Cui Yue let out the shrillest shriek of his life, then sprang to his feet and shot behind his prince like a cannonball, throwing his arms around him. "Your Highness, you can't go in! Your Highness!"
Jiang Yi'an was already in a state of turmoil, and his expression immediately turned several shades colder. "Let go."
Cui Yue refused. Growing even more brazen, he straightened and leaned toward his prince's ear, lowering his voice to a near whisper. "Alive! They're alive!"
Jiang Yi'an went still.
Just then, Li Cheng and the others, who had been a step behind, gathered around and began talking over one another as they tried to dissuade him.
Jiang Yi'an gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment, lifted his hands to remove the quilt, and casually handed it to Cui Yue beside him.
His expression weary, he said, "Forget it."
"It's all fate."
"Tell the men inside to withdraw. Stop searching."
With that, he slowly turned around, looking utterly defeated, and walked away.
Bewildered, everyone turned to Cui Yue.
Cui Yue heaved a long sigh. "Do as His Highness says."
Then he hurried after him.
Jiang Yi'an had not gone far. He stood at the bend outside the courtyard. With no one around, he no longer looked distraught, though the chill in his eyes had yet to dissipate.
Seeing Cui Yue follow him, he started walking again, heading deeper into the darkness.
"Speak," Jiang Yi'an said without looking back.
Before he could even catch his breath, Cui Yue cautiously recounted everything that had happened.
In particular, he made sure to emphasize that both children wanted to mend their relationship with their Uncle Prince Jing and were preparing an exquisite wood carving as a gift for him.
He did not neglect the serious business, either-
"There's something suspicious about