Chapter 67 Why are you in such a hurry? At least let me wash up first.
"I see."
Yun Si understood: "You can go to the banquet with peace of mind. Don't worry about the manor. I made all the arrangements before you left, so there won't be any problems."
The carriage slowly drove into the city gate, with countless eyes watching the luxurious carriage from the shadows.
But no one noticed that A-Wu had left with Yun Si first, without disturbing anyone, and returned to the Xiao Prince's Mansion silently.
At that time, Madam Su was extremely anxious.
Yun Si has been away from the capital for more than half a month, and her family has been staying at Prince Xiao's residence for more than half a month. The people in the residence are worried about Yun Si's health and come to inquire about her health every few days.
At first, they couldn't see Yun Si, but with the cover of the Su family, they could barely keep it a secret.
But as time went on, everyone in the mansion began to have doubts, especially Granny Qian, who was very shrewd and saw that something was fishy about the situation.
However, with Doctor Ji's cooperation, Granny Qian, though suspicious, was not too worried, thinking that Yun Si was just playing some trick.
As time went on, Granny Qian grew increasingly anxious and pressed Lu Yu and Lan Xin for answers.
Before leaving, Yun Si instructed Lu Yu and Lan Xin that if things came to that, they should tell Granny Qian everything.
Granny Qian is a trustworthy person. The reason we didn't tell her at first was because we were afraid she would worry.
After all, Granny Qian is old, and if she knew that Yun Si had gone to such a dangerous place alone, she would definitely be restless and unable to eat or sleep.
Furthermore, there was also the concern that the news might leak out. No one could guarantee that there weren't any spies in the vast Xiao Wang Mansion.
At that time, Lu Yu told the truth with red eyes, and when Granny Qian heard it, she almost couldn't breathe.
Nonsense! Utter nonsense!
With the princess's health, how could she possibly travel such a long distance?
She was unaware of Qin Ye's injury and disappearance, so she simply assumed that Yun Si was being capricious and acting on a whim.
Later, she asked Mu Lan if there was any news about His Highness. Mu Lan hesitated and stammered. After thinking about it together, Granny Qian vaguely understood why Yun Si had suddenly risked chasing after him.
It must be... something happened to His Highness.
Under her persistent questioning, she finally learned that Qin Ye had disappeared in the western suburban valley, and that Yun Si had also gone there.
These past few days, she has been worried and in tears all day long. She has left most of the affairs of the mansion to Eunuch Decai. This morning, she came to Qiwu Garden again.
Lansing herself was unsure, but she had to force herself to comfort her.
"Don't worry, nanny. The mistress took plenty of medicine with her before she left. She will definitely come back safely."
"What kind of place is that valley in the western suburbs? It's a den of monsters that can devour people."
Granny Qian beat her chest and stamped her feet, tears streaming down her face: "If something happens to His Highness, and the Princess Consort... what will become of the Xiao Prince's Mansion?"
Seeing this, Madam Su stepped forward and advised, "Don't worry, Granny. Si'er has always been a woman of good judgment. Besides, isn't Miss A-Wu with her?"
Before leaving, Yun Si told the Su family that A Wu was waiting for her outside the city. Madam Su was well aware of A Wu's capabilities, which was why she felt relatively at ease.
"A-Wu?"
Wiping away her tears, Granny Qian felt a little relieved, thinking that the girl did indeed have some skills.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.
"Granny, Madam Su."
A young maidservant rushed in, shouting, "I'm back! I'm back!"
"What? You're back?"
Granny Qian suddenly stood up, nearly knocking over her teacup: "Who's back? Explain yourself!"
"The princess is back, and she's almost outside Qiwu Garden."
The young maidservant, breathless from running to deliver the good news, said, "His Highness...His Highness has returned, but he's still behind. The Princess Consort returned first."
Without saying a word, Granny Qian walked out, almost trembling, and the Su family members quickly followed.
As soon as I arrived at the entrance, I saw two slender figures walking towards Qiwu Garden.
"princess."
"Si'er".
Granny Qian hurried forward, fighting back tears, and looked Yun Si up and down: "You're finally back! You've lost so much weight! Are you injured? Where is His Highness?"
