Chapter 189: Something’s Wrong
“Although preparations were made, the methods were still impossible to guard against.”
The Emperor said in a deep voice, looking at his daughter before him, his eyes full of heartache and self-blame.
Yang Luo felt the same.
She already knew about Marquis Yichun’s arrangement at the banquet and was wary of others making a move, but when it truly happened, it was still unexpectedly dangerous.
The scene from just now appeared before Yang Luo’s eyes: two palace maids, slender and delicate, entered, but they were actually assassins.
If it weren’t for A Sheng, even if she had acknowledged her father, and her father was the master of the Imperial Palace, she would still die.
Yang Luo turned toward the indoor room, gently pushed open the door, and saw the girl lying on the couch, as well as Wei Jiao beside her.
She frowned slightly.
She should move Wei Jiao away, otherwise it would disturb A Sheng’s rest.
The Emperor followed in and understood Yang Luo’s intention, shaking his head gently.
“He was also injured from entering the water. Let him sleep peacefully, don’t wake him, lest…”
He has a fit and goes mad.
When he goes mad, it would affect this maidservant’s recovery.
Moreover, having Wei Jiao stay here could prevent others from making another move.
Yang Luo understood the Emperor’s meaning and did not insist further. A Sheng was very capable, but one person was indeed dangerous, and she herself could not help her.
She quietly looked at the young girl whose face was pale and breathing somewhat rapid.
The imperial physicians said it was fortunate she surfaced the water in time; she was just moments from suffocating and never waking up again.
“You’ve suffered.” The Emperor also looked over, murmuring softly, “This is all because of me, because of my sake.”
If this maidservant had not taken her place, the one lying here now would be his Princess Luo Ying.
He would watch his daughter be murdered with his own eyes…
Thinking of this, the Emperor felt suffocated.
“Your Majesty, this is all due to the villains.” Yang Luo said softly, curtseying, “Please, Your Majesty, severely punish the villains.”
The Emperor hurriedly extended his hand to help her up, because Wei Jiao was there, he could not reveal the matter of the maidservant young lady switching places.
“In this attack, did your family’s young lady mention any guesses?” he asked softly.
Yang Luo glanced at the girl with closed eyes on the bed. The imperial physicians said she needed to rest well to wake up faster…
“Your Majesty, let’s talk outside.” She said softly.
Light footsteps sounded as the two walked out, and the door to the inner room was gently closed.
Wei Jiao opened his eyes, listening to the low voices coming from outside.
“…Miss has not made any guesses about any specific person.”
“…So ruthless. I must investigate…”
“…Your Majesty, no need to worry about this for now. Proceed as originally planned…”
“…Then next…”
“…They’ve made their move. Next, it’s our turn…”
“…Alright, you stay here and watch carefully. Leave the rest to me.”
“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor left. The maidservant came in to check on her young lady, then went outside to call the imperial physicians.
The outer room became noisy with footsteps as the imperial physicians entered, and the maidservant anxiously inquired about the injury condition.
Wei Jiao opened his eyes again, ignoring the sounds from outside, and looked toward the young lady on the bed.
His brows furrowed, his gaze puzzled.
He always felt something was off.
Although he did not know what a father who deeply loved his child was like, he knew what a father who did not love his child was like.
Just now, when the Emperor came to see Miss Yang, even with his eyes closed, he could sense that the Emperor did not truly care for this daughter.
However…
Wei Jiao felt relieved again. This was not strange. If he truly cared for this daughter, how could he have ignored her for so many years and let mother and daughter die?
Now that she had been acknowledged, it was only because she had come forward.
Just like when his mother brought him back to Longxi, the moment his father saw them, his face clearly said, why don’t you go die, why are you still alive…
Wei Jiao sneered coldly.
He was determined to live, to live and disgust them.
This dog of a thing thought the same. This father did not care for her, and she would not care for her father.
She endured such suffering precisely to make this father and those scheming people fight each other.
With Marquis Yichun’s methods, daring to murder in the Imperial Palace—Emperor, do you sleep soundly now?
Wei Jiao smiled brightly and extended his hand, once again stroking the young girl’s cheek…
Suddenly, the young girl opened her eyes, meeting his gaze, and looked at his hand extended toward her face…
Wei Jiao’s smile froze on his face, and his hand stiffened.
Mo Zheng blinked: “Wei Jiao, are you going to strangle me?”
Ungrateful dog of a thing! Wei Jiao said angrily: “So what if I strangle you? Your life is one I saved; your life is mine to control now.”
Mo Zheng smiled: “Thank you, Senior Brother, for saving my life.”
Wei Jiao snorted lightly and withdrew his hand.
“You useless waste, your swimming is so poor.” He said, “You couldn’t even hold on to the person yourself and nearly lost your own life.”
Hearing this, Mo Zheng looked at his arm: “You didn’t hold on either.”
Wei Jiao spat: “I couldn’t hold on because of you. If you hadn’t blocked me, how could I not hold on?”
Mo Zheng breathed a sigh of relief: “Good that you didn’t hold on. It was just an irrelevant person, not as important as your arm.”
Wei Jiao’s body stiffened.
