"……All right."
Yu Qingyi seemed quite helpless as he carefully placed the glass of wine back onto Xie Lingqin's tray without spilling a drop. Then, he said to the people behind him, "What are you all standing there for? If the future Crown Princess takes it away again, my uncle and the Crown Prince will definitely reprimand me."
“His Majesty and the Crown Prince are of great righteousness and would not be so petty.” At the same time, Eunuch Ni, who was standing to the side, received a look from the Emperor and immediately bowed and took the tray from Xie Lingqin’s hands.
Princess Qing immediately ordered someone to refill the wine, and this time it went smoothly.
Just as the Emperor finished his drink, Prince Qing rose and reported to the Emperor at the head of the table, "Your Majesty, a servant just reported that Miss Xie said the maid has admitted her mistake, and that I will discipline her as I return to my residence."
"good."
Seeing that the Emperor was smiling but his eyes were actually dark, Xie Lingqin secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but her eyes quickly glanced at Princess Qing and she instantly understood.
In other words, the maid she had just killed has already been dealt with.
The body that Prince Qing was talking about was prepared by Princess Qing. Since the body was not there, the Emperor had no evidence and could only conclude that the maid had betrayed him. After all, this was the palace, and the Emperor did not believe that Prince Qing had the ability to do so on his territory.
After a close call, Xie Lingqin and Yu Qingyi finally sat down.
"Your Highness is wise indeed. Even though I didn't say anything, you sensed something was amiss and ordered the nanny to quickly dispose of the maid's body so as not to arouse the Emperor's suspicion."
As Xie Lingqin passed by Princess Qing, she spoke softly, taking the opportunity to tell her what had happened.
Princess Qing nodded subtly, expressing even more gratitude, "Thank you so much, Miss, for saving my entire Qing Prince's mansion."
Xie Lingqin's eyes widened in surprise.
Yes, the entire Prince Qing's mansion was almost ruined by that cup of wine.
"Haha, you young people, you just love to make a ruckus and be unruly." The Emperor laughed loudly, trying to ease the awkwardness, and raised his wine cup. "Come on, let's drink to our hearts' content."
"Whoosh—"
The unexpected happened at this time.
A sharp sword slashed through the air, heading straight for Zhuidamu, who was rising with a cup in his hand, almost striking his forehead.
"Bang--"
A jade chopstick struck, and at the last second, it deflected the arrow, shattering it into pieces.
"poisonous."
The one who spoke was Nangong Feng, who was sitting to the side.
At the same time, Yuwen Yao, who had just made his move, slowly withdrew his hand.
But then another whooshing sound pierced the air, this time directed not at Zhuidamu, but at the emperor sitting high above.
"Bang--"
It was Eunuch Ni who intervened, shattering the arrow on the ground.
At this moment, everyone turned around.
"There's an assassin."
"Protect the frame, protect the emperor."
"Your Majesty, please be careful."
"Prince, be careful..."
Eunuch Ni looked around warily, then stood protectively in front of the Emperor, causing a commotion.
But the attacks from the shadows haven't stopped.
This is the imperial palace, heavily guarded, yet there are still hidden arrows lying in ambush.
"Xian'er, quickly take men to capture the assassin."
Consort Xian immediately called out to Yuwen Xian.
Such a good opportunity—to capture the assassin and also gain favor with the emperor—is something that can only be seized by chance.
Yuwen Xian naturally understood his mother's meaning. He immediately bowed to the Emperor and led his men towards the direction of the hidden arrows under the cover of darkness.
Inside the main hall, after a moment of chaos, a group of imperial guards rushed in and tightly protected the emperor.
The atmosphere became tense for a moment.
"Swish swish——"
The atmosphere seemed to have reached a critical point, and then, instead of just one or two arrows, countless arrows suddenly rained down from outside the palace, all aimed at the emperor's position.
Some of the Imperial Guards and court officials who were at the forefront had already been shot and fallen.
Xie Lingqin looked at An Shangning with a dark expression.
However, An Shangning looked puzzled, clearly indicating that something had gone wrong and was not what she had expected.
There has definitely been some trouble.
An Shangning looked at Chuidamu, "Prince..."
The first and second sword strikes were both fired by people arranged by Zhuidamu. The purpose was simple and easy to understand.
But right now, this rain of arrows is as numerous as hairs on a cow...
Such a grand display, not to mention how many people must have been involved, and it's happening in the imperial palace...
"Hahaha……"
Just then, a loud laugh suddenly rang out outside the hall, so rough, so hoarse, so chilling.
And Xie Lingqin was so familiar with her.
"Yuwen Shu, we meet again."
Then, the laughter stopped, and a person dressed in black robes stood on the high glazed tiles outside the palace, his whole body exuding a sinister aura that seemed to make the night seem to collapse in an instant.
As soon as the man in black finished speaking, the arrows that had seemed to be thrusting towards them suddenly stopped, as if they had vanished from sight in an instant.
But in the darkness, he clearly didn't hear anyone leave.
Looking at the ground, the imperial guards and court officials who had just fallen were only slightly injured. They looked at each other, their faces blank with shock.
"Illusion."
Yu Wenyao whispered.
"It's still a very powerful illusion."
Xu Yiran followed up.
---Aside---
Well, this volume is almost over. The climax and important plot points are coming up, so don't miss them!
This book was first published by Xiaoxiang Academy; please do not reproduce it!
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