AWB Chapter 54 A distinguished guest has arrived at the mansion.
Chapter 54 A distinguished guest has arrived at the mansion.
Qin Jiuwei was still somewhat dazed. She reached out and tightly gripped Xie Yanli's clothes, as if she had grasped a lifeline.
She sobbed, "I was so scared just now, I was so worried about you..."
What would she do if Xie Yanli had really been in trouble just now...?
Xie Yanli tightened his embrace around her and continued to coax her, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid."
He lowered his head slightly, inhaling the fragrance emanating from her hair, and his mind gradually calmed down.
The two embraced like that, leaving Xie Jingchun, who was standing to the side, completely stunned.
Even though he was just a child, he could tell that his parents' relationship had always been very cold, and they didn't even sleep together at night.
But now, they're actually hugging each other!
Xie Jingchun rubbed his eyes hard, trying to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
I opened my eyes, and they were still holding me tightly!
Ahhhh! I really want to call my second and third brothers to come and see!
Now on the other side.
King Qi also received news of the failed assassination attempt, and his refined face instantly became extremely distorted.
He suddenly stopped and slammed his fist heavily on the table beside him, causing the teacup on the table to bounce a few times and spill some tea.
"A bunch of useless trash!" King Qi roared through gritted teeth, his voice echoing in the empty room.
The two men in black he hired were the two top assassins of Tianyuan Pavilion, but they couldn't even scratch Xie Yanli!
The servant who came to report said in a trembling voice, "We were almost successful. An assassin fired a hidden weapon at Prince Xie before he died, but unexpectedly..."
"What? Speak!" King Qi roared.
"I didn't expect that Young Master Xie was wearing chainmail inside! That's why the hidden weapons didn't hurt him."
King Qi frowned. "Why is he wearing chainmail to the poetry gathering?"
His heart sank suddenly; he hadn't expected Xie Yanli to be so cautious.
In fact, he had expected long ago that Xie Yanli would not be so easy to kill.
But this time, he was just a tiny bit short, and he was so unwilling to accept it! He was so unwilling!
King Qi clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, and coldly ordered, "Where is Xie Yanli now? Lead the way!"
Now that the assassination attempt has failed, he must clear himself of suspicion as soon as possible.
The plot to rebel can continue to be carried out gradually, but the assassination must not be exposed, and Xie Yanli must not be aroused to suspicion.
If word gets out, his reputation in the court and in the eyes of the world will be completely ruined.
Soon, King Qi rushed to the small garden.
"Yanli, are you alright?" King Qi shouted as soon as he arrived, his voice filled with concern and anger.
His face flushed crimson, his expression filled with rage. "We've only been apart for a moment, yet someone dares to be so audacious as to attempt an assassination in my own palace! This is outrageous!"
As he spoke, King Qi strode up to Xie Yanli and pretended to look him up and down.
Seeing that Xie Yanli was unharmed, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and said, "Fortunately, Yanli, you are lucky and uninjured, otherwise I would really be to blame!"
King Qi turned around and roared at his attendants, "What are you all standing there for! Go and investigate this matter thoroughly for me immediately. You must find the mastermind behind this and I will not let him off lightly!" The attendants quickly responded and left to carry out the order.
Then, with a face full of guilt, he said to Xie Yanli, "Yanli, don't worry. Since such a thing happened in my palace, I will definitely give you justice. I will give the order to increase the guards and protect you. There won't be any more problems today."
Qin Jiuwei had composed herself and stepped out of Xie Yanli's arms.
She watched the King of Qi's performance quietly from the side, a cold smile playing on her lips.
If she hadn't known the truth, she probably would have been deceived by King Qi's sincere expression.
Xie Yanli also sensed something was wrong, but he didn't show it on his face. He simply cupped his hands slightly and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Your Highness."
At this moment, a servant approached in a somewhat flustered manner. He had just jogged over and his forehead was covered in cold sweat.
"Your Highness, a distinguished guest has arrived at the manor and wishes to see you and Prince Xie."
Qin Jiuwei frowned. A distinguished guest? What distinguished guest?
garden.
The Prince of Qi was deeply favored by the late emperor, who bestowed upon him a vast courtyard that exuded exquisite luxury.
The poetry gathering was held in Jinhua Garden, the largest garden in the Qi Prince's Mansion.
Qin Jiuwei arrived at the poetry gathering with Xie Yanli and the Prince of Qi.
The people of Daliang are open-minded. Although there is a strict separation between men and women, normal conversations, conversations, and discussions about poetry are all permissible as long as it is not a private exchange.
Although there were many people in the garden attending the poetry gathering, men and women gathered together, it did not feel crowded.
Upon seeing the arrival of Prince Xie, many noble ladies immediately became excited, gently waving their round fans and looking at him with some shyness.
At the same time, many scrutinizing gazes also fell upon Qin Jiuwei.
Qin Jiuwei ignored it and looked around, but she did not see the familiar figure from her memory.
A maid just told her that she would only go with the eldest princess if she wanted to see her.
Looking back now, it was all part of King Qi's scheme. He used her departure to lure Xie Yanli to a secluded place for assassination.
They even managed to drag her into it.
It seems that the eldest princess was merely bait used by the King of Qi to lure her away.
But Qin Jiuwei couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
In her past life, when she first entered the palace, she was bullied, and the eldest princess helped her a lot.
The two got along well and became friends. The princess would visit her every time she entered the palace.
However, the princess later suffered a difficult childbirth, and both she and her child perished.
She hadn't seen her for a very, very long time...
Xie Jingchun raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but ask, "Mother, who are you looking for?"
His mother, who had always been very calm and composed, was now somewhat flustered and anxious; it was the first time he had ever seen her like this.
Qin Jiuwei smiled faintly at him and said vaguely, "I'm looking for the important person I mentioned earlier."
"A distinguished person?" Xie Jingchun turned his head and pointed. "Isn't he over there?"
Qin Jiuwei looked in that direction, her pupils suddenly contracted, and her eyes were filled with shock.