Chapter 2 Alliance
The expected search did not occur. Zhixiang learned that the assassin who attempted to kill His Majesty had been captured. The assassin had poison between his teeth and died on the spot.
Liu Xi sat on the bed and wrapped herself up like a rice dumpling with the blanket.
"how so?"
"Which guard led the team to capture the assassin?"
"I heard that General Huo personally led the search and arrest operation. Princess, this General Huo is quite a figure."
Liu Xi held the medicine bowl in both hands, staring thoughtfully at its reflection.
Something's not right.
It's clear that those captured weren't the assassins who had secretly plotted with Liu Yan. It's highly likely that someone reacted in such a short time and chose to use this assassination attempt to turn the tables on them.
General Huo Lin, Liu Xi didn't pay much attention to him in her previous life.
As for overlap, it's extremely rare.
"No, I must meet with him alone before returning to the palace."
But as soon as she got up, Liu Xi slowly sat back down.
If Huo Lin is a sensitive and suspicious person, wouldn't it be like walking into a trap for her to take the initiative to meet him?
Just as Liu Xi was hesitating, a eunuch suddenly came to deliver a message from outside the door.
"Fourth Princess, General Huo has brought you medicine."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xi's nerves tensed up instantly, and alarm bells rang in her mind.
Alright, here comes the questioning.
Liu Xi frantically tried to figure out at what step she had exposed her whereabouts, or when she had overlooked the fact that there were spies watching her.
She thought everything she had done today was flawless; could it be that the stupid Liu Yan had already exposed everything a few days ago?
She had almost figured out how to deal with Huo Lin's questioning, but the first thing the young general said after entering the room was...
"Princess, I have brought you some medicine to ward off the cold."
Liu Xi was stunned, and the hand that was gripping the corner of the quilt loosened.
And to be honest, Liu Xi didn't know if she was captivated.
As a man, Huo Lin was exceptionally handsome.
Beneath his sword-like eyebrows were a pair of exceptionally beautiful peach blossom eyes, with upturned corners tinged with a vibrant red, making his gaze appear exceptionally affectionate.
His eyelashes were long, yet unlike a woman's, each lash was distinct and extended downwards, casting small shadows at the corners of his eyes.
Huo Lin noticed that the princess was not properly dressed, his ears turned red, and he immediately turned to leave.
"Young General, wait a moment."
Huo Lin turned his back and stammered when he spoke again.
"I will wait in the courtyard."
His retreating figure as he hurried out the door looked rather dejected, which made Liu Xi find it somewhat amusing.
Liu Xi put on a thick outer robe and followed them out. She gestured for Zhi Xiang to keep watch outside the courtyard and not allow anyone to approach.
In terms of looks, Liu Xi perfectly inherited the genes of her mother, who was labeled a femme fatale who brought ruin to the country. Now, even without makeup, she still has delicately shaped eyebrows and bright, charming eyes. The faint sickness on her face makes her even more alluring.
Huo Lin was momentarily flustered and almost lost his composure.
Faced with his silence, Liu Xi couldn't sit still any longer and could only ask the question first.
"Young General, did you come here today simply to visit me in my illness?"
Huo Lin scratched the tip of his nose with his finger, only then remembering the important matter at hand.
"Princess, are you aware of the news that His Majesty was assassinated during the autumn hunt today, and that the Fifth Prince was seriously injured?"
Liu Xi covered her face and pondered.
"I have heard about it, but unfortunately I am ill and unable to visit my father and brother."
Huo Lin's gaze followed Liu Xi's eyes intently, as if trying to discern some clue.
"I have come today to have some interesting conversations with the princess."
He shifted to a more relaxed posture, seemingly not wanting to put pressure on Liu Xi.
"His Majesty was assassinated today; the assassin's hidden arrow was truly ingenious."
"The assassin's first arrow was ridiculously off-target, leaving only a dent in the armor of His Majesty's horse."
"But the second arrow struck the Fifth Prince squarely in the left abdomen, without missing a beat."
Liu Xi pretended not to understand, responding to Huo Lin's probing gaze with an expression that screamed "And then what?"
Huo Lin shook his head helplessly and chuckled softly without showing any emotion.
"Princess, do you know that there are 720 acupoints on the human body?"
Huo Lin stood up and slowly walked to Liu Xi's side.
“Each acupoint in the body has a different effect. For example, a strong attack here will cause a person to faint, and this place will cause a person to feel dizzy and vomit.”
Huo Lin's fingertips moved very lightly, and although they roamed over Liu Xi's body, they did not make her feel offended or uncomfortable.
Then, he squatted down next to Liu Xi, pressing his thumb under her left rib, exactly where she had hit Liu Yan.
"If this spot is struck hard, the pain will shake the internal organs and cause unbearable suffering."
"The assassin has excellent skills and accuracy. If the arrow had missed by even a fraction, it would have cost the Seventh Prince his life."
Liu Xi's expression turned serious, and she spoke calmly.
“Princess, the assassin is not targeting His Majesty; the Fifth Prince is her target.”
Liu Xi knew that she could no longer hide this from Huo Lin, after all, the ruthless tactic of aiming arrows at the acupoints of the human body was a unique skill of General Huo.
The old general had very few disciples, and I was one of them.
"The young general truly has discerning eyes; I admire him."
"You don't need to beat around the bush with me, just say what you want to say."
Huo Lin remained crouched on the ground, looking up at the princess, and there was no hostility in his words.
"Your Highness can't hide it from me. Those two arrows at the hunting grounds were shot by you, weren't they?"
Liu Xi took a deep breath, stood up, and placed herself at what she considered a safe distance from Huo Lin.
"So what if it is, so what if it isn't?"
