Chapter 87: All Deserve Death

Chapter 87: All Deserve Death

It was unknown what auspicious day it was today, for it was so coincidental that the Second Prince was targeted by an assassin, and the Third Prince was not spared either, encountering one similarly.

The Second Prince was privately feasting with others to strengthen his power base, while the Third Prince was also busy with his own "major affairs."

In a short time, the atmosphere of the imperial court had become tense. A large number of officials were dismissed, new ones appointed, and fresh graduates from the imperial examinations entered government service, making the situation suddenly complex and changeable. As princes, they would have to exert themselves to seize a certain amount of power, going to great lengths to consolidate their forces. The existing competition became more intense than before, and the tricks they played on each other became even more ingenious...

The Third Prince knew what the Second Prince was thinking and what he might do, because he was doing the same. But he never expected to be assassinated in broad daylight!

How did the Second Prince become so ruthless! Did he dare to do such a thing?

The Third Prince ran hard, leaping out of the fray, watching as his guards defended against the assassins, his gaze dark.

His struggle with the Second Prince was known throughout the court, and they were never particularly courteous to each other, neither allowing the other to get too far ahead. But when there was no significant gap between them, they were very cautious, such as the matter of killing the other party—

They wouldn't do it.

It wasn't some special tacit agreement; once such a thing happened, the repercussions would be widespread. If there was any mistake or if they were caught with any evidence, the ultimate beneficiary might not be themselves... Their father, the emperor, had more than just two princes.

Previously, they hadn't shown their heads, behaving like quails, because the power of him and the Second Prince was too great. Once one of them was killed and the other was the prime suspect, these people couldn't help but jump out.

So, while he and the Second Prince were still evenly matched in their struggle and their strength wasn't so lopsided, they wouldn't easily resort to assassination. Whoever made the first move would surely be caught by the other side's people.

So, did the Second Prince really make a foolish move?

The Third Prince's wildly beating heart steadied, and he began to think something was wrong. Could he have been mistaken...

And this group of assassins seemed a bit strange. They were all dressed in black robes and masks, their moves somewhat sinister, exuding an evil aura. They didn't seem like the kind of loyal warriors the Second Prince could raise. He had brought many guards, both overtly and covertly, but they seemed unable to withstand this group's relentless and evil fighting style.

Realizing he couldn't afford to drag his feet, the Third Prince lifted his robe and ran.

Then he realized that his luck today was truly not good.

He passed by a very familiar residence—the Prince Jian's Mansion.

As the only prince's mansion in the dynasty that had been granted the title of a prince, it was naturally magnificent and unparalleled in wealth. Especially after getting married, other considerations came into play. Apart from Zhu Yan's own stern and martial aura, it was decorated with more opulence, looking softer.

Zhu Yan was the only prince with exceptional martial arts skills.

His guards were all experts.

In other words, if he sought help from him and he reached out... safety would be assured.

Should he call for help?

The Third Prince shook his head and went straight past the Prince Jian's Mansion.

Impossible!

The Sixth Prince was always an enigma. If he said he had ambition, he was already the only one among his brothers to be granted the title of a prince, yet he was still completely unambitious and unmotivated, rarely entering the palace, not caring much about court affairs. This year, people were fighting to the point of tearing each other apart, yet the Sixth Prince didn't even spare a glance. If he said he had no ambition, the Sixth Prince was also capable of taking on responsibilities, such as the previous Northern Di envoy, or the matter of the Empress Sect that he had been lazily investigating without letting go. He had the audacity to do anything, fearless!

This person couldn't possibly want nothing. What he wanted... might be something he hadn't seen yet.

What he couldn't understand, he couldn't casually get involved in.

What if he got splattered with blood later?

Such a reckless person could occasionally be used as a tool, but there was no need to get close.

The Third Prince used every ounce of strength he had, but even running all the way to the most remote and uninhabited alley in the capital, he couldn't escape the masked men's pursuit. These people had already caught up again, and his guards had suffered heavy losses, making it difficult for them to protect him.

Was he going to die here today... was there no escaping his fate?

The Third Prince didn't want to accept his fate, but he had no good options. Pressed tightly against the wall, he held the cold handle of a dagger, only to discover that heaven still pitied him.

