Chapter 226
**Chapter 224: The Assassination of Zhaoyang**
Everyone was taken aback, except for Li Yuanjing, who set down his wine cup and asked the esteemed Zhaoyang, “Zhaoyang, what are your thoughts?”
If Zhaoyang disagreed, Li Yuanjing would select a noblewoman from their clan to replace her in a distant marriage.
The peace between the two nations was already a done deal.
The Emperor of Yue wanted to marry Zhaoyang, but it was merely a gilding on the lily—optional, not essential.
Curious eyes flitted between Princess Zhaoyang and Yan Yunting.
Zhaoyang slowly stood up, knelt before the Emperor seated high above, and replied, “Your Majesty, Zhaoyang is a princess of Daqing, supported by the people, and I must shoulder the responsibilities of my title. I have heard that the Emperor of Yue is benevolent and cares for his people—”
She paused, closed her eyes briefly, and spoke calmly, “Zhaoyang is willing to marry into Yue.”
She accepted it with grace.
Marrying the Emperor of Yue could bring decades of peace between their nations, ensuring the well-being of countless citizens. It was worth it.
The crowd gasped; no one expected Princess Zhaoyang to agree!
Yan Yunting was left speechless, his mind a blank.
How could this be?
How could Zhaoyang possibly agree?
A sharp pain pierced his heart, as if something that belonged to him was slipping away rapidly, and he nearly lost control.
He stood up, wanting to ask the Emperor for permission to marry Zhaoyang instead. But a servant behind him quickly grabbed his shoulder, whispering urgently, “My lord! Don’t lose your composure! This is a state banquet; if you act rashly, the Emperor will surely be furious!”
Tonight’s banquet was of great significance, showcasing the dignity of the Qing nation.
If Yan Yunting acted recklessly, he might face punishment.
The servant continued, “Princess Zhaoyang cares for you; that won’t change. Perhaps she’s just upset with you tonight. You can go to the princess’s residence tomorrow, apologize sincerely, and bring her some of her favorite pastries as a gift. She will surely forgive you, just like before.”
Yan Yunting forced himself to calm down.
His fingers nervously clutched his wine cup, and he downed a large gulp, the spicy, rich liquid flooding his mouth and stimulating his nerves. He tried to convince himself that Zhaoyang was still upset with him.
Tonight, Dantai Rou had come to deliver his cloak, and Zhaoyang, who was prone to jealousy, must have seen it.
That’s why Zhaoyang had deliberately agreed to marry the Emperor of Yue.
He decided to visit the princess’s residence tomorrow, set aside his pride, apologize, and bring her favorite pastries as a gift. Zhaoyang would surely forgive him as she always had.
As the night deepened, the palace banquet drew to a close.
Li Yuanjing rose to leave, and the officials and noblewomen gradually departed from the feast.
...
The spring night was cool, and the wide square in front of the palace gates rustled with the night breeze. Yan Yunting, having drunk too much, was thoroughly intoxicated, and the servant struggled to support him as they made their way to the Yan family carriage.
“Brother Yunting!” Dantai Rou’s anxious voice rang out.
She hurried over, lifting her skirt, her face filled with concern.
The pungent smell of alcohol hit her.
Dantai Rou gently wiped Yan Yunting’s face and told the servant, “Brother Yunting has had too much to drink. I’ll return to the Yan family’s villa with you to take care of him.”
The servant didn’t dare refuse.
Yan Yunting was deeply infatuated with Dantai Rou, and everyone around considered her to be a concubine of the Yan household.
The carriage moved slowly, arriving at the villa where Yan Yunting lived alone. Dantai Rou helped him onto the bed and fetched a hangover remedy, spooning it into his mouth.
“Miss, Princess Zhaoyang is still in the palace, having gone to the Cining Palace of the Empress Dowager,” a maid whispered to Dantai Rou.
Dantai Rou asked, “Is everything set up on the street?”
“Rest assured,” the maid replied before quietly leaving.
Dantai Rou continued to care for the drunken Yan Yunting. After a while, due to the headache from the alcohol, Yan Yunting groggily opened his eyes.
The room was dimly lit by candlelight, and Dantai Rou, sitting by the bed, appeared to him as the longed-for “Princess Zhaoyang.”
Her beauty was exquisite, as regal as a peony.
Yan Yunting’s heart softened completely; he couldn’t help but open his arms and pull “Zhaoyang” tightly into his embrace, saying affectionately, “I knew you had feelings for me…”
The effects of the alcohol heightened his emotions.
