Chapter Twenty-Six: Rumors Spread Everywhere

But now, even if she wanted to return, she had no proper reason. She was already married, and if she simply went back, people might assume she had been mistreated in the prince’s residence.

Therefore, she needed a convincing excuse to return. What could it be…

Yan He Ru pondered for a pretext in her chamber, while on the other side, Shen He Zhi had also heard the rumors about her. Shen Yi sat beside him, accompanying him as he read.

“Shen Yi, I recall that before my marriage, you mentioned this matter to me, didn’t you?” Shen He Zhi had lost all interest in reading.

“Yes, at that time I had already begun investigating. It appears the princess was slandered, but I hadn’t yet found the evidence,” Shen Yi answered truthfully.

“Very well, I understand. I’m going to the Hua Manor. Keep an eye on this matter, and don’t let it escalate. I believe my princess will find a way to resolve it herself.” Shen He Zhi smiled, rose, and left.

Shen Yi was left utterly bewildered.

It seemed the prince cared deeply about his princess. Perhaps she would soon find her way into his heart. If that were truly the case, it would be wonderful.

With a satisfied grin, Shen Yi started to investigate who had spread the rumor. Since the prince had told him not to interfere too much, he would instead observe from the shadows.

After arriving at Hua Manor, Shen He Zhi met Jiang Can Xing, who was seated upstairs, watching the performances below.

Shen He Zhi glanced at the scene downstairs, then at Jiang Can Xing, who seemed utterly captivated. He approached, lifted his robe, and sat down, startling Jiang Can Xing.

“When did you arrive? Why didn’t you tell me in advance?” Jiang Can Xing hurriedly asked with a cheerful smile.

“If I had told you, would you have prepared drums and gongs to welcome me?” Shen He Zhi replied coolly.

Jiang Can Xing smiled awkwardly. “Your Highness, have you heard about your young princess…”

Shen He Zhi cast him a glance that made Jiang Can Xing shrink back in fear. “Heh, I was just worried and wanted to ask. Judging by your expression, you must already know about it.”

“You actually believe such baseless rumors? Has the Xing Manor become so ill-informed that it would believe such things?”

Jiang Can Xing shrugged helplessly. “I’ve investigated, but progress is slow. I've only uncovered a few traces.”

“Tell me everything you’ve found.” Shen He Zhi sipped his tea, watching the dancers below, his gaze never once falling on Jiang Can Xing.

Jiang Can Xing realized his abrupt question had displeased Shen He Zhi and quickly attempted to make amends. “It appears to be someone close to her, someone who knows her very well. I suspect it’s someone from the Yan family.”

“Hmm.”

“…You’re not going to help her?” Jiang Can Xing was puzzled by Shen He Zhi’s indifferent response.

“Help her? Why?” Shen He Zhi turned to look at Jiang Can Xing, who was left speechless.

“Don’t worry. My little princess is much more capable than you realize.”

After all, she dared to negotiate openly with me, and the terms she set were… well.

Shen He Zhi mused silently to himself.

At this thought, Shen He Zhi suddenly smiled, and Jiang Can Xing, seeing that smile, assumed someone was about to meet with disaster.

Whenever Shen He Zhi wore such a smile, calamity always followed.

“So you’re not worried about your princess letting the rumor spread unchecked? If nothing is done, in three days all of the capital will know,” Jiang Can Xing said seriously.

But Shen He Zhi remained unconcerned, instead propping his legs on the railing and clasping his hands behind his head, utterly relaxed. “Not worried. Speaking of which, I’m more curious about that matter you mentioned in Huainan. I intend to go there myself.”

“To see Lady Jing?” Jiang Can Xing immediately regretted his words, for Shen He Zhi’s expression changed at once.

Yet he didn’t seem angry; in fact, he only looked at Jiang Can Xing with confusion.

“Jiang Can Xing, I’m beginning to wonder if your Xing Manor is falling apart. You’re supposed to be one of the top intelligence organizations alongside the Dark Gate, yet your information seems so outdated.”

“Huh?” Jiang Can Xing was still at a loss.

“Don’t you know she’s already in my residence?” Shen He Zhi frowned.

“What?!” Jiang Can Xing was astonished. “But my reports said she was still in Huainan.”

“Xing Manor is finished, tsk tsk.” Shen He Zhi teased, turning back to enjoy the performance below.

Jiang Can Xing finally realized the gravity of the situation. Xing Manor and Dark Gate were the two largest intelligence organizations in the martial world; there was little they couldn’t discover. Yet now, Xing Manor had failed to learn such a crucial piece of news.

“There’s someone interfering behind the scenes,” Jiang Can Xing said gravely.

Shen He Zhi nodded. “It’s likely the people from Huainan. Prepare yourself; we’ll go there in a day or two.”

“In a day or two?!”

“Must you always be so startled? Truly, aside from your alluring voice, you have few redeeming qualities,” Shen He Zhi said with some annoyance.

Jiang Can Xing pouted; he was simply shocked by the matter. “But your princess is still entangled in rumors, and you’re leaving without handling it?”

“If you have time to worry about her, you’d do better to pay attention to your Xing Manor.” Shen He Zhi stood and departed, leaving Jiang Can Xing utterly bewildered.

Did Shen He Zhi come here tonight just to mock him?

Nevertheless, the situation with Xing Manor was indeed dire. Huainan… The Emperor’s influence was there—it was time for a reckoning.

Shen He Zhi’s expression grew increasingly serious as he walked. In some respects, Xing Manor was also his power. Xing Manor belonged to Jiang Can Xing, Dark Gate to Cen Chang Xiao; both were his friends, and the two organizations had been founded with his help.

Now that Xing Manor had encountered trouble, Dark Gate might not be immune. Both would be a blow to him.

Few in the martial world knew of his connection to these organizations—almost none, in fact.

But, as fate would have it, the Emperor was one of the few who understood the significance. Xing Manor was located in Huainan, and the issue Jiang Can Xing had investigated was also in Huainan.

Thus, it seemed he would have to go to Huainan himself. Yet, it was highly likely this was a trap set by the Emperor.

Trap or not, he had no choice but to go.