Chaрtеr 15: Маrquis Zhеnbei’s Plan Fаlls Тhrough~
“Fathеr, I want to mееt Grаnd Тutоr Fеng’s granddаughtеr.”
Shаngguаn Lin pretеnded to read liрs.
Нe slоwlу sаid, “Suisui wаnts tо meеt Grаnd Тutor Feng’s grаnddаughter?”
Shаngguan Sui nodded еagеrly.
[Father is sо smart! Нe еvеn knows how tо read lips!]
Shаngguаn Lin аwkwаrdly chuсklеd twiсе.
Fortunatеly, hе could hеar Suisui’s thoughts; оtherwise, just bу reading lips, hе rеаlly wоuldn’t undеrstand what Suisui was sаying.
“Еunuсh Chen, gо to Grand Тutor Fеng’s rеsidеncе and cоnvey mу оrаl decree: summon Grand Tutor Fеng’s grаnddaughter to the раlace tоmоrrow to see Consort Chen.”
Eunuch Chen immediately cupped his hands.
“Your servant obeys the command.”
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Sui immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Her throat was saved!
Shangguan Lin also began to focus on handling state affairs with peace of mind.
Shangguan Sui ate pastries while her eyes wandered around.
She no longer took medicine and wouldn’t feel sleepy all day like before.
After finishing a plate of pastries and drinking a large cup of milk tea,
Shangguan Sui leaned back on the imperial throne and let out a small burp.
Hearing that soft sound, Shangguan Lin couldn’t help but chuckle quietly and turned to look at her.
“Is Suisui tired? How about Father takes Suisui for a stroll in the Imperial Garden?”
Shangguan Sui immediately nodded.
[Yes, yes! Let’s go out for a walk! I’ve been sitting here for almost two hours, my bottom hurts!]
[Let’s go play! Let’s go play!]
Shangguan Lin was also tired from reviewing memorials, so he immediately took Shangguan Sui toward the Imperial Garden.
Shangguan Sui toddled unsteadily along the cobblestone path in the Imperial Garden on her little legs.
[Hmph, it’s all my father’s fault, carrying me around all day and not letting me walk on my own!]
[Now I’m already three years old, and I still walk so unsteadily!]
Shangguan Lin: …
Your mother also carries you around all day; why don’t you blame her?
Just blame him alone, right?
Though he thought this, Shangguan Lin still followed closely behind Shangguan Sui, afraid she might fall.
The two walked one after the other,
followed by many maids and eunuchs.
Suddenly, a sharp, cold glint flashed!
A maid suddenly drew a dagger from her sleeve and lunged straight at Shangguan Lin!
Everyone instantly panicked.
Eunuch Chen shouted urgently, “Protect His Majesty! Protect His Majesty!”
Shangguan Lin immediately dodged to the side.
The maid pressed forward, but at that moment, a guard leaped forward, his long sword flashing.
In an instant, he subdued the maid and pinned her to the ground.
The Imperial Guard also arrived immediately and restrained the maid assassin.
Shangguan Lin picked up Shangguan Sui and gently comforted her, “Suisui, are you alright?”
Shangguan Sui blinked and slowly shook her head.
[That was really dangerous just now, but fortunately Father is fine~]
[This maid is really bold, daring to assassinate the Emperor in broad daylight!]
Only then did Shangguan Lin feel relieved. Holding Shangguan Sui, he walked over to the guard and couldn’t help but praise him.
“You reacted quickly and are a rare talent. What is your name?”
The guard looked up, revealing an extremely handsome face.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, my name is Ma Jingxin.”
Shangguan Sui perked up her ears.
Why does that name sound so familiar…
Shangguan Lin examined Ma Jingxin before him with great satisfaction.
“You are highly skilled in martial arts. Patrolling the palace in the Imperial Guard is somewhat beneath you. How about…”
[No!!]
[Father! This Ma Jingxin is one of Marquis Zhenbei’s men!]
Shangguan Lin: ?
How could he be Marquis Zhenbei’s man!
Shangguan Sui huffed angrily.”Marquis Zhenbei is truly cunning. Before his power has even reached the point of rebellion, he’s already planting people by your side.”
“In the original story, when Marquis Zhenbei raised his army, this Ma Jingxin collaborated with him from within, assassinating Father!”
“Though Father survived the sword strike, his health deteriorated from the injury, and his temper grew increasingly worse. Eventually, he became a tyrant who would execute entire clans at the slightest provocation, and the Great Moon Kingdom gradually fell into decline…”
Shangguan Lin’s heart trembled upon hearing this.
A cold sweat broke out along his spine.
Thankfully, Suisui had reminded him, or he truly would have kept a wolf in sheep’s clothing by his side.
Fortunately, it was still not too late.
Shangguan Sui tugged at Shangguan Lin’s clothes, her eyes blinking incessantly.
“Abah abah—”
“Father, you must not keep this Ma Jingxin by your side!”
“He will secretly harm you! He’s Marquis Zhenbei’s man!”
Shangguan Lin reached out and gently patted Shangguan Sui’s back, nodding to her.
Then his gaze fell upon Ma Jingxin, who was kneeling on the ground.
His tone suddenly shifted.
“Guard Ma Jingxin has rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor. I hereby bestow upon him a hundred taels of gold as a reward.”
Ma Jingxin looked up in shock.
?!
How could this be? The Emperor actually didn’t transfer him to serve as a personal guard?
Then wasn’t everything arranged today all for nothing?
What about the Marquis’s plan?
This is terrible, but where exactly did it go wrong?
Hearing this, Shangguan Sui beamed with joy, her eyes crinkling into crescents.
“Wahoo, she and Father truly share a deep connection!”
“Excellent! Marquis Zhenbei’s plan has failed~”
“Father won’t get injured again! The Great Moon Kingdom will surely get better and better!”
Shangguan Lin carried Shangguan Sui away from the Imperial Garden.
As he left, his gaze swept coldly over Ma Jingxin, still kneeling on the ground.
He couldn’t directly deal with Marquis Zhenbei.
But discreetly disposing of a guard was still an easy matter.
Ma Jingxin lowered his eyes, pondering his earlier performance, when his body suddenly trembled.
Why, in the middle of the day, did he suddenly feel a chill run down his spine?
As soon as Shangguan Lin carried Shangguan Sui back to the Imperial Study, Consort Chen’s people arrived right after.
Qing Ping bowed respectfully, her voice calm, “Reporting to the Emperor—”