The bed curtains swayed and fell.
On the peach wood table by the bed, the unfinished hangover remedy slowly cooled.
...
In the Cining Palace that night.
The inner hall was brightly lit, and the Empress Dowager frowned as she scolded Zhaoyang, “The Emperor of Yue wants to marry you? That’s nothing but a fool’s dream! You’re making a scene, agreeing to such a thing in public.”
Zhaoyang obediently knelt on the ground.
She didn’t feel she had done anything wrong and replied firmly, “Mother, the war between Yue and Qing has lasted for decades, causing countless people to suffer and many children to lose their parents. With the new Emperor of Yue seeking peace, if I marry into Yue, it could bring—”
The Empress Dowager interrupted her angrily, “Don’t speak nonsense!”
Tears streamed down Zhaoyang’s face as she spoke with determination, “Mother… You and Father have protected me for many years; I also want to do something for Qing.”
The Empress Dowager turned her head, her eyes slowly reddening.
Zhaoyang quickly stood up, moved closer to the Empress Dowager, and, as she had done in the past, wrapped her arms around her mother’s. Her voice choked with emotion, she said, “Don’t worry, Mother. I will write to you often after I go to Yue. I’ve grown up; I can’t rely on you and my brother forever. I must walk my own path.”
Tears fell from the Empress Dowager’s eyes.
She felt both heartbroken and helpless.
A royal princess must either win over court officials or strengthen foreign ties; this has been the way of things since ancient times.
Zhaoyang comforted the Empress Dowager for a long while, personally attending to her as she prepared to rest. When the night grew late, Zhaoyang took a carriage back to the princess’s residence.
The streets were quiet at night, the oil-paper lanterns swaying in the wind on either side of the road. The carriage wheels of the princess’s carriage rolled over the cobblestones, while two guards outside remained vigilant.
Zhaoyang sat in the carriage, holding a worn-out cloth tiger, her mind heavy with thoughts.
Though she told everyone she was willing to marry the Emperor of Yue, deep down, she felt uncertain.
Even with the Emperor of Yue’s handwritten letter, she was still filled with confusion about the future.
What if the Emperor of Yue was merely pretending? What would she do then?
What if he had a harem full of wives and concubines? What then?
Men’s words are often filled with lies and deceit.
As the carriage continued, the horses suddenly became startled.
“What’s happening?” Zhaoyang gasped, nearly dropping the cloth tiger.
The guard outside replied in a low voice, “There’s an assassin.”
Zhaoyang was bewildered. “An… assassin?”
Outside the palace gates, where security was usually tight, how could there be an assassin?
The guard calmly said, “Don’t be afraid, Princess. Stay in the carriage; I will protect you with my life.”
His voice was deep and steady, instilling a sense of calm.
Zhaoyang’s heart raced, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the cloth tiger. She couldn’t fathom who she had offended to warrant an assassination attempt within the imperial city.
Did they not fear retribution against their entire clan?
Outside the carriage, there was a commotion, the sound of clashing swords. In less than half a tea time, the heavy sound of hooves approached—the city guards were coming.
The main streets of the imperial city were patrolled every night by capable city guards to ensure its safety.
The commotion near Princess Zhaoyang had alerted the guards.
Moments later, the air was thick with the smell of blood. Zhaoyang heard the guard outside say, “Princess, the assassin has been dealt with.”
Cautiously, Zhaoyang lifted the curtain of the carriage.
The bright moonlight flowed like water, illuminating the street. On the cold bluestone pavement lay two black-clad assassins, both having taken poison to end their lives.
The city guards were lifting the bodies onto a stretcher to take them to the Ministry of Justice for examination.
Holding the cloth tiger, Zhaoyang looked at the guard who had protected her and praised, “Well done. You’ll be rewarded when we return.”
Tonight, at the banquet, Zhaoyang had only brought two guards from the princess’s residence, who were of average skill. She hadn’t expected this guard to be so capable, deserving of commendation.
The guard lowered his head, his shadow stretching long in the moonlight, and said, “Protecting the princess is my duty.”
Zhaoyang felt a strange ripple in her heart; she couldn’t shake the feeling that this guard was somewhat unusual.
He wore a black hat that obscured his face, revealing only the strong lines of his jaw.
Zhaoyang’s heart fluttered, and she said, “Lift your head.”
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