Chapter 264 Fate Unknown

The prince's heart sank as he looked at the bloodstains he had found along the way.

Now he has just entered the court and is preparing to consolidate power.

Qin Jinzhi was his most important step.

Even he had to admit that Qin Jinzhi was a genius.

With her by his side, he was able to ascend to a high position with far fewer obstacles.

If Qin Jinzhi really dies here.

Not to mention his younger brothers who would later be eyeing him covetously.

The Emperor and Empress Dowager will not let this go easily.

If his father and mother found out that he was involved in this, it would be disastrous.

The more the crown prince thought about it, the gloomier his face became.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from behind.

The crown prince turned around and saw Qin Jinzhi running towards him, covered in blood.

"Is Your Highness alright?"

Qin Jinzhi dismounted with a solemn expression.

The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Qin Jinzhi was still alive.

He rushed forward, "Jinzhi, who injured you so badly?"

Qin Jinzhi raised her hand. "I encountered someone manipulating a pack of wolves to assassinate you in the forest. I was afraid that the forest was dangerous, so I arranged for someone to follow you. If there was any danger, they would send me a signal. I saw the signal while I was being attacked. I am late in coming to your aid. Please punish me, Your Highness!"

The Crown Prince quickly helped Qin Jinzhi up, saying, "Jinzhi is worried about her uncle, but how can her uncle not be worried about you? When her uncle learned that you had been attacked, he immediately led everyone to search for and rescue you."

Qin Jinzhi smiled faintly, "Thank you, Uncle."

The officials who were following her now had a much better opinion of Qin Jinzhi.

This touching story of a ruler and his minister is truly moving.

Just then, dozens more figures shot out from the sky and headed straight for the prince.

"Prepare to die!"

Before anyone could react, the Crown Prince saw Qin Jinzhi quickly block his way.

Then blood began to trickle from the corner of her mouth, and looking down, she saw the sharp sword piercing through Qin Jinzhi's chest.

The sword was suddenly drawn, and Qin Jinzhi spat a mouthful of blood onto the prince's face.

The man in black charged at the prince again.

Just as the sword stopped in front of the prince.

The sword was blocked by a person.

The Imperial Guards rushed over quickly.

Seeing that the group outnumbered them, the men in black immediately fled.

The Crown Prince, seeing Qin Jinzhi's body go limp and fall backward, immediately shouted, "Jinzhi!"

He had just caught Qin Jinzhi when someone knocked him aside.

"Xiao Bao! Xiao Bao!"

With bloodshot eyes, Huo Qing scooped up Qin Jinzhi and mounted his horse.

The crown prince immediately shouted, "Who are you! Put the princess down at once!"

Huo Qing looked at the Crown Prince with anger in his eyes. "I am Huo Qing, a bodyguard of the Emperor. The princess is now in a life-or-death situation. If Your Highness wishes to punish me for my offense, please wait until I have handed her over to the imperial physician for treatment before you punish me!"

"drive!"

The Crown Prince, seeing Huo Qing's retreating figure, quickly said, "Follow him!"

If Qin Jinzhi dies because of a fabricated test, her father and mother will not let her off the hook.

Since that old scoundrel Cui Huai is so reckless, don't be surprised if he turns his back on you.

Huo Qing carried Qin Jinzhi to the emperor's presence. "Your Majesty, please summon the imperial physician immediately!"

The Emperor and Empress's expressions immediately changed when they saw Qin Jinzhi covered in blood.

The emperor roared, "Summon the imperial physician immediately!"

The Empress grasped Qin Jinzhi's hand, her fingers trembling.

"Golden Branch!"

The Empress froze and fainted beside Qin Jinzhi.

"Ah Ying! Summon the imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician!"

Liu Yiyi was assigned to accompany them on the hunt.

Hearing the news that Qin Jinzhi's fate was unknown, he stumbled and fell hard.

When she arrived, she practically threw herself at Qin Jinzhi.

He caught Qin Jinzhi's pulse.

With a serious expression, Liu Yiyi administered acupuncture to Qin Jinzhi.

