Imperial Consort De, upon hearing that her son was attacked and in critical condition, immediately rushed to Chonghua Palace, followed by the Emperor.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao Zhen's expression changed drastically. His daughter's injuries had not yet healed, and now she had encountered assassins. His heart tightened, and his steps quickened.
Inside Chonghua Palace, imperial physicians were busy. Nangong Yi's wound had been treated. Since the injury was on his chest and the dagger had been removed, it saved them considerable trouble.
However, Xiao Man's situation was more complicated. They dared not pull out the dagger carelessly, fearing that doing so would cost Xiao Man her life.
Nangong Yu faced the window, his hand clenched into a fist within his sleeve. He should have followed them. If he hadn't been angered and refused to go, how could Xiao Man and the others have met with such misfortune?
But at this moment, what worried him most was Xiao Man's injury.
"Yi'er!" Imperial Consort De cried and rushed in. Seeing where the Thirteenth Prince was, she immediately threw herself at him. "Imperial Physician, how is my son?"
"Imperial Consort De, please rest assured. The Thirteenth Prince's injury looks severe, but it is not life-threatening. However, Miss Xiao's injury is more troublesome than the Thirteenth Prince's..." The imperial physician looked towards the other bed, where Xiao Man lay pale, looking as lifeless as a dead person.
"What is happening? Why did the Thirteenth Prince come to Chonghua Palace?" Imperial Consort De, relieved that her son was out of danger, wiped her tears and inquired.
The Emperor arrived with his entourage. Xiao Zhen hurried to Xiao Man's side, "Man'er, Man'er, don't scare your father. Imperial Physician, why are you not treating my daughter?"
"General, the Eldest Miss's wound is too complicated, and we dare not pull out the dagger easily," the imperial physician said cautiously. The wound was in such a sensitive area that a careless removal of the dagger could cost Xiao Man her life. How could they not incur the wrath of this general who doted on his daughter?
The Old Madam looked shocked but felt a secret joy. If Xiao Man died this time, it would no longer be her concern. She stepped forward tremblingly, "Imperial Physician, you must cure my Eldest Miss."
"Old Madam, we will do our best, but this dagger..." the imperial physician said with difficulty, "If not handled properly, it could cost Miss Xiao her life."
"What... what shall we do?" The Old Madam of the Xiao family immediately burst into tears. "If anything happens to Eldest Miss, this old woman will not live either..."
"I will do it." Nangong Yu turned and walked to Xiao Man's side. The imperial physician didn't even have time to stop him before he swiftly pulled out the dagger. "Why are you standing there? Stop the bleeding!"
The imperial physician snapped back to his senses and quickly stopped Xiao Man's bleeding and bandaged her wound. After Xiao Man's wound was treated, the Emperor slowly spoke, "Who discovered that young Thirteenth and Miss Xiao from the Xiao family had been attacked?"
"It was I," Nangong Yu said, his expression cold.
His thirteenth brother and Xiao Man were gravely injured in Chonghua Palace, and he was the one who discovered them. He had become the prime suspect.
"Why would Prince Qin be at Chonghua Palace?" Consort Xian inquired suspiciously.
"Consort Xian should be asking why the Thirteenth Prince and Xiao Man were at Chonghua Palace. Chonghua Palace was the palace where I resided when I was a prince. I came to visit my former residence out of idleness. Is there a problem?"
Consort Xian smiled, "Of course there is no problem. It is just that the Thirteenth Prince and Miss Xiao were gravely injured in Chonghua Palace, while Prince Qin was completely unharmed. It is difficult not to be suspicious."
"When I entered, I found the Thirteenth Prince and Xiao Man lying on the ground, with no one else in the palace." Nangong Yu knew that at this point, no one would believe anything he said unless one of them woke up. He immediately fell silent.
"What is the condition of their injuries?"
"Although the Thirteenth Prince's wound is deep, his life is not in danger. This is likely due to his being a martial artist with a strong physique," the imperial physician quickly replied. "Miss Xiao's wound is deep and very serious. Fortunately, when Prince Qin removed the dagger, he did not injure other areas. It is likely her life is not in danger." Su Dan Novel Network
Nangong Yu listened but said nothing. The imperial physician was mistaken. Xiao Man's injury was not severe.
It seemed extremely dangerous, but it did not injure any vital points. As for the Thirteenth Prince, he had checked Xiao Man's purse. Xiao Man carried heart-protecting pills with her, but he had checked, and they were missing. The Thirteenth Prince was so severely wounded, yet his life was not in danger. It was likely that Xiao Man had saved him. As for Xiao Man's injury...
"Who, who injured Yi'er and Miss Xiao from the Xiao family?"
"This..." The imperial physician remained silent. They were merely physicians, not investigators. Such matters were for the Ministry of Justice to handle.
Furthermore, with so many people rushing into Chonghua Palace, the traces had already been completely destroyed. Even if the Ministry of Justice investigated, they would likely find no clues.
"Little Fourth, what do you think?" the Emperor asked, looking at Prince Qin.
Nangong Yu glanced coldly at Nangong Yi lying on the bed, "When the Thirteenth Prince wakes up, we will know who the culprit is."
The Thirteenth Prince let out a soft moan and weakly opened his eyes. He saw Imperial Consort De's red, tear-filled eyes. As if recalling something, he anxiously said, "Mother Consort, Xiao Man..."
"Miss Xiao is still lying on the opposite side, unconscious," Nangong Yu interrupted the Thirteenth Prince.
Nangong Yu looked astonished, seemingly disbelieving, "She is unconscious?"
"When I found you, you were lying inside Chonghua Palace, and Xiao Man was lying by the entrance. It seems you were attacked as soon as you entered. Her injuries are more severe than yours, and I don't know when she will wake up," Nangong Yu explained the situation in a few words.
"Yi'er, who injured you?"
Nangong Yi frowned slightly, his gaze drifting towards the opposite side. Through the gauze curtain, he could not see clearly, but he could vaguely make out a person lying there.
He was assassinated, and Xiao Man was also assassinated. What was the assailant's motive?
Chonghua Palace, Fourth Brother!
Nangong Yi's heart skipped a beat. Could the assailant's intention be to frame Fourth Brother?
"Little Thirteenth, did you see the assailant?" the Emperor leaned closer and asked.
Nangong Yi shook his head. He thought carefully. Could it be that Xiao Man did not stab him?
At that time, he had only seen Xiao Man's back. He hadn't clearly seen the assailant's face, and now Xiao Man was also injured, more severely than him. What was going on?
"Your humble subject did not clearly see the assailant's face..."
Imperial Consort De knew her son very well. Seeing Nangong Yi stammering, as if he were hiding something, she immediately took his hand. "Yi'er, don't be afraid. Tell your mother who injured you? Your father will surely see justice done for you."
"I... I..." The Thirteenth Prince stammered, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the opposite side.
If he said that Xiao Man had stabbed him, Xiao Man would be doomed!
Moreover, he hadn't seen the assailant's face at the time. The assailant was merely wearing the same clothes as Xiao Man.