Chapter 134 – For no cause and no reason the unjust accusation landed
"Fourth Prince was a.s.sa.s.sinated?" All of a sudden, Chu Qing-Yan was stupefied. But after thinking about it she could accept this, after all, at that time on the street, the a.s.sa.s.sins were aiming for him.
Only what she couldn't understand was, what does this have to do with her family's Big Block of Ice?
"This officer, did you make a mistake? Our family's Highness has always been together with us, how could he go and a.s.sa.s.sinate Fourth Prince?" Chu Qing-Yan stood in front of Xiao Xu and questioned in a cold voice.
"This matter, this subordinate can not make the decision. This subordinate is only executing an order. Still ask your Highness Prince Ying to go explain it to His Majesty!" Liu Nuo said as if following a script.
Chu Qing-Yan felt this was simply unreasonable. Just when she was about to argue this again, a force pressed down on her shoulder. She immediately lifted her head to look towards Big Block of Ice.
"No matter, this king will take a walk with them to go and see how serious Fourth Prince's injuries are." Inside Xiao Xu's cold words, it had a trace of placating her.
Chu Qing-Yan felt this matter wasn't that simple. She had a premonition in her heart that if he went this time, she was afraid——
"No, I'll go with you." She unhesitantly said.
"Be obedient, don't you still need to give the rabbit lantern to your father? They are still in prince's manor waiting for your return." Xiao Xu rarely saw her being so sticky to him, his mouth curved into a smile. Only that it was covered by the mask, so no one saw this beautiful splendor pa.s.s by in an instant.
Chu Qing-Yan's heart was unwilling but she also knew she couldn't help much. If she went and Big Block of Ice still needed to take care of her, wouldn't that weaken him by distracting him? In the end, she could only unwillingly nod her head.
Her adorableness and sensibleness made Xiao Xu's heart warm up. He instructed Earth Spirit and Fire Spirit with several sentences, then turned around and was about to leave.
Suddenly, his sleeves were softly but firmly grasped. He lowered his head and saw that pair of resplendent star like eyes flickering with spots of unwillingness. "Big Block of Ice, don't return too late. I'm waiting for you to return home."
Once again, a crack appeared in that ice-cold wall in his heart. Warmth like the words whispered by the spring wind squeezed into his heart bit by bit.
As for returning home?
He made his appearance more gentle and lifted a hand to stroke her head. His low voice was like a song from a zither. "Okay, don't worry."
"Words spoken must count." Chu Qing-Yan pursed her lips, clearly she had a bad premonition in her heart. But she was powerless to stop this, she could only persuade herself that she must not become his burden.
Xiao Xu did not reply, he only stroked her head even more gently, before turning around and leaving with large strides.
"Many thanks to Your Highness Prince Ying for your cooperation. Please come this way." Liu Nuo stretched out a hand, bowing down while saying this. Before leaving, he took a glance in Chu Qing-Yan's direction, his heart was somewhat astonished. His Highness Prince Ying had always been cold and detached toward people. His natural disposition was proud and aloof so he has never let anyone get close to him. Today, he actually saw Prince Ying being so gentle and warm toward Chu Qing-Yan, it was very hard for him to believe. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have imagined it. The cold Prince Ying actually had such a gentle side, it could be seen that this little consort had a lot of weight in his heart.
Watching helplessly as Big Block of Ice was taken away by people, Chu Qing-Yan's hand tightened on the carousel lantern she wanted to give him, her heart was full of loss.
Her right eye continuously twitched with her heartbeat, as the proverb goes 'left eye twitch means good fortune, right eye twitch means disaster.' Don't know if it would come true.
Big Block of Ice, you have to be alright!
Seeing the little consort stare blankly in the direction master had left, Earth Spirit took a step forward to remind. "Little consort, time is already late. Master had ordered this subordinate at the earliest time to bring you back to the manor."
"Earth Spirit, His Highness will return right?" Chu Qing-Yan turned her head as if she was looking for a confirmation from him.
