The Fierce Farm Girl Has A Secret Space Chapter 2384: Eerie (4)

Nevertheless, Yang Xiong, who had been dispatched, swiftly came back with the news that individuals from the Xie Family Estate were keeping watch over Wang Baozhu.

Yang Ruxin found herself feeling relieved upon hearing this information. Since Xie Tai had also detected the woman’s hostile intentions, she made the decision not to intervene. After all, it was best to entrust the responsibility of safeguarding one’s wife to Xie Tai himself, leading her to recall her own people.

The New Year period is typically a time of festivity. For ordinary folk, celebrating the arrival of the New Year signifies the departure of winter and the embrace of spring. There’s an optimistic hope that the upcoming year might prove to be a prosperous one, filling everyone with high spirits.

However, a somber atmosphere descended upon the Shen Family starting from the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, casting a dim pallor even upon the large red lanterns adorning their entrance.

The cause of this gloom was as baffling as it was sudden: the patriarch, Shen Kun, aged eighty, and his seventy-six-year-old wife, had both inexplicably fallen into a coma. Of course, when individuals reach old age, succumbing to ailments is not uncommon, and they had certainly lived long lives. Even if they were to pass away now, it would be considered a passing celebrated with respect and joy.

The Shen Family sought out medical expertise, bringing in physicians to examine the elders, yet none could accurately diagnose the mysterious illness.

While such a predicament might be anticipated, the truly peculiar aspect was that Shen Kun and his wife did not remain in a state of permanent unconsciousness; whenever someone approached or touched them, the two elders would abruptly open their eyes and begin to speak incoherently about various matters. Disturbingly, much of what they uttered pertained to the Shen Family's deepest secrets—revealing instances where the family had annexed industries during their ascent, confessions of driving individuals to their demise, and even intimate details concerning Shen Wanxing, who currently held a position as an aide in the Ministry of Revenue.

This revelation left Shen Wanyin so astonished that cold sweat broke out across his brow, and he became hesitant to allow anyone near the two elders.

"Master, this situation is far too bizarre. We must dispatch a message to the capital," stated Shen Jiashi, observing the visibly anxious Shen Wanyin with a troubled frown. "Otherwise, should any further complications arise, we will undoubtedly bear the blame."

Shen Wanyin paced back and forth within the room several times before finally nodding in agreement: "Send the message." Indeed, he could no longer manage this perplexing affair on his own.

Within the Imperial Palace.

It was the New Year, a time when Emperor Xuanjing and Qi Wei were expected to perform sacred rites and ancestral worship. Originally, a grand banquet for the court officials was planned; however, with a war raging in the south and the uncertain fate of a son, all celebratory banquets within the palace were consequently canceled.

Despite the cancellations, the need to maintain morale among the ministers and foster camaraderie remained. A large group could not simply remain idle. Thus, a decision was made to arrange alternative activities to fill the time. The refinement of musical, scholarly, calligraphic, and artistic competitions traditionally favored by the court ladies were deemed too delicate and unsuitable for the current wartime circumstances. Instead, the gentlemen would engage in contests of archery and horseback riding, at the very least sharpening their military prowess.

The first event commenced with a thrilling horse race.

The Crown Prince, who had been in poor health and typically observed as a spectator, surprisingly declared himself much improved this year. Eager to set an example for the other princes, he announced his intention to participate in the horse race.

The competition itself was straightforward: participants were to ride from one end of the course to the other, retrieve a red ball placed on a high pole, and return to the starting point. The swiftest rider would emerge victorious.

With the resounding boom of a gong, eight horses surged forward in unison, the Crown Prince immediately taking the lead. He galloped towards the objective and was the first to successfully grasp the red silk ball. However, during the return journey, an utterly unexpected and peculiar situation unfolded: the horse, which had been running at impressive speed, abruptly decelerated, eventually lowering itself to its knees and refusing to move another inch.

What could possibly be the cause of this?

From his vantage point on the viewing platform, Emperor Xuanjing’s brow furrowed in concern. He gestured towards Eunuch Ping, who stood attentively beside him.

Eunuch Ping quickly approached the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, what seems to be the matter?"

The Crown Prince let out a sigh, dismounted his steed, and raised his voice to address the Emperor: "Father, this horse… it appears it has not been fed."

"What nonsense is this?" Emperor Xuanjing’s frown deepened, utterly bewildered by the pronouncement.