A person suddenly appeared from nowhere, also dressed in black and masked, but this person was different from the masked assassins. His clothing was of higher quality, without the flashy hidden patterns, and he was slightly older, with a very strong presence. His martial arts couldn't be discerned...

Because when he made his move, the group of masked assassins suddenly changed. They couldn't use their underhanded tactics anymore, their fierce momentum was defused, as if they had suddenly encountered a natural enemy. They were defeated in just a few moves, and all of them fled!

"Your Highness the Third Prince..." This person walked toward the Third Prince.

The Third Prince took two steps back to the side.

This person sheathed his long sword, bowing his head slightly. "I mean no harm, Your Highness the Third Prince need not worry."

The Third Prince's face was cold and solemn, the dagger in his hand still not released.

You say you mean no harm, and that means no harm? Not even showing your face, trying to deceive me?

"Similar incidents will not happen again." This person didn't seem to want to talk much more. Without removing his mask, he didn't approach further, nodding his head again before turning around and using lightness kung fu to fly away, disappearing quickly.

The Third Prince: ...

This person was respectful to him, of course, he was a prince, and others should be respectful as a matter of course. But the current situation seemed a bit strange. He was unfamiliar with the other party's eyes, voice, and demeanor. It should be someone he didn't know?

Someone he didn't know, why save him? Was it because they saw potential in him, wanting to serve him?

But he couldn't show it in front of others.

Especially since the surviving guards were dispirited and came over to inquire.

"Let's go," he put away the dagger early, standing tall and elegant, lazily brushing his robe, his face calm and composed.

On the Second Prince's side, things were also exciting. He similarly suspected the Third Prince, but it didn't feel right either. In short, the situation was very urgent, and he rushed forward, hoping to break through and find a path to survival under the protection of his guards.

His direction was the opposite of the Third Prince's, not only did they not meet, but he didn't pass by Zhu Yan's Prince Jian's Mansion either. Instead, he passed by another secluded place—the Imperial Prison.

When passing by here, he seemed to see a masked man in black robes, but because he was running too fast, his angle was too tight. He only saw it for a moment, and when he blinked again, it was gone, as if it was all an illusion.

Outside the imperial prison, there was an eerie silence, devoid of any sound.

The Second Prince vaguely remembered that someone seemed to be imprisoned here by his father, the Emperor. What was his name... ah yes, it was Minister Feng, Feng Yi.

But he clearly had no time to concern himself with others' affairs; he was struggling to save his own skin, on the brink of death!

He ran frantically forward, and when all seemed lost, someone finally came to his rescue.

It wasn't some good Samaritan who couldn't bear to see injustice, but rather his own hidden forces that he had carefully concealed. This was his private strength, meticulously planned and painstakingly hidden. Today, although they saved his life, they also exposed themselves completely.

The Second Prince gritted his teeth. "Who notified you to come?"

The leader of the secret force replied, "Wasn't it Your Highness's order?"

The Second Prince was speechless.

Fine, it seemed that this secret force of his wasn't going to remain hidden today—it had already been exposed.

But after asking a few questions, he couldn't get any clear answers. The secret force needed to remain covert, so he rarely initiated contact with them. He only communicated through secret signals. Now, these signals had obviously been intercepted and used against him. His current response could only be to change the signal codes for future precautions, but as for who had utilized them, he was at a loss. All he could do now was take things one step at a time.

"Storm clouds are gathering..."

The Second Prince felt that things were turning sour, and he needed to prepare properly.

When both princes were attacked on the same day, it naturally caused a huge uproar in the imperial court the next day. Various factions submitted memorials, engaging in verbal sparring and grandstanding, accusing each other with great zeal. In the end, even the Second and Third Princes, who had intended to stay low and out of sight, couldn't resist getting involved in the fray, trading barbs with each other.

"It was you, wasn't it? You're the one who wants me dead! Who else would have such vicious intentions towards me!"

"You're the type who cries foul first. Clearly, you're the heartless one, yet you dare to blame others? Do you think being loud gives you the right? Look at my injuries!"

"So, seeing your older brother's growing popularity and respect, you can't handle it, can you? Are you feeling anxious?"

"What a joke. Would I be envious of your measly achievements? Stop pretending to be something you're not. Let me tell you, if I die, neither will you live!"

The imperial court was filled with chaos, as even the civil officials resorted to physical altercations. Yet, the Emperor remained unusually calm and tolerant, sitting firmly in his seat. He pacified one side while showing concern for the other, balancing the situation better than anyone else.

