Chapter 22: Assassination Attempt at the Imperial Banquet

The great hall fell into an instant, heavy silence. Many eyes were fixed upon the Yun family—father and daughter.

Yun Zhongkui showed no outward sign of nervousness, responding respectfully, "In reply to Your Majesty, I have been occupied with official duties these past few years and have not yet sought a match for my daughter."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing on his lips. "In that case, how about I take it upon myself to select a fine husband for the young lady of the Yun household?"

Yun Shengsheng’s body stiffened. She looked up hesitantly toward the man sitting to one side, her eyes filled with unease.

Rong Yan met her gaze, signaling her with his eyes to remain calm.

A flash of awkwardness crossed Yun Zhongkui's face. Daring not to let the sovereign perceive even a hint of displeasure, he spoke carefully, "To receive a marriage decree from Your Majesty would be the greatest honor for both myself and my daughter."

"Good! With those words from you, I shall certainly choose a fine match for your daughter!"

The Emperor was satisfied. His gaze swept across the room, and he spoke with keen interest, "My youngest brother possesses features as exquisite as jade and a dignified bearing; it would be no exaggeration to say he is the most handsome man in all of Great Chu. Young lady of the Yun family, have you ever seen Prince Jing’an?"

Rong Zhao’s hand, which had been reaching for a dish, froze in mid-air. A touch of gloom clouded his eyes as he gently set down his silver chopsticks, his expression visibly darkening.

Sheng Mingyue’s gaze flickered. She sat quietly to one side, saying nothing. If the rumors among the observers were true, then someone else should be the one unable to sit still.

Yun Shengsheng was struck with terror. In her panic, she tugged at Yun Zhongkui’s sleeve and murmured, "Father, I..."

"Do not be discourteous," Yun Zhongkui scolded in a low voice, subtly pulling his sleeve away. He feigned humility and said, "Your Majesty, my daughter is of mediocre talent; how could she possibly be worthy of the Ninth Prince?"

"Your daughter is fine, and the Empress Dowager finds her pleasing as well. What talk is there of being unworthy?" The Emperor chuckled, his tone laced with displeasure. "Could it be that you, my loyal subject, are... dissatisfied with my decree?"

Yun Zhongkui was startled. He hurriedly knelt before the throne and proclaimed loudly, "Your Majesty, please observe the truth—I would never harbor such thoughts!"

Yun Shengsheng’s mind was in turmoil. Not knowing how to resist, she followed her father and knelt, looking toward Rong Yan for help.

Rong Yan kept his eyes lowered, refusing to meet her gaze. His own mind was a blank; he had no idea how to react.

The Emperor shifted his gaze toward Rong Zhao, who sat in the lower seat, and asked in a deep voice, "A-Zhao, what are your thoughts?"

Rong Zhao lazily lifted his eyes, his phoenix-shaped eyes calm and ripple-free. He spoke lightly, "I thank Your Imperial Brother for your kindness, but my health is failing day by day. To take a wife would only be to delay the young lady's future."

"Zhao’er, the Emperor does this for your own good..." The Empress Dowager said, her eyes filled with pity as she sighed softly. "The Yun girl is a good child; if the two of you were to find favor in each other's eyes..."

Before she could finish, Rong Zhao gripped the corner of the table and began to cough violently.

"Your Highness!" Sheng Mingyue quickly poured a cup of tea and pressed it to his lips. "Drink some tea to soothe your throat."

The Empress Dowager opened her mouth, but seeing his fit, she had no choice but to swallow the words on the tip of her tongue.

Rong Zhao drank the entire cup of tea, which finally quelled the itch in his throat. Once he regained his composure, he could no longer sit still and rose to leave. "Imperial Brother, Mother, I am unwell; I fear I cannot stay any longer."

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, his tone heavy. "It was difficult enough to persuade you to leave your manor. Today is Mother’s birthday banquet; must you leave so soon after arriving?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head helplessly. Having no way to sway Rong Zhao, she waved her hand dismissively. "Very well, go back, lest you catch a chill later."

"Yes." Rong Zhao lowered his gaze. Glancing sidelong at a nearby palace maid, he whispered, "Go fetch a food box and pack a serving of the Osmanthus Shark Fin."

