Chapter 88: Volume 1, Chapter 88: The Crown Prince Saves His Majesty

The Emperor's hands and feet felt somewhat weak at this moment, but he forced himself to stand so no one would notice. The Empress's words relieved his embarrassment, and he immediately said, "Then let the Crown Prince go and take a look."

Han Xinglan rose and assented upon hearing this. As soon as he stepped out, some court officials followed.

Rong Luoge also walked out with the crowd. Once outside the main hall, they could see from afar red light flashing in the northeast corner, and smoke filling the sky seemed about to engulf the entire palace.

None of them had expected the situation to be so dire. Seeing that things were amiss, they immediately caught up with the Crown Prince, attempting to request that he mobilize the imperial guards to fight the fire.

Rong Luoge heard this and frowned. She did not know who had spoken—what kind of intent was this?

If Han Xinglan mobilized the imperial guards at this moment without the Emperor's command, would that not be handing his own head to the Emperor? The person who spoke was truly harboring murderous intent.

Han Xinglan naturally could not mobilize the imperial guards, but he could still command a small number of guards. He immediately ordered them to form a team to fight the fire, and they must not let the flames spread.

Rong Luoge quietly observed Prince Qi from within the crowd. She had been able to see Prince Qi's figure earlier, but now she could not even see his shadow—in the blink of an eye, she had no idea where he had gone.

Ling Yuying hurried over and looked at Rong Luoge, saying, "The fire is too fierce. What are you doing here? Come with me to take shelter in the hall."

Rong Luoge certainly could not go back. She looked at Ling Yuying and said, "You go first. I will go check on His Highness and come right back."

Ling Yuying failed to hold Rong Luoge back and stamped her foot in anxiety, but the fire had reddened half the sky. She truly did not dare to go over, so she could only turn back to the hall.

Yun Shizhuang had been keeping her eyes fixed on Rong Luoge. Seeing Rong Luoge thread through the crowd toward the Crown Prince, she thought for a moment and then followed.

After Rong Luoge drew closer, she heard Han Xinglan's voice carrying through the crowd: "Everyone, do not panic. The Little Yuyang Daoist Temple is in the northeast corner, and there are no other halls nearby. Even if the fire has started, it can be contained."

The Emperor was fond of alchemy, but this was not approved of by the court officials. Thus, to avoid being pursued endlessly by them, he had reluctantly built the Little Yuyang Daoist Temple in a remote corner of the palace.

The fire appeared to have been brought under control. At this time, the Emperor emerged accompanied by the Empress and Consort Ming. Just as he was about to say something, a sound of something slicing through the air suddenly rang out!

A sharp arrow shot through the crowd, heading straight for the Emperor.

The assassination attempt came so suddenly that no one was aware of it, and chaos instantly erupted.

Rong Luoge's eyes were sharp and her mind clear. She turned her head and glanced toward the due east, catching sight of a dark silhouette vanishing rapidly. The figure was extremely fast—so fast that she could only vaguely make out a shadow and nothing else.

Just as she was momentarily lost in thought, she heard the crowd cry out, "His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Protect His Majesty!"

"Protect the Crown Prince!"

The crowd was in turmoil, cries of alarm rising from all sides. Rong Luoge snapped her head around and saw Han Xinglan lunge in front of His Majesty. The arrow had struck his arm, and blood immediately flowed out.

Right at that moment, a guard beside His Majesty shouted, "The assassin is over there!"

Saying so, he immediately sprinted in pursuit, and other guards followed, racing after him.

"Crown Prince!"

"Lingshu, are you all right?"

The Emperor looked at his son, pale-faced and collapsed on the ground, and stumbled a step before steadying himself. "Quick, summon the Imperial Physician!"

The Empress bent down and helped the Crown Prince to his feet, her eyes brimming with tears and her face full of concern—a mother's loving heart displayed without doubt.

Only then did Prince Qi arrive belatedly, seeing only the Emperor and Empress gazing at the Crown Prince with concern. She pursed her lips and immediately stepped forward. "Your son came late to protect Your Majesty. I beg Imperial Father to punish me."

