Fu Zichuan’s face turned iron blue from suppression.

He entered the Imperial Palace to demand an explanation from Emperor Chu, but unexpectedly, Emperor Chu directly admitted that he personally arranged the assassination!

The people cursed him, while the Ministry of Rites officials claimed there was no such thing, asserting it was just the hospitality of the Chu people.

The assassin had injured the Imperial Concubine, and he wanted to seek justice, yet Emperor Chu nonchalantly told him that the assassins were intentionally arranged, precisely to attempt their assassination.

Chu Country... How could Chu Country have such shameless people!

Wen Wan watched from the side as Fu Zichuan trembled with anger, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

Zhao Xi’s face was calm, as he picked up the tea cup and continued to drink lightly.

In his fury, Fu Zichuan questioned, "In times of war, ambassadors are not executed. Bei Yan came sincerely to celebrate the birthday, yet Emperor Chu personally arranged for the assassins to attack the envoys. Aren’t you afraid of Emperor Yan holding you accountable?"

Zhao Xi smiled at him, "If I remember correctly, when the war started, Bei Yan, intimidated by Chu Country’s mechanical beasts, resorted to spreading a plague in the Northern Border. Later, when the Yun Family sent medicine north, Bei Yan didn’t hesitate to send the Chi Long Guards to assassinate Yun Liulang. What I did today is merely returning the courtesy."

Fu Zichuan clenched his fists, "At that time, Yun Huai killed two of our Grandmasters!"

"That’s simple." Zhao Xi said, "The Chi Long Guards attempted to assassinate Yun Huai, and Yun Huai killed your two Grandmasters. Today, it was the Chu Imperial Secret Guard who tried to assassinate you. You can go and kill the leading archer to settle the score."

Facing Zhao Xi’s indifferent demeanor, Fu Zichuan felt overwhelming anger with no outlet, his handsome face stiff and difficult to describe with words.

Wen Wan sneaked a glance at Zhao Xi, realizing that the young Emperor, once considered too indifferent to people and affairs, could indeed use words to infuriate people to death.

The young Emperor seemed to think the knife lodged in the body of Prince Liang’s heir wasn’t enough, so he added, "I heard there were two dead and one injured, two were the envoys, and one was the heir’s attendant. If the heir feels wronged, you could choose three from Chu Country to make up. Our court is full of talents, with many more excellent than them. Such pleasant diplomatic exchange between the two countries, why should the heir be so upset?"

Pleasant?

Fu Zichuan only felt dark clouds over his head and burning with anger!

At this moment, Wen Wan spoke with a cheerful smile, "Did Young Master hear clearly? The explanation from His Majesty has already been given. The people were killed by Chu Imperial Secret Guard. If you’re not satisfied, go kill that archer for revenge. Of course, these trivial matters will not affect the friendly relations between Chu Country and Bei Yan. In the future, the two nations can still enjoy open and friendly exchanges."

Trivial?

Well, well, how arrogant and presumptuous!

Fu Zichuan snorted coldly, directly flicking his sleeves and exiting Qianqing Palace.

Zhao Xi instructed Eunuch Sanbao, "See him off."

Eunuch Sanbao hurried to follow, his clean-shaven face full of smiles, calling out to the Young Master warmly.

Despite his hatred, Fu Zichuan found it hard to immerse the whining little eunuch like a fly but realized the Imperial Palace was filled with High Rank Hidden Guards, and if he acted aggressively, he likely wouldn’t make it out alive.

He tolerated it over and over, finally unable to bear it, turning back to shout at Eunuch Sanbao, "Get lost!"

Eunuch Sanbao replied with a smile, "His Majesty ordered this servant to see the Young Master out. Even if I need to get lost, it’ll have to be after the Young Master has left."

Fu Zichuan could hardly hold back the urge to kill.

...

Li Yuan was seriously injured, lying in a coma for three days before regaining consciousness, opening her eyes to see Fu Zichuan’s painfully strained face.

"What’s the matter?" Li Yuan tugged her lips weakly.

She was originally skilled in martial arts, but at Golden Fish Alley, being surrounded by tall blue brick walls on both sides left her unable to fight freely. Furthermore, someone pushed her, causing her to crash into a pile of discarded wood at her back, and in that moment of distraction, someone seized the opportunity to shoot a crossbow arrow, hitting her with a single strike. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The pain in the chest was still severe even now.

"The assassination was arranged by Emperor Chu." Fu Zichuan frowned, his tone heavy.

"I expected it." Li Yuan showed little reaction, and after a moment, the corners of her pale lips lifted slightly.

Fu Zichuan didn’t understand why the Imperial Concubine could still smile in such a situation, and his face looked increasingly grim, "I entered the palace to demand justice from Emperor Chu, who blatantly admitted that the assassin was arranged by him personally. He even said if we were not satisfied to go and kill the archer to settle the score. My Lady, Emperor Chu, at such a young age, is truly arrogant and detestable. This matter needs to be swiftly reported back to Bei Yan for Emperor’s decision."

Li Yuan was also surprised that Zhao Xi admitted it outright. She paused briefly, then laughed softly, "That child is really interesting. Back then, Mingzhu wanted to marry Yun Liulang, but I think Emperor Xuanjing is not bad."

