Should we enshrine the assassin's body?
This is an absolute disgrace!
However, Duke Tao clenched his fist hidden in his sleeve and smiled slightly: "Princess, there is no need to be sad. The Duke Tao's mansion will certainly take good care of the Princess's reward."
He spoke with such venom that he was almost gritting his teeth.
Yuan Yao glanced at Duke Tao with a cold expression.
Then, her gaze swept over Prince Duankang and Prince Yonghe.
Prince Yonghe strode over to Duke Tao's side.
He looked into the wooden crate and almost jumped up: "This assassin's body isn't..."
Duke Tao gritted his teeth and kindly reminded him, "Your Highness, this is not the assassin's corpse, but a reward from the princess."
Prince Yonghe was sweating profusely, and his face turned green.
He strode over to the other two wooden crates and kicked them hard: "Open them and take a look."
The Imperial Guardsmen had extremely cold expressions, but they still opened the wooden crates.
When Prince Yonghe saw this, his face turned extremely ugly.
The assassin's body inside the wooden crate was gruesome, covered in blood...
Even a single glance at him would give him nightmares!
Looking back at the magnificent Qianhua Palace, it was shrouded in smoke, and the air was filled with the smell of incense ash.
Prince Yonghe felt a chill run down his spine.
After glancing at the unfortunate corpse of the assassin, Prince Yonghe made an excuse and hurriedly left Qianhua Palace.
Subsequently, Prince Duankang and his entourage also left.
In addition, many members of the imperial family and nobles came to Qianhua Palace to offer incense.
Many people left, each taking a large box with them...
The imperial guards carried heavy boxes, following at a distance, passing through the long palace corridor and the imposing palace gates, attracting attention.
At the palace gate, carriages and horses were constantly coming and going.
Someone couldn't help but ask, "What's in these boxes?"
"I don't know," the person next to him replied. "Judging from the pattern on the wooden box, it's from Qianhua Palace."
Qianhua Palace?
The servants who were guarding the carriage and waiting for their master couldn't help but huddle together and start gossiping—
"Qianhua Palace is rich! Judging by how heavy the box is, it must contain a lot of valuable things, right?"
"With the passing of the Ninth Prince, Princess Yuan Yao is now in danger, left to guard all that wealth alone."
"I suppose when someone went to offer incense to His Majesty, she picked out some things to give away?"
"Really? That's so enviable!"
"Princess Yuan Yao is so sensible! No wonder she's the little princess we all love!"
"Yes, the princess has been warm-hearted and kind since she was a child. Every spring, she would send snacks and other treats to her guests..."
"..."
The Prince of Yonghe had a somber expression on his pale face.
He glanced at the people whispering not far away and sneered: "You really like the gift Princess Yuan Yao gave you, don't you?"
"This gift is for you, do you want it?"
After speaking, he glared fiercely at the servants.
His glare immediately made the servants shrink back in fear.
Upon seeing this, Prince Yonghe felt much better.
He sneered and pointed at the box, saying to the servants, "In this box is the body of the assassin that your lovely and enthusiastic Princess Yuan Yao gave to me!"
One box contained several corpses!
These corpses were all covered in blood; some of them had their heads and bodies connected by only a thin layer of skin!
Not only this prince, but also many others who went to Qianhua Palace today to offer incense to His Majesty the Ninth Prince!
A well-behaved and adorable little princess?
"Ridiculous! That Yuan Yao is a madman!"
Behind him, Duke Tao walked forward slowly, his gaze sweeping over the boxes, and advised, "Your Highness, be careful what you say!"
Prince Yonghe was most susceptible to persuasion.
The more others tried to persuade him, the angrier he became: "Where did I, the Prince, say wrong? Would a person of sound mind send a corpse as a gift?"
This Princess Yuan Yao, it seems, has truly gone mad because of her father's death!
Those who heard this dared not speak out in anger.
Just then, a panting voice came from behind: "My princess isn't crazy!"
Prince Yonghe turned around.
Not far away, stood a palace maid who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old.
The palace maid's eyes were red and swollen, the soles of her shoes were dirty, her hair was a bit messy, and her face was even pale.
However, she stood there fearlessly, meeting Prince Yonghe's gaze with neither arrogance nor servility.
Yesterday, while still outside the city, Xie Zhi made Aruo dismount.
The token that could prove her identity was left in the carriage, and the silver was also lost in the jolting of the horse...
The secret guards are all in the palace, and we can't contact them.
Aruo lingered outside the city gate all day. Fortunately, before dawn this morning, the guard on duty recognized her.
The guard treated her to a bowl of wontons, then flagged down a carriage for her and took her into the city...
Looking at Aruo, Prince Yonghe sneered: "You little palace maid, are you from Qianhua Palace?"
Your master is dead, how dare you be so insolent in front of me, the Prince?
Who gave you the courage?
I'm telling you, the Emperor has passed away, and the Ninth Prince is also dead.
The era that belonged to the Nine Thousand Year Old is over!
From now on, you people of Qianhua Palace had better keep a low profile!
As he spoke, Prince Yonghe walked to Aruo's side, his large belly protruding, and revealed a lewd sneer: "You little palace maid, you're not bad looking."
Unfortunately, a pearl is cast before swine...
As he spoke, he was about to get started.
Aruo bit her lip, her face darkening.
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves rang out.
Before Prince Yonghe could even raise his head, his hand was caught by a long whip.
A crisp voice snapped, "Looking for death?"
Suddenly, the world spun around him, and Prince Yonghe felt as if his whole body was falling apart.
He gasped, his eyes glazing over as he looked up at the person who had injured him.
Aruo turned around, her tearful eyes revealing a hint of joy: "Princess Huaiyao!"
Huaiyao was dressed entirely in black, the only red thing on her body being her dark red whip...
She looked travel-worn, her whip was slightly rough, and her face showed signs of fatigue.
Jumping off his horse, Huaiyao frowned and asked in a cold voice, "Aruo, where is Yuan Xiaoyao?"
Aruo curtsied and said with tears in her eyes, "The princess was worried about His Highness and rushed back to the palace first, without having time to take me with her."
Princess, my prince... has gone to accompany the Emperor..."
Huaiyao's eyes immediately welled up with tears: "I heard about it on my way here..."
Aruo wiped her eyes and said, "Your Highness, please accept my condolences."
Huaiyao gripped the whip tightly, took a deep breath, and turned to look at Prince Yonghe on the ground: "Open your dog eyes wide, prick up your ears, and give this princess a good listen!"
My father has passed away, and the Ninth Prince has died, but Yuan Yao still has people protecting her!
Even without my father, the Emperor, and the Ninth Prince, Yuan Yao can still roam freely in the Great Qi!
But you, during the national mourning period, actually acted arrogantly at the palace gate and harassed women...
"Guards, escort this prince to the Dali Temple!"
Dali Temple?
Prince Yonghe's eyes widened suddenly: "Who dares?"
Huaiyao didn't even look at him: "Yuan Xiaoyao is hesitant to attack you because of her status, but this princess is not afraid of you!"
Guards, take him to the Dali Temple and detain him!
Aside from His Highness the Crown Prince, this princess, and Princess Yuan Yao, no one is allowed to mention him!
Huaiyao mounted her horse, reached out and pulled Aruo onto its back: "Let's go! This princess will take you to see your princess right now!"
Aruo clutched Huaiyao's clothes tightly, tears welling in her eyes, and said, "Aruo thanks Your Highness..."
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