After the dance concluded, the Crown Princess revealed a delighted smile on her face and said, “Consort Lu truly possesses an elegant heart and refined nature, skilled in dance. This performance was arranged with exceptional ingenuity, and combined with Prince Jin’s flute melody, it truly lingered in our ears for three days, leaving an unforgettable impression.” With the Crown Princess speaking thus, everyone also offered their praises in succession.

The Crown Prince smiled and said, “Good, everyone shall be generously rewarded.” Those dancing maidens in white, shy and timid, walked forward and thanked the Crown Prince for his rewards one by one. The Crown Prince said with an extremely gentle smile, “You may pour wine for the honored guests.” Thus those eighteen beauties dispersed among the various seats, speaking softly and deferentially as they filled the wine cups for all the honored guests present. The leading dancer now also swayed like willows in the breeze as she walked to the Crown Prince’s side, filling a cup of wine for him. The Crown Prince laughed heartily and said, “Come, with this cup of wine, I toast everyone present.”

He had just raised his wine cup when Xiahou Yan suddenly noticed what seemed to be a flash of cold light within that white-robed maiden’s sleeve. He immediately shouted loudly, “Your Highness, beware of assassins!” Having said this, he threw himself forward, blocking the Crown Prince’s front, and without thinking struck his palm toward that white-robed maiden. The white-robed maiden sneered coldly. With a flick of her wrist, a gleaming dagger suddenly appeared. Everyone was greatly shocked. Consort Lu was the first to scream, her entire person falling from her seat, while the Crown Princess, her face full of panic, was supported by the maidservants at her side as she retreated backward.

At this moment, the white-robed maiden’s charming countenance became incomparably cold. The dagger had already stabbed toward the Crown Prince’s throat as she shouted loudly, “Accept your death!”

Although Xiahou Yan possessed some modest martial skills, he held no sharp weapon in his hands. His expression turned cold as he lifted his hand to grab a nearby maidservant, blocking her in front of him. That maidservant cried out in alarm, already having been stabbed in the heart by the maiden’s dagger, her breath cut off. Xiahou Yan took advantage of this moment to quickly protect the Crown Prince as he attempted to flee. The white-robed maiden sneered coldly, fiercely withdrawing her dagger and kicking aside that maidservant’s corpse before stabbing again toward the Crown Prince’s direction. However, Xiahou Yan picked up a wine pot and exerted all his strength to block that person’s strike. Unexpectedly, the opponent’s dagger cut through iron like mud—the wine pot shattered on impact. Without thinking, Xiahou Yan threw the remaining wine pot fragments toward that person’s face, then desperately pulled the Crown Prince backward in retreat. Only hearing a “ripping” sound, his robe sleeve had already been torn by the assassin!

Everyone was frightened into stupefaction by this sudden change, not knowing how to react. At this time, the guards at the Crown Prince’s side had also rushed forward. In an instant, the guard captain had already exchanged several moves with the white-robed woman. That fierce killing intent soared skyward, blade light and sword shadow showing no mercy, leaving everyone watching dumbstruck and wide-eyed. The Crown Prince Manor’s guard captain was naturally someone of exceptional martial prowess, yet that white-robed woman’s moves, though extremely simple, seemed like an unstoppable tide, penetrating every gap, each move vicious beyond measure.

After a brief moment, seeing she could not break through this person’s defense for a long time, the white-robed woman became ruthless. Suddenly with a great shout, her eyes became even more like sharp blades, the dagger in her hand swift as lightning, her movements gaining several degrees of eeriness. Only hearing a “pfft” sound, the guard captain’s chest received a blade strike. His complexion turned white as he instinctively retreated a step. Having no time to counterattack, that white-robed maiden had already pursued like a specter. The dagger instantly and viciously slashed across his throat. One could see that spray of red blood mist gush forth—the scene incomparably horrifying. Among the guests, female family members had already let out cries of alarm, then fainted to the ground. Others were running about everywhere, the surrounding screams making one’s heart tremble with fear.

Li Weiyang had already reacted. She pulled Madam Guo to quickly dodge aside, but Zhao Yue’s movements were even faster than hers. Because at the moment that white-robed maiden launched her attack, the originally respectfully standing dancers also revealed weapons in their hands. However, unlike that white-robed maiden, the weapons in their hands were the white silk ribbons originally used for dancing. One could see those white ribbons like lightning—in the blink of an eye they had already slain several guards. Zhao Yue tightly protected Li Weiyang and Madam Guo. Madam Guo, being a female family member after all, and having rarely seen such scenes, by now had soft hands and feet, gasping for breath, yet not wanting to implicate Li Weiyang, could only desperately run along with them. Zhao Yue, now facing the offensive of the dancers while also protecting two people, had no choice but to fight and retreat simultaneously.