Earth Spirit had never seen little consort wear such a panic stricken expression. He took a glance in the direction of the imperial palace, his heart was also uncertain. This matter happened too suddenly, to the point that no one had the chance to even react.
"Nothing will happen, he is our Highness." Earth Spirit lowered his head and didn't look at her.
Little consort's eyes were too clean, if he was to look at her, then he wouldn't be able to hide his worry.
Chu Qing-Yan didn't discover Earth Spirit's fishiness, she nodded her head as if she had found a trace of comfort. When she was prepared to get into the carriage, she discovered Fire Spirit had disappeared. "Where is Fire Spirit?"
"He has been dispatched by master to investigate this matter." Earth Spirit replied truthfully.
Chu Qing-Yan nodded to express that she understood. No matter what was said, Big Block of Ice was still the First Prince of a nation. Although he didn't have a lot of elite troops in his hand, at least they were able to investigate the truth. She lifted her head and said to Earth Spirit. "If you have matters that need to be rushed, then you don't need to worry about me. His Highness's matter is more important."
Earth Spirit smiled after hearing this. "This subordinate's most important mission is to send you back to the manor."
Chu Qing-Yan wanted to return the smile but she found she couldn't smile. When she got into the carriage and saw that the opposing seat was empty without anyone there, her heart dropped like the night sky. Clearly when they exited the gate there were two people, but when returning, only she remained.
Very quickly, they returned to the prince's manor. The people in the manor saw only she alone returned and one by one, asked her where his Highness went.
Chu Qing-Yan wasn't in the mood to deal with them so she instructed Bai Hu and Hong Yi, giving all the power to let them deal with those people. She did it primarily to ease people's worry. Because she was too young and didn't have enough prestige in the manor, so these things must have the more tenured servants carry it out.
As expected, Hong Yi and Bai Hu had been in the manor for a long time so their ability to endure and change according to the situation was very good. Once they heard Chu Qing-Yan's explanation, the two people's complexion changed slightly. Then they took on all the matters in prince's manor.
Chu Qing-Yan was very satisfied, although normally under Big Block of Ice's encouragements she also took over some of the matters in the manor, but right now she was in chaos from being concerned. The most important thing she must do was to wait for Big Block of Ice's news.
She also dispatched people to send her parents back to Chu family and warned them not to go out for the next several days. Whatever Chu family asked them, they should just ignore it.
Before Mother Chu left, she didn't say anything, only stroked her head. Because she knew at this time her daughter's mind was already very chaotic. She shouldn't needless add more worry for her daughter.
Daddy Chu seemed to have sniffed out something not right in the mood, and became more cute. He carried the rabbit lantern, waved his claws at his own daughter and left.
One stick of incense, two stick of incense pa.s.sed.
The night became even darker.
But in the main courtyard, it was brightly lit.
"Master, you should go rest first. If His Highness returns, this servant will come and call you." Xi Ning looked at her master that still stood in front of the window and her heart ached.
"No, I want to wait for His Highness's news." Chu Qing-Yan's tone was very firm.
Xi Ning's both eyes were red but she knew that master wouldn’t listen to more persuasion from her. As a result, she placed both hands together in a prayer and said. "Asking Buddha to save from hardship and show mercy. Ask that you must bless and protect our family's Highness to be safe and sound. Otherwise, my family's master would be heart broken and sad."
And just at this moment, Fire Spirit returned.
Chu Qing-Yan promptly took a step forward to ask. "How did your investigation go? Is His Highness okay?"
Fire Spirit's expression wasn't good. "Tonight, Fourth Prince encountered an a.s.sa.s.sin in the side palace, the a.s.sa.s.sin escaped. Heard that before, Fourth Prince received the invitation from master, therefore, all the criticism pointed at master. His Majesty was greatly angered and recalled master into the palace to be interrogated. Right now, the imperial palace gate is locked, there is no leaked information at all. As to master's current situation, this subordinate couldn't find any news."