Chapter 21: Life hangs on a thread (1)
Zhao Ziheng miraculously appeared in front of Yin Yin. Does this mean that he is not actually dead?
"Before the murderer is found, please be patient. I cannot show up now. I know this may be a little cruel to you, but only in this way can I catch the mastermind behind the scenes and protect you from being hurt again—"
No matter how gentle Zhao Ziheng was at this moment, Yinyin couldn't hear it. "Don't avenge me, don't dirty your hands for me, I haven't left you, it's enough that I'm the only one stained with blood, just let me protect you, you don't have to make yourself suffer for me, you just need to stay like this, although I can't meet you now, at least I can be with you now, and I can touch your face like this——"
"Your Majesty, someone is coming!"
Just when Zhao Ziheng was telling Yin Yin what was happening, there suddenly appeared another figure in the room.
"...I'll come to see you again!"
Zhao Ziheng didn't say much, but just continued to caress Yin Yin's face reluctantly. Reluctantly, Zhao Ziheng kissed Yin Yin's lips again!
“…Let’s go!”
After the kiss goodbye, Zhao Ziheng turned around and prepared to leave.
"By the way, take her away!"
Before Zhao Ziheng left, he did not forget Xia Ningshuang who had been knocked unconscious by him.
After receiving the order, the servant stepped forward, carried Xia Ningshuang and Zhao Ziheng, and disappeared together. No one knew what happened in the room tonight.
Another day passed, and Zhou Cheng finally woke up. However, the first thing he did after waking up was to ask about Yin Yin's situation. When he learned that Yin Yin had become frantic because of him, he immediately wanted to be by her side. Unfortunately, his own condition did not allow it. Although he was awake and fine, his body was still unable to move freely. The Queen Mother, the Queen, and everyone else had to work very hard to persuade him...
"How is she now?"
"According to the diagnosis this morning, he has stabilized a lot and I believe he will wake up soon. When the time comes, just tell him that you are out of danger and there shouldn't be any big problems."
"...In that case, I order you to make sure she is safe and sound, no matter what means you use!"
"I obey your order!"
Did Zhou Cheng care too much about Yin Yin? The first thing he did after waking up was to prioritize Yin Yin's placement? Did he forget that the Queen Mother and the Empress, as well as Prime Minister Zhang Ren and his wife were also present...
"I am very grateful to the emperor for his kindness to Yinyin, but how can my body be compared with the body of a dragon? I hope the emperor will give priority to the dragon's body——"
It is common sense for Zhang Ren to say this, but everyone knows that Zhang Ren loves his daughter.
"My king is fine. This little injury can't do anything to me. I just didn't expect that poison would be applied to the arrow wound. My king will investigate this incident personally and get to the bottom of it. If the criminal is caught, he will be severely punished!!"
Sitting on the bed, his face was pale and haggard. He couldn't even stand up before, but he could still talk big. I guess this is what it means to be brave? Despite this, Zhou Cheng still has the demeanor of a king...
"General Shan and Commander Wang are already investigating. I believe there will be results soon!"
"Well, send an order, have Shan Zhen come to see me immediately!"
"I obey your order!"
"My son, you just woke up, why are you so anxious? Just let General Shan and the others handle this matter. You should return to the palace as soon as possible to recuperate!"
Zhou Cheng had his own reasons for doing this, but the Queen Mother and the others were unaware of it. He had been away from the palace for so long that he might have affected his condition, so he had been living in the [Prime Minister's Residence]. Now that he was awake, it would be wise for him to return to the palace as soon as possible...
"Returning to the palace?"
Zhou Cheng understood the seriousness of being a king and not being in the palace. The problem was how he was going to let go of Yin Yin...
--after--
[Prime Minister's Mansion] In a corridor in the backyard.
"Eh? General Shan!"
Xin Xin, who had just come out of Zhou Cheng's room, happened to run into Shan Zhen, who was coming to see the emperor. "I greet the princess!"
No matter when, Shan Zhen still sticks to his duty. Compared with him back then, he now seems more mature and steady, but his seemingly steady appearance cannot hide the faint loneliness...
"No need to be polite, General! "
"Thank you, Princess!"
"Are you in such a hurry to see my brother?"
"yes!"
"Are there any clues?"
"No, it's just that the emperor summoned me!"
"Is there something urgent that my brother summoned the general for ?"
"I don't know!"
It was just a question and an answer, and no unnecessary words could be heard from Dan Zhen's mouth, as if he had closed his heart and deliberately kept a distance from others! ?
"Humph, the general is still as frugal with words as always. It's really hard to hear anything from the general other than answering necessary questions!"
Facing Shan Zhen's wooden response, Xin Xin didn't know whether to laugh or get angry. Her expression seemed a little bitter. Even so, Shan Zhen remained silent. This was what made Xin Xin feel most helpless...
"I won't bother you from seeing my brother. I still have to go see Sister Yin Yin!"
