Yu Chengxuan flicked his wrist, and the bloodstains on the sword rolled off. He looked at the corpses strewn across the ground, stepping onto the blood-soaked earth and walking towards the shattered carriage. He hid the sword back on the horse, tidied his slightly disheveled clothes, and as his gaze swept across, the soldiers all lowered their heads.
The general approached Yu Chengxuan and knelt, begging for punishment. "This minister failed to protect Your Highness in time. I beg the Seventh Prince to mete out punishment."
Yu Chengxuan lowered his gaze. His cold eyes swept over the general, his voice devoid of much emotion as he raised a hand. "General, there is no need for such formality. Rise!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
The general rose, sheathed his spear behind his back, and stood with his hands behind him, looking at the corpses. A trace of ferocity flashed in his eyes. "Your Highness, your minister is incompetent and failed to capture any survivors. If only..."
Yu Chengxuan raised a hand, interrupting the general's words. He seemed unconcerned. "It is of no consequence."
The general looked up and only saw his upright and imposing figure. Pondering the meaning of his words, he couldn't help but lower his head again. The lining of his armor against his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
His Highness had likely anticipated an assassination attempt midway. He had not had much contact with Yu Chengxuan before, and his impression of him was based more on others' remarks. Now, seeing him, he felt that the other party's schemes and wisdom were perhaps more terrifying than rumored.
He dared not say anything more, lowering his head obediently to Yu Chengxuan's commands.
The carriage was destroyed, and there were no important items inside. They were not far from Mocheng. Yu Chengxuan picked up the royal banner, stained with blood, that had fallen to the ground and placed it on the horse's saddle. He mounted the horse and galloped all the way, soon arriving at Mocheng.
The soldiers at the city gate of Mocheng did not cause any trouble. After checking the documents, they allowed everyone to enter.
The City Lord of Mocheng had already made preparations to welcome the Great Li prince upon hearing that Yu Chengxuan would represent Great Li on a diplomatic mission to Linyuan.
Mocheng was not far from the next city, but if they traveled now, they would have to set up camp in the suburbs at night. Since time was not pressing, Yu Chengxuan stayed at the post station in the company of the City Lord of Mocheng.
The place where the assassins had attacked Yu Chengxuan was not far from Mocheng. Even after being deliberately cleaned up, the smell of blood still lingered. It was the depths of winter, and the wild beasts in the forest were struggling to find food. Now, they would likely have a feast.
Upon hearing this, the City Lord of Mocheng immediately understood Yu Chengxuan's intentions. Regarding the assassination attempt, it was not difficult to guess that the perpetrators must have been some of the royal heirs. It was merely a power struggle within Great Li, and he did not care about it. He simply wrote down the matter and ordered someone to send it to the capital at top speed.
This was to inform His Majesty so that he could make plans early and prevent any untoward incidents involving the Great Li prince in the capital of Linyuan.
...
In Linyuan's capital, the Imperial Palace.
The Chief Guard led Mu Baiyu, who changed into a guard's uniform and was issued a saber.
"Lord Mu, you have been personally appointed as an Imperial Guard with a saber by His Majesty. You are not required to patrol the inner palace but only to guard His Majesty's side."
The Chief Guard was very polite to Mu Baiyu. After all, this person was not only a guard personally appointed by His Majesty but also the eldest grandson of the Gong Prince's Mansion, and he was destined to inherit the title. He was not an ordinary official's son. As a Chief Guard, although he was Mu Baiyu's direct superior, he did not dare to put on airs in front of him.
"This subordinate understands. Thank you, Lord Wang."
Mu Baiyu was very polite and did not act superior due to his status. He was merely a fifth-rank guard. Although he was a "walking imperial guard" with a saber, such a rank was not considered high within the palace. As far as he knew, there were about one hundred and eighty fifth-rank guards in the inner court, while the Chief Guard in front of him, who managed the entire guard camp, held the position of second-rank official.
He was three ranks higher than Mu Baiyu.
Moreover, below Lord Wang, there were fifty first-rank guards of the third rank and one hundred first-rank guards of the fourth rank. If it weren't for his status as the Gong Prince's grandson and his personal appointment by His Majesty, the Chief Guard would not have come to receive him. Mu Baiyu was clear about this.
Lord Wang smiled and waved his hand, personally taking Mu Baiyu on a tour of the guard camp. After introducing him to everyone, he led him to the Imperial Study.
The Emperor did not specifically meet him but had the Chief Guard assign him a task.
...
"Mu Baiyu has entered the palace?" In the cold palace, Lan Yue'er's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Yin Sila, however, could not quite fathom Ji Hong's intentions. Logically speaking, Ji Hong should not know about Lan Yue'er's affairs. According to Lan Yue'er's account, Ji Hong probably had no idea that the Southern Dynasty's Yin, that old scoundrel, was harboring remnants of the Miao territory. If that were the case, he could not possibly know what had happened at the palace banquet, nor could he know about the matters between Lan Yue'er and Mu Baiyu.
So, was his personal appointment of Mu Baiyu as an Imperial Guard with a saber merely to appease people? Or was it to control the Gong Prince's Mansion?
"Auntie Lan thinks there's a problem?"
Lan Yue'er was slightly taken aback by Yin Sila's expression. She thought back to the entire incident and couldn't understand what was so questionable about it.
Yin Sila remained silent for a moment, not voicing her suspicions, as they were merely groundless speculations. She shook her head and said, "It's nothing. I hope I'm overthinking it."
As she spoke, she looked at Lan Yue'er, tapped her fingers on the desk, and pondered for a moment before saying, "Wait a few more days. After a few days, you will be able to move freely within the palace."
Before, she had revealed her true appearance to Nan Shiying, making it inconvenient to act freely. However, fortunately, after days of searching, she had finally found the whereabouts of the Jade-Faced Gentleman. That fellow was now hiding in the black market, a rather clever choice of location. She figured that in a few days, she would be able to obtain the human skin mask from him. Only then could Lan Yue'er, this chess piece, truly be put to use.
Lan Yue'er glanced at Yin Sila and nodded without asking further questions. She had stayed in this cold palace long enough and could finally get out for some fresh air.
...
Within the palace, undercurrents were surging.
Mu Baiyu's arrival made the Miao remnants hidden within the palace eager to act.
...oΓg
Prince's Mansion.
Wei Rulan held a porcelain bottle in her hand.
She stood by the window, gazing at the moonlit night. For some reason, the moon tonight seemed to be shrouded in a layer of bloody color, emitting a faint red glow, much like the crimson hue that flickered in Wei Rulan's eyes. She seemed to blend into the entire moonlight, exuding a peculiar aura from head to toe.
Nan Shiying, this time, let's see if you're still as lucky as before!
She sneered, a cruel curve forming on her lips.