Chapter Fifty: Eavesdropping

Bathed in moonlight, the man’s features were revealed. Even though Yan Heru did not turn around, she recognized him immediately from his voice. “Your Highness, it’s late. Is there something urgent that brings you to the Prince’s Manor at this hour?”

Unruffled, Yan Heru remained seated, unmoved by his sudden appearance. Shen Heye narrowed his eyes at her calm response, a dangerous glint flashing across his gaze, before settling into the chair beside her.

“It’s nothing important. I simply went out for a walk and, without thinking, found myself here at the Ninth Prince’s Manor,” Shen Heye replied nonchalantly.

Yan Heru raised her eyes to glance at him. Though anxiety gnawed at her heart—would Shen Heye suddenly act against her?—her expression betrayed nothing.

Her composure, in fact, puzzled Shen Heye. Was Yan Heru so calm because she had some trump card in hand? Had she guessed his purpose in coming tonight? But as far as he knew, no one should have been aware of his movements except Cen Changjing. Could Cen Changjing have betrayed him? It seemed unlikely…

Suspicion flickered in Shen Heye’s mind.

“Your Highness, it’s already late. If there’s nothing urgent, you’d best be on your way. Wandering into the manor at this hour is hardly wise,” Yan Heru said, rising and returning to her chambers.

Shen Heye remained seated in the courtyard, watching her retreating figure, unmoving for a long time.

Inside, Yan Heru did not retire to bed. With Shen Heye still in the courtyard, how could she rest easily? Sleep was out of the question. Instead, she hid behind the door, watching his every move.

Eventually, Shen Heye got up and left. Only then did Yan Heru breathe a sigh of relief.

But as she peered out, she realized he was not heading toward the main gate, but toward Cen Changjing’s quarters…

Could it be…

A bold suspicion flashed through her mind—had Shen Heye and Cen Changjing collaborated to frame her for what had happened before?

Yet, upon careful thought, the theory seemed flimsy. Shen Heye had no reason to set her up. Whatever grievances he held against the Ninth Prince had nothing to do with her.

On the contrary, Cen Changjing was just an ordinary woman, always by the Ninth Prince’s side. How could she possibly know the Sixth Prince?

Still, Yan Heru’s curiosity was piqued. She quietly followed, calling for Mo Yi to accompany her.

The two of them trailed Shen Heye at a careful distance, neither too close nor too far, so he remained unaware of their presence.

Shen Heye indeed arrived at Cen Changjing’s residence. When Cen Changjing saw him, she showed not the slightest surprise, as if she had expected him to come that night.

Yan Heru and Mo Yi exchanged a glance, both seeing astonishment in the other’s eyes.

Who would have thought Cen Changjing actually knew the Sixth Prince—and that, judging from their manner, theirs was no recent acquaintance.

The two crouched at the corner outside the courtyard wall, just close enough to overhear the conversation within.

“I’m amazed you managed to botch such a simple task,” Shen Heye said in a low voice. The anger in his tone was unmistakable.

“My lord… I don’t know how things ended up this way. I was so confident she would be ruined beyond hope!” Cen Changjing stammered, panic evident in her voice.

From outside, Yan Heru and Mo Yi heard a dull thud—Cen Changjing had fallen to her knees.

Their relationship seemed more like that of master and servant.

“You were confident at first, so how did you fail in the end?” Shen Heye pressed on.

Cen Changjing knelt, her gaze flitting about anxiously. “I don’t understand why the Deputy Minister of Justice would testify for her… And then all the rumors that spread in the capital turned out to be false. Word got around, and the people believed it…”

“I’m not asking you to recount how you failed. I want to know why,” Shen Heye’s voice was cold as ice.

His slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the marble table, each tap echoing like a hammer on Cen Changjing’s heart, making her tremble with fear.

“I… I do not know…” Cen Changjing closed her eyes, as if resigning herself to whatever fate awaited her.

Hearing her address herself as a subordinate, the two eavesdroppers outside widened their eyes in shock. Though nothing had been said before, in that moment, their eyes exchanged every unspoken thought.

Yan Heru: Cen Changjing is actually one of the Sixth Prince’s people!

Mo Yi: This is unbelievable!

Yan Heru: How does the Sixth Prince have such an inept subordinate—and wasn’t she always by the Ninth Prince’s side?

Mo Yi: I have no idea…

After another look, they dropped their silent exchange and continued listening intently.

“There’s no need for you to cower. Although you failed this time, your past work has been satisfactory. I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself—if you’re willing to accept it,” Shen Heye said.

Hearing she would be given another chance, Cen Changjing looked up at him in delight, her eyes shining.

“Rest assured, master. As long as you give me the chance, I will carry out your orders flawlessly this time! I will not fail you again!” she replied fervently.

From behind the wall, Yan Heru poked her head out carefully.

She saw Shen Heye reach out and grip Cen Changjing’s chin.

His eyes were filled with malice. “You said you would never disappoint me again. Haven’t I made it perfectly clear that until you’ve completed your task and truly returned to my side, you are not to address me that way?” With that, he let go of her and wiped his hand in disgust.

Far from angered, Cen Changjing’s fear redoubled. “I understand… I won’t make that mistake again…”

“See that you remember. Tonight, for some reason, Yan Heru guessed I would return to the Ninth Prince’s Manor. You were the only one who knew I was coming, so think carefully—did you let something slip?”