Although Li Weiyang did not understand martial arts, seeing the current situation she could guess these dancers were all top assassins. Seeing Zhao Yue entangled by them, she rapidly pulled Madam Guo in retreat. Those three dancers repeatedly attempted to assassinate Li Weiyang, but were all blocked by Zhao Yue. The assassins exchanged glances, their expressions becoming even colder. One dancer exerted force to fling her white ribbon, actually tightly ensnaring Zhao Yue’s throat, while the other two coordinated closely with her—one person entangling each hand, the other already wrapping around the soft sword in Zhao Yue’s hand, making her unable to move. Fighting one against three, with these three coordinating so perfectly, most terrifyingly they were skilled in the way of assassination—Zhao Yue was startled, momentarily unable to break free, her entire person nearly suffocating. Even Li Weiyang, though composed, seeing this situation could not help but have her heart suddenly lose its rhythm. Just at this moment, suddenly a powerful gust of wind flashed past, and that white ribbon broke on impact.

The middle dancer fell to the ground. Zhao Yue looked to the side in delighted surprise—it was Prince Xu Yuan Lie arriving in time. Yuan Lie’s martial arts far exceeded these three dancers. Dealing with them was still more than adequate. He said coldly, “Take Weiyang to a safe place!” Having said this, he and Zhao Nan at his side joined the battle together. The two of them jointly attacking the three dancers, they quickly killed those three people beneath their palms. However, the dancers nearby who were attacking others, seeing this situation, actually all gathered toward them.

Everyone had come to the banquet, not bringing guards with them. Although the Crown Prince Manor’s guards all arrived in time, they could not match those white-robed women’s ruthless strikes. Moreover, those women had undergone long training, using moves that were all mutual destruction tactics—the scene momentarily could not be controlled, while blood-red traces were everywhere on the ground. Seeing this kind of scene, the high officials and female family members in the hall were all extremely fearful.

That white-robed maiden who originally pursued the Crown Prince relentlessly now leaped up in flight, about to strike the Crown Prince viciously. After the guard captain fell, six other guards rushed forward. One person overturned a wine table, forcefully blocking that white-robed maiden’s offensive. She seemed to stumble beneath her feet, and her body also received a palm strike from the guard. She spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, forcefully knocked flying outward, landing neither left nor right but at Guo Cheng’s feet.

The three Guo family brothers sat at the men’s guest seats, very far from Madam Guo and the others, and were also objects of focused attack. Having just killed six dancers, they were about to rush to rescue Madam Guo and Li Weiyang when unexpectedly the white-robed maiden who originally assassinated the Crown Prince was actually knocked flying at their feet. This coincidence stunned all three of them. The white-robed maiden took advantage of this gap to leap up, raising her dagger as she charged toward Guo Cheng. Guo Cheng instinctively retreated backward. The assassin had already pounced before him. At this time, Guo Cheng actually used the jade chopsticks in his hand as weapons, swinging them to stab toward the opponent. That white-robed maiden originally possessed extremely nimble skills, yet for some unknown reason seemed unable to dodge in time. Only hearing a “pfft” sound, she was actually pierced through the chest by the long chopsticks. Before everyone’s eyes she spat a mouthful of blood. She pointed at Guo Cheng, her face revealing incredible shock: “You, you actually, murdered to silence witnesses!” Having finished speaking, she actually fell to the ground and expired, her eyes wide open, dying with unresolved grievances.

With the leader dead, all those dancers seemed like a dragon without a head. Slowly, one by one they all fell. Originally the Crown Prince loudly ordered they must keep live captives, but regrettably those white-robed women possessed unyielding temperaments, successively biting their tongues to commit suicide. In the blink of an eye, among the garden full of assassins not one remained. Seeing this, others were all shocked to the extreme. They truly could not understand—these women were actually so resolute, all coming with hearts set on certain death!

Xiahou Yan rushed over, searching once on that white-robed maiden’s body, then turned to report: “Crown Prince Your Highness, this woman’s body bears no obvious markings. We do not know who sent her. However, this subordinate observes her martial arts style—it resembles the most ferocious assassin organization of recent years, the Crimson Blood Alliance…”

Over many years in Yuexi there had been a terrifying assassin organization called the Crimson Blood Alliance. Under its banner it gathered countless young experts, specializing in executing secret assassination missions. The assassins they dispatched coordinated perfectly without flaw, taking enemy heads as easily as retrieving objects from a bag. According to rumors, over ten years, the one thousand three hundred forty-eight missions entrusted to the Crimson Blood Alliance had never once failed—their battle record truly brilliant. However, one thing was that these people very rarely committed crimes in the capital. One must know, this place was not only the imperial capital, but moreover at the Emperor’s feet… Hearing these words, everyone revealed expressions of disbelief.

