Chapter Fifteen: Abducted

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“Sixth Prince, may you be well. Our prince is not in the residence today. If you have business, please return another day,” Mo Yi replied, her tone cold and unyielding.

Mo Yi’s distant manner reminded Yan Henu of the confrontation between the Sixth Prince and Shen Hezhi during the fire a few days ago. Clearly, the entanglement between these two was far from trivial.

“Your Ninth Prince is absent, but isn’t the Ninth Princess here?” The Sixth Prince said, seating himself on a nearby chair without waiting for an invitation.

Mo Yi remained by Yan Henu’s side, ready to react instantly should any danger arise.

“I wonder what brings you here today, Sixth Brother?” Yan Henu asked lightly, her face adorned with a smile that discouraged approach.

Shen Heye looked at Yan Henu, touched his chin, and replied, “What I want to do is…”

He deliberately drew out his words, and Yan Henu frowned, waiting for him to finish. But suddenly, Shen Heye sprang towards her so swiftly that she had no time to react.

Fortunately, Mo Yi had been watching him closely and intercepted his attack the moment he moved.

Shen Heye wielded a tiny dagger, aiming to harm Yan Henu. She retreated two steps as Mo Yi shielded her. “Sixth Brother, what is the meaning of this?”

“Since you are now his princess, if I kill you, he’ll surely feel some grief, won’t he!” Shen Heye declared, launching another assault.

Mo Yi could defend, but she was no match for Shen Heye; after several exchanges, she was defeated.

“Sixth Prince!” Mo Yi glared at him, her body incapacitated, only her mind still clear.

Shen Heye suddenly moved behind Yan Henu; before they could react, she was struck unconscious. Shen Heye hoisted her up to leave, pausing to smile at Mo Yi lying in the corner. “Go back and tell your master: if he wants his princess, let him come see me himself.”

He hesitated briefly, then added, “Your skills are truly lacking. You should train harder.”

With that, he left with the unconscious Yan Henu. Mo Yi watched his retreating figure, tried to rise but found herself unable to move, and in the next moment, lost consciousness as well.

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Shen Hezhi returned only the next day; Shen Heye had timed his actions precisely, waiting until Shen Hezhi was away to make his move alone on the Ninth Prince’s residence.

As Shen Hezhi walked into the courtyard, he found everyone in a panic. Shen Yi hurried over. “Prince, the princess has been taken!”

Shen Yi’s anxious gaze made Shen Hezhi feel as if his mind went blank for a moment. “What happened?”

“The princess was taken by the Sixth Prince, and Mo Yi was gravely injured by him…” Shen Yi answered.

“Prince!!” Before Shen Yi could finish, Shen Hezhi strode toward the gates, leaving Shen Yi stunned.

He arrived alone at the Sixth Prince’s residence, its gates wide open, as if inviting him in.

The guards at the entrance moved to greet him. “Ninth Prince, our master has been expecting you. Please, come inside.”

Shen Hezhi looked at the guard with a scornful smile and called out loudly, “It seems my Sixth Brother has been waiting for me. Ninth Brother has arrived.”

He entered, his actions drawing the attention of a few passersby, but since this was the Sixth Prince’s residence, they only glanced briefly before lowering their heads, not daring to look again.

The Sixth Prince was notorious for his ruthlessness, and he was currently the most likely candidate for succession; should he ascend the throne, he would be a tyrant.

The animosity between Shen Heye, the Sixth Prince, and Shen Hezhi, the Ninth Prince, was common knowledge throughout the city. Their open and secret struggles were many.

As Shen Hezhi stepped inside, the gates closed behind him. He did not react outwardly, but upon hearing the doors shut, he shook his head with a wry smile.

It seemed his Sixth Brother had prepared everything for this encounter.

Shen Hezhi continued deeper, reflecting that he did not know why he had rushed here so impulsively. He ought to have consulted with Shen Yi before coming.

Yet his anxiety propelled him, and now, even if he regretted it, it was too late.

Shen Hezhi would not let anything happen to Yan Henu. She was the only one who could save him now; he still had a great vengeance to exact, and he could not afford to die, nor did he wish to. He had to protect Yan Henu.

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“Ninth Brother, it’s been a while,” the Sixth Prince greeted, seated on a stone bench in the courtyard, two cups of tea already set before him.

Shen Hezhi smiled faintly, rearranged his robe, and sat at the opposite end, picking up the cup before him and sipping gently.

“Sixth Brother’s tea is indeed fine. I suppose Father must have given you the latest batch,” Shen Hezhi remarked coolly.

Shen Heye eyed Shen Hezhi’s captivating features with anger; Shen Hezhi’s appearance resembled his own mother, whom Shen Heye always believed had died because of Shen Hezhi. This was one of the causes of their deep rift.

“Father cherishes me. Though I’ve been away from the capital for years, upon my return, the best tea comes to me first,” Shen Heye replied bluntly.

“Sixth Brother, what is your purpose in inviting my princess here?” Shen Hezhi abruptly cut to the chase.

Seeing Shen Hezhi address the matter directly, Shen Heye laughed, a wild glint in his eye. “Tell me, if I let all of the capital know that I have abducted your princess, do you think her reputation would survive?”

A pang of anxiety struck Shen Hezhi; this was precisely what he feared. His Sixth Brother hated him to the bone, and would do anything to make him suffer.

“What do you want?” Shen Hezhi’s expression turned cold.

Shen Heye smiled smugly. “Ninth Brother, no need to worry. Though I wish I could kill you, I wouldn’t stoop to such a thing. Unlike you and your mother—utterly without shame.”

Hearing this, Shen Hezhi clenched his fists, but after a moment’s inner deliberation, slowly relaxed them.

“Sixth Brother, whatever you want, just say it,” Shen Hezhi replied, regaining his composure.

This surprised Shen Heye; he hadn’t expected Shen Hezhi to recover his calm so quickly.