Yanshu almost thought her ears were playing tricks on her.

[What did you say? Assassinate the Emperor???]

The System calmly told her, [That's right.]

Yanshu's eyes widened in disbelief. [Has she gone mad? Why suddenly assassinate the Emperor???]

System: [Because the King of Liaodong can't wait any longer. Think about it - last night the Empress Dowager said she wanted to adopt Jing. This will inevitably affect Consort Xu as the boy's mother. If the mother and son can see each other every day right before their eyes, it's hard to guarantee Consort Xu will still listen to him!]

Hmm, that made sense. If she were Consort Xu, with her child right in front of her, as long as his safety could be ensured, why would she still listen to that man?

However, this meant the King of Liaodong had to force her to act now, while this "fake Jing" was still in his hands.

But with so many people present today, whether she succeeded or not, there would surely be no way out alive!!!

The System reminded her again very calmly, [Isn't that the fate of spies, always at risk of being discovered and killed? Besides, Yuwen Hao made her a grand promise.]

Yanshu hurriedly asked, [What promise?]

System: [Yuwen Hao said that if she succeeded, he would guarantee Jing the position of Crown Prince.]

Yanshu: [...]

How the hell was that possible?

That child wasn't even Yuwen Hao's.

Moreover, even if it really was her child, even if she really succeeded, would the Liaodong King's Wife agree to make her child the Crown Prince?

Tsk, how could even a spy be so lovesick and muddle-headed!!!

System: [Love makes people stupid, evidently.]

Yanshu felt exactly the same way, but before she could nod in agreement, she suddenly realized a critically important issue—

[Why didn't you tell me earlier that she was going to assassinate the Emperor!!!]

System: [??? It's not like she's going to assassinate you, and the Emperor isn't this system's host, so why should this system mention it early?]

But Yanshu was anxious, [What if she really kills the Emperor?!!!]

System: [Just wait and see. The Emperor isn't stupid.]

The Emperor wasn't stupid most of the time, but Yanshu simply couldn't stay calm now!

[What do you mean stupid or not? This is a matter of life and death!!!]

[What if something really happens? Consort Xu must be highly skilled to have hidden in the palace for so long, not to mention Yuwen Hao is here today!!!]

She could already imagine that if the Emperor were assassinated, Yuwen Hao would usurp the throne claiming his bloodline from the founding emperor, since the Emperor had no children, and there were no other grandsons of the founding emperor left!!!

Even if the ministers wanted to oppose, they wouldn't be able to!!!

Look around - these people still knew nothing. Consort Zhou, Consort An, and the others were just glaring daggers at Consort Xu who was dancing. That feather duster of an Eldest Princess only knew how to give others the side-eye.

And her honest and simple Imperial Son-in-law, occasionally glancing at the dancing Consort Xu, would be intimidated by her glare and could only lower his head to eat his food obediently...

The others were all toasting the Emperor, while the Emperor also had a look of complete ignorance on his face.

Did he really not know someone was trying to kill him and was still drinking?!!!

If she had known earlier, she could have thought of a way to warn him, but what could she do now?

Should she stand up now and tell him Consort Xu was an assassin?

Then Consort Xu would definitely not make her move, and she would be thrown out as a lunatic...

She was anxious like an ant on a hot pan, but the System remained calm.

[Why so nervous?]

Yanshu felt like she was about to cough up blood, [The Emperor is my meal ticket! If anything happens to him, forget everything else, Consort Zhou and the Empress Dowager would kill me first!]

So, the Emperor absolutely could not come to harm!!!

However, at that moment, Consort Xu, who had been dancing gracefully in the hall, suddenly pulled out a golden hairpin and rushed towards the Emperor.

Yanshu was startled and, without thinking, rushed out instinctively, shouting, "Your Majesty, be careful!"

Damn it, she'd take a gamble today. The Emperor's martial arts were so good that he could easily avoid others and sneak onto rooftops to peep at her, so with her warning, he should be able to escape this calamity.

Unfortunately, she was a bit too slow and couldn't even grab the hem of Consort Xu's skirt.

Luckily, the Emperor seemed to have been prepared.

Just as Consort Xu's golden hairpin was about to strike, he swiftly moved away from his seat. At the same time, more than ten people jumped down from the ceiling of the hall and stood in front of him, forming a solid wall that immediately isolated Consort Xu.

Yanshu was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Consort Xu unexpectedly turned back and stabbed towards her.

In that instant, she only saw a flash of gold and ducked in fear, covering her head.

At the same time, she heard Yuwen Lan's voice, "Be careful!"

But it was too late, Consort Xu's golden hairpin had already fallen.

