Her guards

Chapter 189 Something's Wrong
"Although we were prepared, the methods we used were still impossible to guard against."

The emperor spoke in a deep voice, looking at his daughter with eyes full of heartache and self-reproach.

Yang Luo felt the same way.

They already knew about the Marquis of Yichun's arrangements at the banquet and were wary of others making moves, but when it actually happened, the danger was still unexpected.

The scene from just now flashed before Yang Luo's eyes: two delicate and frail palace maids entered, who turned out to be assassins.

Even if she had a father who was the master of the palace, she would still die if it weren't for Ah Sheng.

Yang Luo turned and went inside, gently pushing open the door. He saw the girl lying on the couch and Wei Jiao beside her.

She frowned slightly.

Let's move Wei Jiao away, otherwise it will disturb A Sheng's rest.

The emperor followed in, understood Yang Luo's meaning, and gently shook his head.

"He was also injured in the water. Let him sleep peacefully and don't wake him, lest..."

He went into a fit of madness.

If she goes berserk, it will affect the maid's recovery.

Moreover, Wei Jiao staying here can also prevent others from taking action.

Yang Luo understood the emperor's meaning and did not insist further. Ah Sheng was indeed very capable, but it was dangerous for her to be alone, and he could not help her anyway.

She quietly watched the girl whose face was pale and whose breathing was somewhat rapid.

The imperial physicians said it was fortunate that he surfaced in time; he was just a hair's breadth away from suffocating and never waking up again.

"You've suffered," the emperor murmured, looking over. "It's all because of me, it's all my fault."

If it weren't for this maidservant, the one lying here right now would be his Princess Luoying.

He would watch his daughter be murdered with his own eyes...

The emperor felt suffocated at the thought.

"Your Majesty, this is all because of the wicked," Yang Luo said in a low voice, curtsying. "Please, Your Majesty, severely punish the wicked."

The emperor quickly reached out and pulled her up, because with Wei Jiao present, he could not reveal the matter of the maid and young lady being switched.

"Did your young lady mention any speculations about this attack?" he asked in a low voice.

Yang Luo glanced at the girl with her eyes closed on the bed. The imperial physician said that she would wake up faster if she rested well...

"Your Majesty, let's talk outside," she said softly.

With light footsteps, the two went out, and the door to the inner room was gently closed.

Wei Jiao opened her eyes and heard low voices coming from outside.

"...Miss did not make any specific guesses about any particular person."

"...That's ruthless! I must investigate..."

"...Your Majesty, there's no need to worry about this for now. Let's proceed as originally agreed..."

"...And what's next..."

"...They've already made their move, now it's our turn..."

"...Alright, you stay here and keep a close watch. The rest is up to me."

"...Thank you, Your Majesty."

After the emperor left, the maid came in to check on her mistress one last time, then went outside to call the imperial physician.

There was a commotion outside as the imperial physicians entered, and the maidservants anxiously inquired about the injuries.

Wei Jiao opened her eyes again, ignoring the sounds outside, and looked at the young lady on the bed.

His brows furrowed, and his eyes showed confusion.

I always feel like something is weird.

Although he didn't know what a father who deeply loves his child is like, he knew what a father who doesn't love his child is like.

Just now, the emperor came to see Miss Yang, and even with his eyes closed, he could sense that the emperor didn't really care about this daughter.

but……

Wei Jiao felt relieved. It wasn't surprising. If he really cared about this daughter, why would he have ignored her for so many years and let the mother and daughter die?

They've only been recognized now because they came looking for them.

Just like when his mother brought him back to Longxi, the moment his father saw them, his face clearly said, "Why don't you just die? Why are you still alive?"

Wei Jiao gave a cold laugh.

I'm going to live, and live to disgust you.

That bastard thinks the same way; if her father doesn't care about her, she won't care about him either.

She suffers so much so that her father and those with ulterior motives fight each other.

With the Marquis of Yichun employing such methods, daring to kill someone in the palace, how can the Emperor sleep soundly?

Wei Jiao smiled broadly, reached out, and stroked the girl's cheek again...

Suddenly the girl opened her eyes, met his gaze, and then saw his hand reaching towards her face...

Wei Jiao's smile froze on his face, and his hands also stiffened.

Mo Zheng blinked: "Wei Jiao, are you going to strangle me?"

"You ungrateful bastard!" Wei Jiao retorted angrily. "So what if I strangle you? I saved your life, and now I'm in charge of your life."

Mo Zheng smiled and said, "Thank you for saving my life, Senior Brother."

Wei Jiao gave a soft snort and withdrew his hand.

"You useless piece of trash, you're such a bad swimmer," he said. "You couldn't even catch someone, and you almost lost your life."

Upon hearing this, Mo Zheng looked at his arm: "You didn't catch it either."

Wei Jiao spat and said, "I couldn't catch it because of you. If you hadn't been blocking me, how could I have missed it?"

Mo Zheng breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that he didn't catch him. He's just an insignificant person, not as important as your arm."