The Crown Princess’s forehead was covered in cold sweat. Her face full of tears, she rushed toward the Crown Prince saying, “Your Highness, are you alright?”

The Crown Prince lightly patted her hand in comfort, saying, “I am fine. Beloved Consort need not worry. It is just these assassins…” His words were not yet finished when Xiahou Yan bowed and said, “This is this subordinate’s negligence. I am responsible for the entire Crown Prince Manor’s security. Failing to ensure the Crown Prince Your Highness’s safety and actually allowing these assassins to infiltrate—I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

Consort Lu at the side also had a face full of terror. She knelt on the ground, saying in a trembling voice, “Your Highness! I, I did not know such a thing would happen. Those dancers were originally temporarily selected from outside. Who could have thought they were all assassins! I beg the Crown Prince’s forgiveness!”

The Crown Prince helped Consort Lu up, saying, “This matter is not your responsibility. You stand aside. I will naturally handle this.” Having finished, he said sternly to Xiahou Yan, “You are responsible for the Crown Prince Manor’s security, yet you were so careless as to allow assassins to infiltrate, injuring all the honored guests! Today there is one life lost here—you deserve ten thousand deaths. I ask you, how did these women infiltrate the manor?”

Xiahou Yan’s gaze lowered, assuming a guilty appearance as he said, “Crown Prince Your Highness, these assassins must have killed the manor’s dancers and deceived their way past, entering the courtyard. Their specific identities still require this subordinate to investigate further.”

Consort Lu said with a pale, frightened countenance, “Investigate what further? Just now everyone heard what that woman said before she died! Is the truth not laid out plainly before everyone’s eyes?” Consort Lu’s voice was very soft and delicate, yet it made everyone freeze. Their gazes all simultaneously turned toward the Qi State Duke Manor’s Third Young Master Guo Cheng.

Guo Cheng’s gaze darkened. This was a frame-up! He suddenly had a vague thought—that assassin’s true objective was not the Crown Prince, but the Qi State Duke Manor!

The Crown Prince looked at Guo Cheng. After a long silence, he said, “Young Master Guo, just now that assassin said ‘murdered to silence witnesses’—I wonder what she meant?”

The four words “murdered to silence witnesses,” appearing in such an occasion and such circumstances, would make everyone suspect these assassins were sent by the Qi State Duke Manor. Even though Guo Cheng was an extremely composed and intelligent person, under everyone’s suspicious gazes, cold sweat inevitably slowly flowed down. He suddenly realized the Crown Prince had raised a bloodless steel blade. Today’s banquet was fundamentally aimed at the Guo family! He immediately stepped forward saying, “Crown Prince Your Highness, if we truly had instructed these assassins to enter the manor, why would those assassins still rush toward my mother and younger sister? If it were merely for show, why pursue them so relentlessly? Could we have gone mad, willing to sacrifice even our own family members’ lives in order to assassinate the Crown Prince?!”

Xiahou Yan said indifferently, “Although pursued relentlessly, are not the Qi State Duke’s wife and Miss Guo safe and sound? The wives and young ladies nearby all sustained injuries!”

Seated next to the Qi State Duke’s wife happened to be the Minister of War’s wife and the Marquis Xiaoyao Manor’s young lady. They all sustained injuries to varying degrees, especially the Marquis Xiaoyao Manor’s young lady, whose arm was injured, blood currently flowing forth. At this moment she had already fainted from fright. The maidservant at her side only concerned herself with supporting her. Hearing these words, she could not help but glare angrily at Madam Guo and Li Weiyang. Not only them—other people’s gazes also carried much suspicion. Yes indeed, why did others all sustain some injuries, yet only Madam Guo and Miss Guo had nothing happen to them?

Yuan Lie said coldly, “That is because this Prince was right at her side. If I and my guards had not protected her, I fear at this moment Miss Guo’s injuries would be no lighter than others.” Having said this, he revealed the wound on his left arm. “Originally this blade was aimed at Miss Guo. I merely blocked it for her.” What he said was indeed correct. Just now during the entanglement he had severed the assassin’s white ribbon, yet that assassin turned instantly to produce a long sword from her sleeve. Unprepared, he received a sword strike, though the wound was not deep nor very serious. Now speaking of it in such an occasion, everyone’s faces revealed thoughtful expressions.

Xiahou Yan, seeing this situation, smiled slightly and said, “Then what explanation should be given for what that assassin said before dying?”