In the water, he could not hear sounds, only see.
He had been thinking just now that perhaps it was an illusion, that he had seen wrong.
He had not expected to hear it again now.
It was not an illusion; it was real.
An irrelevant person… How could it be irrelevant? She had poor swimming skills but insisted on jumping into the water to grab it. Even on the verge of unconsciousness, she would not let go. It was evidence she was risking her life to obtain.
But for the sake of his arm, she abandoned it without hesitation.
What madness was this dog of a thing having? She was so good to him—what did she want!
“You—”
“Young lady—”
The inner room door was suddenly pushed open with a bang, and the maidservant rushed in.
“Young lady, you’re awake.”
“Imperial physicians, imperial physicians—”
The imperial physicians followed closely behind, and the inner room became noisy.
……
……
In the main hall, with the Emperor’s arrival, the atmosphere became even more lively.
The Emperor also soothed the crowd and informed them of what had happened.
“Indeed, villains sneaked in.”
“But please rest assured, everyone—they have all been slain.”
No one had expected there to truly be assassins; this was the Imperial City, after all.
Many officials present pleaded guilty one after another: “It is we who are incompetent,” “It is we who have failed in our duties.”
The Emperor waved his hand: “Just some petty villains. Since I set out to conquer the land under heaven, I have encountered countless dangers. I was not afraid before, and I am even less afraid now.” With that, he raised his wine cup: “Let us continue drinking and feasting!”
Everyone in the hall raised their cups and cheered for His Majesty’s valor.
So it really was assassins. Princess Pingcheng breathed a sigh of relief; it had nothing to do with her. She picked up her wine cup and drank it all with a smile.
An inquiring voice sounded in her ear: “Your Majesty, is Miss Yang alright?”
Princess Pingcheng looked over and saw it was Imperial Consort Li…
Because the Empress had returned to host the banquet, Imperial Consort Li had sent back Princess Wuyang, who had previously been sent back to the palace, to join in supporting the Empress.
She was now at the table as well, her expression concerned.
Princess Wuyang pursed her lips beside her. See, Mother Consort was always thinking of Miss Yang at every moment.
The Empress sneered: “Is Imperial Consort Li wishing she could suffer in Miss Yang’s place again?”
Imperial Consort Li lowered her head: “Your Ladyship, I just feel Miss Yang suffered an undeserved disaster.”
The Emperor interrupted her: “Miss Yang is fine. She was frightened and has taken a calming medicine to sleep.”
But he did not rebuke Imperial Consort Li to withdraw; instead, he looked toward Lord Li at the table and changed the subject.
“Lord Li, today is Marquis Yichun’s birthday. What congratulatory gift did you bring?”
Lord Li hurriedly stood up, holding a scroll: “I have brought an ancient calligraphy scroll, hoping the Marquis will accept it with a smile.”
Marquis Yichun smiled: “Lord Li has only good things in his hands. Thank you, thank you.”
With these words, others in the hall also brought out their congratulatory gifts one after another, soon piling up high before Marquis Yichun.
The Emperor smiled and said: “I also have a congratulatory gift.” With that, he clapped his hands: “Bring it in.”
The people in the hall looked curiously and saw several eunuchs carrying a large cabinet in.
The cabinet was carved with dragons and phoenixes, inlaid with jewelry, unknown what treasure was inside.
Marquis Yichun was also somewhat curious. He knew the Emperor had prepared a gift, but it was very mysterious—even the Empress had not been told.
What was it?
The cabinet was placed in the center, the eunuchs removed the carrying frame, and the Emperor signaled to the chief eunuch, who smiled and raised his hand.
“Open—”
With a shout, the four sides of the cabinet panels opened with a bang, colored silk flew up, and the people in the hall saw dazzling golden light.
A gold mountain?
No, a golden armor?
No, the armor moved!
There was a person inside the armor!
This was a person wearing golden armor, holding a long saber in his hand.
“This is the black iron saber His Majesty had forged for the Marquis.” The man shouted loudly, “Congratulations to the Marquis for fortune as vast as the East Sea and lifespan as enduring as the Southern Mountains.”
The full hall was about to erupt in congratulations, but Marquis Yichun suddenly stood up, looking incredulously at this… person holding the long saber.
“A Du?” he called.
A Du?
The people in the hall fell silent.
Immediately after, both Chai Yuan and Old Madam Chai stood up, their expressions delighted.
“Second son!”
“Second brother!”
Chai Erlang? Chai Du? The people in the hall instantly realized.
This was the second son of Marquis Yichun, General Gaoyang, Chai Du!
Chai Du raised his head, showing his face, somewhat similar to Marquis Yichun’s under the lower grade A armor, to everyone’s gaze.
He took a step forward and knelt on one knee: “Father, your son Chai Du wishes you a happy birthday!”
Marquis Yichun showed no joy, looking at his kneeling son, his hands clenched at his side.
“You…” His voice was hoarse, “how did you return?”
This was impossible—how could it be possible? Chai Du’s position was crucial; how could he leave so easily?
Moreover, he had returned to the capital without a sound, and he was completely unaware!
Something was wrong!
Something was wrong!
