Chapter 64: This Man Is Lying

Within the palace, the Empress was deeply displeased by the Emperor’s scolding of Yuan Zaichun.

Once everyone had left the room, she finally led her trusted attendant, Lanxi, into her chambers.

“These past few days, has Yuan Rou still been troubled?”

“Your Majesty, it’s rather strange. For some reason, it seems that Princess Yongning visited the Taihe Medical Pavilion, spoke a few words with the Crown Princess, and after returning, she appeared resigned, as if she had accepted her fate.”

“Oh?” The Empress regarded Lanxi with keen interest. “And what do you think is the reason?”

Lanxi frowned, her eyes filled with contempt. “If I may be so bold, Your Majesty, she and her mother are cut from the same cloth—both enchantresses. How could the daughter of a sorceress be any different? She must be using sorcery, which is why Princess Yongning has become so docile.”

“Hmph.” The Empress gave a cold snort at this explanation, her eyes brimming with murderous intent. “Her mother once brought chaos to the court, had illicit affairs, and even in the end, that fire was not fierce enough—otherwise, how could such a wretched girl have survived?”

As she spoke, the gentle demeanor she once showed toward Qiao Qingyun vanished, replaced by a venomous, cunning expression.

“Exactly, Your Majesty. That woman must possess witchcraft, and now even the Crown Prince has been chastised by His Majesty because of her. All these years, His Majesty has never rebuked the Crown Prince.”

Lanxi, eager to add fuel to the flames, fanned the Empress’s wrath, as if wishing she would have Qiao Qingyun killed on the spot.

As expected, with these words, the Empress—already Yuan Zaichun’s birth mother and pained by her son’s distress—was instantly consumed by rage.

“Send someone to kill her. Make sure not a trace is left.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lanxi immediately accepted the order and went to make arrangements.

Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince’s residence, the night had deepened and dew dampened the air. Qiao Qingyun lay upon her bed and soon fell asleep, but the night’s troubles were only just beginning.

Suddenly, a shadow flashed into Tingzhu Courtyard. Perhaps the intruder had previously scouted the area, for their return was precise and unerring.

Zhong Shi, standing guard and lightly dozing, was roused by the faint sound. His eyes snapped open, sharp with killing intent. The intruder’s murderous aura was all too familiar; someone had come to harm one of the occupants.

Not wanting to disturb Qiao Qingyun—who was supposed to focus on her health these days—Zhong Shi stealthily surveyed the surroundings and concealed himself, waiting for the black-clad figure to appear.

Almost simultaneously, as Zhong Shi hid, the intruder entered Tingzhu Courtyard and began to search around. Just as Zhong Shi prepared to act—

A muffled grunt sounded. Zhong Shi froze, immediately glancing through the dim light at Qiao Qingyun sleeping in the room.

It wasn’t her.

Who, then?

In truth, it was Liu Fu. She had also come by to ensure Qiao Qingyun’s safety and, by sheer chance, apprehended the skulking figure. Seeing the weapon in the intruder’s hand, Liu Fu wasted no time: she pressed a cloth laced with knockout powder to the assassin’s face and dragged the limp body away.

When Zhong Shi emerged, all was silent once more. Helpless, he searched the area but found not a trace of anyone.

“My lord, we caught someone near Tingzhu Courtyard.”

Yuan Zaichun, already resting, sat up at Liu Fu’s report and pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly annoyed.

“Who was it?”

At his question, Liu Fu entered, flinging the unconscious, black-clad figure to the ground.

“This person was lurking outside Tingzhu Courtyard with a sword in hand. I feared she meant harm to the Crown Princess, so I captured her.”

Yuan Zaichun nodded. “Wake her.”

“Yes, my lord.”

With the order given, Liu Fu stepped forward and delivered a sharp kick to the woman’s abdomen, jolting her awake with pain.

“Aaah!”

“Speak! Who sent you to harm the Crown Princess?”

Liu Fu’s eyes blazed with menace, as if she meant to tear the intruder limb from limb.

Yet the woman said nothing, her gaze locked on Yuan Zaichun, as if trying to confirm his identity. Seeing this, Liu Fu landed another merciless kick. “Answer!”

The next moment, whether she had poison concealed in her teeth or not, the assassin took her own life.

“My lord…”

Liu Fu looked at Yuan Zaichun in surprise, at a loss for what to do.

“Bury her. Post more guards around the Crown Princess—she must not come to harm.”

“Yes, my lord.”

With his command, Liu Fu set about selecting the finest shadow guards for Qiao Qingyun.

Though they were secret guards, their skills had to be exceptional, or else they’d only invite disaster.

“How goes it?” Yuan Zaichun asked when Liu Fu returned.

“My lord, rest assured, everything is arranged.”

“Very well.”

With Yuan Zaichun’s approval, Liu Fu couldn’t help but feel uneasy. He clearly cares for Qiao Qingyun—why pretend otherwise? Truly, the heart of a master is unfathomable.

The next morning, as Qiao Qingyun awoke, she found Zhong Shi standing at the door, startling her.

“Zhong Shi? What’s wrong?”

Fortunately, she’d slept fully dressed, or she’d have been utterly exposed.

At her question, Zhong Shi finally turned around; indeed, he had spent the entire night with his back to her, ever vigilant.

“Your Highness, someone attempted an assassination last night, but the Crown Prince’s men thwarted them. Fearing they might try again, I stood guard in your room all night. Please punish me for overstepping.”

“What? The Crown Prince’s men stopped them?” Qiao Qingyun was surprised. Why would the Crown Prince save her? Was it because of their alliance? That seemed the only explanation.

“All right, enough talk of punishment. You’ve worked hard—go rest now.”

As Qiao Qingyun spoke, she gazed at Zhong Shi, her heart uneasy.

Later, when she went to the front hall for breakfast, she found Yuan Zaichun eating. She stared at him intently, making him uncomfortable.

“Is there something you wish to say?”

“My lord, did something happen last night?”

At her question, the man paused, then awkwardly looked away. “No.”

“Truly?” Qiao Qingyun knew he was lying.