Prince Jing Yuan Ying stepped forward saying, “Crown Prince Your Highness, this matter is of grave importance and must be investigated cautiously! In my view, we must send people to search carefully throughout the manor to see if the assassins have accomplices, and must be careful of some people sowing discord and wrongly accusing the Qi State Duke Manor! Therefore, this matter should not be concluded immediately. It would be better to hand it over to the Ministry of Justice and Prefect of the Capital for joint trial.”

Upon hearing this, Prince Qin and Prince Jin both nodded in succession saying, “Yes, this matter is very serious. It is better to leave it to the Ministry of Justice for careful investigation!” “Correct, the Qi State Duke did not attend the banquet today. Wrongly accusing him out of nothing would not be good!”

Xiahou Yan sneered coldly saying, “The ancients said, when a man is about to die, his words are also kind! Just now that assassin on the verge of death revealed a statement of truth. She was about to die—would she still speak lies to deceive us? Moreover, I already examined these assassins’ bodies just now and they bore no markings. Therefore her final words before death are already evidence.”

Li Weiyang looked coldly at Xiahou Yan, could not help but say indifferently, “Since she was an assassin, and dared to come to the Crown Prince Manor to commit assassination, she must have come with a death-resolved heart. Would Lord Xiahou actually believe the words of such desperados?”

Xiahou Yan looked at her indifferently saying, “Miss Guo, you need not exonerate the Qi State Duke Manor. If that assassin had no connection with your Guo Manor, why did she not go frame Prince Qin, nor frame Prince Jing, yet fixated specifically on the Qi State Duke Manor? If you say someone deliberately framed you, please name this suspect so Minister Lin of the Ministry of Justice has a direction for investigation.”

Li Weiyang could not help but sneer coldly. Before her, this Xiahou Yan pressed aggressively with his words, yet was someone of deep scheming. She said with an indifferent tone, “I would not do such things as wrongly accuse good people. Lord Xiahou is so clever—how is it you did not think beforehand that assassins would infiltrate? If we truly investigate, the first person who should be questioned for crimes is rather you, this negligent person.”

The Crown Prince sighed however, saying, “Today was such a fine banquet. The matter of the assassins shall be handed to the Ministry of Justice to handle. Everyone need not concern themselves. Xiahou Yan, you also need not be so suspicious of the Qi State Duke Manor. I believe the Duke has always conducted himself uprightly, earning respect, and would absolutely not commit the act of assassinating the nation’s heir.” As he said this, he walked toward Guo Cheng with concern, saying, “Third Young Master, you were not injured, were you? If you were injured attending my banquet, how would I explain this to Father Emperor, to the realm?” Though he said this, his face appeared extremely sincere.

Guo Cheng looked at him and smiled faintly, neither affirming nor denying. Guo Dun glared at him coldly, yet constrained by status could not overstep. Guo Dao had a half-smiling expression on his face, watching the Crown Prince perform.

Prince Jin at the side sighed deeply saying, “Crown Prince Your Highness possesses such magnanimity—this younger prince truly admires it.” Hearing this, everyone’s faces also revealed expressions of great respect. If it were anyone else, they would likely have already pursued the Guo family’s responsibility. Yet the Crown Prince Your Highness did not even ask, seeming to completely trust the Qi State Duke Manor’s appearance. Regardless of whether his magnanimity was genuine or his concern false, just this capacity to tolerate others was already extraordinary.

Yuan Lie snorted coldly, saying in a low voice with a laugh, “This Crown Prince Your Highness’s methods are truly formidable—much cleverer than that stupid Lin’an.”

Li Weiyang had long known this was an unsolvable case. Even if truly investigated, the trail would only go cold, proving nothing. She only smiled slightly, neither affirming nor denying, then turned toward Madam Guo saying gently, “Mother, were you injured?”

Madam Guo shook her head, yet her gaze revealed concern as she looked in that direction. Li Weiyang said indifferently, “Mother need not worry. Father and elder brothers will be fine. The Crown Prince has no evidence—relying merely on an assassin’s words to grasp at shadows. His true intention is also not to bring down the Guo family.”

Madam Guo looked at Li Weiyang, her gaze carrying a trace of inquiry.

At this time, the Crown Prince already said to everyone, “Just now everyone experienced a false alarm. Let us do this—those willing to remain for the banquet may stay. Those injured please go to the rear courtyard to rest. I will request imperial physicians to properly treat everyone’s wounds and apply bandages.” Before his words finished, those guards stepped forward to clear away the dancers’ corpses. At the same time, beautiful maidservants supported the injured as they walked toward the rear courtyard. Pei Bao’er earlier had already gone soft in her limbs, curled in a corner with hands and feet inconvenienced. Now Pei Zhen supported her as they slowly walked toward the rear courtyard.

