Revenge

Qinglong dared not say anything more. The two of them reached the city gate and leaped onto the city wall without the guards noticing.

Upon returning to the city, Xiao Ce went straight to the Crown Prince's residence, where the Crown Prince was in a very bad mood.

I got slapped in the face by Zhaoyang several times yesterday. I don't know where such a big kid gets such strength.

His face was already swollen from being beaten, and then his father slapped him several more times.

After a night, the prince's face was swollen and shiny, and the pain made it impossible for him to sleep soundly. He tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.

The crown prince was originally facing inwards, but in his distress, he turned over and faced outwards.

The prince was startled when he suddenly noticed the figure standing by the bed.

"who!"

The moment he finished speaking, a fist came flying at his face.

"what!"

The prince let out a scream, but the guards outside remained motionless, none of them coming in to check on him.

First his face, then his body, the prince was beaten so badly he was powerless to fight back and could only cower on the bed with his head in his hands.

"Stop hitting! Stop hitting!"

The prince could only keep begging for mercy.

"Help!"

The next morning, the maid who was responsible for helping the prince get up waited outside the room for a long time, but there was no sound from inside.

The maid finally raised her hand and knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside the room after several knocks.

The maidservant panicked, and the guards standing nearby also noticed something was wrong. They stepped forward and kicked the door open.

When the group entered the room, they found the prince lying on the bed with a bruised and swollen face, and his left hand and left foot twisted in a strange position.

"Your Highness!"

The maid screamed and rushed over, but in her nervousness she accidentally pressed on the prince's wound. The prince, who was already unconscious, let out a loud howl like a pig being slaughtered.

The entire Crown Prince's residence was in complete chaos.

Now it's not just the Crown Prince's residence; the Cheng Prince's residence and the Ming Prince's residence are in the same situation. The Cheng Prince and the Ming Prince are not much better off than the Crown Prince.

The city gates of the capital were wide open, and Xiao Ce rode a tall horse followed by a blue dragon, entering the city under the watchful eyes of the people.

Everyone knows he only returned to the city today. As for the fact that Crown Prince Cheng and Prince Ming were beaten by villains last night, what does that have to do with him?

As soon as Xiao Ce entered the city, he heard the people discussing the incident of the three being beaten the night before. Xiao Ce's face was tense, but those who knew him well would know that he was in a very good mood.

Xiao Ce really wanted to visit Ji Yueru and An'an at the Marquis of Anshun's residence, but he knew he couldn't, so he could only wait until evening to make a decision.

Just then, an Imperial Guard rode up and dismounted next to Xiao Ce.

"Your Highness, the Emperor summons you to the palace."

Upon hearing early in the morning that all three sons had been beaten, the emperor knew it was the fourth son's doing, as he was known for his vindictive nature.

The crown prince covets his woman; it would be strange if he didn't seek revenge.

As for the second and third sons, they were completely dragged down by the crown prince.

It's good to give them a beating, so they won't cause trouble outside.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"How are you feeling?"

"It's alright, I won't die."

The emperor was almost furious at just one sentence, but he had to suppress his temper when he thought about the important matter at hand.

"Now that you're back, let's get down to business. Tomorrow's affairs are entirely your responsibility."

"Yes, Father."

This matter should have been put on the agenda a few days ago, but unfortunately, Xiao Ce's cold poison flared up and had to be postponed.

A notice was posted at the city gate, and curious passersby would glance at it to see what it said.

A woman carrying a basket, who was illiterate, hurriedly asked the people next to her for help.

"Young man, what does it say here?"

"It is said that the people who assassinated the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince will be beheaded at Caishikou at noon tomorrow."

"Oh, they're still alive. I thought they were all dead."

"That's right."

"The people of Medicine King Valley are really bold; they're even capable of assassinating the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince."

"That's because they live in a lawless area, so they're naturally bold."

The crowd buzzed with discussion. An old beggar glanced at the notice posted at the city gate with an ambiguous look in his eyes, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

As soon as it got dark, Xiao Ce climbed over the wall and entered Qinghe Courtyard. Upon seeing Xiao Ce suddenly appear in the courtyard, Ji Yueru's expression immediately turned sour.

Xiao Ce naturally noticed Ji Yueru's expression and quickly changed the subject.

"Madam, Luo Feifei and her senior brother will be executed at Caishikou tomorrow. At that time, the Medicine King Valley Master will definitely be hiding in the crowd. I think you should take An'an out to watch the execution tomorrow."

"You mean you want me and An'an to act as bait to lure out the Medicine King Valley Master?"

"That's right, but don't worry, I've made thorough preparations and will definitely not let anything happen to you."

Ji Yue knew how much An An loved to run away, and keeping such a big hidden danger as the Medicine King Valley Master in the capital was indeed not a good thing.

Considering An'an's abilities and Xiao Ce's guarantee, Ji Yueru agreed without hesitation.

"Okay, I'll take An'an to witness the execution tomorrow."

"Don't worry, my men will be nearby to protect you, and so will I."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"It's what I should do."

Seeing that Xiao Ce hadn't left after finishing his business, Ji Yueru was puzzled.

"Does Your Highness have anything else to discuss?"

"Don't take what the Crown Prince said to heart. I will not let him succeed."

"I never took it to heart."

Hearing the noise, An'an had already crawled out of the house. When he saw An'an coming towards him, Xiao Ce stepped forward and picked her up.

"Did you miss me while I was gone?"

An'an turned her head to one side. She knew what Xiao Ce was going to do. It was nothing more than his cold poison flaring up again.

Seeing that An'an didn't speak, Xiao Ce raised his hand and stroked his head, saying, "You little ingrate."

Xiao Ce naturally knew that An'an's blood could detoxify, and might even be able to cure the cold poison in his body, but he wouldn't do so before An'an agreed.

He had previously considered giving up on the position because he knew he didn't have many years left to live, but now he has changed his mind.

Judging from the current situation, if the emperor and empress were to pass away, it wouldn't be good for Ji Yue Ru and her daughter, regardless of whether the crown prince, Prince Cheng, or Prince Ming ascended to the throne.

Only if he takes that position can he guarantee the future livelihood of the mother and daughter.

An'an reached out to her mother, Ji Yueru, and took An'an into her arms.

Once An'an was in her mother's arms, she turned her head and waved to Xiao Ce, the meaning of which was clear: see the guest out.

No one can take her mother away from her, and she dislikes anyone who tries.

"Your Highness, please take care."

Xiao Ce had no choice but to leave, but he didn't go far; instead, he went to see Mo Wen.

Mo Wen's eyes lit up as soon as he saw his master.

"Master, you're back."

"Yes, something."

"I've saved them all for my master."

Mo Wen went back to his room and soon came out with a food box. The food box contained the snacks that Ji Yueru had made in the small kitchen on a whim these past few days.

Ji Yueru loves making desserts, both in her previous life and in this one.

In the previous life, it was for twins; in this life, it's simply because I like them.

If too many snacks are made and there are not enough to eat, they are naturally shared with the people below. Even if you don't ask or answer, you still get a share.

As soon as the food box was opened, Xiao Ce looked at the pastries inside, and then his eyes narrowed when he looked up at Mo Wen.