Meanwhile, the hall had descended into chaos.

Consort Zhou, Consort An, Consort Wang, and others screamed in terror;

The Eldest Princess, who had been looking at everyone with disdain just moments ago, also turned pale with fright.

However, her Imperial Son-in-law had hidden even further away than her.

The seemingly plump Grand Princess and her husband had already hidden under their seats...

But Yanshu didn't see any of this. She only felt that she was probably done for.

Consort Xu's golden hairpin would surely pierce her heart, neck, or head, and her second life was about to end here.

Tsk, if she had known the Emperor was prepared, she wouldn't have jumped out. What the hell was this?

Indeed, not heeding the System's words leads to immediate regret, wuwuwu...

Yanshu thought a lot, but the anticipated pain never came.

She hesitantly looked up and found that Yuwen Lan had somehow jumped in front of her, grabbing Consort Xu's arm just before she could stab her.

Yanshu's eyes lit up - she was saved!

However, in the next moment, she felt a sudden pain in her arm.

It turned out that when Yuwen Lan gripped Consort Xu's arm, it instantly broke, causing the golden hairpin in her hand to fall, barely grazing Yanshu's right forearm.

Tsk, that was no hairpin, it was a knife, and an extremely sharp one at that!

With just that slight touch, it had cut through several layers of clothing and sliced her skin.

Yanshu watched as her sleeve slowly turned red.

Blood?

She suddenly felt weak all over and collapsed to the ground.

Damn, she was hemophobic.

As she fell, Yanshu could still hear a chorus of screams in the hall.

The closest to her ear was the Emperor's voice.

"Yanshu..."

Huh? He actually called her like that?

Yanshu thought it sounded quite nice, apart from sounding a bit anxious.

However, before she could think any further, she lost consciousness.

When she woke up again, she was lying on the bed in Ganlu Palace.

The imperial physician was checking her pulse, Rendong was calling her anxiously, the Emperor was standing by with a deeply furrowed brow, and Lianxin's eyes were already brimming with tears.

Seeing her open her eyes, everyone's eyes lit up, but no one was faster than the Emperor. He immediately leaned in close and asked urgently, "How are you feeling?"

Yanshu called out "Your Majesty" and said, "This concubine is fine..."

But Yuwen Lan still frowned, "How can you be fine? You fainted just now."

He then asked the imperial physician, "Was there poison on that weapon? Has Noble Consort been poisoned?"

The physician hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty need not worry, we have thoroughly examined it, and that weapon should not have been poisoned."

Yuwen Lan was still not at ease and said, "Then check Noble Consort's pulse again."

The physician could only comply and checked Yanshu's pulse again. After quite a while, he dared to report to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Noble Consort's pulse has returned to normal."

Only then did Yanshu finally manage to interject, saying, "Your Majesty, this concubine is fine, it's just that I'm a bit hemophobic. I fainted earlier because I saw blood."

Tsk, this had been her problem since childhood.

— Once when she was young, she watched a servant killing a chicken at home. The chicken struggled fiercely, and the servant didn't hold it properly, causing the chicken to suddenly jump near her, splattering chicken blood all over her. She fainted on the spot and had this problem ever since.

Seeing that Yuwen Lan was still frowning, she intended to get out of bed to prove it to him.

However, as soon as she tried to use force with her arm, a sharp pain shot through it, as if being pricked by needles. She couldn't help but hiss in pain.

Yuwen Lan hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"

Yanshu: "...My arm hurts a bit."

The imperial physician quickly said, "Noble Consort's right arm was injured by the weapon. It's best not to move too much. Rest for a few days, and it will be fine once the wound heals."

Yuwen Lan then hurriedly said to her, "Don't move. Just rest well in bed."

Rendong also nodded quickly, "If the Mistress needs anything, just order us servants."

Yanshu, "..."

Tsk, hearing this, she also feared the wound might start bleeding again, so she could only respond with a "yes" and temporarily leaned on the bed without moving.

Immediately after, she saw the emperor address her with a complex expression, "I didn't expect you to come out. Weren't you afraid of danger?"

Yanshu, "...This concubine acted on impulse and didn't think that far."

[Damn it, I was just worried that Consort Xu might hurt you, okay? Who knew you were already prepared!]

Yuwen Lan silently listened.

Although these words were still complaining about him internally, he wasn't angry at all.

In fact, he was filled with emotion—

He had actually anticipated that earlier scene, so he had arranged manpower in advance.

The assassin was targeting him, so others wouldn't be in danger.

But he never expected that she would jump out.

Just now, when the entire hall was in panic, apart from the guards, everyone else was fleeing for their lives. Only she still remembered his safety and came out to warn him.

