.

The nights at the Prince of Xiang's residence are always quiet.

The vermilion gate was tightly closed, and the palace lanterns under the eaves swayed gently in the night breeze, casting dappled shadows of the crabapple trees in the courtyard onto the bluestone slabs.

In the bedroom in the backyard, Shen Yanchu was fast asleep. The brocade quilt slipped off his shoulders, revealing a section of his pale neck, and his brows carried a hint of languor that was rarely seen on him.

"Dong, dong, dong——"

A sudden, urgent knocking broke the stillness of the night, sounding particularly jarring in the empty courtyard.

"Your Highness, something has happened, Your Highness!"

The old butler's voice was filled with barely concealed panic. He was still holding a lantern in his hand, the light shimmering on the door panel and reflecting his anxious face.

Shen Yanchu was startled awake by the sudden noise. He opened his eyes abruptly, the sleepiness in his eyes instantly vanishing, leaving only a clear gaze.

He paused for a moment before slowly sitting up, casually picking up a moon-white outer garment from the bedside and draping it over his shoulders. He walked barefoot to the door and creaked it open.

A night breeze blew in, carrying a hint of coolness.

Shen Yanchu leaned against the door frame, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders. Her gaze swept indifferently over the old butler, her tone devoid of any emotion: "What is it?"

The old steward had served Shen Yanchu for many years and knew the prince's temperament well—the calmer he appeared, the more turbulent his heart was.

He quickly lifted his robe and knelt down, pressing his forehead against the cold ground: "It is this old servant's fault for disturbing Your Highness's rest."

"Just now... just now, the emergency communication signal for the Crown Prince was lit on East Street. Judging from the intensity of the fire, it seems that His Highness the Crown Prince has been attacked."

"The Crown Prince has been attacked?"

Shen Yanchu raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He straightened up, his outer garment slipped down to one side, revealing his delicate collarbone, but no one cared about that at the moment.

He gently stroked the door frame with his fingertips, his mind racing—could it be that the Imperial Concubine could no longer contain herself and had finally made her move?

But when I thought about it again, I felt something was wrong.

Shen Yanzhou has countless skilled bodyguards around him, and even ordinary assassins cannot get close to him. No matter how anxious the Consort is, she should know that a head-on confrontation is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock.

How could someone as shrewd as her do such a stupid thing?

"Can we find out who did it?"

Shen Yanchu asked, his voice still calm, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

The old butler shook his head: "It happened so suddenly, we haven't had time to investigate in detail yet."

"But that cigarette smoke is the highest level of warning from the Crown Prince's Palace, so the situation must be critical."

Shen Yanchu waved his hand impatiently: "I know, you can leave now."

The old steward dared not say more, quickly kowtowed, stood up, picked up the lantern, and hurriedly retreated, his steps so light as if afraid of disturbing something.

In front of the bedroom, Shen Yanchu stood alone for a moment, the night wind blowing his hair, revealing a pair of deep eyes.

He suddenly called out, "Mu Yin."

"My subordinate is here."

A dark figure leaped down from the eaves like a ghost, landing steadily in front of Shen Yanchu, kneeling on one knee with swift and silent movements.

Mu Yin is Shen Yanchu's trusted bodyguard, who has followed him for many years and is extremely loyal.

"Who attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince?"

Shen Yanchu asked, "This is the capital region, right under the emperor's nose, yet someone dares to be so audacious."

Mu Yin lowered her head, but a barely perceptible light flashed in her eyes.

In his view, wasn't this a good opportunity to get rid of the crown prince?

With Shen Yanzhou dead, Prince Xiang will be the biggest beneficiary, and the emperor will never suspect his own prince.

"Your Highness,"

Mu Yin suppressed her thoughts and replied in a deep voice.

"I just received news that the one who made the move was a spy from the Yan Yue Kingdom."

"The fire on Bai Ri Dong Street was probably their doing, intended to create chaos and take the opportunity to assassinate someone."

"Yan Yue's people?"

Shen Yanchu frowned and his face darkened. "Very well, they even dare to extend their reach into the capital of Cangling."

He turned and went back to his room, picked up the sword hanging on the wall, and said decisively, "Give the order to prepare the horses. Follow me to East Street to rescue the Crown Prince."

Mu Yin was stunned upon hearing this, then looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with confusion: "Your Highness? This...this is a golden opportunity to get rid of the Crown Prince!"

“If he dies at the hands of Yan Yue, it will have nothing to do with the Prince. Even if His Majesty investigates, he will only blame Yan Yue. As for the Prince…”

"idiot!"

Shen Yanchu coldly interrupted him, her eyes sharp as knives.

"Do you think I don't want to? But have you considered who would benefit most if the Crown Prince were to die?"

Mu Yin was stunned.

"He is the son of the Imperial Concubine, the Third Prince."

Shen Yanchu's voice was icy cold: "The great matter is not yet accomplished, and I have not yet laid out my plans. How can I allow them, mother and son, to reap the benefits?"

"As long as the Crown Prince is alive, he can at least keep the Consort's faction in check."

"If he dies and the Third Prince ascends the throne, do you think we'll still have a good life?"

He walked up to Mu Yin, gently lifting his chin with the tip of his sword, his tone carrying a warning: "Yan Yue killed the Crown Prince. It may seem that it has nothing to do with us, but His Majesty is suspicious and will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly."

"Once it is discovered that the Imperial Concubine has any connection with Yan Yue, do you think I can remain unscathed?"

Mu Yin suddenly realized what was happening, cold sweat beading on her forehead. She quickly kowtowed and said, "Your Highness is foolish and I thank you for your guidance."

"What are you doing standing still?"

Shen Yanchu sheathed his sword, turned and walked out, "Hurry up and gather your men, or we might not even find the Crown Prince's body."