Chapter 66: Injured Guards Affected

Kidnapping Chijin?

That was the only thing Yan Ziqi could think of.

Li Ning’an nodded at Yuan Ze. “You stay here and keep watch. Yuan Ze and I will go inside.”

Li Ning’an motioned for Yuan Ze to carry her inside.

Yan Ziqi grabbed her, blocking Yuan Ze.

“What are you planning to do? Who’s in there?”

Li Ning’an took advantage of the moment to get out; there was no time to waste.

“This is where King Jing is held. I want to ask him some questions.”

Li Ning’an gestured for Yan Ziqi to step aside. “Yuan Ze, take me in.”

Yan Ziqi couldn’t believe how bold she was. “Are you planning to ask him for an antidote?”

Leaving aside whether the Emperor’s poison was related to him, getting caught by the guards would be trouble.

This was a private meeting with King Jing and an intrusion into a restricted area.

It was even more serious than wounding Minister Ji.

This was a blatant challenge to the Emperor’s dignity and commands.

No one was allowed near or allowed to speak with King Jing without permission.

This was information Shuang’er gathered from the palace and gave him today.

Yan Ziqi wasn’t here idly either; he kept tabs on events in the capital, the court, and the palace.

Compared to the steward’s sources, the information here was more private.

Wen Di was capable, but he only aspired to be a loafer.

If he hadn’t gone out with Li Ning’an on a whim and followed her around, he wouldn’t have gotten the post in the Ministry of Revenue.

He even ended up on the team welcoming the envoys from North Yue.

Out of the corner of his eye, Yan Ziqi noticed him.

As for the things done by the Minister of Revenue, he would later ask Li Ning’an about her plans.

Her actions were now earth-shaking, so it was better to ask carefully.

In case one day she caused a catastrophe—in fact, she was already causing trouble now.

Yan Ziqi couldn’t keep pulling on Li Ning’an, lest they be discovered. Yuan Ze was also a martial artist, and there were imperial guards inside.

He only hoped that, if they saw anything, the guards would turn a blind eye.

Chijin should have just left the palace.

Perhaps it was still in time.

Yan Ziqi no longer blocked Li Ning’an. Yuan Ze said apologetically, grabbed the princess by the waist, and went inside.

Yuan Ze took out the wine he had hidden, called to the brothers guarding the door, and invited them over.

“We’re on duty; we can’t drink.”

Yuan Ze said, “Earlier, at the banquet for the envoys from North Yue, that Chijin prince was extremely rude. I just wanted to…”

Yuan Ze angrily mentioned Chijin’s proposal to marry Princess Ning’an.

Li Ning’an crouched at the corner, surprised at how well Yuan Ze could talk.

The imperial guards had all served as Princess Ning’an’s protectors at one point, almost considering her like a little sister.

That Chijin prince, because of his small victories, even captured General Tong.

He really thought he was impressive.

And yet he dared to disrespect Princess Ning’an.

The group was outraged, though they still couldn’t drink.

“Fine, I’ll drink alone; you just keep me company. King Jing has lost his martial arts and can’t do anything.”

The guards looked at each other, feeling stifled.

They sat down with Yuan Ze in the courtyard, and Li Ning’an took the opportunity to slip inside.

Yuan Ze, feeling slightly guilty, handed them a silver note for fifty taels.

He didn’t have much savings; this was an old gift from his master.

“I’m making you all share the risk.”

One of the guards asked, “Can’t Princess Ning’an just ask His Majesty for a decree?”

The Emperor doted on Princess Ning’an so much; why wouldn’t he agree?

Yuan Ze replied, “The princess doesn’t want His Majesty to know.”

He leaned closer and whispered, “You know, when she was young, His Highness King Jing even carried her.”

“He’s still family after all, with some connection. She just wants to find out the truth.”

“If His Majesty knew, he’d think the princess wasn’t close to him, and that would be a disaster.”

The guards understood.

The reason Princess Ning’an held so much power was because of the Emperor’s favor.

Without it, she would be no different from the Fourth Princess.

“Today, the Fourth Princess left the palace, but no one knows where she went.”

