After the divorce, I was adorned in a phoenix robe, while my ex-husband's entire family dug up

Lu Jieshuang stealthily circled behind Wei Zhaoning, furtively fiddling with something.

When Wei Jiaruo saw that things had succeeded, her hands trembled so much that she could barely hold the fan, and even her blinks were filled with cautious eagerness.

"Nervous?" Lu Zhufeng noticed her unusual expression and gripped her hand even tighter.

She was more than just nervous; she was practically bursting with excitement. Her voice trembled as she said, "It's nothing, my lord. I'm just so happy to finally marry you."

As the two were about to enter the room.

Suddenly, the black horse that was escorting the bride charged towards Wei Zhaoning like an arrow released from a bow! Its four hooves were off the ground, its mane was flying wildly in the wind, and its eyes were full of ferocity, locking onto the person in front of it.

The crowd immediately dispersed, and the street descended into chaos.

"How could this happen? This horse is a lucky horse, how could it suddenly go crazy?" Wei Jiaruo said anxiously, with a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes.

Lu Zhufeng quickly pulled her into his arms and shouted at the servants, "What are you all standing there for! Go and save the Lady Hou!"

The horse raised its front hooves, the mud on them clearly visible, its entire body exuding an unstoppable momentum.

Wei Zhaoning instinctively tried to dodge, but was suddenly shoved hard and fell to the ground.

"Miss!" Dongxu rushed over to block her way.

The servants dared not approach; the horse was like a madman, and if it kicked anyone, that person would be dead.

Wei Zhaoning's lips pressed into a tight line, cold sweat soaking her clothes. She suddenly remembered the gold hairpin in her hair, and with trembling hands, she raised her hand, her fingertips gripping the end of the hairpin tightly. With a sharp pull, the cold tip of the hairpin was instantly revealed, flashing with tiny, cold light.

"Winter flute, move aside!"

Just as the mad horse's front hooves were about to step on her shoulder, a rapid sound of hooves suddenly came from behind her.

Wei Zhaoning felt a sudden force pull on her waist, leaving her suspended in mid-air. The horse did not charge as expected, but instead was stabbed in the waist, rearing up and neighing.

She herself was sitting on another horse, a pair of large hands encircling her, skin close to skin, and her heart skipped a beat, as if a feather had gently brushed against her.

He turned his head slightly, and behind him was that sculpted face—the Regent.

He wore a black robe with python patterns, and his grip on her tightened.

"Thank you." Wei Zhaoning felt that strange sense of relief well up in her heart again.

Lu Zhufeng felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart. He released Wei Jiaruo and ran towards Wei Zhaoning. "Ningning, I'm so glad you're alright. Thank you for saving me, Your Highness."

Pei Yi's eyes were cold and menacing, making Lu Zhufeng feel uneasy.

Seeing that Wei Zhaoning had escaped unscathed, Wei Jiaru clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with cold light, her teeth grinding so hard they almost bled.

At this moment, Wei Zhaoning noticed the sachet that had inexplicably appeared on her clothes.

She ripped the sachet off her body and tossed it aside in the chaos, where it rolled to Wei Jiaruo's feet.

The horse, already enraged by the dagger stabbing its waist, became even more agitated upon smelling the dagger.

Wei Jiaruo's face turned pale instantly.

"My lord, my lord, save me!"

She screamed at Lu Zhufeng like a madwoman, her legs going weak with fear.

The horse had been fed a secret medicine several days in advance. As soon as it smelled the special fragrance from the sachet, it would go berserk and become extremely dangerous.

"ah--"

The horse's hooves stomped heavily on Wei Jiaruo's calves, and the excruciating pain made her scream.

By the time Lu Zhufeng arrived, it was too late. Enraged, he drew his sword and slit the horse's neck.

Blood was splattered all over the ground.

"Someone! Summon the imperial physician!"

Wei Jiaru was rolling on the ground in pain, which looked both comical and heartbreaking.

"My leg! My leg!" she cried out in pain.

The people from the Marquis's residence all surrounded it.

"Sister-in-law!"

"Jiaruo!"

"Feeling better now?" Pei Yi leaned close to Wei Zhaoning's ear and asked softly.

Wei Zhaoning felt a little itchy, and also a little embarrassed, feeling as if her thoughts had been seen through, like she had been completely naked and exposed.

That can be considered as Wei Jiaruo getting what she deserved.

"Guards, investigate for me!" Pei Yi's cold, deep voice rang out, carrying an unquestionable tone.

"The horse went berserk for no reason, bumping into me and then my sister. We should investigate this thoroughly!" Wei Zhaoning's eyes held an ambiguous smile.

Wei Jiaruo's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately said in a flustered manner, "Your...Your Highness! There's no need. I'm already more than satisfied that I was able to protect my sister from disaster. It's not good to disturb people's joy on such a joyous day by investigating back and forth."

"Yes... Your Highness, it's such a joyous occasion for my brother and sister-in-law, it's quite a grand affair..." Lu Jieshuang echoed guiltily.

Lu Zhufeng looked at Wei Jiaruo with heartache. She was always so kind. Even though she was so badly injured, she still said that she had taken the blame for Wei Zhaoning and was content.

He looked at Wei Zhaoning with hatred at that moment. Why wasn't she the one who got hurt?

"You may not understand what I mean. I am not discussing this with you." Pei Yi's eyes were cold and stern.

Yun Ce, the personal guard, stepped forward. "Such an incident happening right under the emperor's nose, endangering the people, must be thoroughly investigated by our lord."

After saying that, he led his men into the Marquis's residence, saying, "Let's start by checking the accounts to see if anyone has bought any strange medicines."

Seeing that things were not going well, Wei Jiaruo immediately pretended to faint.

"Jiaruo! Someone, quickly help the Lady Hou inside!"

The guests who came to drink felt they shouldn't stay any longer, so they all left.

*

Evening, in the main hall of the Marquis's residence.

Pei Yi sat upright in the pearwood chair in the main hall, his shoulders level, exuding the composure of someone who had long held a high position.

When his gaze swept across the hall, he did not deliberately exert pressure, but everyone in the Marquis's mansion subconsciously sat up straight.

Wei Zhaoning sat beside him, quietly waiting for the results of the investigation.

Lu Zhufeng glanced impatiently at Wei Zhaoning, then cautiously observed the Regent's expression before tentatively asking, "Your Highness, it's so late. Why don't you let me investigate this trivial matter?"

If it was truly the work of a servant of the Marquis's residence, he could investigate and handle it privately himself. But if it were the Regent, he might be the one to be held responsible.

Pei Yi's eyes suddenly darkened, like a frozen lake, as if the surrounding air itself was about to freeze.

Realizing he had spoken out of turn, Lu Zhufeng immediately fell silent.

The atmosphere inside the main hall was oppressive.

Lu Jieshuang kept pinching her inner thigh. What if Wei Jiaruo was found out and she was implicated?

What will happen to Brother Changming if he is really punished by the Regent?

That Wei Jiaruo is really something, always encouraging her to do bad things!

However, she encouraged herself, since the purchasing and preparation processes didn't involve her, what did she have to be afraid of?

Just deny it to the death.

Wei Zhaoning took in her little actions and sneered.

Just as Yun Ce entered, he bowed his head and clasped his hands in a fist salute. "Your Highness, we've found the mastermind behind this."

Lu Jieshuang's heart was in her throat, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on her back.