The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 480 - 383, "Father King, Zhao Douan has led people to attack our doorstep!" (Two in One)_4

Long Shu Bodhisattva: "..."

...

Hu Ting City, Da Feng Tower.

The highest level, doubling as an Observation Platform on the sixth floor.

Prince Huaian Xu An, portly and with the nature of a merchant, paced back and forth with a grave look and knitted brows, frantically glancing towards Yansuo Lake outside the city.

A shattered spyglass lay beside him.

Behind him, the servants of the Royal Mansion were silent as chilled cicadas.

It was only after the Commandery Princess had left the city that Prince Huaian learned his daughter was invited out for a day trip.

The first reaction of this shrewd and cunning old fox was unease.

He hurriedly ordered his servants to bring the young lady back and then returned to the Da Feng Tower, effectively sealing off the sixth floor to gaze out at the outskirts of the city.

What followed was his witnessing that Worldly Realm skirmish.

Prince Huaian nearly fainted, urging the Princely Heir Xu Qian to lead the guard experts out of the city while anxiously waiting.

Unfortunately, due to the obscuring splashes from the exploded waves and the distance, he soon lost track of his daughter's whereabouts, let alone knew whether she was alive or dead.

"Prince, please take heart, the Commandery Princess is a precious child, the assassins wouldn't dare to harm her," reassured an old servant of the Royal Mansion from behind.

Prince Huaian's chubby face lost any remaining composure as he said anxiously,

"In the chaos of battle, who can guarantee there won't be accidental harm? Moreover, how devious is Zhao Douan? I'm afraid he's using Junling to protect himself..."

As he spoke, his heavy hand struck the railing again, regret flickering in his eyes,

"Xu Wen..."

He somewhat regretted pressing both sides too hard; if Zhao Douan were indeed dead, the wrath coming from his niece in the Capital would inevitably be directed at him too.

Suddenly, on the street below Da Feng Tower, a rider galloped into view; it turned out to be the Princely Heir Xu Qian.

Prince Huaian's heart clenched as he hurried down the stairs with his people to meet them; when father and son met at the bottom of the tower, Prince Huaian's first words were,

"Is your sister...?"

Xu Qian dismounted breathlessly and shook his head upon hearing the question.

Prince Huaian staggered as if struck by lightning, his servants quickly supporting him:

"Prince... Prince..."

Immediately after, Xu Qian straightened up, resting his hands on his knees, and waved his hand,

"No... there's no harm, not even an injury..."

"Can't you talk without gasping for breath, will it kill you?" Prince Huaian glared as he kicked out.

Xu Qian agilely dodged, a face of grievance, "I just got the wind knocked out of me..."

Prince Huaian sighed in relief, "It's good that Junling is safe, but what of Zhao Douan?"

Xu Qian replied, "Oh him, he was abducted by a mysterious magician."

Prince Huaian's expression grew tense as he paced on the spot,

"This is bad, this is really bad... with his death, the court's market opening could be ruined, and that's not even the worst part. There's also Your Majesty's position to consider, and..."

"He's not... He didn't die," Xu Qian blinked his wide, clear, and innocent eyes,

"He was indeed abducted, but somehow he got away later. He just suffered some superficial wounds and is actually behind us now; he's already entered the city."

Prince Huaian: "..."

"Father?"

"Shut up, your father is thinking!"

...

In another mansion.

Under the dark eaves, Prince Jing sat in a bamboo chair, his face dignified and refined, filled with the smug satisfaction of victory.

The death of Zhao Douan would certainly bring trouble, but by the time the news reached the Capital, he would have already returned to his stronghold on Jiancheng Road.

Moreover, those involved in the assassination had no direct ties to Prince Jing Mansion.

The Princess had not even exposed her identity.

Duan Shuiliu had left his discipleship and wasn't even considered a person of Martial Emperor City anymore; it would be difficult for the Empress to seek revenge. Perhaps she would blame it on Divine Dragon Temple?

Add yet another crime to Master Xuan Yin's tally in the Capital?

Prince Jing was pleased to see this, the internal factions of the Divine Dragon Temple were numerous and their thoughts complex; this was a point that could be exploited, and this time he had but merely used the lighter to move the heavy.

Footsteps approaching in haste.

With his eyes closed, Prince Jing could identify the person by their footsteps alone.

"Has the outcome been decided? Is Zhao Douan dead yet?"

Xu Jinglong, bursting into the mansion, faced his father's casual inquiry and suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Prince Jing's tone was displeased.

Xu Jinglong finally swallowed and said hoarsely,

"Your... Your Highness, that Zhao Douan...is not...not dead."

"What?!"

Prince Jing's eyelids flew up in disbelief as he stared at the Princely Heir, suddenly standing up and fixing him with an intense gaze.

"What happened? How could he not be dead?!"

Xu Jinglong stepped back twice in fear under his father's menacing glare, his expression frantic as he waved his hands to explain,

"I... I do not know, I only followed your orders to wait outside for the result and then saw Zhao Douan and a group of his men, marching boldly into the city, extremely high-profile, as if...as if he was deliberately telling everyone that he was unscathed..."

"Bang!"

The Peaceful Nothingness Plate in Prince Jing's hand was instantly crushed! It shattered, revealing deep, sprawling cracks!

Prince Jing's face turned sour, he was about to say something, but suddenly there was a loud thud of something heavy falling in the backyard.

He abruptly turned, leaving the Princely Heir behind, and went through the buildings to the backyard, just to see a blood-stained Green Robe lying on the ground.

The heavily injured Lu Yaner managed to get up, tossing half a broken long sword onto the ground. She leaned against the flower bed, gasping for air while her silver mask almost split apart.

"What has happened to you..." Prince Jing felt a pang of alarm.

Lu Yaner shook her head, offering no explanation, and closed her eyes to recover her energy.

"Father... Ah, Auntie..."

Behind him, the Princely Heir Xu Jinglong cautiously followed in and witnessed the scene.

Prince Jing clenched his fists tightly, took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and without turning around said,

"Go get medicine for your aunt. Hurry up!"

"Oh... Right..." Xu Jinglong hurried off.

Prince Jing continued to catch his breath for a while before exhaling slowly, calming his turbulent emotions.

He didn't speak to Lu Yaner, but instead walked out of the backyard, shut the door behind him, and summoned his confidants from the Royal Mansion.

"You go immediately, gather the representatives of the other six families, this Prince has matters to discuss!"

"Yes..."

"Someone..."

For a moment, Prince Jing issued several commands in succession, and the residence became a flurry of activity, as serious as a military camp.

"Father..."

Suddenly, Xu Jinglong returned, his expression a mix of shock and anger.

"What's the matter now? Didn't I ask you to get medicine?" Prince Jing could no longer contain his temper and shouted.

Xu Jinglong shuddered, then stiffly said,

"Father, Zhao Douan has come to our doorstep! He's brought men right outside the courtyard, and he's... he's thrown several corpses at our gate!"

Prince Jing's face changed dramatically.

Then, father and son heard Mr. Zhao's booming voice from outside,

"Prince Jing, come out and face this official!"

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PS: I want to boost the average number of subscriptions, so I'm publishing two-in-one chapters these days, this chapter being 6,800 words.