Her guards

Chapter 202 The Imperial Concubine's Invitation

The spring breeze grows warmer day by day.

Although it's no longer freezing cold, spring drowsiness makes people reluctant to get out of bed.

Especially on weekends when there is no school.

Princess Wuyang was still dragged up and, with a long face, followed Consort Li to the Emperor's study.

“When I’m at school, I greet him,” she complained. “Why bother Father when I’m not going to school? Heisei is definitely with Father. If I go, he’ll complain that I’m interrupting their conversation.”

This time, Consort Li did not mention that it was out of filial piety, but instead chuckled softly: "I just heard that Yang Luo has arrived."

Princess Wuyang's eyes lit up: "So, you're also in front of His Majesty?"

Having said that, she no longer needed Consort Li to lead her, shook off her hand, lifted her skirt, and ran towards the Imperial Study.

Let's watch the show!

Let's see what expression Princess Heisei has when she faces Yang Luo.
She already knows about that rumor, and Princess Heisei must know about it too!

Princess Heisei looked at the girl standing opposite her.

Miss Yang changed into her spring clothes, revealing her slender, willow-like figure.

But Princess Heisei's gaze slid to Miss Yang's collar and then looked away.

I hadn't really looked at this Ms. Yang before.

Now……

She didn't want to look any longer.

She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to resist looking for familiar traces on this Miss Yang's face.

"Miss Yang, please accept my condolences," Princess Heicheng said, glancing at the Emperor. "With Father Emperor here, we will surely bring the murderer to justice."

Miss Yang curtsied and said, "Thank you, Princess." She then curtsied again to the Emperor, "Your Majesty."

The emperor quickly raised his hand to indicate, "No need for formalities, sit down and let's talk."

Princess Heisei sat down.

I saw Ms. Yang standing across from me.

The emperor was the one who told her to sit down and talk.

She is a princess, Miss Yang, but she is merely a subject's daughter.

This morning, when she came to pay her respects to the Emperor, she heard from the eunuch that Miss Yang was there. She originally wanted to turn around and leave, but then she stopped.

That was her father, the emperor.

How could she not see him because of someone else!

"Any new developments in Father's case?" she asked.

The emperor sighed softly, "There are no new leads for the time being."

Princess Heisei said, "Father, don't worry, there will definitely be new progress."

The emperor nodded with a smile.

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Yes, what else can we say besides the case?

Princess Heicheng picked up her tea and took a sip: "Father, tomorrow my brother and I will go to the palace to practice riding and archery." She smiled as she spoke, "He wants to help Father, but he doesn't know what he can do. He can't keep learning at home, so he might as well put his energy into riding and archery."

This would also prevent the King of the East Sea from disrupting the Dali Temple's investigation.

The emperor understood Princess Heping's meaning and nodded gently: "He is a strong man and will be fine after a bump or bruise. You should be careful when you are riding and shooting."

Princess Heisei nodded: "Father, rest assured."

There were three people in the hall, but it was as if there were only two. The Emperor didn't even glance at Miss Yang.

"Your Majesty," a eunuch led in a palace maid, "Her Majesty the Empress's people have arrived."

The palace maid stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Empress requests your presence; she has something to discuss with you."

The emperor said "Oh," and quickly stood up: "I'll go right away."

Princess Heisei also stood up: "I'll go too, I haven't greeted the Empress Dowager yet."

The emperor smiled and said "good," then looked at Miss Yang standing in the hall.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave," said the quiet Miss Yang, bowing slightly.

The emperor nodded: "Don't worry, I will definitely find out the real culprit."

Miss Yang's voice seemed to choke slightly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"His Majesty."

As Consort Li reached the door, she saw the Emperor and Princess Pingcheng walking out together, and she quickly bowed.

Princess Wuyang bowed while glancing at Princess Heisei with her restless eyes, then looked behind her and saw the girl standing behind the father and daughter.

"What brings you here?" the emperor asked. "Is there something you need?"

Before Consort Li could speak, he continued.

"I'll go to the Empress's place first, and we'll talk when I get back."

Consort Li hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I have come to see Miss Yang." The Emperor was taken aback, and a hint of sarcasm flashed across Princess Heping's lips.

