Chapter Twelve: Universal Love?
Chu Lianmo indeed brought the assassin, who called himself Ying Dong, back to the mansion and ordered a thorough interrogation.
Then, he immediately sent for a court physician to treat Qi Xiaojun’s injury.
“Your Highness, it’s just a minor scratch.” Qi Xiaojun felt helpless at Chu Lianmo’s serious reaction.
Chu Lianmo, however, anxiously watched the physician taking Qi Xiaojun’s pulse. “How is he? Besides external medication, does he need internal medicine? Are there any other health issues that need addressing?”
“…” Qi Xiaojun found it both amusing and frustrating. Chu Lianmo seemed determined to find something wrong. “Your Highness, there’s nothing wrong with my body.”
“Nonsense.” Chu Lianmo glared at him. “You had a fever recently that almost killed you. Which ordinary person with a common cold gets that seriously ill? I still shudder thinking about it. You’re so frail; I think you need proper care.”
The physician, having heard this, said, “Mr. Zhou is indeed rather frail. I’ll prescribe some tonic medicine.”
“…” Qi Xiaojun really wanted to tell Chu Lianmo: You can drink the bitter medicine yourself.
At this moment, a servant came to deliver a message: “Your Highness, Lord Murong is kneeling outside requesting an audience to apologize.”
“I won’t see him.” Chu Lianmo said irritably. “What Lord Murong? Didn’t he resign as a bodyguard?”
Though it wasn’t Murong Ying’s fault, his impulsive departure was partly responsible for Qi Xiaojun’s injury.
“Actually, my lord, I’m referring to Lord Murong Yang. He brought his son to apologize.”
Chu Lianmo was surprised.
Murong Yang was Murong Ying’s father, the former Commander of the Imperial Guards, now the Minister of War—a high-ranking official.
This incident had even alarmed Murong Yang?
Chu Lianmo had to go out and check the situation. Qi Xiaojun followed.
Indeed, Murong Yang and Murong Ying were kneeling at the gate of the Rui Wangfu.
Murong Ying was bound, his face pale, likely from injuries inflicted by his father.
“Uncle Murong, what are you doing?” Chu Lianmo smiled wryly, trying to help Murong Yang up. “Aying’s resignation was approved by me. Since he’s no longer a bodyguard, the assassination attempt is unrelated to him.”
“Your Highness, that’s incorrect!” Murong Yang refused to get up. “The post of Commander of the Rui Wangfu’s guards is crucial. Even resignation requires procedures. How can he resign without handing over his duties? My son’s recklessness nearly caused a grave mistake. Please punish him severely!”
“Alright, alright, there’s no need for this. I approved his resignation before the procedures were completed; I’m also to blame.”
With that, Chu Lianmo untied Murong Ying. “Aying, are you alright?”
“Your Highness!” Murong Ying suddenly threw himself into Chu Lianmo’s arms, sobbing, “I’m sorry! I never imagined I would almost get you killed! Punish me, beat me, even kill me! I hate myself!”
“Heh, it’s not that serious.” Chu Lianmo patted Murong Ying’s shoulder to comfort him. “My martial arts are excellent; am I so easily killed? Aying, are you injured? Where? Let me see.”
“…I’m fine.” Murong Ying’s face flushed. The reaction clearly indicated injuries in less visible areas.
Seeing their reconciliation, Qi Xiaojun felt relieved but also strangely uncomfortable.
Chu Lianmo truly lived up to the description of a romantic, showing concern for anyone who got hurt.
Considering the close relationship between him and Murong Ying, perhaps they had already done…everything.
…But none of this concerned him.
“Your Highness, are you really going to forgive my son?” Murong Yang still looked doubtful.
Chu Lianmo smiled slightly at him, “Uncle Murong, it’s not a big deal; we just had a little disagreement…Even if he’s at fault, you’ve already disciplined him, haven’t you? Aying remains the Commander of my guards; you don’t need to worry about this anymore.”
“…Alright.” Since they both agreed, Murong Yang didn’t say anything more. “Then I’ll take my leave.”
After Murong Yang left, Chu Lianmo helped Murong Ying into the mansion, insisting on applying medicine himself.
Murong Ying couldn’t refuse, so he agreed.
While Chu Lianmo applied the medicine, Murong Ying tearfully recounted the events:
“When I went home to say I wanted to resign, Father was quite happy. He said he’d always thought my temperament wasn’t suited to be a guard.
“Then I heard that Your Highness was attacked; I was terrified! I cried to Father, saying it was my fault. Only then did he ask about the details…
“After he heard everything, he was furious and beat me severely with the family heirloom, saying I’d disgraced the Murong family. Thankfully, Your Highness is blessed. If I had truly caused Your Highness any harm, it would have been a crime warranting the extermination of our family!”
“It’s not that serious.” Chu Lianmo shook his head with a smile. “The Emperor has always valued the Murong family. Why would he exterminate your family because of me? Alright, I’m done with the medicine. Get some rest.”
Chu Lianmo put down the medicine bottle, stood up, and went outside.
He found Qi Xiaojun standing there.
“Oh? Ajun, were you eavesdropping?” Chu Lianmo smiled playfully.
“…No.” Qi Xiaojun wasn’t sure why he followed. “How is Lord Murong?”
“He’s fine. His father didn’t hit him too hard, probably leaving some room for me to beat him later.” Chu Lianmo smiled slightly, then his expression turned serious. “Ajun, don’t overthink things. I only treat Aying as a younger brother.”
“…Why would I overthink? Even if Your Highness wants to take on more concubines, it’s Your Highness’s prerogative.”
“Why does that sound so sour?”
Chu Lianmo teased, intending to continue explaining, but he subconsciously recalled Murong Ying’s words:
Zhou Jun isn’t the person you have in your heart!
He suddenly felt that perhaps he had been a bit muddled lately. Why explain all this to Zhou Jun?
It was time to focus on the important matters.
The next day at court, Emperor Chu Wen also inquired about the assassination attempt.
Chu Lianmo lied, claiming that he had killed all the assassins on the spot, and temporarily avoided mentioning Jiang Chengjin’s name.
He didn’t hand over the surviving assassin to the Ministry of Justice because he didn’t trust them. If the Ministry’s investigation implicated someone powerful, they might choose to cover it up. Besides, the Minister of Justice was a man of Crown Prince Chu Ziqian.
It was better to handle it himself.
That afternoon, Chu Lianmo went to the Jiang family mansion to investigate.
Qi Xiaojun asked to go with him, and he agreed.