Watching Dongfang Heng's figure gracefully disappear into the distance victoriously, Dongfang Zhan's face was so black it could drip ink. He had plotted against Dongfang Heng, but not only did he fail to catch him, Dongfang Heng had turned the tables on him, ruining years of hard work. Damn it! Damn it!
He's no less capable than Dongfang Heng, so why is Shen Lixue so devoted to Dongfang Heng and completely ignores him?
Dongfang Heng's palm strike was incredibly powerful and made a loud noise, alerting the nearby patrol guards, who rushed over in an orderly fashion. The person leading the troops was Duke Wu, Lin Yan.
"Dongfang Heng, I saw that iron dagger in the secret room!" Shen Lixue whispered, glancing at the dilapidated house.
Dongfang Heng smiled and said, "I also discovered that weapon when I got rid of the guards of the Zhan Prince's mansion!"
Looking down at Chen Lixue's disheveled clothes, his gaze was gloomy: "Are you alright?"
He guessed that Dongfang Zhan would plot against him, but he did not expect that Dongfang Zhan would set his sights on Shen Lixue. The stone door was very hard and could not be broken by a person. If he had arrived a step later, no matter how skillfully she used her strength, she would have crashed into the wall and died!
His slightly open hand suddenly clenched. Dongfang Zhan, damn it!
"I'm fine!" Shen Lixue wrapped her clothes tighter to cover her disheveled appearance: "Um, nothing happened between Dongfang Zhan and me!"
He only kissed her hair and tore her clothes; there was no other contact. Knowing that Dongfang Heng wouldn't misunderstand, she still wanted to explain that she liked Dongfang Heng and cared about his attitude towards her.
"I know!" Dongfang Heng hugged Shen Lixue tightly. Even if something really happened, it wasn't her fault! He was too careless and underestimated Dongfang Zhan's despicable and shameless nature!
A large number of guards swarmed over. He tightened his grip on Shen Lixue and carried her to the far end of the street, where he watched Lin Yan standing in front of the palace gate talking to the steward.
Shen Lixue frowned: "The steward won't allow Cousin Yan to enter the manor to inspect!" How could the prestigious Zhanwang Manor allow anyone to bring soldiers in and out at will?
“I know!” Dongfang Heng strode over. He smashed the roof of the Zhan Prince’s mansion to lure the patrolling guards over, so how could he not enter the Zhan Prince’s mansion?
"What happened?"
Dongfang Heng walked slowly, his robes fluttering, his gaze cold and sharp, and the guards automatically made way for him.
"Prince An!" The steward's gaze sharpened for a moment, then returned to normal, greeting him with a smile: "His Highness got drunk and was practicing martial arts with the guards when he accidentally broke the roof, disturbing Your Highness. I'm so sorry!"
He had just used these words to appease Lin Yan, who was unaware of the situation and did not suspect anything. As for Prince An, he left the mansion and then returned, which meant he was deliberately trying to cause trouble. He had to be careful in dealing with him.
“Prince Zhan is drunk, he must have something on his mind. Duke Wu, come with me to see him!” Dongfang Heng said righteously, and stepped forward to barge inside.
"Yes!" Lin Yan was a general by birth and always maintained the military discipline he had when he was on the border. Dongfang Heng was the commander-in-chief and his leader. He did whatever Dongfang Heng said. He immediately dismounted, threw the reins to the guards, and prepared to enter the mansion.
"Your Highness, Duke of Wu, His Highness has already gone to bed and is afraid he cannot entertain you both!" The steward hurriedly stretched out his arm to stop the two, smiling obsequiously, but his heart was in turmoil. He was extremely anxious, as the Prince's mansion could not allow outsiders to enter.
"I'm just going to see Prince Zhan; I won't disturb his rest!" Dongfang Heng said coldly, taking a step to leave.
The steward stepped forward and stopped him again: "Your Highness, the Prince..."
Dongfang Heng's gaze turned cold: "Prince Zhan got drunk and caused a scene in his own palace. He is clearly frustrated. If something happens, can you bear the responsibility?"
"Please rest assured, Prince An, this humble servant will do everything in his power to protect Your Highness..." Before the steward could finish bowing deeply with his hands clasped, Dongfang Heng had already walked past him into the Prince's residence.
Lin Yan followed closely behind, and several guards also quickly caught up.
