ABST Chapter 101

News of Emperor Jingcheng’s serious illness quickly spread.

 

Three days without morning court. Every physician entering and leaving the emperor’s sleeping quarters wore heavy expressions. For a time, the palace was deathly quiet. Important court officials were anxious—sensing approaching storms. The princes’ faction was strangely quiet.

 

The First Prince’s birth mother, Noble Consort Shu, summoned the First Prince into the palace under pretense of illness to secretly discuss matters.

 

“My son, this is an excellent opportunity.”

 

Noble Consort Shu had always appeared uncompetitive, but this didn’t mean she truly lacked ambition. Emperor Jingcheng rarely entered the inner palace. She, Imperial Consort Gui, the later empress, and other women summoned into the palace according to ancestral rules—all were no different from living widows.

 

Whatever conjugal affection once existed with the emperor had long vanished as he daily mourned that Empress Wenrui from common origins whose name was unknown.

 

Living in the deep palace, her only hope was her own son.

 

The First Prince frowned. “Third Brother’s side shows no movement. Moreover, the southern tour…”

 

Noble Consort Shu patted the First Prince’s hand. “The Third Prince is cautious but also timid—his mother consort has that same temperament. The current empress isn’t the Crown Prince’s birth mother. No matter which of you ultimately sits on that throne, she’ll be Empress Dowager. She won’t help you but won’t interfere either. My son understands?”

 

The empress was also a woman—guarding widowhood on one side while raising her husband’s heart-wife’s son on the other. Even receiving utmost respect, how could her heart not harbor resentment?

 

Constrained by status, forced into virtue.

 

“Uncle has indeed agreed with your son, but your son still feels it’s risky. Moreover, the southern tour party has probably already received news of Father Emperor’s serious illness and is rushing back. If…”

 

“Then just don’t let them return.”

 

Noble Consort Shu smiled lightly. “The Regent Prince and Crown Prince have considerable animosity. The Great Sheng Dynasty bears the surname Ying—Lian Shenwei couldn’t possibly ascend the throne himself. Ultimately, it’s just choosing one of you to continue supporting, preserving his power and status. This needn’t be rushed.”

 

The First Prince narrowed his eyes. “Mother Consort speaks correctly. Your son is the eldest. If the legitimate son has an accident, I’ll be a head above Third Brother.”

 

Right now, the greatest eyesore was Ying Jingjue, the proper and legitimate Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

 

Moreover, having just returned from the southern tour, his position was different from before. Ying Jingjue had already established orthodox status in the hearts of common people. Competing with him for the throne would be treasonous rebellion.

 

But what if he couldn’t return?

 

–

 

At this time in the capital, the slightest disturbance would be detected by interested parties.

 

Third Prince’s Manor.

 

The strategist lowered his head and smiled. “The First Prince can’t hold his composure.”

 

“Fool.”

 

The Third Prince sneered. “But it’s just as well.”

 

The capital’s situation was unclear. The Regent Prince was on the southern tour and currently hadn’t taken any position. Two from Zhongyi Marquis Manor were still alive. Who knew Li Ningfeng’s condition—even with military command temporarily withdrawn, the father and son’s influence at the border couldn’t be underestimated.

 

Moving against Ying Jingjue at this time—did he think everyone else was dead?

 

Father Emperor was seriously ill, not dead. Who could guarantee he hadn’t prepared contingencies early?

 

Seeking wealth in danger—one must see if there’s life to claim it.

 

“After this venture, Elder Brother probably won’t be useful.”

 

The Third Prince sighed and tossed aside the chess piece in his hand.

 

–

 

Just as predicted in the capital, after receiving news of Emperor Jingcheng’s serious illness, Ying Jingjue ordered the fleet to rush back to the capital at full speed.

 

Though knowing it was inappropriate, Ming Zhu still breathed a sigh of relief.

 

The pill Feng Ke gave Master could last one month. If returning at the speed of the journey here, they absolutely couldn’t make it in time. Yet Master seemed not very concerned—she couldn’t keep bringing it up.

