Her guards

Chapter 235 Received the message
A commotion broke out on the streets of the capital. In a private room on the second floor, a servant opened the window and looked out.

"...The Li family's private school is sponsored? Who knows if it's a sponsorship or a bloodsucker! The Li family controls all the bookstores in Qi City, and so many people can't even afford to go to school!"

"...You're talking nonsense! The Li family is poor—"

"...Poverty? You people of the capital are truly blind, unable to see the bigger picture. Go to Qi City and see how much gold and silver is hidden in the underground storerooms of the Li Family Academy!"

"...That was a frame-up by the Marquis of Yichun..."

"...That's because Li Xuan committed numerous evils and died, which is why the students, who had been coerced, dared to reveal his true colors!"

"...Good riddance! He got away with dying too easily!"

"...The Marquis of Yichun was the one who was framed!"

Upon hearing this, the attendant closed the window and looked at Zhu Yunxiao, who was sitting inside, with a slightly worried expression.

“Your Highness,” he said softly, “the reputation of the Li family has reversed, and all the scholars who were sitting in silence in front of the Dali Temple have run away.”

Zhu Yunxiao was drinking tea, his expression indifferent: "When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out; how can they possibly fight against Marquis Yichun?"

Moreover, it was the emperor who ordered Lady Li to die.

Moreover, the matter concerning Lady Li has been delayed for so long in order to restrain Marquis Yichun.

This result was expected.

“But now that the case is settled, there’s no way to keep Yichun Marquis in check,” the attendant whispered. “All of Li’s deeds have been exposed, and the Baima Town case is now back to square one. Yichun Marquis left the Dali Temple and went home yesterday evening.”

He looked anxious as he spoke.

“Your Highness, in the eyes of Marquis Yichun, you are now Yang Luo’s accomplice.”

Previously, refusing the Chai family's marriage proposal only displeased them. This time, assisting Miss Yang in killing Li Xuan has plunged the Marquis of Yichun into such trouble, making the Chai family and the heir an enemy.

“Miss Yang has His Majesty’s protection, so Marquis Yichun can’t touch her, but you, young master, are in trouble.”

The attendant looked anxious.

With the crown prince joining the army, the Chai family will control the military. Dealing with the crown prince will be a simple matter of a word.

Zhu Yunxiao's expression was somber as he drank the tea in one gulp. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. "Young Master Zhu, Miss Asheng has arrived."

As soon as the words were spoken, the door was pushed open without waiting for the people inside to be invited in.

Zhu Yunxiao smiled slightly as he looked at the girl who walked in: "I've prepared some snacks, I wonder if they'll suit your taste."

Yang Luo glanced at the table, where two plates of apricot cakes were laid out. The emperor had been sending apricot cakes over the past few days, and she liked them very much. She even asked His Majesty for a pastry chef to send to the Duke of Ding'an's residence.

The official reason given was that the maid and the young lady had the same taste; the maid liked it, and the young lady liked it too, so they planned to send the cook to Longxi.

Zhu Yunxiao must have found out.

She curled her lips slightly: "Your Highness is very thoughtful."

Zhu Yunxiao waved his hand, and his attendant bowed and withdrew.

"What do you want?" Yang Luo said, looking displeased. "Didn't I tell you I'd contact you if I needed anything?"

Zhu Yunxiao turned his head slightly and pointed to his left cheek: "Look, the wound here."

Yang Luo looked over and saw a scratch on his fair left cheek, surrounded by bruises.

“Chai Yuan took the taxi,” Zhu Yunxiao said.

Yang Luo didn't ignore it. He examined it carefully and sighed softly: "You have the title of Earl, so the Chai family held back and only threw one punch. If it were anyone else, they would probably have killed them already."

Zhu Yunxiao looked at her and said, "For a moment I don't know if you pity me or someone else."

Yang Luo smiled.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. You've done something for my young lady, and she'll protect you. Don't be afraid of Marquis Yichun," she said, raising her eyebrows slightly. "If you don't believe me, go and punch Chai Yuan. I'll make sure you're safe and sound."

Although he knew she was up to no good, Zhu Yunxiao couldn't help but laugh.

“This punch isn’t urgent. As for revenge, I’d prefer to do it another way,” he said, looking at the maid. “You can have His Majesty transfer me to lead troops near Longxi.”

Yang Luo scoffed, "I've already told you, my young lady and Wei Jiao are in love. Don't go and cause trouble."

“I’m not trying to cause trouble, I’m going to protect Miss Yang,” Zhu Yunxiao said. “Wei Cui is unwilling to submit to His Majesty at all. He wants to establish his own independent regime and even wants to seize the world. Your young lady is essentially being sent to marry a foreign ruler. What good days can she expect? She might be in danger before she even reaches Longxi.”

Indeed, Yang Luo lowered his eyes. There would be dangers before they even reached Longxi, and even if the dangers of the journey were resolved, it would be even more dangerous once they arrived in Longxi.

After all, Ah Sheng's task this time was to deal with Wei Cui.

This matter was inherently dangerous, not to mention Ah Sheng's identity.
Yang Luo clenched her hands on her knees.

