bookrebus Chapter 168 Beauty's Scheming Zhang Yan 2
Chapter 168 Beauty's Scheming Zhang Yan 2
Liu Ying and Zhang Yan, who had changed her clothes, drove the carriage towards the palace gate. The guards at the gate didn't dare to stop them when they saw the emperor's token. The road was smooth and they soon arrived at the bustling streets. Yan'er's face was filled with joy, and she said to Liu Ying coquettishly, "Uncle, can we go without the servants today? Can we go just the two of us?"
Liu Ying couldn't help but laugh at Yan'er's adorable appearance. He nodded lovingly, expressing his agreement. Then, the two of them jumped off the carriage together. Yan'er held Liu Ying's hand tightly and said excitedly, "Uncle, let's go faster!"
The two blended into the crowd, and in an instant the guards lost sight of them. After the guards left, Liu Ying and Yan'er began strolling down Chang'an Avenue. The street was bustling with activity, filled with bustling people and a dazzling array of goods. Yan'er looked around curiously, fascinated by everything.
Suddenly, Yan'er saw a stall selling candy figurines. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly ran over, pointing to one of the figurines and saying, "Uncle, I want this bunny-shaped figurine!" Liu Ying smiled and bought it, handing it to Yan'er. Yan'er took the figurine, her mouth wide open with joy. She carefully licked it, and then smiled with satisfaction.
Then, they passed a stall selling candied haws. Yan'er was captivated by the bunches of red candied haws. She tugged at Liu Ying's clothes and pleaded, "Uncle, I want some candied haws..." Without a word, Liu Ying immediately bought a bunch for Yan'er. Yan'er happily bit into one, the sweet and sour taste intoxicating her.
At that moment, a commotion erupted in the distance. It turned out to be a street juggler. Yan'er, curious, moved closer to watch. The performer somersaulted and performed magic tricks, drawing cheers from the audience. Yan'er watched with rapt interest, clapping and cheering. Liu Ying, standing by, quietly observed Yan'er, his eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
Until a child snatched Liu Ying's purse, and the two hurried to chase it. They chased it into an alley and found many children in tattered clothes and a white-haired old man. Yan'er took a look and understood what was going on. Liu Ying had never seen such a scene before, and his heart was filled with shock and self-blame.
Yan'er gently took Liu Ying's hand and asked, "Uncle, are you okay?"
Liu Ying said solemnly, "Yan'er, is my uncle not a good emperor? There are so many orphans who don't have enough food to eat or warm clothes to wear under the emperor's feet! I am such a failure..."
Zhang Yan comforted him, saying, "Uncle, what you see is only a fraction of the world. Too many people in this world are starving, and too many impoverished people face hardship. These problems stem not simply from your negligence, but more importantly from oppression by the aristocratic families and invasions by foreign forces!" Yan'er hadn't finished her words when a group of men dressed in black, wielding sharp blades, suddenly swarmed around them. Liu Ying, seeing this, quickly shielded Yan'er behind him and glared at them, demanding, "What on earth do you want?" However, the leader ignored Liu Ying's questioning and swung his blade at him. Liu Ying immediately engaged them, but despite his skill, he was wounded. Seeing the blood flowing from Liu Ying's arm, Yan'er's eyes instantly turned red. Then, with astonishing speed, Yan'er flashed and struck, instantly slashing through the throats of all the men in black around her, sending them falling to the ground dead. Liu Ying stared at Yan'er, who stood there in shock. He quickly hugged her and comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid, it's all over. They were all evil, and Yan'er has done nothing wrong!" However, Yan'er remained unresponsive in his arms, like a puppet without a soul. Frustrated, Liu Ying quickly scooped up Yan'er and rushed to the government office, where they could quickly notify the palace for assistance. Before they were halfway there, they were spotted by Lü Lu's men. Seeing the emperor and princess, they knelt and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, we are late. Please forgive us!" Liu Ying remained silent, merely watching them silently, a flicker of panic in his eyes. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed a horse, and mounted it, carrying Yan'er back to the palace. Yan'er clung to Liu Ying tightly, her body trembling slightly, clearly shaken.
Upon returning to the palace, Liu Ying immediately ordered all the imperial physicians to the Pepper Room to treat the empress. Empress Lü also hurried over, anxiously observing Yan'er's condition. She was deeply concerned about Yan'er's condition, frequently asking the physicians if she was in danger. Liu Ying stood by, his face livid and silent. His eyes betrayed an unconcealed fury and anxiety. He understood the gravity of this incident. If the mastermind wasn't quickly uncovered, it could bring even greater danger to the imperial family. Therefore, he ordered his guards and spies to investigate, determined to find the perpetrators of his and Yan'er's assassinations.
Imperial Physician: "Your Majesty, the Empress is extremely frightened. We have prescribed some tranquilizing soup for her. Let's see if it helps. However, she needs someone to accompany her for now..."
After hearing this, Empress Lu frowned and looked at Zhang Yan, who was lying on the bed with a pale face. She said with heartache: "Yan'er has been timid since she was young. She is really scared this time." Then she turned to Xue Yuan beside her and said: "Xue Yuan, follow the imperial physician to get the medicine, and then decoct it yourself for the queen to drink." After receiving the order, Xue Yuan followed the imperial physician out of the room.
Empress Lu looked at Zhang Yan on the bed again, sighed softly, and took Princess Lu Yuan's hand and walked out of the Pepper Room.
After returning to Changle Palace, Princess Lu Yuan said angrily, "Mother, I must send people to find out who dared to assassinate the Queen and His Majesty! If I find out, I will skin them alive!" But Empress Lu smiled, picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and replied leisurely, "No need, let the emperor handle this matter. If we investigate on our own, I'm afraid he will be displeased. Don't worry, he will avenge Yan'er..."
Princess Lu Yuan looked at Empress Lu in confusion, and asked, "Why are you so sure, mother? Aren't you angry at all?" Empress Lu raised the corner of her mouth, a hint of pride flashed in her eyes, and she slowly put down her teacup and said, "I'm not angry! They helped me, and I'm grateful to them. Yan'er is frightened because of them, and the emperor will not let them go. You know, the emperor has never been a man who is easy to talk to. The ruthless blood of his Liu family flows in his bones. Besides, their relationship will progress because of this incident..."
After hearing this, Princess Lu Yuan suddenly realized that her mother had done it on purpose. She smiled and nodded to show that she understood.
"Then you should go back quickly and tell Yan'er's father about this so that he can rest assured." Empress Lu urged.
"Yes, my daughter will take her leave." Princess Lu Yuan bowed and turned to leave.
Watching her daughter leave, Empress Lü smiled with relief. She believed this incident would be an opportunity for the emperor and Yan'er to warm up their relationship, and that Yan'er would gradually adapt to palace life. Thinking of this, Empress Lü was filled with anticipation.
Meanwhile, Liu Ying learned from his father's secret guards that the assassination attempt was the work of the Prince of Dai and Empress Dowager Bo. He was filled with anger and disappointment, yet also with a deep sense of helplessness. He had never doubted the Prince of Dai and Empress Dowager Bo, believing his mother to be overthinking them. However, this time, they had the audacity to murder him, causing Yan'er such a shock, which he could not tolerate.
Liu Ying decided to take action. He dispatched a secret team to the Dai Kingdom. This team, composed of his most trusted secret guards, was tasked with finding Liu Heng and teaching him a lesson. When Liu Heng was found, his legs were mercilessly broken. This was Liu Ying's punishment and a warning to the King of Dai and Queen Dowager Bo.