Huyan Long, standing nearby, saw the usually composed and smiling Queen’s face change color as she exclaimed in shock: “He’s dead?”

Did she care so much about Yu Linlang? He frowned.

“He’s alive, but severely injured.”

Ah, how could she forget—whether that person was dead or alive, she should know better than anyone. Feng Miaojun felt slightly relieved but still said seriously: “Prepare the royal carriage. We’re going to the Yu residence. And thoroughly investigate this matter for me.”

Yu Linlang was attacked on his way home after attending a literary gathering. Of his two accompanying servants, one died—having thrown himself in front of his master only to be cut in half at the waist. The other had his lung pierced, but his cries alerted passersby, causing the assailant to flee.

Yu Linlang himself was also severely wounded, with his right abdomen and left leg both pierced, arterial bleeding, and damage to one kidney.

By the time the imperial carriage arrived at the Yu residence, the imperial physician was already inside performing emergency treatment. Basins of bloody water were carried out from the servant’s quarters one after another, indicating the critical nature of the injuries.

Feng Miaojun felt her scalp tingle and sweat break out on her back. Ignoring the repeated “this is improper” admonishments from her officials, she lifted the curtain and rushed in. Huyan Long, who had accompanied her, remained silent at the sight.

Throughout the journey, he had observed her grave expression.

Upon entering, Feng Miaojun immediately smelled the thick scent of blood permeating the room, confirming that “severe injury” was indeed accurate.

Yu Linlang’s clothing had been completely removed, leaving him naked. Three imperial physicians surrounded him, working frantically. Seeing the Queen enter, one of them gasped and quickly covered the injured man’s lower body with a bloody garment to avoid offending the royal eyes.

However, Feng Miaojun had keen eyesight. In less than two breaths of time, she saw Yu Linlang’s wounds. They were indeed open wounds that, despite several washings, remained horrific to behold, indicating the assailant’s ruthless intent to take his life.

But she also took the opportunity to observe his abdomen, and her heart relaxed slightly.

It wasn’t Yun Ya.

This man lying on the bed, pale and hovering between life and death, was not that accursed demon.

She had treated and dressed Yun Ya’s wounds countless times; perhaps no one else in the world understood his body as well as she did. With just a glance, she could tell this unfortunate youth was not Yun Ya.

So, who was it?

If one used the shape-shifting worm, its effects would wear off not long after death, revealing the person’s true appearance.

Yun Ya wouldn’t make such a basic mistake.

She silently chided herself for being weak—her palms were still sweating—while maintaining a concerned expression: “How is Yu Linlang? Is his life in danger?”

“The bleeding has just stopped,” the physician was also drenched in sweat. “His kidney is severely damaged, but he is young with strong vitality. If we can later use several secret medicines reserved for the royal family and carefully nurse him, there may be a turning point.”

Feng Miaojun nodded: “Granted. Go fetch and use them.”

Somewhat reassured, she turned and walked out. Just as she reached the courtyard, she encountered Fu Lingchuan, who had rushed over.

Fu Lingchuan’s face was so gloomy it seemed water might drip from it. Seeing Feng Miaojun there, his lips nearly pressed into a straight line: “Your Majesty arrived very quickly.” After receiving the news, he had handled some affairs before coming, but Feng Miaojun’s speed was no less impressive.

This indicated she had her channels of information, and they were quite efficient.

Feng Miaojun, however, had a frosty expression, her phoenix eyes filled with authority: “The State Preceptor arrived rather slowly. Was there something that delayed you on the way?”

How much did she care for this Yu Linlang, to criticize him based on this? Fu Lingchuan’s long eyebrows rose, and only after a good while did they slowly settle: “I was ordering the capture of the criminal.” After speaking, he glanced at Huyan Long. This fellow had accompanied the Queen not only around White Horse Lake but also to the Yu residence—how many people had seen them from beginning to end?

Turning back, there would be another storm of gossip throughout the city.

This was indeed important. Feng Miaojun’s expression softened slightly: “Is that severely injured attendant still alive?” Strange—if the one lying inside wasn’t Yun Ya, then where had he gone? With his shape-shifting worm, he could transform in countless ways; entering this city of hundreds of thousands was like a drop of water falling into the ocean—he wouldn’t be easily found.

Someone nearby answered: “He’s alive and his injuries are being treated. His mind is clear, so the inspectors are recording his description of the criminal’s appearance.”

Feng Miaojun nodded: “This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Also, send a message to notify Yu Gengqing, allowing him to return to the capital.”

As the monarch, after briefly comforting at a minister’s residence, she should return. However, before Feng Miaojun left, she added: “Chen Dachang, you stay to keep watch.”

“Yes.” Chen Dachang naturally had no objections, but Fu Lingchuan’s gaze immediately turned cold:

Why did she order her confidant to remain here? Was it because she favored Yu Linlang too much, or did she not trust someone?

At that moment, the Queen languidly added: “To prevent the assailant from returning to silence witnesses!”

Those present all displayed varying expressions upon hearing this.

At the scene of this assassination attempt, almost no useful clues could be found. The assailant had acted swiftly, leaving no trace, and hadn’t even been injured.

Of the two survivors, Yu Linlang’s servant gave his testimony that day, but the portrait drawn from his description was quite abstract. Trying to find someone based on this in a city of hundreds of thousands was nearly impossible.

They could only wait for Yu Linlang to regain consciousness for further processing.

Thanks to the imperial physicians’ efforts, Yu Linlang’s life was saved, but he developed a persistent high fever and remained delirious.

Three days later, Yu Gengqing rushed back to Wusei’er from abroad without rest. After seeing his son, he hurried to the palace and knelt before the Queen, begging for justice.

Yu Linlang was his youngest son, born in his later years, and talented. Usually cherished in the palm of his hand, how could he bear to see him so severely injured?

Feng Miaojun also solemnly comforted him, promising a thorough investigation until the culprit was caught.

Yu Linlang showed resilience and woke up the next day.

He spent half a day regaining his senses and consuming rice porridge, then made a shocking revelation.

The assailant had come with his face covered, but Yu Linlang had torn off the covering. The face revealed was one Yu Linlang recognized.

This person was called Shi Zhangqing.

When the news spread, the entire city was in an uproar.

This was not only because the identity of the assailant had finally surfaced, but more because “Shi Zhangqing” was a cultivator working under Fu Lingchuan!

There was nothing unusual about the State Preceptor allocating spiritual power and commanding the country’s cultivators. But Shi Zhangqing had followed Fu Lingchuan in establishing the kingdom even before New Xia was founded—he was a veteran confidant. As the saying goes, “When one person attains the Dao, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.” Now he was also a prominent figure in Wusei’er City. Among the local nobility, many knew of their relationship and knew that Fu Lingchuan was Shi Zhangqing’s powerful backer, so normally no one dared to provoke him.

It wasn’t hard for anyone to imagine that Shi Zhangqing and Yu Gengqing’s youngest son probably had no personal grudge. His attack was likely on behalf of someone behind the scenes—

Fu Lingchuan!

It was said that Yu Linlang woke up in the afternoon. The Yu residence immediately fell into chaos. Yu Gengqing was first shocked and delighted—his youngest son had finally escaped danger and survived—followed immediately by shock and rage over what had befallen his beloved son.