The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 45: A Trap for Chu Hanlin

Chapter 45: A Trap for Chu Hanlin

Nanli grew even more curious, "Who exactly are you? You don’t want to be anyone’s son."

The boy’s fragmented memories, stored within his soul, were evidently limited.

Upon hearing Nanli’s words, he paused for a moment, only able to recall his own name as Dong Chen.

As for everything else, he remained clueless.

Nanli felt relieved that she could at least extract his name from him.

The boy’s memories were limited, yet he could clearly express his unwillingness to be reborn, indicating that this obsession persisted throughout his life.

That’s why his lingering soul had not fully gathered.

Without the desire to survive, even doctors find it difficult to save a person.

Ghosts are no exception.

Nanli assured him, "Rest assured, I will comply with the will of heaven, gather your scattered soul, and send it back to the underworld for reincarnation."

Dong Chen nodded, gratitude evidently on his face, "Sister, thank you."

Nanli collected him into the soul-locking pouch, intending to ask her parents if they knew this Dong Chen.

It was late at night when Nanli just stepped out, and Lady Shen hurriedly arrived, looking somewhat flustered, "Your second brother suddenly fainted and now he’s shivering all over."

Nanli’s expression turned grim, "It must be the instability of the soul within him."

She quickly walked towards him, sensing that there were fewer auras within the mansion.

Upon reaching Chu Shuo’s room, she found him drenched in cold sweat, as if trapped in a nightmare, his brows furrowed tightly, unable to break free.

She placed a soul-stabilizing talisman on his forehead, and Chu Shuo’s brows finally relaxed slightly.

Lady Shen and Aunt Qian both breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, we need to summon your father back," Lady Shen recalled something.

"Where did father go?" Nanli found it strange.

"He went to the residence of the Princess Huiping. He suddenly remembered that her son was born on the same day as your second brother. Seeing your second brother’s condition worsen, he wanted to gather some information," Shen explained.

Princess Huiping?

Because this person had once mocked her at the Qianlong Palace, Nanli had some impression of her.

She suddenly froze, finally remembering who Dong Chen was resemble.

Wasn’t it Princess Huiping?!

"Her son is called Dong Chen?" Nanli asked urgently.

Shen was taken aback, "Yes, he drowned ten years ago. How do you know him?"

Nanli’s expression changed, "That lingering soul is indeed Dong Chen. Princess Huiping wants to gather his soul and resurrect her eldest son! It’s dangerous for father to go there now!"

If Princess Huiping had reached this stage and suddenly been discovered, she would certainly show no mercy.

Shen shuddered, but quickly composed herself, "Your father has taken a group of mansion guards with him. The princess should be wary."

"The eldest princess has a powerful ally, so the guards may not be effective," Nanli pondered for a moment, "Mother, you and grandmother should go to the palace and seek an audience with the emperor. Only when the emperor knows about this can we hold Princess Huiping accountable and save second brother."

Shen nodded solemnly, "Alright."

After giving her instructions, Nanli went to the stable and brought out a horse, immediately heading towards Princess Huiping’s residence.

Little did she know that Chu Hanlin had already left the Anyang Marquis Mansion with his guards, and Princess Huiping was well aware of it.

In the quiet of the night, only Chu Hanlin and his guards could be seen on the long street.

There was a young servant being chased by two guards up ahead.

Chu Hanlin immediately drew his sword to help, driving away the two guards.

He helped the young servant up, "Young brother, are you alright?"

The servant gasped for breath, and upon seeing Chu Hanlin, it was as if he had glimpsed a ray of light in the darkness.

He tightly held onto Chu Hanlin and said, "Lord Chu, it’s so good to see you here!" "Who are you?" "I am from Princess Huiping’s residence," the servant urgently spoke, "I overheard that the eldest princess wants to use her son’s soul to resurrect her eldest son. Now, their souls are about to merge!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Hanlin’s face turned pale.

However, he did not lose his vigilance in anxiety and asked, "How could such a significant matter be known to you?"

"Because I share the same birth hour and fate as the eldest prince. The princess intends to force my soul out and let the soul of the eldest prince live within me," the servant spoke with increasing fear, tightly gripping Chu Hanlin’s hand as if he were his only lifeline.

"The princess has truly gone mad!" Chu Hanlin gritted his teeth. Was she willing to sacrifice two innocent lives just to revive her own son?!

If their souls were to merge, his son’s soul would never return, forever trapped in a state of mental disability. His heart burned with urgency.

Taking the servant with him, he immediately rushed to the princess’s residence.

The night was deep and dark.

The gates of the princess’s residence were wide open, but upon seeing Chu Hanlin, they hurriedly shouted to close them.

Unable to bear it any longer, Chu Hanlin rode his horse straight in, sweeping aside the guards who attempt to close the gates.

"Princess, return my son!" he shouted.

The palace guards followed closely behind, assuming their positions.

There was a commotion in the front courtyard, and soon enough, Princess Huiping was led over.

She was still adorned in luxurious attire, her jewelry shimmering under the moonlight.

Seeing that Chu Hanlin had indeed barged into her residence, she curled her lips and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? Your son is not in my residence."

Chu Hanlin glared at her in anger. "My son may not be in your residence, but his soul is!"

"I cannot comprehend a single word you are saying," Princess Huiping coldly questioned. "On the contrary, you have broken into my residence with people. Do you know what crime that entails?"

Chu Hanlin’s chest burned with fury as he replied, "I have witnesses. If you do not return my son’s soul, I will bring this matter before the emperor!"

Princess Huiping remained unfazed, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Chu Hanlin was taken aback, as he saw maids emerging from the corridor, carrying palace lanterns.

Behind them, dressed in court attire, were Emperor Muwu and Ye Siheng.

"I am right here. What does Lord Chu wish to accuse?" Emperor Muwu’s face was filled with anger.

Chu Hanlin was shocked. He had not expected Emperor Muwu and Ye Siheng to be present at Princess Huiping’s residence.

He immediately dismounted and knelt down, his mind reeling. He had fallen into a trap!

The servant who had suddenly appeared on the way must have been arranged by Princess Huiping long ago.

At this point, he had to either confront Princess Huiping to the end or, for the sake of his entire Chu family, claim it was all a misunderstanding.

But in doing so... he would have to give up his own son!

In a brief moment, Chu Hanlin considered many things, his mind becoming a chaotic mess.

"Lord Chu, why did you intrude into Princess Huiping’s residence so late at night? What is the reason?" Emperor Muwu’s patience was clearly wearing thin as he asked once again.

Chu Hanlin kept his head lowered, still unsure of how to make a decision.

Princess Huiping sneered, "Your Majesty, he even brought weapons with him. It is evident that he intended to use force. Fortunately, Your Majesty and Ninth Brother were present tonight, or who knows what would have happened. I request to punish him severely!"

Chu Hanlin closed his eyes, his decision already made. "Your Majesty, Princess Huiping has taken away my son’s soul. That is why I intruded into her residence."

Taken aback by the notion of a soul being taken away, Emperor Muwu had never heard of such a thing. Even those present were left in bewilderment.

Yet, Ye Siheng asked, "Lord Chu, are you certain that your second son’s soul was taken away?"

"Yes," Chu Hanlin replied.

"Are you certain that your second son’s soul is in Princess Huiping’s residence?" Ye Siheng inquired once more.

Chu Hanlin suddenly fell silent. He knew this was a trap, so why would Princess Huiping keep her son’s soul in her residence? But he couldn’t provide an answer.

It was a dead end.

However, outside the residence, a clear voice suddenly rang out, "Yes, it is!"