PNB Chapter 1385 Gaffe
Chapter 1385 Gaffe
If it weren't for Shen Qing's loss of composure before his death, she would probably have been kept in the dark, directing all her anger at others while ignoring the seemingly gentle and unassuming Prime Minister Meng Xiang.
Does Ke Meng really have such ability? To be able to understand people's hearts so thoroughly, even calculating the death of a pawn perfectly?
The doubts in Lin Yiwan's mind grew heavier and heavier.
The rapid sound of horses' hooves echoed on the empty official road. In the distance, the vermilion gates of the Marquis of Zhanyi's mansion were already in sight. But for some reason, the mansion was unusually silent today.
At this hour in the past, there would always be guards on duty at the gate, and the sounds of servants chatting and laughing could be heard from inside the gatehouse. But now, the gate was tightly shut, and there was no one at the gate. Even the mansion flag, which usually fluttered in the wind, drooped its head, looking lifeless.
Lin Yiwan's heart sank.
"Shadow One!" She reined in her horse, her voice trembling slightly.
Yingyi spurred his horse to catch up, followed her gaze, and his expression changed drastically: "Madam, something's wrong!"
Before the words were finished, a creak was heard, and the vermilion gate of the Marquis of Zhanyi's mansion slowly opened from the inside.
Standing inside the door was Uncle Fu, the steward of the Marquis's residence. He wore his usual respectful smile, but that smile was stiff and somewhat eerily unsettling. "Madam, you've finally returned. The Marquis is waiting for you in the front hall."
Lin Yiwan narrowed her eyes, subtly observing Uncle Fu.
Uncle Fu had served the Marquis's mansion for many years. He was honest and kind, and never lied. But at this moment, his eyes were darting around, and a layer of cold sweat was faintly visible on his forehead.
“Uncle Fu,” Lin Yiwan’s voice was calm and even, but her gaze was sharp as a knife, “Where are the guards at the gate? Aren’t the ones on duty today Commander Li’s men?”
Uncle Fu's body trembled almost imperceptibly.
He quickly lowered his head and cupped his hands, saying, "Commander Li has been ordered to inspect outside the city. The guards in the manor have all been transferred by the Marquis to guard the backyard."
"Guarding the backyard?" Lin Yiwan raised an eyebrow. "Guarding what?"
"This!" Cold sweat poured down Uncle Fu's forehead. "This old servant doesn't know. The Marquis only said that when the lady returns, he will have her go to the front hall to find him."
Shadow One had already sensed something was wrong. He quietly tightened his grip on the sword at his waist and scanned the courtyard inside the gate with a wary look.
The courtyard was quiet; even the sparrows that usually chirped were nowhere to be seen.
Lin Yiwan took a deep breath and dismounted. She knew that the Marquis's residence was now a den of dragons and tigers.
But she had no way out; Zhan Yan was still in the mansion, and she had to go in.
"Lead the way." Lin Yiwan's voice was unreadable.
Uncle Fu quickly responded and turned to walk into the mansion. His steps were somewhat unsteady.
Passing through the screen wall, one enters the front courtyard of the Marquis's residence. The snow in the courtyard has been swept clean, yet that cleanliness carries a deliberate air of death. The lanterns under the eaves flicker, casting an eerie shadow over the surrounding scenery.
The door to the front hall was ajar.
Zhan Yan's voice could be faintly heard from inside, sounding somewhat weary: "Wanwan is back? Come in."
Lin Yiwan's heart eased slightly. It was Ah Yan's voice, no doubt about it.
She reached out and pushed open the door, a faint scent of sandalwood wafting towards her. Zhan Yan was sitting in a grand chair, holding a book in his hands, looking at her with a gentle expression.
"Husband," Lin Yiwan called out, her feet moving involuntarily toward him.
But just as she was about three steps away from Zhan Yan, Ying Yi suddenly shouted in a low voice, "Madam, be careful!"
Before the words were even finished, Zhan Yan abruptly raised his head, his eyes now devoid of any gentleness, replaced by a chilling killing intent. The scroll in his hand suddenly transformed into a sharp dagger, aimed directly at Lin Yiwan's heart!
Lin Yiwan's pupils contracted sharply, and she instinctively dodged to the side. The dagger grazed her clothes, sending a chill down her spine.
"Husband, you?" Lin Yiwan looked at the person in front of her in disbelief.
Zhan Yan sneered, raising his dagger once more: "Lin Yiwan, do you think you can leave this manor alive?"
Although the voice was deliberately imitating Zhan Yan's tone, upon closer listening, it carried a hint of unfamiliar hoarseness.
Shadow One had already drawn his sword, its blade gleaming coldly, and charged straight at Zhan Yan: "Who exactly are you? How dare you impersonate the Marquis!"
Fake Zhan Yan clearly hadn't expected Ying Yi to be so agile, and in his haste, he could only dodge to the side. His hair bun came undone as he dodged, revealing a hideous scar on his neck.
"Disguise!" Lin Yiwan suddenly realized.
No wonder she felt something was wrong. Although the person in front of her looked exactly like Zhan Yan, he lacked Zhan Yan's calm and composed demeanor as a veteran of many battles.
"Shadow One, take him down!" Lin Yiwan shouted sharply.
Upon receiving the order, Ying Yi's swordplay became even more ferocious. Although the fake Zhan Yan was quite skilled, he was still inferior to Ying Yi. In just a few moves, Ying Yi had the tip of his sword pressed against his throat.
"Speak! Who sent you? Where is the real Marquis?" Yingyi's voice was as cold as ice.
The fake Zhan Yan showed no fear. He looked at Lin Yiwan, a sinister smile playing on his lips: "Lin Yiwan, you think you've won? Let me tell you, this Marquis's mansion is teeming with our people. Your good husband, Zhan Yan, is probably already waiting to collect your corpse!"
Before he could finish speaking, he heard hurried footsteps coming from the backyard.
Immediately afterwards, a group of men in black, wielding sharp blades, surged in from outside the door and surrounded the front hall.
The leader, a burly man in black wearing a bronze mask, spoke in a deep, thunderous voice: "Madam, surrender. The Marquis's life is still in our hands."
Lin Yiwan's heart tightened, her gaze fixed on the bronze-masked man: "What do you want?"
The bronze-masked man slowly spoke, "It's very simple. Hand over the roster in your arms, and I can spare your and Zhan Yan's lives."
Sure enough, their target was still that booklet!
Lin Yiwan subconsciously gripped the roster hidden in her clothes, a resolute glint in her eyes.
This booklet concerns the lives of dozens of officials in the court, and even more so the fate of the dynasty; she absolutely cannot hand it over.
"You'll only get the list if I die!" Lin Yiwan's voice was firm and resolute.
The bronze-masked man seemed to have anticipated her words. He sneered and waved his hand, saying, "Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite! Attack!"
Upon hearing this, the man in black immediately brandished his sharp blade and lunged at Lin Yiwan and Yingyi.
Shadow Guardian stood before Lin Yiwan, his sword flashing, blocking the men in black one by one outside the door. But there were simply too many men in black, one after another, seemingly endless.
Soon, several wounds appeared on Yingyi's body. Blood stained his clothes, but his eyes remained resolute.