Chapter 87: Surrounded

Upon hearing this, Qing’er immediately nodded and hurried out to convey the message. Xia Tong felt a sense of worry. Her parents had died, and if she were in Xia Ning’s position, she would undoubtedly seek revenge. Now that Xia Ning had no way to reach her, Xia Tong couldn’t help but wonder if she might take action against her parents.

“Fang Yu, go fetch my mother later. Just say she can stay for a while,” she instructed. The situation was tense lately, and at least the royal residence was relatively safe.

“Understood.” Fang Yu styled her hair into a bun before leaving.

After finishing her breakfast, Qing’er suddenly rushed back in, her expression unusually flustered. “Master, something’s wrong!”

“Didn’t I tell you to send her away?” Xia Tong asked, sipping her porridge with a puzzled look.

Qing’er shook her head, looking anxious. “I told her you didn’t want to see anyone, but the Duke heir’s consort insisted on meeting you. I persuaded her to leave, but shortly after, a group of imperial guards arrived and surrounded the residence. No one is allowed in or out now.”

Xia Tong frowned at the news. Who had the authority to surround the regent’s residence like this?

“What about the butler?” she asked.

At her words, Qing’er suddenly seemed to realize something. “I’ll go find the butler right away!” She dashed out of the room.

Xia Tong lost her appetite for food. The male lead was gravely injured. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to pin the blame on Gu Qin now. Creating a scene would do no one any good, but who issued this order?

Before long, the butler hurried in. Without waiting for Xia Tong to ask, he said, “There’s no need to worry, Princess. We’ll wait for the prince to return.”

While his words were reassuring, who knew when Gu Qin would be back? If it took as long as last time—two or three days—she might be in trouble. Given the current tense situation, her parents could also be in danger, especially since no one from the outside could come in.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly stood up, fastened her cloak, and headed for the door, prompting the steward to rush after her.

They approached the entrance of the residence at a steady pace. Outside, a circle of fully armed imperial guards was indeed present, as if they were watching over a criminal. Xia Tong had never seen anyone so brazen as to surround the villain’s residence in broad daylight.

As expected, her mother and Fang Yu were blocked outside. They had likely been waiting there for some time, and now even sending a message was impossible. When Xia Tong stepped outside, her mother, Madam Liu, called out worriedly, “Tong’er!”

“Who gave you the audacity to surround the regent’s residence?” she shot back coldly, scanning the guards with a sharp gaze.

At that moment, one of the guards stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute, speaking haughtily, “During this special time, we are acting on orders. Please don’t take offense, Princess.”

“Acting on orders? Whose orders are you following?” Xia Tong replied, her expression growing fierce.

The guard remained unfazed, his tone still arrogant. “We are, of course, following the Empress Dowager’s decree.”

“Then may I ask what crime the people in this residence committed that warrants such confinement?” Xia Tong’s voice turned icy.

“The regent is suspected of plotting against the Emperor. The Empress Dowager has no choice but to uphold the integrity of the court. There’s no need to be so aggressive, Princess. Once the truth is uncovered, the Empress Dowager will surely clear the prince’s name,” he replied.

Listening to his assertive words, Xia Tong felt a mix of anger and disbelief. Did the Empress Dowager think she could suppress Gu Qin just because the Emperor was unconscious? It was naive to think such actions could eliminate him. If Gu Qin were so easy to eliminate, why had he borne the blame for so many years without any repercussions?

“You say it’s just suspicion, but how could the Empress Dowager slander a court official without evidence? The rule that the harem cannot interfere in politics has been passed down from our ancestors. Does the Empress Dowager intend to bypass the Emperor and take his place?”

“Princess, be cautious with your words!” The man’s expression changed. He hadn’t expected her to be so sharp-tongued. His tone turned unfriendly. “We are just following orders. If the Princess has something to say, she can speak with the Empress Dowager. However, no one is allowed to enter or leave the residence for now. Anyone who dares to force their way in will face our consequences!”

As he spoke, he glanced pointedly at Madam Liu and Fang Yu, who were standing outside. For the first time, Xia Tong understood the kind of violent emotions that Gu Qin must have felt. Some people were truly despicable.

“Tong’er…” Madam Liu called out from outside, her face filled with worry.

“Princess, why not wait for the prince to return before making any decisions?” The butler approached quietly.

Xia Tong shot him an annoyed look. If Xifeng were here, he would surely teach these people some manners for their arrogance.

Seeing that Xia Tong seemed ready to compromise, the leader of the guards chuckled, “Those who know how to adapt are wise. Princess, why should you go against the Empress Dowager? In the end, it won’t benefit you.”

“Is that so?”

Her cold tone sent shivers down the spines of the guards. Suddenly, an imposing figure approached from a distance, causing the leader to take a step back, his earlier arrogance fading significantly.

They had heard of the Regent’s reputation.

“Gu Qin.” Seeing him, Xia Tong rushed forward, only to be tightly embraced by him. The man looked at her with displeasure, “Why are you running?”

Xia Tong pouted, not responding. She was simply happy to see him back.

She glanced at the leader, who retreated a step at their eye contact, his face paling and showing none of his previous bravado.

Gu Qin wore the same dark robe as yesterday, making him appear even more intimidating in the dark color scheme. As he stepped forward, before the leader could bow, Gu Qin suddenly lifted him off the ground, his eyes bulging in terror.

As the body fell to the ground, Gu Qin casually wiped his hands with a handkerchief and scanned the others with a calm gaze. “Since it’s the Empress Dowager’s command, you can all stay here and guard. I won’t say anything else.”

Anyone who met his gaze recoiled several steps, realizing they were in danger. The Regent had killed first-rank officials without hesitation. They were mere pawns in his eyes. Who knew if they might become targets themselves, considering the Regent’s history?

Holding Xia Tong’s hand, Gu Qin strode into the residence, and the body was dragged away to report to the Empress Dowager.

Once inside, Xia Tong couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly come after you?”

She understood the basics of political maneuvering; the Empress Dowager should know better than to act so foolishly against Gu Qin. After all, the elite forces outside the city were all his men.

“It’s naturally due to manipulation by others.” Gu Qin wrapped his arm around her waist, his gaze subtly softening as it drifted to her slightly rounded abdomen.

Upon hearing this, Xia Tong fell silent for a moment, then realized that it must be the people from the Grand Tutor’s residence instigating this. The Empress Dowager was foolish to think they were better than Gu Qin.

“Does this mean the Emperor is really seriously injured?” she suddenly remembered. If not, how could the Empress Dowager have so much authority?

Gu Qin’s gaze shifted from her abdomen to her curious face. His brows furrowed slightly as he replied coldly, “He nearly died.”