Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The Second Daughter

The banquet hall was still in chaos, with guards rushing in to confront the assassins.

However, the palace guards were clearly no match for the carefully selected assassins, so even though they outnumbered them ten to one, they struggled to subdue all the assassins quickly.

Since witnessing Jiang Su's injury, Ye Tong had been emotionally unstable, confronting the assassins with full rage and murderous intent. Ye Tong's martial arts skills were considered superior within the court; she had been practicing martial arts since she was young. Despite being a woman, her skills were remarkably formidable, even the late General Ye once praised: "My sister surpasses men."

Now, with her anger reaching the heavens and her aura fiercely intimidating, her joining the battle dramatically shifted the stalemate.

The assassins, who had been a tough match for the guards, were significantly weaker against Ye Tong. After she severely wounded several of them, someone among the assassins made the decisive call: "Retreat!"

Therefore, the assassins who were originally attacking Emperor Jiayang and others in the banquet hall began to withdraw their forces, preparing to leave. Such assassination attempts usually involved death-row prisoners acting as assassins, coming with the mindset of facing death. But if they could live, nobody wanted to just die.

"Thinking of leaving? Not so easy!" The captain of the imperial guards saw the assassins attempting to flee and showed a frosty expression. The imperial palace, the emperor's residence, had witnessed such a significant assassination attempt. No matter what, as the commander, he couldn't shirk his responsibility. The only way now was to capture all these people and then find the mastermind behind all this, only then might there be a chance to make amends and save his life!

"General Ye! I implore you, don't let these villains escape!"

The commander shouted at Ye Tong. At this moment, all concerns about pride, manly valor were damn nonsense. Clearly, only Ye Tong had the capability to capture all these people without letting any escape! For the sake of his life, what was wrong with asking her?

Besides, how many men in the entire Jin Empire could boast of valor in front of Ye Tong? They were known to be weaker than her, not just from today, so asking for her help wasn't shameful!

Ye Tong didn't know what the commander was thinking, and actually, she didn't need his reminder; she had no intention of letting these assassins go. These assassins attempted to assassinate Emperor Jiayang and severely injured Jiang Su. If it weren't for the need to keep them alive to investigate the mastermind behind the scenes, she wouldn't have just injured them previously, let alone consider letting them go?!

A cold light flashed, and blood was spilled. Soon, the situation in the field was nearing its end, with dozens of assassins, except for those already dead or unconscious from severe injuries, only one was still struggling. But he too was terrified by Ye Tong's appearance, looking at her, bloodied and standing with a sword, like a reincarnation of Asura, he couldn't help but think of the name of the female Rakshasa that had always circulated in his clan.

Before coming, they were told she had been crippled, so why was this happening? Could it be... could it be that they were deceived?!

It must be! It certainly is!

Damn those Jin people! It must have been false information deliberately spread by them! No, he must return; he must report back to the Khan! The demoness still lives! The matter of starting a war needs further contemplation!

But even with deep thought, escaping was something he couldn't achieve. The imperial guards had tightly surrounded the banquet hall, with Ye Tong inside and them outside, not even a mosquito could escape.

In the end, he couldn't even take his own life.

After Ye Tong incapacitated the last assassin, the commander came over to bow with fists clasped: "Thank you for your hard work, General Ye."

Ye Tong nodded slightly, then strode over to Jiang Su, lifted her up, and said to Zhong Yi and the others, "Back to the mansion!"

Zhong Yi nodded, and several Lady Yes with teary eyes followed them. Suddenly, Chu Mu chased after them, blocking Ye Tong's path: "Ye Tong, the imperial physicians are skilled in their art. You should stay in the palace for the imperial physician to treat the elder lady. Leaving now, not only wastes time but might also worsen the elder lady's condition..."

He intended to kindly remind her, fearing Ye Tong might lose her senses due to the elder lady's serious injury.

But Ye Tong completely disregarded his words, holding Jiang Su and coldly said one word: "Scram!"

Then she passed by him.

Chu Mu was shocked to his core, suppressing the embarrassment and sorrow in his heart, he tried to persuade again: "Ye Tong..."

"Prince," as Ye Tong walked away, Zhong Yi stayed behind, his face taut as he spoke to Chu Mu, "This assassination in the palace injured countless, including His Majesty and various princesses and ladies. Even if the palace physicians are skilled, their numbers are limited. Even if we stayed, the physicians might not be able to attend to our mother. Ye Tong knows what she's doing, so, Prince, you needn't worry about our mother. Your concern would be better reserved for your nobles!"

Zhong Yi's words were calm but pierced like needles and arrows, causing Chu Mu's face to lose all color, showing embarrassment.

"General Zhong, I..."

"Farewell!" Zhong Yi curtly interrupted Chu Mu, then turned to catch up with Ye Tong.

Chu Mu wanted to follow, but he stopped in his tracks. He had made another mistake, and at this moment, he didn't know how to face Ye Tong. Even thinking about pursuing her, just the thought of Ye Tong's cold and disdainful look made his heart ache immensely.

