Free Web NovelChapter 392: Chapter 392: Lying in Wait
"In my opinion, we should send more people in to search."
The Eldest Princess was growing truly worried.
Yanchuan was one thing, but Qinyang and Chutang were still in there!
Consort Ru looked hesitant. She glanced at Emperor Muwu and said uncertainly, "But... our men are already spread out. If we send out more, what will we do if the assassins come here?"
After all, His Majesty’s safety was paramount.
The Eldest Princess frowned.
’Emperor Muwu once fought on the battlefield himself; he conquered this world on horseback. How could he possibly fear a few assassins!’
Just as she was about to speak, a strange noise suddenly came from the woods.
She turned to look.
Xiao Chengxuan was already on high alert. "Protect the Emperor!"
The soldiers instantly went on high alert!
Emperor Muwu, however, stood up and looked forward.
Xiao Chengxuan said, "Father, be careful—"
"Open your eyes and see clearly who is approaching!" Emperor Muwu’s deep voice cut him off.
Xiao Chengxuan froze, then followed his father’s gaze.
Through the dense mountain woods, the figures of a group on horseback gradually came into view.
Soon, he could make out their faces.
Shen Yanchuan!
Xiao Chengqi!
And with them were Princess Qingyang and Ye Chutang!
’H-how are all these people together...?’
While Xiao Chengxuan was still stunned, Xiao Chengqi had already dismounted and strode forward to pay his respects.
"I was incompetent. Lured into the woods by assassins, I have returned late and caused you to worry, Father. Please grant me punishment!"
In the blazing torchlight, Emperor Muwu’s gaze fell on his bandaged left shoulder. "You’re injured?"
Xiao Chengqi lowered his head. "Just a minor wound."
The strip of cloth had clearly been torn from clothing in a hurry and was still soaked with blood. How could that be a minor wound?
Yet Xiao Chengqi had ridden up and paid his respects with fluid grace, his movements showing no hint of sluggishness.
A true man of iron will.
The knot of worry in Emperor Muwu’s chest finally loosened. Seeing Xiao Chengqi’s conduct, he grew increasingly pleased, his eyes filled with unconcealed admiration.
"The assassins came prepared. Your safe return is a feat in itself."
Xiao Chengqi showed no pride at the compliment, remaining deferential. "I was only able to return safely this time thanks to the Heir of Duke Dingbei’s timely rescue. Had he not arrived when he did to help me subdue those assassins, I fear I would have faced a much more vicious battle."
Emperor Muwu’s mood improved considerably, and he smiled as he looked toward Shen Yanchuan.
"I am well aware of Yanchuan’s abilities. For him to protect you and escort you back through that dense forest is a great merit indeed!"
Shen Yanchuan clasped his fists. "I was merely fulfilling my duty as your subject, Your Majesty. You are too generous with your praise."
His tone was nonchalant, his expression calm; it truly seemed he thought nothing of the life-or-death situation he had just faced.
But while he didn’t speak of the danger, no one present was a fool.
Seeing the bloodstains on all of them, it wasn’t hard to imagine the dire straits they had just endured.
Yet upon his return, he showed no intention of vying for glory.
Emperor Muwu laughed heartily. "Yanchuan, you are too modest! Cheng Qi was lured deep into a trap by the enemy, and only you! You alone disregarded your own safety to rush to his aid! That courage and resolve alone put you far above others!"
He spoke with such force that everyone present heard him loud and clear.
Consort Ru’s expression stiffened, and Xiao Chengxuan secretly clenched his fists.
’Who couldn’t tell that Father’s words were aimed at him!’
’Others?’
’Who did he mean by ’others’?’
’Who else but his own brother!’
’Father already suspected he was involved with the assassins. Now it’ll be even harder to clear his name!’
Xiao Chengxuan’s heart burned with frustration, and he couldn’t stop himself from speaking. "Fath—"
Before the word left his mouth, Xiao Lansi spoke up from the side. "Father, my brother has returned injured. Shouldn’t we summon an Imperial Physician to examine him first?"
Her gentle, timid voice broke the tense, delicate atmosphere.
Emperor Muwu snapped out of it and glanced at her.
Xiao Lansi seemed to realize what she had just said. Her face flushed slightly as she hurriedly said, "I have misspoken. Please forgive me, Father!"
But Emperor Muwu just waved his hand, his expression softening with a rare gentleness.
"You were only concerned for your brother. What fault is there in that?"
Xiao Lansi seemed unused to such praise. She lowered her head, at a loss, and pursed her lips as if unsure how to react.
But her interruption served as a reminder to Xiao Chengxuan—’Father is already suspicious of me. If I speak rashly now, won’t I just provoke his anger even more?’
He took a deep breath, suppressed his thoughts, and swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Seeing this, Consort Ru quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
An Imperial Physician arrived quickly. After taking Xiao Chengqi’s pulse, his expression grew grave.
"His Highness suffered an arrow wound. Although it did not injure the bone, b-but—"
Emperor Muwu’s brows furrowed. "But what? Speak!"
The Imperial Physician fell to his knees. "But the arrowhead was coated in a potent poison! If we can’t neutralize it in time, I fear... I fear His Highness’s arm cannot be saved!"
As his words fell, a dead silence descended.
Everyone was silent with fear.
Everyone knew how highly His Majesty favored Xiao Chengqi. If something were to truly happen to him, then...
Emperor Muwu’s expression was exceedingly grim.
"What are you standing there for?! I command you, you must save Cheng Qi’s arm, no matter the cost!"
’One prince is already crippled. If another is lost today...!’
The Imperial Physician broke out in a cold sweat and stammered, "Y-Your Majesty, I am incompetent... This poison is incredibly bizarre and rare. I... I truly do not know the antidote. I... I can only have His Highness take a Qingshen Detoxification Pill to suppress the poison from spreading further, but... but... I’m afraid we can only ask the Lord Hospital Director to intervene..."
He trailed off, his face deathly pale.
Everyone present understood his meaning.
But at a time like this, how could they possibly summon someone to come here!?
Emperor Muwu’s face was dark as thunder. Just as he was about to erupt, Consort Ru suddenly spoke up.
"Your Majesty, though Doctor Li has no cure for this poison, we still have Second Miss Ye here!"
Emperor Muwu paused.
All eyes in the clearing simultaneously turned in the same direction.
’That’s right!’
’Doesn’t everyone say Ye Chutang’s medical skills are superb? Perhaps she has a solution?’
Xiao Lansi’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly added, "Yes! Second Miss Ye diagnosed me just a short while ago by taking my pulse. She is extremely adept in the Qihuang Skill. If she helps, my brother will surely be fine!"
Suddenly finding herself the center of attention, Ye Chutang looked up and arched a brow.
’Oh, so this is what they had in store for me?’
