flstandardbreds Chapter 178
Chapter 178
Ignoring the intense gazes, Nalan Jingwen continued drinking his wine. A woman in a white brocade robe approached with a wine cup and said with a smile, "Today I finally get to see the true face of the Wise Prince. I sent invitations several times, but they were all turned away by your guards. The Wise Prince is indeed difficult to invite."
Nalan Jingwen put down his wine cup, looked her over, and noticed her clothes, which gave him a rough idea of her identity.
"I encountered an assassin and was frightened, which is why I stayed indoors. Please forgive me, Second Princess, and do not blame me."
Nangong Muwan's eyes were strange, and she asked with feigned concern, "I will naturally not blame you, but is the Prince Xian injured?"
"I am fine, thank you for your concern, Second Princess."
Nangong Muwan nodded and then asked, "Have you found out who's behind this?"
Nalan Jingwen stared at her with his dark eyes, his tone ambiguous.
"My men are too stupid to find out who wants to harm me. I will report to Your Majesty in a moment and ask Your Majesty to make a decision."
Nangong Muwan's expression stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment before she asked, "Have you caught anyone?"
Nalan Jingwen's expression turned solemn as he said, "No, the enemy sent out only assassins; none of them were left alive."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Muwan breathed a sigh of relief, but her face revealed an angry expression.
"This is absolutely outrageous! How dare they attempt an assassination within the imperial city's borders! They are truly lawless! I will definitely investigate this thoroughly and give the Prince an explanation!"
A hint of mockery flashed in Nalan Jingwen's eyes, but he didn't show it on his face. "Thank you, Second Princess."
Before Nangong Muwan could speak, Nangong Shiyu walked over, looking worried.
"Your Highness, I heard you were attacked by assassins. Were you injured?"
"I have sent you invitations several times, but you have rejected them all."
If Nalan Jingwen were to be injured in Qilin, Feng Tian would definitely make trouble. They are currently fighting against Sushui, and if Feng Tian intervenes, they will undoubtedly lose.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fine."
Nangong Shiyu looked her over and, seeing that she was really alright, she was relieved. Then she looked at Nangong Muwan beside her.
"Is my royal sister alright?"
Nangong Muwan smiled and said, "Your Highness was just worried after hearing that Prince Xian had been attacked by assassins, so you came to see him. It's good that he's alright. In that case, Your Highness will go ahead."
Although Nangong Shiyu was puzzled, she didn't say much and just nodded.
"Go."
Nalan Jingwen glanced around Nangong Shiyu's side but did not see the familiar white figure. He asked casually, "Your Highness, is the Imperial Preceptor Xue not attending His Majesty's birthday banquet?"
Nangong Shiyu was slightly taken aback, and then said truthfully, "The Imperial Preceptor Xue is on Ruixing Mountain, praying for the Empress Dowager's well-being and wishing for favorable weather and a long and healthy life for our Qilin."
Nalan Jing heard this but didn't say much. With Xue Qingheng not around, she could save herself some trouble.
Seeing her silence, Nangong Shiyu continued, "Your Highness, please sit down. The banquet is about to begin."
Nalan Jingwen nodded and then took his seat.
The room gradually quieted down and became serious, with everyone looking towards the main hall.
"Your Majesty has arrived!!"
When His Majesty Qi Lin appeared, all the envoys were taken aback. In contrast, the ministers and the princesses all remained calm, as if they were used to it. A curtain was hung above the high seat, blocking out everything above, and only a shadow could be vaguely seen.
"Please sit down. I have caught a cold and it is inconvenient for me to show my face."
A hoarse voice rang out, interspersed with faint coughs, clearly indicating that the person was trying their best to suppress it.
Nalan Jingwen remained indifferent, showing no concern.
Next came the gift-giving ceremony by envoys from various countries, which Nalan Jingwen found rather uninteresting. She looked up and met Nangong Jiuyan's gaze.
She slightly curved her lips into a smile.
Nangong Jiuyan's face was dark and gloomy, unlike his usual gentle demeanor. His hands, hidden beneath his sleeves, were clenched tightly.
When it was her turn, Nalan Jingwen withdrew her gaze, straightened her wrinkled robes, and stood up.
"Feng Tian Nalan Jingwen greets Your Majesty and wishes Your Majesty a long life and good health."
She clapped her hands, and box after box of gifts were brought up.
"This is a birthday gift from His Majesty the Emperor to you, and also a wish for the arrival of Fengtian and Qilin, and for their friendship to last forever."
"Then please convey my thanks to His Majesty Fengtian."
Nalan Jingwen bowed slightly, but did not go down.
"Does Your Highness have anything else to say?"
Nalan Jingwen glanced at Nangong Jiuyan, who was sitting upright, clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I have something to report to you. Please make the decision for me."
The person above paused noticeably, his voice betraying his exhaustion.
"What's the matter?"
“A few days ago, I was invited by the Third Princess to a banquet in Qinxu River, but I was unexpectedly attacked by assassins. Fortunately, I was not injured. However, I feel that this act was too heinous. I beg Your Majesty to do justice for me.”
"Is there such a thing?!"
"Where is the Crown Princess?!"
"My son is here."
Nangong Shiyu stood up.
Are you aware of this matter?
"I have already sent people to investigate, but there has been no news so far."
"How could this happen?!"
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Prince Xian was invited by my Third Sister, which is why he was attacked by assassins. My Third Sister must know something, right?"
When Nangong Jiuyan was called out, he suddenly stood up and said with a solemn expression, "I beg Your Majesty to judge for yourself that I was also injured at the time and was a victim as well. The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital can testify on my behalf."
Why did you invite the wise king?
Nangong Jiuyan's eyes flickered, and he bowed, saying, "Your subject merely took a liking to the Prince Xian at first sight and wanted to get to know him better. Who would have thought that something like this would happen!"
Having reigned for so long, how could Emperor Qilin not know the thoughts of his daughters? He turned a blind eye to their open and covert struggles, after all, the victor is king and the throne must be occupied by the winner.
As long as nothing major happens and everyone is implicated, she can pretend not to see it.
But now, they've actually set their sights on the envoy. If something happens to Nalan Jingwen in Qilin, Nalan Fengxing, who cares so much about this younger sister, probably won't let it go easily.
She didn't care whether Nalan Fengxing really cared about his younger sister as much as the rumors suggested, but if something happened to Nalan Jingwen, Fengtian would have an excuse to attack Qi Lin, or make Qi Lin bleed profusely in order to settle the matter.
But she didn't want to see either of them.
That's why she was angry.
If it were any unimportant person who was the assassin, she could have just dealt with them casually. But it had to be Nalan Jingwen!
"No matter what, the Prince Xian was assassinated on your territory. You must investigate this matter thoroughly. I will give you three days to find out the truth. If you cannot find out the truth, then I will have no choice but to make you apologize to the Prince Xian."
Her third son was exceptionally gifted, with strategic acumen far surpassing that of her other daughters. She would not have abandoned him unless she was forced to.
Nangong Jiuyan's pupils contracted slightly, his hands, hidden beneath his wide sleeves, tightened, and a mocking glint flashed in his eyes.