Chapter 35: Unidentified Lady

Proofreader: Prof. Zhu Yuan

Being as ruthless as King of Hell in the battlefield, Beiming Xuan had built up a reputation as a vicious prince by intimidating both man and god, which was an eloquent testimony to his valuable contributions to Tiansheng.

There are lots of nations on the Yunchuan Continent, and battles erupted frequently between these nations. Tiansheng was once nothing more than a small nation with weak strength. Beiming Xuan had been in command of troops since he was in his teens. It was due to the strong military training given by Beiming Xuan that the fighting capacity of the troops was enhanced and the national strength of Tiansheng was built up step by step.

The growing national strength provided strong backing for Tiansheng people. They could therefore lead a stable life.

It would be no exaggeration to say that Tiansheng people counted on Beiming Xuan for security.

Tiansheng people were infuriated in the knowledge that Beiming Xuan attacked in an attempted assassination in the temporary imperial abode near the imperial city. It was no different from slapping them across their faces.

Within no more than half a day, the news had aroused public indignation. Everyone on the streets, in the tea houses and taverns was cursing the assassin and talking about what happened in the Yun palace.

The news spread rapidly from mouth to mouth. Within only half a day, it had reached every corner of the imperial city.

Even Empress Xiao, with her whole mind concentrated on beauty maintenance medicine and her ears barely shut to what went on beyond her immediate surroundings, learned about the news. She remained calm as she had Granny Liu report to her, not even raising her eyebrows. Then she asked: “Is that real?”

“Mother, someone intended to get my uncle assassinated? How is my uncle now? Did he get injured? I’m going to the Yun Palace to see him!” Princess Changle happened to walk into the Phoenix Palace. She got infuriated immediately after hearing the news.

Someone had the impudence to murder her uncle!

“Changle, remember who you are!” Empress Xiao reproved her in a stern voice. Her daughter must be deranged to carry a torch for Beiming Xuan.

Who was Beiming Xuan? He was Changle’s uncle! People would condemn Changle as shameless if they knew what Changle had done. What’s worse, Empress Xiao would also be castigated for not seeing to Changle’s strict upbringing and leading her astray.

Although Princess Changle’s deep fondness for Beiming Xuan had become the talk of the town, nobody had the audacity to talk about that in front of Empress Xiao. Bringing it up was no different form slapping Empress Xiao hard across her face.

Princess Changle was not intimidated by Empress Xiao’s admonishment. Instead, she got even more agitated, in total disregard of Empress Xiao’s anger. Her cheeks flushed.

“How is my uncle right now?” She ran towards Granny Liu and grabbed hold of her: “Tell me, Granny Liu. Tell me!”

Unable to hold her own ground against Princess Changle who was off her nut, Granny Liu cast a glance at Empress Xiao, not knowing what to do. Seeing that Empress Xiao was burning with wrath, she said to Princess Changle: “Your Highness, Beiming Xuan and you are uncle and niece, no more than that. You shouldn’t have been so anxious.”

Princess Changle was so depressed at that time. She just wanted to confirm that Beiming Xuan was out of danger. She didn’t understand why everyone kept reminding her not to be concerned about Beiming Xuan.

Did her fondness for Beiming Xuan cause anyone trouble?

“Fine. I’m going to the Yun Palace and meet my uncle, since nobody is willing to tell me how he is.” Princess Changle was about to rush out as she lost her temper. Granny Liu, with her old bones, was too slow in action to stop her. And Empress Xiao was trembling with anger.

“Your Highness, wait a minute. Do you want to meet the Prince with a wound on your face?”

Princess Changle was about to leave the Phoenix Palace when she heard those words from inside. She turned around and found it was Ruan Qingqing speaking to her. Wearing a white dress, Ruan Qingqing stood beside Empress Xiao and looked at Princess Changle frostily.

Actually, Princess Changle’s original intention was to see Ruan Qingqing at the Yun Palace, for she heard that Ruan Qingqing brought some beauty maintenance medicine for Empress Xiao. She forgot all about her original intention upon hearing what happened to Beiming Xuan, not even noticed Ruan Qingqing was standing beside.