Just now the Crown Prince had already expressed closeness toward the Qi State Duke Manor’s people. The Crown Princess then walked in Li Weiyang’s direction. Her face bore an apologetic expression as she said, “Madam Guo and Miss Guo, why not go to the flower hall in the rear courtyard to rest a moment and settle your nerves? The men still have matters to discuss.” Having said this, her gaze turned toward the Crown Prince in the distance.

Li Weiyang looked in the direction the Crown Princess indicated, smiling faintly, “We shall follow entirely as the Crown Princess arranges.”

The Crown Princess nodded, then smiled and said, “Please.”

Madam Guo and Li Weiyang, along with other uninjured female family members, followed the Crown Princess to the flower hall in the rear courtyard. Maidservants offered clear tea and stood at the side ready to receive commands at any time. Just now everyone had been frightened. At this moment they were discussing animatedly, appearing unsettled. However, for some unknown reason, they all maintained a certain distance from the Guo family, sitting far away. Apart from the Crown Princess and Consort Lu, no one was willing to sit beside Madam Guo. Seeing such a scene, how could Madam Guo not understand? Today’s affair—many people would believe the Qi State Duke Manor deliberately hired assassins to kill the Crown Prince. It was only that the Crown Prince was magnanimous and did not hold it against them, handing this matter to the Ministry of Justice for handling. In reality, with the assassins dead, nothing could be extracted—was this not an unsolvable case? This way, it precisely showed the Crown Prince unwilling to continue pursuing, so the Duke would escape unpunished, would he not? Although those who died were mostly the Crown Prince Manor’s maidservants and guards, others had not sustained major injuries, yet that Third Young Master clearly saw success was impossible and murdered the assassin to silence her. Everyone’s gazes toward the Duke’s manor all carried three parts wariness and seven parts disdain.

Madam Guo sneered coldly in her heart, yet her face remained impassive as she said, “We are grateful for the Crown Princess’s hospitality today, but we must depart early to return home.”

The Crown Princess smiled slightly, extending her hand to stop her saying, “Madam Guo, there will be an evening banquet later. Why leave so early? Falling into observant people’s eyes, would this not more solidly establish the Qi State Duke Manor’s guilt?” Seeing Madam Guo’s complexion change, she continued, “Of course, I, like the Crown Prince Your Highness, believe in the Duke Manor’s innocence. Precisely because of this, Madam Guo must not give observant people grounds for criticism. Would you not say so?” The Crown Princess’s words and conversation assumed an appearance of planning for the Guo Manor.

Li Weiyang saw through the other party’s thoughts completely clearly, smiling faintly and saying, “The Crown Princess shows such good intentions—why should Mother disappoint them? Everyone says an upright person need not fear a crooked shadow. Returning home early versus attending the banquet before returning home makes no essential difference. Discerning people will see at a glance—someone deliberately framed the Qi State Duke Manor. Only those dull-witted types would believe it to be true. If our family truly arranged the assassination, why would we still personally attend the banquet? Would avoiding suspicion not be better? Furthermore, if we arranged the assassins, why would we need to personally meet with them and reveal the employer’s identity? Would that not be foolish behavior?” Having said this, her gaze swept over the whispering female family members in the distance, her voice deliberately raised so they could hear.

Those female family members’ faces reddened as they lowered their heads. Originally, they indeed could not be completely certain the Qi State Duke was the mastermind behind this. Hearing Li Weiyang say this, their faces could not help but reveal suspicion. If it was not the Qi State Duke, then who did this?

The Crown Princess’s complexion changed, yet she heard Li Weiyang say indifferently, “Crown Princess, your manor’s guards not only possess high martial skills, they also knew the assassin’s weakness, neither left nor right pushing her toward my third brother’s direction. What was the intention in this?” What Li Weiyang said was accusing the Crown Prince Manor—saying the guards clearly possessed high martial skills yet were unwilling to kill that assassin, instead deliberately pushing that assassin to Guo Cheng’s side. If not intentionally seeking Guo Cheng’s life, then they had other plans.

Hearing these words, everyone’s faces revealed doubt. The Crown Princess’s complexion became somewhat awkward. She thought to herself this Guo Jia was indeed as the Crown Prince described—sharp-tongued and formidable. Yet her face remained impassive as she said, “Miss Guo misunderstands. The guards merely served the Crown Prince loyally. In their urgency they made mistakes, which is possible. Speaking of which, it was merely a coincidence.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly, “Indeed quite coincidental—so coincidental she happened to fall at my third brother’s feet, and so coincidentally was killed by him. Finally, though this person should have expired, she persevered to finish that thought-provoking sentence before willing to expire. Is this not too coincidental?”

“Many things are just this coincidental,” Consort Lu at the side quickly said.

Li Weiyang looked at her, a trace of cold laughter crossing her face as she said, “Consort Lu, you should recognize all the dancers in the Crown Prince Manor, should you not?”