Fu Mingzhu, Imperial Concubine Li Yuan’s biological daughter, the Third Princess of Beiyang.

Fu Zichuan: "..."

Li Yuan saw his face full of worry and anxiety, and slightly closed his eyes, "This assassination was within my expectations. Even if it wasn’t Emperor Xuanjing, it would have been arranged by me personally. Since the young emperor was ahead of me, it’s just as well, saving me the trouble of making meticulous arrangements."

Fu Zichuan looked full of confusion, "What do you mean by this, Your Grace?"

"Have someone send the news of my being seriously injured in an assassination back to Bei Yan." As Li Yuan spoke, she took out a small bamboo tube from her sleeve and handed it to him, "Inside here is the distribution map of some hidden stakes of Bei Yan in the Capital of Chu Country. Contact them personally and let them seize the opportunity to do something for me."

After hearing the task the Imperial Concubine wanted to accomplish, Fu Zichuan took the bamboo tube, placing it close to him, and was about to leave when Li Yuan called him again.

"Does Your Grace have any other instructions?" Fu Zichuan cupped his hands and asked.

"Pay more attention to the Princess mentioned in the previous intelligence report."

Hearing this, an image of an exquisitely beautiful red figure suddenly flashed in Fu Zichuan’s mind. As if compelled by some invisible force, he did not reveal that he had met Princess Yong’an, and simply nodded, "Yes."

...

The Thousand Autumn Banquet of Emperor Xuanjing was approaching, and these days, Wen Wan had been running between her family palace and the royal palace. There wasn’t much of significance; she occasionally helped Emperor Xuanjing analyze the war situation at the Northern Border and spent time accompanying the Empress in Yikun Palace.

The rumors about this affair were becoming more rampant outside, with all sorts of things being said. Every time Wen Wan went out, she had to be cautious, fearing to fall into the schemes of those wily citizens. Fortunately, Zhao Xunyin had arranged Hidden Guards to protect her in secret, and except for occasionally having stones or rotten eggs thrown at her carriage, there were no major incidents.

Wen Wan was quite frustrated, and when she was with Emperor Xuanjing, she complained, "Outside, they say I am Your Majesty’s cinnabar mole. May I ask when Your Majesty will actually show me some favor by arranging some people to protect me?"

Zhao Xi held a book in his hand, slowly flipping through it with his slender fingers, his gaze focused on the text, "Since ancient times, demon beauties who bring disaster to the country have always been scolded; you should overcome it."

Wen Wan: "..."

Even if she was counterfeit, she still had her pride, right?

Wen Wan didn’t want to stay in the Imperial Palace to get frustrated, so after leaving the Imperial City, she went to the Su Mansion.

Several beauties had already been sent to the palace. Su Qing was waiting for Emperor Xuanjing’s Thousand Autumn Banquet these days, planning to set off for the Western Border immediately after attending.

At present, the family of three was sitting in the East Warm Pavilion.

Ah Nuan had a small writing desk in front of her, holding a pen, diligently writing a letter to her younger brother Amuer in the Western Border.

"I wonder how Amuer is doing," Lin Xiaoyue sighed, "If only I had known, I would have brought him along."

"With the Great Clan Leader there, no one will harm him." Su Qing took a sip of tea, speaking calmly, "Moreover, he likes Little Four and Wang a lot. With them as company, he won’t make a fuss."

The "Wang" Su Qing mentioned was Su Wang, the child who Su Yaoqi had taken away, the son of Su Yaoqi’s biological brother.

"Mr. Qi, once His Majesty’s birthday is over, shall we return?" Lin Xiaoyue said.

She had come to the Capital full of expectations, only to be disgusted by the outside rumors and didn’t want to stay for a moment longer.

Su Qing seemed to see through Lin Xiaoyue’s thoughts, remained silent for a moment, and told her, "Rumors like these should not be fully trusted."

"I don’t want to believe them, but unfortunately, she admitted it herself." Lin Xiaoyue recalled her visit to Wen Wan, where Wen Wan had a tacit attitude, making Lin Xiaoyue feel entirely uncomfortable.

At this moment, Jin Zhi lifted the curtain and entered, "Mr. Qi, Granny Qi, Princess Yong’an is outside requesting to see you, saying there is an urgent matter."

Lin Xiaoyue frowned, her expression turning unpleasant, "Turn her away, just say I don’t have time."

"The servant replied like that earlier, but the Princess said that if you don’t go out, you will surely regret it in the future."

Lin Xiaoyue was provoked, immediately standing up, "I must see what tricks she’s up to now to disgust me!"

Saying so, she donned a cloak, took a hand warmer, lifted the curtain, and went out, stepping on the thick snow to the outside of the East Corner Gate.

Wen Wan, dressed in vivid red, stood out amidst the pure white snow outside the wall.

Lin Xiaoyue stood at the corner gate, watching her with a half-smile, "Princess, to what do we owe the honor of your visit to the Su Family with such urgency?"

Wen Wan’s expression was serious, "At the Emperor’s Thousand Autumn Banquet, Ah Nuan is at risk of being kidnapped. I hope you all can find an excuse to stay home and not come out."

Lin Xiaoyue was instantly angered upon hearing this, "Wen Wan, do you wish our whole family ill so you can be happy and satisfied?!"