Ruan Qingqing’s words struck home, though she said that in a low voice. Princess Changle felt her heart sank as she touched her face and realized that the wounds on her face had yet to heal.

She was still wearing a veil. It would be embarrassing to meet Beiming Xuan with a veil over her face.

An idea suddenly occurred to her as she was looking at Ruan Qingqing. Ridding herself of the maids following her, she ran to Ruan Qingqing, held her hand and implored: “Lianhua, please help me. Cure my wound so that I can go to meet my uncle.”

Ruan Qingqing sneered at her silently. Never had she met such a moron like Princess Changle.

However, she managed to smile sweetly at Princess Changle.

“Your Highness, it would be inappropriate for you to meet the Prince even if the wound heals.”

“Why?” Princess Changle gave her a suspicious glance. Her fondness for Beiming Xuan had met objections from everyone except Ruan Qingqing. She didn’t understand why Ruan Qingqing didn’t back her this time.

“Granny Liu said that the Prince was not injured in this assassination attempt. Some of his guards were hurt.” Ruan Qingqing explained gently.

Princess Changle frowned, “I must go. My uncle must feel angry about that. I need to comfort him.”

Shame on her! Ruan Qingqing swallowed her sarcastic remark and continued in a gentle manner: “Someone is taking care of the Prince.” She cast a glance at Empress Xiao. Seeing Empress Xiao nod her head, Ruan Qingqing added: “It is said that an unidentified lady happened to pass by when the Prince was attacked. She helped the Prince eliminate the toxin.”

“What? An unidentified lady? Who is she?” Princess Changle asked in wide-eyed amazement.

How brainless of her to ask such questions! Ruan Qingqing was ready to slap Princess Changle hard across her face to make her clear-headed.

“Is that Ruan…” Princess Changle’s tongue ran before her wit. Fortunately, she realized in time that she could not say it aloud and stopped. Still, she gazed at Ruan Qingqing.

Ruan Qingqing frowned slightly. She also worried that the unidentified lady was Ruan Jiujiu.

Actually, Ruan Jiujiu’s name occurred to Ruan Qingqing when she heard about that “unidentified lady.” It couldn’t be sheer coincidence! That “unidentified lady” appeared and saved Beiming Xuan barely after Ruan Jiujiu was sent to the Yun Palace.

She was reluctant to admit that was a real possibility. She was very anxious.

Things would exceed all her expectations if that unidentified lady turned out to be Ruan Jiujiu. No one within her sphere of influence was reliable enough to probe information about that unidentified lady in the Yun Palace.

Turning that problem over in her mind, she decided to go to the Phoenix Palace for more information, having medicine presenting as an excuse for her meeting with Empress Xiao.

After exchanging a few words in the Phoenix Palace, Ruan Qingqing came to know that the news had reached every living quarter in the palace for imperial concubines. Then Princess Changle suddenly barged in.

She had planned to make use of Princess Changle. Before that, she needed to win Empress Xiao’s approval. She had to think twice before having Princess Changle under her complete control.

“Your Highness, please keep clam. It would be inappropriate for you to go to the Yun Palace at the moment. That unidentified lady did save the Prince’s life no matter who she is. The Prince must regard her as his savior. If you go to the Yun Palace now, I’m afraid the Prince would be angry with you.”

Ruan Qingqing explained in a gentle voice what was at stake to Princess Changle. Princess Changle was goaded beyond endurance.

The assassination attempt against Beiming Xuan had already driven her mad. The presence of that “unidentified lady” accompanying Beiming Xuan made her much more furious. She would fly into a rage if that “unidentified lady” turned out to be Ruan Jiujiu.

Even Buddha would not bear the thought of losing Beiming Xuan, let alone Princess Changle who had always been imperious yet brainless.

She ground her teeth, with murderous look in her eyes.

“I’m going to kill that bitch!”