Sai Jue spoke the truth.
At least, Song Chaoyu now believed Sai Jue's words.
Sai Jue said that Qian Shan had actually left the Southern Kingdom and returned to the Great Yue Dynasty.
Song Chaoyu knew this too. Qian Shan had once been accidentally seen by Concubine Zhou, and later the Imperial Consort had sent Qian Shan to Granny Han, asking Granny Han to take Qian Shan far away.
But just as Granny Han and Qian Shan reached a safe place, the people from Prince Ning who had been following them also took the two of them away.
Speaking of this, Sai Jue gave a bitter smile, "You have all been looking for Qian Shan during this time, haven't you? It was precisely because you followed too closely that they let Granny Han go. This was to make you slightly relax your vigilance, making you think Qian Shan was still in the Great Yue Dynasty."
Song Chaoyu's heart tightened.
Mu Changxi immediately understood, "No wonder... we haven't had any news of Qian Shan within the Great Yue Dynasty's borders during this time. Was he sent back to the Southern Kingdom again?"
This could truly be called the worst possible outcome!
Sai Jue nodded, "When they captured Qian Shan, they had already guessed everything. But Qian Shan could not betray you, and he suffered greatly in the Southern Kingdom. I don't have the ability to protect him, and I've done everything I can to help him. He is also a truly loyal person; no matter what torture Lord Qiu and the others subjected him to, he denied being your substitute. Without his confession, our evidence was insufficient, and Lord Qiu would not dare to let him appear here. But... he is close to breaking!"
At this point, Sai Jue's eyes had already reddened, "They found Hai Sha and thought of another method. That is, as long as Hai Sha's child and Qian Shan undergo a blood-dripping kinship test, it can be proven that the child is Qian Shan's. Hai Sha's identity is verifiable by anyone. There are also many people who can prove that Hai Sha once served Qian Shan. At that time, whether Qian Shan lives or dies will be of no importance!"
Song Chaoyu nodded, understanding the urgency of the matter, "At that time, it can be proven that Qian Shan replaced the Prince in going to the Southern Kingdom."
He looked at Sai Jue, "So, this time, have they brought Qian Shan over?"
Sai Jue nodded, sighing, "Qian Shan is really at his limit. Please, save him?"
Song Chaoyu could feel Mu Changxi's grip on her hand tightening.
Mu Changxi also seemed to be lost in thought, staring at Sai Jue, "Do you have any good ideas to save him?"
Sai Jue shook his head, "If I did, I wouldn't have risked coming to find you. They know I have a good relationship with Qian Shan. Ping An would at most let me see Qian Shan, and never let me handle more matters. I've also thought about whether I could find someone to rescue Qian Shan, but it's all been in vain. I can only do my best to keep Qian Shan alive; there's nothing else I can truly do!"
Mu Changxi frowned and looked at Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu's heart stirred, and she remembered a method—
But she quickly shook her head.
It wouldn't work; that method was too dangerous!
Just this small movement made Mu Changxi notice, "A'yu, do you have an idea?"
Song Chaoyu frowned, knowing she shouldn't conceal anything further.
But that method... it was too dangerous!
"Speak, A'yu, let me hear it too. Are your ideas the same as mine?"
Mu Changxi suddenly smiled, his gentle smile reminding Song Chaoyu of the carefree Han Xi from years ago on the estate.
In the end, she still couldn't "resist" such a Mu Changxi.
Song Chaoyu sighed, "I think you can switch places with Qian Shan."
Her brow furrowed deeper, "However, this way, Qian Shan will be safe, but you will be in a very dangerous situation. If they mistake you for Qian Shan, they might even torture you."
Upon hearing this, Mu Changxi did not show surprise like Sai Jue. Instead, he smiled, "We are indeed husband and wife, as one, thinking of the same solution."
Mu Changxi looked at Sai Jue, "Can you find a way to switch me with him?"
Sai Jue was also stunned.
He murmured, "I finally understand why Qian Shan is so loyal to you. You are worthy of him doing this. You, the dignified Prince Chang, are willing to exchange yourself for him? In fact... you could deny everything. As long as Qian Shan dies and you deny it vehemently, your Great Yue Emperor dotes on you so much that even if he knows in his heart, he won't immediately punish you. You would still have time to stall."
Sai Jue closed his eyes, "But if you switch with him now, it might be a path to damnation! He is about to be brought out, and Lord Qiu will surely conduct the final, most brutal interrogation on him. Are you going to endure his torture in his place?"
Sai Jue's question was the biggest problem they had to face, but Mu Changxi's expression remained calm, "He suffered so many years of hardship for me in the Southern Kingdom; why can't I endure a little torture for him?"
Song Chaoyu knew that the final outcome of this matter would likely be this.
Once Mu Changxi made up his mind, it was unlikely anyone could stop him.
Seeing Sai Jue also frozen, Mu Changxi frowned slightly, "Can you help me switch places with him?"
Mu Changxi's voice became a little louder, and Sai Jue seemed to finally react.
He nodded repeatedly, "I dare not say for anything else, but this is definitely achievable."
He stood up and solemnly cupped his fists to Mu Changxi, "Please rest assured, Prince Chang, you can truly save Qian Shan's life, and I will also do my utmost to protect you! I will never let anything happen to you. As long as you save Qian Shan, you will be Qian Shan's savior from now on, and also my, Sai Jue's, savior! I, Sai Jue, will not forget this kindness today. Thank you, Your Highness!"
Actually, at first, Song Chaoyu did not like this Sai Jue.
But now...
Mu Changxi stepped forward, helped Sai Jue up, and smiled at him, "Then from now on, my life will depend on you!"
He raised his eyes and looked at Song Chaoyu again, "A'yu, the next time you see me, no matter what kind of me you see, don't be afraid, and don't be alarmed, alright? I promise you, I will return to your side safe and sound. For me, for us."
He reached out and gently placed his warm palm on Song Chaoyu's lower abdomen, "For our child, this must be accomplished, alright?"
Song Chaoyu had no reason to refuse.
She nodded, "Alright."
They didn't need to say more to understand each other's hearts.
Song Chaoyu had only one thing to say to Mu Changxi: "I'll be at home, waiting for your return."