"I would like to know why."
Liu Xi turned her head and looked at Huo Lin warily.
"Since the young general has no intention of telling His Majesty the truth, why does he want to ask me a question about the reason?"
Seeing that Liu Xi was resistant, Huo Lin became somewhat impatient.
There were some things he didn't know how to say without being offensive; he couldn't very well ask the princess for an explanation just because of a few dreams.
However, if the assassin does not speak frankly, Liu Xi will order him to leave, and Huo Lin will have little chance to question her again.
So Huo Lin mustered his courage, stretched out his arm and pulled Liu Xi to his side, whispering in her ear.
"Recently, I have been having a dream that involves Your Highness the Princess."
"In my dream, the Fifth Prince ascended the throne and bestowed upon you the title of Princess Qinghuang."
"Immediately afterwards, the Fifth Prince personally assassinated the princess and disposed of the body to cover his tracks..."
At this point, Huo Lin clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with killing intent.
"It was I who personally ended his life..."
Liu Xi suddenly raised her hand and covered Huo Lin's lips. At this moment, her eyes were wide open and her heart was pounding like a drum.
Could it be that in her past life, after her death, Huo Lin collected her body and then personally killed Liu Yan to avenge her?
Huo Lin gently pushed Liu Xi's hand away and knelt in front of her.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty. I offended the Princess and the Fifth Prince with my words. Please punish me."
Liu Xi remained silent for a long time, her body frozen in place, her eyes trembling as she looked at Huo Lin.
She couldn't bring herself to tell him the whole story about her rebirth. Based on just a few words from Huo Lin, Liu Xi didn't dare to easily believe his motives.
"I have had the same dream as you."
"The general is right. It was I who impersonated an assassin and stabbed the Fifth Prince."
"Everything I do is only to prevent nightmares from becoming reality."
Liu Xi helped Huo Lin up with both hands and heard him murmur softly, "It's really true."
"If the general investigates carefully, he will find evidence that the Fifth Prince conspired with the assassin in an attempt to bravely save His Majesty."
"Now, the Fifth Prince has the support of the Imperial Concubine, while I am neither favored nor have any power. How easy is it for me to protect myself?"
"I am not only facing the threat of my fifth brother, but also the Imperial Concubine and the entire Dingyuan General's Mansion behind me."
Liu Xi's tone softened considerably, deliberately adopting a weak and submissive demeanor.
"General Huo, I am truly grateful that you killed my enemy in my dream."
"If the general is willing to become my assistant, I guarantee that I will do everything in my power to ensure the prosperity of the Huo family for generations to come."
Suddenly, Huo Lin knelt down on the ground with a thud.
"No! I have come here today to pledge my allegiance to the princess. I have a request of you. The princess need not bow down to me!"
This was something Liu Xi hadn't expected.
"General, please stand up and speak."
Huo Lin's attitude was resolute, like a bull that could not be stopped.
"I hope the princess will help me to investigate the truth behind my father's sudden death, so as to comfort the spirit of General Huo in heaven!"
General Huo was once one of His Majesty's favorite veteran generals. As a founding general, the Huo family was highly valued by His Majesty.
However, the old gentleman, who had always been in good health, inexplicably developed hysteria in the border post. He not only uttered wild words but also frequently injured people due to his delirium.
The emperor summoned him back to the capital to recuperate, but after General Huo returned to the capital, his health deteriorated and he passed away after more than half a year.
In his previous life, the Second Prince had impeached General Dingyuan for allegedly plotting to murder General Huo. Liu Xi thought it was just a frame-up by the Second Prince to suppress the power of the Imperial Concubine.
Now it seems that this is not the case.
"If I'm not mistaken, General, you already have someone you suspect."
Huo Lin's gaze was firm. "Yes."
"It is the Imperial Concubine's maternal family, the Dingyuan General's Mansion."
Liu Xi never expected that after being reborn, she would find her first ally so quickly.
He was also a capable and sturdy right-hand man who could stir up trouble in the previous dynasty.
Although Mr. Huo is dead, his two sons have taken up the mantle of the Huo family.
The eldest son, Huo Chong, took his father's place in guarding the frontier, while the second son, Huo Lin, remained in the palace to command the Imperial Guards.
With the help of her past life experience, Liu Xi was confident that she could cultivate him into a powerful second "General Huo".
"If the general trusts me, then I will certainly not let him down."
Liu Xi's words were like a reassuring injection for Huo Lin.
"Right now, I need to trouble the general to handle His Majesty's assassination attempt properly, and make sure there are no weaknesses that could be exploited by those with ulterior motives."
"My lord, I obey the order."
Huo Lin couldn't stay at Liu Xi's residence for too long, so he left a Huo family crest with Liu Xi as a token before departing.
As an ally, Huo Lin showed great sincerity.
No sooner had the general left than Zhixiang arrived in haste with a message from the Imperial Concubine.
"Princess, the Imperial Concubine requests your presence to attend to her ailing state."
"The Imperial Concubine is truly biased. Ever since she accompanied the Emperor on the autumn hunt, she has only treated you, Princess, like a servant, ordering you around and never genuinely cared about you!"
In her past life, in order to win the favor of the Imperial Concubine and make her wholeheartedly support Liu Yan's ascension to the throne, Liu Xi did not hesitate to lower herself and serve the Imperial Concubine like a slave.
Liu Xi sneered and turned to walk back into the house.
"She is not worthy to make me grovel."
"There's no need to go back to the Imperial Concubine. Let's just stay in our palace and pretend to be dead, and let the Imperial Concubine wait here."
"It's my fault for catching a cold. I'm too weak to do anything, and after all that effort, I still couldn't get properly dressed to go out."
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