“Empress Dowager, I beg you, please save my younger brother. The Shi family has only him left. If he dies because of this, the Shi bloodline will be completely severed.”
The Empress knelt before the Empress Dowager, her face filled with sorrow.
Dressed in a fiery red phoenix robe and wearing a phoenix hairpin, she usually carried herself with poise, but now she was clearly panicked.
If it had been any other prince’s heir who was assassinated, even if they died, it wouldn’t have caused such an uproar. But Prince Wei was different. His father was the renowned and battle-hardened Lord of Northern Liang, holding command over 300,000 Liangzhou Iron Cavalry.
If he used his son’s death as justification to march south in revenge, the Great Li Empire could collapse.
The Empress Dowager helped the Empress up, her own face also troubled.
“Empress, please rise. His Majesty is still in court. Once the meeting ends, I’ll go and plead on your behalf. However…”
The Empress Dowager hesitated and sighed.
“This is a grave matter. Prince Wei’s identity is too sensitive, and His Majesty is furious. I fear even my intervention may not help.”
“If Prince Wei truly died in Chang’an City and the real assassin isn’t found, your brother will not be able to clear his name. Even if Prince Wei survives, your brother’s involvement in the attack cannot be denied.”
“All we can do now is pray that the Heir of Prince Min survives.”
Shi Lingwei was filled with fear and resentment, but there was nothing she could do. At this point, nothing would help.
Meanwhile, in the marketplace.
Yun Rou leaned back against the bedding, covered in a warm fox-fur cloak, holding a bowl of thick rice porridge in her hands.
She gazed absently at the fake heir carefully boiling medicine.
Her beauty was unmatched, with a naturally graceful and mature charm. Though her actual age was hard to tell, her elegant air clearly marked her as a woman in her prime—mature, alluring, and dangerously tempting.
In her many years of wandering the martial world, Yun Rou had never seen a young man as handsome and dignified as Wei Ran.
“Miss Yun, the way you’re staring at me—have you fallen for me?” Wei Ran asked casually without even looking up.
Yun Rou quickly withdrew her gaze, letting out a dismissive hum.
“Hmph, don’t flatter yourself. I was looking at the medicine pot, making sure you didn’t burn it.”
Still pretending.
Wei Ran simply smiled, unfazed.
Half an hour later, he poured the freshly boiled medicine into a bowl and handed it to Yun Rou.
“Don’t forget our agreement. Once your injuries are mostly healed, come find me at Prince Min’s Residence.”
“Of course.” Yun Rou nodded.
Without saying more, Wei Ran turned and left the small courtyard.
He passed through a few alleyways and arrived at White Tiger Avenue.
The streets bustled with carriages and people. Black Armored Guards were everywhere, each holding a portrait, moving through the crowds checking identities.
As he passed by a shop called Ink Treasure Studio, a noblewoman in a white robe stepped out with her maid.
The maid carried newly purchased calligraphy supplies, followed closely by a richly dressed young nobleman.
The maid, clearly annoyed, said, “Young Master Qin, please stop pestering my lady. She already has someone she cares about. Your relentless pursuit is only making things worse.”
“Someone she cares about?”
Young Master Qin laughed. “I know she likes that good-for-nothing Shi Lingkuan. But Yu Ch, maybe you don’t know—Shi Lingkuan was arrested by the Black Armored Guards this morning. He might never get out again.”
Su Yuchan stopped walking and tilted her head curiously. “Why would you say that, Young Master Qin?”
Qin Feng looked around cautiously, then leaned in with a sly grin.
“Shi Lingkuan hired thugs to assassinate the Heir of Prince Min. As a result, Prince Wei is now missing. His Majesty flew into a rage and ordered the Black Armored Guards to seize that fool. As long as there’s no news of Prince Wei, Shi Lingkuan will rot in the prison. If Prince Wei never returns, he’ll stay there forever. And if he dies, His Majesty will definitely execute Shi Lingkuan—both to vent his anger and to answer to Prince Min.”
Su Yuchan raised an eyebrow. “And you heard this from which teahouse storyteller?”
