Hou Ye's palm heart is a black lotus

Chapter 784 Rebels (Second Update)
"It was just a suspicion before, but now it should be confirmed without a doubt."

Ye Chutang tried to probe him several times, but Xiao Chenglin always made excuses to avoid it. Although she had doubts, she couldn't directly verify it because of his identity, so she kept this suspense in her heart.

Now, everything has an answer.

“His leg had long since healed; all these years it was just a pretense. Now that he's disgraced, he has no more scruples. He's using every means to escape, just to preserve a sliver of hope.”

Xiao Chengqi sneered, "My fourth brother was not particularly remarkable before, but now I realize that he is shrewd and resourceful in every way. However... we still need to investigate how that secret passage came about."

Shen Yanchuan nodded.

"Let's not talk about that anymore." Xiao Chengqi changed the subject. "We've almost reached an agreement with Wajin. He's been quite cooperative. Zola needs time to recover and won't cause any more trouble for a while. Northern Xinjiang can be peaceful for a period of time."

He looked at Shen Yanchuan, his tone much gentler, "I remember that the Marquis of Dingbei has not returned for some years. Now is a good opportunity to bring him back to the capital, so that you and your son can be reunited. In addition... the Princess has not been in good health recently. Although she does not say it, she has been thinking about the Marquis of Dingbei."

Shen Youyan has been stationed in the northern frontier for decades and rarely returns.

Now that things have finally improved somewhat with Vajin, it's time to come back and take a look.

Xiao Chengqi glanced at Ye Chutang again, and finally a smile appeared on his face.

"Even if I were to bestow a marriage upon him, I would have to wait until the Marquis of Dingbei had met the woman first."

Ye Chutang was taken aback for a moment, which was rare for her.

Marriage?

She and Shen Yanchuan?
Before she could speak, Shen Yanchuan had already bowed and expressed his gratitude, saying earnestly,
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Ye Chutang: "..."

"Don't thank me yet." Xiao Chengqi's smile faded slightly, and he sighed. "I've always seen the affection between the two of you. I originally wanted to settle this matter as soon as possible, but due to the national mourning period, I have to postpone it. How about we pick a good day when Marquis Dingbei returns?"

Xiao Chengqi was quite close to both of them. Shen Yanchuan, of course, was especially close to him. The two had known each other since childhood and had a deep bond. Shen Yanchuan played an indispensable role in Xiao Chengqi's successful ascension to the throne.

Ye Chutang had once saved Xiao Chengqi's life, so their relationship was naturally extraordinary.

Therefore, when facing the two of them, Xiao Chengqi did not put on any airs of an emperor and spoke frankly.

Shen Yanchuan nodded, "Your Majesty has always been thoughtful and considerate, and I have never disobeyed you."

Xiao Chengqi glanced at him and couldn't help but say, "Of course you have no objection, I'm asking Miss Ye the Second!"

Shen Yanchuan: "..."

Ye Chutang: "..."

Hmm... Although it was a bit sudden, this newly enthroned emperor is quite particular about his actions.

Xiao Chengqi asked with a smile, "Miss Ye, what do you think? If you are unwilling to marry him, just tell me!"

Shen Yanchuan also looked over, a ripple seemed to rise in his deep phoenix eyes, but he suppressed it.

He actually got nervous.

Thinking of this, Ye Chutang suddenly couldn't help but laugh.

Although they had once held hands tightly under the moonlight and candlelight on the Xijiang Bridge, Shen Yanchuan was still unsure whether she was willing to marry him.

After all, she had said more than once that she had no intention of getting married.

If she's unwilling to take that step, then...

When that person is her, he will also feel anxious and insecure.

"Okay."

Ye Chutang smiled, her eyes crinkling.

"We'll see when the time comes." ...

The two left together, walking side by side.

“We can tell Uncle Di about this,” Ye Chutang said. “Perhaps he also knows about the secret passage?”

Wasn't he himself imprisoned in a death row cell for several years back then?

Given Xiao Chenglin's abilities, it's not surprising that he was able to escape from prison quietly.

Shen Yanchuan nodded. "He probably still won't say anything. But..."

Ye Chutang observed his expression, a vague suspicion forming in her mind. "You've already found out his identity?"

"It's a mixed bag," Shen Yanchuan pondered. "We've only found a clue, but as for whether it's true or not... we'll have to find a way to confirm it."

Ye Chutang nodded knowingly, then asked,

Where is Xiao Chenglin now?

The Prince Jing's mansion has been raided and sealed off, and officials at all levels of the court who had connections with the Prince Jing have been successively exposed.

It seems that he no longer has a place to stand in the capital.

Where can he go?
Shen Yanchuan pondered for a moment, then looked up and gazed into the distance.

Under a clear blue sky, the majestic palace stands tall, exuding majesty and solemnity.

"If he were still in the capital, it would be fine; we could find him sooner or later. But if he has already left the city... I'm afraid it will be troublesome."

Ye Chutang glanced at him sideways. "Is that what you think? Perhaps he wants to get away from the capital and never come back? Only in this way can he save his life, right?"

Shen Yanchuan smiled.

"You know perfectly well that he won't."

"To live a life of exile like a dog, barely surviving, is tantamount to being slowly sliced ​​to death. How could someone who once wanted to control this entire imperial city be content with this?"

He met Ye Chutang's gaze, his tone calm and resolute.

"He will definitely come back, no matter how."

……

The news of Prince Jing's disappearance was thus concealed.

The Black Cavalry secretly searched for his whereabouts, turning the entire capital upside down, but they still couldn't find him.

He vanished as if he had suddenly evaporated from the face of the earth, leaving no trace whatsoever.

But this did not seem to have any impact, and the people of the capital continued with their lives as usual.

Whether it was the late emperor or the new emperor, whether it was Xiao Chengqi or Xiao Chenglin, these open and covert struggles were actually unimportant to them.

As long as the final winner ends up in that position, that's all that matters.

However, all the peace and tranquility were shattered on this day by an urgent report that traveled 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers).

—A rebel army suddenly appeared in the southwest, fighting across various places, and within a month, it had captured three cities in succession!

No one knew where these people came from or how they came together and organized themselves. In short, by the time everyone realized something was wrong, the situation was already in grave danger.

These were not ordinary bandits, but a disciplined army!
On the one hand, they conquered cities and seized territories; on the other hand, they offered huge sums of money to recruit soldiers and expand their forces.

When the news reached the capital, it had already become a huge worry!