Chapter 55: Assassination
Lu Weiqing's words made Xu Qingwan feel cold in her heart.
Her eyes flicked over their clasped hands, then back and forth between them, trying to find any evidence of their discord.
She couldn't believe it. If their relationship was really as good as it seemed, how did the rumor of her returning to her parents' home in tears spread?
He must be pretending.
Lu Yu noticed that more and more people were watching, so he dragged Xu Qingwan away out of embarrassment.
The development of the matter was unexpected, and those who had been gossiping were stunned.
There are many inquiring eyes, but the good thing is that after showing off my fighting ability of cursing, no one dares to cause trouble anymore.
Jiang Ran and Lu Zhaoyang were happy and relaxed. Each of them picked a pony and wandered around the camp, looking for some small prey.
Within two hours, he had hunted two rabbits, three pheasants, and picked a small bag of half-green and half-red wild fruits, which was considered a good harvest.
With the experience of roasting venison last time, the two of them built another fire by the stream and roasted the meat themselves.
With the snacks we brought and the fruits given by the emperor, we enjoyed the meal very much.
Lu Zhaoyang did not tell Jiang Ran that she did not want to follow the main force. Another reason was that she discovered that the third prince was also in the spring hunting team.
A while ago, Lu Weiqing went to Gusu to pick up the third prince and brought him back to Beijing. Her parents only said that she had reached the age of marriage and asked her to come to Chang'an to see the world.
Unexpectedly, along the way, the third prince repeatedly showed his kindness to her. She was so angry that she wrote a letter to complain to her family.
The reply letter she received stated that she hoped she could develop a good relationship with the Third Prince. If he was recognized by the Emperor in the future, he would be a good marriage partner.
Lu Zhaoyang became so angry that he distanced himself from him, but the Third Prince was like a fool and couldn't understand his expression at all.
Fortunately, he didn't come to spoil the fun today.
When he thought of him, Lu Zhaoyang felt a chill in his heart. He shook his head several times before he got rid of the bad luck.
Although they chose a secluded place, they did not neglect themselves in terms of food and drink.
In addition to the food sent by Lu Weiqing, unexpectedly, the Minister of Works and his wife sent a lot of roasted wild boar meat and two fiery red foxes.
The Shangshu's wife came over to express her gratitude to Jiang Ran for being willing to sell her the farm in the far suburbs.
Jiang Ran glanced at her husband and asked doubtfully, "Then you..."
The Shangshu's wife recalled how she had been so angry that she had threatened to divorce him. She twisted her handkerchief and said viciously, "Not yet. If he dares to do anything to wrong me, I will kick him out immediately and move back to live in the manor by myself."
Before she finished speaking, the Minister of Works, known for his strict and rigid manner, had already turned red in the eyes. He leaned on her shoulder and called out in a tearful voice, "Madam."
"Madam, I have no complaints even though I have been beaten and scolded. Please do not mention it again and abandon me as your husband."
His wife seemed to be used to it. She pushed him and cursed, "Shame on you."
Then she said sorry to Jiang Ran and dragged her husband back.
Jiang Ran never expected that the rumored unfaithful man was actually a henpecked man who obeyed his wife in everything.
Lu Zhaoyang was very curious and pestered her to listen to the whole story. He exclaimed in surprise, "The rumors are really outrageous. It seems that the Shangshu is just like a bullied daughter-in-law. How could he have the courage to look for his childhood sweetheart? If he was divorced by his wife, he would cry for years."
Jiang Ran felt that she had not been working hard enough in business recently. As she ate her meat, she sighed, "A woman still needs money and a house. So what if she is let down? As for men, they just kick her out."
After hearing her say this, Lu Zhaoyang silently lit three incense sticks for his elder brother.
If he dared to displease his wife in the future, it would be difficult for him to find someone to help him. After all, Jiang Ran had too many houses, and he couldn't find them all, nor could he coax her back.
Maybe by then the eldest brother would be so anxious that he would cry. Lu Zhaoyang imagined that scene and smiled unkindly.
After eating and drinking, the two looked at the running water in front of them and felt itchy.
Just when I was about to get a net to catch fish, something unexpected happened.
"assassin--"
"There's an assassin! Be alert!"
After hearing a few loud shouts, I saw teams of Jinwu Guards quickly surrounding the center of the camp.
Jiang Ran's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Lu Zhaoyang and ran in that direction together.
On the other side, Lu Weiqing was accompanying the emperor when he was suddenly attacked by an arrow. He subconsciously drew the sword of the Jinwu Guard beside him and raised his hand to block the arrow.
The enemy missed the first shot and fired several arrows in succession, causing the guards to shout for protection and form a battle formation to surround the emperor.
At this time, Lu Weiqing was concentrating on blocking the arrows, and was attacked by someone without knowing who was behind him. He pushed away hard and his arm was scratched by an arrow.
Unexpectedly, this move was a complete deception. In a panic, the Jinwu Guards who had protected His Majesty for more than ten years turned against him and drew their swords to stab the emperor.
It happened so quickly that even the queen, who was sitting next to him, didn't react.
The other figure rushed forward without hesitation, stood in front of the emperor, and took the sword blow, with blood gushing from his shoulder.
"My son!"
"Imperial Physician, quickly call the Imperial Physician!"
When the emperor saw that the person who used his body to block the sword for him was actually the third prince, his eyes were bloodshot and he hugged him and kept shouting for the imperial physician.
This was the scene that Jiang Ran and Lu Zhaoyang saw when they arrived.
The accompanying imperial physicians were all busy treating the Third Prince, while the other officials present knelt on the ground, all of them obviously involved.
The assassins who shot the arrows were all dead, and the Jinwu Guards who assassinated him committed suicide out of fear of punishment.
Just now both the host and the guests were having a great time, but in a flash, everyone was in a panic.
The emperor was furious and sentenced the leader of the Jinwu Guard to death on the spot, and ordered the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate the matter.
After confirming that the Third Prince's life was not in danger, the Emperor ordered the camp to break up and return to the capital. A good spring hunt ended with everyone dispersing.
The emperor's assassination had necessitated a major shake-up of all those involved, leaving countless officials at risk. Those not present were trembling with nervous energy.
Lu Weiqing, who was injured, looked calm and composed, and even wanted to snatch the carriage from Lu Zhaoyang.
Lu Zhaoyang came with Jiang Ran in a carriage, and Lu Weiqing rode a horse to accompany them, but now he shamelessly took her seat.
"Go away." Lu Zhaoyang had a cold look on his face and wanted to drive the person away immediately.
When she heard Eleven report that Lu Weiqing was injured, she was so scared that her face turned pale. When she saw the wound, she couldn't help rolling her eyes.
It's too serious. It will heal if I don't take medicine.
"I'm hurt." Lu Weiqing shamelessly raised his right arm that was wrapped like a dumpling.
Jiang Ran was so gullible that he wanted to get off the car immediately out of worry. "I'll ride the horse. Zhaoyang, you come up and take care of him. Brother Weiqing's hand is injured and he can't ride the horse."
Lu Weiqing grabbed the corner of her clothes and said aggrievedly: "I need Madam to take care of me."
Both of them looked at her at the same time, the little rabbit felt aggrieved, and the old fox was showing off.
Lu Zhaoyang was convinced.
Cheng Cheng Cheng, she rides a horse.
Lu Zhaoyang sighed while riding on the horse. This little rabbit has not grown up yet. Sooner or later, he will be eaten up by the old fox, the eldest brother.
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