Chapter 136: Li Jingyi

Chapter 136: Li Jingyi

With the rope tightening around her neck, Xiao Yuzhu struggled, but her limbs were weak. Never before had she felt such fear, such regret.

She should never have left the banquet hall.

As the rope grew tighter, Xiao Yuzhu felt consciousness slipping away. Tears streamed down her cheeks; she hadn't expected her life to end like this...

Suddenly, a muffled thump echoed, followed by the loosening of the rope around her neck. With a heavy thud, the figure behind her collapsed, dragging her down as well.

Air surged back into her lungs, reviving her as she lay gasping on the ground.

"Are you... alright?"

A voice sounded above her. Propping herself up, Xiao Yuzhu looked up to see a frail boy standing over her, brandishing a door bolt.

He was exceedingly thin, almost to the point of emaciation, with clothes too short to cover his limbs. Yet, his eyes sparkled with vitality.

"I..." Xiao Yuzhu tried to speak, but the pain in her throat brought more tears to her eyes.

The boy tossed aside the door bolt and awkwardly tugged at his short clothes before hesitantly extending his hand to Xiao Yuzhu.

As she placed her hand in his, she felt the fragility of his fingers, seemingly delicate enough to snap with a slight force.

Pulling herself up with his help and enduring the soreness in her throat, she said, "My name is Xiao Yuzhu. My father is the Marquis of Yongning. Thank you for saving me. My mother will surely reward you."

Once she steadied herself, the boy let go and took a step back, introducing himself, "My name is Li Jingyi."

Xiao Yuzhu repeated the name in her mind, finding it somewhat familiar. Just then, the boy suggested, "Quickly go and fetch your mother. I'll keep watch here."

Nodding, Xiao Yuzhu dashed towards the exit. As she reached the doorway, she heard Li Jingyi call from behind, "Don't tell anyone you saw me."

Puzzled but knowing this wasn't the time to ponder, she nodded again and hurried off.

Sprinting back to the banquet hall, she saw Tang Shuyi still seated beside Princess Changping. Without concern for propriety, she rushed to Tang Shuyi, burying herself in her embrace and cried, "Mother, someone tried to kill me."

Startled, Tang Shuyi stood up abruptly. After carefully inspecting Xiao Yuzhu, especially the strangulation marks on her neck, her eyes narrowed sharply, turning towards Princess Changping with a piercing gaze.

Had Princess Changping arrived early and engaged her in conversation to distract her while her daughter was being targeted?

Princess Changping was taken aback by her stare, then erupted in fury, "Lady Marquis of Yongning, what is the meaning of this? Are you insinuating that I intended to murder your daughter?"

Realizing her impulsiveness, Tang Shuyi retracted her gaze, offering a bow to Princess Changping, "In my distress over my daughter's peril, I acted without composure. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness. I must attend to pressing matters and take my leave."

She scooped up Xiao Yuzhu and strode out, unconcerned about offending Princess Changping. What could be more important than her child's brush with death?

Princess Changping's face darkened at her departure. The Lady Marquis and the Second Lady Marquis quickly paid their respects before hastening after Tang Shuyi, both equally shaken by the event.

Meanwhile, Tang Shuyi walked while speaking to Xiao Yuzhu, "Don't be scared, Yuzhu, tell mother what happened."

Having skirted death so closely, Xiao Yuzhu, now facing her dearest kin, was trembling all over with fear and clung to Tang Shuyi’s neck, sobbing uncontrollably.

Tang Shuyi was deeply moved by her distress. With one arm she held Xiao Yuzhu close, while with the other she gently patted her back, speaking in a soothing tone, "Don't be afraid, Yuzhu, mother is here. Tell mother what's happened."

Lady Tang and the second wife stood by anxiously, their faces fraught with concern, yet they spoke in soft, comforting voices.

Clinging to Tang Shuyi's neck, Xiao Yuzhu recounted the ordeal between sobs, and then whispered in Tang Shuyi’s ear, "That Li Jingyi told me not to tell anyone I saw him."

Tang Shuyi silently repeated the name Li Jingyi to herself. If the second prince was named Li Jingming, then this Li Jingyi must also be a prince, and an unfavored one at that. She would ascertain exactly which prince he was later. For now, the priority was to address the immediate situation.

At that moment, Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming arrived in haste, followed by Lord Tang, Tang Shubai, and Tang Shujie, accompanied by Qi Liangsheng.

"Mother, let me hold Yuzhu," Xiao Yuchen approached and extended his arms to take Xiao Yuzhu. Tang Shuyi briefly explained the situation to them, omitting the part about Li Jingyi.

Everyone was shocked and angered, and they hastened to the room where the incident involving Xiao Yuzhu had occurred. Following them was Princess Changping, along with her entourage. It wasn't far, and they arrived shortly.

The door to the room was closed; Xiao Yuming kicked it open, and as they entered, they found an empty room with a palace maid lying on the floor, clutching a rope.

Xiao Yuming walked over, crouched down to check her breathing, found she was still alive, then stood up and with a fierce look, kicked the palace maid in the chest. She woke with a jolt of pain, and upon seeing so many people in the room and the rope in her hand—the one intended to strangle Xiao Yuzhu—she quickly shrank back in fear.

Seeing her reaction, Xiao Yuming stepped forward, raising his foot to kick her again, but Tang Shuyi quickly intervened, "Yuming, we need her alive."

"Mother, I know. I want to make her wish she was dead."

His gaze was ruthless as he stepped on the palace maid's neck, applying pressure. She began to struggle as she could barely breathe, but the grip on her throat left her weak and on the brink of death.

"Speak, who sent you?" Xiao Yuming demanded through clenched teeth.

The palace maid shook her head, and Xiao Yuming scoffed, increasing the pressure of his foot slightly while beginning to grind it back and forth, taunting, "Young master knows that you minions sent to do dirty work come prepared to die. But I won't let you die; I'll make you wish for death. And your family, they will taste what you've endured too."

The palace maid’s struggles intensified, but Xiao Yuming did not ease the force of his foot.

Princess Changping and Qi Liangsheng, standing inside the room, came to see the young lord of the House of Yongning Marquis in a new light—a ruthless man indeed.

"Let her speak, Yuming," said the Duke of Tang.

Upon hearing the command, Xiao Yuming eased his foot, and the little palace maid began to cough violently as she lay prostrate on the ground. Tang Guogong leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Who is behind this?"

Tears streaming down her face, the young palace maid lifted her gaze to the people in the room and began to speak, "It's... yes..."

"Her Majesty the Empress arrives."

A sharp voice interrupted the young maid's words, causing a ripple of reluctance among the crowd, but they turned to prepare for the empress's reception. Moments later, the empress, well-preserved and in her fifties, entered the room surrounded by a throng of attendants.

"Long live Her Majesty the Empress."

The assembly bowed deeply in respect, and the empress, with a face full of maternal affection, said, "Please, rise."

At the same time, she glanced at the eunuch beside her, who promptly approached Duke Tang and offered him assistance to stand.