 

Lian Shenwei asked, “Has the Crown Prince still had no appetite to eat recently?”

 

Ming Zhu replied, “Yes. According to those serving by the Crown Prince’s side, he only ate once today.”

 

“The Emperor is seriously ill. He cannot attend at his bedside—naturally he can’t eat or sleep.” Lian Shenwei’s tone was indifferent.

 

Ming Zhu didn’t dare make a sound. She always felt Master’s voice carried a subtle coldness and mockery.

 

Lian Shenwei closed his eyes, quiet briefly.

 

Jingjue didn’t know about past events. These years, though the Emperor treated Elder Sister’s son coldly and indifferently, turning a blind eye without fulfilling much fatherly responsibility, there was also some reluctance to meet and grieve.

 

Yet private arrangements were all paving the way for Jingjue.

 

After all, father and son.

 

Lian Shenwei looked at the freshly made refreshments on his table. “You…”

 

He paused.

 

“Never mind.”

 

Even if sent over, given his and Ying Jingjue’s current relationship, that boy probably wouldn’t eat them anyway.

 

“How much longer to the capital?”

 

“Half a month.”

 

Ming Zhu remembered clearly—that would be around the last few days of the one-month period for the medicine Master took.

 

Lian Shenwei nodded.

 

Tian Nan was watching for him in the capital. Ying Jingjue’s wings weren’t fully grown—naturally the news he received wasn’t as well-informed. Emperor Jingcheng’s sudden serious illness would likely draw out many with schemes.

 

This return journey to the palace absolutely wouldn’t be peaceful.

 

Just didn’t know who would strike first.

 

“Send word to Tian Nan—have him prepare early.”

 

“Yes.”

 

After a while, Lian Shenwei looked up questioningly. “Still not leaving?”

 

Ming Zhu said quietly, “Master cares about the Crown Prince—you should also mind your own health.” Master’s complexion had always been very pale. She’d been at the border before, secretly protecting Li Ningfeng for three years. After returning, she discovered Tian Nan had become quite talkative, loving to nag before Master.

 

Originally thinking Tian Nan had lost propriety, now after following Master alone for just two or three months, she couldn’t help starting to worry.

 

Lian Shenwei smiled and picked up a piece of pastry, gesturing to her. “Understood. Go down.”

 

Ming Zhu poured him a cup of water before withdrawing.

 

That pastry was slowly eaten by Lian Shenwei with water. The fleet’s meals were excellent—his daily meals contained considerable nourishing items, plus fresh fish and meat.

 

He was much better than those first few days after waking. Besides medicine, he ate three meals daily on schedule, eating whatever was nourishing. However, he had no appetite—only forcing himself to swallow, treating it as a task. Very tiresome.

 

After returning to the capital, Li Ningfeng’s treatment would still need time. If he still wanted blood to give, his body must recover quickly.

 

Itchiness came from his lungs again. Lian Shenwei frowned, pulled out a black handkerchief to press against his lips, and after coughing lowly a few times, familiar bloody taste permeated his throat.

 

The handkerchief was dampened by a few scattered spots.

 

Each time he coughed up very little blood. Though he felt nothing, constantly continuing like this was somewhat troublesome. The fleet had no trustworthy physicians. Moreover, if outsiders discovered his physical condition, it would stir another storm.

 

In others’ eyes, the Great Sheng Dynasty’s Regent Prince was an ordinary person of healthy constitution who occasionally fell ill.

 

Moreover, given the capital’s current situation, before Jingjue held power, he couldn’t show half a trace of weakness.

 

Lian Shenwei lowered his eyes, pinched the black handkerchief and twisted it a few times—the bloodstains became invisible.

 

–

 

Late June.

 

The southern tour fleet slowly docked at Linfenban.

 

Originally, the docking point was at the departure location. However, Emperor Jingcheng was seriously ill—all matters were handled by court ministers, with the First Prince and Third Prince assisting. The landing place changed to Linfenban.

 

This was the outer city entering the capital. Outside the city were mountain forests. The city gates inside and out had always been heavily guarded. Having already received news of the Crown Prince’s arrival, the gates opened as soon as the fleet was spotted from afar.

