chapter 54

Chapter 54: Sending Someone to the Dungeon

Jiang Zhitong couldn't help but laugh at Shen He's tactic of crying foul first!

Who attacked whom?

Shouldn't they first address the bruised and battered state of Prince Yun?

That said, Shen He indeed looked rather disheveled.

As they tried to pry Shen He off Prince Yun, his clothes were tugged and torn haphazardly. His collar was loose, and a chunk of his sleeve was ripped off.

The neatly tied hair on top of his head was now skewed, and a hairpin tried desperately to hold everything in place to prevent a complete mess.

Especially noticeable was a cut on Shen He's chin. A trail of blood meandered down his neck, some even staining his clothes.

In the midst of their struggle, Prince Yun had pushed Shen He's face, smearing some of the blood across his cheek.

Although the cut was only the size of a fingertip, it looked as if he had sustained a severe injury.

Shen Yan swiftly moved Shen He behind him just as Prince Yun was being helped to his feet by his guards.

The prince bellowed, "What are you all staring at? You stood by as I was attacked? Seize them all! With so many of you, can't you handle just these few?"

They were hesitant to act against Shen He, but Shen Yan was a different matter.

Their thought was simple: while they couldn't attack Shen He, this unfamiliar face was fair game.

Regardless of his identity, he didn't seem to be someone untouchable. Attack first, ask questions later.

They rushed forward. Yet, Shen Yan, with his agile and precise movements, which starkly contrasted with the others, effortlessly knocked each of them off their feet.

The furniture in the room was smashed to bits, causing a tumultuous racket.

Prince Yun, who had just gotten up, was knocked back down. Shen Yan grabbed one of the guards by the collar and delivered a fierce punch.

Unlike Shen He, whose punches caused him pain, Shen Yan, with his training, could knock a guard unconscious with a single blow.

Casually discarding the guard, he seemingly accidentally stepped on Prince Yun's calf.

The force made Prince Yun scream in agony.

Shen Yan looked down at him, lifting his foot, "My apologies, I didn't see you there."

The pain was so intense that Prince Yun felt as though his leg had been broken; he thought he heard a snapping sound.

He would have preferred taking a few more punches from Shen He over enduring this pain.

Shen He, with stars in his eyes, used the opportunity to take on two individuals, landing a couple of kicks.

So cool!

A moment of envy!

After his brief moment of admiration, Shen He turned to the trembling individuals in the corner, hands on his hips, threateningly, "Although I won't hit you, stay put, don't move, and certainly don't think of escaping, got it? Later, I'll take you to the officials. You better not omit a word or lie about what they've done to you!"

Shen He thought for a moment, then added with an intense gaze, "Do you know who I am? I'm the legitimate son of the Duke's mansion. The Grand General Xuanwei is my grandfather, and the Noble Consort Xuan is my aunt! If you dare lie, your fate will be worse than theirs. But, tell the truth, and I'll ensure your safety."

The trembling individuals in the corner shook even more violently, nodding fervently, wishing they could sink into the walls and disappear.

The commotion had attracted attention. People from the floor below looked up from the corridors and stairways, curious about the source of the noise.

The door to the private room was wide open, with Shen He guarding the entrance, ensuring no one could escape.

Every single one of them today will end up in jail!

By the looks of their ease and familiarity, this surely isn't their first time doing this.

After handling those who tried to approach, Shen Yan, along with the two guards from the Eastern Palace, retreated to Shen He's side, only to find him glaring at the people opposite, like a little dog guarding a door.

At some point, the door to the opposite private room had been opened.

Two individuals stepped out; Shen He didn't recognize one, but the other was all too familiar.

The fifth prince widened his eyes, his mouth slightly agape in shock, "Shen He, what... what are you doing?"

He had just heard Shen He rattling off his lineage.

He looked every bit the privileged bully.

Staring at Shen He's face, he tried to keep his emotions in check and asked with a frown, "Did you get hit?"

How else would he end up looking this foolish?

Get hit?

Shen He immediately defended himself, "Who got hit? I hit them! There's no way I'd get hit!"

With all the influence I've cultivated over the years in the capital, who would dare hit me?

Would that not mean all my years of hard work had been in vain?

Impossible!

Shen Yan: "..."

He thought to himself, that's not what you just said.

Shen He immediately turned his attention away from bickering with the fifth prince.

He turned to look at Shen Yan, scanning him up and down as he gripped his arm, ensuring he was unscathed. Giving a thumbs-up with a sly grin, he praised, "Big brother, you're amazing!"

Kicking one off their feet as if straight out of a movie scene.

Even with the compliment, Shen Yan couldn’t muster a smile, his dark eyes locked onto Shen He's face.

He placed a hand on Shen He’s shoulder and said, "Xiao He, don't stay here. Head downstairs and let them escort you back to the Eastern Palace."

He continued, "Look at the state you're in..."

Shen He's bleeding chin caught his attention. Although the blood wasn’t profuse, a few droplets oozed out, hinting at a forming scab at the edges.

Yet, his gaze inevitably grew colder.

Shen He declared, "I’m not leaving."

The Crown Prince of Yun was lying on the ground, glaring at Shen He.

Catching his gaze, Shen He retorted fiercely, "What are you looking at? It was you I hit!"

Crown Prince of Yun: "..."

The situation made Shen He even more adamant about not leaving.

He could flex his influence and press down on this prince, but Shen Yan couldn’t.

