“So many dust and cobwebs. Don’t they ever clean this place?” Fuyi grumbled as she reached the entrance of the hidden passage. A hand extended to her, and she looked up to see Sui Tingheng, politely reaching down to help her up. After brushing the dust off her hands onto her clothes, she took his hand, allowing him to help her climb out of the dry well.
The Jinwu Guards formed a protective circle around the two, staying on full alert.
“This looks like…” Fuyi patted the dust off her clothes, “the west inner courtyard of Ning Wang Manor?”
Sui Tingheng pulled a clean handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to Fuyi. “It is.”
The next moment, the sound of approaching footsteps and voices echoed from outside the courtyard. The person leading the way had a high-pitched voice1 and seemed to be in a very good mood, “This is the west courtyard. No one currently resides here, but please inspect thoroughly, just in case.” The chief steward, unlocking the gate with keys from his belt, added as he pushed it open, “I hope the criminals can be rooted out quickly, so our Wangye can recover with peace of mind.”
When the courtyard gate swung open, the steward’s eyes widened in shock, and his voice broke into a shrill shout, “Who are you?!”
The commander of the Jinwu Guards immediately strode into the courtyard and was taken aback when he saw the people standing there, “Your Imperial Highness?”
Your…Imperial Highness? Only then did the chief steward realize that most of the ‘intruders’ were men in golden armor, clearly Jinwu Guards. As for the person standing in the middle, protected by the guards—he was none other than the Prince.
“The old servant greets Your Imperial Highness,” the chief steward quickly knelt, his shoulders trembling. There was no way the Jinwu Guards had simply appeared out of thin air. The only possibility was that they had discovered the hidden passage.
But how did the passage, which had been built so secretly, get discovered?
…
In the main courtyard, Ning Wang, who had been ‘unconscious’ for several hours, finally woke up. Leaning against the headboard, he took the medicine handed to him by a eunuch and drank it in one go. He then turned to Ning Wangfei, who sat by the bedside, and said, “This Wang’s illness has made Wangfei worry.”
“This consort is just glad you’re awake, Wangye.” Ning Wangfei gently took the empty medicine bowl from his hands, her smile tender and caring. “Tomorrow, let’s have the kitchen prepare some nourishing medicinal broth to help you regain your strength.”
“Thank you for your care,” Ning Wang said, looking towards the door. “Why is it so noisy outside?”
“Some audacious villains dare to attack a court-appointed Junjun right in the middle of the capital. His Majesty is concerned for Wangye’s safety, so he sent the Jinwu Guards to protect you,” Ning Wangfei explained as she gently wiped the corner of Ning Wang’s mouth with a handkerchief. “Didn’t anyone mention this to you when you were at the Magistrate Office this morning?”
Ning Wang glanced at the gently smiling woman. “Imperial Nephew did mention it,” he said flatly.
Ning Wangfei handed the handkerchief to the servant girl behind her and stood up. “Since you’ve just woken up, Wangye, you should rest. This consort won’t disturb you any further.”
“Siyue,” Ning Wang called out Ning Wangfei’s name, stopping her from leaving. “This Wang hasn’t had much energy these days, so I’ll need you to take care of things in the manor.”
“Don’t worry, Wangye. This consort will manage everything in the manor properly,” Ning Wangfei nodded. Just then, the chief steward came stumbling into the room. She stepped aside slightly, pausing her departure.
“W-wangye, the west courtyard…” The chief steward noticed Ning Wangfei was still in the room and quickly bowed to her. “Someone has dug a tunnel in the west courtyard. This matter… this matter needs Wangye and Wangfei to handle.”
“What did you say?!” Ning Wang sat up abruptly. “There’s a tunnel in the west courtyard?”
Ning Wangfei’s gaze shifted between Ning Wang and the chief steward, and she calmly said, “Wangye hasn’t recovered yet. Allow me to handle this matter—”
“With such a serious incident happening in my own manor, how could This Wang possibly sit idly by?” Ning Wang demanded, pale-faced. “Bring my clothes.”
“Imperial Uncle, you’re heavily injured. You shouldn’t be moving around.” Sui Tingheng entered the room and bowed to Ning Wangfei. “This nephew comes uninvited. Apologies for the intrusion, Aunt.”
Ning Wangfei shifted aside, avoiding the semi-formal bow from the Prince. “We’re all family. Please, no need for such formality.”
Still half-dressed, Prince Ning hastily pushed aside the maidservant adjusting his robes and quickly threw his outer garment over his shoulders, “Nephew, what brings you here in such a rush?”
“Around an hour ago, a few samaritans helped the Jinwu Guards capture three suspicious individuals. These three emerged from a hidden passage which leads directly to your manor, Uncle.” Sui Tingheng’s tone was perfectly composed. “This nephew was worried about your safety, so I barged in without permission. Now that I see you’re well, I’m relieved.”
Ning Wang stared at Sui Tingheng for a moment before finally forcing a smile. “Thank you, Tingheng, for your concern.”
Ning Wangfei, who had been on the verge of leaving, silently returned to the room and signaled the servants to prepare tea and refreshments. Whatever needed to be discussed could be done at a leisurely pace—she wasn’t in a hurry.
“And who was it that helped capture the trespassers?” Ning Wang’s smile remained gentle. “This Wang must thank them personally.”
“No need for gratitude, Wangye. As a subject of the imperial family, this is simply my duty.” A figure appeared at the door. “Rest assured, if there are any more intruders, this subject daughter will make sure to catch them all. Not a single one will escape.”
“Yun… Fuyi…” Ning Wang stared at the figure at the door, feeling the taste of blood rising in his throat. “It’s you?”
Sui Tingheng stood up, took the cloak hanging on the side screen, and draped it over Ning Wang. “Imperial Uncle, you are still weak; don’t catch a chill.”
Watching Sui Tingheng carefully wrap Prince Ning in his cloak, Fuyi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Despite all the trouble Prince Ning had caused behind the scenes, His Imperial Highness remained so caring and attentive. Truly, a compassionate and benevolent prince!
“Imperial Uncle, you’re already twenty-six, no longer as young as I am,” Sui Tingheng said with a gentle smile. “You must take better care of your health.”
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Author’s Note:
Sui Tingheng: “Fuyi, Imperial Uncle is getting old.”
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So the moral of this entire novel is basically not to mess with Yun Fuyi 😂😂
How old is Fuyi, again? Is she around Imperial Uncle’s age since they were like childhood sweetheart? She acts like an early teens, though.