Xiao Shan was a very sensitive person. At first, he thought the feeling of Xie Chen distancing himself was just a misperception, but as the meal went on, he realized it was not a misperception at all.

 

Xie Chen was indeed distancing himself from him. It might have been unconscious, as he tried to act normally, but many small details were different, and it seemed he didn't want Xie Zhui to notice. Did Xie Chen have some thoughts related to him?

 

The person Xie Chen valued most was Xie Zhui. Could it be that he heard some rumors and thought Xiao Shan was not treating Xie Zhui well?

 

Xiao Shan carefully considered his recent life with Xie Zhui and felt that it was quite good. Now in the entire capital, who didn't know about his good relationship with Xie Zhui? The idea of adding concubines or other people to his side, which would upset Xie Zhui, was out of the question.

 

If it wasn't a personal matter, then could it be official business?

 

But he and Xie Chen were in different places—one in the capital and the other in Yangzhou. Xie Chen's title of Earl was largely symbolic, with no real achievements or foundation in the court, so he wasn't a threat to Xiao Shan. Moreover, Xie Chen's actions were contradictory; he seemed to want to distance himself, yet he was very diligent in investigating matters for Xiao Shan.

 

So what was really going on? Was it out of consideration for Xie Zhui, or did something unexpected happen?

 

Could it be related to the person who treated his eyes?

 

Xiao Shan pondered the current situation but couldn't come to a conclusion immediately. He had a good mindset, knowing that some things couldn't be figured out right away, and he didn't stubbornly dwell on it.

 

At noon, Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui stayed at the Xie residence for a meal. After having a couple of drinks, they decided to rest there and return to the prince's residence in the evening.

 

Xie Zhui had been sleeping more lately. As he lay in bed talking to Xiao Shan, he soon closed his eyes and fell asleep.

 

Xiao Shan watched him, tucking the blanket around him, and at some point, he too fell asleep.

 

Once Xiao Shan was deeply asleep, Xie Zhui slowly opened his eyes. After waiting a while, he quietly got out of bed.

 

He left the courtyard and went directly to find Xie Chen. When he arrived, Xie Chen was sitting by the window, his presence exuding a cold and chilling aura.

 

Seeing Xie Zhui approaching, Xie Chen quickly closed the window to prevent the cold air from entering the room. Xie Zhui's health was more delicate than usual, and catching a chill would not be good.

 

Xie Zhui looked at the composed Xie Chen and directly asked, "Elder Brother, have you returned to the capital with some dissatisfaction towards His Highness? Have you encountered any issues? Is there some misunderstanding here?"

 

He understood Xie Chen's actions clearly, which was why he pretended to sleep. Upon noticing the problem, he needed to clarify it. He knew Xiao Shan better than anyone and didn't want Xie Chen to harbor unwarranted distance or hostility towards him.

 

He didn't want Xiao Shan to feel the disparity; he wanted to resolve these issues before Xiao Shan sensed any difference.

 

Xiao Shan always protected him. He also wanted to protect him, and he didn't want Xiao Shan to feel hurt.

 

Since the issue lay with Xie Chen, he naturally had to resolve it. This was Xie Zhui's most genuine thought.

 

Xie Chen's voice carried a hint of surprise, "What are you talking about? When have I ever been dissatisfied with the prince?"

 

Xie Zhui looked at him with a somewhat hurt expression and said, "Elder Brother, we have relied on each other for many years. I know you well. When you lie, your left index and middle fingers unconsciously rub against your thumb."

 

Xie Chen was taken aback, and the three fingers on his left hand that had been moving suddenly stopped.

 

He gave a bitter smile and said, "It seems I can't hide anything from you. But it's not that I'm dissatisfied with the prince. There are some things I'm keeping from you, but I need to verify them. Xie Zhui, give me some time to investigate properly."

 

"Does it concern me?" Xie Zhui was not swayed by this appeal to familial bonds and continued to press.

 

This was also what he couldn't understand. Being dissatisfied with Xiao Shan because of him made no sense at all.

 

Xie Chen knew very well how Xiao Shan treated him.

 

Xie Chen fell silent, and Xie Zhui said, "Elder Brother, you are my brother, and Xiao Shan is my husband. You are the two closest people to me. If there really is something, the first person you shouldn't hide it from is me."