The steward tried to stop them, but it was too late. He stomped his foot angrily, gave the guards on both sides a look, signaling them to keep an eye on the patrolling guards, and hurried after them: "Prince An, Duke Wu..."
Dongfang Heng moved with lightning speed, dodging the guards in the mansion, and led Lin Yan and the patrolling guards toward the wrecked house.
In front of the house, Dongfang Zhan's face was gloomy. He watched the servants carrying things back and forth. As he watched Dongfang Heng stride forward, his sharp eyes narrowed, a fierce light flashing in them. Dongfang Heng actually dared to come back after smashing up his house? Shen Lixue didn't come in with him. Did he not dare to let her take any more risks?
"Prince An, Duke Wu..." Dongfang Heng and Lin Yan were moving too fast for the steward to keep up with. They rushed over with all their might, panting heavily.
"Didn't you say that Prince Zhan was drunk and resting?" Dongfang Heng looked at Dongfang Zhan, who was conscious and unharmed, his sharp eyes flashing with a dark, cold light.
"This... His Highness..." The steward's smile froze. The overwhelming pressure emanating from Dongfang Heng made him almost unable to breathe. He kept wiping the cold sweat that kept pouring from his forehead with his sleeve and cautiously looked at Dongfang Zhan.
He failed to fulfill the task entrusted to him by the Prince of Zhan, allowing Dongfang Heng and Lin Yan to barge in.
"I've taken the hangover pill and am sober now?" Dongfang Zhan glared at the steward, his cold gaze falling on Dongfang Heng. To create the illusion of drunken promiscuity, he had not only drunk alcohol but also spilled some on himself, which was now proving useful.
Why did Dongfang Heng return after leaving? What was his intention?
"Is Prince Zhan trying to drown his sorrows in wine?" Dongfang Heng sneered, his sharp gaze sweeping over the boxes and items carried by the servants.
"I am tired and wish to rest. Prince An and Duke Wu, please leave!" Following Dongfang Heng's gaze, Dongfang Zhan saw rows of wooden boxes. His eyes darkened, and a bad feeling rose in his heart. He coldly issued the order to leave.
"What's in all these boxes?" Dongfang Heng's sharp gaze shot at the boxes, as if trying to pierce through the shells and see what was inside.
"Weapons!" The princes of the Qingyan royal family all practiced martial arts, and the royal palace had a considerable number of weapons, so Dongfang Zhan had nothing to hide.
However, his calm voice carried a hint of gritted teeth. If Dongfang Heng hadn't broken his roof, he wouldn't have needed to go through all this trouble to move his belongings.
Lin Yan, patrolling guard!
Dongfang Zhan's gaze suddenly sharpened. Dongfang Heng had returned, and even brought them to the Prince's residence. Could it be that he had sensed something? Something was amiss.
"Is that so?" Dongfang Heng said casually, his jade-like fingers suddenly flicking, and a powerful internal force struck a wooden box hard, breaking the box and scattering the feathered arrows inside all over the ground.
The tip of the arrow gleamed coldly in the sunlight. Dongfang Zhan was startled and was about to take a step forward when he caught sight of Dongfang Heng out of the corner of his eye. He stopped abruptly and asked sharply, word by word, "What are you doing?"
"How come your Zhanwang Mansion has so many feathered arrows?" Dongfang Heng had taken in all of his actions just now, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"I enjoy practicing archery, so of course the manor must be stocked with plenty of arrows. Otherwise, how can I master the skill of firing three arrows in succession?" Qingyan Capital is full of talented people, but very few can fire three arrows in succession. Dongfang Zhan is very satisfied with this skill he has mastered and is not afraid of others knowing about it.
"Three arrows fired in quick succession!" Dongfang Heng sneered and slowly stepped forward. "It seems these arrows are for the exclusive use of Prince Zhan!"
"Dongfang Heng, what are you doing?" Dongfang Zhan turned around, blocking his way and line of sight, his eyes dark, and winked at his subordinate.
The servants understood and, anxious, sped up their efforts to collect the arrows. However, there were too many arrows for them to handle, and after a long time, a large pile of arrows remained scattered on the ground.
"I just wanted to see Prince Zhan's arrows. Why are you so nervous? Is there something wrong with these arrows?" Dongfang Heng looked coldly at Dongfang Zhan, his gaze dark and his voice low, carrying a hint of sharpness.