He thought, maybe wait a bit. The elder lady's serious injury was his fault, and no matter the outcome, he would definitely come to apologize, bearing the consequences. But for now... he couldn't help but look back at the palace, where another person also suffered severe injuries...

Ye Tong, Zhong Yi, and the others quickly took Jiang Su and hurried back to the Ye residence.

Upon seeing Jiang Su return seriously injured, the residents of Ye Mansion were shocked, but fortunately, under the old lady's discipline, despite their deep concern, they did not panic. The mansion's physician was immediately summoned to treat Jiang Su, while Mama Ma also sent people to find more doctors from the city.

The mansion's physician hurried over to examine Jiang Su and sighed in relief after taking her pulse, as the Ye family inquired about her condition.

He said, "The elder lady is blessed; the sword seemed dangerous but did not damage the internal organs. And because the general stopped the bleeding right after the injury, the elder lady's condition is not severe."

Hearing this, the people of Ye Mansion breathed a sigh of relief, their heightened worries finally easing. However, the Lady Yes still looked at Jiang Su with red-rimmed eyes, their hearts aching for her; even if the injury wasn't life-threatening, she had still suffered greatly.

"How did this happen, mother? What exactly happened when you went to the palace today?" Previously worried about Jiang Su's injury, Lady Ye III hadn't thought to ask, but now, remembering how they had left for the palace in good health only for Jiang Su to return injured, she was filled with both heartache and questions.

The Lady Yes shared with her what had happened in the palace, mentioning how Chu Mu's carelessness led to Jiang Su being stabbed, which made Lady Ye III almost tear her handkerchief in anger, cursing, "Useless!"

Hearing that Chu Mu later advised them to stay in the palace for treatment, she added, "Stupid and harmful!"

If not for the circumstances, Jiang Su would have applauded her daughter-in-law for her precise and insightful words to describe Chu Mu, perfectly fitting.

"I didn't expect Lady Ye III, who usually seems gentle and weak, to speak so decisively when angry," Jiang Su chatted and laughed with V0 in her mind.

V0 has upgraded now, emmmmm... Although it's still not of much use, it's slightly better compared to the first world, at least—like this time when Jiang Su got injured, it could separate her body and consciousness, making her not feel the physical pain.

However, the slightly more useful V0 was still in a bad mood, shutting itself off since Jiang Su got stabbed, aside from immediately blocking the pain.

No matter how Jiang Su teased it, it wouldn't respond.

"Still angry?" Jiang Su called out to V0 in her mind, getting no response, she chuckled helplessly, "I can explain."

V0 finally reacted, its tone petulant and sullen, "You tell me!"

Jiang Su laughed, feeling like she had gained a baby since meeting V0. She explained to V0, "You know how devoted Ye Tong is to Chu Mu, right? If we don't stir things up a bit, how can we separate the two?"

Jiang Su knew V0 was upset because she could have avoided that sword but chose to take the hit. Although the situation was urgent, V0 had warned her about the assassin early in her mind, but she intentionally didn't dodge.

"But... even so, you didn't have to use such a method... Do you know how painful it would have been for you if I hadn't upgraded?" V0 was still upset.

Jiang Su explained, "I've told you before, to change someone like Ye Tong, we need to leverage her strengths, which are also her weaknesses. The original Lady Ye might have severed ties with her over the years, but Ye Tong still admires her and feels guilty about the past. Such complex emotions place the original Lady Ye in an important position in Ye Tong's heart. When Chu Mu, because of his past love, causes harm to Lady Ye, it naturally impacts Ye Tong and Chu Mu's relationship."

"..." Although still not fully understanding, it sounded very logical.

Indeed, Su Su is the smartest!

V0: "...So you're saying that after doing this, Ye Tong and Chu Mu will part ways?"

"Not enough," Jiang Su said. "This will cause Ye Tong to be disappointed in Chu Mu, but disappointment is only temporary. It might spur Ye Tong to leave Chu Mu, but as long as Chu Mu refuses to let go, given time and his persistence, Ye Tong will eventually be moved by Chu Mu—wasn't that what happened in the original storyline?"

In the original storyline, there was indeed such an instance, but the person who was stung wasn't Old Madam Ye but rather Lady Ye.

Then, because of a relative's injury, Ye Tong's disappointment in Chu Mu turned to despair, leading her to coldly agree to divorce him.

But if the story ended there, it wouldn't follow the clichéd narrative.

After Ye Tong and Chu Mu divorced, when border conflicts flared up again, Ye Tong requested to go to war, and Chu Mu, having had a change of heart and realizing his faults, followed her. On the battlefield, Chu Mu constantly showed his devotion to Ye Tong, who initially kept her distance. However, after surviving several life-and-death situations together, she eventually let down her guard and they reconciled with a happy ending.

"The task of this world is to separate them, so this alone isn't enough. We need to cut off all possibilities of Ye Tong and Chu Mu rekindling their relationship."

