Chapter 108: Catching a Turtle in a Jar

Chapter 108: Caught in the Trap

"How dare you, you lackey, what do you think you're doing!"

Xie Chengyi roared in fury, stomping his cane on the ground. "Where are the guards? Are they all dead? Come—"

But before he could finish shouting for help, the door was kicked open, and a crowd of people poured in.

Leading them was Shen Fuqing, his face full of smiles. Behind him were several officials from the Grand Court, along with Qin Ji, Qin Han, and Qin Yuanshan, who was trussed up like a chicken, as well as nanny Yan.

Seeing this scene, Xie Chengyi was stunned; his cane nearly slipped from his hand. As he looked more closely, among the people flooding in, besides those from the Grand Court, there were even Shadow Guards from Xie Xuanran's side.

"Your Highness, I think this gift is more fitting for you."

A cool, youthful voice came from behind him. Xie Chengyi turned around to see Qin Jiao standing there perfectly fine, his eyes clear and his expression calm—nothing like someone just waking from unconsciousness, let alone under the influence of Charming Spring.

"You... you all set me up!"

Realizing what had happened, Xie Chengyi bellowed and lunged toward Qin Jiao. But before he could reach him, the painter from before kicked him down. Only then did Xie Chengyi notice that the painter was wearing a silver mask.

"Bang—" Luo Ri's kick was ferocious; Xie Chengyi couldn't withstand it and fell backward, crashing into the pile of whips and candles.

As he lay there, looking up, he saw a person wearing a golden mask lounging on the roof beam. When Luo Nan leaped down, five or six more Shadow Guards emerged from behind screens, wardrobes, and under the bed.

Luo Yue also flew in through the window. Before he could even ask Qin Jiao anything, Jiang Qingrong pushed through the crowd and rushed to Qin Jiao's side.

"Qin Jiao, are you alright?" Jiang Qingrong's face was full of anxiety.

"I'm fine," Qin Jiao smiled. "With so many people protecting me, there's no need to worry."

"Good, good." Jiang Qingrong patted his chest in relief. "If something happened to you, Cong Shuang would definitely tie me to a firecracker and blow me up!"

Knowing that today they were going to "trap Xie Chengyi," Qin Jiao hadn't brought Cong Shuang along. But before leaving, Cong Shuang had said that if Qin Jiao so much as got a scratch, she would kill Jiang Qingrong.

Qin Jiao gave a helpless smile. "It's not that dramatic."

"It is!"

While Jiang Qingrong and Qin Jiao were speaking, Xie Chengyi pulled himself together. After all, he was a product of the imperial palace's scheming, so he quickly regained his composure.

"This is my private retreat for recuperation. Who gave you permission to come here?" Xie Chengyi's gaze was sinister. "This is insubordination. All of you, get out."

After Xie Chengyi's words, no one moved back.

Shen Fuqing grinned at Xie Chengyi, his expression like that of someone watching a circus monkey.

"Tie up the Second Prince and send him to the Grand Court." Only when Xie Nai's cold, emotionless voice sounded did Shen Fuqing's expression shift into a playful one.

"You're finally here. The Second Prince put on quite a one-man show just now."

Accompanying Xie Nai was Xie Jian, whose face was as dark as a thundercloud. When Xie Chengyi saw him, he glared daggers at him, wishing he could drill a hole through him with his eyes.

"Once he's in the Grand Court, you can watch him all you want," Xie Nai said as he walked toward Qin Jiao, holding a green cape in his hands. When he reached Qin Jiao, he checked that he wasn't injured, then draped the cape over him.

Qin Jiao smiled at Xie Nai and pulled the cape closed himself.

"Xie Nai, who do you think you are to arrest me? I am the Second Prince, your elder brother!"

When someone tried to seize him, Xie Chengyi naturally resisted. Nanny Yan also shouted beside him, "Prince of Lingnan, are you arresting the Second Prince in secret behind the Noble Consort Dowager's back? What are you trying to do? Rebel?"

Without needing Xie Nai to respond, Shen Fuqing easily dismissed them. "The Emperor's Shadow Guards are here. What rebellion are you talking about? Is this old nanny as thick as her master?"

Shen Fuqing shrugged innocently. "And how is this a secret arrest? As the Chief Minister of the Grand Court, arresting the Second Prince—a criminal who has harassed an official's son, trafficked women from the Southern Prefecture, and even committed murder in the Grand Court itself—is completely within my duties."

"Shen Fuqing, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Xie Chengyi was already bound, glaring at Shen Fuqing with bulging eyes.

"Nonsense?" Shen Fuqing acted as if that was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "Xie Chengyi, do you really not know what you've done?"

"What have I done? Is talking to Qin Jiao a crime?"

"Talking to me requires you to use Noble Consort Dowager's help to drug me and have me abducted here?" Qin Jiao stood beside Xie Nai, his gaze mocking.

At the same time, he took out the bottle of "Charming Spring" that Luo Ri had just handed him. "I have both witnesses and physical evidence here, Your Highness. There's no need to make excuses; let's not waste time."

Xie Chengyi glared daggers at Qin Jiao. "You and Xie Nai have a shady relationship, and he is my political enemy. Naturally, you speak for him. What witnesses and evidence? All nonsense!"

Nanny Yan chimed in, "Exactly! What drugging and abduction, Charming Spring... How dare the Noble Consort Dowager allow you to slander her?"

Shen Fuqing took the small bottle from Qin Jiao's hand. "False accusation?" His eyes suddenly gleamed with excitement. "Let's give it a try!"

As his words fell, a puff of white powder flew straight into Nanny Yan's face.

"Ah! Help! What are you doing... Are you out of your mind?"

Nanny Yan instantly lost her righteous indignation and became visibly panicked. "Cough, cough! Second Prince, save me! The antidote! Give me the antidote!"

"Haha, how funny!" Shen Fuqing suddenly burst into loud laughter, while Xie Chengyi's face turned extremely ugly.

He kicked Nanny Yan in anger. "Calm down! Keep your cool!"

Shen Fuqing took a while to stop laughing. "Exactly, why panic? That white powder isn't 'Charming Spring.'"

He waved the medicine pouch. "Who would've thought a calming powder could scare her that much?"

Shen Fuqing handed the small gray-green bottle to his subordinate. "This Charming Spring is crucial evidence. Handle it with care."

Having been shown up by his own lackey, Xie Chengyi's eyes burned with hatred. "Shen Fuqing, you're something else!"

Shen Fuqing squinted and smiled, his voice gentle. "You're too kind, Your Highness. Just because you can't do it doesn't mean others can't."

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