Chapter 2
When Shen Yin heard those words, the corners of his lips finally lifted in satisfaction.
“Good.”
After speaking, the group carefully surveyed the surroundings. Once they were certain no one was paying attention to them, they swiftly vanished from sight.
After Shen Yin left, on the third floor of Red Sleeve House, the man who had returned to watch the excitement held a plate of melon seeds in his hands. Looking at the now-empty second floor, he sighed regretfully.
“What a pity.”
“Your Highness, what is a pity?”
A servant behind him brought over a pot of tea and asked quietly.
The man addressed as “Your Highness” glanced back at the delicate-featured servant.
“Sui’an, do you enjoy prying into my affairs so much?”
The servant immediately dropped to his knees with a loud thud, trembling uncontrollably.
“This servant dares not! Please forgive me, Crown Prince!”
The man holding the melon seeds and waiting for entertainment was none other than the current Crown Prince, Chu Moli.
Chu Moli withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly, though the smile carried a chilling indifference.
“Get up.”
As he spoke, he cast another glance toward the now-empty second floor and shook his head in disappointment.
“No fun. Return to the manor.”
“Yes.”
Crown Prince’s Estate ā Rear Mountain, Shadow Guard Camp
“Commander, this is the secret letter I found on the Southern Flow envoy.”
Shen Yin knelt on one knee and respectfully raised a wax-sealed pellet with both hands.
The man known as the Shadow Commander, Shen Feng, stood and walked over. Taking the item with one hand, he helped Shen Yin to his feet with the other.
“Well done.”
“Thank you for your praise, Commander.”
Shen Feng glanced at him and smiled slightly in approval.
Looking more carefully, he noticed Shen Yin standing quietly with his head lowered. The faint dark circles beneath his eyes made it obvious that he had not been resting properly.
Shen Feng patted him on the shoulder.
“You handled this mission very well.”
“Go and rest. You’ve been busy lately and must be exhausted.”
Shen Yin lowered his head and cupped his fists in salute.
“Yes.”
After speaking, he turned and left the room. The instant he stepped outside, he disappeared with a flash.
Inside, Shen Feng watched him vanish. His eyes curved slightly with amusement before he took the wax pellet and left as well.
At the Entrance of the Crown Prince’s Estate
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
The guards bowed respectfully.
Chu Moli did not spare them a glance and strode directly through the gates.
The moment he entered, however, he stopped.
Behind him, Sui’an was shaking violently. He suddenly fell to his knees.
“Please spare me, Your Highness! I won’t do it again!”
“Please show mercy!”
Chu Moli turned around and coldly watched as Sui’an repeatedly slammed his forehead against the ground. Even after blood began to flow from his brow, he dared not stop.
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes.
Although Sui’an’s face was filled with fear, there was unmistakable hatred and murderous intent hidden in his gaze.
Chu Moli found it rather amusing.
“Not pretending anymore?”
He let out a wicked laugh.
“That’s more like it. At least this is interesting.”
Taking a step back, he shook his head regretfully.
“Unfortunately, it’s too late.”
The moment he retreated, the estate guards had already surrounded Sui’an completely.
Others brought out a punishment bench and execution rods.
As Chu Moli walked away, he tossed out a single command:
“Carry out the beating right here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Crown Prince’s Bedchamber
Knock. Knock.
A voice sounded from outside.
“Your Highness, I have an urgent matter to report.”
Inside, Chu Moli sat at his desk, holding a cup of tea that had long since gone cold.
“Enter.”
The door creaked open.
Shen Feng, dressed in the black uniform of the Shadow Guard Commander, stepped inside.
“Your Highness, the Southern Flow envoys have been acting suspiciously lately. I sent someone to investigate and obtained this from one of them.”
He presented the wax pellet.
Chu Moli accepted it and set it on the desk.
Then he casually poured the cold tea onto the floor.
Picking up the empty teacup, he pressed the base against the wax seal, cracking it open. He broke the pellet apart and removed the tightly rolled secret message hidden inside.
With his long fingers, he unfolded the note and read it.
After a moment, he folded it back up and tucked it into his robe.
Finally, he lifted his chin.
“Make the necessary preparations.”
Though the order was vague, Shen Feng immediately understood.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Chu Moli stopped him.
“Wait.”
Shen Feng turned back and saluted.
“Your Highness.”
Chu Moli looked at him while lightly tapping the edge of the desk with a slender finger.
“You said you sent someone to investigate the Southern Flow envoy?”
“Yes.”
“Was it the envoy at Red Sleeve House?”
Shen Feng looked surprised.
“How did Your Highness know?”
Chu Moli shook his head.
“That’s not important.”
Then he asked:
“Who was the Shadow Guard you sent to complete the mission?”
Shen Feng hesitated.
The Crown Prince was notoriously unpredictable. He couldn’t tell whether Shen Yin had somehow offended him.
Seeing his hesitation, the smile on Chu Moli’s face vanished completely.
“Shen Feng.”
“This subordinate is here.”
“I asked you who carried out the mission. Why are you not answering?”
Shen Feng immediately shook his head.
“I dare not conceal it. The one I sent was Shadow Guard Camp’s Number One operative, Shen Yin.”
As soon as he answered, the pressure weighing on him noticeably lessened.
“Shen Yin…”
Chu Moli slowly repeated the name.
Then he said:
“Bring him to me.”
This time Shen Feng did not dare delay.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