"Does the Imperial Concubine also wish to inquire about the White Horse Town case?" she asked with a half-smile.

Consort Li quickly curtsied: "Princess, no, Miss Yang was once Wu Yang's tutor."

She looked at the girl standing in the shadows of the father and daughter behind them.

The girl, who had been keeping her head down, looked up at her and smiled faintly.

Consort Li couldn't help but feel sorry for her: "Miss Yang, please accept my condolences."

Miss Yang bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Consort Li continued, "Miss Yang has endured such a tragic fate, yet she still managed to pass the imperial examination and become a disciple of the Chancellor, demonstrating her unwavering resolve." She then added with a helpless expression, "I truly have no way to deal with Wu Yang; his studies these past few days have been disastrous."

The emperor frowned and looked at Princess Wuyang.

Princess Wuyang quickly retorted, "It's not that bad, Mother, don't talk nonsense."

Consort Li glared at her: "You still won't admit it when I tell you." Then she looked at the Emperor and said, "Miss Yang is a disciple of the Imperial Academy, but she is not attending classes with the Emperor now, so I would like to ask her to take good care of Wu Yang and guide her studies."

Is this some kind of flattery of Miss Yang, done to please the emperor?

The mother and daughter must have known about the rumor.

Princess Heisei gave a mocking smile.

"I'm really afraid of being scolded by my brother," Consort Li said, looking at the emperor.

Then they brought up Doctor Li, and Princess Heping thought to herself, and sure enough, she saw the emperor nod.

"Miss Yang, why don't you go and check Wu Yang's homework?" he said to Miss Yang.

Miss Yang curtsied and said, "Yes."

……

.......
"When you went to deliver the message to the Empress, what was the Empress's expression when Yang Luo and Princess Heicheng were both in His Majesty's presence?"

Consort Li returned to the palace and asked a palace maid in a low voice.

These are the palace maids responsible for cleaning the emperor's study.

The palace maid said softly, "I am of lowly status and cannot get close to the Empress. The message was relayed through her head maid, so I cannot see the Empress's expression."

“But I saw Princess Heisei’s expression,” Consort Li said, chuckling lightly. “It was the first time I’d ever seen this high and mighty princess put on such a showy and guarded posture.”

"Mother--"

A palace maid was calling from outside.

Consort Li waved to the young palace maid, who quietly withdrew from the side hall. Another palace maid hurried in, followed by two others.

A young girl and a young gentleman.

"Your Highness, this is Miss Yang's maid. She has brought Prince Zhu to see Miss Yang."

Consort Li hurriedly stood up. Zhu Yunxiao naturally recognized the maid, though he wasn't familiar with her, he still had a vague impression of her.

Before Consort Li could speak, the maidservant hurriedly said, "Where is my mistress? I want to see my mistress."

Zhu Yunxiao bowed to Consort Li: "Regarding the assassination attempt at the palace banquet that day, I need to discuss the details with Miss Yang again."

Consort Li did not hold the maid's rudeness against her.

“Miss Yang is in Wuyang,” she said, leading the way herself. “I’ll take you there.”

……

.......
Princess Wuyang's palace was not far from here, and we soon arrived at the palace.

As they approached, several palace maids were leaving.

“You…” Consort Li asked, frowning.

The palace maids hurriedly bowed and said, "His Majesty instructed us to deliver food to the princess." They added, "We've delivered roasted meat and are setting up the charcoal fire."

They weren't the only ones who came; the lively atmosphere in the courtyard and the enticing aromas could be heard even from the entrance.

Consort Li smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The palace maids stepped aside, and Consort Li was about to step over the threshold when a scream suddenly came from inside.

"There is an assassin—"

Shouts, the clang of swords, and screams filled the air.

Consort Li's expression changed drastically: "Heavens, Miss Yang—"

Zhu Yunxiao had already rushed inside.

Consort Li was about to turn around and shout "Come—"

But before she could utter a sound or turn around, a powerful force struck her, catching her off guard and causing her to fall into the palace garden.

The moment she fell to the ground, she turned around and saw the maid staring coldly at her.

At the same time, countless imperial guards emerged from all around the palace and surrounded it. With the figures and flashes of swords, the palace maids who had not yet retreated instantly fell to the ground, blood splattering everywhere.

(End of this chapter)