Chapter 494: The Assassin Is Among Us
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Fortunately, both Ping Nushi and Zhou Nushi were able to keep their cool and didn’t show any signs of panic. Ping Nushi had Donghui’s assurance, and Zhou Nushi was quite clever. She knew she had made a big mistake, but cooperating with Mingzhu now was her only way out. If she resisted to the end, she would only end up in a worse situation.
After the miscellaneous drama troupe finished their performance and the palace musicians took over, the noise was overwhelming, but Yuwen Bai was enjoying himself, occasionally inviting Yuwen You over to tell jokes. No one noticed that Yuwen Long was missing.
Princess Kangning and Consort Xiao noticed, but knowing his temperament, they thought he had gone to linger among the flowers again and didn’t dare to make a fuss. Others were minding their own business and didn’t want to get involved.
It wasn’t until the noise from outside came in that everyone knew something had happened to Yuwen Long, but they only knew he had been attacked. No one knew how badly he was injured. Princess Kangning and Consort Xiao obviously knew the truth. The mother and daughter rushed out with red eyes, forgetting to inform the two empress dowagers and Yuwen Bai.
Hua Yang Wangfei and Mingzhu whispered to each other, “What’s going on? It’s understandable that Sixth Brother was attacked at the Great Temple Hall, but how could there be assassins in the palace?”
Mingzhu shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Princess Changhua also felt deeply worried. “I always feel like something big is about to happen.”
Mingzhu touched her hand and whispered, “Just hold on for a few more days. After the Lantern Festival, you’ll be married, and after that, you won’t have much to do with these troubles. Just live your life well. You’ll be fine.”
Princess Changhua lowered her head and leaned her forehead against Mingzhu’s hand, whispering, “I actually can’t bear to leave you, Xiao Gu, and Ming Shu. Once I leave, I’m afraid I won’t be able to come back in this lifetime. It’s hard not to feel sad.”
“I’ll try to arrange for Xiao Gu to meet you before you leave. The three of us will get together.” Mingzhu’s eyes also filled with tears. Princess Changhua was telling the truth. In her previous life, after Princess Changhua got married, she never saw her again. Cai Mingshu only returned to the capital once the following autumn, and An Xiaogu often accompanied her, but she didn’t live well, and An Xiaogu often comforted her with tears.
“Okay.” Princess Changhua looked at Mingzhu’s abdomen and whispered, “When the child is born, you must write to tell me.”
Mingzhu also said, “If you have a child, remember to tell me.”
The two held hands, feeling very melancholy.
Hua Yang Wangfei couldn’t stand it anymore and muttered, “What are they doing? Are they deliberately acting in front of me because they know I have no friends?”
Suddenly, Consort Xiao rushed in crying and knelt in front of Empress Dowager Min, saying, “Please, Your Majesty, help Anyang Wang and capture the assassin!”
Empress Dowager Min frowned. “Haven’t people been sent to capture him already?”
Consort Xiao turned her head and looked in Mingzhu’s direction, gritting her teeth. “The assassin is in the Great Hall right now!”
As Consort Xiao spoke, everyone was surprised, and they couldn’t help but follow her gaze towards Mingzhu.
Mingzhu remained calm, but she was worried that Ping Nushi couldn’t handle the pressure and couldn’t maintain her composure, so she gave Donghui a look. Donghui had already supported Ping Nushi, whispering, “Trust Wangfei.”
Taking a deep breath, Ping Nushi lowered her eyes, her clothes already soaked with sweat.
Empress Dowager Min was getting impatient. “Who is it?”
Consort Xiao glared at Mingzhu, who looked at Consort Xiao innocently and confusedly, not backing down. Even if Yuwen Long regained his senses and realized he had been set up, what could he do? Would he dare to turn the tables and say that Ping Nushi seduced him? Wasn’t Ying Wang’s mansion a tough nut to crack? Wasn’t the mouth not only on his body?
Even if Ping Nushi is not favored, she is still a proper and dignified lady with a rank. She is a concubine of Ying Wang mansion. If Yuwen Long’s good reputation is ruined by humiliating his older brother’s concubine, it will be a disgraceful affair. If Beidu Marquis knew about this, would he still marry his daughter to him? Dream on? The Xu family is not stupid!
Mingzhu wagered that Consort Xiao wouldn’t dare to reveal the truth, at most she would seek revenge behind the scenes. After a few breaths of confrontation, Consort Xiao was defeated. With hatred in her eyes, she glared at Mingzhu and said, “I heard that Ying Wangfei was nearby at the time. Did she see the assassin’s true face or hear any cries for help?”
Mingzhu was surprised. “I’ve been in the women’s convenience area all this time. Was Eighth Prince attacked nearby? Why would he go there?”
She turned to the Wusun Princess and asked, “Have you heard or seen anything?”
The Wusun Princess was afraid of getting involved. Yuwen You wasn’t by her side to give her hints, so she had to shake her head in accordance with Mingzhu’s words.
Consort Xiao was infuriated and insinuated, “Ying Wangfei may not know, but someone around you may know.” She looked at Ping Nushi with a cold gaze. “This lady looks unfamiliar. Maybe she’s the assassin.”
Ping Nushi was already on the verge of collapse. Upon hearing this, she burst into tears, crying out incoherently, “Is this picking on the weak? Even if I’m good-looking, I have nothing to do with Consort Xiao. Even our Wanfdei hasn’t taken action, why would you?”
This was just nonsense! Everyone couldn’t help but stifle their laughter. This Nushi’s mind was a bit unclear, and she was talking nonsense. Could there be such a female assassin?
“What nonsense! You’re rambling.” Mingzhu scolded Ping Nushi sternly and asked Consort Xiao, “What did Consort Xiao say? Just because someone around me is unfamiliar, does that make them the assassin?”
Consort Xiao couldn’t bear it and said bitterly, “Hand over the person, and I’ll let it go.”
“Why should I? You want to smear someone without evidence? There’s no logic in the world!” Mingzhu pointed at the person behind Consort Xiao and said, “I also find her unfamiliar. Maybe she’s the assassin.”
“Shut up, all of you.” The Great Empress Dowager came out and put an end to it. “Where is Eighth Prince injured?”
Consort Xiao’s lips moved a few times, unwillingly saying, “He was just frightened and has some minor injuries.” She wouldn’t dare to mention Yuwen Long being incapacitated, otherwise not only would Beidu Marquis’s Xu family refuse to marry their daughter to him, but anyone with a bit of wealth wouldn’t marry their daughter to Yuwen Long either. Those who followed Yuwen Long would also hesitate and regret it. Without descendants, who would support him to become emperor? They could only secretly seek medical treatment. However, she was still unwilling.
“Since he’s just frightened, why are you making such a fuss? It’s disturbing everyone. A delicate young woman daring to be an assassin! Wherever Eighth Prince goes, he’s always surrounded by a crowd.” The Great Empress Dowager had just reached an agreement with Yuwen Chu and obviously leaned towards this side. She needed Yuwen Long and Yuwen You to hate Yuwen Chu and fight against him, but she didn’t need these people to have descendants. It would be better if not a single one of them could have children.
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