 

Having been on the ship long, when Lian Shenwei disembarked, he adjusted briefly before glancing at the much more haggard Ying Jingjue, saying, “This place is still quite far from the imperial palace. Even if Your Highness is anxious, you must wait for the fleet’s guards to line up in formation before departing.”

 

“This Prince knows.”

 

Ying Jingjue’s lips were tightly pressed, darkness beneath his eyes—clearly he hadn’t slept well this period.

 

Little Zhizi quickly came over, speaking rapidly. “Your Highness, all is ready.”

 

Ying Jingjue nodded and led people quickly toward Linfeng City.

 

The city gates were wide open. Wei Mingda, Lord Wei, newly transferred here to guard the city, hurriedly came out to greet them. “Crown Prince is well, Regent Prince is well. Horses have been prepared. Shall we depart for the Imperial City now?”

 

Ying Jingjue said, “Please lead the way, my lord.”

 

Wei Mingda replied, “Yes.”

 

Lian Shenwei asked, “Is Lord Wei newly transferred?”

 

Wei Mingda answered hurriedly, “Yes, having received favor, I just took office a few days ago.”

 

Before the city gate was also a moat. As they walked before the gate, the ground was extremely clean—no soil, not even a single leaf.

 

The only fresh mud was what their party had just stepped in at the shore after disembarking.

 

Midsummer approached. The weather gradually heated up. At this moment, there wasn’t even a trace of wind.

 

Lian Shenwei glanced at Ming Zhu.

 

Ming Zhu nodded silently. Her steps shifted, slowly moving closer to Ying Jingjue, imperceptibly blocking behind him.

 

The group quickly entered the city. The gate closed heavily.

 

No one was on the main thoroughfare inside the gate. As if to welcome them, Wei Mingda was still exchanging words with Ying Jingjue sentence by sentence.

 

Ying Jingjue was clearly distracted. “Where are the horses?”

 

Wei Mingda replied, “Soon.”

 

When reaching the city center, the surroundings grew even more silent. Cold, gleaming arrowheads emerged from the heights on both sides.

 

Lian Shenwei’s expression didn’t change. His right hand already touched the thumb ring on his left hand, gently turning it.

 

The next second, masked people dressed as bandits swarmed down from the high walls on both sides. Hundreds of arrows were released simultaneously.

 

An arrow at a treacherous angle shot viciously toward Ying Jingjue’s vital point.

 

Lian Shenwei secretly pushed him to dodge, then immediately narrowed his eyes. His finger moved—the metal thumb ring shot out a poisoned needle, precisely piercing the assassin’s brow.

 

The assassin had no time to react at all, letting out only a short grunt before falling headfirst, skull shattering.

 

Wei Mingda trembled in fright. “Assassins! Quickly! Someone!”

 

But the city guards were nowhere to be found. Only more and more bandits gripping cleavers charged over. At a rough glance, none among these people were ordinary martial artists below Hidden Yuan realm. In the melee, they charged straight toward Ying Jingjue in the center—like desperate gamblers, very difficult to deal with.

 

“Protect His Highness the Crown Prince!”

 

Little Zhizi cried out in alarm. The guards’ battle cries shook the heavens. Ming Zhu watched her master closely while also monitoring Ying Jingjue’s situation.

 

An arrow nearly grazed his shoulder. Ying Jingjue was only shocked for a few breaths before his face darkened in a cold laugh. “I wonder which of this Prince’s good elder brothers has given this Prince such a grand surprise.”

 

He drew a blade from a guard. Showing no fear, his tone was ice-cold.

 

“This Prince will kill you all.”

 

The surrounding air was too turbid. The sun blazed overhead, dust flying. Lian Shenwei had some difficulty breathing. He raised his hand and pressed on his shoulder. “Your Highness, don’t be impulsive.”

 

Ying Jingjue looked back at him. “I…”

 

His gaze suddenly fixed. Almost instinctively, he pulled Lian Shenwei toward himself. An arrow viciously scraped across Ying Jingjue’s hand.