Ah Sheng said that, in order to conceal her identity as Miss Yang, she needed to be aboveboard, so she only needed to use the imperial guards provided by the emperor.

Moreover, as agreed beforehand, the emperor was also mobilizing troops near Longxi.

Zhu Yunxiao...

Yang Luo looked up at the person in front of her again.

This person is a despicable person.

This person killed her in his previous life.

But in this life...

Zhu Yunxiao noticed the maid's scrutinizing gaze.

“Li Xuan is dead, and I have completely broken with the Chai family,” he said. “In my life, I have no future other than Miss Yang.”

After saying that, he leaned slightly closer to Yang Luo.

“Ah Sheng, you may look down on me, but you must believe in my ambition to climb the social ladder and gain wealth and power.”

“I told you before that Miss Yang is protected by the imperial guards sent by His Majesty, but they are ultimately under His Majesty’s command, while I will listen to Miss Yang first.” Yang Luo looked at Zhu Yunxiao who was approaching, and did not shy away because of the difference between men and women. She smiled and even raised her hand to stroke Zhu Yunxiao’s cheek.

"Does it hurt this time?" she asked.

Zhu Yunxiao did not stiffen as he had when she suddenly touched his throat last time; he looked into the eyes of the maid who was so close to him.

"The pain I suffered for Ah Sheng," he said softly, "the more pain the better."

Yang Luo looked at him and raised an eyebrow: "Isn't it for my young lady? It's actually for me, her maid?"

Zhu Yunxiao said with a smile, "You are doing everything yourself for your young lady, so I will do my best for you."

"I will do my best for you"—this kind of talk is far more heartwarming than saying "You are gentle and kind, a good match for me" in that previous life.

Yang Luo gently pushed him away with her palm and stood up herself.

“Your Highness, you don’t need to say nice things to me.” She looked down at him and smiled. “You said it yourself, as long as I know you’re trying to climb the social ladder, I’ll consider your proposal.”

After saying that, he lifted his foot, opened the door, and walked out.

Zhu Yunxiao sat on the cushion watching her figure disappear through the door. He still had to say the nice things he needed to say.

No one in this world dislikes hearing nice things. Even if you don't like them, you'll get used to them after hearing them a lot.

Once you get used to it, you can't live without it.

Especially for people like Ms. Yang who want more.

He reached out and gently touched his cheek, feeling the lingering warmth left by the girl's fingers.

As long as she wants more, she needs a scoundrel like him.

……

……

Yang Luo sat in the car and tossed the handkerchief she had used to wipe her hands aside.

"Brother Zhang," she asked softly, slightly lifting the carriage curtain, "How did things go with Miss?"

Zhang Shengyou, who was driving, turned around and whispered, "There's no news yet."

Yang Luo said okay and lowered the carriage curtain.

She hoped for news, yet also hoped there would be no news.

If there's news, it means they've encountered danger.

Although there were imperial guards, embroidered-cloth guards, and the Wei family's wedding party following behind.

But for Ah Sheng, none of these people were reliable; in fact, they were all his rivals…

She was really worried.

Although Zhu Yunxiao was a despicable person, his suggestion was indeed good.

Instead of sending another unfamiliar soldier to reinforce the area around Longxi, it would be better to send Zhu Yunxiao instead.

At least this person is someone she knows and can control.

The carriage suddenly stopped, interrupting Yang Luo's reverie.

"Miss Asheng." Zhang Shengyou lifted the curtain and handed over a small bamboo tube. "The young lady has sent word."

Yang Luo's eyes lit up and he quickly reached out to take it. It was a message sent by carrier pigeon, with a thin roll of narrow paper inside containing only four simple words.

"Easy to get"

It was a piece of cake.

Yang Luo seemed to see Mo Zheng raise an eyebrow and smile.

She laughed too, clutching the bamboo tube in her hand.

"Brother Zhang," she announced to others, "we're going to the capital."

……

……

Inside the imperial city, the emperor was getting up and urging the eunuchs to bring a round stool for the Marquis of Yichun.

"Please sit down, Your Excellency." He looked pleased. "I'm sorry Your Excellency had to suffer this injustice, but the matter can finally be considered closed."

Marquis Yichun smiled and said, "It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens." After saying that, he sat down without further politeness.

At this time, the emperor had not yet taken his seat.

The emperor seemed oblivious and instructed the eunuchs, "Quickly fetch the newly arrived tea for the Marquis to try."

The eunuchs responded in unison.

Marquis Yichun sat down and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, it doesn't matter whether it's tea or not, please sit down and let's talk."

This time, the emperor's smiling face stiffened slightly.

In the Hall of Diligent Governance, it was as if the ministers were the masters, while the emperor had become a guest.

But this wasn't the first time, the emperor thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile, and sat down without saying anything.

Marquis Yichun knew, of course, that he had spoken rudely, but since the emperor knew that he, his subject, had been wronged before, it was now time for the monarch to suffer some injustice.

　Eek, another month has ended. Let's hurry up and move on to the next plot.

　　(End of this chapter)