nycdaug Chapter 400 (130 words added)
Chapter 400 (130 words added)
As the smoke dissipated, the sorcerer's figure was revealed. Murong Xun seized the opportunity and thrust his sword at the sorcerer. After the sorcerer fell, the controlled populace gradually returned to normal. Following this incident, the country temporarily regained peace. However, Xue Ruanruan and Murong Xun knew that the Left Prime Minister's conspiracy was not yet completely resolved, and the mysterious tribe might return. They dared not slacken their efforts and began to strengthen the country's defenses and security, preparing for any potential future challenges. Murong Xun led his men to directly confront the sorcerer. After a fierce battle, they successfully thwarted the conspiracy. However, just when everyone thought the crisis was over, the Left Prime Minister colluded with the remnants of the mysterious tribe to plot an even greater conspiracy. They spread rumors throughout the capital, claiming that Murong Xun and Xue Ruanruan were ominous figures bringing disaster, causing panic among the people. At the same time, the Left Prime Minister bribed some ministers to impeach Murong Xun in court, demanding that he stop investigating the corruption case in Jiangnan. Murong Xun and Xue Ruanruan were caught in a predicament of internal and external troubles. Xue Ruanruan calmed down and decided to use the evidence she had previously gathered about the Left Prime Minister's crimes to expose his misdeeds in court, in conjunction with righteous ministers. Meanwhile, Murong Xun reorganized the army to guard against another invasion by the mysterious tribe. In court, Xue Ruanruan presented irrefutable evidence, and the Left Prime Minister's crimes were revealed one by one, leaving him speechless amidst the accusations of the crowd. At this time, the remnants of the mysterious tribe began their attack on the city. Murong Xun led his army in a valiant resistance, ultimately repelling the enemy. The Left Prime Minister was imprisoned, and the corruption case in Jiangnan was successfully investigated. The country returned to its former peace, and Murong Xun and Xue Ruanruan's relationship deepened after their ordeal. The country once again weathered the crisis and continued its strides towards peace and prosperity.
On the day of departure, the sun shone brightly. Xue Ruanruan, dressed in a light blue dress, cheerfully followed Yan Xiao and Murong Xun into the carriage. Liu Shi stood at a distance, watching their departing figures, a sinister smile playing on her lips. However, she was unaware that Xue Ruanruan had already secretly planted spies, observing her every move. The trip to Jiangnan, seemingly calm on the surface, was actually fraught with undercurrents. "The evidence in the Jiangnan flood embezzlement case is almost complete," Xue Ruanruan thought, a sudden realization dawning on her. She hadn't expected Murong Xun's trip to Jiangnan to involve such a significant matter. She leaned closer to Murong Xun and whispered, "In that case, we must be even more careful, lest we alert the enemy." Murong Xun nodded, "I've made all the arrangements, but there may be some complications along the way."
The carriage sped along the official road when suddenly, dust billowed ahead, and a group of men in black blocked their path. Yan Xiao immediately shielded Xue Ruanruan, while Murong Xun drew his sword, ready for battle. Without a word, the men in black charged forward, brandishing their swords. Yan Xiao and Murong Xun, both highly skilled in martial arts, clashed with the men. Although Xue Ruanruan was not skilled in martial arts, she remained calm and collected, searching for an opportunity to attack.
During the fight, Xue Ruanruan noticed that the leader of the men in black bore a striking resemblance to the old woman who served Lady Liu. A plan formed in her mind, and she shouted, "You're acting under Lady Liu's orders! Don't you know how powerful the Prince is? Don't do such a foolish thing!"
Meanwhile, the Emperor, upon hearing of this, secretly pondered the matter. He knew the Regent's power was immense; if his youngest daughter died saving the Regent, it might incur the Regent's displeasure; if she recovered, the Regent and the Left Chancellor's relationship might improve, which wouldn't necessarily be beneficial to him. Therefore, the Emperor decided to personally visit his youngest daughter to ascertain the truth. Arriving at her bedside, the Emperor looked at his unconscious daughter and offered a few words of feigned comfort. The Regent knelt beside her, imploring the Emperor to severely punish those who had betrayed him. The Emperor nodded in agreement, but secretly considered how to use this incident to balance the power of the various factions. The Left Chancellor, seeing the Emperor's arrival, dared not act rashly and could only temporarily suppress his anger. At the Emperor's signal, the imperial physicians treated the youngest daughter with even greater care. After several days of meticulous care, the youngest daughter finally awoke. The first thing she saw was the Regent standing by her bedside, her eyes filled with love. A new power struggle, revolving around the youngest daughter, the regent, and the emperor, quietly unfolds in this seemingly peaceful palace. A messenger is sent to inquire about the situation. The regent truthfully reports that he suspects a deliberate attempt to harm him. The emperor, harboring suspicions, secretly sends people to investigate the incident with the hidden arrow.
