Chapter 127

Chapter 127

"Should I know something? I just woke up, what’s there to know?"

Su Yi also put down her chopsticks, finally able to stop eating for a bit. She hadn’t replenished much blood, but her face was already turning as red as a beet.

"Baocheng was attacked by an assassin yesterday," Kangxi said calmly, delivering the news.

Anyone hearing this would be shocked and concerned, regardless of their true feelings.

"So, was the assassin caught?" Su Yi took a sip of tea and replied just as calmly.

Su Yi’s calm reaction caught Kangxi off guard.

Normally, given how she usually feels about Baocheng, she should at least show some concern, and she’d feel a subconscious tension.

Of course, all this assumed that Consort Rong didn’t know about the incident.

But Consort Rong just casually asked if the assassin had been caught.

Her reaction was way too calm.

With such calmness, wasn’t she worried he’d suspect something?

Baocheng was supposed to be resting properly, and the maids were told not to gossip and disturb him, so Baocheng wouldn’t find out about Consort Rong’s injury.

But he had someone let slip the news of Consort Rong’s injury, so Baocheng, concerned about her, would come to check on her.

At this moment, if there were any secrets, even if hidden well, they might slip out.

"Baocheng was attacked by an assassin, aren’t you worried about him?" Kangxi asked in surprise.

"Your Majesty, you don’t seem too worried yourself. Besides, Baocheng’s fine outside, right?" Su Yi said with a relieved expression.

"He’s fine and safe, so I don’t need to worry."

You, his father, are so calm talking about your son being attacked, so why should I be nervous? If the emperor’s not worried, why should the concubine be?

Besides, Baocheng is fine outside waiting.

Why should I be in a hurry?

I might be pretty, but I’m not just a pretty face. I don’t always think things through. You like to watch me act, but sometimes I can’t be bothered to act.

Kangxi: ...

He was hoping to see if Consort Rong would react differently, but her righteous and composed demeanor left Kangxi feeling quite complex.

"Not yet, but while clearing the collapsed palace, an assassin dressed as a eunuch was found," Kangxi said, pausing to observe Consort Rong’s reaction.

But Consort Rong just looked back at him, not responding, as if waiting for him to continue, wondering why he stopped.

The most frustrating thing is when you leave half the story untold to see how the other person reacts, and they don’t react as you expected.

She was just listening, not rushing him to continue.

Kangxi turned to the maids,

"Let Baocheng in."

On the other side, Su Yi also waved her hand and said, "Clear the table." Looking at the pig liver, her eyes ached. Why not just make pig brain instead? It would be a case of like curing like.

The little milk dragon was waiting outside, a bit anxious, but still obediently waited without urging.

Now, hearing that he could finally go in, his short legs moved quickly, nearly running.

Seeing that the Emperor was also there, "Father Emperor, you're here too."

He dashed over, took off his shoes, and climbed up, sitting between the two of them. Looking at Su Yi, he stretched out his little hand and hugged hers, "Consort Rong, I heard you were injured." His delicate and adorable little face showed a concerned expression.

Looking at the white bandage, he pouted.

"I'm so glad you survived the encounter with the assassin," Su Yi said with a smile, looking very gentle.

Kangxi's expression remained unchanged as he turned the jade ring on his finger.

The little milk dragon looked at the bandage on her neck. When they parted, Consort Rong was fine, so how did she get injured? "I'm fine, but Consort Rong, your injury..."

"Ah, I just accidentally fell into a pit. Luckily, your Father Emperor remembered to send someone to fish me out, otherwise I would have been cold."

Liang Jiugong: "..." It seemed like good words, but why did it sound strange? Being cold meant the body would be cold, pah pah pah, that's not auspicious.

"That's wonderful, Father Emperor." The little milk dragon also accepted it well and looked at his father, as if the Father Emperor was indeed reliable.

There were too many issues to address, and Kangxi was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Baocheng, do you remember what the assassin who took you away yesterday looked like? Was he dressed as a eunuch?"

After Baocheng returned yesterday, the Empress Dowager came over, and then he was called away by the cat.

Because the Empress Dowager was present, only surface-level questions were asked, but he didn't believe what Baocheng said—that the assassin left him behind because of the earthquake.

Those assassins were clearly well-prepared and had planned for a long time. They even knew that Baocheng was protected by the Shadow Guard and sent experts to delay and kill the Shadow Guard, preventing them from escaping and reporting back.

Even the timing was so subtle. Baocheng had just been abducted, and when something seemed wrong, the earthquake struck immediately, making it impossible to search during the earthquake.

Would such assassins abandon Baocheng and flee because of the earthquake, instead of killing him directly before leaving?

The rescuers hadn't arrived, and even if they acted, it would be a simple matter. Those assassins, with clear division of labor and long-term planning, would not easily let Baocheng go.

The earthquake was indeed a threat, but it wouldn't necessarily be fatal. How could the assassins not think of eliminating the threat thoroughly?

He didn't ask at the time because the Empress Dowager was present, and he didn't want to delve into the details and burden her with the complexities.

"Yes, he was dressed as a eunuch, but I was too scared at the time and didn't see what he looked like. I can't remember."

Kangxi then described where the assassin was found and how he died.

The reason they were certain he was an assassin, not a eunuch, was because when he was discovered, his palms bore the calluses of a martial artist, his disguise was exposed, his jaw was dislocated, and a hidden poison packet was found in his mouth.

Assassins always keep poison in their mouths. Once caught, unless their jaws are immediately dislocated, they will bite open the poison packet and die almost instantly.

