Ch 102: Where Is The Letter?

Meng Tingyue gently lifted her eyelids, a faint surprise flashing across her eyes. After a moment’s thought, she understood what Shen Yunheng was referring to.

She slightly raised her lips, a gentle and considerate smile gracing her face. “It’s alright. I know my husband has always despised flattery and believes that practical action is more important than empty words.”

“My husband rarely participates in such banquets, so he is unfamiliar with the intricacies involved. I haven’t blamed him.”

Shen Yunheng’s eyebrows moved slightly, his gaze serious. “If you dislike such hypocrisy, simply refuse directly. There’s no need to waste time with those people.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Tingyue paused, thinking to herself that the Crown Prince was deeply favored by His Majesty and had outstanding military achievements. Naturally, he didn’t need to rely on the support of court officials, nor did he take the weaving of such interpersonal networks to heart.

But…

“Since you have become His Highness’s Crown Princess, your status is noble. Some things, if unrelated, can be avoided. There are countless officials in the court; you don’t need to deliberately cultivate relationships with them.”

“I value those who are useful. Even a lowly seventh-rank official, as long as they have true talent and learning, I am willing to entrust them with important responsibilities.”

“Conversely, even if someone holds a high position and has close ties with you and me, if they are incompetent and lack knowledge, I will absolutely not promote them lightly.”

His tone was no different from usual, but Meng Tingyue inexplicably felt that his attitude was serious and sincere.

His every word and phrase seemed to be silently proclaiming that he was her solid backing, capable of withstanding the storms, so she didn’t have to painstakingly plan and scheme for him.

Thinking of this, Meng Tingyue’s heart was touched, how could she not be moved?

A feeling she couldn’t quite fathom arose in her heart.

She slightly pursed her lips, then raised her lips and looked up, the gentleness in her eyes lessened a bit of pretense. “Your servant understands.”

The candlelight flickered, the shadows dancing lightly on their faces, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, making their features appear exceptionally soft and beautiful.

In each other’s eyes, the other’s reflection was clearly visible.

Inside the room, fragrant incense wafted, carrying a faint scent, and the two inexplicably felt a little parched.

“Your Highness, Crown Princess, your subordinate has an urgent matter to report.”

A knock on the door, along with Ling Xiao’s voice, sounded inopportunely.

Hearing this, Meng Tingyue unconsciously averted her gaze, a hint of subtle shyness and discomfort flashing across her face.

A hint of coldness colored Shen Yunheng’s dark eyes; his gaze slowly fell upon Ling Xiao outside the door, causing Ling Xiao to involuntarily shiver.

He started searching for the source of the coldness, catching the barely perceptible displeasure in His Highness the Crown Prince’s eyes. Ling Xiao’s heart sank, sensing something was amiss.

He had seen that the room was brightly lit and the door was open, guessing that His Highness and the Crown Princess might not yet have retired for the night, so he had come forward rashly without disturbing their rest. Why was His Highness angry?

Could it be that His Highness and the Crown Princess had just quarreled? Was his arrival inopportune?

Ling Xiao secretly regretted it. He should have let Ling Qi come to report.

He shouldn’t have rushed over to report!

Was he unlucky this month? Did he offend something? Otherwise, why did he keep running into His Highness when he was in a bad mood? Should he go to a temple to get his fortune read?

“Speak.” Shen Yunheng calmed himself, but the coldness around him intensified.

If Ling Xiao couldn’t say anything important, he would consider sending Ling Xiao away to do other things.

Under Shen Yunheng’s murderous gaze, Ling Xiao, gritting his teeth, reported, “Meng Dongliang says he wants to see the Crown Prince before he is willing to reveal the location of the remaining letters.”

Meng Dongliang wants to see the Crown Prince?

Meng Tingyue secretly speculated on Meng Dongliang’s intentions.

“He wants to see me?” Shen Yunheng’s eyes were slightly cold, but he agreed without thinking, “Very well.”

Having said that, Shen Yunheng took a step to leave with Ling Xiao.

Meng Tingyue’s hand involuntarily reached out and gently tugged on Shen Yunheng’s sleeve.

Shen Yunheng paused, slowly turning his head and lowering his eyes to look at the slender, delicate fingers, his gaze slowly rising to finally rest on Meng Tingyue’s slightly nervous face, waiting for her to continue.

Meng Tingyue herself couldn’t explain why she subconsciously pulled him. She slightly pursed her lips, and after a moment’s thought, softly said, “I’ll go with my husband.”

She wasn’t at ease with the Crown Prince going alone. What if Meng Dongliang spoke nonsense and tried to damage her relationship with the Crown Prince?

“I can eavesdrop outside.”

Shen Yunheng didn’t refuse. “Let’s go together.”

The two quietly arrived at the depths of the cold dungeon.

Meng Tingyue hid in the shadows, her eyes fixed, intently watching the Crown Prince step by step towards the prison cell where Meng Dongliang was confined.

As soon as Meng Dongliang saw the Crown Prince’s figure, a flicker of unconcealed elation flashed across his eyes.

He eagerly strode forward, his hands tightly gripping the bars, his words full of warmth and urgency: “Nephew-in-law, you’re finally here! Quickly let me out! I really am your true uncle-in-law; I’m not lying! I don’t know why my niece doesn’t believe me.”

“If Nephew-in-law doesn’t believe me, you can just call my brother over to confront me now.”

Meng Dongliang hadn’t been tortured during his days in the dungeon, but the dungeon was cold and damp, he was thinly clad, and the food provided in the prison was only thin broth, difficult to swallow.

There were occasional visits from rats and ants; he had never suffered so much in his life.

Shen Yunheng’s slightly oppressive gaze fell heavily on Meng Dongliang, his body exuding the cold, sharp aura honed on the battlefield and the invisible pressure of a superior.

Without a word, this aura was enough to cool the eagerness in Meng Dongliang’s heart to establish a closer relationship, and an imperceptible fear quietly arose in his heart.

He swallowed involuntarily, trying to remain calm, constantly telling himself in his heart: Although this person is the current Crown Prince, he is a few years younger than himself, and in terms of seniority, he is still his niece’s husband. Why should he be afraid?

Shen Yunheng’s words were calm and unwavering. “It’s late at night and cold. Mr. Meng has already rested; there is no need to trouble Mr. Meng. Where is the letter that proves your identity?”

Meng Dongliang’s throat moved, he swallowed his saliva, trying to negotiate with Shen Yunheng. “Can you let me leave here first?”

Shen Yunheng’s gaze seemed able to penetrate one’s heart. “If you haven’t made up your mind, you might as well continue thinking here, and then come and talk to me when you’ve thought it through.”

With that, Shen Yunheng turned to leave.

Meng Dongliang was burning with anxiety and quickly called out, “Wait, wait! I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you. The letter is hidden with a man named Li Sheng in Linchao City. Just give him ten taels of silver and mention my name, and he’ll give you the letter.”

“I’ve told you everything now, can you let me out? I am Jiaojiao’s uncle. If outsiders know that she locked her own uncle in a dungeon, how will the scholars write about her? Won’t the Crown Prince consider this for her?”