After several days in a coma, the youngest daughter finally awoke. Weakly, she grasped the Regent's hand and whispered, "I'm alright." The Regent held her hand tightly, his eyes filled with heartache. The Left Prime Minister, seeing his daughter awaken, felt some of his worries dissipate, but still harbored doubts about the arrow incident. At this time, the Emperor's spies received news that the arrow was the work of a mysterious assassin, seemingly orchestrated by someone. The Emperor decided to use this opportunity to test the Regent and the Left Prime Minister, ordering them to thoroughly investigate the matter. Although the Regent and the Left Prime Minister had their own agendas, they could only obey the order. During the investigation, they discovered clues pointing to a minister closely connected to the Emperor. The Regent and the Left Prime Minister began to cooperate, working together to deal with the situation. The youngest daughter, despite her weakness, joined the investigation. As the investigation deepened, the truth gradually surfaced, and they found themselves embroiled in a more complex court intrigue, with various forces vying for power, and a new storm brewing. The Regent was overjoyed and held her hand tightly. Seeing that his daughter was unharmed, the Left Chancellor could no longer forcefully refuse the Regent's marriage proposal.
After this incident, the youngest daughter's affection for the Regent deepened. The mastermind behind the arrow was gradually revealed: a minister in court, jealous of the Regent's power, was responsible. After investigating, the Emperor severely punished the man. Ultimately, the Left Chancellor agreed to the Regent's marriage proposal, and the youngest daughter and the Regent held a grand wedding, living happily ever after. The Regent breathed a sigh of relief, as the youngest daughter was out of danger. However, just when everyone thought everything was settled, news suddenly spread from the palace that the Emperor was seriously ill. Various factions stirred within the court. The Regent knew there must be something hidden behind this and decided to enter the palace to investigate. Although the youngest daughter worried about the Regent's safety, she understood his heavy responsibilities and could only silently support him. The Left Chancellor also realized the gravity of the situation and began secretly discussing countermeasures with the Regent.
During the emperor's serious illness, some treacherous ministers attempted to unite and suppress the regent, hoping to seize control of the court. The regent, through his wisdom and prestige, stabilized the situation. However, he knew that this was only temporary, and the real crisis was yet to come.
The youngest daughter tirelessly scurried through the palace, gathering intelligence and offering advice to the regent. Her courage and intelligence impressed him. Through their combined efforts, they gradually uncovered the conspiracy behind the emperor's serious illness. It turned out that several ministers had conspired to poison the emperor's food.
Meanwhile, the emperor had already sent people to secretly monitor the regent, who witnessed this scene. A much larger storm seemed to be brewing. This was the daughter he had cherished and raised with utmost care, who had secretly fallen for his mortal enemy—whether he reciprocated her feelings was another matter entirely. Wang Jingjing had never expected her father to be so furious; her once rosy face instantly turned ashen, devoid of any color.
Moved, the Regent rode up to his youngest daughter and asked softly, "Why have you come?" The youngest daughter blushed and mustered her courage to say, "I...I wanted to see you." The Regent's lips curled up slightly. Just then, the Left Prime Minister arrived angrily with his men. He pointed at the Regent and his youngest daughter, angrily shouting, "What kind of behavior is this! Regent, how dare you lure my daughter here? What are your intentions?" The Regent remained calm, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "Prime Minister, I was unaware that my daughter had come disguised as a man. She was in danger just now, and I merely rescued her." The youngest daughter hurriedly explained, "Father, I came of my own accord; it has nothing to do with the Regent." The Prime Minister sneered, "Hmph, how can a young lady like you act so willfully? What kind of reputation will this have if word gets out?" The Regent pondered for a moment, then suddenly knelt on one knee, solemnly saying, "Prime Minister, I have long been in love with your daughter, and today I propose marriage to you. I hope you will grant my request." Upon hearing this, the youngest daughter lowered her head shyly. The Prime Minister was stunned, not expecting the Regent to suddenly propose marriage. He had intended to use this opportunity to suppress the Regent, but now the situation left him in a difficult position. Seeing the resolute looks in their eyes, the Left Prime Minister silently weighed the pros and cons before finally speaking slowly, "Let me return and discuss this further." The marriage proposal saga thus came to a temporary end. A gentle smile appeared on his face. Just then, a cold arrow suddenly shot towards the Regent. His youngest daughter reacted quickly, pushing the Regent aside, but was struck by the arrow herself. The Regent was shocked and immediately held his youngest daughter in his arms, his eyes filled with heartache and self-reproach. He carried his daughter back to the palace at breakneck speed and summoned the imperial physician. The physician informed him that the arrow was not poisoned, but the arrowhead was deeply embedded in her body, and her condition was critical. The Regent was frantic, staying by her bedside for a moment. The Left Prime Minister, upon hearing the news, rushed over. Seeing his daughter unconscious, he was both shocked and pained, and his attitude towards the Regent softened considerably.
Seeing this, the Left Chancellor was furious, but helpless. The atmosphere in the hunting grounds became tense, and a new contest seemed about to begin. An arrow struck a stag. The youngest daughter, engrossed in watching, accidentally made a noise. The Regent heard the commotion, turned around, and recognized her.