Consort Lu’s complexion paled as she said, “This… ordinarily I have indeed seen some.”

Li Weiyang’s gaze was stern as she said, “Since you recognize them, how could you allow people to substitute fraudulently?”

Consort Lu’s face revealed some difficulty. She glanced at the Crown Princess, barely steadying her composure and saying, “Though I recognize them, just now the distance was so great—how could I see clearly who was who? Moreover, in the past I merely arranged the dance and ordered people to teach it to the dancers. How could I further associate with those lowly people? Miss Guo truly overestimates me.”

Li Weiyang’s expression seemed smiling yet not smiling, clearly disbelieving. Consort Lu still wanted to explain, but the Crown Princess stopped her. Many things were best left at just touching upon them—saying more would instead make things worse.

Seeing Li Weiyang discern the crux in three or two sentences, and moreover she had just chosen silence yet now pierced through the matter before these most long-tongued wives… The Crown Princess smiled slightly and said, “Miss Guo is truly dignified, elegant, intelligent, and exceptional. I hear Madam Guo has already selected an excellent husband for you. Before long you will certainly achieve harmonious marriage. Is this true?”

Before Madam Guo could speak, Consort Lu already laughed at the side saying, “The Crown Princess speaks correctly. I have heard the excellent husband Madam Guo selected for Miss Guo is none other than Prince Jing Yuan Ying. Although the wedding date has not been announced, it will be soon—if not this winter then next spring. Madam Guo, would you not say so?”

Madam Guo was stunned, then her complexion became unsightly. She said coldly, “The two Your Ladyships are too concerned. My daughter has only just returned to the Guo Manor. I wish to keep her a few more years. As for marriage matters, there is no need to consider them too early now.”

The Crown Princess’s expression was extremely dignified, her smile even more beautiful, “Miss Guo is young and beautiful—naturally there is no need to worry about marriage matters. However, Prince Jing Yuan Ying possesses both literary and martial talents, a prodigy among men. Such a marriage missed would be regrettable.”

These two people spoke incessantly of marriage matters, clearly harboring other intentions. Madam Guo felt a ball of fire burning faintly in her heart: “Thank you both for your concern. My daughter can still be married off after another two years. As for Prince Jing Yuan Ying, naturally Imperial Consort Hui and His Majesty will select an excellent wife for him. Why must you two overstep your bounds?” Having said this, her bright eyes revealed much displeasure, making even the Crown Princess feel a chill in her heart.

At this time, in an elegant room, the imperial physician applied medicine to Prince Xu Yuan Lie’s wound. Zhao Nan at the side asked with concern, “Imperial Physician, how is my master’s injury?”

The imperial physician nodded saying, “No harm, no harm. It is merely a superficial wound. After returning, avoid contact with water. Within a hundred days it will recover as before. However, this flesh wound will inevitably leave some scarring.”

Yuan Lie waved his hand, “No matter.” Having said this, he stood and walked outward.

The imperial physician quickly added, “Prince Xu Your Highness, do not drink wine today.”

Yuan Lie looked at that imperial physician with an expression seeming smiling yet not, saying, “Many thanks, Imperial Physician Jiang.”

This Imperial Physician Jiang glanced at Yuan Lie’s departing figure, his gaze revealing a trace of cold laughter. He had served as an official in the Imperial Medical Bureau for many years, deeply earning everyone’s respect. This time when the Crown Prince came to him, he had no choice but to wade into these murky waters.

Yuan Lie was about to leave when he suddenly felt dizzy and faint, his entire body going soft, as if about to collapse to his knees. Zhao Nan was startled and quickly supported Yuan Lie, saying, “Your Highness, what is wrong?”

Yuan Lie pushed away his hand, furrowing his brow and saying, “No matter. I am merely somewhat dizzy.”

Zhao Nan said with concern, “Why not return to the elegant room just now and request the imperial physician to treat you properly to see if there are any other problems?”

Yuan Lie said dismissively, “No matter. Perhaps I lost some blood and am a bit dizzy.” Though he said this, his expression was also very strange. During their conversation, Yuan Lie’s consciousness became increasingly blurred. He furrowed his brow, as if wanting to see the blurred scenery before him clearly. Just at this moment, Yuan Lie’s body went soft and his entire person collapsed. Zhao Nan was even more shocked, supporting him and calling twice, yet there was no response.

Just at this time, Imperial Physician Jiang walked over from behind. Seeing this scene, he appeared startled, saying, “What has happened? Just now he was perfectly fine.”

Zhao Nan recounted the situation. Imperial Physician Jiang furrowed his brow tightly saying, “Quickly help the Prince back to the elegant room. Let us see where he was injured—was it my oversight?”

