Chapter 26

The outer city was already packed with soldiers from the City Defense Battalion. The streets had been cleared, and many commoners could only watch from a distance.

Two carriages pulled up simultaneously, and Prince Cheng Yun stepped out first. The iron-clad guards of the City Defense had already taken up their half-man-high shields, clearly prepared for lightning-based attacks.

"Apologies, the City Defense Battalion is on official business," Gong Ye said, walking over with a smile while flashing his identification token. "If the Crown Prince is curious, you may wait here; we will bring the person out."

Cheng Yun remained noncommittal. "Who said I intended to go in?"

"Good, as long as that is understood," Gong Ye replied. He tucked away his token, and escorted by the iron-clad guards and two squads of archers, he slowly made his way inside.

Cheng Yun tapped his fingers, his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned to look behind him. His gaze suddenly locked onto a familiar face.

Chen Changfeng...

He carried a bamboo basket on his back, covered with a cloth, beneath which the circular barrel of a cannon was vaguely discernible. Upon inadvertently meeting the Crown Prince's gaze, he immediately crouched down. Cheng Yun gestured for Qi Song to approach and whispered into his ear.

"The An-Ding Bureau is conducting an investigation, make way!"

With his badge held high, Lou Zhao led a group of guards dressed in black and red uniforms, striding forward until he stood before Cheng Yun. "Your Highness, we are late."

"Not late."

Wen Besang sat quietly in the alleyway. Only a ring-shaped scar remained on his wrist; all fifty-six fire pellets had been expended, and only one short bolt remained for his miniature crossbow.

This was a cornered alley. Both the front and the right were blocked by iron-clad guards holding shields, trapping him like walls. Heavy footsteps approached; Prince Chu arrived under the protection of his men, and the wall of shields parted immediately.

Gong Ye looked up. The "Dream Demon" was huddled in the corner, his long hair draped over his slender shoulders, and at this moment, he was even trembling slightly.

Gong Ye looked on in disbelief. "Is he the one who wounded the City Defense guards?"

"Your Highness, do not underestimate him. We do not know how many more firearms he has. Several times we thought he was at the end of his rope, but anyone who drew near was struck down, forcing us to simply corner him here."

"This... Young Master Wen," Gong Ye said, recalling the man's current name and speaking in a kindly tone. "May I speak with you?"

The person in the corner did not react. Gong Ye raised his voice slightly and repeated the question. Only then did Wen Besang turn his face toward him.

His veil and forehead were stained with blood. It should have been a terrifying sight, yet the eyes revealed were as clear as those of a young beast—filled with timidity, confusion, and vigilance, but mostly, coldness.

Gong Ye smiled. "Shall we chat?"

Wen Besang stood up from the corner, his expression calm.

Gong Ye gestured. "May I come closer?"

"Your Highness, you must not!" his attendant immediately pulled him back. "With your noble status, what if you fall into his hands? What if something happens to you?"

Wen Besang gazed at him in silence. From Gong Ye's perspective, the edge of a dagger could be seen in his hand. The men beside him signaled, and the sound of bowstrings being drawn taut filled the air. Wen Besang’s eyes flickered, and he pressed his back silently against the rear wall.

"You need not be nervous," Gong Ye said. "If you are willing to serve me, I can spare your life."

"You are late!"

A voice rang out. Wen Besang turned sharply to the right. The iron shields still blocked the way, but they soon parted like water.

Wen Besang’s pupils constricted.

Crown Prince Cheng Yun was dressed in bright yellow robes, with Lou Zhao in black and red standing at his side. Everyone behind him wore the same colors, with the word "An-Ding" embroidered on their chests.

Gong Ye said coldly, "The City Defense Battalion is conducting an investigation. Who gave you permission to enter?"

Cheng Yun gestured, and Lou Zhao immediately raised his badge. "The An-Ding Bureau has the authority to supervise all officials and the duty to quell internal and external threats. The late Emperor issued an imperial decree: below the Emperor, all Six Ministries, Nine Ministers, and Twelve Bureaus must defer to the An-Ding Bureau in the event of conflicting investigations. The City Defense... cannot supersede National Defense."

"National Defense?!" Gong Ye laughed as if he had heard the greatest joke in the world. "How on earth does this involve national defense?!"

"Seven years ago, Zhou Cangshu beat a female spy to death in front of the Prime Minister’s residence," Cheng Yun said, glancing at Wen Besang.

Wen Besang remained expressionless, though tear tracks rolled silently down his cheeks.

Cheng Yun’s eyes darkened. He slowly looked away and began to walk forward. "The then-head of the An-Ding Bureau, who is the current Empress, was investigating this matter because it involved a plot against the Crown Grandson..." He offered a smile, tinged with a malicious sense of shame. "Which is to say, yours truly..."

Gong Ye’s breathing quickened. Cheng Yun’s smile deepened. "The Empress intended to thoroughly investigate the matter, and all trails led back to the Prime Minister’s residence. Prince Chu, you should have heard of this."

Prince Chu said coldly, "I have indeed heard of it."

"A spy was discovered in the Prime Minister's residence, and she should have been handed over to the An-Ding Bureau immediately. Yet, just as the Empress prepared to take custody, she heard that the Prime Minister had dealt with the spy himself using 'family law.' Even with the Jingtao Staff in hand, the Empress could not stop him. Thus, the spy was beaten to death without ever being interrogated."