The maid was visibly stunned for a moment before she snapped to her senses and hurried away.

The number of guests at the banquet was fixed, but it was inevitable that some would be unable to attend due to urgent matters. The Imperial Kitchen always prepared extra dishes for such contingencies. It was no difficult task for Rong Zhao to bring a dish home, though it might cost him some face.

*Is it because the little cannon fodder mentioned that dish?*

*It must be! He loves her so much!*

*Wasn't I reading a story about a domineering Crown Prince forcing his love? How did I end up here?*

*The little cannon fodder’s feelings are written all over her face. Out of a table full of food, she picked the most of the Osmanthus Shark Fin. The Prince has been watching her the whole time—he’d have to be blind not to see she likes it!*

Sheng Mingyue followed behind him, walking with small steps toward the palace exit. She kept her head buried low the entire way, and no one noticed her flushed cheeks.

With the marriage proposal falling through, the Emperor lost interest. He waved his hand to dismiss the Yun family and returned to sipping his wine alone.

Yun Shengsheng finally breathed a sigh of relief, but at the thought of Rong Zhao rejecting her without hesitation and Rong Yan failing to speak a word in her defense, her anger grew.

In the center of the hall, dancers swayed their slender waists to the music, surrounding a maiden dressed in exotic attire. The girl wore a veil, with silver chains and bells wrapped around her waist and limbs, shimmering brilliantly under the lights.

The music was melodious. The maiden danced to the rhythm of the zither, spinning closer and closer to the high platform.

"Dog Emperor, go to hell!"

In an instant, the exotic woman vaulted into the air, drew a dagger from beneath her skirt, and lunged toward the platform with lightning speed.

"Assassins! Protect the Emperor!"

"Protect the Emperor and the Empress Dowager!"

The hall fell into chaos. Rong Zhao and Sheng Mingyue had just reached the palace gate when they were blocked by the surging Imperial Guards.

"Your Highness, be careful." In the panic, Sheng Mingyue grabbed Rong Zhao’s wrist, ducking into a corner and shielding him firmly behind her.

Rong Zhao looked down at the slight, thin back blocking him. The corners of his mouth twitched. He reached out, pressed his hand on Sheng Mingyue’s shoulder, and, to her bewildered confusion, stepped in front of her.

"Your Highness, you mustn't..." Sheng Mingyue tried to stop him, whispering, "You are the master, and I am the servant; it is I who should be protecting you."

"There is no man in this world who needs a woman to protect him," Rong Zhao said calmly, a faint smile on his face. "Rest assured, no assassin will notice us."

On the platform, the Emperor was pale with fright. He retreated repeatedly, ignoring the Empress Dowager beside him, and bellowed, "Imperial Guards! Imperial Guards!"

At the same moment, seven or eight figures in black leaped down from the rafters. Each was tall and sturdy, sharing the same target as the female assassin, and they charged toward the Emperor.

A cold glint flashed. The female assassin’s face suddenly loomed near, her short blade thrusting toward the Son of Heaven.

"Father!"

A scream rang out from behind. The Emperor turned in panic, only to see someone using his own body to block the dagger for him.

"Yan’er..." The Emperor was stunned, looking in disbelief at Rong Yan as he collapsed to the ground. "Yan’er!"

Rong Yan’s breath came in short, ragged bursts. The assassin’s dagger was buried in his chest, blood flowing freely. He struggled to open his eyes to look at the man, saying intermittently, "Fa... Father... are you unharmed?"

"Damn it!" the assassin cursed under her breath. She pulled out the dagger, preparing to strike the Emperor again.

Immediately after, a long sword pierced her back with lethal force.

"I am late to protect you, Your Majesty. Please forgive me."

The Emperor shuddered and looked back. His gaze fell upon the young man's refined face, and he let out a sigh of relief. "Zhou Jin, I want her taken alive!"

The female assassin’s eyes widened in agony. Seeing her enemy right before her but being unable to act, she collapsed, filled with hatred.

Zhou Jin wielded his long sword, engaging the assassins and shielding the Emperor firmly, cutting off their murderous intent.

The great stone pressing on the Emperor’s heart finally lifted. He hurried to Rong Yan’s side, cradling his blood-drenched body, and shouted, "Imperial physicians! Someone, save my son!"