He endured the pain and nodded with difficulty.
"I dodged in time and my heart wasn't injured."
After he finished speaking, he took a few breaths and a smile appeared on his face.
"Fortunately, it was your younger brother who was here. If that sword had injured Your Majesty, it would have been terrible."
Yuan Shen crouched down and asked with concern, "Are you really alright?"
Before the King of Han could answer, Yuan Shen turned and shouted at Jin Xiang.
"Where is the imperial physician? Where is the accompanying imperial physician?!"
Jin Xiang dashed out in one stride, and returned shortly after, carrying a royal physician.
The imperial physician boarded the imperial carriage and was stunned when he saw the emperor dressed as a eunuch. Then he saw the Prince of Han wearing a dragon robe and his face turned pale with fright.
Yuan Shen urged, "What are you all standing there for? Quickly stop the bleeding for the King of Han! The King of Han risked his life for me this time and has rendered a great service. You must protect his life and not allow him to be lost! Do you hear me?"
The imperial physician snapped out of his daze, bowed respectfully, and then stepped forward to treat the King of Han's injuries.
After accomplishing his task, the commander of the Beijing garrison returned, covered in blood and grime.
"Your Majesty, the leader of the rebels has been executed."
Yuan Shen waved his hand.
"Thank you for your hard work, soldiers."
The commander didn't feel tired at all; such great merit was enough for his family to enjoy wealth and honor for three generations.
Afterwards, Yuan Shen ordered the battlefield to be cleaned up, and the bodies of the assassins were dragged back. He had their appearances drawn so that they could be identified later.
As for the few survivors, upon seeing the leader's corpse, they were terrified and dared not conceal anything, revealing everything they knew.
This trip was deliberately planned by Yuan Shen to lure the snake out of its hole.
He originally intended to use himself as bait, but everyone objected. In the end, the King of Han volunteered to be the target for him.
Fortunately, although the trip was dangerous, it was all under control and the casualties were not significant.
After everything was settled, Yuan Shen prepared to return to the palace, but unexpectedly, the King of Han suddenly propped up half of his body.
"Brother, may I...may I make a request?"
Yuan Shen raised an eyebrow.
"Just say what you have to say."
A blush crept across the King of Han's face, making him appear somewhat embarrassed. He then whispered a few words.
After hearing this, Yuan Shen was both annoyed and amused.
"Alright, as you wish."
Then, Yuan Shen beckoned to the guard and asked him to send someone to the estate to deliver a message.
...
From the moment he opened his eyes in the morning until now, Song Xibai has been restless.
She knew today was the day Yuan Shen was to depart, and she was afraid that he might encounter some danger.
Although Yuan Shen said in his letter that he had made ample preparations, what if something goes wrong?
She paced back and forth in the room.
Dingxiang leaned against the doorway, cracking open a bowl of melon seeds. Unable to bear watching any longer, she spoke up to comfort her.
"Hey, don't go any further! You're going to wear the floor tiles down to a crisp. His Majesty has so many people with him, and he's taken precautions beforehand, so he'll definitely be fine."
But these words did not comfort Song Xibai.
Fortunately, Wei Hong ran in from outside at that moment.
"Your Majesty! It's over! His Majesty has sent word."
Song Xibai grabbed Wei Hong.
"Are you sure it was His Majesty who sent them?"
Wei Hong nodded: "Yes, it has a token!"
Song Xibai let out a long breath, and a smile finally appeared on her face.
"Let's go out and meet them, and while we're at it, let's ask about the specifics."
As she spoke, she strode quickly toward the front yard.
Dingxiang followed behind to the front yard.
Upon seeing the messenger, Song Xibai didn't even bother to sit down, and immediately asked several questions.
"Is Your Majesty alright? Is he injured? What about the people accompanying you? Were there many casualties? Have those bandits been dealt with?"
The messengers answered each one.
"His Majesty is unharmed. His Majesty is like a god, having foreseen everything and ordered the soldiers of the camp outside the capital to ambush the bandits on the road in advance."
The messenger had also killed several assassins and was still quite excited!
He paused for a moment before recounting the casualties.
The main casualties were among the accompanying guards, while the rest of the people were mostly unharmed, suffering only minor injuries from stray arrows.
Finally, the messenger slapped his forehead, as if he had just remembered.
"King Han was stabbed in the process of drawing out the enemy for His Majesty, and his injury was quite serious."
Song Xibai frowned, about to ask in detail, when he suddenly heard a clanging sound.
She turned her head and saw that Dingxiang's face had lost all color, and the bowl in her hand had fallen to the ground.
In a flash, Song Xibai understood everything.
"Is the King of Han seriously injured?"
The messenger nodded: "King Han was stabbed in the chest and bled profusely. He has now returned to the palace with the royal entourage."
Song Xibai's heart sank.
She had Wei Hong reward the messenger with a purse and then sent him to rest.
After everyone left, Dingxiang rushed to Song Xibai.
"I want to go back! Now!"
Song Xibai patted her hand: "Okay, I'll go back with you. No matter what happens, I'll be with you."
Dingxiang was filled with worry.
Song Xibai immediately went out to make the arrangements.
They traveled light and simply, without bringing any luggage, only taking their two children back to the palace.
She also went to the Empress Dowager to explain the reason.
The Empress Dowager expressed her understanding and comforted her, saying, "You don't need to worry about me. I'm just an old woman, useless. No one will bother me. It's a waste of effort and no reward. Just go back. There are so many people here to serve you!"
The Empress Dowager didn't say she wanted to go back together. Firstly, she had planned to stay here for two or three months. Secondly, she was aware of her situation and knew that going back with her now would only be a burden.
"Then Grandmother, please stay here for now. I will come to keep you company once everything is settled."
Song Xibai said apologetically.
The Empress Dowager also asked her to take all the guards with her, but Song Xibai refused no matter what and left enough guards behind.
Not long after, she and Wenniang, each carrying a child, boarded the carriage to return to the palace.
Urged on several times by Song Xibai, the carriage sped along and arrived at Donghua Gate earlier than expected.
Dingxiang was the first to jump off the carriage.
Song Xibai then got off the carriage and led the group through the Donghua Gate toward the Qianqing Palace.
Dingxiang didn't have time to greet her and hurriedly went to the residence of the King of Han.
As soon as he reached the bottom of the steps, Yuan Shen, who had received the news, quickly came out to greet him.
"Qingqing!"
He hugged Song Xibai tightly.
Song Xibai stared at him without blinking, reached out and touched his wrist to make sure he was not injured, and then let out a long sigh of relief.
"Don't do anything so dangerous again next time."
She raised her hand and patted Yuan Shen's chest.
Yuan Shen led her inside, saying, "Okay, okay, it won't happen again. This time it wasn't actually that dangerous..."
He lowered his head and carefully explained the prior arrangements.
Song Xibai listened quietly, a smile playing on her lips.
The golden sunlight fell on the two of them, casting long shadows that were closely intertwined and inseparable.
Song Xibai thought.
For the rest of my life, this is enough.
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