Prince Chu frowned. "Everyone knows this involved the Prime Minister's beloved son. The Prime Minister admitted he had failed to discipline his child, felt great shame, and in a fit of rage, struck the woman down—putting righteousness before family! All the court officials respected him for it! Later, the Prime Minister even confessed his crime to the late Emperor and donated three years of his salary to disaster victims, and his entire household ate vegetarian for a year to atone for his son's sin! Such character is something everyone in our Liang Kingdom should emulate!"

"Well said!" Cheng Yun replied. "But now that I have reviewed the old case files, I have discovered some discrepancies."

Prince Chu asked, "What discrepancies?"

"That is a secret," Cheng Yun said. "In short, this person is the child of that spy who was linked to my own life seven years ago. As it involves an old case of the An-Ding Bureau, I must take him into custody and bring him to the Bureau for questioning. By reason, by law, and by personal motive, I must take him. Or does Prince Chu wish to go before the Emperor to argue the matter?"

Gong Ye’s expression shifted. He was not afraid of arguing before the Emperor, but since the An-Ding Bureau was involved, the Empress would inevitably appear. With her involved, even the Emperor would find it difficult to gain an advantage.

After a moment of thought, Gong Ye slowly raised his hand. The archers silently lowered their weapons. He smiled and said, "Since it is an old case of the An-Ding Bureau, it is naturally more appropriate to hand him over to you."

Cheng Yun said sincerely, "Thank you, brother."

The two maintained a facade of brotherly affection for a few moments, then turned away, the friendliness vanishing instantly.

"Withdraw."

Gong Ye left without another word. A close attendant whispered, "Just like that, we handed him over? How will we explain this to Prime Minister Zhou?"

"I must discuss this with the teacher. Tell him to be prepared. That matter from seven years ago... let us hope there truly are no discrepancies."

As the City Defense forces faded away like a receding tide, Wen Besang fixed his gaze on Crown Prince Cheng Yun, then on the An-Ding subordinates behind him. Tears continued to fall, yet his expression remained icy.

Cheng Yun waved his hand, and Lou Zhao led the men back to the alley entrance, leaving only the two of them in the corner.

Wen Besang kept his hands hanging low, but the red and white blade tip in his hand turned to point at Cheng Yun.

"I am not arresting you," Cheng Yun said, noticing his subtle movement. "What I said earlier was just to deceive him."

Wen Besang: "?"

"If you fell into his hands, you would fall into the hands of Zhou Cangshu. No matter how capable you are, you would be no match for the help Zhou Cangshu could provide him."

Wen Besang understood, but he kept his grip on the dagger. He had never been one for compromise or soft words. Cheng Yun gazed at the blood on his face. "Chen Changfeng brought a strange device earlier. I have persuaded him to stand down. You will gain nothing by fighting the City Defense in Shengjing."

Wen Besang knew that regardless of his abilities, he could not stand against an entire nation. Today’s conflict with the City Defense was a last resort; given a choice, he would not have chosen it.

"Thank you."

"Let's go back." Cheng Yun reached out. He heard Wen Besang ask, "Back?"

"To the Crown Prince's Mansion." Cheng Yun offered an explanation, then added, "You must come with me now, otherwise my words just now will lose their weight. If we encounter this again, we would have to fight him head-on."

Wen Besang hesitated. "You are not arresting me?"

"I am not arresting you."

"You are not locking me up?"

Cheng Yun’s voice trembled slightly. "I am not locking you up."

Wen Besang frowned. "Because I am to serve you?"

"Not entirely."

"What else?"

The Prince’s fingers were long and slender, his palm lines clear and clean. He kept his hand extended, patiently saying, "In short, I will not do anything you do not wish for. Let us go back now, shall we?"

Wen Besang watched him for a while longer. Cheng Yun tried his best to make his expression look kind.

Finally, that blood-stained hand reached out toward him. Cheng Yun watched as it landed in his palm, then gently closed his fingers around it.

The Crown Prince's Mansion was as familiar as ever. Pang Qi was pacing at the entrance. Wen Besang pushed the carriage door open himself, and the man immediately hurried over. "Oh, my Crown Princess..."

Cheng Yun followed behind, his eyes fixed intently on him.

"My Crown Prince... insisted that this servant wait here to receive you," Pang Qi said, helping him down. "Young Master, are you unhurt?"

"I am not."

Pang Qi supported him as they walked inside. "You are covered in blood. Are you sure you aren't wounded?"

"I am not."

"You truly worried this old servant to death. The day I watched you walk away, I lost my appetite and couldn't sleep. Look at me, has my face not shrunk?"

"It has grown."

...

Pang Qi said, "It must be because of the winter cold; I am wearing thick clothes, which makes it look larger."

"No, it has simply grown," Wen Besang said. "I have a mental scale; the diameter of your face has increased by about two millimeters."

"Winter is for gaining fat. In previous years, I would gain seven or eight pounds, but this year I have only gained two."

"The year hasn't ended yet. We have only been apart for half a month; there is still room to grow."

Pang Qi fell silent.

"Ahem," Cheng Yun cleared his throat from behind. "How are the preparations I asked for?"

"Yes," Pang Qi regained his spirit. "The water is ready, Young Master. You may bathe as soon as you return. Please, let us clean up; this appearance is quite frightening."

In the Prince's bedchamber, steam billowed behind the circular screen.

Wen Besang stood still. "How did you know I would want to bathe?"

"I received word that you killed sixteen men. I guessed you would have made a mess of yourself."

As he spoke, Cheng Yun took a towel, soaked it in the basin, and walked over. "Let me wipe your face first."

"No need." Wen Besang walked straight to the basin, submerged his hands, and said, "I can wash myself."

Cheng Yun held the towel and approached. "The events of today—were you afraid?"