It was at this moment that Song Zhengyi burst in.
“Grandfather, First Uncle, Second Uncle, I spoke with her. She said she knows medicine and is willing to diagnose Mother.”
Seeing his flustered expression, Zhao Qian couldn’t help but worry, “Zheng’er, why are you panicking? Is it your mother’s illness…”
“Grandfather, Imperial Physician Lin said he’s at his wit’s end regarding Mother’s illness and told us to…”
According to Imperial Physician Lin, Mother’s illness had reached an incurable stage, beyond medical help, and they should prepare for her passing.
“Hmph! I think that Lin Guanghe is becoming more useless with age.”
Zhao Qian inwardly resisted the imperial physician’s declaration that his daughter was nearing death, thus holding grievances against several physicians from the Imperial Hospital.
Zhao Qingshan’s attention was caught by the “her” mentioned by Song Zhengyi.
“Zheng’er, who did you meet?”
Song Zhengyi said excitedly, “It’s Young Madam Gu, Song Shiyue!”
Song Shiyue!
“Young Madam Gu’s surname is Song? What a coincidence?”
Zhao Qingsong’s brows remained furrowed. Late last night, after receiving the message from Song Zhengyi, he had sent people to investigate, but there was still no reply.
“First Uncle, it’s not just the surname that’s coincidental, but also the appearance. She looks almost identical to Mother before she fell ill.”
Zhao Qingsong dismissed it, “Zheng’er, there are plenty of people who look alike. Perhaps you’re overthinking it.”
“First Uncle, they look so similar that unless they’re related by blood, it wouldn’t be possible to be nearly identical.”
Song Zhengyi carefully recalled Song Shiyue’s appearance and affirmed again, “Anyone who sees them wouldn’t doubt they’re mother and daughter.”
The study fell into silence.
If that Young Madam Gu truly was the legitimate daughter of the Song family, how many matters would this bring to light?
How many people were involved, and how many secrets were there?
This would stir up a storm in the Guangping Hou Estate, and the consequences would be unpredictable.
Zhao Qian’s aged face darkened, “Investigate! We must get to the bottom of this. Find out all the wrongs the Guangping Hou Estate has done to our Zhao daughter. Every debt must be repaid.”
Unaware that the Guangping Hou Estate was about to face a storm, Song Shiyue was worried about Gu Yu Chen.
“Uncle Da, did your young master usually stay this long when he entered the palace before?”
Seeing the young madam’s concern for the young master, Uncle Da was secretly pleased.
“The young master is quite favored by Emperor Jingren and is often summoned. There have been times when he stayed overnight in the palace. If he truly isn’t returning, he would send someone to inform us.”
Song Shiyue looked at the darkening sky outside, “Dinnertime is almost over. Has there been any news?”
“Well… not yet.”
Uncle Da began to worry. Normally, he should have returned by now, or at least sent word.
“Uncle Da, given the assassination attempt last night, perhaps we should send someone to check!”
“Alright, have Xu Xin and the others go to meet him.”
Uncle Da walked out steadily, thinking the situation couldn’t be too serious.
Just as he left Ruifeng Courtyard, he saw his young master being supported unsteadily by Liu Si.
“Something really happened?!”
“Uncle Da, let’s get the young master back to his room first, then discuss in detail.”
Seeing that Gu Yu Chen didn’t even have the strength to speak, Uncle Da’s heart tightened.
“Young Madam, the young master is injured. Could you please take a look?”
Song Shiyue had already overheard Liu Si and Uncle Da’s conversation. Now, seeing Gu Yu Chen hanging his head with unsteady breathing, she stepped forward, scooped him up horizontally, and quickly carried him to the bed.
Uncle Da rapped Liu Si on the forehead. “You brainless fool, why didn’t you think to carry the young master inside, or at least carry him on your back?”
“Ah! Why didn’t I think of that?”
Liu Si rubbed the bump on his forehead. “You didn’t think of it either when you saw him, did you? And you hit me so hard.”
Uncle Da glared, and Liu Si hurried into the room. “Young Madam, let me help.”
Gu Yu Chen’s robe had been opened, revealing a clear palm print on his sturdy chest.
“Who injured him?”
“It’s still unclear.”
Liu Si watched as Song Shiyue applied acupuncture needles, slowly recounting their ordeal.
