Chapter 542: You’re Going In Too?
She hurried into the courtyard and looked toward the Ministry of Justice. Sure enough, the sky over there was burning red!
Beneath the dark night, that blaze was the only light, yet it pulsed with a terrifying intensity!
Ye Chutang’s hands slowly tightened into fists.
’Shen Yanchuan is in there right now!’
Ye Chutang immediately said, "Prepare the carriage."
The young maid was stunned. "Now? Second Miss Ye, where are you going at this hour?"
Ye Chutang slowly tightened her arms, hugging the black cloak to her chest.
The lingering chill on it seemed to seep into her very heart.
She said, "The Princely Heir left something behind. I’m going to return it to him."
The young maid didn’t understand. She wanted to persuade her that it was too late and she could deliver it another day, but before she could speak, she saw Ye Chutang’s utterly calm expression and found herself unable to say a word.
"Yes."
The young maid hurried away again and quickly had the carriage ready.
Just as Ye Chutang was about to leave, she suddenly heard familiar footsteps behind her.
She turned to see Xiao Wu, who should have been asleep in bed, running out.
Xiao Wu looked at her, then at the carriage. Though she didn’t know what was happening, she rushed forward and threw herself onto Ye Chutang’s leg.
’Where is Big Sis going? Xiao Wu wants to go too!’
Ye Chutang stroked her little face. "Be good, Xiao Wu. Big Sis is just going out for a little while and will be back soon."
But Xiao Wu shook her head.
’It’s so late. Big Sis is suddenly going out. Something must be wrong.’
’I have to go with Big Sis!’
Ye Chutang hesitated for a moment, then finally picked her up.
"Alright, we’ll go together then."
Xiao Wu hugged her tightly, burying her little face in the crook of her neck and nodding gently.
’As long as I’m with Big Sis, I’m not afraid of anything!’
Ye Chutang looked ahead.
The fire showed no signs of weakening.
"To the Ministry of Justice."
She said.
...
The fire had startled many people.
Crowds stood in the streets, all looking toward the blaze and murmuring amongst themselves.
Ye Chutang’s carriage passed through them without drawing much attention.
By the time she reached the gates of the Ministry of Justice, a dense crowd had already formed, and all sorts of voices could be heard.
"What’s going on? How did it just catch fire out of nowhere?"
"Who knows? The fire just erupted! Tsk, I wonder what it’s like inside. There are a lot of prisoners in there! If something happens, who knows how many lives will be lost!"
"Isn’t that the truth? I just saw a bunch of people trying to put it out, but it’s freezing cold and the water’s turned to ice! How are they supposed to fight it in time?"
"Bah! I say the heavens are just! Every last person locked up in there is a heinous criminal. Even if they burn to death, they deserve it!"
"You can’t say that. What if some of them are innocent?"
"Well, either way, I don’t see this fire being put out anytime soon!"
...
The moment Ye Chutang stepped out of the carriage, a rolling wave of heat washed over her.
She frowned.
Xiao Wu also lifted the curtain and poked her head out.
Ye Chutang walked to the gate and was stopped by the guards.
"This is the Ministry of Justice, a restricted area! Unauthorized personnel may not enter!"
Ye Chutang said, "Is the Heir of Duke Dingbei here? Please pass on a message that Ye Chutang has urgent business with him."
The guard was startled. "Second Miss Ye?! You’re looking for the Princely Heir? He’s inside! But... but... you won’t be able to see him even if you go in now."
Ye Chutang’s brow furrowed. "Why not?"
The guard explained, "The Princely Heir already went into the prison to rescue people. He hasn’t come out yet!"
Ye Chutang’s heart skipped a beat.
’With a fire this big, Shen Yanchuan went in himself?’
’That’s right, it must be for those few Southern Hu Blade Men!’
There was no time to waste. Ye Chutang said, "Then I’ll go inside and wait. How about that?"
The two guards exchanged a look.
"Second Miss Ye, the fire is raging. It’s far too danger— Never mind. If you insist, I’ll go announce you!"
Ye Chutang’s status was not what it once was; no one dared to offend her lightly.
If she insisted on entering, they could only obey.
One of the guards turned and ran inside. He soon reached Fan Chengzhuo and announced loudly:
"Sir, Second Miss Ye has arrived! She says she has business with the Princely Heir!"
"Ye Chutang?!"
Fan Chengzhuo was utterly astonished. ’Why would she come at a time like this!?’
He was about to refuse, but after a moment’s thought, Fan Chengzhuo said, "Show her in!"
Soon, a slender and graceful figure walked in.
It was Ye Chutang.
She was holding the hand of a small child, who must have been her youngest sister.
Fan Chengzhuo almost wanted to laugh at the sight.
’How absurd!’
’It was one thing for Ye Chutang to come herself, but to bring such a Little Point along! What does she think this place is?!’
’Besides, the fire is blazing and it’s incredibly dangerous. Other people can’t get away fast enough, yet she insists on rushing in. It’s just—’
"Second Miss Ye." Fan Chengzhuo’s face betrayed nothing as he spoke politely, "This place is dangerous. Why have you come?"
Ye Chutang had already discreetly scanned her surroundings. Most of the Ministry of Justice officials seemed to be here, but she didn’t see Shen Yanchuan.
She gave a slight bow and explained simply, "I do indeed have business with him."
"Then this is most unfortunate." Fan Chengzhuo shook his head with a regretful expression and pointed. "The Princely Heir went in just a moment ago. We did our best to stop him, but his mind was made up. We were unable to hold him back."
’Just as I thought.’
Ye Chutang looked in the direction he was pointing.
She couldn’t see clearly from outside, but now that she was inside, she realized the fire was in the Ministry of Justice Prison. Fortunately, the fire had started in the Northwest corner, and Shen Yanchuan had entered through the south gate.
Ye Chutang bent down and patted Xiao Wu’s head gently. "Wait here for me and be good."
With so many people around, Xiao Wu was actually in the safest place.
Xiao Wu first nodded, then tightened her grip on her hand and cast a worried glance toward the flames.
A faint smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips. "Don’t worry, Big Sis will be careful. I promise you I’ll be out soon."
Xiao Wu gradually calmed down. Meeting those clear, dark eyes, she nodded firmly.
’Okay! I’ll wait here for Big Sis and Young Master to come back!’
’Big Sis never breaks her promises. Since she said so, she’ll definitely come back safe and sound!’
Fan Chengzhuo, who had been standing to the side, overheard every word and was shocked.
"Second Miss Ye, you’re going in too!?"