Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Confrontation
Prince Julu's Mansion.
"Is Prince Julu not here?" The ceremonial officer from the Daguang Empire asked anxiously.
"Yes, His Highness has gone to the Xiyuan Palace to attend a banquet hosted by Princess Qianyou," replied the mansion steward.
"What? Princess Qianyou? Is she in the Xiyuan Palace?" The ceremonial officer was shocked.
"Yes, Princess Qianyou sent someone to invite His Highness early this morning," the mansion steward said, looking puzzled.
Observing the mansion steward, the ceremonial officer's face was a mix of disbelief and fear, as if he had seen a ghost. He felt compelled to see for himself.
"I will go to the Xiyuan Palace to invite His Highness right away. Sorry for the disturbance," the officer said.
"It's no trouble!" the steward replied.
Grand Marshal's Residence.
Iron Blood dashed toward the pavilion at the center of the pond.
"Grand Marshal, Crown Prince Han Jue has sent someone here. I heard he was ambushed by Princess Qianyou and is severely injured," Iron Blood said, full of excitement.
Grand Marshal Yi Yan, tossing fish food into the pond, smiled slightly. "Where is he now?"
"He's waiting outside, just for you to come," Iron Blood said, brimming with excitement.
"Since we've been invited, we should go and see. Let's go!" Yi Yan smiled.
"Yes," Iron Blood replied enthusiastically.
Xiyuan Palace.
The ceremonial officer from the Julu Mansion hurried to the square, bowed respectfully to the crowd, and looked around in amazement and fear, as if he had seen something supernatural.
"Prince Julu, my prince requests your presence," the officer said.
"Crown Prince Han Jue? He's back?" Prince Julu asked with a frown.
"Yes, my prince was ambushed and is now seriously injured. He requests your presence," the officer said.
This time, the officer dared not mention the ambush by Princess Qianyou.
"What? Crown Prince Han Jue was ambushed?" Princess Qianyou frowned, then turned to look at Zhong Shan beside her.
"Yes," the officer immediately replied.
"By whom?" Princess Qianyou immediately asked.
Seeing the Princess's questioning, the officer hesitated and then said, "I do not know."
Noticing the officer's expression, everyone frowned. It was clear the officer was withholding information, but they couldn't force him.
"Your Highness, how about I accompany you to take a look?" Princess Qianyou suggested.
After glancing at the officer, Prince Julu frowned and then said, "Very well."
With suspicion in his heart, Prince Julu and the others, including Princess Qianyou, were restless. Crown Prince Han Jue seriously injured? What had happened?
Gu Lin had already stepped out, but his gaze toward Zhong Shan remained unfriendly.
The group soared on a cloud toward Crown Prince Han Jue's residence, shooting through the sky.
Soon, they arrived at the prince's residence, also situated on a floating island.
On the island, Grand Marshal Yi Yan had already arrived, accompanied by General Iron Blood. Crown Prince Han Jue, now dressed in a fresh outfit and having taken some elixirs, still could not recover from his serious injuries with just a few pills.
Now, Crown Prince Han Jue was filled with righteous indignation, recounting how Princess Qianyou had ambushed him.
"The Crown Prince was lucky to escape this time. However, since Princess Qianyou is a princess of the Daluo Heavenly Empire and has now died at the hands of the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince must be prepared," Yi Yan said indifferently.
Yi Yan's words seemed to comfort Crown Prince Han Jue, but his tone carried a hidden threat, implying that Han Jue must now stand with the Dayu Empire.
Upon hearing Yi Yan's words, Crown Prince Han Jue's expression turned cold as he gazed at Yi Yan.
At that moment, Prince Julu and his entourage arrived, stepping onto the square on a cloud. Besides Prince Julu, the group included Princess Qianyou, Mr. Shuijing, Gu Lin, Zhong Shan, and two guards named A-Da and A-Er.
"You're not dead?" Crown Prince Han Jue sprang up from his chair, looking as if he had seen a ghost.
Not only Han Jue, but also the advisors Mr. Zuo and Mr. You beside him were wide-eyed in disbelief. General Iron Blood, standing behind Yi Yan, also looked astonished. Only Yi Yan maintained his composure, showing just a hint of surprise in his narrowed eyes, though even that was a façade. He was adept at handling crises without panic.
"Crown Prince Han Jue, what do you mean by 'dead'?" Prince Julu stepped forward immediately.
"Princess Qianyou, you are incredibly fortunate! You lured me to the Ten-Thousand Peach Forest, intending to kill me. Even amidst the inferno, you managed to return unscathed," Han Jue said coldly.
Hearing Han Jue's words, Princess Qianyou frowned. Mr. Shuijing also looked at Zhong Shan in surprise. Zhong Shan stood quietly behind Princess Qianyou, saying nothing.
"What deception? It's you who deceived us. Today, we've been with Prince Julu the whole time. When did we ever try to kill you?" Gu Lin retorted angrily.
"What? You weren't at the Ten-Thousand Peach Forest in the hour of Wei?" Han Jue said in disbelief.
"Of course not. We were at the Xiyuan Palace at that time," Gu Lin argued.
"That's impossible. You sent me an invitation, and I saw you there. It couldn't be wrong. How could you have been at the Xiyuan Palace?" Han Jue said, incredulous.
"Crown Prince Han Jue, what Gu Lin says is entirely true. At that time, Princess Qianyou, Gu Lin, and everyone else you see here were at a banquet in the Xiyuan Palace. I can vouch for that," Prince Julu said.
"How can that be? How can that be? Who did I see then?" Han Jue muttered, confused.