Hearing this series of questions, Yun Si didn't know which one to reply first.
She reached out and gently patted Granny Qian's back: "Granny, don't worry, I'm fine. His Highness is safe and sound too, he'll be there soon."
Granny Qian noticed A-Wu standing behind Yun Si. The little girl seemed to be in good spirits, happily eating a snack.
"That's good."
Granny Qian finally breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that you're back safe and sound."
Madam Su pulled Yun Si into the house, touching her face with heartache: "You must have suffered a lot on this trip, right?"
Yun Si shook her head and smiled, "It's worth it."
Those two simple words brought tears to the eyes of everyone present.
"Oh, right." Yun Si suddenly remembered something and turned to Granny Qian: "How is Chen Yu doing?"
When this matter was brought up, Granny Qian's face showed a hint of sternness.
"The Shen family has made a scene several times, trying to take her away. This old servant has Mu Lan keep an eye on her, and the Jingzhao Prefecture dares not release her. That Miss Shen has suffered a lot, but it's a bit strange."
What's strange about it?
"At first, the Shen family took this matter very seriously and spared no effort to take Miss Shen away from the Jingzhao Prefecture. If Mu Lan hadn't been keeping a close eye on things, they would have succeeded. But starting a few days ago, they seem to have given up all at once, and no one has gone to the Jingzhao Prefecture since. I wonder what kind of scheme they're using?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Si's eyes flashed with a thoughtful expression.
They must have received news that King Jing had won a battle and had sent troops to search the mountains.
They knew Qin Ye was not dead, and the secret passage and the repeating crossbow were about to be exposed. Their master would definitely sacrifice the pawn to save the king. The Shen family's power was gone, and they could no longer care about Shen Yu.
After some time has passed and this matter is completely over, Yun Si plans to personally send Shen Yu off on her final journey so that she can reunite with her mother, cousins, and siblings.
"What would Your Highness like to eat?"
Granny Qian wiped her eyes and said, "This old servant will go and tell the kitchen to prepare. After Your Highness returns and you have eaten with him, you must get some rest."
"good."
Yun Si nodded, watching Granny Qian leave, a tender feeling welling up in her heart.
The people of Prince Xiao's mansion are so kind.
She deserved to die in her past life.
After everyone had left.
Yun Si let out a soft sigh of relief and leaned back on the soft pillow.
Madam Su wanted to talk to her some more, but seeing the tired look on her face, she couldn't bear to disturb her any longer.
"Si'er, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest well. Your cousins are at home by themselves. Your third uncle went to the Dali Temple this morning, and your aunt has already returned home. We will come to see you again in a couple of days."
"Aunt, we owe you so much this time."
Yun Si got up to see him off, but was stopped by Madam Su.
"We're family, so let's not talk about that. Actually, every day after you left Beijing, your third uncle and I regretted it. We shouldn't have agreed to your request... Fortunately, God protected you, and you came back safely."
"I'm sorry, I made you worry."
Yun Si understood their feelings, and she felt very sorry.
But she had no other choice.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. You should get some rest. Your aunt will bring your younger brother and sister to visit you in a couple of days."
Not long after Madam Su left, Qin Ye's convoy finally arrived at Prince Xiao's residence.
After taking a medicinal bath, Yun Si changed into a plain nightgown and leaned against the soft couch, closing her eyes to rest.
Hearing footsteps, she opened her eyes and saw Qin Ye push the door open and enter.
"Your Highness."
Back at the manor, Yun Si addressed Qin Ye as "Your Highness" again.
Qin Ye frowned, seemingly displeased, and his gaze upon her was somewhat somber.
Before he could speak, Yun Si got up and walked over to him, reaching out to undo his belt.
"do what?"
Qin Ye raised an eyebrow, the gloom in his eyes vanished, and his gaze deepened: "Why are you in such a hurry? At least let me wash up first."
"Um."
Yun Si nodded: "Yes, I need to wash up."
As she spoke, she had already taken off Qin Ye's coat and pulled him toward the bathroom next door.