 

He hissed and quickly released his hand. Blood streamed from his hand.

 

Lian Shenwei’s expression immediately turned cold. He took out a handkerchief to press on Ying Jingjue’s hand.

 

Ming Zhu broke into a cold sweat. If that arrow she hadn’t noticed just now had struck Master, it would have hit directly in the back of the heart.

 

“This subordinate deserves death!”

 

Just then, the sound of galloping hooves came from the east of the city. Tian Nan led the Black Armor Guard, and Ke Duo, the Crown Prince’s confidant, led a contingent of Imperial City Defense Army, arriving just in time.

 

In moments, they stabilized the situation.

 

Tian Nan surveyed the area, dismounted with a stern face, hand pressing on his sword hilt, kneeling on one knee before Lian Shenwei. “This subordinate arrived late! Please punish me, Master!”

 

Ke Duo knelt in salute. Seeing the blood on Ying Jingjue’s hand, he was also frightened. “His Highness the Crown Prince is injured—this subject deserves death! This subject arrived late!”

 

The captured assassins took poison and died one by one.

 

“Be honest!”

 

The Black Armor Guard and defense force captured one of the leaders, dislocated his jaw—he still glared and struggled endlessly.

 

Lian Shenwei swiftly drew the long blade from a Black Armor Guard’s waist.

 

His right hand held it loosely. Because he didn’t use much force, the blade tip dragged on the ground, making a harsh scraping sound.

 

The scene suddenly quieted, yet the atmosphere was even more tense than before.

 

The black-robed youth stopped before the bandit chief. The dark gold flowing patterns at the hem of his robe were supremely noble. Just these few steps gave enormous oppressive force.

 

“Who sent you?”

 

The bandit chief sneered coldly.

 

“Very principled.”

 

Lian Shenwei nodded and even smiled. “Appearing here, you should know who I am.”

 

The next second, without warning, he lifted his foot and kicked viciously at the bandit chief’s chest. Lian Shenwei couldn’t use internal force, but his foundation from years of martial practice remained. This full-force kick directly sent the person flying. His chest caved in. He vomited blood and lay on his back on the ground, unable to even crawl up.

 

Lian Shenwei said, “Bring him here.”

 

Those around didn’t dare make a sound. They brought the person back to his feet.

 

Lian Shenwei found the most effortless posture—one foot stepping on the bandit chief’s head while suspending the blade tip before his eyeball, raising it to aim at his right eye. His tone was flat.

 

“I’m not skilled in martial arts. Bear with me.”

 

After speaking, he directly released his hand.

 

“Ahhh—”

 

With jaw dislocated, the bandit chief could only make inarticulate, shrill cries.

 

Lian Shenwei’s anger eased slightly. He wanted to cough but remembered he’d given his handkerchief to Ying Jingjue. He could only suppress the cough in his chest. After pausing briefly, he released his foot. “Tian Nan, take him away.”

 

Tian Nan took the blade from his hand. “Yes.”

 

Suppressing the urge to cough too long was uncomfortable—suffocating and slightly painful. Lian Shenwei controlled his breathing and said to Ying Jingjue, “Your Highness, let’s return to the palace.”

 

With this glance, he saw clearly the expression in Ying Jingjue’s eyes—

 

Vigilant and apprehensive.

 

The young heir apparent seemed to just come back to his senses, withdrawing his gaze from the pool of blood on the ground.

 

He knew Lian Shenwei wasn’t as gentle as jade on the surface—ruthlessness and scheming were equally present. But witnessing him personally deal with someone for the first time, the impact couldn’t be understated.

 

Perhaps because Lian Shenwei always showed him a gentle, smiling demeanor, Ying Jingjue directly felt his danger for the first time.

 

He concealed the wariness in his eyes. “Teacher, why not leave this person to this Prince to handle?”

 

Lian Shenwei paused, inwardly mocking slightly. No longer looking at him, he said casually, “Tian Nan.”

 

Tian Nan handed the person over to the Imperial City Defense Army.

 

Leaving people to handle the aftermath, they quickly rushed toward the imperial palace.

 

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