“Father, I want to meet the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Feng.”
Shangguan Lin pretended to read her lip movements.
He slowly said, “Suisui wants to meet Grand Tutor Feng’s granddaughter?”
Shangguan Sui nodded eagerly.
【Father is so smart! He can even read lips!】
Shangguan Lin gave an awkward laugh.
Fortunately, he could hear Suisui’s inner thoughts; otherwise, just relying on lip reading, he really wouldn’t understand what she was saying.
“Eunuch Chen,” he ordered, “go to Grand Tutor Feng’s residence and deliver my oral decree. Summon his granddaughter into the palace tomorrow to meet Consort Chen.”
Eunuch Chen immediately cupped his hands. “This servant obeys.”
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Sui finally relaxed.
Her throat would be saved!
Shangguan Lin also returned to handling state affairs.
Shangguan Sui ate pastries, her eyes wandering around the room.
She had already stopped taking medicine and no longer felt as sleepy as before.
After finishing a plate of pastries and drinking a large cup of milk tea, she leaned against the dragon throne and let out a small burp.
Shangguan Lin heard the sound and couldn’t help but chuckle softly, turning to look at her.
“Are you tired, Suisui? How about Father takes you for a walk in the Imperial Garden?”
Shangguan Sui immediately nodded.
【Yes, yes! Let’s go out! I’ve been sitting here for almost two hours—my butt hurts!】
【Let’s play outside!】
Shangguan Lin had also grown a bit tired of reviewing memorials, so he immediately took her toward the Imperial Garden.
Shangguan Sui walked unsteadily on the pebble path, her little legs wobbling.
【Hmph, it’s all Father’s fault—he always carries me and won’t let me walk!】
【That’s why I’m already three and still walking so unsteadily!】
Shangguan Lin: …
Your mother also carries you all the time—why don’t you blame her?
Why is it only me?
Though he thought this, he still followed closely behind her, afraid she might fall.
The two walked one after the other, with many maids and eunuchs following behind.
Suddenly, a flash of cold light appeared!
A maid suddenly pulled a dagger from her sleeve and stabbed straight toward Shangguan Lin!
Chaos erupted instantly.
Eunuch Chen shouted, “Assassins! Protect His Majesty!”
Shangguan Lin immediately dodged to the side.
The maid pressed forward relentlessly. At that moment, a guard leapt forward, his sword flashing—
In an instant, he subdued the maid and pinned her to the ground.
The Imperial Guards quickly arrived and restrained the 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 so dangerous. Thankfully Father is fine~】
【That maid is so bold, trying to assassinate the Emperor in broad daylight!】
Only then did Shangguan Lin relax. Holding Shangguan Sui, he walked to the guard and praised him.
“You reacted very quickly. You are quite talented. What is your name?”
The guard raised his head, revealing a very handsome, clean-cut face.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant is named Ma Jingxin.”
Shangguan Sui perked up.
That name sounded oddly familiar…
Shangguan Lin studied Ma Jingxin and was very satisfied.
“Your martial skills are excellent. It is somewhat beneath you to only patrol the palace as an Imperial Guard. How about—”
【No!!!】
【Father! This Ma Jingxin is one of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s men!】
Shangguan Lin: ?!
How could he be one of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s men?!
Shangguan Sui huffed angrily.
【The Marquis of Zhenbei is really cunning. His power isn’t enough to rebel yet, so he already planted people around you.】
【In the original story, when he finally rebelled, this Ma Jingxin collaborated from inside the palace and assassinated Father!】
【Father was stabbed. Although he survived, his health deteriorated badly afterward, and his temper worsened until he became a ruthless tyrant who would execute entire clans at the slightest offense. The Great Yue Kingdom then fell into decline…】
Shangguan Lin felt his heart tighten.
A cold sweat ran down his back.
Thankfully Suisui warned him—otherwise, he would have kept a wolf beside him.
Good thing it wasn’t too late.
Shangguan Sui tugged at his robe, blinking rapidly.
“Abba abba—”
【Father, please don’t keep this Ma Jingxin by your side!】
【He will harm you! He is the Marquis of Zhenbei’s man!】
Shangguan Lin gently patted her back and nodded.
Then his gaze turned cold as he looked at Ma Jingxin, still kneeling on the ground.
His tone suddenly changed.
“Imperial Guard Ma Jingxin, you have rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor. I hereby grant you one hundred taels of gold as reward.”
Ma Jingxin looked up in shock.
?!
How could this be? The Emperor didn’t promote him to personal guard?
Then everything planned for today would be ruined!
The Marquis’s plan—what about it?!
It’s over… but where did it go wrong?!
Shangguan Sui laughed so hard her eyes curved into crescents.
【Wahaha! Father and I are so in sync!】
【Great! The Marquis of Zhenbei’s plan is ruined~】
【Father won’t get hurt anymore! The Great Yue Kingdom will definitely get better and better!】
Shangguan Lin carried Shangguan Sui away from the Imperial Garden.
As they left, his gaze turned cold as he glanced at Ma Jingxin kneeling on the ground.
He could not directly move against the Marquis of Zhenbei yet…
But quietly dealing with a mere guard was still easy.
Ma Jingxin lowered his head, still thinking about his failed plan, when suddenly his body trembled.
Why… did he suddenly feel a chill down his spine in broad daylight?
Just as Shangguan Lin returned to the Imperial Study holding Shangguan Sui, Consort Chen’s people arrived.
Qingping bowed and said softly,
“Reporting to Your Majesty—”