novelAbuy Chapter 942 - 778: She Wants to Kill Me
Chapter 942 - 778: She Wants to Kill Me
Late into the night! In a small courtyard on the west side of the Second Prince Mansion, a soft sound was heard inside a study.The moon was bright tonight, and the clear moonlight shone onto a bookshelf placed against the wall inside the study.
If someone could see this scene, they would surely think they were seeing things. The study was empty, yet the bookshelf quietly moved from left to right.
Suddenly, a stone door appeared where the bookshelf had moved. Then, a shadow appeared inside the study.
Afterward, three people came out from inside.
The shadow that emerged first walked to the lamp, picked up the lampshade, and lit the candle inside.
The candlelight instantly illuminated the study, and one person walked to the desk and sat down.
"Your Highness! Tomorrow is the heir apparent ceremony, the Emperor has made it clear, if you’re not awake by 5 a.m. to 7 a.m tomorrow, the ceremony will have to be canceled."
Adviser Lu Haifang was very worried, he thought His Highness was too reckless this time. If the timing was off, wouldn’t it all be in vain?
"The fish has already taken the bait, everyone, don’t worry. This time, I must let Father know that his choice to make me Crown Prince is absolutely wise."
The Second Prince had a faint smile on his face as if he held the wisdom of the world.
"But to achieve the goal this time, you truly drank those poisons, who knows if it will affect your health in the future."
Adviser Jiao Ling also agreed with Lu Haifang’s opinion, he glanced at the Second Prince whose face appeared even paler under the candlelight, and secretly thought: It seems Second Prince is also ruthless, knowing it was poison, yet still daring to drink it without a flinch.
"I have already asked the physician, drinking a little won’t be life-threatening. If I don’t drink at all, how could those Imperial Physicians withstand Father’s interrogation? They’d probably give it away before they even start. I’m aware, just a little shouldn’t be a problem, just need to take some time to recuperate!"
"Messages from here can’t be sent out of the mansion, I wonder how the officials who have pledged loyalty to you outside are doing?"
Currently, the Second Prince Mansion is under lockdown, those outside can’t enter, and those inside can’t leave.
To avoid anyone noticing the Second Prince has awakened, they chose to enter the secret passage, avoiding those sent by the Emperor and the Hidden Guards.
"Thank you for your hard work these days, by tomorrow our mansion will be unsealed. Tonight is the perfect time to reel in the net."
The Second Prince thought of those who wished him dead, his gaze suddenly became sharp, mixed with a hint of resentment.
Braving the lockdown in the mansion was also good, it allowed him to see who was truly loyal to him. And who couldn’t hold their composure and switched sides at the last moment.
Isn’t this the perfect moment to test people’s hearts? The Second Prince considered it a blessing in disguise!
"Your Highness! We can’t fully trust that concubine’s words, perhaps she is a Hidden Guard from another mansion."
Lu Haifang feared the Second Prince might still have some affection for the concubine and hesitated to deal harshly with her.
"Those who achieve great things don’t worry about trifles, the country’s governance is most important, how could I let personal feelings interfere with important matters? Rest assured, I won’t be so foolish."
The Second Prince understood their worries, but he wasn’t one to confuse priorities.
"This woman’s maid, Li Xiang, has been locked up for several days, I’m afraid if we can’t get anything out of her, there won’t be another chance after tonight. Her handler wouldn’t want her left in our mansion, they might send someone to either take her or kill her. If anyone finds out Li Xiang was captured by us, the plan’s progress would likely not go smoothly."
Jiao Ling was somewhat worried, he believed this maid was key, and absolutely couldn’t afford any mishaps.
"That maid has a hard mouth, perhaps she’s trained as a Death Warrior. No matter the torture, we can’t loosen her tongue."
Lu Haifang’s face was a bit grim, he didn’t expect such a tough opponent even from a woman.
If nothing could be extracted tonight, they would have to think of another way to deal with the mastermind.
The Second Prince suppressed the faint pain in his heart, carefully considering strategies. His body was not fully healed, but now wasn’t the time for recuperation.
In fact, the poisoning was indeed real, the Second Prince was truly poisoned.
That day, after the Second Prince enjoyed warmth from concubine You, You was whispering pillow talk, trying to become Crown Prince’s concubine.
At that time, You kept crying, saying she knew her status wasn’t worthy of being a concubine. But if the Second Prince became the Crown Prince, and she remained a concubine, how could she continue to serve the Crown Prince?
The Second Prince still held some affection for You, and immediately agreed to her wish.
You was overjoyed, and gleefully ordered her maid Li Xiang to bring some wine and food from the kitchen, to celebrate the Second Prince’s smooth ascent to Crown Prince.
The poisoning of the Second Prince happened right then. The Second Prince felt sticky on his skin, so he naturally went to the cleansing room to bathe.
Before long, a scream was heard outside.
The Second Prince quickly dressed, grabbed a candlestick, holding it in hand, and went out of the room.
"Your Highness, help! Li Xiang went crazy, she wants to kill me!" You rushed to hide behind the Second Prince in panic upon seeing him.
Li Xiang looked at them in shock, holding a dagger in her hand, the raised gesture was just like an assassination attempt on You.
"Li Xiang! How dare you attempt assassination in my mansion? Guards, hurry, seize Li Xiang."
Since there was no other sound before, just one scream from a woman, it wasn’t clear when heard outside the courtyard.
The guards in the mansion didn’t know the situation, naturally, they couldn’t rush in, afraid of disturbing His Highness, which would bring trouble.
And the Hidden Guards outside the courtyard dared not approach, lest they see something they shouldn’t.
Thus, not until the Second Prince loudly called out, did the Hidden Guards and the guards dare to rush inside.
Li Xiang was finally alert, though she didn’t fully comprehend the situation. But the deed was done, the dagger was in her hand, there was no escaping blame.
So, she decided to go all out and, before the guards came, settle the Second Prince first.
Li Xiang raised the dagger in her hand and lunged at the two.
Though the Second Prince lived in comfort, he was not a weak scholar.
Before the Emperor’s health declined, every three years there was a hunting excursion. As a Prince, he naturally participated.
So, although not extraordinarily skilled in martial arts, he was adept at horseback archery, and had learned some martial arts techniques.
Li Xiang’s momentum was fierce, the Second Prince didn’t expect Li Xiang could also fight.
The usually well-behaved, rule-abiding maid, at this moment, her eyes were cold. Her moves were ruthless, determined to kill him.
Just as the Second Prince was about to be overwhelmed, the guards finally rushed in.