CHAPTER 676: CHAPTER 558: AFTER THE MODIFICATION

Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian acted separately, thoroughly searching inside and outside of Kunning Palace.

To prevent them from planting evidence and framing others, the Empress sent clever eunuchs and palace maids to follow them.

The two were upright and not afraid of being scrutinized, indifferent to the Empress’s surveillance.

But Kunning Palace was too large, and after searching for over a quarter-hour, they had covered most of the living quarters, yet still found nothing.

The Empress and Princess Consort Chen sat in the courtyard, awaiting the results.

Female official Yao returned to her room to tend to the injury on her cheek, while Female official Tong served by the Empress’s side.

The Empress glanced at the teacup before Princess Consort Chen and said to Female official Tong, "Princess Consort Chen’s tea has cooled, why not replenish it quickly?"

Though she said to refill the tea, who couldn’t tell she was subtly asking someone to leave?

"Princess Consort, please have some tea."

Female official Tong served the tea with poise and respect.

Princess Consort Chen pretended not to notice the Empress’s underlying tone and took a gentle sip.

The Empress said in a gentle tone, "Princess Consort Chen, you all keep insisting that an assassin broke into Kunning Palace. If no one is caught, I will prosecute the Imperial Grandson for disrespect."

Princess Consort Chen said, "No matter whose son ascends the throne, as the legitimate mother, the Empress will always become the Empress Dowager. I don’t understand why the Empress chose Prince Jin. Assisting the Crown Prince Mansion is a favor amidst hardship, while helping Prince Jin is merely icing on the cake."

The Empress laughed surprisedly, "Princess Consort Chen, your naivety about the world is truly feigned."

Princess Consort Chen lifted the teacup and said, "If the Empress is willing, the past can be erased, and you can still be the Crown Prince’s good legitimate mother. The Empress must have seen the Crown Prince’s abilities; he previously refrained from contention because he didn’t want to, not because he lacked the ability to do so. Now, with the Guardian Qilin and the Phoenix Girl, the people’s hearts are turning toward him, as is the mandate of heaven. What does the Empress think?"

The Empress lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea.

Female official Tong discreetly observed her mistress.

She could tell that Princess Consort Chen’s words had struck a chord with the mistress.

The mistress chose Prince Jin simply because his odds of winning were so high that even if it was just icing on the cake, it was better than fetching water with a basket, ending up empty-handed.

But presently, the Crown Prince’s odds were also increasing bit by bit.

Might the mistress waver?

A young palace maid arrived at the pavilion to report, "Your Majesty, Noble Consort is here."

The Empress nodded.

The young palace maid ushered Consort Hu into the pavilion.

Consort Hu sat down beside the Empress with a smile, "Oh, what a joyous day it must be, as even Princess Consort Chen is here? If I’m not mistaken, didn’t my Qi’er recently marry a new bride?"

An alliance was formed between the Jin Prince Mansion and the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

Backing Prince Jin are the Hu Family, the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, Imperial Family relatives, and numerous staunch elder statesmen in court supporting the legitimate and eldest line.

The chances for the Crown Prince Mansion remain ultimately too small.

The Empress put down her teacup, "After searching for so long, shouldn’t my innocence be proven by now?"

"Searching?"

Consort Hu was extremely surprised.

Princess Consort Chen sighed, "The Empress’s words are mistaken; it’s not that we distrust the Empress, but rather an assassin broke into Kunning Palace, and Yuan’er and Miss Yan capturing the assassin is out of concern for the Empress’s safety."

Consort Hu said coldly, "How dare you! Trying to catch an assassin in the Empress’s palace? Broad daylight, where is there an assassin? I see you clearly harbor ill intentions, trying to frame the Empress—"

Before she finished speaking, a eunuch swiftly rushed onto the pavilion.

Qing’er immediately pulled Princess Consort Chen up and shielded her behind.

The others were shocked but did not react as swiftly as Qing’er.

