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"Shaohua!"

Empress Dowager Zheng hurriedly took Jiang Shaohua's hand and looked him up and down: "Are you okay? Were you injured by the assassin?"

Jiang Shaohua's dark uniform was splattered with blood, which dried in the night wind and gave off a faint bloody smell. He looked quite calm: "Don't worry, great aunt, I'm not injured. Those eight assassins have all been killed!"

Empress Dowager Zheng gritted her teeth and said angrily: "Well done! Well done! These bastards who had eaten bear hearts and leopards' guts actually dared to assassinate the Princess of Daliang. Killing them with one sword is already too easy for them. They deserve to be cut into pieces!"

Empress Dowager Zheng's anger was not fake. In the past few years, Jiang Shaohua had always been generous and filial, and always shared the worries of Jingyang Palace. In her heart, Jiang Shaohua's importance had long surpassed that of ordinary juniors, and was comparable to that of her own nephew Zheng Chen.

Furthermore, Jiang Shaohua was inspecting the six ministries on behalf of the emperor. If he was assassinated, it would be the same as the emperor being assassinated. The emperor was in a bright and clear situation. The fact that such a thing happened in front of the six ministries was undoubtedly a great provocation to the imperial power.
Fortunately, Jiang Shaohua was safe. If anything had happened to him, the capital would have immediately fallen into panic.

The more Empress Dowager Zheng thought about it, the more frightened she became. She tightly grasped Jiang Shaohua's hand and said, "Don't leave the palace again until the assassin's identity and origin are found out. Don't go on patrols at the six ministries to avoid any accidents."

Jiang Shaohua held Empress Dowager Zheng's hand with his backhand and said softly, "No, I have to continue my inspection. Otherwise, it would be seen as fear of assassins, and the officials would laugh at me for being timid and cowardly, which would also weaken the prestige of the royal family."

"This is too dangerous!"

"I was caught off guard tonight, but I returned to the palace safely. The one we should be really scared of is the mastermind behind the scenes!"

"But……"

"Please believe me, great aunt." Jiang Shaohua's eyes were bright and firm. "I am not showing off on purpose, nor am I trying to gain attention from this. Things cannot be stopped halfway. I will continue to inspect the six ministries on behalf of the emperor and make the plans of the people behind the scenes fail."

Empress Dowager Zheng was finally convinced and sighed: "You are a stubborn girl. Well, I will listen to you this time. However, starting from tomorrow, you must be accompanied by the Imperial Guards when you enter and leave the palace."

Jiang Shaohua did not refuse the kindness of Empress Dowager Zheng and nodded in agreement.

Empress Dowager Zheng whispered again, "The emperor goes to bed early every night. I stopped your assassination attempt and did not let anyone disturb the emperor. I will tell the emperor tomorrow morning."

Jiang Shaohua responded softly: "My great aunt has thought it through very carefully."

After a pause, he continued, "It's already late at night. You must be tired. Go to bed early. If you have anything to say, we can talk about it tomorrow after you wake up."

Jiang Shaohua listened to Empress Dowager Zheng's long-winded chatter, personally helped her to sleep, and then took a bath and changed clothes.

Yinzhu Tubai had been staying in the palace and was unable to be with her master, so her eyes were red from crying.

"Princess, let's go back to Nanyang County!" Yin Zhu choked up and whispered, "The princess is busy all day, working hard to stabilize the people in the court and share the emperor's worries. The princess is so hard, but no one understands the princess's difficulties. Even assassins have appeared. What if the princess is hurt again?"

Tu Bai agreed with red eyes: "These troubles have nothing to do with the princess. The princess has done what she can, and she can't risk her life for this. It's better to go back to Nanyang County, close the door and live a leisurely life."

The two maids grew up with her, taking care of her food, clothing and daily life, just like half a family member.

However, they were not familiar with politics and their vision was not broad enough. If Chen Jinyu knew her ideals and ambitions, she would not persuade her to go back.

The assassination attempt was a great opportunity if she grasped it well. She could use it to show off her talents and further rectify the chaotic atmosphere in the officialdom. She could also use it to make the emperor trust her more and value her more.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and comforted the two maids: "Don't be afraid, I'm back safe and sound. I will definitely return to Nanyang County, but not now."

Yin Zhu and Tu Bai were unable to persuade the princess, so they wiped their eyes and waited for their master to go to bed. Jiang Shaohua closed his eyes, and the scene of the previous thrilling assassination flashed through his mind.

Who was the one who did it?
……

Emperor Taihe slept peacefully all night. When he woke up, he learned that Jiang Shaohua had encountered an assassin outside the Ministry of Industry last night. His face suddenly became ugly: "Have the assassins been caught?"

Eunuch Ge quickly replied, "Your Majesty, all eight assassins were killed on the spot, none of them escaped. The bodies were taken to the Ministry of Justice, and Minister Yang has opened a case to investigate the identities of the assassins."

"How is cousin Shaohua?" Emperor Taihe asked with a frown.

"The princess is waiting outside the door for the emperor to summon her."

"Then what are you waiting for? Let your cousin in!"

After a while, Jiang Shaohua entered the emperor's bedroom. Along with him came Wang Sheren, who was assassinated last night. Zheng Chen, Li Boyuan, and Jiang Yi also came with him.

Emperor Taihe looked at her hurriedly: "Cousin Shaohua, you are not hurt!"

"No!" Jiang Shaohua said, "My sister is fine, but two of her guards died and three were injured."

"I'm glad you're okay." Emperor Taihe obviously didn't care about the casualties of several guards in the Nanyang Palace. He breathed a sigh of relief, and anger welled up in his eyes: "There are assassins ambushing outside the six ministries. The person behind the scenes is so powerful! I must find out the origins of these assassins, catch the person behind the scenes, and give an explanation to my cousin."

The emperor was furious and blood flowed like a river.

No matter how gentle Emperor Taihe was, he was still the emperor. These few short sentences could set off a bloody storm, and countless lives would be lost.

Jiang Shaohua had no intention of obstructing him, but only gently reminded: "Don't make people panic. The six ministries in the court are functioning normally, so don't delay government affairs."

"Also, the inspection of the Ministry of Works is over, and my sister plans to go to the Ministry of War today."

Emperor Taihe was stunned. Even several Zhongshu Sheren looked at him with astonishment.

I met an assassin last night, and I have to leave the palace to visit the six ministries today! What courage and confidence this requires!

Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "Ren Wang was busy all day yesterday and was frightened at night, so he doesn't need to accompany you today."

Zheng Chen took a step forward, and before he could open his mouth, he heard Jiang Shaohua say, "Cousin, let my cousin Yi go to the Ministry of War with me!"

Emperor Taihe was a little surprised: "I originally planned to let Zheng Sheren go with you."

After all, the Ministry of War was the territory of Minister Zheng, and Zheng Chen was also very familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of War.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "The Ministry of War is now in charge of Minister Wang. Because of the impeachment of Minister Zheng, it is really awkward for Minister Wang and Minister Zheng to meet. It is better to avoid it."

That made sense. Emperor Taihe didn't hesitate and quickly nodded in agreement.

Zheng Chen saw how the Emperor Taihe obeyed Jiang Shaohua's orders, and a trace of gloom flashed through his heart. (End of this chapter)