The Emperor's body was already more than half depleted, and with both the fire and the assassination attempt, he was exhausted in body and mind. He waved his hand dismissively and looked at the Crown Prince, saying, "Lingshu, go to the hall first and let the Imperial Physician treat your wound."

Han Xinglan's face was deathly pale, as if he might collapse at any moment. Standing with the support of Shi An, his breathing scattered and weak, he said, "Your son is fine. It only struck my shoulder and will not cost me my life. As long as Imperial Father is well, I would gladly exchange my life for it."

The Emperor was momentarily moved. "You…"

"Imperial Father, right now capturing the assassin and fighting the fire are what matter most. You need not worry about your son," Han Xinglan said earnestly.

The Emperor was ultimately angered by the assassination attempt today. He nodded slightly, ordered someone to support the Crown Prince into the hall, and immediately arranged for the assassin to be captured. The imperial guards scattered at once, searching for any suspicious traces. At this moment, Consort Ming brought Prince Qi forward to immediately surround the Emperor, expressing concern and worry.

Rong Luoge watched from afar. She had to admit—Consort Ming was truly someone skilled at seizing opportunities and reading people's hearts.

Rong Luoge was worried about the Crown Prince's injury. Disregarding everything else, she immediately caught up with Han Xinglan. "Your Highness, are you all right?"

Han Xinglan managed a smile. "I am fine. You need not worry."

How could Rong Luoge not worry? She reached out and took him from Shi An's hands, supporting him into the hall. Fortunately, the Imperial Physician had already arrived. Looking at the arrow in the Crown Prince's arm, his expression was not good, and he immediately said, "This humble official will remove the arrow for Your Highness first. Please bear with the pain."

"No matter," Han Xinglan said, his face pale.

Rong Luoge's eyes reddened, and her inner drama queen immediately came online. "How can Your Highness say it is nothing? Your body must be carefully tended even on ordinary days. Such a long arrow—it breaks one's heart just looking at it. Imperial Physician, please be slow and careful when you do it."

The Imperial Physician hurriedly nodded. Seeing Good Lady Rong on the verge of tears, he had not expected her to feel such genuine devotion toward the Crown Prince. When Good Lady Rong had sought a divorce from Prince Qi, everyone had assumed she would fall into the mire. Who could have known that she would turn around and enter the Dong Gong? One's fate simply could not be compared.

Just then, Prince Qi also came in to check on the Crown Prince's injury. He felt that this matter was highly suspicious—how could it be such a coincidence?

Who knew that the moment he entered the door, he saw Rong Luoge looking at the Crown Prince with red-rimmed eyes, her gaze full of tender affection—a world of difference from the cold, heartless manner she had shown at the Qi Wang Fu.

Prince Qi immediately felt a block in his chest. He simply could not accept it—the Crown Prince was sickly and feeble. How was he better than him?

Rong Luoge heard footsteps approaching and cast a sidelong glance from the corner of her eye. Seeing that it was Prince Qi's figure, she could not help frowning.

Just then, the Empress looked at the Imperial Physician and asked, "The Crown Prince's injury will not be a major problem, will it? Will it cause any impediment to his arm?"

Hearing this, Prince Qi's eyes lit up.

But Rong Luoge gave a soft cough, interrupting the Imperial Physician, and looked at the Empress, saying gently, "Mother, rest assured. His Highness risked his life to save His Majesty. Such filial devotion will surely move heaven and earth. How could it leave His Highness's body with any flaw? His Highness will certainly be safe and sound."

The Empress's heart tightened. Good Lady Rong usually addressed her as "Niangniang" in private, and only called her "Mother" in front of others. She turned slightly and caught sight of Prince Qi at the door.

Seeing that the Empress had already noticed him, Prince Qi no longer hesitated and immediately strode forward. "Your son greets Mother. Imperial Father was worried about Eldest Brother, so he sent me to see how he is. Is Eldest Brother all right?"