Chapter 467 Celebrating Too Soon

Chapter 467: Celebrating Too Early

Luo Sinian felt a flicker of gratitude when he saw Ji Yuntang speaking up for him. He couldn't help but glance at her, as if to say, "Thank you."

Emperor Jingyang, on the other hand, furrowed his brow. He could clearly tell that Ji Yuntang was trying to use this achievement to get him to promote Luo Sinian.

A chilling thought suddenly struck him—could those five hundred death warriors have been arranged by Ji Yuntang herself?

She and Luo Sinian had staged the entire incident together.

But Emperor Jingyang quickly dismissed the thought.

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Ji Yuntang had no reason to go to such great lengths for Luo Sinian, nor did she have any motive to do so.

Shaking off his thoughts, Emperor Jingyang said, "Prince Chen did handle this matter quite well. He brought troops in time to save the people at Prince Ye's residence. I'll credit you with a great merit and promote you to Commander of the Patrol Battalion."

"Princess Ye, are you satisfied with this result?"

Ji Yuntang gave a slight smile. "As long as Prince Chen is happy with it."

Luo Sinian immediately knelt. "Thank you, Father, for the promotion."

Clearly, he was satisfied with the position—it was two ranks higher than his previous one.

Ji Yuntang continued, "Your Majesty, although I don't know who sent those death warriors to kill us, this undoubtedly shows that Prince Ye's residence has been targeted. It's no longer safe!"

"So, I have a humble request. Would Your Majesty be willing to grant it?"

Emperor Jingyang knew Ji Yuntang wasn't easily brushed off, so he asked, "What request do you have? Go ahead and make it."

"To prevent those people from coming back, I'd like to ask Prince Chen to lead troops to protect Prince Ye's residence for one month. Without orders from me or the Prince, no one is to be allowed inside. Would Your Majesty grant this?"

Emperor Jingyang had expected Ji Yuntang to ask for something extravagant, but instead she made such a simple request—it cost him nothing at all.

He inwardly scoffed at Ji Yuntang for being foolish, thinking she didn't know how to seize a golden opportunity for rewards.

But out loud, he readily agreed, "Fine, I'll grant your request. Let Prince Chen lead troops to protect your residence for a month. The patrol duties will be temporarily handed over to the Imperial Guards."

Ji Yuntang beamed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

In a few days, she would be heading to the Xishu Kingdom with Hua Feixue, and she couldn't rest easy knowing Prince Ye's residence had no one to protect it.

Finding someone else would be too conspicuous, and Ji Yuntang didn't trust anyone else.

This was the perfect opportunity—having Luo Sinian stay behind to protect the residence set her mind at ease.

At Huaqing Palace, the place where Luo Jingshen had lived before establishing his own household, he hadn't dared to go to the Hall of State Affairs, afraid that a single expression or movement might betray him to Ji Yuntang.

So Luo Jingshen had been sending people to monitor the Hall of State Affairs, insisting on being updated the moment any news broke.

Just then, a eunuch came to report, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty has promoted Prince Chen to Patrol Commander."

Luo Jingshen frowned. "Keep watching and report back. Focus on anything related to the Princess Ye. I want to know what she said and did in front of Father."

A moment later, another eunuch arrived. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this time it's regarding the Princess Ye."

"Speak quickly." Luo Jingshen urged.

"She requested that Prince Chen lead troops to protect Prince Ye's residence for a month, and His Majesty agreed!"

Luo Jingshen flew into a rage upon hearing this. "Useless! Can't you gather any useful information?"

Whether Prince Chen got promoted or whether Prince Ye's residence needed protection—was that what he cared about?

He only wanted to know whether Ji Yuntang had exposed him.

He couldn't say that outright, so he asked more indirectly.

"Did you hear whether they found out who orchestrated the assassins?"

The young eunuch shook his head. "I didn't hear anything about that, Your Highness. The Princess Ye and Prince Chen didn't seem to mention it either. May I ask why?"

Luo Jingshen narrowed his eyes, a sinister gleam flashing through them.

"Nothing. You're dismissed. Don't tell anyone you saw me today."

The eunuch acknowledged, "Yes, Your Highness. This servant will take his leave."

But just as he turned around, a sharp sword ran him straight through the chest. The eunuch stared at the gaping wound in disbelief before collapsing to the ground.

Luo Jingshen withdrew his sword, blood splattering across the floor. With a cold expression, he said, "Don't blame me for being ruthless—only the dead can keep secrets forever."

Even though the eunuch was one of his informants in the palace, Luo Jingshen trusted no one at this critical moment.

He glanced at Linchuan and ordered, "Take his body away and dispose of it. Do it discreetly—don't let anyone see."

Linchuan bowed and acknowledged, "Yes, Your Highness."

Luo Jingshen had waited in Huaqing Palace for as long as Ji Yuntang had been in the Hall of State Affairs.

His initial fear had gradually given way to calm.

Luo Jingshen figured that if Ji Yuntang had truly exposed him, Emperor Jingyang would have sent someone to arrest him long ago.

Since no one had come in all this time, it meant she had no idea he was behind it.

And there was no traitor in his ranks either.

After Ji Yuntang and Luo Sinian left the Hall of State Affairs, the two went their separate ways home, and Luo Jingshen's mind was finally at ease.

From his carriage, he sent Linchuan to deliver a message to Prince Nanxiao.

"Go tell Fourth Uncle that I'm fine for now. Have his men stand down—no need to wait any longer."

Linchuan bowed and left at once.

In a good mood, Luo Jingshen hummed a tune as he returned to the Eastern Palace.

As he stepped down from the carriage, he caught sight of Hua Feixue standing at the entrance, looking around. Assuming she was waiting for him, he walked over and pulled her into his arms.

"Xiao Xuehua, have you been waiting here long?"

Hua Feixue mentally rolled her eyes, thinking how conceited Luo Jingshen was.

She was indeed waiting for someone—but not for him. She was waiting for her maid Hongtao, who had gone to buy her some cold pot skewers.

Hongtao had already been gone for nearly half an hour and still hadn't returned.

Hua Feixue was dying for a taste of that dish!

Despite the complaints in her mind, Hua Feixue wore a stunning smile on her face and coquettishly said, "Yes, this humble girl has been waiting for the Crown Prince for quite a long time."

"I wonder what the Crown Prince has been busy with lately, like a phantom—here one moment, gone the next. This humble girl can't seem to find you no matter what."

Last night, Luo Jingshen came back very late, reeking of pungent alcohol.

At dawn today, he rushed out again.

Hua Feixue figured it had to do with the assassination, and from his mood, it probably hadn't worked out.

Luo Jingshen was feeling pretty good today. Knowing that no one suspected him, he was totally relaxed.

He took Hua Feixue's hand and led her into the residence.

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