Her guards

Chapter 123 A new day

One night passed, and a new day began.

On a winter morning, outside the Imperial Study, Princess Heisei, wrapped in a thick cloak, stopped the eunuchs.

The eunuch knew that Princess Heisei was the only person who could enter without being announced, so he bowed and remained silent.

Princess Heisei walked in and saw the emperor sitting behind his desk, holding a memorial in one hand and resting his head on his hand with his eyes closed.

"Father," Princess Heisei called softly.

The emperor raised his head, still sleepy-eyed: "Heisei is here. What time is it?" He then squinted at the sky outside. "Why are you up so early? You don't have to go to school today. Sigh, you shouldn't study so hard. You should rest a bit."

She hadn't said a word, yet her father had already expressed so much concern. Her father's love for her would never change. Princess Heicheng smiled and listened attentively before speaking: "I got up early as usual, but I didn't plan to study. I'm going hunting with my brother today and will stay at the palace for two days. I came here specifically to tell Father."

"I see," the emperor exclaimed happily, repeatedly saying "good."

"But Father, did you stay up all night again?" Princess Heicheng said reproachfully.

The emperor laughed heartily, "No, no." Then he shook his head, "It was that scoundrel Wei Jiao who came in the middle of the night demanding a reward, keeping me awake all night."

Wei Jiao, Princess Heicheng hurriedly asked, "Is he cured?"

She only learned that Wei Jiao had fallen ill after she saw him return to the palace.

She also sent a palace maid to deliver gifts and express her condolences on her behalf.

However, the palace maids did not see anyone, and Wei Jiao did not respond.

The emperor snorted: "I think he's even more ill than before. He knocked on the palace gates in the middle of the night. See? The memorials from the censors were all submitted this morning."

Princess Heisei smiled and said, "People in the capital complain that his return has made them uneasy, but they don't know that Father Emperor has also suffered greatly because of it."

The emperor nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes."

His daughter was so eloquent; a single joke from her comforted him. If it were the King of the East Sea, he would have only shouted to arrest Wei Jiao.

The emperor's smile grew even more benevolent.

"Don't worry about the exam. My son is the most sensible and outstanding daughter in the world," he couldn't help but say.

Princess Heisei's smile faltered slightly as she looked down at the table and saw a reply slip among a pile of memorials.

Although she didn't see the name, she recognized it as the one from the National Academy exam.

Father, it's been sitting on the desk. Take a close look.

"Father, you shouldn't take it to heart," she said, feigning annoyance. "I've already forgotten about it."

The emperor laughed and apologized, and Princess Heicheng took her leave without lingering any longer.

The emperor sat at his desk, stretched, and chatted with his daughter for a while, which relieved his fatigue.

Although still feeling sleepy due to Wei Jiao's disturbance, Sun Shu's remnants have been eliminated and Qin'an City has been captured.

He stood up and walked to the map beside him, his gaze sweeping over Longxi. At present, Wei and Cui were neither subservient nor daring to rebel...

Wei Cui dared not make any rash moves after that.

The emperor exhaled softly, but then frowned again.

However, there is still a hidden danger: the young prince from the previous dynasty.

As long as this little prince is around, it's unsettling.

I wonder where that little thief is hiding.

"Someone come here!" he shouted, turning around. "Summon Wei Jiao!"

……

.......
As dawn broke, the side gate of the Ding'an Duke's Mansion opened, and a magnificent carriage drove out.

Carriages and horses are only for ladies and young ladies to use, but there are no servants or maids surrounding the carriages, unlike the grand processions of the ladies and young ladies of the Duke of Ding'an.

"This young lady went out so early?"

"Where are we going? Does Madam know?"

"Who would dare to ask? Just open the door if you want. They've been bestowed with gifts by His Majesty and the Empress, so no one would dare to stop them."

The servants at the door murmured amongst themselves as they watched the carriage leave and head towards the main street.

"Mr. Liu might not dare to accept this gift," Yang Luo said with a smile, looking at the wrapped little bundle.

