Chapter 513: A Lot of People Want to Kill Me
"Shuntian Prefecture?"
Lu Yu asked subconsciously, "You’re not going to investigate it yourself?"
After all, the masked man had just said with his own mouth that they were the same people who had tried to assassinate Ye Zheng back then.
Ye Chutang shook her head. "My own power is limited. It’s most appropriate to hand this over to the Shuntian Prefecture."
In broad daylight, in the middle of the Capital City, right under the Emperor’s nose, she had been openly targeted for assassination. The people at the Shuntian Prefecture didn’t just sit around and do nothing.
Lu Yu understood in an instant—Ye Chutang wanted to blow this matter wide open.
Ye Chutang was currently responsible for Emperor Muwu’s treatment. For someone to be so blind as to make a move on her at a time like this... it was as if their entire extended family was tired of living.
He nodded. Just as he was about to turn, he remembered something else:
"Should we search the bodies for you first?"
"No need," Ye Chutang said.
Lu Yu understood. Ye Chutang truly intended to hand the men over to the Shuntian Prefecture, along with the entire subsequent investigation.
Recalling what Lian Zhou and the others had said about this Second Miss Ye’s methods, Lu Yu waved for his subordinates to remove the bodies and remarked:
"I thought you would want to keep one alive."
When he had made his move earlier, Ye Chutang had secretly signaled for them to kill everyone.
So he hadn’t held back.
Thinking of this, Lu Yu glanced at Xiao Wu. He had been worried the bloody scene would frighten the Little Bun, but to his surprise, she had watched the entire thing, unfazed.
And Ye Chutang, it seemed... wasn’t worried about that either.
In truth, it wouldn’t have been impossible for Ye Chutang to handle a grudge like this privately.
"If we took them back for interrogation, we might have found some clues—"
"We wouldn’t get anything out of them," Ye Chutang interrupted, her expression exceptionally calm. "They aren’t the same group from back then, and they have nothing to do with that incident. Therefore, their lives are worthless."
"Really?"
Lu Yu was a little surprised.
’But those men had clearly said it themselves. How could Ye Chutang be so certain...?’
After a glance at Ye Chutang’s face, Lu Yu tactfully shut his mouth.
He had seen the killing intent in her eyes the moment she stepped out of the carriage.
He had been secretly alarmed at that moment, even feeling that if he and his men hadn’t been there, Ye Chutang would have killed all of them by herself.
Clearly—these people had provoked her.
Ye Chutang hummed in agreement.
"The bows and arrows they used were different, as were their martial arts techniques. More importantly, if they were really the same people from back then, they wouldn’t have revealed their identities and brought trouble upon themselves. He only said that to frame someone else."
’But... trying to pass the buck? It’s not that easy.’
Looking at that clear, tranquil face, Lu Yu for the first time truly understood the profound, inscrutable expression on Yun Cheng’s face when he had asked about Second Miss Ye’s temperament, and his words: "Second Miss Ye is no ordinary woman. You must take your duties with the utmost seriousness."
’...A person this terrifyingly sharp and intelligent... did she even need them to protect her in secret?!’
’It was entirely possible she had anticipated today’s assassination attempt!’
"I see." Lu Yu cupped his fist. "Thank you for your guidance, Second Miss Ye. We have learned our lesson."
Ye Chutang tilted her head to look at him, the corners of her lips curling into a smile. She spoke in a relaxed tone, "I wouldn’t call it guidance. It’s just that I’ve seen it a lot, so I have some experience."
Lu Yu was speechless. "..."
’What does she mean... she’s seen it a lot?’
’How could matters of life and death possibly have anything to do with being ’experienced’?’
Before he could ask another question, Ye Chutang lightly brushed nonexistent dust from her sleeves and said with nonchalant ease:
"Plenty of people want me dead. He barely makes the list. And to get his cover so wrong... what’s that about?"
Lu Yu was speechless. "..."
If Lian Zhou, Yun Cheng, and the others were here, they would have been amazed to see such complex fluctuations of emotion on Lu Yu’s perpetually stoic face.
Lu Yu instinctively felt he shouldn’t ask any more questions. He bowed his head and said, "Rest assured, we will clean this place up completely."
Ye Chutang thanked him again, then carried Xiao Wu back to the carriage. She also asked Lu Yu to send a message to the Ye Mansion to arrange a proper burial for the coachman.
Lu Yu agreed to everything. He had wanted to escort her the rest of the way, but Ye Chutang politely refused.
"His Majesty’s condition cannot be delayed. I must go to the palace immediately."
...
"What!? Chutang was attacked!?"
The Eldest Princess had been handling memorials in a side hall. Upon hearing the news, she shot to her feet in shock.
"Is she all right!?"
Zhuxin quickly replied:
"Please don’t worry, Eldest Princess. The Princely Heir’s men were protecting her in secret. They’ve dealt with the assailants and sent them to the Shuntian Prefecture for investigation. Second Miss Ye just entered the palace to tend to His Majesty."
Only then did the Eldest Princess let out a breath of relief and slowly sit back down. "At least he’s thoughtful enough..."
’If anything had happened to that girl, we’ll see what he would’ve done!’
Zhuxin said, "The commander of the Black Cavalry Guard has always answered only to the Princely Heir. For the Princely Heir to send Commander Lu Yu to protect Second Miss Ye... he truly is willing to part with his best."
She covered her mouth with a hand to hide a smile and lowered her voice. "Now, I’m afraid everyone in the Capital City will know that the Princely Heir treasures Second Miss Ye above all else!"
The Eldest Princess was both relieved and pleased. "This is what he should be doing. What’s so surprising about it? At least he hasn’t disappointed me..."
’I’ve been worrying myself to death watching them every day!’
Hearing that Ye Chutang was unharmed finally set the Eldest Princess’s mind at ease, but for something like this to happen in the Capital City was simply outrageous!
She immediately gave an order—"Tell the Shuntian Prefecture to investigate this thoroughly! I want to see the real culprit within three days!"
...
"Could it be Jiang Cairen?"
After hearing the story, Chu Qiyuan’s first thought was of Jiang Qingmei.
Ye Chutang replied without looking up as she continued her treatment:
"She was just thrown into the Cold Palace. Where would she find the manpower and time for something like this?"
Realization dawned on Chu Qiyuan, but he was also more confused.
"That’s true... But who else could it be? This is far too audacious!"
Everyone in the Capital City knew His Majesty was gravely ill. If something happened to Ye Chutang, His Majesty’s chances of survival would be slim!
—It was still unknown who the real target was!
Ye Chutang was noncommittal. "I believe the officials at the Shuntian Prefecture can uncover the truth. On another note, Xiao Chengxuan... I passed by the Prince Qi Mansion today, and the seals are still on the doors. It seems... he hasn’t left the capital yet?"
Chu Qiyuan stroked his beard.
"Alas, His Majesty only ordered the exile but fell unconscious before he could specify when! The officials below were in a bind, arguing endlessly. In the end, Elder Wang ordered for him to be temporarily detained in Anhua Palace."
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow. "No movement from the Third Princess?"
"The Third Princess?"
Ye Chutang was pensive. "I thought that with both Jiang Cairen and Xiao Chengxuan running into trouble yesterday, she would surely be running around trying to help them. But a full day and night have passed, and there hasn’t been the slightest peep from her."
Chu Qiyuan thought for a moment.
"Well... perhaps she doesn’t have any good options? She’s just a princess who has fallen out of favor. What can she do?"
Everyone had already forgotten about Xiao Lansi’s existence.
Because from the beginning, no one had ever taken her seriously.
A flicker of movement in Ye Chutang’s eyes. "Is that so?"