Chapter 151 My Brother's Accident

Chapter 151 My Brother's Accident

In her dazed state, Shen Nanzi felt a slight collapse around her, and a familiar scent invaded her nostrils.

My back was pressed against his warm body; in my memory, I was assaulted by his domineering, forceful kiss, the taste of blood still lingering between his lips and teeth.

As her thoughts gradually cleared, she noticed him gently rising, stepping past her, and bending down to pick up Cheng'er.

Then, he lay in the middle, pulled Cheng'er into his arms, and gently touched his forehead.

He groped with his right hand, grabbed her hand, and intertwined his fingers with hers.

Shen Nanzi tried to pull away, but he held her tightly. "Just for a little while, okay?"

His voice was so gentle it seemed to melt your heart, completely unlike the person she knew.

His recent actions have made Shen Nanzi somewhat doubtful whether he has truly developed any feelings for her and Cheng'er.

In an instant, Shen Nanzi remembered what the doctor had said: if she continued to hold onto these feelings of depression, she might not live past thirty.

Thirty? She's twenty-five now.

Her mind suddenly cleared; love was poison to her, and even if Xie Yan truly had feelings for her, it was still a poison.

Her dream was to survive this change of imperial power safely, with everyone around her remaining unharmed; everything else was secondary.

Thinking this, I fell asleep.

I wonder how my brother is doing?

This was Shen Nanzi's thought before going to sleep.

＊

Meanwhile, in Luoyang, at the Grand Commandant's residence, Shen Minghan was awakened by the loud noise of someone breaking down the door.

The mansion was filled with the sound of footsteps, the sound was so uniform and clear that it was obviously well-trained.

Shen Minghan instantly woke up, quickly rolled out of bed, and put on his coat.

By the moonlight, he slipped the half of the fish-shaped military tally into the gap between the thresholds.

Just as he withdrew his hand, the door was kicked open from the outside.

Light suddenly shone from the darkness, illuminating the entire room.

Outside the house stood numerous Imperial Guards soldiers clad in black armor and white feathered hats.

My gaze shifted to the window, where there were also figures, completely surrounded by people.

Shen Minghan looked at the leader of the Imperial Guards with a cold expression, "My sister really did raise an ingrate."

Lie Feng stood before the Imperial Guards, his eyes expressionless, like a cold-blooded dragon. "Grand Commandant Shen, forgive me!"

Shen Minghan snorted coldly and ignored him.

Lie Feng waved his hand, and immediately four Imperial Guards stepped forward and fastened the shackles that had been prepared beforehand to Shen Minghan's ankles.

Lie Feng then asked, "Why are Grand Commandant Shen's wife and children not here?"

Shen Minghan said, "His Majesty ordered me to stay and guard the capital. They were disappointed that they didn't go on the autumn hunt, so they went to play outside Luoyang."

Lie Feng's eyes darkened, as if he knew Shen Minghan was lying, but he still continued to ask, "Where did they go for sightseeing outside Luoyang?"

Shen Minghan said coldly, "Near Ci'en Temple, but exactly where? I don't know either."

Lie Feng immediately ordered his deputy, "Search the vicinity of Ci'en Temple."

"Yes." The lieutenant accepted the order and left.

Lie Feng stared at Shen Minghan and said slowly, "I hope that Grand Commandant Shen can cooperate so as not to suffer unnecessary hardship."

Looking at the room full of Imperial Guards, Shen Minghan understood. Since it was the Emperor's order, he had nothing to say.

The heavy shackles dragged across the bluestone pavement, making a screeching sound.

＊

The next day, just as dawn broke, Shen Nanzi woke up from a nightmare.

She opened her eyes, looked at the tent she was in, her heart still pounding.

She was worried about her brother.

She sat up and looked into the bed; only Cheng'er was still fast asleep.

Xie Yan has vanished without a trace, as if he had never been there.

Shen Nanzi quietly got out of bed, dressed, and lifted the curtain, where Qinghe was waiting.

"How is it?" He ushered Qinghe into the tent and asked in a low voice.

Qinghe quickly took out a letter from her bosom: "This is a message I just received."

Shen Nanzi eagerly took it, tore open the edge, and took out the letter inside.

When her eyes fell on the contents of the document, Shen Nanzi's face turned pale instantly.

His fingers, gripping the letter, trembled slightly, and his eyes instantly filled with tears.

"My brother has been arrested, the entire Grand Commandant's mansion has been taken over, and my sister-in-law and nephew have disappeared without a trace."

Suppressing her inner turmoil and unease, Shen Nanzi explained to Qinghe.

"Go and call all of Cheng'er's guards over, as well as Auntie."

Qingheye realized something serious had happened and quickly went outside.

The curtain fell, leaving only her and Cheng'er in the tent.

She walked to the bedside, looked at the sleeping child, and her mind was filled with many thoughts.

Her brother was ten years older than her. Her father favored his concubine, and her mother passed away, leaving only the two siblings in the family.

My elder brother was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and passed the exams to enter the Imperial Academy.

After his father passed away, he excelled academically and was recommended by his mentor to serve as an official. In less than a year, he was promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

He held the same official position as his deceased father.

The elder brother, in the officialdom, thrived like a fish in water, rising rapidly through the ranks to become the emperor's confidant.

If it weren't for her, my brother could have stayed out of it.

At worst, he could choose neither of them. Even if he was neglected by the new emperor and stripped of his official position, it would be better than being imprisoned and facing a bleak future.

But she just happened to be the Princess Consort of Prince Jing!! Even with her brother remaining neutral, she couldn't escape her fate in the end.

That's why they would embark on this path of no return without hesitation.

Hearing the noise from behind the curtain, she snapped out of her thoughts and got up.

He gave instructions to his aunt and Cheng'er's guards.

"What if Prince Jing comes?" Auntie asked worriedly.

"Then say I went into the mountains to hunt."

The mountains and forests are vast, and once someone enters, they are not easy to find.

Even if they find it, they can say they've parted ways and buy time.

If he wants to come to sleep at night, then it can't be hidden anymore.

"Qinghe, come back to Luoyang with me."

After saying that, the master and servant walked out.

It was still early morning, and many people were already up. The emperor was fond of hunting, and no one dared to be negligent.

Early in the morning, many people dressed in riding and archery attire, carrying quiver baskets of arrows, headed towards the mountains and forests.

Shen Nanzi went against their wishes.

At the same time, Xie Yu also received news that Grand Commandant Shen had been arrested.

When he found Shen Nanzi outside her tent, Shen Nanzi had already left with Qinghe.

Xie Yu was anxious and chased after them.

After leaving the tent, Shen Nanzi went directly to their carriage.

The carriage was in an open area outside the exit; to get there, one had to cross a mountain road.

As Shen Nanzi walked along the mountain path, Xie Yu rode his horse and stood in front of her.

"Shen Nanzi, what are you doing?" He was in a hurry, his chest heaving.

The morning breeze ruffled the stray hairs on his forehead, revealing his anxious brows and eyes.

"My brother is in trouble, I have to go back to save him." Shen Nanzi walked around his horse and continued to ride forward at high speed.

"You stay here and take care of Cheng'er. I'm going back." Xie Yu reined in his horse, turned around, and chased after her.

Shen Nanzi remained unmoved and shook her head, "I must see my brother, I need to..."

"I know what you're going to do. Let me do it."

"No, you can't take risks. My brother already told me that you should be hunting with the Emperor in the mountains right now. Let me take over everything."

"Wherever you are, I will be there. I..."

The next moment, her body felt heavy as Xie Yu's body pressed down on her.