The eunuch just glanced around and then placed a blade against Consort Hu’s neck.

"Madam!"

Her personal eunuch exclaimed in panic.

Female official Tong hurriedly assisted the Empress to one side, "Someone— protect the Empress—"

Lu Yuan chased to the pavilion.

Seeing that Princess Consort Chen was unharmed, he was relieved.

He sternly said, "How dare you! Let go of Noble Consort at once!"

This person was the very assassin he and Meng Qianqian were tasked to capture.

They had anticipated he would disguise himself again and thus meticulously checked every eunuch upon entering Kunning Palace.

When they examined the service rooms, the man could hide no longer.

The assassin threatened, "Get me out of the palace, or I’ll kill her!"

Consort Hu screamed at Lu Yuan, "Get him out of the palace! Get him out!"

The Empress furrowed her brows and asked suspiciously, "Are you all in this together? With so many people here, why seize the Noble Consort?"

Lu Yuan said humorously, "Indeed, the Empress was closest, the Noble Consort seated in the middle, needing to bypass to be taken hostage, why go to such lengths?"

The assassin passed by the Empress’s side.

At that moment, Princess Consort Chen had already been pulled aside by Qing’er. With only two individuals left, why would the assassin choose the more distant one?

Consort Hu looked instantly at the Empress.

The Empress clenched her delicate hand: "How would I know?"

The assassin’s knife pressed against Consort Hu’s throat, "I’ll say it one last time, get me out!"

Lu Yuan said resolutely, "I cannot do that."

The assassin was stunned, "What did you say?"

Consort Hu lost her temper, "Lu Linyuan, are you insane! Are you trying to get me killed?"

The assassin shouted menacingly, "I... I... I really will kill her!"

Lu Yuan sternly replied, "If you dare assassinate a Noble Consort, I assure you, your entire clan will be executed!"

Consort Hu was infuriated, "Lu Linyuan! What do you take my life for?"

The assassin’s hand began to tremble, "I’ll count to three, and if you don’t agree, I’ll end it together with her!"

Consort Hu burst into tears, "Go fetch His Majesty!"

Assassin: "One."

Consort Hu’s personal eunuch scrambled away, rolling and crawling.

Assassin: "Two!"

Whoosh!

A cold arrow shot from the string, piercing through his temple like lightning, brain matter and blood splattering all over Consort Hu’s face.

Consort Hu screamed, fainting on the spot.

The Empress turned her head away.

In the blazing sun, on the rooftop, Meng Qianqian calmly lowered her bow.

The Empress tightly gripped Female official Tong’s wrist.

Lu Yuan took away the assassin’s body.

Meng Qianqian leapt down from the rooftop, offering the bow to the Empress with both hands, "Borrowed a bow from the Empress’s arsenal."

The Empress gazed at her with a complex and unsettled expression.

In a haze, she sensed that perhaps her choice was wrong.

Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian immediately headed to the Imperial Study Room.

Princess Consort Chen also left.

Right after they departed, the eunuch who went to gather information returned to Kunning Palace to report to the Empress.

A cold arrow shot from the string, piercing through his temple like lightning, brain matter and blood splattering all over Consort Hu’s face.

Consort Hu screamed, fainting on the spot.

The Empress turned her head away.

In the blazing sun, on the rooftop, Meng Qianqian calmly lowered her bow.

The Empress tightly gripped Female official Tong’s wrist.

Lu Yuan took away the assassin’s body.

Meng Qianqian leapt down from the rooftop, offering the bow to the Empress with both hands, "Borrowed a bow from the Empress’s arsenal."

The Empress gazed at her with a complex and unsettled expression.

In a haze, she sensed that perhaps her choice was wrong.

Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian immediately headed to the Imperial Study Room.

Princess Consort Chen also left.

Right after they departed, the eunuch who went to gather information returned to Kunning Palace to report to the Empress.