Chapter 206: Murderous intentions, nobody knows (1/2)
Chapter 206: Murderous intentions, nobody knows
The thing that Han Yunxi couldn’t fathom was Grand Concubine Yi’s attitude. Her high aspirations were famous throughout the imperial clan as someone more onerous than the empress dowager. Just what reason made her so willing to lower herself for Murong Wanru’s sake? After all, Murong Wanru’s marriage had been a humiliation to begin with. For a person who placed as much emphasis on face as Grand Concubine Yi, how could she pretend nothing at all had happened so soon? Now she even treated Marquis Pingbei’s estate as relatives by marriage, an unimaginable thought.
Wasn’t it too much of a sacrifice?
The Ministry of Appointments had real power, while the third-ranked minister had position and prestige. Now both of them had to rely on Marquis Pingbei’s estate to have face. For the sake of raising up Marquis Pingbei’s estate, Grand Concubine Yi had spared nothing to lower her posture. Leaving aside how close she’d gotten with them over the past few months, just going with these three families today to the Spring Hunt would spread rumors. The positions of these three families would rise in a straight line in the capital, earning changes in social attitudes from other big and influential noble families. Grand Concubine Yi had done this for Murong Wanru’s sake, but had she ever consulted with His Highness Duke of Qin first? His Highness Duke of Qin had already stepped out to give Zhangsun Che a position at the Ministry of Personnel. Was it still insufficient?
The present respected position of the Duke of Qin’s estate was all due to Long Feiye’s existence. Without him, Grand Concubine Yi’s high aspirations would be nothing more than that of an esteemed imperial concubine past her prime. For the sake of the foster daughter who failed to live up to expectations, she lowered her own social status. This didn’t seem like the usual actions of someone with her personality. Han Yunxi had a hundred questions and no answers. She faintly felt that Grand Concubine Yi had started doting on Murong Wanru even more after she was married off. Even after getting on the carriage, Han Yunxi’s brows were still furrowed. Meanwhile, Murong Wanru hadn’t sat in Marquis Pingbei’s carriage, but in their own. She sat next to Grand Concubine Yi while holding her hand.
Long Feiye also found himself at a loss. He looked at the distant silhouettes of the departing carriages and asked coldly, “Why the early departure this year?” He hadn’t traveled with Grand Concubine Yi in the previous years, but she would always set out after her noonday rest.
“Gui mama from esteemed imperial concubine’s courtyard said that this was esteemed wangfei’s idea. She said that leaving earlier would leave more time to see the scenery along the way. She also mentioned that to avoid the other caravans, she chose the royal ravine as her path. It’s rather remote and out of the way,” a guard reported in a low voice.
Han Yunxi’s idea? For the sake of watching the scenery?
This woman’s hobbies weren’t bad, but had she ever considered the issue of safety? A flash of unhappiness went past Long Feiye’s eyes. He didn’t ask much more, but said icily, “Instruct Chu Xifeng to go along with the plan.”
“Yes!” the guard obeyed and left, his heart puzzled. Why didn’t His Highness express any views on esteemed imperial concubine traveling with the three other families?
—
As the carriage sped along, it quickly went out of the imperial city. A carriage in charge of clearing the path led the way, followed by Grand Concubine Yi’s carriage and the other three families. On the road, Murong Wanru accompanied Grand Concubine Yi for small talk, and the two got along just like a mother and daughter pair. One sentence of Murong Wanru’s was enough to amuse Grand Concubine Yi. As they led from one topic to another, it felt like the conversation would never end. Nestled in one corner, Han Yunxi couldn’t fall asleep even though she wanted to. The topics they were chatting about were all unfamiliar to her, so she couldn’t join in.
She was too lazy to join in the fun anyways, so she leaned on the window to look about the scenery passing by. But gradually, Han Yunxi felt that something was wrong. Why was the carriage path turning more desolate and wild? Turning back, she asked, “Mufei, we’re not going via the main road?”
There was a main road that led directly from the capital city to North Pond County. It was level and extremely easy to traverse. Though Han Yunxi knew nothing about roads, she was sure the one before them wasn’t a major thoroughfare! Grand Concubine Yi was happily chatting and didn’t hear Han Yunxi’s words clearly. Carelessly she asked, “What?”
“Mufei, did we take the wrong path? Where is this place?” Han Yunxi asked seriously.
Only then did Grand Concubine Yi’s suspicions rise. She was about to rise and look out the window when the carriage suddenly came to a stop!
“Ah…!” Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru cried out at the same time as they both fell forwards. Luckily, Han Yunxi reacted quickly. With one hand braced on the window, her other hand reached out to grab Grand Concubine Yi’s hand, stilling her in place. It was Murong Wanru who crashed into the doorframe.
Before they could recover, the guards yelled from outside, “Assassins, protect the masters!”
“Assassins? Heavens!” Grand Concubine Yi shrieked as her face paled. She shrank inside as much as she could, not because she lacked self-possession, but because she’d rarely met with danger in her life.
Murong Wanru’s eyes flashed coldly before she withdrew to Grand Concubine Yi’s side and asked in a rush, “Mufei, what to do? Why would there be assassins?”
How would Grand Concubine Yi know? Quickly, mother and daughter ended up hugging each other. Meanwhile, the sounds of combat grew louder and louder as the weapons clashed. It made one alarmed to hear it. Judging by the sound alone, there had to be countless assassins!
“Wanru, take good care of mufei!” Han Yunxi left these words before quickly deciding to get off the carriage. Seeing this, Murong Wanru was both surprised and delighted. Han Yunxi, ah, Han Yunxi, I never expected you to have the guts to leave. Since you have, it’ll be much easier to accomplish my goal! Thinking up to here, she feigned terror as she hugged Grand Concubine Yi tighter. Meanwhile, her other hand silently drew out three acupuncture needles out of her sleeve and waited for her chance. Han Yunxi would’ve never expected that to happen. Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru were people who were so close that they could share a single heart. Leaving that mother and daughter pair on board should’ve been the safest choice.