Gu Yu Chen had entered the palace early in the morning. Liu Si and the others couldn’t follow him inside, so they didn’t know what the Emperor had asked or said.
They only knew that Emperor Jingren had hosted lunch, and Gu Yu Chen left the palace near the end of the Shen hour.
“When the young master left the palace, he looked relaxed. It was clear the Emperor hadn’t given him a hard time.”
Uncle Da, standing nearby, asked discontentedly, “Then how did the young master get injured?”
“As the young master was about to board the carriage, the Crown Prince and Prince Chu stopped him to inquire about last night’s assassination attempt.”
Song Shiyue lifted her eyelids slightly—they had suspected Prince Chu, after all.
“The Crown Prince and Prince Chu insisted on taking the young master to a tavern for drinks to calm his nerves. He couldn’t refuse, so he went along with them.”
Song Shiyue thought that Gu Yu Chen must have agreed to go because he wanted to find out if Prince Chu was behind last night’s incident.
When they saw black blood flowing from Gu Yu Chen’s chest, Liu Si and Uncle Da gasped.
“Was the young master poisoned?”
“No, he was injured internally by Inner Force. This is stagnant blood. Once it’s drained, he’ll wake up soon.”
Uncle Da said angrily, “The young master has never publicly displayed his martial arts skills. How could they be so ruthless to someone who appeared defenseless?”
“Just because he hasn’t shown it doesn’t mean no one knows he practices martial arts.”
Song Shiyue didn’t believe any secret could remain hidden forever, unless one never acted on it.
She fetched a cloth to wipe away the black blood until fresh red blood flowed, and Gu Yu Chen’s breathing eased.
Song Shiyue looked up at Liu Si, signaling him to continue.
“Oh, right.”
Seeing that the young master’s complexion had improved, Liu Si felt relieved and continued his story.
“Halfway through dinner, the Crown Prince was summoned by the Grand Tutor of the Eastern Palace, saying that the Empress Dowager had issued an Imperial Decree.”
Gu Yu Chen seized the opportunity to leave as well. Prince Chu didn’t try to stop him but instead left the tavern with him.
Just as they were saying their goodbyes and about to board their respective carriages, something unexpected happened.
“A swarm of black-clad assassins descended upon us.”
Song Shiyue looked at Liu Si, a hint of amusement in her eyes. Wasn’t that a bit exaggerated?
“Young Madam, I’m telling the truth! There were twice as many as last night’s assassins.”
“What? Twice as many!”
There had been about twenty assassins targeting her the previous night. Sixty today—for their small group, it truly felt like a swarm.
“Who would send so many people to assassinate your young master?”
“No! They weren’t targeting the young master. They were after Prince Chu. We just had the bad luck of getting caught up in it.”
It turned out that when the assassins appeared, Gu Yu Chen and Prince Chu were standing very close. Gu Yu Chen quickly dodged, but Prince Chu moved in the same direction, and the two collided.
Gu Yu Chen ended up in the path of an assassin’s palm and, by sheer coincidence, took a blow meant for Prince Chu.
Just as Liu Si and Liu Wu were enraged and ready to fight the assassins to the death, the Five Cities Patrol Command arrived, and the assassins vanished without a trace.
“Heh. What a coincidence indeed.”
Uncle Da noticed Song Shiyue’s playful expression. “Young Madam, are you suspecting that the assassination attempt on Prince Chu was fake, and the real purpose was to test the young master?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Song Shiyue pulled out the silver needles from Gu Yu Chen’s chest. “This might very well be a play orchestrated by Prince Chu himself.”
“Orchestrated by himself? You mean this was arranged by Prince Chu.”
“It’s possible, but the Crown Prince isn’t above suspicion either. They’re doubting the extent of your young master’s injuries.”
Fortunately, the guy currently had no Inner Force left, otherwise he would have instinctively resisted.
If that were the case, how would he have handled the situation?
“My control is quite strong; I wouldn’t casually expose myself.”
Gu Yu Chen wasn’t unconscious—he was merely keeping his eyes closed to conserve energy.
He had heard every word they said and had guessed what Song Shiyue was thinking.
“Besides, tonight’s assassination attempt wasn’t carried out by Prince Chu.”
“Then who was it?”