Chapter 533: Ambushed
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“Alright. Whatever Your Highness says.” Mingzhu felt tired and whispered, “Watch over the baby. I’m going to sleep, so tired.”
Yuwen Chu stayed by her side, watching until Mingzhu fell asleep, then went to see Zhuangzhuang. The baby had been fed by the wet nurse and was sleeping soundly in the crib. In just a short while, Yuwen Chu felt that Zhuangzhuang had changed again. He seemed less red and wrinkled than when he was born. Yuwen Chu wanted to ask the midwives to confirm that he hadn’t misjudged, but he was afraid of embarrassing himself. Instead, he solemnly instructed, “Take good care of the baby.”
Madam Cui led her two daughters-in-law and bid farewell, “We should also go back. Your father-in-law is still waiting for news.”
Yuwen Chu expressed his gratitude and personally escorted them outside.
Fu Mingzheng was sitting in the gatehouse chatting with the gatekeeper, Lei Liu, shamelessly bragging about his newly born nephew, “I’ve never seen such a handsome little child. His face is plump and fair, his voice is very loud. He looks like a fortunate child.”
Lei Liu naturally flattered him, especially since it was their young master. “Of course, I heard the little shizi’s cries from here.”
Fu Mingzheng chuckled, “I told you, this child is remarkable.”
Yuwen Chu couldn’t stand it and said lightly, “Is a newborn baby really that remarkable?” Then he asked Lei Liu, “I only knew your mouth was sharp before, but now I know your ears are sharp too. Can you hear everything I say in the inner courtyard?”
Lei Liu stood up awkwardly, bowing, “Your Highness, I was just joking with Fourth Master. Isn’t everyone happy?”
Yuwen Chu ignored him and solemnly said to Fu Mingzheng, “Fourth Brother-in-law, Mother-in-law and the others are leaving.”
Fu Mingzheng patted Lei Liu’s shoulder reassuringly, “Talking to you is interesting. I’ll come find you to chat next time.”
Lei Liu was pleasantly surprised, “Fourth Master, take care.” When he met Yuwen Chu’s eyes, he became nervous again and quickly slunk back into the house, behaving himself.
Yuwen Chu and Fu Mingzheng walked side by side, and Yuwen Chu whispered to him, “You can’t take recent intelligence lightly. Zhongshan Wang has been lurking for so long, it’s time for him to strike back. Mingzhu has given birth to Zhuangzhuang, which will make our two mansions happy, but it’s inevitable that our vigilance will decrease. Next, there will be ceremonies, a one-month celebration, and a hundred-day banquet, with people coming and going to offer congratulations, which increases the risk. I estimate that he will strike tonight. Fourth Brother-in-law is traveling at night, and with Mother-in-law and the others, it’s the perfect time to strike. I’ll have a team follow Fourth Brother-in-law quietly. If nothing happens, it’s fine, but if something does, they’ll be trapped.”
Recent intelligence reports did indicate that unidentified individuals had been infiltrating the capital in batches, but the overall number was not large enough to cause a major disturbance. Fu Mingzheng wasn’t very worried, but he didn’t refuse Yuwen Chu’s arrangement either. “My men are equipped with newly made crossbows, even better than the last batch. The carriage is specially made too, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Yuwen Chu shook his head, “Fourth Brother-in-law, you mustn’t let your guard down. Have you forgotten about the secret passages we discovered in our early years? Also, with my recent rise in prominence, someone might be unable to accept it and may secretly collude with Zhongshan Wang. Do assassins have to come from the north? There are plenty of people in the capital.” He paused, emphasizing, “Mingzhu also asked me to remind you to be extremely careful.”
Fu Mingzheng became cautious, “I’ll remember.”
Yuwen Chu watched as Madam Cui and the others’ carriage disappeared into the distance, then arranged for Zhou Jiexi and his men to follow discreetly. Only then did he return to accept congratulations from Zhou Shuyi and Mr. Meng.
The night breeze was cool, and Madam Cui leaned comfortably against the cushion, listening to Lady Qian and Lady Su chatting quietly. Lady Su said she didn’t expect Mingzhu to endure so well, while Lady Qian shared a joke she had heard from Su Lan. “We didn’t see it, but she caused quite a stir before. She cried a lot and even held the Wangye accountable for aftercare. It wasn’t until Zheng Momo asked His Highness to leave that she calmed down. That’s just how she is. As long as she has someone to rely on and can act spoiled, she’s bound to be the most delicate. But when she’s alone, she’s surprisingly resilient.”
Madam Cui sighed, “It’s my fault for spoiling her, but thankfully, His Highness doesn’t mind.”
After speaking of Mingzhu, they talked about the newborn Zhuangzhuang, and the Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had a hearty laugh. The laughter echoed outside the carriage, and Fu Mingzheng’s lips curled slightly. He took a deep breath, feeling that today was a good day. Then, he heard an unusual sound.
In these years, Fu Mingzheng had done a lot, both openly and secretly. He had shed plenty of blood, and he was all too familiar with the sound: the click of a mechanism, and the trembling sound of a bowstring being drawn taut.
Sure enough, Yuwen Chu had anticipated correctly! They were indeed coming for him! He slammed the carriage wall and shouted, “Lower the window, close the door!” Then, he quickly ordered the guards, “We’re under attack! Sound the alarm! Protect the old madam and the young madam!”
The well-trained maid immediately lowered the steel-reinforced window and door panels, turning the carriage into one with its own shields. Though it couldn’t be said to be completely sturdy, ordinary crossbow arrows would be utterly ineffective against it.
Meanwhile, Fu Mingzheng heard a faint sound, like a cold wind blowing past his ears, or someone breathing cold air on him. He remembered the sleeve arrow tied to his arm and the fragmented dream he had once had.
He swiftly crouched low, hiding beneath the horse’s belly. But a tremendous force quickly surged toward him. The horse beneath him neighed in pain, collapsing with a thunderous crash. The immense impact sent him flying backward. As he raised his head, focusing ahead, he vaguely saw several black figures kneeling on the wall of the opposite residential building. With a loud shout, he aimed the sleeve arrow there and yelled, “There!”
Countless arrows, accompanied by strong force, rained down like a storm onto the carriages of Madam Cui and her entourage, as well as the maidservants’ carriage. The horses cried out in agony, pulling the carriages askew. Although Madam Cui’s carriage was made of steel, the arrows couldn’t penetrate it, but the maidservants in the following carriage were not as fortunate, wailing in distress.
The guards swiftly divided into three teams: one to protect Fu Mingzheng, one to surround the carriage, and one to unleash the newly equipped powerful crossbows, firing randomly in the direction of the attackers before charging toward them.
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