Everyone was stunned.
Yan Zheng narrowed his eyes at him as Meng Yang urgently explained, "It's true! At first, I thought I might have mistaken it, but when I helped her look for her earring, I took a closer look—it was definitely the person Yun Lang has been searching for, the one with the butterfly-shaped birthmark on the back of her neck! However, since it involved a lady’s privacy, I didn’t dare ask further, but I’m certain it was her!"
Yan Zheng set down the military manual. Old Xu gave him a meaningful glance. "If that’s the case, then it’s quite a coincidence."
Yan Zheng’s gaze darkened. "Indeed. And extremely dangerous."
Their exchange left Meng Yang utterly confused.
He couldn’t help but ask, "Young Master, Old Xu, what exactly are you talking about? Isn’t finding her good news? Yun Lang has nearly turned the capital upside down searching for his sister. Didn’t you say earlier, Young Master, that we couldn’t let him continue like this?"
Yan Zheng sighed, rubbing his temples.
Old Xu rapped Meng Yang’s head with a rolled-up bamboo scroll. "Meng Yang, are you dense? Let me ask you—how did you find her?"
"I just happened to run into her today, and then by chance—" His voice cut off abruptly as realization dawned. "You mean… she let us see her on purpose? She knew we were looking for her?"
"Exactly."
"But why did the Young Master say it’s dangerous? A blind young girl, even if she has schemes, can’t possibly be a threat, right?"
Seeing Meng Yang’s clueless expression, Old Xu seriously wondered if his brains had been gnawed away by his dog.
"If she were just a blind girl, of course not. But have you forgotten her identity? Princess Roumin, raised personally by the Dowager Noble Consort. If she knows we’re searching for descendants of the previous dynasty’s royal family, what does that imply?"
Meng Yang froze for a moment before slapping his forehead. "Old Xu, you’re right! That means she knows Yun Lang’s secret lineage and our close ties to him. If this gets out, it’d mean the ruin of our families! Young Master, why don’t we just—" He drew a finger across his throat.
Old Xu nearly rolled his eyes out of his head. "Go ahead, then. Kill her today, and tomorrow Yun Lang will have your head. Believe it?"
Meng Yang faltered. "Then what do we do? This is clearly the Yun family’s mess, yet we’re caught in the middle—"
"Who said we’re caught in the middle?" Yan Zheng’s voice was cold. "Since she wants to use us to deliver herself to Yun Lang, we’ll oblige. But when you relay the message, recount today’s events exactly as they happened. Yun Lang isn’t a fool—he’ll understand."
Meng Yang hurried out to carry out the order. After a moment’s hesitation, Old Xu spoke again. "Young Master, Princess Roumin is secondary. What truly worries me is the Empress Dowager—"
Before he could finish, chaos erupted outside the tent. Yin Shun barged in, flustered. "Good heavens, Prime Minister! How can you sit here so calmly? The Emperor went out with that so-called Great Immortal, only to be ambushed halfway! The entire court is in an uproar!"
Yan Zheng feigned alarm. "And the Emperor?"
"The Emperor is unharmed! Reportedly saved by a young hero! But the Empress Dowager fainted upon hearing of the assassination attempt, and Princess Jiahui is clamoring to rescue her father! The ministers are at each other’s throats—Duke Zou insists on rushing to the Emperor’s aid, while Duke Chu demands the mountains be sealed to trap the assassins! The chaos is unbearable, and everyone is counting on you to take charge!"
Yan Zheng hesitated before replying, "I understand your concern, Eunuch Yin, but His Majesty has already stripped me of my position as Prime Minister. It would be improper for me to intervene now. Here’s what we’ll do: first, calm the ministers. Prince Yu is already leading the guards to the Emperor’s rescue, so His Majesty’s safety is assured. Next, summon the imperial physicians to tend to the Empress Dowager. Princess Jiahui’s filial devotion is commendable—she should remain by her mother’s side. As for Duke Chu’s concerns, they are valid. Please inform Prince Qin to seal the mountains."
His words left the tent in stunned silence.
Yan Zheng kindly prompted, "Do you remember everything, Eunuch Yin?"
Yin Shun nodded vigorously. "Every word! Your arrangements are flawless—I’ll carry them out at once!" He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly: Truly, the Prime Minister’s wisdom is unmatched. So young, yet so meticulous!
After Yin Shun left, Old Xu didn’t revisit the matter of Princess Roumin. Instead, he asked, "Will you really not step forward?"
Such turmoil was the perfect opportunity to earn merit.
But Yan Zheng replied, "Yin Shun is the Emperor’s man. Whatever I do, he’ll report it faithfully. There’s no need to flaunt my contributions."
A faint smile touched Old Xu’s lips.
This way, the Emperor would only see Yan Zheng’s humility, deepening his guilt—and likely his compensation.
Princess Ansheng hadn’t been wrong: the young master’s cunning far surpassed that of the entire Yan clan.
Deep in the forest, the dust had settled.
Feng Shuo and his men had all been captured, while Yue Qianchong and the imperial guards encircled the Emperor.
The Emperor bellowed, "Why are you guarding me? Go check on my savior!"
Yue Qianchong hurried to comply, approaching the masked youth slumped against a tree.
Though his face was hidden, his shoulders, arms, chest, and abdomen were all wounded—especially the gash across his stomach, bleeding profusely. The battle must have been brutal!
He called for bandages, but the youth, regaining consciousness, struggled to rise with his spear, intent on leaving.
"Young hero! Stay!" Yue Qianchong pleaded. "You’re gravely injured—you won’t get far. And His Majesty will reward you richly for saving him!"
The youth ignored him, but after two steps, he collapsed.
The Emperor paled, but just then, Prince Yu arrived with the Imperial Hunt officials, throwing himself to the ground. "Elder Brother! This subject has failed you! My negligence exposed you to danger!"
"Yes, Your Majesty! We deserve death!"
The Emperor, desperate to reach the youth, snapped, "Enough wailing! Are you mourning me? Get out of my way—if he dies, I’ll have your heads!"
Prince Yu’s theatrics cut short, he glanced at the masked figure and gasped. "Brother, beware! That’s the assassin!"
The Emperor kicked him aside. "Assassin? Without him, I’d be dead!"
Undeterred, Prince Yu clung to his leg. "Brother! It’s him! Don’t you remember? At the Southern Barbarians’ banquet—the one who tried to kill you! The Sixth Son of the Yan Family!"
The Emperor recoiled, scrutinizing the youth. There was indeed a resemblance.
He glanced at Yue Qianchong, who removed the mask.
Gasps erupted.
"Heavens!"
"It’s really him!"
"Wasn’t he executed? How is he alive?"
Prince Yu crowed, "Brother! This is a trick! He tried to kill you before—why save you now? He must be in league with the assassins, using this to clear his name!"
