Chapter 38: Hidden Schemes for Treasure, Peril Lurking in the Shadows

I clutched the parcel tightly and hurried back to my quarters. The moonlight tonight was indeed bright—so bright it made my heart flutter with unease. That persistent feeling of being watched clung to me like a thin fish bone stuck in my throat; I could neither swallow it nor spit it out.

"Could it really be my imagination?" I muttered, hiding the parcel in a secret compartment beneath my bed. The contents were the key to deciphering the fragments of the treasure map! Ever since I obtained the first piece, I had felt as though I were chosen by fate, drawn step by step into this treasure-hunting game.

The next day, He Yunsheng and I continued our "expedition" through the palace. To call it an expedition was perhaps a stretch; I was the one hunting for treasure, while he was responsible for... well, he seemed to be responsible for letting me protect him. After all, I possessed the "protagonist's halo," and the average lackey couldn't even get near me.

Following the clues we had gathered, we arrived at an abandoned palace. It was desolate and dilapidated, draped in thick spiderwebs, clearly untouched for years. The air was heavy with the scent of decay, making one itch to sneeze.

"Achoo!" He Yunsheng rubbed his nose. "Sister Wan'er, it’s so eerie here..."

I patted his shoulder, comforting him, "Don't be afraid. Stay close to me, and I’ll protect you!" As I spoke, I scanned our surroundings with utmost caution. The palace was filled with an unsettling vibe that forced me to stay on high alert. I took a deep breath, activated my "treasure-seeker radar," and began searching for traces of the loot.

Suddenly, I felt my foot land on something. Before I could react, there was a sharp "whoosh," and an arrow shot out from the wall! Quick as a flash, He Yunsheng shoved me aside. The arrow grazed my arm and struck him squarely in the shoulder!

"Younger brother Yunsheng!" I cried out, rushing to check his injury.

Fortunately, it was only a graze; no bones or tendons were damaged. As I tenderly bandaged his wound, I chattered on, blaming myself, "It’s all my fault for being so careless and letting you get hurt..."

He smiled gently and said, "Sister Wan'er, I’m fine. As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters." His eyes were clear and warm, like a spring of pure water, washing away the anxiety in my heart. Looking at him, I felt my cheeks grow warm.

Once the bandage was secured, we pressed on. This time, I was even more cautious, terrified of triggering another trap. As we walked, we came to a wall carved with strange symbols.

"These symbols... I feel like I've seen them somewhere before..." I frowned, struggling to recall. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration hit me! Were these not the exact same symbols as those on the treasure map fragments?

I pointed at the wall in excitement. "Yunsheng, look!" He followed my finger, and his expression mirrored my own surprise. I reached out to touch the carvings, feeling a strange sensation against my fingertips. Just then, the wall began to rumble.

"Sister Wan'er, watch out!" He Yunsheng pulled me behind him.

The wall slowly slid open, revealing a deep, dark passageway. Before I could marvel at the ingenuity of the ancient mechanisms, He Yunsheng pulled me inside. The tunnel was pitch black; I could not see my own hand in front of my face, so I clung tightly to his sleeve, terrified of falling behind.

"Yunsheng, where is this..." I started to ask, but a clamor of footsteps echoed from outside. Oh no, it was Consort Li!

Speak of the devil—that woman was like a ghost that refused to be exorcised!

"Wan'er, hide!" He Yunsheng shoved me into a corner deep within the passage and stood guard at the entrance.

Hiding in the shadows, I heard Consort Li’s shrill, biting voice: "Little Prince, what are you doing here? Are you meeting some palace maid in private?"

He Yunsheng replied in a calm tone, "Your Highness, you jest. I am merely patrolling the palace."

"Patrolling? Hmph, why does it seem to me that you are skulking about? Have you discovered some treasure and intend to keep it for yourself?" Consort Li pressed him, her voice dripping with suspicion.

Just then, General Chen arrived with a squad of imperial guards. He said to He Yunsheng with a stern face, "Little Prince, please cooperate with our investigation."

Just as it seemed they were about to seize He Yunsheng, a gravelly voice rang out: "Stop!"

An old man with white hair and a beard, dressed in gray robes, appeared from nowhere. He leaned on a cane, but his eyes were piercingly sharp, as if he could see straight into one's soul.

"Who are you, to dare block my path!" Consort Li barked.

The old man replied unhurriedly, "I am the keeper of the palace's secret history, tasked by the Emperor himself to guard this place. Your trespassing is a capital offense!" Consort Li was clearly shaken by his words, rendered speechless for a moment.

The old man turned to He Yunsheng, his tone softening slightly. "Little Prince, do you know that a great conspiracy lies behind this treasure?"

A conspiracy? I felt a jolt of alarm. Was there more to this treasure than met the eye?

The old man glanced in my direction and said meaningfully, "This treasure concerns the fate of the entire dynasty..." He paused, then added, "And your fate as well."

My fate? I was completely bewildered, having no idea what he meant. Without further explanation, the old man turned and walked deeper into the passage. He stopped before me, held out a hand, and said, "Follow me, child. There are some things you need to know..."