Chapter 625 Assassination Attempt
Yi'er reached out and gently flicked her little nose, saying, "Don't be too playful, or your mother will worry."
Little Mianmian nodded obediently, her bright black eyes adorable. "I understand, big brother."
Yi'er then landed, but her eyes remained fixed on the tree.
He was afraid that his younger sister would be blown away by a gust of wind.
Du Wanchun patted the chair next to her and said, "Yi'er, sit down and rest."
Yi'er turned around and sat down next to Du Wanchun.
Mr. Yuan glanced at the side and saw that the tea was finished. He then instructed the maid beside him, "Go and brew another pot of tea."
"Yes, sir." The maid bowed, picked up the empty teapot, and turned to leave.
The maid had just left the backyard when she bumped into an assassin who happened to be walking in this direction.
The assassin was dressed as a servant, and the maid didn't suspect anything at first. After he made way for her, she continued walking towards the kitchen.
"Wait a minute," the assassin called out to her after taking two steps.
The maidservant turned around. "What is it?"
The assassin said, "Go make some tea?"
The maidservant replied, "That's right."
The assassin looked around and, seeing no one, knocked the maid unconscious with a single blow while she wasn't paying attention. He then tied her up and threw her behind a nearby rockery. Picking up a teapot, he walked toward the courtyard where Du Wanchun and the others were.
Du Wanchun was talking to Mr. Yuan about Dong'er. "Sir, Dong'er is not young anymore. Ruiyuan and I plan to let her leave the palace and prepare to bestow a marriage upon her."
Mr. Yuan's hand trembled as he listened, as if it were a piece of great joy bestowed from heaven. "Your Majesty, this..."
As he finished speaking, his gaze secretly drifted to Dong'er beside Du Wanchun.
Dong'er lowered her head, her cheeks flushed.
After a moment's hesitation, Mr. Yuan tentatively asked, "Which family do Your Majesty and the Emperor intend to betroth Dong'er to?"
Although Du Wanchun had mentioned this to him on the boat before, he still dared not think about it, as he was unsure whether Dong'er also had feelings for him.
Today, he accidentally bumped into Dong'er in the backyard. He wanted to say a few words to her, but she secretly ran away with her head down.
He was afraid that he was just being presumptuous, which is why he asked Du Wanchun that question.
Du Wanchun smiled and teased him, saying, "Ruiyuan said that there is a newly appointed official in the court who is handsome, talented, and, more importantly, does not look down on Dong'er's identity."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Yuan's face immediately fell, and he lowered his eyes. "Miss Dong'er is someone close to the Empress. What else could he possibly have to complain about?"
Du Wanchun added, "I also heard that that gentleman came from a poor family and later worked as a tutor for a wealthy family."
Mr. Yuan's face fell even more, and his hands clenched into fists, almost crushing the cup in his hands.
Du Wanchun, who was watching secretly, continued, "That official was greatly favored by the Emperor and was even given a new house as a reward."
Mr. Yuan lowered his head, clearly feeling somewhat sad.
Du Wanchun stood up and asked him, "Do you know where that house is?"
Mr. Yuan shook his head with a sullen face.
Du Wanchun slowly turned around in place, "What a coincidence, right here."
Mr. Yuan was startled and looked up at Du Wanchun, his eyes filled with shock and astonishment.
"Your Majesty?"
Du Wanchun smiled and said, "It's right here, in this Yuan residence."
Mr. Yuan instantly understood, beamed with joy, and turned to look at Dong'er.
Dong'er was looking at him, and their eyes met, both of them filled with tenderness.
Du Wanchun stared at the two of them, slightly lost in thought.
Yi'er and Yu'er tactfully went inside.
Little Mianmian held her hands, eating pastries while looking at the scenery.
At this moment, the assassin, disguised as a servant, approached them carrying a teapot. "Sir, Madam, the tea is here."
Mr. Yuan looked at the unfamiliar man in front of him with some doubt, but he did not suspect anything. His mansion was new, and many of the servants and young men inside were also new. It was normal that he did not recognize them all at once.
He asked the assassin, "Why is it you? Where is Qiu Ling?"
Qiu Ling was the little maid who had been knocked unconscious earlier.
The assassin bent down and replied, "Sister Qiuling had an upset stomach on her way here, so she asked me to bring the teapot first, so as not to neglect the master and the empress."
Mr. Yuan nodded slightly as he listened, and was about to take the teapot from the assassin's hand.
While the assassin appeared to be answering Mr. Yuan's questions, his eyes were actually fixed on Du Wanchun.
He had poisoned hidden weapons in his sleeves; with just a raise of his hand, they could pierce Du Wanchun.
He was about to raise his hand.
The little cotton in the tree accidentally spotted Qiu Ling, who was hiding behind the artificial hill.
She sensed something was wrong and quickly called out to Du Wanchun, "Mother! Be careful!"
The shout startled everyone.
Du Wanchun also noticed something was wrong with the servant in front of her and focused her attention to deal with him.
However, at that moment, Dong'er suddenly rushed over and shielded Du Wanchun behind her.
Before Du Wanchun could exert any force, she was stunned by Dong'er's block.
The assassin had already raised his hand, and the two hidden weapons landed straight on Dong'er.
Dong'er cried out in pain and fell to the ground.
Upon hearing the noise, Yi'er and Yu'er rushed over and stopped the assassin with their swords.
Du Wanchun was shocked and called out loudly to Dong'er, "Dong'er!"
Mr. Yuan rushed forward, squatted down, and hugged Dong'er tightly, utterly terrified.
What's going on?
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