 

"But..." For the first time, Xie Chen's face showed signs of anxiety, helplessness, and frustration. He said, "Xie Zhui, some things are not for me to withhold, but they are of great importance, and I don't know how to..."

 

Before he could finish his sentence, a scream of extreme pain suddenly echoed from the back courtyard. After one scream, the sound immediately ceased.

 

The sound startled Xie Zhui, making him shudder. Xie Chen's tone was heavy as he said, "Don't be alarmed. It's... it's the voice of the person who saved me. The poison in his body acts up several times a day. As long as he endures the episodes, he will be fine."

 

"And what about you, Elder Brother?" Xie Zhui's first reaction was concern for Xie Chen. If the person who treated him was in such a state, what did it mean for Xie Chen? What price did Xie Chen have to pay for his treatment?

 

At that moment, Xie Chen resented Xie Zhui's sharp intuition. He didn't want to discuss this person further, so he said, "I am different from him. The parasites in my body have been removed. He, on the other hand, has been used as a test subject for poisons for a long time, and his body is full of toxins, which is why he suffers like this."

 

Xie Zhui didn't fully believe Xie Chen's words, sensing that Xie Chen was hiding something.

 

A nameless fear rose in Xie Zhui's heart. He had a gut feeling that if he could uncover what Xie Chen was hiding, everything would become clear.

 

Xie Chen then said, "Xie Zhui, the prince must have heard that sound as well. Go and be with him."

 

Xie Zhui wanted to say more, but Xie Chen added, "Give me two days. Let me think things through."

 

His tone was very sorrowful, and Xie Zhui, still concerned about Xiao Shan, decided not to press further. However, he softly said, "Since Elder Brother has said so, I will come back in two days. I hope by then, you will explain everything clearly."

 

Xie Chen sighed with some helplessness, "I said two days, and you really give me just two days?"

 

Xie Zhui stood firm, "Otherwise, Elder Brother can choose to explain everything now."

 

"Alright, alright, two days it is. Go back now," Xie Chen said.

 

Xie Zhui gave him one last look before leaving.

 

After Xie Zhui left, Gu Ning appeared in the room. He draped a cloak over Xie Chen's shoulders and asked, "Why didn't you tell him the truth?"

 

"Do you think I don't want to? He is pregnant now and can't be too agitated. I'm afraid it would upset him. He is my only family, and if he were to harm himself because of this, I would regret it for the rest of my life."

 

Gu Ning replied, "But what difference will two days make?"

 

"Every day counts, and I want to see something," Xie Chen said, though he didn't elaborate. Having been by his side for a long time, Gu Ning understood the unspoken words.

 

Xie Chen wanted to see Xiao Shan's attitude. Xie Zhui often praised Xiao Shan's intelligence. Although Xie Chen hadn't interacted with Xiao Shan for long, he had formed some understanding of him. Moreover, this matter required Xiao Shan's assistance.

 

The matter was too significant for him to speak lightly about it.

 

When Xie Zhui returned, Xiao Shan was just about to go out to look for him. Seeing him, Xiao Shan hurried over and looked him up and down, asking, "Are you alright?" The scream earlier had been so harrowing that it left him deeply unsettled.

 

Since then, he was worried about Xie Zhui. Now, seeing him safe and sound, he was still very concerned.

 

Xie Zhui took his hand and said, "I'm fine."

 

Xiao Shan glanced around and asked, "What happened earlier? Did it frighten you?"

 

Xie Zhui shook his head, "I'm fine. It was the person treating Elder Brother... I don't know the specifics, but Elder Brother said it was due to poisoning."

 

Xiao Shan nodded.

 

Not long after, Xie Chen and Gu Ning appeared. Xie Chen said, "That was an accident earlier. I hope the prince wasn't too startled."

 

Xiao Shan replied lightly, "I'm thick-skinned and not easily frightened. Xie Zhui is expecting, though, and it's a good thing he wasn't startled." His tone was not very pleasant, as he was genuinely worried about Xie Zhui.

 

Xie Zhui held his hand and said, "Such noises won't scare me."

 

Xie Chen softly added, "It won't happen again."

 

Due to the incident, Xie Zhui no longer felt like staying. There was no point in remaining, as Xie Chen always found various excuses for the discordant events at the Xie residence. Xiao Shan, being perceptive, wouldn't mention it out of consideration for Xie Zhui.