Suddenly, it seemed Han Jue understood something. He broke into a cold sweat and stared wide-eyed at Princess Qianyou. If it had truly been Princess Qianyou before, then he had killed a princess of the Heavenly Empire, worsening relations between the Daguang Empire and the Heavenly Empire. Could it have been a setup?
Realizing this, Han Jue was shocked. But a setup? No, Princess Qianyou was right here. What kind of setup was this? Were they trying to kill him? What was going on?
Han Jue frowned deeply.
"Crown Prince Han Jue, three days ago, I also received an invitation from you," Princess Qianyou said.
"From me? How is that possible?" Han Jue said, not believing her.
Princess Qianyou produced the invitation and handed it to Han Jue. "It was delivered by one of your ceremonial officers."
Han Jue took it, then pulled out the invitation he had received and handed it to Princess Qianyou. "Delivered by one of your ceremonial officers."
Both, puzzled, looked at the invitations in their hands. After examining them, they both gasped.
"Name the officer who delivered it," they said almost simultaneously.
They quickly summoned the ones who had received the invitations and sent them to identify the respective officers, but those officers had vanished. It was as if they had evaporated.
"It seems the officers from both empires have been silenced," Yi Yan suddenly said.
Looking at Yi Yan, everyone nodded in agreement.
At this moment, a figure flew in from the distance—it was one of Prince Julu's men sent to investigate the Foggy Lake.
Bowing to Prince Julu, the man said respectfully, "Your Highness, they are nowhere to be found. I found fragments of their weapons at the site of the Foggy Lake. It seems they were struck down, and they might all be dead."
"What? They're dead?" Prince Julu's eyes widened in shock.
"Yes, it seems they are all dead," the man said, bowing.
"What do you mean by 'the original Foggy Lake'?" Princess Qianyou asked sternly.
"The Earth Yang energy beneath the Foggy Lake has been released. Now, the lake is gone, along with the Ten-Thousand Peach Forest nearby, both transformed into a volcanic wasteland," the informant quickly replied.
"I released it. At that critical moment, I had to draw out the Earth Yang energy to annihilate the assailants," said Crown Prince Han Jue.
Hearing this, Princess Qianyou's pupils contracted. She quickly grasped the gravity of the situation: these people indeed intended to kill her, and Prince Julu's agents impersonating her had all been killed by Han Jue. Han Jue had even admitted to attempting to kill her.
What a ruthless scheme, what a vicious plan, and how thoroughly devised!
Princess Qianyou stared at Han Jue, a mix of admiration and frustration flashing in her eyes. Mr. Shuijing and the others frowned deeply, while Gu Lin, despite his lingering anger towards Zhong Shan, also showed a hint of surprise.
Gu Lin's expression of surprise, directed at Zhong Shan, did not escape Yi Yan's notice. Yi Yan narrowed his eyes, contemplating the situation.
"Prince Julu, why did you send people to impersonate Princess Qianyou and her companions?" Yi Yan asked with a frown.
At this moment, Prince Julu's face was a mask of anger. Training loyal warriors was no easy task, and losing six of them at once—each one a seasoned elite—was a heavy blow.
"At the time, Princess Qianyou mentioned something peculiar to me, but I was skeptical. She asked me to send someone to investigate, and Mr. Zhong Shan here also gave me six sets of clothing for my men," Prince Julu explained, frowning.
"Mr. Zhong Shan?" Yi Yan raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhong Shan.
"I was following the princess's orders," Zhong Shan replied immediately.
Crown Prince Han Jue, observing everyone, was filled with suspicion. This was undoubtedly a conspiracy. As he looked at those around him, a sense of caution began to grow in his heart.
"Prince Julu, Grand Marshal," Han Jue said quickly.
"Yes, Crown Prince?" the two men turned their attention to him immediately.
"I am gravely injured and must return to the Daguang Empire immediately. The gifts for the birthday celebration of Emperor Dayu are in the Western Hall. Could you please convey my apologies to Emperor Dayu when he emerges from seclusion?" Han Jue said urgently.
"Crown Prince Han Jue, you are just injured. The Dayu Empire will certainly send its best alchemists to treat you. There's no need to return to Daguang," Prince Julu said quickly.
"No need," Han Jue refused flatly.
Having discerned the conspiracy against him, Han Jue realized he had to leave immediately to avoid further plots.
"Sigh, very well," Prince Julu sighed lightly.
"When do you plan to depart, Crown Prince?" Yi Yan inquired.
"In half an hour," Han Jue replied without hesitation, eager to leave as soon as possible.
"I will arrange for someone to escort you," Prince Julu offered.
Looking at Prince Julu, Han Jue pondered for a moment and said, "Very well."
Then, Han Jue turned to instruct his entourage to prepare for their return.
"Princess Qianyou, is this Mr. Zhong Shan your advisor?" Yi Yan suddenly asked, looking at Zhong Shan.
Seeing Yi Yan's gaze turn towards him, Zhong Shan furrowed his brows slightly, while Princess Qianyou's expression turned serious as she stared back at Yi Yan. "Yes, he is."
"It's a great honor. I haven't had the chance to properly meet you until now, Mr. Zhong Shan. Would you be willing to visit my humble abode?" Yi Yan addressed Zhong Shan, though his eyes were on Princess Qianyou.
Princess Qianyou observed Yi Yan carefully. The invitation was solely for Zhong Shan? That was intriguing. However, she smiled slightly and said, "Since Mr. Yi Yan has extended the invitation, Zhong Shan, you should go."
"Yes," Zhong Shan agreed.
"Tomorrow, then. I will send General Iron Blood to escort you, Mr. Zhong Shan," Yi Yan said directly.
"Agreed," Zhong Shan nodded.
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