Chapter 405 Shocking Change

When Jiang Huan heard that Ayina would arrive tomorrow, her eyes lit up like stars.

Then, thinking of Huo Yunxing, who was still in danger, she felt a little disappointed.

But no matter what, we can't let Ayina go to Beijing all alone in such a somber atmosphere.

She raised her hand and gently placed it on Huo Lin's hand, her tone light and cheerful: "There's nothing to worry about. Ayina's character is stronger than you and I think. How about this, I'll pack up and go to the city gate to pick her up tomorrow."

Without a second thought, Huo Lin resolutely refused: "You are so heavily pregnant now, how can you go to the city gate where there are so many people and eyes? The Ministry of Rites will arrange the reception. I know your wishes, waiting in the palace is just as good."

[Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not! I will not be soft-hearted this time.]

[Now that my pregnancy is progressing further, I really can't afford to be reckless, especially since the capital is a mixed bag of people these days, and I'm worried about things.]

[She thinks of me, and she thinks of Ayina, but why doesn't she think of herself?]

Jiang Huan had anticipated his objection, so she began to coax him gently: "It's right at the city gate, not far away. I'll ride in the most stable carriage, with several layers of soft cushions, and have your most capable guards watch over us in layers. It will be absolutely safe. Look how good I've been lately. The imperial physicians all say that moving around more is good for childbirth."

She tugged at Huo Lin's arm and blinked, "Ayina has come all this way and is unfamiliar with the place. She'll definitely be very happy to see me pick her up, right?"

Here we go again! Her ability to whine and act spoiled is truly ruthless.

However, the imperial physician did say that moderate movement is beneficial...

[Forget it, if we really keep her confined, she'll probably get even more sick from boredom.]

Seeing Jiang Huan's determined look, Huo Lin pondered for a moment, but ultimately couldn't persuade her otherwise. He sighed and gave in.

"If you really want to go, it's not impossible."

Jiang Huan immediately beamed with joy: "Your Majesty is the best!"

"However!" Huo Lin's tone changed, becoming extremely serious, "We must keep a close watch from a safe distance. If we feel unwell or see anything unusual, we must return immediately without fail."

Upon hearing that there was hope, Jiang Huan nodded vigorously, saying, "I'll do whatever you say, I promise I'll be good and won't run around. If I feel unwell, I'll come back right away."

So, by the next morning, everything was arranged.

Just then, He Ling heard about this and, feeling bored, decided to join in the fun, so Jiang Huan took her out with her.

At this moment, the two were riding in a specially made, spacious carriage, under the strict protection of guards, as they left the palace gate.

Shadow One, accompanied by several bodyguards, remained hidden around the convoy like shadows, vigilantly observing everything.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Huan excitedly lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside.

The streets of the capital were still bustling, but near the city gates, one could see a group of ragged refugees gathered on both sides of the road, most of whom had fled here due to the epidemic in Jiangnan and the instability on the border.

The officers and soldiers were working hard to maintain order, and long queues formed in front of the soup kitchen.

Jiang Huan felt a lump in her throat and sighed softly, "Alas, it's all because of natural disasters and man-made calamities."

He Ling also came over to look and muttered, "Yeah, no era is easy. Hey, what's going on over there?"

There seemed to be a slight disturbance in the group of refugees, with several people pushing and shoving their way toward the checkpoint set up by the government troops.

The head guard protecting Jiang Huan's carriage immediately became alert and signaled the group to slow down and increase vigilance.

Suddenly, something unexpected happened.

Among the shoving refugees, several men suddenly sprang up like ghosts, their hands flashing with cold light—poisoned short blades and hidden weapons.

They headed straight for Jiang Huan's carriage with a clear objective, their movements ruthless and fierce, clearly those of well-trained assassins.

"Assassins! Protect Her Majesty!" the head guard shouted, drawing his sword to meet them.

The area around the carriage instantly descended into chaos, filled with the sounds of clashing swords and screams.

Those assassins were highly skilled in martial arts and were mixed in with the real refugees. They attacked without any scruples, even casually cutting down refugees who blocked their way, with blood splattering everywhere. The scene was extremely chaotic and bloody.

"Ah!" He Ling screamed in fright and instinctively stood in front of Jiang Huan.

Jiang Huan's face was also deathly pale. Although she had experienced some ups and downs, seeing a living person being killed like chopping vegetables at such close range, with the strong smell of blood rushing into her nostrils, made her stomach churn and she almost vomited.

Fortunately, Huo Lin's guards were elite enough and outnumbered, and Shadow One and the Dark Guards quickly joined the battle, striking ruthlessly and accurately.

After a fierce battle, the assassins were finally killed or subdued, but several guards were also injured or killed, and the scene was a mess.

The crisis was over, but Jiang Huan was still immersed in the bloody scene just now, feeling cold all over and her fingers tightly gripping her clothes.

He Ling wasn't in much better shape; her face was deathly pale, and her lips were trembling.

Yingyi stepped forward to check and whispered through the carriage curtain, "Your Majesty has been frightened. The assassin has been eliminated, but this place is not safe to stay any longer. We must return to the palace immediately!"

His voice was cold and stern, knowing that the plan to receive the emperor had to be abandoned and that the origins of the assassins had to be investigated immediately.

The carriage turned around and, under even tighter security, quickly returned to the palace.

Back at Weiyang Palace, Jiang Huan was still somewhat shaken, her face pale as she leaned against the soft couch. Xiao Zhao quickly had someone summon the imperial physician and served her warm, calming tea.

"Your Majesty, are you alright? Please have some tea to calm your nerves."

Xiao Zhao looked at her with concern, and quickly brought a thin blanket to cover her up.

Jiang Huan took the teacup, her fingertips still trembling slightly.

She took a sip of the warm tea, the bloody and chaotic scene still lingering in her mind, and her stomach was still churning.

Those people have absolutely no regard for human life. Thank goodness... thank goodness the baby is alright...

She subconsciously touched her swollen belly and felt that the little one inside seemed to have calmed down a bit, which reassured her slightly.

"What about He Ling? How is she?" Jiang Huan asked hurriedly, remembering that He Ling had been terrified at the time.

Xiao Zhao quickly replied, "Consort Hui has already returned to her palace. She doesn't look well, so she must have been frightened and should be resting."

Jiang Huan nodded: "I'll have the kitchen send her some snacks later. It's my fault today, it was truly an undeserved disaster."

Meanwhile, He Ling returned to her residence.

She dismissed the palace servants and sat alone in front of her dressing table, wanting to drink some water to calm her nerves, but felt a slight stinging sensation on the back of her hand.

She raised her hand and noticed a thin, bloody scratch on the back of her hand.

He Ling didn't pay much attention, thinking she had just been scratched by something in the chaos. She simply washed it with water and then lay down to rest and calm her nerves.

However, not long after, a strange tingling and itching sensation came from the wound, and I started to feel dizzy.

“What happened…” He Ling held her forehead, her body went limp uncontrollably, and she slid off the stool onto the carpet.

Before her consciousness completely faded into darkness, she used her last bit of strength to shout in her mind.

[System...something's wrong...Quick...call the Empress...save me...]