Chapter 119 Yongqi's Return to the Palace Raises Suspicion

Fortress glanced weakly at Xiao Jian, "All I know is that if this situation isn't brought under control, Xiao Jian is going to explode!"

"Brother, calm down, hold on!" Xiao Yanzi patted Xiao Jian's shoulder to comfort him.

Then, she looked up at the sky again, walked to Yongqi's side, and said, "Yongqi, it's almost Chenshi (7-9 AM), it's time for you to set off back."

Yongqi knew that he couldn't hesitate any longer, so he nodded and said, "Okay, be careful!"

Emperor Qianlong originally wanted to send guards to accompany Yongqi, but Yongqi refused. Watching Yongqi leave alone, Emperor Qianlong was very worried.

Xiao Yanzi walked to Qianlong's side and comforted him, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Yongqi's kung fu is not what it used to be. It will be more convenient for him to go alone. Bringing guards will only restrict his movements!"

Moreover, once he left the Black Dragon Pool area, he could naturally contact his people and return to the palace safely.

Emperor Qianlong sighed, "I hope so."

As Yongqi ran away, he encountered the people of Wuxiang Valley after leaving the territory of Black Dragon Pool.

"Master," Yu Feng greeted him, "Are you well, Master?"

"I'm fine." Yongqi shook his head. "I need to go back to the palace to take charge now. You take some men in and guard them."

Yu Feng looked at Yong Qi with concern, "Master, should we send someone to escort you back to the palace?"

Yongqi shook his head. "Your main task now is to protect the people inside!"

"Yes, Master, take care on your journey!" Seeing that Yongqi had made his decision, Yufeng said no more, stepped aside, and watched Yongqi leave.

After Yongqi returned to the palace safely, he went straight to Cining Palace.

"Fifth Prince has arrived!" The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and other concubines who were waiting in the Cining Palace all looked at Yongqi with concern as he walked in. "Yongqi greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well!"

"Yongqi, there's no need for such formalities."

After Yongqi got up, he dismissed the palace maids and eunuchs. He then told the Empress Dowager what had happened on their trip. The Empress Dowager was very worried after hearing it, "What about the Emperor and Qing'er...?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. With Xiao Yanzi and Xiao Jian there, and my men guarding the outside, everything will be fine!"

"Please keep this matter a secret and do not mention it to others, lest it cause everyone to feel insecure!"

After giving instructions to the Empress Dowager and the Empress, Yongqi ordered someone to gather the other court officials together for a meeting in the Qianqing Palace.

"Fifth Prince, why hasn't His Majesty returned from Black Dragon Pool yet?"

"Fifth Prince, you took so many people with you when you left, how come you've returned alone?"

The court officials were buzzing with discussion, but Yongqi watched them coldly without saying a word. Gradually, the murmurs subsided.

Yongqi then spoke up, "Father Emperor is thinking of the people, which is why he stayed at Black Dragon Pool for a few more days. Do you all think that Father Emperor did something wrong?"

"Your Majesty would not dare to do so. However, if Your Majesty truly wishes to stay at Black Dragon Pool for a while longer, you could simply send someone back with a message. Why would the Fifth Prince need to make the trip in person?"

"Fifth Prince, only you probably know exactly what happened to the Emperor at Black Dragon Pool..."

Then came the discussions among the court officials who suspected that Yongqi was plotting to murder the emperor and seize the throne.

"Gentlemen, please hear me out," said Ji Xiaolan. "I trust the Fifth Prince's character; he would never do anything rebellious! If the Fifth Prince had truly returned with ulterior motives, we would all be dead by now!"

“Master Ji is still the most clear-headed!” Yongqi smiled and glanced at Ji Xiaolan, then looked at the other court officials expressionlessly. “My mission in returning this time is to solve the problems for Father Emperor. I will report to him one by one when he returns.”

"Fifth Prince, could it be that the Emperor has granted you the power to oversee the country?"

After the man finished speaking, Yongqi coldly said, "Bring the sword up!"

Then everyone saw a guard bring forward the Imperial Sword. Yongqi picked up the sword, looked at the assembled officials, and said, "This is the Imperial Sword bestowed upon me by my father. Does anyone have any objections?"

"..." Everyone fell silent. Even if they had other guesses in their hearts, they dared not say another word, for fear that if Yongqi accidentally slipped his hand, their heads would roll!

"Since there are no objections, let's talk about what important things have happened in the past two days..."

After resolving the political issues, Yongqi returned to Yonghe Palace.

"Yongqi." Consort Yu looked at Yongqi with concern, wanting to say something, but afraid of saying the wrong thing.

"Mother, come with me to the study." After arriving at the study, Yongqi told Consort Yu about his speculations regarding the assassins during the trip.

"You mean, you suspect that the person who saved Princess Qing appeared on purpose?"

Yongqi nodded, "Xiaoyanzi and I both think this person's appearance is too strange and eerie. Now that he's with everyone, we don't know what will happen next..."

Consort Yu asked, puzzled, "Since you're worried, why don't you go back?"

"This is the result of discussions between Xiao Yanzi, Father Emperor, and me." They were all worried that the assassin's operation was a feint, sending people to deal with Qianlong on one hand and infiltrating the palace on the other. In that case, they would be attacked from both sides.

"You've split into two groups. You'll come back and watch over the palace, while Xiao Yanzi and Xiao Jian will protect the Emperor?"

"Yes, I've also sent my men to join Xiao Yanzi. Whether they can get out of this predicament depends on Xiao Yanzi and her team!"

On the other side, since Yu Feng led a few people to sneak into Black Dragon Pool and meet up with Xiao Yanzi, everyone felt much more at ease.

"Yu Feng, when you arrived, did you spot any traces of the enemy?"

Yu Feng shook his head. "They are too cunning. We can't find any trace of them, or perhaps they have already left under the cover of night!"

Yes, after their successive attacks and the successful application of the medicine to Qing'er (actually Xinglan), Mu Yun led his men to retreat.

"Brother, what do you think? Should we take everyone and leave?"

But Xiao Jian's eyes were still fixed on Xinglan, who was clinging to Qing'er, and he didn't notice Xiao Yanzi's words at all.

Xiao Yanzi walked helplessly to Xiao Jian, blocking his view, "Brother, get back to business!"

"Yongqi's men have arrived. Should we risk going out now, or wait until that person's injuries have healed?"

Xiao Jian said in a deep voice, "That man's injuries haven't healed yet. If he goes out now and gets ambushed on the way, it might affect his recovery."

"He'll probably have to stay here for another two days before he can walk again..."

"..." Little Swallow fell silent. "Fine, then let's stay here for another two days."

Regardless of who Xinglan really is, they can't ignore him now, especially since he keeps calling Qing'er "sister" all the time...

"Sister, that brother is so fierce! Does he not like Lan'er?" Xinglan pitifully tugged at Qing'er's sleeve, glancing weakly at where Xiao Jian was.

"..." Xiao Jian rolled his eyes upon hearing this. "Where did this guy even come from?"

Xiao Yanzi patted Xiao Jian's shoulder with some sympathy and whispered, "Brother, when you encounter someone like this, you have to act even more miserable than him to attract your wife's attention, understand?"

Xiao Jian shook his head. "What a joke! How could I, a dignified man, be like him?"