Wei Jiao's body stiffened.

When he was in the water, he couldn't hear any sounds, only see. He had been thinking that it might have been a hallucination, that he had misjudged the situation.

I never expected to hear it again.

It's not an illusion, it's real.

An insignificant person... How could that be an insignificant person? That was evidence she risked her life to obtain, even though she wasn't a good swimmer and insisted on jumping into the water to grab him, even when he was almost unconscious.

But she gave up his arm without hesitation.

What's wrong with this bastard? She's been so good to him, what's he up to!
"you--"

"Miss--"

The inner room door was flung open, and a maid rushed in.

"Miss, you're awake."

"Imperial Physician! Imperial Physician!"

The imperial physicians followed closely behind, and the inner room became noisy.

……

……

With the arrival of the emperor, the atmosphere inside the main hall became even more lively.

The emperor reassured everyone and explained what had happened.

"Indeed, some thugs have infiltrated."

"But please rest assured, everyone has been killed."

I never expected there would actually be assassins here; this is the imperial city!

Many officials present apologized, saying, "It is our incompetence" and "It is our dereliction of duty."

The emperor waved his hand, "Just some petty scoundrels. I've encountered countless like them since I conquered the land. I wasn't afraid before, and I'm even less afraid now." With that, he raised his wine cup, "Let's continue drinking and feasting!"

Everyone in the hall raised their glasses and shouted that His Majesty was brave and mighty.

So it really was an assassin. Princess Heisei breathed a sigh of relief. Then it had nothing to do with her. She picked up her wine cup, smiled, and drank it all in one gulp.

A voice inquired, "Your Majesty, is Miss Yang alright?"

Princess Heicheng looked over and saw that it was Consort Li...

Because the Empress had returned to preside over the banquet, Consort Li sent Princess Wuyang, who had been previously sent back to the palace, back with her to support the Empress.

He was also present at the table at that moment, his face showing concern.

Princess Wuyang pursed her lips, "See? That's just how my mother is. She's always thinking about Miss Yang."

The Empress sneered, "Is Consort Li now wishing she could suffer in place of Miss Yang?"

Consort Li lowered her head: "Your Majesty, I only feel that Miss Yang suffered an undeserved misfortune."

The emperor interrupted her: "Miss Yang is fine. She was just frightened and took some calming medicine to sleep."

However, instead of ordering Consort Li to leave, he looked at Doctor Li at the table and changed the subject.

"Doctor Li, today is the Marquis of Yichun's birthday. What gift did you send?"

Doctor Li hurriedly stood up and picked up a scroll: "I have presented you with a piece of ancient calligraphy. I hope Your Excellency will accept it with a smile."

Marquis Yichun smiled: "Doctor Li has many fine things in his possession, thank you very much."

Following these words, the others in the hall also took out their congratulatory gifts, and soon a high pile appeared in front of Marquis Yichun.

The emperor smiled and said, "I also have a congratulatory gift." He then clapped his hands and ordered, "Bring it in."

The people inside the hall looked on curiously and saw several eunuchs carrying a large cabinet into the hall.

The cabinet was carved with dragons and phoenixes and inlaid with jewels; I wonder what treasures it contained.

Marquis Yichun was also curious. He knew that the emperor had prepared a gift, but it was very mysterious, and even the empress didn't tell him.

What is it?
The cabinet was placed in the center, and the eunuchs pulled down the carrying rack. The emperor gestured to the chief eunuch, and the chief eunuch smiled and raised his hand.

"open--"

With a shout, the four cabinet panels slammed open, colorful silks flew up, and the people inside the hall felt a dazzling golden light.

A mountain of gold?
No, wait, a golden suit of armor?

Wait, the armor moved!
There's another person inside the armor!
This is a person wearing golden armor, holding a long sword in his hand.

"This is the Xuan Tie sword that His Majesty forged for the Marquis," the man shouted. "May the Marquis enjoy boundless happiness and longevity."

The hall was about to erupt in congratulations, but Marquis Yichun suddenly stood up, staring incredulously at... the man wielding a long sword.

"A-Du?" he called out.

A-Du?

The people inside the hall fell silent.

Immediately, both Chai Yuan and Madam Chai stood up, their expressions filled with surprise and delight.

"Erlang!"

"Second brother!"

Chai Erlang? Chai Du? The people inside the hall reacted instantly.

This is the second son of the Marquis of Yichun, General Chai Du of Gaoyang!
Chai Du raised his head, revealing a face beneath his armor that bore a resemblance to that of the Marquis of Yichun.

He stepped forward and knelt on one knee: "Father, your son Chai Du wishes you a happy birthday!"

Marquis Yichun showed no surprise whatsoever. Looking at his kneeling son, he clenched his fists at his sides.

"You..." his voice was hoarse, "Why are you back?"

This is impossible! How could this be? Chaidu's location is crucial; how could they leave so easily?

Moreover, his return to Beijing was completely unnoticed by him!
Something's not right!

Something's not right!

(End of this chapter)