The entire bamboo forest was cut down, and the ground was dug three feet deep, revealing a secret passage with an exit outside the city.
When Yan Xuan emerged from the passage, his face was filled with ruthlessness: “Kill them all.”
Servants from Chen Kingdom, Qi Xia Palace, and the craftsmen who originally built the palace chambers contributed to a seamless operation that could not have occurred without meticulous coordination. He had no patience to investigate each one; killing everyone was the most effective method.
“Your Majesty,” Gao Song said earnestly, “The imperial concubine trusts her elderly maid very much. If she returns and doesn’t see her, she will surely be heartbroken.”
A trace of tenderness flashed in Yan Xuan’s eyes. He raised his hand and softly said, “You handle it.”
The palace servants and eunuchs knelt on the ground, crying softly and looking at Gao Song with hopeful eyes. Gao Song felt helpless. With the imperial concubine present, they had watched Yan Xuan gradually improve, but he couldn’t stop Yan Xuan from killing. He could only try to root out the collaborators and minimize the casualties, preventing the rebels from gaining too much justification.
“Seal all routes to Chen Kingdom until the imperial concubine is found,” Yan Xuan ordered. “Summon Sui Jin to the palace.”
Half a shichen later, Sui Jin exited the imperial palace, his expression heavy. The lives of thousands in the Sui family would be destroyed without a swift decision.
Sui Huan had not yet rebelled, and no rebel army had raised his banner. Despite causing a stir in Chen Kingdom, he had left no substantial evidence—typical for him, always preferring to operate from the shadows.
Sui Jin’s mouth curved into a sarcastic smile. His brother wanted to rebel while maintaining a good reputation, believing he could have it all. The old supporters in the Sui family hoped to change dynasties, unaware of the ruthless young master currently in the palace.
The Sui family could not be dragged down by Sui Huan. He would reclaim the connections and wealth accumulated over centuries from Sui Huan.
Yan Xuan continued to summon various individuals, issuing orders. After the last group of troops departed for Chen Kingdom, he walked out of the room, staring emotionlessly in the city’s direction.
Sui Huan, I want you to have no place to be buried.
The next day, two rebel armies were suppressed by the imperial court. The ringleaders and their clans were executed, while accomplices were beheaded. During the executions, they claimed they were acting on Sui Huan’s orders. On the same day, the Sui family patriarch publicly apologized to the emperor, removed Sui Huan from the family registry, and declared that any Sui family member must kill Sui Huan on sight. Those collaborating with him would be expelled and killed.
Yan Xuan coldly commanded, “Within ten days, I want to see Sui Huan’s head.”
Sui Jin knelt below the steps, realizing that Yan Xuan had long been prepared. The Sui family had fallen into the trap.
Sui Huan quickly learned of the developments. Knowing Yan Xuan’s clear siding with Sui Jin meant his escape route was cut off, he attempted to act quickly. However, Yan Xuan was swift, having dismantled forces in Ji Kingdom and sealed all routes, leaving A Ruan with no means of escape.
“Sui Huan! What did you do to my father and elder brother?” Ning Ye burst in, her face filled with anxiety. The palace concubines had been harassing her in recent days.
Unable to confront Sui Huan directly, they vented their anger on the one who had brought him back. Rumors circulated that Sui Huan was behind the Chen Emperor’s illness and the prince’s confinement. Despite Ning Ye’s devotion to Sui Huan, she often argued with him due to her loyalty to her father and brother.
Sui Huan gazed at her, his eyes cold. “Ning Ye, I’m in a bad mood. Stay quiet, or I won’t be nice.”
Ning Ye choked back tears and finally cried out, “Sui Huan, have you been using me all along? You don’t love me at all, do you?”
“I do care for you, but your father and brother refuse to accept me and won’t let me marry you,” Sui Huan replied coldly. “You can only blame them for ruining your future.”
Desperate, Ning Ye clung to him, tears streaming down her face. “Really? You’re willing to marry me?”
“If they don’t stop me, I’ll marry you,” Sui Huan said with a light laugh.
Though Chen Huang was poisoned and unlikely to wake again, the Crown Prince was simply hiding from trouble. The Eastern Palace was heavily guarded, making it difficult for Sui Huan to confront the Crown Prince directly. He planned to cut off the Eastern Palace’s supply lines, but Ning Ye’s connection as the Crown Prince’s sister complicated matters.
“Father Emperor won’t stop you.”
He loves me the most and will agree to anything!” Ning Ye argued.
“Unfortunately, your father is bedridden now, and only the Crown Prince’s word counts,” Sui Huan replied. “If the Crown Prince falls ill too, we might have a chance to get married.”
Ning Ye lowered her head, her mind racing.
Later that evening, after visiting the Crown Prince, he suddenly fell seriously ill.
Crying, Ning Ye hugged Sui Huan: “I did all this for you. If you dare to betray me, I’ll kill you!”
Sui Huan patted her back soothingly: “Don’t worry, I’ll prepare for our marriage as soon as possible.”
With the Crown Prince’s fall, according to their agreement with the Chen royal family, they would support the three-year-old son of Chen Huang and divide the power of the Chen kingdom.
“Disarm all Eastern Palace guards and replace them with our people,” Sui Huan ordered his subordinates.
As night fell and the palace grew quiet, a blood-covered man burst into Sui Huan’s room, gasping: “Master, we’ve been tricked! The Crown Prince is fine!”
“What?” Sui Huan was shocked. “Why didn’t you report this earlier?”
“Some people came to help the Eastern Palace, and they’re all experts. My men are all dead, and I barely escaped…” The man spat blood.
“Master, run quickly! The Eastern Palace’s troops are coming!”
The escort protected Sui Huan and rushed out of the palace gate, with battle cries erupting behind them. Sui Huan recognized the familiar accent of Yan Xuan’s people.
“Go!” He took a last look at the palace wall, fleeing with unfulfilled ambitions.
Half an hour later, during a fierce battle with city guards, Sui Huan suddenly saw Ning Ye, who was pursuing him on horseback, calling his name. He waved to her, breaking through the encirclement to reach her side.
“A Ye, help me one more time,” Sui Huan whispered in her ear. Before she could react, he pressed a knife to her neck. “Let me out of the city, or I’ll kill your princess,” he stated coldly.
His arm wrapped tightly around her waist, his chest pressed against her, drawing strength from their closeness. Despite the chaos, Ning Ye felt an unexpected happiness; she realized he would be good to her only when he needed her and hoped to always hold value for him.
“He won’t escape anyway,” Yan Xuan said softly. “I want him to have no place to be buried.”
Gao Song stood guard outside the door, sleep-deprived and with dark circles under his eyes.
After a long time, the door finally opened, and Yan Xuan walked out, saying in a low voice: “Spread the order that only entry is allowed into the cities along the route to Chen Kingdom; no exit is permitted.”
Sui Huan had hidden someone well. Since he couldn’t find them, he would let Sui Huan lead him to them.