If he left, who knows what might happen to Shen Yan.

They've already accused him of causing trouble. If they want to throw him in jail, he might as well stir things up completely.

Shen He believed he had never used his status to bully anyone before. But trying it for the first time, he found it surprisingly satisfying.

As the fifth prince tried to say something, Shen He didn't have time for him.

Taking a brief moment, he acknowledged the prince's status respectfully, "You should return and mingle with the others, Fifth Prince. There's no need for your intervention here."

After speaking, he ushered Shen Yan inside. With a swift motion, the door to the private room slammed shut.

Blocking everyone’s view.

Fifth Prince: "..."

The others in the room, lying on the ground: "..."

Now they understood why Shen He could even lay a hand on the Crown Prince of Yun.

Clearly, while they were in the Zhongsheng residence, Shen He was somewhat polite to the fifth prince. But it seems things were different behind closed doors.

Some suddenly recalled old rumors they'd heard, about Shen He having assaulted the fifth prince in the past.

It didn’t seem so implausible now.

As Shen He stood by the door, a guard brought over an intact chair, asking if he'd like to sit.

Shen He looked around and decided to first let the hero of the hour, Shen Yan, take a seat.

Having just sent a man flying with one kick, Shen Yan, under Shen He's prompt, easily settled down.

The guard then fetched another undamaged chair, wiping off any stains, and offered it to Shen He, "Please have a seat, young master."

Only then did Shen He sit.

After sitting for a bit, he discreetly rubbed his fingers behind his back.

Damn, it really hurt! He suspected his fingers might be swelling.

Fighting wasn’t for the faint of heart—hurting others meant getting hurt in the process.

To maintain his fierce image, Shen He could only discreetly nurse his wounds behind his back.

Could he maybe take a day off tomorrow, telling his tutor that his hand hurt too much to write?

Their nonchalant demeanor at the entrance further infuriated the Crown Prince of Yun.

The Crown Prince wanted to say something, but the pain in his leg was too much.

Hunched over and clutching his injured leg, his face dripped with sweat, and within minutes, swelling had begun.

Drawing a painful breath, he cursed through the pain, “Shen He, you’ve done this to me. Just you wait!”

His father, the king, would never let Shen He off the hook!

He is the sole heir of his family!

Upon hearing the threat, Shen He swiftly pulled his hands from behind, glaring with even fiercer eyes than the Crown Prince of Yun, challenging, "I'm right here, come at me!"

In a sarcastic tone, he mocked, "Anyone can talk big. That's all you can do. One punch is all I need for each of you."

The Crown Prince almost choked with rage.

Sensing the commotion outside and foreseeing another skirmish between the two, Shen Yan interjected, "Xiao He, the officials have arrived."

Rising from his chair, Shen He sternly warned the crowd, "Remember what I said earlier: no lies."

He then flung the door open to greet the officers.

The contingent of officers were dumbstruck by the chaotic scene within.

Shen He noticed that the fifth prince hadn’t left and was still watching from the entrance.

Redirecting his attention to the officials, Shen He accused, "These men, knowingly violating the law, are here soliciting prostitutes—a clear violation of our imperial laws. Arrest them all!"

The Crown Prince tried to assert his authority, "I am the Crown Prince of Yun! Who dares? Fetch my father!"

Shen He commented, "Barely in your twenties and constantly crying for daddy. Have you no shame?"

The officials felt quite awkward.

They had never encountered such a spectacle.

Shen He directed his guards, "Help them escort these men out. We’ll head to the magistrate's office together. Is the title 'Magistrate of the Capital' appropriate?"

Unsure of the exact title, Shen He sought clarification. Shen Yan whispered in affirmation, "Yes. We’ll have the Magistrate of the Capital preside over the matter. Wang Yan, assist them in removing the culprits."

Wang Yan, the unfamiliar face who had burst in with Shen Yan, responded softly, "Yes, Young General."

And just like that, in front of an audience, this group of young nobles was dragged away.

The leading officer, having anticipated a challenging case, had never expected it to be this complicated.

Wiping sweat from his brow, he ordered the subordinates to handle these influential troublemakers.

Shen He followed with a swagger, causing the fifth prince's lips to twitch in irritation.

It's impressive that Shen He could do that.

He glanced at the person accompanying Shen He, who appeared to be Shen He's brother.

It's uncertain if it's reliable.

He waved his hand and told his servant, "Head to the Eastern Palace."

The guards immediately descended the stairs and headed towards the Eastern Palace.

Although the Fifth Prince insists that no one should make the trip, the Prefect of Jingzhao might still wish to invite the Crown Prince. By the time the Prefect extends the invitation and the Crown Prince arrives, Prince Yun might have already made his appearance. What if Shen He is at a disadvantage then?

The Fifth Prince doesn't see any issue with his actions.

Shen He has been his classmate for many years, but others haven't.

He naturally can't stand by and watch Shen He get the short end of the stick. How is that any different from him being at a disadvantage?

A large group of people moved from the top floor to the ground, attracting spectators all the way.

Shen He climbed into the carriage, and the young eunuch, panting, said, "Young master, are you alright? Were you injured or bullied? Worry not. Before I returned, I already sent someone to relay a message to the Crown Prince in the palace and made trips to both the Duke's and Liu's residence. You shall not be mistreated again!"

Shen He: "..."

Shen He is dumbfounded!

Why invite so many elders?