He then said, "I have temporarily saved the princess's heart. I beg Your Majesty to take the princess back to the palace as soon as possible!"

The imperial physician, who was standing nearby, took the Empress's pulse and said, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty is fine. She must have fainted because she was worried about the Princess and her anxiety caused her to faint."

The emperor immediately said, "Return to the palace!"

Liu Yiyi was assigned to take care of Qin Jinzhi in the carriage.

When Qin Jinzhi and the Empress were carried back to the palace.

Chaos erupted in the Jiaofang Palace.

Liu Yiyi said with a solemn expression, "The princess's injuries are too severe. Whether she can escape the danger of death depends on tonight."

The emperor smashed the table in Qin Jinzhi's room with a single palm strike.

"Investigate! I want to see who dares to be so audacious as to lay a hand on my granddaughter in the royal hunting grounds!"

Everyone in the room knelt down.

The Crown Prince's eyes were slightly red. "Father, Jinzhi was seriously injured because of me, her uncle. It's all my fault for being incompetent. I will take care of this matter and make sure the murderer is reduced to ashes to avenge Jinzhi!"

The emperor looked at the crown prince and said, "Three days! I want the result in three days!"

The Crown Prince immediately replied, "Your subject obeys!"

As night fell, Liu Yiyi said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, we don't know when the princess will wake up. You may go and rest, or visit the Empress. The princess probably doesn't want you to overwork yourself like this."

Looking at Qin Jinzhi's bloodless face, the emperor's eyes reddened once again.

Could it be that Master Wuyou's prediction will really come true?

It was still because of that broken longevity lock.

Only after repeated persuasion from those around him did the emperor finally prepare to leave.

However, he did not rest, but instead went to guard the Empress.

After Liu Yiyi saw everyone off.

She looked around and then slammed the door shut.

Qin Jinzhi, her face pale, opened her eyes on the bed.

Liu Yiyi breathed a long sigh of relief.

"You really won't rest until you scare me to death. I thought you had really been assassinated."

Liu Yiyi knew Qin Jinzhi was faking it the moment she felt her pulse.

Qin Jinzhi got up and took out the fake blood bag that Liu Yiyi had hidden from under the bed.

"It happened so suddenly that I only found out what the Crown Prince was planning when I got to the hunting grounds. This fake blood sac was made by Long Yi on the spot."

As Qin Jinzhi was speaking, her nose suddenly started bleeding.

Liu Yiyi rushed forward, "Why is your nose bleeding!"

She had just examined Qin Jinzhi's body and found no wounds or signs of internal injury.

Qin Jinzhi casually wiped the blood away.

"I killed a deer on the spot and made blood pouches and blood packs. Except for the ones I sprayed on the prince's face, I swallowed the rest. Maybe deer blood is too nourishing."

Liu Yiyi quickly took her pulse again. "I'll prescribe some medicine to help you recover. I'll go check on the Empress again later. I haven't dared to leave because I was afraid of being exposed."

Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Grandmother is fine."

Liu Yiyi raised an eyebrow. "Her Majesty the Empress fainted from a sudden surge of anger."

Qin Jinzhi pointed to the clothes that had been taken off.

Do you know what this is?

Liu Yiyi looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Qin Jinzhi pointed to the teacup on the table.

Liu Yiyi poured her a glass of water.

Qin Jinzhi rinsed the mouth to get rid of the bloody taste.

"This is called soft armor. It's impervious to swords and spears, and immune to water and fire. Guess who gave it to me?"

Liu Yiyi immediately raised her eyebrows, then gave a thumbs up, "Your Majesty's acting is so natural, as expected, experience counts."

The moment the Empress saw Qin Jinzhi again, she knew she was faking it.

Fainting was merely a ploy to add fuel to the fire for Qin Jinzhi!

Qin Jinzhi handed the teacup to Liu Yiyi, "If the Crown Prince asks about my injuries tomorrow, do you know what to say?"

Liu Yiyi sat down to the side, "The more exaggerated the better."