Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Assassination Ling Jiayue examined the concealed weapon over and over. It seemed very familiar, yet she could not remember where she had seen it before. Upon seeing the concealed weapon, Ling Yuwan pretended to panic. Clinging to Ling Jiayue’s arm, she said, “Elder Sister, who wants to kill us? I’m so frightened.” Ling Jiayue softly comforted Ling Yuwan, but a thoughtful look appeared in Ling Yuwan’s eyes as she thought: If someone could kill Ling Jiayue before I make my move, that would be even better. Then I could avenge them! “Danyun, stay on high alert. Let’s hurry and change our clothes before leaving this place. It’s truly a troublesome place,” Ling Jiayue instructed Danyun. “Yes, Miss.” Danyun acknowledged her, but when she habitually reached for the sword in her hand, she regretfully realized that she had accompanied Ling Jiayue into the imperial palace today. She had been required to remove her sword upon entering the palace gates. Danyun could only steel herself and prepare for the danger that might arrive at any moment. Yet she was deeply puzzled. This concealed weapon clearly belonged to Feng Yan, and he would never harm his master. Could it be that someone had come to assassinate his master, only to be stopped by him with the concealed weapon? The women from the various households would soon be competing in horseback riding, so Lingxue brought over a riding outfit and prepared to serve Ling Jiayue as she changed. Ling Yuwan also reached out to help, but Lingxue smiled and politely declined. “How could we trouble Miss Yuwan with this sort of thing? Allow this servant to do it.” Ling Jiayue also said, “That’s right, Yuwan. We’re sisters, so there’s no need for you to do this. Let Lingxue handle it. She’s accustomed to serving me. You’re a young lady—don’t lower yourself.” “Yes, Elder Sister,” Ling Yuwan replied softly. Yet Ling Yuwan let out a disdainful snort inwardly. Who would care to serve you? I only wanted to sprinkle the powder on you. Otherwise, how could I avenge Mother and Younger Sister? It turned out that Madam Zhang and Madam Chen were sisters. Madam Zhang had been born first, but because their family could not afford to raise her, she had been given away. Madam Chen was born later and was the one who was raised by the family. Who would have thought that both sisters would eventually enter the Prime Minister’s Residence? After recognizing each other, they supported one another. Madam Zhang had treated Ling Yuwan very well. Thus, after Madam Zhang, Ling Ziqi, and Ling Zixue were driven out of the residence, Ling Yuwan came to hate Ling Jiayue and was determined to put her to death. Ling Jiayue, however, was completely unaware of Ling Yuwan’s overwhelming hatred. She merely regarded her as a good little sister. At that moment, Feng Yan had chased Grand General Murong’s personal guard to a secluded palace within the imperial palace. Feng Yan had wounded the guard’s left arm, yet continued pursuing him relentlessly. In his panic, the guard hid inside a room. Feng Yan saw something flash before his eyes, and then the man had disappeared. He searched everywhere but could not find him. Fearing that another assassin might come to kill Ling Jiayue, he hurried back. Only after seeing that Feng Yan had gone far away did the guard emerge from the room. It was impossible for him to make another attempt on Ling Jiayue, so he hastily treated the wound on his left arm before returning to Murong Xi’s side. Upon learning that Ling Jiayue had an expert protecting her as well, Murong Xi became even more convinced that she was no ordinary person. His resolve to have Ling Jiayue executed grew firmer. Meanwhile, the Third Prince’s personal guard had been lying in wait on the roof beneath the eaves of Ling Jiayue’s room since early morning. When Grand General Murong’s personal guard made his move, he remained hidden without making a sound. Then, seeing Feng Yan pursue that guard, he was startled and thought: The Seventh Prince has also intervened to protect Ling Jiayue. However, he had still been ordered to put Ling Jiayue to death, so he continued waiting in silence. By then, Ling Jiayue had finished changing with Lingxue’s assistance. Once she put on the riding outfit, she looked exceptionally valiant and spirited. Ling Yuwan was growing extremely anxious. If she did not sprinkle the powder onto Ling Jiayue soon, she would have no opportunity left. Just as Ling Jiayue and the others were preparing to leave, the Third Prince’s personal guard made his move. He thrust his sword downward, and Ling Jiayue narrowly dodged it. Seeing another assassin, Danyun hurriedly fired a concealed weapon straight at his face. Who could have expected Ling Yuwan to be standing directly behind the assassin? Danyun missed the assassin and struck Ling Yuwan instead. Ling Yuwan collapsed, and the sachet powder in her arms spilled all over the floor. Ling Jiayue was startled when she saw Ling Yuwan unconscious and noticed the large amount of sachet powder scattered across her body. But the assassin gave her no time to think and thrust his sword at her again. Danyun hurried forward and began fighting the assassin. The two exchanged blows, and their skills were clearly evenly matched. Both became locked in a fierce battle. Feng Yan arrived at that precise moment, and upon seeing the scene, he drew his sword and joined the fight. With Danyun and Feng Yan fighting together, the Third Prince’s personal guard was naturally no match for them. He feinted and fled. Just as Danyun and Feng Yan were preparing to pursue him, Ling Jiayue shouted, “Don’t chase him!” The two men stopped. Ling Jiayue then asked Feng Yan, “Why are you here?” “Reporting to Miss Ling, my master knew that you would be coming here to change, and feared that someone might disturb you, so he instructed this subordinate to protect you,” Feng Yan said respectfully. “Does this concealed weapon on the window frame belong to you?” Ling Jiayue asked, holding up the concealed weapon. “Reporting to Miss Ling, it does. When I arrived just now, there was another assassin attempting to kill you. This subordinate fired the concealed weapon in desperation. I startled you, and I beg your forgiveness.” “How could you have disturbed me? I should be thanking you for protecting me. You said there was another assassin. Does that mean two groups of assassins came to kill me?” Ling Jiayue asked. “Yes, Miss Ling.” “Describe the assassin you just pursued.” “His skills were quite good, but this subordinate wounded his left arm. I also noticed that he was unfamiliar with the palace roads, so he must have come from outside.” “His left arm was wounded? And he was unfamiliar with the roads?” Ling Jiayue murmured to herself. Could it have been a killer sent by Chu Chaoci? Or perhaps Murong Xi? One day, I will capture you all. Then I’ll smash your bones apart, one joint at a time, to pay tribute to those innocent spirits who died unjustly! “The assassin who just escaped seemed very familiar with the roads of the imperial palace.” “Reporting to Miss Ling, it appears so. To have escaped so quickly, he must have spent a great deal of time in the palace,” Feng Yan replied. “Heh. Third Prince, today is truly an auspicious day. Everyone seems to have rushed here to assassinate me,” Ling Jiayue mocked. Danyun and Feng Yan immediately knelt and pleaded for forgiveness. “Please punish us, Miss Ling. We failed to protect you properly and allowed you to be frightened.” “That’s enough. Get up. This has nothing to do with you,” Ling Jiayue said indifferently. “Miss, Miss Yuwan is unconscious and won’t wake up,” Lingxue said as she helped Ling Yuwan up. “Danyun, help Lingxue carry Yuwan to the bed first,” Ling Jiayue ordered. Danyun and Lingxue lifted Ling Yuwan up. Noticing the powder spilling from Ling Yuwan’s arms, Danyun could not help asking curiously, “Hm? What is this?”