Chapter Thirty-Two: Catching Them in the Act Personally

The water corridor was deathly quiet, devoid of even the servants who usually kept watch. Water light and dancing shadows shimmered across the walkway, and from the nearest room, the distinct, clear sounds of panting and soft moans drifted out.

The crowd trailing behind froze. They exchanged quick, meaningful glances, each masked by a veneer of suppressed excitement. The young ladies who had yet to experience such things were mortified, yet they found themselves unable to tear their feet away.

Su Yanshu heard the faint yet unmistakable sounds as if thunder were cracking right beside his ears, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. *Of all things to happen, it had to be this!*

*Yu Shengsheng,* he thought, *she appears submissive, yet in private, she dares to seduce Shen Zhiyuan and commit such a filthy act. She is trying to ruin her own engagement to Kong Dezhao—and destroy my plans—right in front of everyone!*

But this was no longer just about his schemes; the Emperor had already made his decision, awaiting only Kong Dezhao’s arrival in the capital. And now, with the Crown Prince present… there was no way to hide this.

Su Yanshu’s heart felt as though it were being seared by a raging fire; the summer breeze felt like fuel, and every pore on his body seemed to be spitting flames. *If only I had known! I should have shackled her hands and feet and locked her in her room. Even if she looked like a prisoner, it would be better than this.*

He instinctively turned his head and caught the Crown Prince watching them. The gaze was distant, coercive, and sharp with the faint glimmer of murderous intent. Su Yanshu shivered, feeling as if he were suspended between ice and fire.

He gritted his teeth and forced a stiff smile. "I had completely forgotten—I prepared some fine tea for everyone on the boats. Let us head over there and board in groups."

Just as his words faded, a woman’s voice drifted from inside the room: "Young Master Shen…"

Su Zhiyi’s eyes widened, her voice trembling. "Second Brother, who is inside?" Her eyes grew red, and she fought to hold back tears. Su Yanshu felt his heart shatter at the sight. He wanted nothing more than to rush in, drag Yu Shengsheng out, and teach her a harsh lesson.

But he couldn't. He couldn't even afford to admit that the person inside was Yu Shengsheng. As long as no one saw her, there was still room to maneuver. He stepped toward Su Zhiyi, attempting to soothe her. "Zhiyi, don't worry. Second Brother will handle this. Go back and rest for now."

Before he could finish, a loud clatter erupted from within, followed by the cries of a man and a woman.

Su Yanshu spun around, eyes wide, his shout caught in his throat as a man, wrapped only in a single sheet, was thrown out of the room. With a heavy thud, he slammed onto the corridor floor. The crowd gasped; the ladies shrieked, turning their backs or averting their faces.

Seeing stars, Su Yanshu focused his gaze and realized, to his horror, that the man thrown out was indeed Shen Zhiyuan. Shen Zhiyuan, dazed and flushed, collapsed on the floor, unable to scramble back up.

Su Yanshu finally found his voice, his teeth clenched. "Someone, block the door!"

Shen Zhiyuan was out, but he had to ensure Yu Shengsheng was contained. Several servants rushed forward to block the entrance. Su Dingqin pushed through the crowd, and upon seeing Shen Zhiyuan, he landed two hard slaps across his face.

"Shen Zhiyuan, how could you betray Zhiyi like this?" Su Dingqin’s eyes were bloodshot. "To engage in such debauchery in our Su household!" He was unaware of Su Yanshu’s schemes or the intended engagement between Yu Shengsheng and Kong Dezhao; he only saw that Shen Zhiyuan had wronged his sister.

Su Yanshu was overwhelmed, unsure of how to resolve the chaos, when Su Zhiyi spoke softly, "Brother Shen, I have long held you in my heart—is it her you wish to marry?"

The crowd leaned in, hanging on every word. Su Yanshu’s heart tightened: *It's over.*

Su Dingqin gasped in shock. "What? Is that Shengsheng inside?! How could she dare?"

The Crown Prince stepped forward, his usual smile vanished. He had been the one to orchestrate the match between Yu Shengsheng and Kong Dezhao; if this went wrong, he would share the blame, not just the Su family. How could he answer to the Emperor? *Yu Shengsheng,* the Crown Prince thought, his knuckles turning white, *you dare to defy me! A little beast showing its teeth is still just a beast. Today, I will pull your teeth and break your bones!*

The Crown Prince looked down at Shen Zhiyuan. "He appears to be drugged. Splash him awake."

A young eunuch immediately fetched ice water and doused Shen Zhiyuan. Jolted, Shen Zhiyuan slowly regained his senses. Realizing his predicament, he turned pale with shock, scrambled to cover himself, and knelt trembling. "Y-Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince lowered his gaze, his voice like a chilling summer wind. "Young Master Shen, it appears you were drugged and lured into this illicit affair. Do you recall who gave you the drug?"

Shen Zhiyuan’s mind raced. He pointed toward the room. "It… it was her! It was Yu Shengsheng, Your Highness! She harmed me. She didn't want to marry Kong Dezhao, so she resorted to this vile scheme. She has always harbored improper intentions toward me, and I have always rejected her for Zhiyi’s sake. I don't know how I fell into her trap this time… I beg Your Highness to grant me justice."

The Crown Prince remained outwardly calm, though his blood boiled. *Yu Shengsheng, she is still the same—pretending to be innocent and naive, only to rebel the moment she finds an opening!*

Upon hearing Shen Zhiyuan’s accusation, Su Yanshu felt his mind go numb. Especially when the mention of Kong Dezhao hit the air, he felt as if he had plummeted into an abyss. He had planned this so carefully, and before he could even speak of it, Shen Zhiyuan had blurted it out!

Su Dingqin was bewildered. "Kong Dezhao? What Kong Dezhao? What does he have to do with Shengsheng?"

Lu Xingzhan was also startled: *The Su family wants to marry this naive, pampered girl to Kong Dezhao? That’s like throwing a sheep into a—no, Kong Dezhao is a demon, he doesn't even deserve the title of a tiger.* But no one had the time to enlighten Su Dingqin.

The Crown Prince took a deep breath, his palm tightening. "Someone, drag her out for me."

Before anyone could rush inside, a figure suddenly darted out from the crowd. She was small but radiated an imposing aura. "Hold on! Who said my Young Lady is inside? I’ll go in and drag her out myself—everyone, keep your eyes peeled!"

Before anyone could react, Jin Baobao dove into the room. A moment later, she dragged out a disheveled woman wrapped in a tattered sheet—the other half of the one Shen Zhiyuan had been wearing. Jin Baobao stood tall like a general returning from battle, chest puffed out, and tossed the woman forward.

"I’ve brought her out for you."

The Crown Prince’s guards immediately stepped forward, shielding him and watching Jin Baobao with suspicion.

Su Dingqin was incensed. "It’s you! You wretched slave!"

Jin Baobao kicked the woman on the ground. "They’re talking to you, wretched slave! Speak up, don't play dead!"

Her attitude left Su Yanshu and Su Zhiyi bewildered, a dark premonition settling over them.

"Sister?" Su Zhiyi called out instinctively.

A voice rang out from behind the crowd: "Baobao, why are you here?"

The crowd turned, and Su Yanshu looked up with a jolt.