Chapter 21 – We Absolutely Believe You

The commanders of the Imperial Guards swiftly drew the swords from their waists.

The Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards shouted in a thunderous voice,

“Protect His Majesty and the Empress Dowager!”

In an instant, over a thousand Imperial Guards formed a tight circle around the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, their swords pointing outward in perfect unison. Outside the formation, the Jinyiwei stood vigilantly, watching every corner.

The pilgrims at the temple had never witnessed such a terrifying display. Each of them shrank back into the corners, trembling with fear.

Mu Nanjin was utterly bewildered by the sudden flurry of movement from both the Imperial Guards and the Jinyiwei.

【What are they doing? Did they find an assassin? Where’s the assassin?】

The Imperial Guards and the Jinyiwei: “……”

They were convinced that one day, this girl was going to scare them all to death.

Among the Imperial Guards, only the commanders could hear her inner thoughts—lower-ranked soldiers could not. But it was different for the Jinyiwei. Every one of them held an official seal and were all Sixth Rank or above, meaning they could hear her thoughts. That was precisely why Kan Chaoyan never brought anyone below Sixth Rank on missions.

After confirming there was no danger nearby, Kan Chaoyan sheathed his blade and cleared his throat lightly.

“No threats in the vicinity.”

The Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards approached him, his face grim and his voice low, heavy with suppressed anger.

“Deputy Commander Kan, our duty today is to protect His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. Why would you bring her along? Isn’t that far too reckless?”

If it had been anyone else, it wouldn’t have mattered. But it had to be Mu Nanjin—the girl who could expose people’s secrets. He couldn’t scold her, couldn’t hit her, and was left stewing in silent frustration.

Kan Chaoyan sighed helplessly.

“It was the Empress Dowager who requested her presence.”

The Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards fell silent.

Just then, the abbot emerged with a group of monks to greet them, leading the Emperor and Empress Dowager into the temple’s largest Buddha Hall. The Jinyiwei quickly inspected every corner of the hall, both inside and out, before standing guard at the entrance once they were sure it was safe.

Captain Liu walked over to Mu Nanjin and said,

“There’s nothing more for you to do here. You can walk around a bit.”

Staying too close to the Emperor was dangerous—if assassins struck, he would have to worry about protecting her too.

Mu Nanjin blinked.

“Didn’t you say I should stay by the Empress Dowager’s side?”

Captain Liu lowered his voice irritably.

“Don’t tell me you can’t tell that the people inside aren’t the real ones?”

“Then where did the real ones go?”

“They disguised themselves as commoners and blended in with the pilgrims. I don’t know where they are now—you’ll have to find them yourself.”

That immediately made Mu Nanjin think of the crowd of commoners who had followed the royal convoy up to Jingtuo Temple. The Emperor and Empress Dowager must be among them.

【Heh, so they want me to ‘accompany’ someone, but I have to find them first? Fine then, I’ll just pretend to be looking while actually wandering around the temple. Otherwise, getting up this early to come here would’ve been a waste. Hehe. As for His Majesty and the others—let’s wait till the assassins make their move. Once chaos breaks out, I’ll know exactly where they are.】

As she walked toward the rear courtyard, she thought again:

【Wait a minute. If the Emperor and Empress Dowager are disguised as commoners, and I—dressed in a Jinyiwei flying fish robe—go to ‘accompany’ them, won’t that blow their cover completely? Then what’s the point of disguising themselves?】

【So they didn’t actually want me to accompany them. Then why bring me here at all? Just because they can’t stand seeing me idle? Tch. How petty.】

“……”

Hidden among the commoners, the Emperor and Empress Dowager nearly choked when they heard her insult.

The Emperor’s face darkened with indignation.

“Did you hear that? And we’re the ones in the wrong now? I told you we shouldn’t have brought her—she ruins the mood! I swear she’s going to drive me to an early grave.”

The Empress Dowager couldn’t help laughing softly.

“Bringing her isn’t entirely bad. At least she’s kept us entertained all the way here. She’s brightened our spirits—that’s the whole point of coming out to relax, isn’t it?”

Their carriage had followed right behind the main convoy, so they’d heard every one of Mu Nanjin’s inner thoughts loud and clear.

The Emperor reluctantly agreed, chuckling as he recalled all the secrets she’d accidentally exposed about his ministers.

“You’re right… she’s truly an exasperating yet endearing little girl.”

【Since His Majesty is so petty, don’t blame me for being heartless.】

【Don’t blame me if I don’t tell you that all the monks in this temple are assassins in disguise.】

The Emperor and Empress Dowager both froze.

What!?

The monks were assassins in disguise? But the abbot was someone they’d known for years! Could it be that the assassins had taken his place through disguise?

Damn it—why didn’t she say that earlier!? Only bringing it up now—wasn’t it a little too late!?

【Then again, even if I did tell them, they wouldn’t believe me. And I can’t exactly explain how I know. If they accused me of being an assassin instead, that would be far worse. So I’m not being heartless—it’s just self-preservation.】

No, if you tell us, we’ll definitely believe you!

The Jinyiwei silently howled in their hearts.

【Hehe, I wonder who will recognize who first—the Emperor spotting the assassins, or the assassins recognizing the Emperor.】