With her small, delicate frame, she actually intended to stop the assassin?

It turns out that she was already willing to risk her life for him.

It seems he had misunderstood her before; she actually cared about him so much.

For the first time in his life, Yuwen Lan felt such emotion. But then he saw her suddenly remember something and hurriedly ask him, "Your Majesty, how is Consort Xu?"

Yuwen Lan said, "She's been restrained, don't worry."

Yanshu nodded, finally feeling relieved.

However, in his haste to carry her back earlier, Yuwen Lan hadn't had time to deal with this matter.

So he turned and instructed Fu Hai, "Issue an imperial edict, order the Ministry of Justice and the Inner Court to thoroughly investigate this matter. I want to know who instigated this woman and how she infiltrated the palace to attempt assassination."

Fu Hai quickly responded and went out to announce the edict.

But he heard Yanshu anxiously say in her heart, [It was that bastard Yuwen Hao who did it, we can't let that son of a bitch escape!]

Yuwen Lan, "..."

Tsk, how does she have such a repertoire of vulgar language.

But it doesn't matter. This side of her is also irreplaceable, unique in the world.

Of course, Yuwen Lan was also very clear that the culprit was Yuwen Hao, but he needed evidence to convince others.

He gently comforted her, "Don't worry, I won't let any evil-doer go unpunished."

Yanshu nodded and hurriedly flattered him, "Your Majesty is wise."

But as soon as she finished speaking, a palace maid from the Palace of Benevolent Peace came to Yuwen Lan and said, "The Empress Dowager just learned about the assassin in the Hall of Gentle Ceremony and is very worried. She sent this servant to ask if Your Majesty is safe and well."

Yuwen Lan paused, then said to Yanshu, "You rest well first, I'm going to visit the Empress Dowager."

Yanshu said okay and watched him leave.

All the way to the Palace of Benevolent Peace, Yuwen Lan stepped into the hall and saw the anxious expression on the Empress Dowager's face at a glance.

Seeing him arrive, before he could speak, the Empress Dowager asked first, "How is Your Majesty? Were you injured?"

Yuwen Lan said, "I was not injured, please don't worry, Mother."

The Empress Dowager looked him up and down, and seeing that he indeed didn't appear to be injured, she nodded, clasped her hands together and chanted "Amitabha Buddha, thank the ancestors and gods for protecting Your Majesty's great fortune."

She looked truly like a mother concerned for her son.

However, Yuwen Lan heard the Empress Dowager sigh in her heart, [Fortunately, it was just a scare. The time is not right yet, how could anything happen now?]

He secretly frowned.

What did she mean by "the time"?

Then he heard the Empress Dowager ask him, "I heard Lady Li was injured?"

Yuwen Lan composed himself and replied, "Yes, she was stabbed by Consort Xu's weapon while trying to protect me."

The Empress Dowager clicked her tongue in sympathy, "Poor child, how severe is her injury? Should we send Judge Zhang to take a look?"

[Last time Zhang Shengkang was only 70% certain, I wonder if he can be sure this time?]

Yuwen Lan's heart sank, but he maintained a neutral expression and said, "There's no need to trouble Judge Zhang. The imperial physician has already seen her and said it's just a flesh wound, nothing serious."

The Empress Dowager could only nod and say, "That's good. I didn't expect Lady Li, at such a young age, to have such courage and loyalty. Your Majesty should reward her well."

Yuwen Lan said, "I was thinking the same. Once her wound is better, I will reward her."

The Empress Dowager made a sound of agreement, then said, "Don't forget to thoroughly investigate that assassin. To have hidden in the palace for three years, it's truly frightening."

"I have already detained her and brought people from her mother's family to the capital. We will certainly deal with this severely."

Yuwen Lan looked at the Empress Dowager and said, "It's my fault for being negligent in security that Mother was frightened this time."

The Empress Dowager sighed, "There are always gaps even in the tightest security. Your Majesty is busy with affairs of state every day, how could you pay attention to such things? Don't blame yourself too much, but if anyone was derelict in their duties in this matter, they certainly can't be let off."

Yuwen Lan agreed, "Mother, please rest now. I'll go take care of this matter."

The Empress Dowager nodded, and Yuwen Lan left the hall.

On his way back to Qianming Palace, he pondered in his heart. When the Empress Dowager saw him earlier, she thought to herself how fortunate it was that nothing had happened.

It seems she didn't know about this assassination attempt beforehand.

So her plan to adopt Jing probably has nothing to do with Yuwen Hao.

But she still wanted to send Judge Zhang to examine Yanshu's body just now.