Zhao Nan had no other recourse and supported Yuan Lie back to that elegant room… Meanwhile, not far from this elegant room in a small garden within, Pei Bao’er and Pei Zhen supported each other as they walked toward the rear courtyard. Pei Zhen said with annoyance, “A perfectly good banquet, yet there was an assassin disturbance. Truly disappointing.”

Pei Bao’er glanced at this concubine-born elder sister, yet her expression remained unchanged as she said indifferently, “Enough. Even the Crown Prince Your Highness has not complained. What more do we have to say?”

Pei Zhen sneered coldly saying, “Who would have thought even the Crown Prince fears the Qi State Duke’s power and influence.”

Pei Bao’er assumed an absent-minded appearance. She was extremely worried in her heart. It seemed Prince Xu Your Highness was also injured—she wondered how severe his injury was? Was it serious? Pei Zhen looked at Pei Bao’er, her gaze seeming to hold several traces of surprise. Then her tone was light as she said, “Younger sister seems extremely concerned about that Prince Xu.”

Pei Bao’er’s heart jumped, yet her face remained impassive, “Elder sister misunderstands. I merely…” Her words were not yet finished when somehow her foot slipped and she suddenly fell to the ground. She covered her ankle, appearing extremely pained, tears welling abundantly in her eyes. The words from just now could not continue.

Pei Zhen’s face swept with a trace of anxiety as she said, “Younger sister, what has happened to you?”

Pei Bao’er smiled bitterly saying, “I do not know what happened. I took a tumble. Following this path not far ahead is the Crown Princess’s small flower hall. I trouble elder sister to find someone to come help me.”

Pei Zhen was greatly shocked, saying with some difficulty, “I have not come here many times and am also unfamiliar with the Crown Princess…”

Pei Bao’er quickly said, “If not for the fact that the two maidservants we brought were both injured by assassins and taken away for treatment, I would not need to trouble elder sister. At such a time as this, elder sister still has many concerns. Do you want me to limp to the flower hall? Would that not be losing face?”

Hearing this, Pei Zhen quickly said, “Alright, alright. Younger sister wait for me here. I will go call someone to support you.” Having said this, she quickly departed forward.

However, once she disappeared, Pei Bao’er’s face revealed several traces of a cunning smile. She stood lightly and gracefully, her steps quick as she walked toward the elegant room not far away. Walking to the entrance, she looked around in all directions, only then carefully knocking open this elegant room’s door. Yet only Imperial Physician Jiang came out to greet her. Pei Bao’er said, “Where is the guard at Prince Xu’s side?”

Imperial Physician Jiang smiled saying, “Miss Pei need not worry. I have already sent him away, telling him to go to the front courtyard to fetch my calming medicine for me. He cannot return for some time.”

On Pei Bao’er’s exquisitely beautiful face appeared a trace of wild joy. She suppressed this restless, eager emotion, smiling and saying, “I have troubled you.”

The imperial physician smiled saying, “This is all the Crown Prince’s instruction. I will certainly accomplish it perfectly. First, congratulations to Miss Pei on obtaining a suitable husband.”

Pei Bao’er’s face swept with a trace of faint yet triumphant smile. Then she watched Imperial Physician Jiang depart. In the silent elegant room, only Pei Bao’er and Yuan Lie remained. Looking at Yuan Lie lying on the bed platform with his pale and handsome countenance, Pei Bao’er’s heart suddenly surged with waves. She was originally a distinguished young lady from an aristocratic family, moreover of peerless beauty, pursued by many, yet Yuan Lie treated her extremely coldly. No matter what she did, his gaze never fell upon her. Like today when she had gone to great lengths to adorn herself, wanting others to see her beauty, yet Prince Xu’s gaze always circled around that stinking girl Li Weiyang… No matter what, Pei Bao’er could not understand why, with her beauty and family background, Prince Xu would treat her this way. No matter how she looked, Li Weiyang was inferior to herself, so she could not help but feel this Prince Xu Yuan Lie had been bewitched by ghosts.

At this moment, seeing Yuan Lie lying on the bed, a trace of joy could not help but flash through her heart. Her gaze moreover became gentle and warm, completely different from her usual haughtiness, like two different people. When the Crown Prince mentioned this plan to her, she was still extremely hesitant in her heart, because this matter concerned a woman’s reputation and honor. If not careful, she would be utterly ruined. Yet every time she saw Prince Xu’s handsome countenance and distinguished status, she could not help but feel her heart stir. One could know with a thought—in this world, only someone like Yuan Lie, so handsome, could match herself.

