Chapter Six: Who Sent the Assassin

Despite his age and hefty build, the eunuch was surprisingly agile in his actions. With one hand, as if picking up a chick, he tossed the black-clad assassin before them. “Your Majesty, it’s this ungrateful wretch who dared attempt your assassination!”

Hua Rong looked troubled. “Wearing black in broad daylight—are you afraid people might miss you?” While nightwear was standard for assassins, this was the imperial palace after all. To be so brazen, did he not care about the dignity of the palace guards at all?

Hua Rong rubbed her brow, unable to bear the sight of this assassin. Just how foolish was the mastermind to send someone like this to attempt regicide?

“Who sent you?” Jun Yeli asked bluntly.

Though the assassin wasn’t particularly bright, he did have some backbone. He gritted his teeth and replied, “I will never betray my master. If you’ve the guts, kill me now!”

Hearing these words, Hua Rong couldn’t help but part her fingers slightly, stealing a glance at this rather stubborn fellow. “He may not be clever, but he certainly is tough!”

She glanced at the emperor standing beside her, unmoved as a mountain, wondering how he might handle the matter. But before she could finish her thought, his cold, unwavering words pierced the air: “As he wishes. Take him out and execute him.”

“……”

Hey, must you be so decisive? This is your would-be assassin—shouldn’t you at least try to extract the truth, or else you’ll spend your days in constant fear. Isn’t it worth making a real effort?

Threats, temptations, torture—aren’t these all options?

Hua Rong’s mind was in chaos, anxiety swelling within her. “If he kills so casually, what if I displease him one day? Will I be next?”

Now, she not only had to avoid favor, but also worry about pleasing the emperor. Otherwise, should her imperial husband take offense, she’d be off to meet King Yama herself!

The assassin was dragged away by the eunuch, his scream echoing, “Ah!” A trail of blood arced beautifully through the air, plummeting like a meteor.

Witnessing this, Hua Rong’s legs trembled uncontrollably. Was this a palace or the underworld?

Whatever she thought, the eunuch suddenly turned his head, catching her off guard. “Consort, who do you think sent the assassin?”

“Are you serious? You had a living assassin but didn’t question him, and now you’re asking me after killing him?!”

Hua Rong’s mind was a storm of confusion. She truly could not fathom the emperor’s logic. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to smile for the sake of her own survival. “Your Majesty, forgive my dullness, but there are countless people in the world with ill intent, many who covet your life. I truly haven’t a clue…”

Feigning ignorance was the safest choice—she wasn’t a soothsayer, after all.

The emperor nodded thoughtfully. “Hmm, you make sense.”

Seeing his pensive look, Hua Rong wasted no time. Suddenly clutching her stomach, she grimaced, “Oh, Your Majesty, I’m afraid I’ve got a stomachache and can’t accompany you any longer…”

As she spoke, she played up her pitiful expression. In times like this, the best tactic was to retreat.

For once, Jun Yeli showed some humanity. “Since you’re unwell, go back and rest. I have matters regarding the assassin to handle.”

How amusing—what was left to handle, with the assassin already dead? Perhaps cleaning up the corpse? That dull-witted assassin, it seemed, had found an odd sort of fortune to have the emperor personally attend to his remains.

With a sense of resignation, Hua Rong, supported by Suxin, slunk back to Xuanji Palace.

Upon sighting the stone bench, she made straight for it, collapsing onto it. Suxin nearly failed to catch her, exclaiming, “My lady, you seem so frail today!”

“How could I not be? Didn’t you see how ruthlessly His Majesty killed?” Hua Rong pursed her lips, exasperated.

Suxin, however, was puzzled. “Wasn’t it just an assassin? He deserved to die a thousand deaths—wiping out his family would be too little. Does my lady… pity him?”

The words had barely left her mouth when Hua Rong, shocked, leapt up and clamped a hand over Suxin’s lips, eyes wide in warning. “Do you want me dead? How can you say such things?”

If the wrong person overheard, she could easily be accused of collusion with the assassin, conspiring against the emperor. To be wronged like that, after surviving the palace intrigue, would be a cruel fate indeed.

Upon reflection, Hua Rong slipped into contemplation. “That assassin’s appearance was awfully coincidental. Do you think it could be connected to the people from Daying?”

First, a peerless beauty had been offered as tribute—anyone could tell it was merely a pretext to plant a spy close to the emperor. Now, an assassin appeared, so conspicuous yet able to roam freely in the palace. There must have been inside help.

Suxin, alarmed by the thought, gasped, “My lady, do you mean Daying harbors ill intent and used this tribute as cover for their plot?”

“Oh, Suxin, please calm down! If anyone hears you, we’ll be in trouble!”

Hua Rong, never the sharpest, already struggled to survive among the scheming women of the palace, but it seemed Suxin would be the death of her.

Chastened, Suxin could only nod, aggrieved.

Unbeknownst to them, a maid tending the flowers nearby overheard their conversation and soon reported it to Concubine Wan.

“You say His Majesty and Consort Rong encountered an assassin?”

This was something new. The Fengling Dynasty had enjoyed peace and strength for over a decade. Yet, soon after Hua Rong entered the harem, Daying sent a tribute, and now the emperor had faced an assassin.

Connecting the dots, Concubine Wan let out a cold laugh. “Cuiyu, you’ve always wanted to leave the palace and be with your beloved. Help me with this, and I’ll make it happen.”

Drawn in by the promise, Cuiyu listened as Concubine Wan whispered her plan. Her face paled with fear. “My lady, isn’t this a risky move? What if we’re discovered…”