“What storyteller? I heard it from my sister-in-law,” Qin Feng said, slightly annoyed.
“His Majesty summoned all third-rank-and-above officials to the palace last night to discuss the matter. My sister-in-law, having been honored by the late emperor, holds a third-rank title and has the right to attend such meetings. She told me herself.”
Su Yuchan’s brows furrowed. “My father was summoned to the palace too, and he hasn’t returned yet. How did your sister-in-law leave so early?”
Qin Feng scratched his head awkwardly. “Well, my sister-in-law has a feud with Prince Min’s family—everyone knows that. When she heard about the assassination attempt on Prince Wei, she laughed out loud during court. His Majesty kicked her out immediately.”
Wei Ran twitched at the corner of his mouth.
That third-rank noblewoman must be Prince Min’s sister-in-law—Wen Wan’er.
The fact that she laughed in court upon hearing of his assassination… how deep was that hatred?
Su Yuchan nodded slightly, then sighed with some pity.
“Prince Wei is incredibly talented. A single utterance from him could produce two timeless seven-character quatrains. Such poetic genius—it would be a pity if he died from an assassination.”
“But,” she added, shifting her tone, “there are rumors in Northern Liang that he abuses his father’s power and behaves arrogantly. They say he enjoys watching humans fight beasts and treats lives like dirt. If that’s true, then perhaps he brought it upon himself.”
Wei Ran’s expression turned strange.
He knew the real heir had a terrible reputation, but he didn’t expect it to be so bad that people openly cursed him.
“Your humble servant Liu Zheng, greets Your Highness.”
As Wei Ran spaced out, a deep voice sounded beside him.
He turned and saw a Black Armored Guard in full armor. Judging by the pattern on his armor, he was a seventh-rank Patrol Commander.
Liu Zheng looked excited.
Behind him stood over twenty Black Armored Guards. His greeting drew the attention of Qin Feng and Su Yuchan, who both turned to look.
Seeing that the so-called prince was standing less than three meters behind them, they were both slightly stunned.
Miss Su looked flustered and embarrassed. After gossiping behind someone’s back, to be caught red-handed—anyone would feel awkward.
Wei Ran glanced at Liu Zheng. “You recognize me?”
Liu Zheng quickly replied, “Last night, after Your Highness disappeared, His Majesty ordered a full investigation. As a Patrol Commander, I was given a portrait of Your Highness, so I recognized you. The Commandant instructed us that once you’re identified, we must escort you to the palace immediately. Please, Your Highness, allow us to escort you.”
“Heh,” Qin Feng sneered. “Prince Wei really does have tough luck. They say Shi Lingkuan hired twenty escorts to kill you, and you still survived. It’s always the wicked who live long—scourges last a thousand years.”
Wei Ran turned to look at Qin Feng, who appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen, with sharp features and a heroic spirit.
With a calm expression, he said, “Young Master Qin, do me a favor. Tell Wen Wan’er that I will personally visit her three days from now.”
No matter what, he had to get on her good side—an enemy of an enemy is a friend.
Qin Feng scoffed. “A weasel wishing a chicken happy New Year never has good intentions. My sister-in-law would love nothing more than to eat your family alive. If you dare step into the Duke Jing’s Residence, she’ll probably cut you down before you even cross the threshold.”
Wei Ran chuckled. “That’s my business, not yours.”
Then he turned to Su Yuchan.
She was petite and delicate, as beautiful as a lotus emerging from water—prettier than most online influencers. Her figure rivaled even the Third Princess. The so-called “loli with curves” was nothing compared to her.
“Miss Su, gossiping behind people’s backs can rot your tongue. Someday, I’ll personally check whether your tongue is still intact.”
“Liu Commander, lead the way.”
Leaving only his back behind, Wei Ran followed the Black Armored Guards and departed.
Su Yuchan’s delicate body trembled slightly, and a flicker of panic flashed in her eyes.
It’s over. I’ve offended Prince Wei.
Her father was just a third-rank official. If Prince Wei wanted revenge, how could the mere Chief of the Imperial Academy stop him?