"But..." V0 was confused, "If Ye Tong would return to Chu Mu once he sincerely repents, then what can we do to ensure they have no chance of reconciling? We can't possibly follow them around forever, can we?"

Jiang Su said, "Don't worry. It won't take that long. Soon, Jiang Su's feelings towards Chu Mu will be more than just disappointment."

The assassination attempt on the Crown Princess during her birthday celebration was a grave matter.

Not only were many nobles injured or killed at the banquet that day, but more critically, Emperor Jiayang himself was wounded, and Jing Xiangyao also suffered severe injuries and fell into a coma for several days.

Emperor Jiayang was furious, and many had been executed within the palace, including the commander of the Imperial Forest Army. Had it not been for someone's plea on his behalf, and the need for a thorough investigation into the assassin matter, he might have lost not just his official hat but his life as well.

Emperor Jiayang issued three imperial edicts in quick succession, commanding the Imperial Forest Army, the Ministry of Justice, and the Department of Punishments to thoroughly investigate the assassin matter within three days.

The Imperial Forest Army, the Ministry of Justice, and the Department of Punishments dared not delay, almost spending day and night in the imperial prison interrogating the assassins.

Among the assassins, some were identified as Xiongnu due to their different physiques and features from the people of Great Jin. After rigorous interrogation, it was confirmed that they indeed were Xiongnu.

Under severe torture, the assassins confessed they were former subordinates of Modu Chanyu, sent to assassinate the Emperor of Great Jin upon Modu's orders. Furthermore, they revealed that a prince from the current dynasty was also involved in the assassination attempt.

The news enraged Emperor Jiayang even further, causing shock and fear among the court officials and warriors.

It was uncertain which was more shocking: the involvement of a royal family member in patricide or Modu Chanyu, who once led the Xiongnu to a significant victory against the Ye family army only to be defeated by Ye Tong, making a terrifying comeback.

Upon learning of this, Ye Tong immediately requested Emperor Jiayang's permission to lead troops to the frontier again.

Despite being furious, Emperor Jiayang set aside the past incident of Ye Tong marrying into the King of Dingbei's family without permission, preparing to approve her petition.

However, another petition from the Ye family was submitted to the palace at this time, causing a great stir among the court officials and warriors.

The elderly Madame Ye, who had been attacked in the palace days before, personally submitted a petition criticizing Ye Tong as unworthy to accompany the army or serve as a general!

Jiang Su's action was not only incomprehensible to the court officials and warriors but also to everyone in the Ye family.

Ye Tong knelt outside Jiang Su's door, begging for an audience. After leaving her waiting for half a day, Jiang Su slowly emerged and coldly asked before Ye Tong could speak, "What makes you think you still qualify to go to war?"

Ye Tong was taken aback.

"In these four years, Zhong Yi has been training day and night with the Ye family army. The soldiers who once fought alongside you have also been honing their skills daily in the camp. Even Modu, who once defeated you, has been lying low until now, making a comeback. But you, only you—" Jiang Su's gaze at Ye Tong was filled with anger and disappointment, "have been trapped in the inner house all these years, running around for the King of Dingbei's family, pouring your heart out for that family! Yet, you never focused on the battlefield!"

"Four years, over a thousand days and nights, how many times have you visited the military camp?! How much do you know about the changes in the Ye family army? Even now, do you know how many colonels, majors, or military inspectors are in the army?!"

Ye Tong's face gradually turned pale.

Jiang Su did not stop there: "Yes, martial skills can be practiced, organization can be learned, and people can be met! But Ye Tong, just because you once carelessly let Modu go due to personal feelings, you are not fit to return to the battlefield!"

Saying so, she threw an envelope harshly at Ye Tong's face.

Ye Tong wanted to retort, but Jiang Su cut her off, saying, "In the thirty-ninth year of Jiayang, you returned victorious over Modu, praised by all. Yet, at the victory banquet, you declared your marriage arrangement with Chu Mu, forcibly tying yourself to the King of Dingbei's family. I thought you were just too concerned about Chu Mu, willing to trade your glorious reputation for a quagmire! But I never expected you to be so blindly misguided! Modu's comeback is indeed due to his capability, but you, who had once let him go pretending to be dead because of a letter from the King of Dingbei, not pursuing victory to eradicate the roots hastily ending the battle, you too are an accomplice!"

Ye Tong's hands trembled as she read the letter, word for word the same as the one the King of Dingbei had written to her years ago, begging her to protect his family. She didn't know how this letter ended up in her mother's hands, but

"Great Jin needs a general who stands tall and holds the welfare of millions in his heart; the Ye family army needs a leader who is wise, decisive, and undefeated in battle; I need the daughter who is intelligent, resilient, and carries the Ye family on her shoulders!" Tears fell as Jiang Su looked at Ye Tong with a sorrowful voice.

"—But you are not!"

"You are not..."

Please scold me... I truly thought I could finish coding by 9:30. I'm sorry!!!