This confirms that the Empress Dowager has indeed guessed his problem, so she plans to adopt Jing as a way of choosing the next heir.

Having figured this out, his heart sank even further.

It turns out that after so many years of nurturing, there was still not a shred of true affection.

The night was deep, and because Yanshu was injured, Yuwen Lan didn't want to disturb her rest, so he returned to Qianming Palace.

After washing up and changing clothes, he heard that the Minister of Justice, Vice Minister of Rites, and Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court were already waiting outside the hall.

He summoned them before him and asked, "What have you found?"

The Minister of Justice bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, the Xu family members were just brought to the imperial prison for identification. They said the current Consort Xu is not the original Xu family daughter."

This result was within expectations.

Originally, Consort Xu's family was the prefect of Suizhou, but Suizhou was close to the capital and had no connection with Yuwen Hao. For Yuwen Hao to use their identity to plant an agent, he must have switched the original Consort Xu.

Fortunately, he had noticed in advance and sent the Imperial Guard to verify in Suizhou, otherwise the Xu family wouldn't have been able to rush to the capital so quickly.

At this moment, he gave a cold laugh, "Very well, a palace consort was replaced with an assassin, and no one noticed."

The selection of palace ladies was the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites. Hearing this, the Vice Minister of Rites immediately broke out in a cold sweat, falling to his knees and kowtowing, "We know our crime."

Yuwen Lan said coldly, "Investigate further. I want to know who this woman really is."

Everyone responded affirmatively.

The Minister of Justice then reported, "We have just searched the Lingbo Palace and haven't found any secret correspondence with the outside world for now."

Yuwen Lan said, "If there were secret letters, would she keep them by her side for you to find?"

The Minister of Justice flushed with shame and quickly bowed his head, saying, "We are incompetent."

Yuwen Lan said, "Check the scarf that the King of Liaodong gave her that day."

Scarf?

The Minister of Justice was stunned for a moment, then realized. Indeed, among recent items from outside, there was only that scarf.

He hurriedly agreed and withdrew to investigate again.

The Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court, Yao Shun, then came forward and said, "Your Majesty, we have already tortured her, but that assassin is very tight-lipped and refuses to confess."

Refuses to confess?

The emperor gave a cold smile and said, "Just tell her one thing: her child died long ago, and the one she has now is a substitute found by that man."

The Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court paused, and although he couldn't quite make sense of it, he quickly agreed and returned to the imperial prison.

About an hour later, the Minister of Justice and the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court, Yao Shun, returned together to report.

Yao Shun spoke first, "Your Majesty, she confessed. She said it was the King of Liaodong who instructed her!"

The Minister of Justice also hurriedly said, "We took apart that sable scarf, and after wetting and heating it, we discovered a line of secret writing inside. It indeed was the King of Liaodong ordering her to act during this visit to the capital."

Yuwen Lan said, "Arrest the King of Liaodong immediately."

Just as Yanshu had predicted, by the time the fake Consort Xu's assassination attempt failed, the King of Liaodong and his wife had already fled.

However, the emperor was prepared and had them captured just as they reached the outskirts of the capital.

That night in the Hall of Diligent Government, all the important court officials gathered.

From his throne, Yuwen Lan coldly looked down at the kneeling King of Liaodong and his wife.

"I believe I have treated you well. Why did you send someone to assassinate me?"

But Yuwen Hao said, "I have been wronged, Your Majesty. That assassin was not sent by me."

Yuwen Lan made a sound of acknowledgment, "If it wasn't you who sent her, why were you two in such a hurry to escape back to Liaodong?"

Yuwen Hao said, "Because I heard rumors that the assassin had implicated me, and I was afraid of misunderstandings."

Upon hearing this, the entire court of civil and military officials laughed. What kind of nonsensical logic was this?

At that moment, an official from the Ministry of Justice presented the fur scarf found in the Lingbo Palace. After washing and heating it, a line of text appeared inside: "This is the best opportunity."

Yuwen Hao continued to quibble, "I don't know why this is so. This seems like a false accusation."

"Is that so?" Yuwen Lan continued, "You claim the evidence is fabricated, but why did you two leave the capital without imperial permission? If you were afraid of misunderstanding, why did you leave your own child in Liaodong and bring someone else's child to the capital, falsely claiming it as your own? This alone is a capital offense of deceiving the emperor!"

As he finished speaking, the two were indeed stunned.

However, Yuwen Hao still insisted, "Your Majesty, I truly don't understand what you're saying. The child I brought to the capital is indeed my own flesh and blood."

Yuwen Lan coldly smiled, "You'll understand soon enough. They're already on their way to the capital."

