The carriage was instantly riddled with arrows, which flew in all directions.
"Yanran, get down."
"No, Mother, don't move!"
Yanran pressed her body tightly against Tang Zhuyun's back.
Tang Zhuyun could even vaguely feel her newly developed breasts.
--Yanran always prioritized comfort over luxury in her clothing choices, and given her sword and knife skills, she mostly wore loose-fitting garments.
Tang Zhuyun hadn't realized before that her daughter had started developing.
My daughter has grown up.
However, now is clearly not the time to unleash this sense of pride.
She said in a deep voice, "Yanran, it's alright, we'll be fine where we are now."
Even though she was in a hurry to leave the palace, Emperor Wen specifically instructed that this carriage must be used.
This is a "high-end custom-made" product, "fireproof and arrowproof," but today is her first time using it, so she still needs to figure out where the switch is and how well it works.
She can't reach that switch right now because it's being pressed down...
"Where's the switch?" Yanran, a hint of curiosity in her voice after hearing her concise explanation. "Mother, let me try!"
After Tang Zhuyun finished speaking, Yanran remained on top of her, carefully stepped forward, and turned on the switch.
The sound of metal plates shifting came, followed by the sharp sound of arrows colliding violently with iron.
"It's done?" Yanran asked excitedly. "Mother, let me get up and take a look. Please stay still, don't move!"
She had noticed it earlier; the carriage seemed to be moving very slowly. Now that she thought about it, she realized it was because of the iron plates that had been added. No wonder it couldn't go fast.
It was her; she hadn't known this secret before.
My father is so unfair; he didn't even tell her.
After about fifteen minutes, it became completely quiet outside. A guard stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, Princess, all the assassins have been killed."
"Are they all dead?" Yanran asked. "What about the survivors?"
The guard reported, "Your Highness, we've captured three. They all bit their teeth and committed suicide by hiding poison in their mouths."
"Mother, should we try to save her?" Yanran asked, but before Tang Zhuyun could answer, she added, "Forget it, there's no need. You won't get anything out of someone like that."
Tang Zhuyun wholeheartedly agreed.
Especially since she had just witnessed a suicide bomber giving birth, she felt that suicide bombers were truly an extraordinary existence.
"And it's dangerous," Yanran said. "Mother, I'll go down and check. Please don't move."
Making a move only adds to the chaos.
Tang Zhuyun pressed her down. "Don't go down either. It's still dark, and who knows who might be hiding in the shadows. Let's go back to the palace first!"
Yanran readily agreed, "That's right. Let's leave two people to guard this place and head back to the palace first."
As soon as the carriage arrived at the palace gate, Emperor Wen, having received the news, hurriedly came out to greet it.
When he got into the carriage, Tang Zhuyun noticed that he Zidu backwards.
"Are you alright?" Emperor Wen gripped Tang Zhuyun's hand tightly, his palms sweating.
"Hahaha, Father, you've put your boots on backwards." Yanran laughed loudly.
Emperor Wen glared at her.
Judging from her lively and energetic appearance, you can tell she's alright.
Yanran: Instead of comforting me, I received a free eye roll.
"You go back and rest first, I'll go take a look," Emperor Wen said in a deep voice as he changed his boots.
"It's almost time for court; let someone else investigate," Tang Zhuyun said. "You can't do everything yourself."
"Mother, other matters are fine, but Father must personally ensure your safety!" Yanran declared emphatically.
Then she received a +1 glare.
Emperor Wen said, "I know what I'm doing. You take Yanran back first."
Tang Zhuyun went back to sleep and woke up to find out that Emperor Wen had indeed missed court; he had gone to investigate the assassination attempt.
Yanran had only slept for a little over an hour, but she was full of energy.
"Perhaps Father Emperor simply doesn't want to attend court today. I wonder who had the audacity to dare lay a hand on you," Yanran said with a smile, resting her chin on her hand, seemingly lost in thought. "It's just a bit strange, though. Your departure from the palace was clearly a spur-of-the-moment decision, so how did they manage to set up an ambush beforehand?"
Tang Zhuyun suddenly thought of something.
She stared intently at Yanran.
Yanran stuck out her tongue. "Mother, we're talking about the assassination attempt, we can't bring up old grievances."
For example, the fact that she went to see Cui Xiaoqiu last night and was late for returning to the palace is all in the past!
A good woman doesn't bring up the past!
Xiu'er was wiping a small table nearby—the one on the daybed Tang Zhuyun usually leaned against, so it had to be clean. Hearing this, she said, "Your old grudges are really old; a whole night has passed."
Yanran: "..."
The Empress Dowager's henchman has returned; where can I go to reason with her?
Song Jingyang, come and control your wife!
"Yanran, could the assassination attempt be aimed at you?"
"Me?" Yanran exclaimed in surprise, "No way."
What was the significance of her assassination?
Pah! Pah! Pah! They only sent so few people to assassinate her? Who do they think they are?
It seems she hasn't shown her true strength yet!
Xiu'er said, "I think so too. Otherwise, who knows when Nanxing will give birth, and who knows that Her Majesty will be there when she gives birth?"
"But targeting me, isn't that unnecessary?"
"It might have been done by the Cui Family," Xiu'er said. "They don't want you to get too close to Cui Xiaoqiu."
"That's impossible," Yanran said decisively. "I've beaten up all the guards of the Cui Family, and not one of them is even remotely capable!"
The Cui Family is indeed a distinguished family with a century-long history, but they are all pedantic scholars. They wouldn't even give a second glance to a bodyguard, let alone a loyal assassin.
"Hiring someone to do it!"
"Do you think assassins are like cabbages on the street, bought and sold on a whim?" Yanran rolled her eyes. "It definitely won't be the Cui Family; they're not that stupid."
To assassinate the princess is tantamount to plotting a rebellion!
"Where's Cui Xiaoqiu's mother?" Xiu'er's eyes darted around.
"His mother is all talk; she's neither smart nor capable. It couldn't be her."
Tang Zhuyun also thought it was impossible.
Madam Cui couldn't possibly mobilize such a large force, but the assassination target being Yanran must be true.
"Father will definitely find out anyway," Yanran said. "Mother, I'm going to study that carriage, I promise I won't leave the palace!"
She was very experienced in silencing people beforehand.
Tang Zhuyun waved her away and then talked to Xiu'er about Nanxing giving birth.
"I think Pei Ban sounds so nice!" Xiu'er muttered. "So nice, why call him Pei Zheng!"
Tang Zhuyun explained with a smile, "This is a name the Emperor Emeritus gave us in advance, so we can't use it. When we have another child, we'll name him Pei Ban."
In fact, after Emperor Wen ascended the throne, the retired emperor refused to see him.
He was clearly still angry.
However, his physical condition seems to be better than when he was nearing his death.
See? Being an emperor is a life-shortening thing!
Emperor Wen was clearly trying to relieve his worries, but he didn't appreciate it at all.
The retired emperor, however, had a special affection for Pei Shen Pei Shen and frequently summoned him to accompany him.