Xiao Jinghan walked with difficulty to the middle of the two carriages. His face was as pale as paper, as if a gust of wind could blow him down.
He said to Zhong Lengqiu and Luo Lingyue, who were on the verge of a fight, with a hint of helplessness and persuasion in his voice: "You two should both keep your words to yourself. The Prince of Kaiyang's Mansion and the General's Mansion are old friends. Why bother to start a war over such a small matter, or even resort to fighting and killing each other... cough cough cough!"
Zhong Lengqiu looked at this nosy person with a sharp gaze, and the anger in her heart was instantly ignited. She shouted angrily: "Who are you? It's not your turn to take care of things here!"
Xiao Jinghan's body trembled slightly, and he coughed a few times. Although his voice was soft, it was firm: "I am Xiao Jinghan, the prince of Wu'an!"
A sneer appeared on Zhong Lengqiu's lips, and her eyes were full of contempt: "Oh? You are the sickly prince? You still want to meddle in other people's business? You are just a hostage detained in the capital!" Her words were like a sharp blade, deeply hurting Xiao Jinghan's heart.
Xiao Jinghan clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, but he tried to remain calm. He straightened his back and spoke with dignity, "Although I'm a hostage, I'm also the Prince of Wu'an. I believe that justice is in the hearts of the people. Even if you're from the Kaiyang Palace, you can't take someone else's life at will!" His eyes were firm and bright, as if telling Zhong Lengqiu that he would never succumb to his opponent's power.
The virtuous king who followed Xiao Jinghan out stood in the crowd. His eyes were cold and he stared at Zhong Lengqiu intently.
He took out his jade pendant and said to his attendant in a low voice, "Immediately call in Jingzhao Yin Langming and Dali Temple Lu Zheng. Tell them that someone is trying to murder Prince Xiao and me! Hurry!"
A fleeting glint of hatred flashed across the virtuous prince's eyes. He thought to himself, "Zhong Lengqiu, you, the eldest daughter-in-law of Prince Kaiyang and the nephew-in-law of Empress Dowager Xue! You've come to me with your evil ways today, so don't blame me for being ruthless!"
According to the clues he found, Empress Dowager Xue was definitely involved in his mother's death! The Xue family also fanned the flames!
The Xue family wanted to scam Princess Luo, and who wouldn't be able to do that? He didn't mind making a bigger fuss, ideally bringing it to the attention of Emperor Wen and Empress Dowager Xue. At that moment, his chest burned with rage, as if he wanted to burn everything in front of him to ashes.
Zhong Lengqiu's eyes widened in anger, and he roared at Xiao Jinghan with a ferocious face, "Get out of here! I must kill Luo Lingyue today!"
Luo Lingyue looked at Xiao Jinghan who was standing in front of her in horror, her heart filled with emotion and worry. She anxiously said softly: "Prince Xiao, please leave here quickly! Don't worry about me!"
However, before she could finish her words, a sharp sword blade struck Xiao Jinghan like lightning. Xiao Jinghan dodged, his feet wobbling, and suddenly fell directly onto Luo Lingyue. He spat out a mouthful of blood, staining Luo Lingyue's clothes red.
Seeing this, the virtuous king Chu Shiyou was extremely anxious. He quickly rushed to Xiao Jinghan's side, trying to block the sword with his body. However, the sword was as flexible as a venomous snake, and it passed through his sleeve directly, bringing a string of blood flowers.
Luo Lingyue hugged the unconscious Xiao Jinghan tightly, tears streaming down her face. Her voice trembled as she cried out with endless fear and grief, "Prince Xiao! Prince Xiao! Don't scare me!" Her heart seemed to be torn apart and she was in unbearable pain.
Lang Ming and Lu Zheng hurriedly arrived with their men following the entourage of the wise king. When they witnessed the thrilling scene before them, their faces turned pale in an instant, and their hearts were filled with fear and despair.