 

In short, it was quite uninteresting.

 

So, Xie Zhui suggested returning to the prince's residence first, and Xiao Shan naturally agreed.

 

Before they even reached Prince Li's residence, news of the Crown Princess' deposition already spread throughout the capital.

 

Xiao Jin mentioned this to him before, so he wasn't surprised by the confirmation of the news. However, since it concerned Xiao Jin, Xiao Shan escorted Xie Zhui back to the prince's residence and said, "The deposition of the Crown Princess is no small matter and will certainly cause some upheaval. You stay at home, and I'll go check on things."

 

Xie Zhui knew of Xiao Shan's good relationship with Xiao Jin, so he quickly said, "Go ahead."

 

Xiao Shan ruffled his hair and said, "If you get hungry, eat something. Don't wait for me to come back."

 

After reassuring Xie Zhui, Xiao Shan turned and left Prince Li's residence.

 

However, instead of heading to the Eastern Palace, he returned to the Xie residence.

 

When Xie Chen heard that Xiao Shan came back, Gu Ning was applying medicine to his eyes.

 

Xie Chen sat up and wiped the medicinal residue from his eyes, saying, "Take him to the study. I'll be there shortly." To be honest, he didn't expect Xiao Shan to return so quickly. He thought it would be at least a while, or perhaps that Xiao Shan wouldn't come back at all.

 

After tidying up, Xie Chen went to the study. As soon as he entered, Xiao Shan began, "Elder Brother, time is tight. I need to visit the Crown Prince at the Eastern Palace shortly. If you have any grievances, speak to me directly. It's just the two of us here, and I don't want Xie Zhui to be caught in the middle."

 

Xie Chen remained silent.

 

Xiao Shan continued, "Elder Brother, what happened during your return to the capital that has caused you to be angry with me?"

 

Xie Chen looked towards him. Though his eyes were still covered with white silk, Xiao Shan could feel his gaze.

 

Xie Chen said, "If I tell you, will it implicate others?"

 

Xiao Shan frowned, "If this 'other person' Elder Brother refers to is Xie Zhui, I can assure you that it is absolutely impossible. No matter what happens, Xie Zhui and I will face it and resolve it together. So I hope Elder Brother will tell me the truth and not let misunderstandings create a rift between us."

 

Xie Chen said, "The prince should know about the defeat of my grandfather's army and the disappearance of my father a few years ago."

 

Hearing this, Xiao Shan's heart skipped a beat. He said in a deep voice, "This is known to everyone. Is Elder Brother bringing this up because you have found him?"

 

Xie Chen nodded, "Yes, I have found him." His tone was overly calm, and such calmness often masked deep pain.

 

Xiao Shan's frown deepened, and he asked softly, "Is it the person who was screaming in the back courtyard earlier?"

 

Xie Chen nodded again.

 

Xiao Shan asked, "If that's the case, why not go to see the Emperor?"

 

Xie Chen let out a cold laugh, "He doesn't dare and can't. His body is full of poison, and he has been tortured beyond recognition. He can't see the Emperor. He doesn't dare to either. When my grandfather and father led the army into a trap, it was because they were betrayed by their own people who falsely reported military intelligence. Someone pushed him off a cliff and told him that it was all the Emperor's doing. The Emperor feared the power of the Xie family army, known as the Northern Army, because the people of the North only knew the Xie family and not the Emperor. The Emperor feared that the Xie family's influence would grow too strong and lead to a rebellion, so he decided to eliminate his loyal subjects."

 

"Prince Li, do you think I can tell Xie Zhui about this? He is now your consort and carrying your child. If it was indeed the Emperor's order back then, what do you expect him to do? Abandon everything and stay with you, or leave you with the child?"

 

Xie Chen's words were like a knife, aiming to pierce straight into the heart.

 

"Who is this 'someone'?" Xiao Shan's brow twitched, and he asked coldly, his brows furrowed.

 

He didn't immediately deny it on behalf of the Emperor because he didn't know the full story, nor did he immediately dismiss Xie Chen's words because he couldn't ascertain their truth.

 

Words alone are useless; everything requires evidence.

 

Therefore, he needed to find out exactly who this person was.