Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

The night was as dark as ink, and the stench of blood in the study had not yet completely dissipated. Shui Rong's greatest concern was still for Qin Keqing, who was fast asleep in the inner room.

He didn't bother to pick up the scattered pieces of his outer robe, nor did he have time to wipe the bloodstains from his fingertips.

He hurried along, almost running towards the inner room, the sound of his boots treading on the blue bricks carrying a hint of urgency.

"Don't worry, Master, I'll arrange for the maids to clean the study right away."

Gong Ji's voice sounded behind her, but Shui Rong only waved her hand hastily, her mind already completely focused on that delicate figure.

When the door was opened, the incense burner inside was still burning with warm incense, and the candlelight was blown down to a dim glow, making the figure on the bed appear even more slender.

Qin Keqing huddled under the brocade quilt, her body trembling slightly, her shoulders tense. Even with her back to the door, it was clear she was not asleep.

The sounds of clashing weapons and screams coming from the direction of the study still startled her.

Shui Rong's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, suddenly settled down. She let out a long breath, and walked quietly to the bedside.

He leaned down and looked at her profile in the dim candlelight. He saw that her eyelashes were tightly closed, but her eyes were wet, indicating that she was quite frightened.

"Don't be afraid," Shui Rong murmured softly, her voice so gentle it could melt hearts.

He took off his shoes and socks, gently lifted a corner of the quilt, and carefully crawled inside.

"what!"

Qin Keqing trembled at the sudden warmth, turned around abruptly, and her eyes were filled with terror.

Her small hands gripped the brocade quilt tightly until the familiar scent of ambergris filled her nostrils.

That was the unique scent of water-soluble compounds, calming and reliable.

Her tense body relaxed instantly, and she almost threw herself into Shui Rong's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, her voice still trembling:

"Your Highness, are you alright? I... I just heard the sound of weapons clashing outside, and my heart almost jumped out of my chest."

Shui Rong reached out and hugged her soft body tightly, gently patting her back like soothing a frightened kitten, speaking softly:

"Silly Qing'er, look, I'm perfectly fine, aren't I?"

He raised his hand and used his fingertips to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, the warmth of his fingertips touching her slightly cool skin.

"They were just a few arrogant assassins. They've been taken down, so it's fine now."

Qin Keqing pressed her face tightly against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, and the fear in her heart gradually dissipated.

Yet a lingering fear arose within her, her voice soft and slightly choked with emotion:

"An assassin? The Prince's mansion is so heavily guarded, how could an assassin have broken in? The sound just now was terrifying, I was afraid... afraid something would happen to you."

Shui Rong lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head, his fingertips lightly pinching the soft flesh of her waist, his tone teasing, trying to dispel her fear:

"That's right. The Prince's mansion used to be very peaceful, but these past few days have been quite unsettled. Even His Highness the Crown Prince was assassinated."

"But don't worry, with me here, no one can hurt you."

Qin Keqing trembled slightly as he pinched her, but instead of pulling away, she snuggled even tighter into his arms.

Her small hands slowly slid down, encircling his waist, pressing her cheek closer, as if trying to etch his scent into her very bones:

"With Your Highness here, I have nothing to fear." Her fingertips gently caressed his waist, feeling his warm body temperature, and her tense nerves gradually relaxed.

Shui Rong held her soft body in his arms, the fragrance of her hair lingering around his nose, and the anger and doubt in his heart gradually subsided.

He could clearly feel the dependence of the person in his arms; that small body was curled up in his arms, as if it had found the safest harbor.

He gently stroked her long hair, his fingertips softly combing through it, until he felt the person in his arms gradually even out their breathing, and his grip loosened slightly.

She finally couldn't hold on any longer and fell into a deep sleep in his arms.

But Shui Rong was wide awake, staring at the embroidered patterns on the ceiling of the tent, her mind racing.

The guards he deployed around the Prince's mansion were incredibly tight; ordinary people couldn't even get close to the gate, let alone an assassin who could silently sneak into the study to carry out an assassination.

These assassins were highly skilled in martial arts and had taken strange drugs that greatly enhanced their combat abilities, so they were clearly well-prepared.

Considering the assassination attempt on the crown prince yesterday, is there any connection between these two events?

Who is secretly plotting to both eliminate the crown prince and harm him?

As night deepened, the room became so quiet that only the two of them could be heard breathing.

Shui Rong held the beauty in his arms, but a deep, cold glint flashed in his eyes. His fingers gently tapped her beautiful back as he secretly pondered the undercurrents of the court.

With the crown prince assassinated, the vassal kings suspected, and assassins appearing frequently, this year-end is destined to be anything but peaceful.

After an unknown amount of time, a faint light appeared outside the window, and the faint sound of the gong at dawn could be heard.

Immediately afterwards, a soft knock sounded at the door. Zhao Zhong lowered his voice and respectfully reported from outside:

"Your Majesty, it is now the hour of Yin (3-5 AM). It is time to rise and prepare to enter the palace to pay homage to His Majesty."

Shui Rong sighed and reluctantly released his arms from Qin Keqing.