Qin Ye's smile deepened as he let her pull him along until he saw the steaming medicinal soup in the bathtub, at which point he paused slightly in surprise.
"This is……"
"Medicated bath".
Yun Si released his hand and pointed to the bathtub: "I specially prepared this for you. Soaking in it will be good for your wound."
Qin Ye: "..."
He stared at the bucket of dark medicinal soup, then glanced at Yun Si's serious expression, and pursed his lips.
"how?"
Seeing that he didn't move, Yun Si looked up in confusion: "Your Highness doesn't want to soak?"
Qin Ye narrowed his eyes, then suddenly reached out and grabbed her waist, pulling her into his arms: "Is this how you dismiss me, Your Highness?"
Yun Si was startled by his sudden action, then realized he had misunderstood something, and her ears immediately turned red.
"What are you thinking? I'm doing this because of your injury..."
"I know."
Qin Ye lowered his head and gently bit her ear, his voice low and deep: "But when you come back tonight, you have to make it up to me."
After saying that, he released her, slowly unbuttoned his undergarments, and stepped into the bathtub.
Looking at his muscular upper body, Yun Si blushed even more and quickly turned around: "I'll go get you some clean clothes."
A low laugh came from behind.
...
After taking a medicinal bath, Qin Ye went to the study in the main courtyard.
A mountain of official business awaited his attention.
Most importantly, prepare the memorial to be presented at tomorrow's morning court session, and also note that the two assassins who were secretly escorted back to the capital by Mr. Qu are currently imprisoned in the water dungeon of the mansion.
The key to whether or not the mastermind behind this assassination attempt can be identified lies with these two individuals.
Qin Ye sat at his desk, his expression cold and stern, a stark contrast to his earlier joking demeanor.
"Keep a close eye on them, lock them up for a few days, and start interrogating them when their psychological defenses are a little weaker."
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it."
Mr. Qu rubbed his temples. He had only returned a few hours earlier than them and was still exhausted. "Do you need me to accompany you to the palace tonight?"
"No need."
Before Qin Ye could finish speaking, Mu Ze strode into the study.
"Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived, conveying His Majesty's decree that you should enter the palace early this afternoon."
Upon hearing this...
Mr. Qu glanced at Qin Ye, his voice somewhat grave: "It seems His Majesty has something he wishes to say to His Highness privately."
"uncertain."
Qin Ye tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his expression dark: "His Majesty's thoughts are hard to guess. We'll find out once we enter the palace."
"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?"
"Look at your own face, it's even worse than mine, the injured one. If I make you accompany me to the palace, I'm afraid you'll die on the way."
"Pah, pah."
Mr. Qu left in a huff.
...
Time flew by and it was afternoon. Qin Ye entered the palace to meet the emperor, still smelling of medicine.
Inside the Imperial Study.
On the dragon throne, the Jiaqing Emperor, who was about fifty years old, sat rather casually, even somewhat lazy.
At the age of forty, though there are silver strands at his temples, he appears even more dignified.
He was dressed in black casual clothes, with a red and white overlay underneath. The overlay was unfinished, very light and draped, making him look extremely deep and unfathomable.
His face still faintly showed signs of his youthful handsomeness, with a pair of long, deep-set phoenix eyes.
They always look at people with a scrutinizing gaze; even though they have no expression, they make people feel inexplicably uneasy.
"How badly are you injured?"
Emperor Jiaqing's voice was neither loud nor soft, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Qin Ye knelt on the ground and coughed twice on purpose, his voice weak: "Thank you for your concern, Father. I am fine now, but I still need to rest."
"Any progress on the assassin's matter?"
"No, Father Emperor."
"Is there anyone who has doubts?"
Of course there are.
But Qin Ye will not reveal a single word until he obtains concrete evidence.
He lowered his eyes slightly: "Your subject dares not speak presumptuously."
Emperor Jiaqing stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "In that case, you should know what's going on. When you present your evidence, I will make the decision for you."
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
Qin Ye didn't say much, his expression indifferent.
After he expressed his gratitude, the Jiaqing Emperor told him to stand up, and then inexplicably said, "Go and pay your respects to the Empress."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
