"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is conducting an emergency investigation. No one present is allowed to leave without permission!" a subordinate announced from the high hall.
What followed was chaos. Everyone in the inn, from the manager and waiters to the guests and diners, was forced out and made to stand in rows. The Imperial Guards were known for their strict interrogation, and they wanted to know everything from their ancestors to the eighteenth generation.
Everyone knows that the Embroidered Uniform Guard works directly for the Emperor and has immense power, so no one dares to disobey. They all stay in fear and tremble with apprehension, and they speak their minds without reservation, for fear of being thrown into the Imperial Prison.
You Shuyao stood beside Huo Jingsha, stealing glances at him. She noticed a faint flush on his handsome face, as if from a lingering aphrodisiac. The light in the carriage had been too dim for her to see clearly. His half-closed eyes seemed weary, and his brows were slightly furrowed, making it impossible to tell whether he was in a good or bad mood...
Hongfu Inn is located on the busiest and most prosperous street in the capital. Even at this late hour, it is still brightly lit and extremely noisy. The Imperial Guards came to investigate the case in a grand manner, which disturbed the nearby residents.
His intention in doing this was to let the world know that although Princess Gu'an was in his residence, he was busy investigating cases outside. Despite the strict and detailed questioning of everyone, it was just for show.
Huo Jingsha sat in the high seat, his brows furrowed with annoyance. Gone was the shrewdness and competence he had shown during the day; instead, he appeared listless. He was accompanied by only four guards. At this moment, it seemed like a golden opportunity to kill him.
However, is it really as it appears on the surface? No, Shu Yao didn't believe it. She was 100% certain that this was a trap, a trap designed to lure the assassin into walking into it.
When her accomplice unleashed his deadly technique, You Shuyao also moved, but instead of helping, she used her body as a shield, instantly protecting Huo Jingsha and blocking the lightning-fast sword strike for him.
The sword pierced her body instantly. At that moment, she could even hear the "splatter" of flesh being cut open. The feeling was truly unbearable! However, compared to being slowly sliced to death, it was much more pleasant. Even though the long blade had almost completely pierced through her body, it was only a one-time pain.
She saw cracks appear on Huo Jingsha's usually composed, mask-like face. Those usually rational and composed cold eyes were now stirred up by her desperate rescue, with surprise, astonishment, bewilderment, and above all, disbelief.
You Shuyao suddenly felt an unparalleled sense of joy and indescribable relief.
Hmph, dumbfounded, aren't you? Couldn't guess? You, surnamed Huo, no matter how insightful you are, as if you have everything under control, now I'm going to make you... utterly bewildered!
The Huo residence is destined to be anything but peaceful tonight!
Huo Jingsha was assassinated while investigating a case, and the news quickly spread to the palace that same day. Princess Gu'an was ultimately unable to stay overnight at the Huo residence as she had wished, and was instead taken back to the palace by a eunuch.
Princess Gu'an bears the primary responsibility for Huo Jingsha's assassination attempt. If she hadn't insisted on staying at the Huo residence, Huo Jingsha wouldn't have left so late at night to avoid suspicion, and she wouldn't have been so rushed and unprepared. Also... if Princess Gu'an hadn't put an aphrodisiac in Huo Jingsha's tea, Huo Jingsha wouldn't have been so disoriented, allowing the assassin to take advantage of the situation.
When he was surrounded and attacked by several assassins, if it weren't for his maid You Shuyao stepping forward to block a fatal sword for him, he might have already passed away.
These were the messages secretly relayed to the palace by several Imperial Guards who accompanied Lord Huo. Upon hearing them, the Emperor was furious and severely punished Princess Gu'an, the servants who had accompanied her, and the Empress for her leniency.
Having survived this ordeal, Princess Gu'an likely had no chance to pursue Huo Jingsha again. And indeed, this proved to be true. The very next day, the Emperor bestowed a marriage upon her during the morning court session, directly arranging a marriage for her. Three months later, she married the eldest son of a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, who happened to be the very civil official whom the princess disliked the most.
As for You Shuyao, she had no say in the commotion outside.
Qi's sword almost pierced through her chest. According to the doctor who examined her, the blade was only half an inch away from her heart. If it had been slightly off, she would have certainly died. Although she has survived for now, she is seriously injured and will not recover for a long time.
After You Shuyao was carried back to the manor, she remained in a state of semi-consciousness, mostly in a deep sleep, but occasionally seemed to have some hazy consciousness.
In the hazy light, one could often hear the angry roars of men.
Save her, she mustn't die—
If anything happens to her, you will be held responsible—
Where's the medicine? Have someone bring it over quickly!
Ugh! It's so noisy, but it's actually kind of creepy to listen to. The tone is domineering, arrogant, and threatening.
Even without opening her eyes, Shu Yao could recognize that these death knell-like commands were issued by Huo Jingsha. Besides that, there were also a few others who hesitantly replied with "Yes."
"Sir, the young lady is too badly injured, I'm afraid..."
"If she dies, you will all be buried with her. My manor has plenty of precious medicinal herbs; use them as long as they can save her." The voice was icy cold, even in her unconscious state. How pitiful were those doctors who came to treat her. Could even the most precious herbs bring the dead back to life? Unless it was a magic elixir!
She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt like they were weighed down by two weights; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open them. This plunged her into deep frustration, as if her soul was trapped inside her body, unsure if she would ever have a chance to readjust and wake up...
Would she just die like this? No! She didn't want to die. She risked her life to save Huo Jingsha, wanting to fight for herself one more time, to change the inevitable outcome, to gamble her life back. If she really died saving him, wouldn't that be like taking off her pants to relieve herself—a pointless and unnecessary act? She couldn't be discouraged; she had to live, she absolutely couldn't give up when she was so close to success!
You Shuyao didn't know that it was precisely because of her strong willpower and refusal to admit defeat that she was able to turn the tide when her life was hanging by a thread.
Huo Jingsha was not surprised to encounter the assassin, and she also guessed who had sent him.
Prince Jing, entrenched in the northwest corner of the country, was wielding increasing power and secretly amassing troops and wealth, making him a major concern for the emperor. He led the Imperial Guards to arrest, interrogate, confiscate property, and seize assets, targeting almost all of Prince Jing's cronies and connections in the capital. After more than a year of effort, he had almost completely wiped them out. His actions were entirely aimed at eliminating dissidents for the emperor and weakening Prince Jing's power in the court.
In order to oppose the Emperor, Prince Jing would definitely retaliate in kind, and as the Emperor's most capable, talented and resourceful confidant, he would be the first person Prince Jing wanted to eliminate.
Therefore... Prince Jing hired many assassins to deal with him, but he was never afraid! Crisis can also be an opportunity. Everyone will eventually slip up, and assassins are no exception. He was more afraid that people wouldn't come!
He had taken precautions early on, setting up an inescapable trap. He even took advantage of Princess Gu'an's visit that night, turning the tables on her by going out to investigate the case with only a few guards in the middle of the night, pretending to be lazy and tired, all to create an opportunity for the assassin to kill him, and then stalk the mantis while unaware of the oriole behind!
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