The moment he moved, the person in his arms let out a soft "woof" like a cat, their brows furrowing slightly.

Her little hand instinctively reached for his sleeve, displeased that the heater had left, looking both adorable and pitiful.

Shui Rong chuckled softly, leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her brow, his voice as soft as a whisper: "Be good, I'm going to the palace for a short trip, I'll be back soon."

He carefully pried her fingers apart, got up quietly, and moved so gently that he was afraid of disturbing her sweet dreams.

After getting dressed, Shui Rong glanced back at Qin Keqing, who was fast asleep on the bed. Seeing that her brows were relaxed, she turned and left with peace of mind.

Outside the door, Zhao Zhong was already waiting with the prince's crown robes in his hands, followed by two attendants, both of whom looked very respectful.

"Is everything ready?" Shui Rong took the ceremonial robes and let the attendants dress him, his tone returning to its usual composure.

"Your Majesty, the imperial robes and ceremonial regalia are all ready, and the carriage is waiting outside the mansion gate."

Zhao Zhong bowed and replied, "I have arranged for someone to keep a close watch on the assassin. Once you enter the palace, I will immediately interrogate him."

Shui Rong nodded slightly. Once the imperial robes were fully donned, the man in the mirror stood tall and straight, the tassels of his crown drooping, concealing the emotions in his eyes, leaving only the majesty and solemnity of a prince.

"Yes, be thorough during the interrogation and make sure to find out who is behind it all. After you send me to the palace, focus on dealing with the assassins. If you have any news, send someone to the palace to report immediately."

"Yes, sir."

The carriage slowly drove away from the Prince of Beijing's residence, heading towards the imperial palace.

It was still early, and the streets and alleys were quiet except for the sound of carriage wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs.

Occasionally, one can see the figures of patrolling guards, their bodies exuding the solemnity and vigilance of the year-end season.

Upon entering the palace, the area in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was already filled with princes and nobles from the capital.

Prince Zhongshun, Zhu Changxun, dressed in the crown robes of a prince, stood arrogantly and was talking in a low voice to Prince Ping'an beside him, his expression showing a hint of impatience.

Prince Qin, Zhu Changjun, and Prince Zhao, Zhu Changming, stood side by side, both with furrowed brows and solemn expressions, clearly still worried about the assassination of the Crown Prince and the assassination of the Prince of Beijing's residence.

A sense of oppressive tension permeated the air.

"Prince Bei Jing has arrived—"

As the eunuch announced his greeting, Shui Rong slowly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Shui Rong, you've finally arrived."

Prince Zhongshun spoke first, his tone somewhat sarcastic, "Yesterday the Crown Prince was assassinated, and today your palace has been visited by assassins. The end of the year is becoming increasingly unsettling."

King Zhu Changjun of Qin frowned, stepped forward, and said in a deep voice:

"Your Highness, you are mistaken. An assassination is a disaster. The Prince of Beijing's uncle's residence has suffered a misfortune. We should be concerned, not making such indifferent remarks."

"Worried?"

King Zhongshun chuckled, his gaze sweeping over the King of Qin and the King of Zhao, a hint of suspicion in his eyes:

"The Crown Prince was assassinated; the most suspicious are us, the princes residing in the capital."

"Now that the Prince of Bei Jing's residence has been attacked, who can guarantee that it's not a staged performance by some thieves crying 'stop thief'?"

Shui Rong was already seething with anger because of the assassin's infiltration of the Prince's mansion and the undercurrents in the court. He caught a glimpse of Zhang Shixun's scheming and gossiping face.

He immediately stepped forward and, before the other party could react, raised his hand and delivered a crisp, loud slap to Zhang Shixun's face.

"Snap"

The sound was particularly jarring in the silent hall, drawing everyone's attention instantly, all of them filled with shock.

Shui Rong withdrew his hand, his expression as cold as ice, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority:

"If you can't speak properly, then shut your mouth and stop spreading rumors and sowing discord among the royal family."

Zhang Shixun's head was turned to the side by the blow, half of his cheek instantly swollen and red, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He covered his face, his eyes filled with disbelief.

I never imagined that Shui Rong would beat someone up in front of all the princes in the capital without any restraint.

He was about to open his mouth to argue when Shui Rong's icy gaze fell upon him again, each word like a knife:

"According to the seniority of the imperial clan, I am the elder brother and you are the younger brother. It is only natural for an elder brother to discipline a younger brother who does not know any better, and it is in accordance with the rules of the Imperial Clan Court."

"What, you can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth, are you still trying to spout nonsense?"

The powerful aura suppressed Zhang Shixun. He opened his mouth, but his throat tightened, and he couldn't utter a single word. He could only cover his face and shrink to the side, feeling both ashamed and afraid.

The King of Qin, the King of Zhao, the King of Zhongshun, and all the other princes were dumbfounded. No one had expected that the seemingly carefree King of Beijing would be so decisive and ruthless.

When the royal family was punished in public, the hall fell silent instantly, even the sound of breathing became quieter.

In the midst of this deathly silence, a shrill eunuch's voice suddenly pierced the tense atmosphere before the hall:

"His Majesty has arrived! Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"