At this moment, the elegant room’s windows were all closed. The entire room’s lighting was dim, inevitably giving rise to an ambiguous feeling. Pei Bao’er’s heart beat faster, and moreover the incense burning in the censer carried an extremely rich fragrance. Her heart became increasingly agitated. Finally, she walked toward Yuan Lie. Just at this moment, the elegant room’s door was suddenly forcefully pushed open. Pei Bao’er was startled and turned her head sharply, saying sternly, “Who!” Zhao Nan quickly walked in. Seeing the scene in the elegant room, a trace of cold laughter flashed through his eyes. Without speaking, he merely waved his hand. Unexpectedly two black-robed men walked forward. One person covered the censer in the elegant room. Pei Bao’er was about to scream when another person forcefully covered her mouth. Pei Bao’er struggled to make sounds, yet heard cold laughter from behind, “The dignified Pei Manor’s eldest daughter actually so impatiently climbed onto a man’s bed. You truly lose face for the Pei family. Is this the extent of the Crown Prince Your Highness’s stratagems?”

Pei Bao’er’s entire body trembled violently. She almost could not believe it—Yuan Lie, who had originally been lying on the bed, suddenly stood up, his expression clear, his gaze ice-cold, without any trace of his earlier unclear consciousness! Her heart shook tremendously. She wanted to break free from the black-robed person’s hand, yet no matter what could not break free.

At this time, two more black-robed people jumped in through the window. They used a burlap sack to carry in a person. Pei Bao’er did not know what the other party intended to do. Extreme panic appeared on her face.

Yuan Lie smiled faintly saying, “Since Miss Pei is so desperate to marry, I should also find Miss Pei a suitable husband!” Having said this, he waved his hand. Originally the black-robed person covering Pei Bao’er’s mouth struck with his hand. Pei Bao’er’s eyes widened in terror, about to scream, but helplessly her body went soft and she fainted.

Yuan Lie said indifferently, “Remove her clothing and place her together with that person in the sack.” Here the two black-robed guards did as Yuan Lie instructed. Yuan Lie turned his gaze toward Imperial Physician Jiang, who had just been forcibly brought back outside the door. Imperial Physician Jiang’s eyes seemed about to split with rage. With a thud he fell to his knees saying, “Prince Xu, spare my life!”

Yuan Lie looked at Imperial Physician Jiang saying, “I trusted you so much, allowing you to care for my injury, yet you repaid kindness with enmity, scheming against me. Tell me, how should I repay you?”

Imperial Physician Jiang repeatedly called out his innocence, saying, “I absolutely had no such thoughts. It was the Crown Prince Your Highness who forced me. I truly did not want to harm Your Highness!”

Yuan Lie’s amber eyes emitted a terrifying light, extremely dazzling. He laughed coldly, “If I had not detected it today and fallen into your trap, I fear in the future, willing or unwilling, I would have to marry this vile woman! You helped the Crown Prince commit atrocities, acting so recklessly and willfully—even dying a thousand times would be insufficient to resolve the hatred in my heart!” Having said this, his gaze turned ice-cold as he looked at Zhao Nan, saying, “Drag him down and throw him into the snake pit!”

Imperial Physician Jiang still wanted to cry for help, yet was already dragged away by Zhao Nan. After another brief moment, Pei Zhen brought numerous maidservants hurrying toward the place originally agreed upon with Pei Bao’er. However, she could not find her at the original location and had to search everywhere. Finally, with great difficulty she found this elegant room. Standing at the entrance, Pei Zhen said tentatively, “Bao’er, are you inside?” No one answered her. Pei Zhen could not help but feel extremely surprised. She instinctively pushed the door. The door opened lightly. Pei Zhen walked in. Probing with a glance, she saw on the bed platform, beneath the gauze curtain, there seemed to be two figures entwined together, their shadows indistinct and unclear.

Pei Zhen was startled. With a wave of her hand, a maidservant tiptoed forward and lifted the bed curtain. This was not because they were meddlesome—it was just that this was the Crown Prince’s rear courtyard. How could there be any paired mandarin ducks here? That maidservant lifted it, then her complexion suddenly became deathly pale. She retreated three steps, crying out in alarm, “It is, it is, it is Miss Pei! Heaven above!” She covered her own face, almost not daring to look at the people within the curtain.

Pei Zhen was stunned, then quickly stepped forward, shocked into stunned silence. Beneath that mandarin duck curtain slept a pair of man and woman. That woman’s countenance was exquisitely beautiful, her skin snow-white, her head of dark hair scattered in disarray, her body not wearing a single thread, still bearing traces of greenish-purple marks, clearly having received tender affection. If not Pei Bao’er, then who? However, that man made Pei Zhen freeze in shocked stillness, unable to speak a single word. It was not that she was making a fuss over nothing, but rather the person before her eyes was someone she could never have imagined…