Chapter 596: Bet

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Today, after Shen Zhuo heard Yu Niaoniao say those things, his heart was filled with doubts.

After he returned to the palace, he contacted the commander of the secret guards in private.

He handed a female corpse that looked extremely similar to Yu Niaoniao to the other party and asked the commander of the secret guards to scratch her face. Then, the latter carried the head to the old emperor.

The truth was as Shen Zhuo had expected. The old emperor was blind and could not see the abnormality of the female corpse’s head. In addition, he firmly believed in the commander of the secret guards, so he thought that Yu Niaoniao was really dead.

“Send it out of the palace for burial.”

“Yes.”

The commander of the secret guards left the bedroom with the head.

He heaved a sigh of relief that he had successfully bluffed his way through.

Right on the heels of that, he saw the Crown Prince appear in front of him again.

He quickly looked around to make sure there was no one around before speaking.

“There are many people in the palace. It’s safer for Your Highness not to meet me.”

Usually, unless it was necessary, Shen Zhuo would not interact with the commander of the secret guards.

However, he had too many doubts today.

These doubts were suppressed in his heart. If he did not get an answer, he would probably not be able to sleep all night.

Shen Zhuo whispered, “I’m here to ask you something. I’ll leave after that.” The commander of the secret guards said, “Please tell me.”

Shen Zhuo said, “I know. Father silenced Niaoniao because she knew one of his secrets. What’s the secret she knows?”

The commander of the secret guards was speechless.

Shen Zhuo stared at him. “You must know.”

The commander of the secret guards said, “It’s better if you don’t know these things.”

His attitude confirmed Shen Zhuo’s guess.

Shen Zhuo’s voice was a little unstable. “Father… he’s actually not of the orthodox royal blood, right?”

The commander of the secret guards was speechless.

His silence was tantamount to a tacit agreement.

Even though he had expected this, Shen Zhuo could not help but be shocked. It was a long time before he found his senses and continued to ask.

“Who else knows about this other than Yu Niaoniao?” The commander of the secret guards said, “Her Majesty.”

Shen Zhuo asked, “Who else?”

The commander of the secret guards hesitated for a moment before saying, “Those who knew back then have been silenced.”

Shen Zhuo had just heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the commander of the secret guards speak again right on the heels of that.

“But in the process of investigating the truth, Yu Niaoniao learned this secret.

Duke Lang was also investigating this with her.”

Shen Zhuo’s heart tightened. “In other words, Xiao Juan also knows this secret?”

The commander of the secret guards said, “Your Highness, don’t worry. The emperor has already sent someone to hunt down Duke Lang. It’s impossible for him to return alive.”

Only then did Shen Zhuo relax.

He instructed, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Not even my grandfather.”

The commander of the secret guards nodded. “Yes.”

At this moment, facing Yu Niaoniao’s questioning, Shen Zhuo did not want to tell the truth.

However, when he thought of how worried she was about Xiao Juan just now, there was a nameless fire burning in his heart.

The corners of his mouth lifted in a mocking chuckle.

“Didn’t I make it clear enough? Xiao Juan touched Father’s reverse scale. Father has already sent someone to take his life. It’s impossible for him to reach Liaodong County alive. You won’t see him again in your life.”

He thought that Yu Niaoniao would definitely be anxious and even break down and cry after knowing this news.

However, in fact, after a short moment of shock, Yu Niaoniao quickly calmed down.

She said firmly, “Ah Juan won’t die.”

Her reaction disappointed snen znuo. At tne same time, It made tne anger In his heart burn even stronger.

His tone was filled with malice. “No matter how strong Xiao Juan’s martial arts are, it’s impossible for him to escape the pursuit of so many experts. He’s dead this time.”

Yu Niaoniao still said the same thing.

“He won’t die.”

Shen Zhuo did not understand. “Where did you get your confidence? What makes you think he won’t die?” Yu Niaoniao said, “Because he’s Xiao Juan.”

Shen Zhuo was furious at her attitude. “Alright, then let’s make a bet and see if Xiao Juan can come back alive.” Yu Niaoniao said, “If I win the bet, let me go.”

Shen Zhuo said, “If I win, you have to completely forget Xiao Juan.”

Yu Niaoniao said, “Okay.”

Shen Zhuo deliberately provoked her. “I hope you won’t deny it when the time comes.”

Yu Niaoniao retorted, “I should be the one saying that to you.”

With that, she closed her eyes and looked like she was going to sleep.

Shen Zhuo stood up and walked out.

He stood under the porch and looked at the snow-covered vegetation in the courtyard. After thinking for a moment, he called over a guard and instructed. “Take someone to Duke Lang’s Mansion and see if everyone is there.”

“Yes.”

The guard quickly disappeared into the vast night.

Shen Zhuo placed one hand behind his back and had a bad feeling.

Just now, Yu Niaoniao’s confident appearance made him suspect something. Could it be that Xiao Juan had already expected this day?

If that were the case, Xiao Juan would definitely have been prepared.

Shen Zhuo had never dared to underestimate Xiao Juan. Not only was this person’s martial arts powerful, but his thoughts were also deep. If he was already prepared, it would not be so easy to take his life.

The next morning, Shen Zhuo received a report from his guards.

“Your Highness, everyone in Duke Lang’s Mansion is gone.”

Shen Zhuo’s heart sank. As expected!

He pressed, “Do you know where they went?”

The guard reported truthfully, “I heard that they accompanied the Princess

Consort out of the city to the courtyard two days ago, but they didn’t return.” Shen Zhuo asked, “Have you checked the courtyard outside the city?”

The guard said quickly, “I’ve already checked. The courtyard is empty. The luggage and carriages are gone.”

Shen Zhuo placed his hands behind his back and said nothing for a long time.

It seemed that he was right. Yu Niaoniao had already made arrangements. It was probably that as soon as she was taken away by the Sky Wolf Guards, those people from the Langjun Imperial Palace ran away overnight with their luggage.

As for the direction they fled, it was obvious that they had gone after Xiao Juan.

There were so many people in the Langjun Imperial Palace. When they met Xiao Juan, he would Imow what had happened in the capital. He would definitely raise his guard. The assassins sent by the emperor would most likely return in failure.

Thinking of this, a plan appeared in Shen Zhuo’s heart.

A perfect plan that could make Niaoniao loyal to him and get rid of Xiao Juan.

He instructed quietly.

“Pass down the order. From today onwards, send more people to the various city gates to investigate the people who entered the city.”

The guard asked tentatively, “Is Your Highness investigating someone?”

Shen Zhuo looked up at the blue sky.

It was not snowing today. The sky was blue.

“If Duke Lang returns, send a message to me immediately.”

The guard was very surprised. “Your Highness thinks Duke Lang will return to the Imperial Capital?”

Shen Zhuo smiled and said slowly, “How can he not come back when the woman he loves is in danger?”