Chapter 4
“Cough! Cough! Cough!”
Sensing danger, the old emperor nearly coughed his lungs out. The top scholar (Zhuangyuan) looked around helplessly, then simply tilted his head and fainted!
Alas! Ying Jiuque could almost hear the collective sighs of regret from everyone. Understandable—really understandable. Fainting at a critical moment is hardly what a gentleman should do!
But since he was already unconscious, continuing to fuss over him wouldn’t help. The old emperor, a little regretful, ordered that the scholar be taken to a side hall to recover. The scene was chaotic, and Ying Jiuque somehow got carried along by the crowd, gradually moving closer to the emperor. The old emperor glanced at her in passing. He didn’t mind—this girl looked fragile and weak, nothing like her mother’s strength. He was a bit disappointed.
Ying Jiuque didn’t notice the emperor’s gaze. She swayed as the crowd pushed her, and at one moment, she tripped over a raised blue brick under her feet, staggering several steps before regaining balance. Pausing briefly, she bent down and grabbed the brick, ready to smash it.
At that instant, a glint of white light flashed in her peripheral vision. She instinctively closed her eyes and looked up, only to see a gleaming dagger thrust toward the emperor with lightning speed, aimed directly at him!
Clang!
A metallic clash rang out. A suddenly appearing palace guard temporarily blocked the attack. But the assassin’s strength was formidable; the guard was quickly struck down, blood spraying alongside a piercing scream.
Many people think about saving the emperor in a moment of danger to secure their own future. But when real danger comes, very few react in time. Even those who do are usually frozen by fear.
Even the battle-hardened old emperor’s pupils contracted in alarm. Still, having fought many campaigns, he had the necessary skills to dodge the second strike. But the crowd around him was too dense. Palace maids, eunuchs, and officials screamed and scattered. The loyal ministers couldn’t get through. And then, the fatal blow came.
The emperor saw the dagger flashing toward him with no way to evade. His eyes widened.
Ying Jiuque, witnessing the emperor being cornered, “…!”
She casually swung the brick she had just picked up.
Thud!
Because the distance was so short, the emperor clearly heard the dull impact. Up close, he saw the assassin—dressed in eunuch attire and baring a murderous expression—have their skull smashed flat by the brick, then explode in a spray of blood and white matter. The emperor was inevitably splattered, but unlike the screaming eunuchs and maids, he seized the opportunity, grabbed the assassin’s hand, and drove the dagger into their neck. The heavily injured assassin froze, blood spouting like a fountain, before collapsing with a thud.
Only then did everyone realize the assassin had been subdued.
The crowd gradually quieted, realizing they had just missed a monumental chance—the chance to save the emperor, a deed worthy of being recorded in the family lineage. How could they have missed it? Of course, some wouldn’t admit their fear; they’d just blame others for being in the way. Especially when the savior of the emperor was this fragile-looking girl…
Glancing at the bloodied hole in the assassin’s head, they swallowed their words. That girl—so delicate, yet so strong—had flattened the assassin’s skull!
“…!”
The old emperor, surviving this ordeal, calmed himself and waved his sleeve expressionlessly. Even Ying Jiuque could feel the air grow cold in an instant. A chilling, awe-inspiring aura erupted, making her neck hairs stand on end. She blinked, a faint interest glimmering in her eyes.
[This is true imperial wrath! But the emperor’s anger is justified—his palace has become like a sieve! Assassins could appear brazenly at his birthday banquet. Next time, would it be poison? The emperor cannot die. Though a bit rough, he is diligent and cares for the people, far better than the last ruler of the previous dynasty!]
The old emperor remained silent, unsure whether to feel joy or anger, but he maintained his dignity. With a few swift orders, he organized the scene. Soon, the high-ranking officials of the Court of Justice and Ministry of Punishments completed their inspection and quietly reported to him.
Ying Jiuque stood not far from the emperor. No one dared stop the savior of the emperor from remaining nearby. Lin Shilang, on the other hand, received countless envious and resentful glances. It was strange—out of all the people present, why was it Lin who benefited without risking his life, gaining the merit of saving the emperor?
The girl would certainly be rewarded by the emperor. But being just a little girl, her reward could at most be an additional title. The real benefit would largely go to the Lin family.
Meanwhile, the emperor listened to the ministers’ reports, deep in thought. How could someone appear out of nowhere with no trace? And what about the little eunuch he had replaced—where was he?
“Search every room in the palace!” he commanded.
He refused to believe there would be no clue.
After a moment, the emperor called Ying Jiuque over, every gesture radiating kindness.
“Jiuque, you saved my life. Whatever you wish for, just ask! I will grant it!”
Ying Jiuque’s eyes glimmered slightly. Before she could speak, Lin Shilang stepped forward politely.
“Your Majesty, this was simply the duty of a young girl. How could she receive such a grand reward? Besides, she has already been titled a county lord—a great honor. Heaven, earth, monarch, parents, and teachers—Your Majesty is our sovereign. We, your ministers, must serve faithfully unto death. I believe the young lady thinks the same.”
The emperor quietly observed the seemingly obedient Ying Jiuque. Somehow, he felt the girl wouldn’t actually think that way…
[Heh, old man, ugly face but fancy thoughts! Why don’t you go risk your life and die for the emperor? Anyone can talk big. Also, if I said I only swung the brick casually, would anyone believe it?]
The emperor remained silent, feeling unusually long moments pass.
Just as Ying Jiuque prepared to speak, a young eunuch rushed over, eyes wide as if he had just seen a centuries-dead ancestor resurrected.
“Your Majesty! The Zhuangyuan… the Zhuangyuan is dead!”