Not only did Liu Chan move back to the alley, but her father and disciple were also leaving the capital the day after tomorrow.

Today, besides delivering Liu Chan's luggage, Mo Zheng also prepared a gift for Liu's father.

It is one of the two ancient books given to us by the Li family.

Sure enough, when they arrived at the alley, Liu Chan learned of the gift and hurriedly waved her hand, saying, "It's too precious." "It's our token of appreciation," Mo Zheng insisted on giving it to her. "This incident has caused Mr. Liu quite a bit of fright. Although we got a good result, we can't ignore the mistakes we made."

He smiled again as he spoke.

"Actually, there are many rare ancient books in the library, which are said to be stored on the top floor. We should have a chance to see them."

Liu Chan's eyes lit up immediately. Being a free-spirited person, she accepted the gift without further hesitation.

"Where are Mr. Liu and Young Master Cheng?" Yang Luo asked, looking around the courtyard. The house was quiet after he came in. Mr. Liu, being an elder, didn't come out, and Young Master Cheng, who was always talkative and cheerful, was nowhere to be seen.

Liu Chan laughed and said, "They went shopping on the street. They hadn't been in the mood to go shopping before because of my matter. Now that things have settled down, they're leaving, so they went to buy some gifts from the capital."

It turned out to be the case.

Yang Luo thought of something.

“Then I’ll go buy some vegetables and meat to serve as a farewell feast for Mr. Liu today,” she said.

Liu Chan quickly replied, "There are still vegetables at home."

“Then let’s prepare what we have at home first,” Mo Zheng said with a smile, gesturing to Yang Luo, “Go find Sister Peach Blossom next door and buy some from her butcher shop.”

Yang Luo understood that this meant she would have peach blossoms to accompany her when she went out, and she agreed and went out.

Liu Chan didn't try to stop her anymore, and went into the kitchen with Mo Zheng to start preparing the meal.

As the fire blazed brightly and the water in the pot bubbled and simmered, Liu Chan was talking about what kind of classes she hoped to hear when school started again when a few birds chirped outside the door.

Mo Zheng, who was holding a fire poker, sat up straight.

"Oh dear," she said, "I forgot something."

Liu Chan hurriedly asked what was wrong.

“I need to pick out some good paper to practice calligraphy. I’m not quite satisfied with the one my uncle’s family prepared,” Mo Zheng said, standing up as she spoke. “I’ll go to the street to find Asheng and Sister-in-law Taohua, and then we’ll buy some together and come back.”

Liu Chan nodded dismissively, watching Mo Zheng put down the fire poker and walk outside. When she reached the door, she turned back and gave her some instructions.

"Stay home and watch the fire; don't go out."

Liu Chan smiled and nodded in agreement.

……

.......
Mo Zheng stood in the alley, looking at the abandoned children squatting at the street corner, and put a handful of money into their empty bowls.

"Thank you, miss."

"Miss is a kind-hearted person."

The beggars thanked them all at once.

Mo Zheng looked at one of them and asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

The beggar whispered, "Miss Yang Luo has disappeared."

Disappeared? How could a person suddenly disappear? Mo Zheng looked at the street, her hands clenching at her sides.

It's those same people again.

.......
.......
It happened suddenly.

Yang Luo had no idea what had happened.

She clearly followed the bookstore clerk up the bookstore's narrow stairs, and as soon as she stepped onto the second floor, her foot slipped and she fell down.

She heard her own scream, and also heard Sister Peach Blossom shouting right behind her. The next moment, someone pulled her and dragged her into some place, and Peach Blossom's voice above her disappeared.

Her vision was dim and yellowish, and she felt as if she were in a sealed box, surrounded by walls.

Yang Luo's heart pounded like a drum.

Was this an accident?

The bookstore's stairs collapsed?
But she quickly dismissed the idea.

There aren't that many accidents in this world.

Especially her.

This is an ambush.

They've been caught.

And here comes the people who killed her!

Those who wanted to kill her have come again!

(End of this chapter)