Chapter 22: Crisis in the Eastern Palace, Protecting Jun’an with Devotion

Xiao Feng was in the East Palace gardens, teasing the little white fox she had brought from the Western Regions. Her eyes sparkled with a lively light, and a faint smile played on her lips, her thoughts drifting back to the distant grasslands of the West.

Suddenly, a flurry of hurried footsteps shattered the tranquility.

Xiao Feng looked up and saw Li Chengyin’s personal attendant supporting a blood-soaked, barely breathing Li Chengyin as they approached slowly.

Xiao Feng’s heart gave a sharp tug; her eyes widened instantly, the smile on her face freezing, replaced by overwhelming terror and heartache.

She sprinted to his side, tears welling up uncontrollably, her voice trembling violently.

"Li Chengyin, what happened to you? What has happened?"

Her gaze swept frantically over his blood-drenched clothes, her own hands shaking uncontrollably.

Li Chengyin lifted his head weakly. Seeing Xiao Feng’s face filled with worry and tears, he tried to offer comfort, but only a faint cough escaped his lips.

Seeing this, Xiao Feng was frantic with anxiety. Calling for the imperial physician, she carefully helped Li Chengyin toward the bedchamber. Her hands rested gently on his arms, cautious not to cause him further pain, yet they could not stop trembling.

Back in the bedchamber, Xiao Feng laid Li Chengyin on the bed and turned to fetch clean cloths and water to tend to his wounds. When she returned to his bedside and saw his face, pale as parchment, her vision blurred with tears once again.

Suppressing her grief and panic, she spoke with a choked sob:

"Li Chengyin, how could you be so foolish? Why did you go to take such risks alone? Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?"

As she spoke, she used her trembling hands to gently wipe the blood from around his wounds, each touch feeling like a knife to her heart.

Watching her distress, Li Chengyin felt a deep sense of guilt. He knew his recklessness had caused her such fear and sorrow. He secretly vowed to uncover the mastermind behind the attack, not only for his own sake but to ensure Xiao Feng would never be frightened like this again. He lifted a hand, intending to stroke her cheek, but his strength failed him, and his hand fell back.

Xiao Feng hurriedly caught his hand and pressed it against her cheek, tears streaming down and falling onto the back of his hand.

Before the imperial physician arrived, Xiao Feng relied on simple healing techniques she had learned in the Western Regions to staunch the bleeding as best she could. Her gaze was focused and determined; despite the tears, her movements became increasingly steady.

She pressed the cloth gently against the wounds, whispering, "Li Chengyin, you must hold on. The physician will be here soon."

When the Emperor heard in his palace that the Crown Prince had been ambushed and wounded, he was filled with rage. He slammed his hand against the armrest of the dragon throne and stood up, his face grim. "Who is so daring as to strike at the Crown Prince under my very nose?"

He immediately ordered the commander of the Imperial Guard to lead a force of elite soldiers to investigate the matter thoroughly and uncover the mastermind at all costs to provide the Crown Prince with justice.

The Empress was sitting at her vanity, carefully combing her long hair, when she heard the news. Her hand paused for a moment, a flicker of imperceptible surprise crossing her eyes, but she quickly resumed her mask of concern.

She stood up and said to her maid, "I must go to the East Palace to see the Crown Prince. How could this have happened? It is truly distressing."

When the Empress reached the East Palace, Xiao Feng was keeping vigil by the bed, her eyes fixed on Li Chengyin’s face as if afraid he might vanish.

The Empress entered the chamber with an expression of deep concern and said softly, "How is the Crown Prince? I was sick with worry when I heard the news. Which heartless wretch did this?"

Li Chengyin opened his eyes slightly. Seeing the Empress, he understood her hypocrisy but said politely, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. I have only sustained some flesh wounds; it is nothing serious."

The Empress walked to the bed, looked at his wounds, and frowned. "You must recover well. Such a vile act in the palace—the Emperor has already ordered a strict investigation. I am sure there will be results soon."

Li Chengyin, however, knew deep down that this incident was part of a complex conspiracy.

During his recovery, though his body was weak, his mind never rested. He secretly instructed his trusted confidants, including Pei Zhao, to launch a private investigation. He told Pei Zhao, "This ambush was no accident; there is a powerful force manipulating things from the shadows. Investigate the origin of that letter and the identities of the assassins. Do not overlook even the smallest clue."

Pei Zhao accepted the order and left. A look of resolve and determination hardened in Li Chengyin’s eyes. He knew his position in the palace was becoming increasingly dangerous, but he could not retreat. He thought of his birth mother, he thought of Xiao Feng, and he knew he had to be strong, to reveal the truth behind this conspiracy, and to protect those he loved.

Within the walls of the East Palace, Li Chengyin convalesced while waiting for news from his men, while the various factions in the palace stirred quietly beneath the seemingly calm surface.

Xiao Feng stayed by his side day and night, personally brewing his medicine, preparing his meals, and tending to his every need. Watching his face grow thinner by the day, her heart was filled with pity. She knew Li Chengyin would not let those who harmed him go easily, and she decided that no matter what the future held, she would stay by his side and face it with him.

As the investigation deepened, clues began to surface. Pei Zhao discovered that the mysterious anonymous letter had passed through many hands before reaching Li Chengyin, and the assassins bore special markings that were intricately linked to a mysterious organization within the court.

When Li Chengyin learned of this, his brow furrowed. He realized that this conspiracy was far more complex than he had imagined, and he still had a long way to go before reaching the truth.