No matter how much he talked, Dan Zhen would only answer questions that he knew how to answer. Xin Xin didn't want to stay any longer, so she had to leave first...
"Princess--"
Xin Xin had just taken a few steps when Shan Zhen called her. Was he happy? Or? Xin Xin turned around...
"...Yinyin she——"
I don't know how to start calling Xinxin, or should I say I don't know what position to say it from? Thinking of this, Dan Zhen stopped talking...
"...Apart from my brother, I'm afraid the only person you care about is Sister Yin Yin, right?"
Xin Xin smiled bitterly, and said what was on Shan Zhen's mind. Shan Zhen knew that he shouldn't ask Xin Xin, but because he had been searching for clues for days and couldn't find any reason or excuse to visit Yin Yin, the only way to get news about Yin Yin was to ask Xin Xin, who visited her every day and met by chance at this moment...
"Imperial Physician Xue said that my brother is no longer in danger of death. When Sister Yinyin wakes up, tell her. I believe he will be stable. General Shan does not need to worry too much!"
Xin Xin knew about Shan Zhen's concern for Yin Yin a long time ago. Seeing Shan Zhen looking depressed, Xin Xin had no choice but to do the good deed and tell him the truth!
"terribly sorry--"
"No, you don't need to apologize. Considering your relationship with Sister Yinyin, it's natural for you to care about her. I won't say anything more!"
Looking back, Xinxin seemed a little playful and willful back then, when did she become so mature?
"If there is nothing else, I will leave first!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Xinxin turned around and left.
"Princess!!"
This time Xin Xin took more steps than before, and the distance between them was also similar. Shan Zhen called her again...
"Anything else?"
"No, this—"
After calling her, she didn't know what to say. Xinxin smiled bitterly again, and this time she couldn't guess what Shan Zhen wanted to say!
"It's been windy lately, so please take care of yourself, Princess!"
Xin Xin was stunned by Shan Zhen's sudden words.
"I will take my leave!"
This time, it was Shan Zhen who left first after he finished speaking, leaving Xin Xin who was left with a look of disbelief, staring blankly at Shan Zhen's back as he gradually moved away...
——Afterwards——
In Zhou Cheng's room, only Zhou Cheng and Shan Zhen were having a private conversation.
"There will be clues. We must thoroughly investigate every person who went to the hunting ground that day. Don't let anyone go. We must find them even if we have to dig deep into the ground!"
"yes!!"
"How dare you assassinate me in front of me? I will make him know what the consequences will be if you anger me!"
At this moment, Zhou Cheng was no different from Zhou Yan. When the two brothers got angry, their imposing manner was so intimidating that it made people feel like a cold wind penetrating into their bones!
"I have something to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not—"
"explain!"
"I think the assassin's target that day was not the emperor!"
Shan Zhen's words did not change Zhou Cheng's expression much. It should be said that Zhou Cheng also agreed with Shan Zhen's opinion...
"...You're right. I had guessed it a long time ago. It's obvious that the assassin took advantage of the moment when I was carrying Yinyin onto the white tiger's back to shoot. If I hadn't noticed it accidentally when I got on top, I'm sure Yinyin would have been the one shot by the arrow!!"
Zhou Cheng's narration completely coincided with Shan Zhen's. With such meticulous and sharp insight, he was worthy of being the king of a country. Fortunately, Shan Zhen had never doubted Zhou Cheng's ability, but this did not include the fact that he forced Yin Yin to fall off the cliff and survived a near-death experience. This was also the knot in Shan Zhen's heart that could never be untied. In other words, although he was loyal to Zhou Cheng, it did not mean that he would completely obey him, especially now that Yin Yin was still alive!
When Shan Zhen thought about the arrow that was about to fly past him and almost hit Yin Yin, he felt very angry and hated his own incompetence. Such a thing happened right next to her...
"Actually, that's why I asked you to come here!"
"Eh? I wonder what the Emperor wants?"
Judging from Zhou Cheng's appearance, he seems to have grasped some clues?
"This assassination reminded me of when I went to Prince Jing's Mansion not long ago. Yinyin was also assassinated on her way back from going out. Adding to what happened in Zhao State before, I wonder if someone wants to kill Yinyin?"
"How could it be? Yinyin fell off a cliff and her life or death is unknown. Judging from what happened afterwards and Yinyin's personality, it is impossible for her to have such a deep hatred with anyone!"
"I have thought about all these. At first, I suspected it was Master Jiang. I thought he wanted to kill Yin Yin for revenge for Ru Ting. But Yin Yin appeared in Zhao State less than ten days before the incident. The journey from our country to Zhao State is long. It takes at least ten days. Ten days round trip is impossible. Moreover, Master Jiang never left during that period of time, so he can be ruled out. Later, I also suspected Zhao Ziheng, the crown prince of Zhao State!"
"he??"
Zhou Cheng analyzed every detail in detail, and Shan Zhen had to admire him. However, when it came to Zhao Ziheng, Shan Zhen couldn't imagine that he would be involved...