They knew very well that if the virtuous king and Xiao Jinghan met with any misfortune in Shangjing City, not only would their own heads be in danger, but their own clansmen would also be implicated!
Who on earth was so audacious as to murder a member of the imperial family and Prince Xiao in public? Lang Ming and Lu Zheng gritted their teeth, furiously commanding their men: "Quick! Take down the perpetrators in public! Send Prince Xiao and the virtuous prince to the palace to seek medical attention immediately!" Their voices were filled with urgency and determination, hoping to salvage this tragic situation.
Zhong Lengqiu opened her eyes wide, her face full of anger, and shouted at the top of her lungs: "I am the eldest daughter-in-law of Kaiyang Mansion! Who of you dares to touch a hair on my head!" Her voice was deafening, full of majesty and confidence.
When Lang Ming and Lu Zheng heard this, they secretly groaned inwardly! They knew that the Kaiyang Palace was powerful and they couldn't afford to offend it.
Lang Ming and Lu Zheng exchanged a few glances, their eyes filled with anxiety and helplessness. Lu Zheng looked at Lang Ming and asked: What should we do?
Lang Ming shook his head helplessly, secretly regretting in his heart: I should have pretended to be sick and let my subordinates handle this matter!
Seeing the two men exchange glances but not daring to approach and arrest Zhong Lengqiu, the virtuous prince felt a surge of rage rising within him. His expression darkened to the point of gloom, and he roared, "Assassinating a royal family member in the street! The Kaiyang Palace is truly audacious! If His Majesty were with me today, would you be plotting to murder His Majesty as well?" His voice echoed through the air like thunder, sending shivers down one's spine.
Zhong Lengqiu's face turned pale as paper in an instant, her lips trembled, and there was a hint of fear in her voice: "You slandered me! It was obviously you who bumped into me!" Her eyes flashed with grievance and anger, as if they were about to spit out fire.
Anxiety was written all over Lu Zheng and Lang Ming's faces, their heads trembling as if they were about to explode, for the gravity of the situation had already surpassed their imagination. Without hesitation, they dispatched their men to rush the unconscious Prince Xiao to the palace, and at the same time, sent people to search for Eunuch Gao.
Eunuch Gao hurried to the imperial study and reported to Emperor Wen what had happened. Emperor Wen was furious, his eyes filled with anger and disappointment.
He couldn't tolerate Zhong Lengqiu's arrogance. A Kaiyang Palace dared to kill the virtuous prince in the street. This was a serious provocation to the dignity of the royal family! And Xiao Jinghan, everyone in the capital knew how important he was. If he died, Nanyi would definitely rebel! War would be inevitable!
Emperor Wen's voice was filled with suppressed rage, and he roared furiously, "Prince Kaiyang's Mansion! They are truly my good relatives! Very good! Truly very good! I think they are going to rebel!"
Emperor Wen's face was as still as a pool of water. He clenched his fists tightly and said coldly, "Gao Rui! Lead the Imperial Guards immediately to assist Lu Zheng and Lang Ming. Bring in all the people from Prince Kaiyang's Palace and the General's Mansion! I will personally interrogate them and show no mercy!"
Emperor Wen rushed to the Haoxue Palace in a panic, only to see Luo Lingyue standing alone in front of Xiao Jinghan's bed, crying like a pear blossom in the rain, which was heartbreaking.
Emperor Wen felt a sharp pain in his heart. He quickly walked to Luo Lingyue and anxiously asked the imperial physician, "How is Prince Xiao's injury? Is it serious?"
The imperial physician's face was filled with sorrow, and he replied worriedly, "Your Majesty! Prince Xiao has been injured by the sword energy, and the toxins that had been suppressed in his body have resurfaced! I'm afraid his life is in danger! I am truly powerless to help!"
Luo Lingyue burst into tears and fell to her knees with a thud: "Your Majesty, it's all my fault! It was I who implicated Prince Xiao!" Her voice was full of self-blame and grief.
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