After hearing the order, the servants from various palaces did not linger. Those who lingered here were naturally suspicious.

The assassin should have been highly skilled. Even if the palace shook violently and collapsed due to the earthquake.

With the assassin's skills, he certainly wouldn't have foolishly stayed there and not left. Multiple crush injuries caused fatal fractures that penetrated his organs.

The non-fatal injuries, however, were quite interesting.

The assassin was trapped there, completely immobilized, forced to watch as the collapsing palace buried him alive until his last breath, with all the vital pathways in his limbs severed.

These injuries left the assassin completely incapacitated, unable to escape, doomed to be crushed to death, unable even to call out, left there to meet his inevitable end.

When Kangxi spoke, he didn’t sugarcoat his words to spare Baocheng’s feelings. Instead, he bluntly described the assassin’s gruesome death.

Baocheng’s reaction suggested it was his first time hearing it. If Baocheng was hiding anything, Kangxi would surely notice.

The older one always shot straight from the hip, seemingly open, yet revealing nothing.

Did Baocheng truly not know how the assassin met his end?

Baocheng truly didn’t know.

Because when Su Yi carried him out, he buried his face in her chest, seeing nothing.

He only peeked out briefly when the palace came crashing down, then quickly ducked back and didn’t look again.

Baocheng only remembered that any later, and he would have been buried under the rubble.

He only knew that Consort Rong appeared out of nowhere and saved him. He didn’t see where the kidnapper had gone.

Now, hearing his father say the assassin had died there, he felt no fear.

Serves him right, since the assassin had it coming.

He deliberately left him in that palace, hoping he’d be crushed to death, but in the end, he was saved, and the assassin was crushed instead.

Su Yi, listening nearby, yawned from sheer boredom, her emotions untouched, as if it were the most mundane thing.

"Consort Rong, who do you think dealt the assassin such a severe blow?" Kangxi, seeing that Consort Rong was even yawning, really had nothing better to do, and couldn’t help but ask her.

Su Yi stifled a yawn, rested her chin on her hand, and pondered for a few seconds before saying with a profound expression, "Perhaps it was some divine intervention, the hand of justice."

Kangxi: ...That’s it? You took all that time just to say that?!

The little milk dragon nodded beside her, looking convinced. Yes, Consort Rong is spot on, it must have been divine justice! The assassin could run, but he couldn’t hide!

Seeing Kangxi’s expression wasn’t quite right, Su Yi added a bit more to make it sound more serious.

"Isn’t there a saying, my hero will one day come riding on a cloud to save me, that’s probably what it means. All of this is the guidance of fate."

Damn the guidance of fate, Consort Rong really dared to say that.

Kangxi felt that if he kept listening to Consort Rong, he would surely be angered to an early grave.

Seeing Baocheng’s look of admiration, Kangxi suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.

"Your Majesty, are you alright? You have dark circles under your eyes, haven’t you been resting?" Seeing Kangxi’s complexion wasn’t right, Su Yi asked with concern.

Could it be that he hasn’t slept all night?

That’s not good, staying up late is very harmful to the body.

Kangxi was thinking, when did Consort Rong develop a conscience? She actually cared about him not resting now, hmph, but it’s no use!

"Maybe you should rest for a while, your health is important." Seeing Kangxi remained silent, Su Yi continued to persuade, her face showing worry.

Liang Jiugong, standing nearby, was even more deeply moved than Kangxi.

Consort Rong finally spoke some sense, showing concern for His Majesty.

His Majesty truly needs rest; staying up all night without sleep is too much for the body, especially now. The Emperor's health must not waver, as everything relies on him.

He also chimed in, "Your Majesty, Consort Rong is right. Your health is paramount. You haven't slept since last night."

Hearing Liang Jiugong's words, Baocheng also urged with concern, "Father Emperor, you should go and rest. I'll watch over Consort Rong here; nothing will go wrong."

He patted his not-so-strong chest, trying to appear manly.

Once Father Emperor rests, he can finally have a proper talk with Consort Rong. With Father Emperor present, he didn't dare speak.

Su Yi nodded gently, saying softly, "You really need to rest. Don't let Consort Rong and the Crown Prince worry."

Night owls, staying up all night without catching up on sleep, you might endure, but I fear you could drop dead here.

Not only is sudden death a risk, but staying up late also causes wrinkles and speeds up aging. In short, you risk sudden death and rapid aging.

Be more careful.

Kangxi: !!

These are Consort Rong's true feelings!!

She's not concerned about him not resting; she's afraid he might drop dead here from lack of rest!

And she fears he'll age and grow ugly from staying up late because she dislikes ugly people, preferring only the good-looking!

He knew Consort Rong wouldn't change her ways, heh.

Despite the heap of concern, Kangxi's expression remained stern, and he said stiffly, "Since you all insist, I am indeed a bit tired and will rest for a while."

Before Kangxi left, he heard Baocheng ask Consort Rong, "Consort Rong, where's the kitty? I want to play with it."

"Alright, Qinxin, go and fetch Guogaitou."

A cat. White cat fur.

Yesterday, when Baocheng returned without changing, a few strands of cat fur clung to his collar, which Kangxi casually brushed off, not initially linking it to the cat fur.

But just as Guogaitou returned, leading him to discover the tunnel and find Consort Rong barely alive.

There might be other stray cats in the palace, but white cat fur on Baocheng was indeed strange.

Baocheng rarely interacted with Guogaitou before.

Especially around the time of the quake.

Yet, the cat fur clung to Baocheng.