At these words, the Liaodong King's Wife visibly panicked and quickly looked at Yuwen Hao, "My lord..."

Yuwen Hao, however, maintained, "I have a clear conscience."

The Liaodong King's Wife, now like an ant on a hot pan, thought for a moment and couldn't help but address the emperor, "Your Majesty, please don't punish the innocent children, especially since we are innocent."

Yuwen Lan said coldly, "If you confess truthfully, I can spare them from being implicated by their father's crimes."

Yuwen Hao shouted harshly, "Don't believe him! We're in his hands now, he can kill us with just a word."

Yuwen Lan, however, smiled, "I never lie. Moreover, with all the court officials here as witnesses, if I were to go back on my word later, I would be the laughingstock of the empire."

Seeing the situation, the Liaodong King's Wife thought for a moment and suddenly said, "I beg Your Majesty for mercy. This was all the King of Liaodong's idea alone. I tried hard to dissuade him, but he wouldn't listen..."

...

Early the next morning, Yuwen Lan came to the Palace of Benevolent Peace.

"The King of Liaodong attempted assassination and rebellion, deceiving the emperor. I have stripped him of his title and confined him to the outskirts of the capital. Considering his wife's voluntary confession, she will be sent to the Yuzhen Palace to practice cultivation."

After he finished speaking, the Empress Dowager nodded and said, "Your Majesty is merciful. The spirit of our ancestor in heaven will be comforted."

Yuwen Lan continued, "Although Mother likes those three children, they are not actually Yuwen Hao's flesh and blood, but replacements he found. I have already sent them back to their birth parents."

He paused, then deliberately added, "However, if Mother likes Yuwen Hao's real children, I can bring them into the palace to keep you company. They are still young, and with proper nurturing, they should grow up well."

The Empress Dowager, however, said, "They are still the offspring of a traitor. I fear they might be used to cause trouble in the future. Let's not."

Yuwen Lan then said, "If that's the case, I'll have them sent to Yongfu Temple. Considering they are of our ancestral bloodline, I will assign people to educate them, to prevent them from following their father's path."

The Empress Dowager nodded, "Your Majesty is merciful."

In her heart, however, she laughed coldly, [Well, isn't this perfect? The Yuwen clan might just die out.]

Yuwen Lan said, "I know Mother is lonely in the palace. In the future, I will strive to produce heirs, so you can enjoy family life to the fullest."

The Empress Dowager smiled, "That's what I want to see the most."

In her heart, she thought, [I hope you can.]

Yuwen Lan, not wanting to say more, took his leave from the Palace of Benevolent Peace.

Yanshu, in her nearly twenty years of life, had never been "injured" so severely.

Well, actually, the hairpin hadn't cut very deep. Apart from some skin pain, she was fine.

But Rendong had followed the emperor's orders and wouldn't let her get out of bed.

She endured for three days, but by the fourth day, she couldn't take it anymore.

Damn, if she had known being injured would be so uncomfortable, she would have definitely jumped in front that day.

This was like being in prison - she couldn't get out of bed, couldn't write her novels, and had to eat bland, low-fat, low-salt meals for the sick.

Who could stand this?!!

The System spoke up to comfort her, [Misfortune might be a blessing in disguise. A small wound might bring good fortune.]

Yanshu was skeptical, [What good fortune? Being forced to lie in bed and gain weight?]

Just then, an announcement came from outside the hall, "His Majesty has arrived..."

The System chimed, [Here comes the good fortune.]

Yanshu, [???]

Before the System could answer her, Yuwen Lan had already entered the hall.

Yanshu thought it was too late to get out of bed anyway, so she just leaned back and said, "This concubine greets Your Majesty."

Yuwen Lan walked to the bedside in a few steps, his eyes full of concern, "How are you? Have you gotten better these past few days?"

Yanshu was about to say she was fine, but remembering what the System had just said, she suddenly changed her mind and said with a pained expression, "It still hurts a bit."

Hehe, maybe he'd feel touched and guilty and reward her with some silver!

Yuwen Lan, "..."

Still so fond of money?

But what use was money in the palace?

So he smiled and said, "You've done a great service in saving me. I must reward you properly."

Reward?

Yanshu pondered, could this be the good fortune the System mentioned?

Great, great, come on, give her lots of money!!!

But then she heard him say, "I will order the Ministry of Rites to issue a decree promoting you to the rank of Consort."

Yanshu was stunned, "Consort?"

At the same time, the System spoke again, [As they say, fortune favors the bold. Congratulations, my friend!]

Yanshu, "..."

Some fortune favoring the bold indeed.