Everything was proceeding smoothly, and the atmosphere was lively.
Qu Jingyun lowered her head and whispered something to Shen Yue, a smile occasionally appearing on her face.
The atmosphere between the mother and daughter was remarkably harmonious.
A flash of cold light caught Qu Jingyun's eye in the sunlight.
She couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly, immediately becoming alert.
He hurriedly looked up and saw a dagger hidden in the sleeve of a woman dressed as a palace maid not far away.
The man's gaze was fixed on the Emperor.
Qu Jingyun immediately became serious and stared intently at the person.
They moved towards that direction discreetly and without making a sound.
It wasn't until a palace maid pulled out a dagger and stabbed the emperor that everyone realized what was happening.
"Assassins! Protect the Emperor!"
But this call came too late.
The crowd that rushed over could only watch helplessly as the palace maid stabbed straight at the emperor, their faces turning deathly pale.
The emperor's expression turned cold, and in a panic, he dodged backward, only able to use his arm to block.
Just when everyone thought the emperor's injury was inevitable, a figure suddenly appeared and got into a fight with a palace maid.
Upon seeing who it was, the emperor was stunned.
He truly hadn't expected that the man would be Qu Jingyun.
The Emperor looked at Qu Jingyun protecting him from behind, his feelings complicated, and for a moment he didn't know how to react.
But when he saw the palace maid's dagger stab Qu Jingyun, he cried out in a low voice, "Miss Qu, be careful!"
Qu Jingyun cried out in pain, but also found an opportunity to kick the dagger out of the palace maid's hand.
The guards arrived in time and subdued the palace maid on the ground.
A thrilling assassination attempt has come to an end.
Shen Yunting, who was not far away, rushed over in a panic, only to witness Qu Jingyun's injury. Without thinking, he was about to rush over.
But he saw Qu Jingyun shake her head silently in his direction, her eyes filled with rejection.
He slowed his pace, forcibly suppressing the worry in his heart.
They changed direction and walked to the emperor, kneeling down on one knee.
"I was ordered to protect the safety of the autumn hunt, but I allowed assassins to infiltrate the hunt. This is my fault, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
"First, find out where the assassin came from." The Emperor also wanted to take this opportunity to control Shen Yunting, but he also knew that he had to have a legitimate reason for his actions.
He looked at the injured Qu Jingyun with a complicated expression and hurriedly said, "Quickly, please summon the imperial physician to treat Miss Qu."
The imperial physician arrived quickly and bandaged Qu Jingyun's wound.
He said, "These are just superficial wounds, not poisonous. Your Majesty can rest assured."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunting breathed a sigh of relief without showing any emotion.
It's good that you're alright!
He also took this opportunity to find out where the assassin came from.
He said, "The assassin has been lurking in the palace for many years, but we don't know why she suddenly tried to assassinate the emperor today. The dagger she used is a common weapon carried by the palace guards. An investigation revealed that she killed a guard and stole it."
The assassination attempt clearly demonstrates that Shen Yunting's guards were completely innocent.
If there had been any oversight, allowing the assassin to bring in the deadly poison, things might have been very different.
Neither the assassin nor the weapon could be defended against by Shen Yunting.
Upon realizing this, the emperor looked embarrassed.
Finally, he waved his hand and said, "I know that this matter has nothing to do with General Shen. General Shen does not need to blame himself. Let this matter rest. I will have to trouble General Shen to continue to protect me for the next period of time."
"Yes," Shen Yunting replied.
The Emperor gave him a deep look, then his gaze fell on Qu Jingyun, who was not far away. After a moment's thought, he said, "There's nothing more for General Shen here. You may leave now."
"Yes," Shen Yunting replied, then turned and left.
He expended all his energy just to barely manage to keep his worried gaze from falling on Qu Jingyun.
Fortunately, Qu Jingyun was alright this time, otherwise he probably wouldn't have been able to control his emotions.
"Qu Jingyun, the eldest daughter of the Qu family, has rendered meritorious service in protecting the emperor. She is hereby granted the title of Princess of Yongning County, with a fief of one thousand households and a reward of one thousand taels of gold."
Qu Jingyun was stunned upon hearing this.
I really didn't expect there to be such an unexpected bonus.
He hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
The county princess was indeed a fifth-rank official, which further demonstrated the emperor's high regard for her.
"You should rest well. If anything happens, go and find the imperial physician." The emperor was momentarily at a loss as to how to face Qu Jingyun.
He had been secretly on guard against Qu Jingyun all these years, but he never expected that she would save him with her life today.
It gave him a rather strange feeling.
The news that Qu Jingyun had been granted the title of county princess had spread, causing a huge uproar.
Many people have begun to reflect on whether they offended Qu Jingyun in the past.
Although she is only a fifth-rank official, the Emperor and Empress value her highly.
Who knows what will happen next!
Not to mention that although her relationship with Shen Yunting is unclear now, she is still the mother of Shen Yunting's children.
Anyone who wants to do anything to her will definitely have to consider Shen Yunting's position as a general.
Amidst all the noise, night slowly descended.
Shen Yunting finally found an opportunity to sneak into Qu Jingyun's tent.
Upon seeing Qu Jingyun under the candlelight, he hurried over to her, eager to express his concern.
Are you really alright?
"It's nothing." Qu Jingyun shook her head, leaned down and rested her head on Shen Yunting's shoulder, revealing her vulnerability at this moment.
"It's just a small cut, but I miss you a little."
These words successfully made Shen Yunting smile with delight, and he excitedly pulled the person into his arms.
"Me too."
"His Majesty is a wise ruler who cares deeply for the people. However, he is also suspicious by nature. As time goes by, I believe that sooner or later he will understand that we will not hinder his rule. When that happens, it will be time for us to reconcile."
Qu Jingyun's eyes and brows showed a hint of longing for the future.
If the emperor were a tyrant, she could easily plot against him.
But he wasn't...
And over the years, the country has become increasingly prosperous under his rule.
Therefore, even if Qu Jingyun harbored resentment towards the Emperor, she would not harbor malice towards him, and would even step forward to rescue him if she saw him in danger.
The country has finally been pacified, and the people are now living a peaceful and prosperous life.
Such harmony should not be easily broken.
"Thank you for your hard work." Shen Yunting bent down and kissed Qu Jingyun on the forehead.
Finally, he spoke, "To me, your life is of utmost importance. Even the Emperor is not worth risking your life for."
"I only rushed forward because I knew things weren't that serious, and I even had an unexpected bonus—I was granted the title of County Princess," Qu Jingyun said, feigning nonchalance.
However, Shen Yunting's expression did not improve from beginning to end.
Seeing his expression, Qu Jingyun reached out and gently scratched his chin twice.
He smiled and said, "You are a loyal and capable general, how could you say that the Emperor is not worth risking your life for?"
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