One of the guards on the morning shift had heard this from the brothers at the palace gates.

“When she returned, she seemed to be in a very good mood.”

Yuan Ze knew that with Lady Tong Xianfei present, the Fourth Princess and the Princess wouldn’t be very close as sisters.

So, the Fourth Princess leaving the palace now—could it be out of fear that she would be the one chosen for marriage?

If Yuan Ze were to say it, after seeing the Princess, no other woman could catch his eye.

Li Ning’an was unaware of the risk the guards outside were taking for her. She entered the inner hall and saw her uncle, King Jing, lying on the bed.

“Uncle?” she called cautiously, standing by the bed.

King Jing opened his eyes. “Who are you?”

After a moment, he realized.

“Ah, Ning’an. Your uncle has nothing here to welcome you with.”

He wasn’t free, after all.

Originally, King Jing was meant to die, but his life had been spared so he could reveal the remaining rebels.

A sly fox always has multiple dens.

For such a major act of rebellion, he would naturally have escape plans.

Raising a network of hidden followers showed his caution and audacity.

There was the herb Yingwa, and he could very well have other means of gathering wealth; for now, his life was preserved.

Even lying in bed, King Jing maintained his dignity as an elder when he saw Ning’an, smiling as he said he had no gift to offer her.

Li Ning’an didn’t actually have a strong relationship with her uncle.

Seeing him like this, she thought of her own past life.

If she had been saved by Fu Minglang back then, she would have found life worse than death.

She could never have survived by clinging to life as King Jing was now.

“Did you poison Father?” she asked.

A look of surprise flashed in King Jing’s eyes, and seeing Ning’an’s sincerity, he burst into laughter.

If Ning’an was bold enough to come here and ask him, her elder brother must be beyond medical help, with little time left.

“You’ve really brought me some good news.”

Li Ning’an grew anxious; her uncle’s expression made it seem like he didn’t know about her father’s poisoning.

“It really wasn’t you?”

King Jing fell silent, deep in thought, and after a long pause, he said, “Come closer, and I’ll tell you.”

Recently, he’d been fed sparsely, only a third of a meal at a time, leaving him weak and without strength.

Even if he wanted to move, he wouldn’t waste the energy.

Li Ning’an hadn’t expected to get an answer so easily.

She sensed something was off but thought that, if there was an antidote, her father might live another three years.

Li Ning’an sat by the bed and leaned closer.

Today, her attire wasn’t elaborate, but she wore a golden hairpin that tilted toward King Jing.

He kept his hand under the blanket, but suddenly, he reached out and grabbed her hairpin, aiming to stab her.

By the time Li Ning’an realized it, he had already pulled out the hairpin and was stabbing her.

King Jing wasn’t counting on surviving himself, but he wanted her to accompany him in death.

After all, she was her father’s most beloved daughter.

If she were hurt, her father would surely be heartbroken.

What a pity, though, that he couldn’t kill her outright.

“Child, why not join your uncle?”

“On the road to the afterlife, you won’t be lonely.”

“You can pave the way for your father, haha.”

Li Ning’an reacted quickly, but her thigh was still stabbed. She cried out in pain instinctively.

She was reminded of that fateful day.

Of Fu Minglang’s stormy expression and the last words she remembered him saying:

“Send her to the brothel as the lowest of performers.”

Her thoughts turned to Yan Ziqi.

Was he still waiting in the palace alley?

Outside, Yuan Ze, talking with the guards, sensed the princess’s voice.

“Something’s wrong.”

He had been careless.

Yuan Ze immediately rushed inside and saw that the princess was injured.

He hurried to her side and gently lifted her.

“Let’s go.” Li Ning’an didn’t have time to explain. She pressed on her wound, trying to stop the blood from dripping.

But things didn’t go as she wished.

Blood trailed along the walls as Yuan Ze carried her out.

Just as Yan Ziqi was about to complain about how long she was taking, he saw that her leg was injured.

He didn’t dare pick her up himself, nor was there time to reprimand Yuan Ze.

“Get her to my carriage.”

He removed the hairpin, tore a piece of his inner garment to bandage her wound, and then wrapped her in his cloak.