On Zhu Yan's side, he had been closely monitoring the developments. Despite his efforts to restrain himself, he couldn't help but mutter through clenched teeth, "Fool."

Wen Ruan, curious about what Zhu Yan had done, had already invited him into the room to sleep. Hearing this, he chuckled. "So, does Prince Jian wish to extend a kind hand and guide certain individuals?"

"Let's wait a bit longer. Someone won't be able to hold back."

Zhu Yan lifted Wen Ruan onto his lap. "If I act too soon, I'll be discovered."

Wen Ruan struggled to get down.

Zhu Yan didn't let go, holding him tighter. "Hmm?"

Wen Ruan: "...First, you should control yourself!"

Zhu Yan glanced down and smiled. "As long as Ah Ruan is obedient and doesn't move around—"

Wen Ruan didn't believe him for a second and refused to be held.

Zhu Yan had no choice but to tighten his grip and changed the subject. "Someone has seen Feng Yi."

Wen Ruan's attention was indeed diverted. "Who?"

Zhu Yan: "Guess, Ah Ruan?"

"Do I need to guess?" Wen Ruan raised his eyes. "It must be the Empress Dowager's people! Did they rescue him?"

"Not yet," Zhu Yan shook his head. "Perhaps the timing isn't right yet."

Wen Ruan: "Then what did they say? What matters did they exchange?"

Zhu Yan: "Mmm... Now isn't the time to discuss that."

Wen Ruan: "Huh?"

Zhu Yan: "Your husband is injured and needs the comfort of his consort to recover."

Wen Ruan: ...

How shameless are you?

"If Ah Ruan shows me some affection, not only will I tell you what they discussed, but I'll also reveal—"

Zhu Yan's lips curved slightly. "Who was behind this assassination attempt."

Wen Ruan was surprised. "Wasn't it the Empress Dowager's doing?"

Wasn't it you who used yourself as bait to lure the assassins and then discarded them? If not the Empress Dowager, then who?

"A part of it was," Zhu Yan's voice lowered. "For example, regarding the Third Prince, I knew in advance about his movements and prepared a trap accordingly."

Wen Ruan blinked. "So, the Second Prince wasn't involved?"

Zhu Yan: "No."

Wen Ruan: "Then who was it?"

Zhu Yan leaned in, his lips covering Wen Ruan's. "Ah Ruan, try harder to guess."

Wen Ruan's breath was taken away, leaving his mind in a daze. After a long, long moment, when fresh air finally reached him again, he suddenly realized. "Could it be... is it..."

His voice was soft and weak, lacking strength. He could barely raise his finger to point upwards.

Zhu Yan's eyes darkened slightly as he leaned in once more—

"How could Aruan be so clever."

In the imperial palace, within the chambers of Emperor Taiyuan.

Shards of broken bowls and medicine bottles littered the ground, porcelain fragments scattered everywhere, perilously sharp and dangerous.

Emperor Taiyuan rubbed his temples, his eyes bloodshot: "None of these work, bring me new medicines!"

"But the prescriptions from the imperial physicians are only these..." The old eunuch kneeling on the floor trembled in fear.

"Are these what I asked for from your physicians?" Emperor Taiyuan glared at him, "I don't have many people around me that I trust anymore, don't force me to kill you."

The old eunuch's head hit the ground, "Your Majesty, please think twice. Those medicines might not..."

Emperor Taiyuan interrupted, "What, do you also think I'm about to die?"

The old eunuch repeatedly knocked his head on the ground, too frightened to speak.

"I won't die! I was able to rise above all other princes to ascend the throne, I was able to prevent the increasingly popular Empress from seizing power, even sacrificing my most beloved Crown Prince. How could I not overcome this!"

Emperor Taiyuan swept all the documents off the dragon desk with a sneer: "My position will not be taken by anyone! Medicine! Bring it to me!"

The old eunuch lifted his face, his forehead bruised and swollen: "But Your Majesty, those are medicines as fierce as tigers and wolves!"

Emperor Taiyuan retorted, "What is there to fear! I am the Son of Heaven, blessed by the heavens with great fortune, turning misfortune into blessing! As long as I live, I can continue living! Anyone who dares covet my position deserves death!"