LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 195: Failed Plan

On the day of leaving the Mountain Resort and returning to the Imperial Palace, there is a light breeze and the day is cooler than usual. After the Emperor gets settled in the Dragon carriage, everyone starts to get into their respective carriages. A young eunuch bends down and bows, and respectfully invites you into a carriage.

Xiu Ying: This carriage doesn't seem to be the one I took when I came.

Young Eunuch: There's something wrong with the carriage you took before, My Lady. So we changed it to this one.

Xiu Ying: I see. This horse seems even more energetic. Well done!

Young Eunuch: We dare not slack off when working for you, My Lady. This way.

You smile gently. You get into the carriage, helped by Shi Lian. The carriage is well decorated. The cushions are soft, and you lean on it lazily. You can hear Hu Ling's voice outside the carriage.

Hu Ling: It's a long way to go. I'm afraid you will be hungry along the way, so I prepared a box of snacks for you, My Lady.

Seeing you nod your head, Shi Lian lifts the curtain, and takes Hu Ling's food box.

Hu Ling: [Looks around] Princess, we are about to leave. Please be careful, I learned that the 6th Prince has done something to this carriage. I'm worried that you may be in danger.

Xiu Ying: OK, I see. Thank you for telling me.

Hu Ling: What are you going to do, My Lady? I'm very worried.

Xiu Ying: I'll try to beat him at his own game. What happens, happens.

Hu Ling: [Shocked] I have an idea. Please don't be mad at me if I say it out loud.

Xiu Ying: [Smiles] How could I be mad at you? Go ahead.

Hu Ling: The carriage has been tampered with, so you are going to encounter danger along the way. Why don't you ask Lord Fu to stand guard nearby and protect you secretly? This will also make the 6th Prince's "Hero Saves the Beauty" plan fail.

Hu Ling finishes speaking quickly with a worried look on her face. Seeing you deep in thought, she looks around again and adds something in a low voice.

Hu Ling: The 6th Prince paid people to do things for him. The carriage in front is the 6th Prince's. It seems he has a plan.

Xiu Ying: In fact, I already thought of what you said.

Hu Ling: [Shocked again] Yeah? You've already thought of asking Lord Fu to protect you?

Xiu Ying: Well, after hearing what you said last night I felt afraid and uneasy, so I started thinking about Lord Fu then.

Hu Ling: I'll ask Lord Fu to come then.

Xiu Ying: It's OK, I already ordered someone to invite Fu Heng. You've been out for a long time. You'd better go back soon, in case the Emperor needs you.

When Hu Ling disappears into the distance, Shi Lian slowly lets go of the curtain. She looks at you with a confused look, and asks:

Shi Lian: When did you order someone to invite Lord Fu to help you, My Lady?

Xiu Ying: I didn't. I was just talking nonsense... I don't trust her, so her suggestions must be taken with caution.

Shi Lian: I see. What shall we do, Princess? Are we really going to sit put and do nothing?

Xiu Ying: Of course not. Don't worry, no one will hurt us on the way back.

You open the food box that Hu Ling brought to you. You smile for a second and suddenly, your smile disappears and a cold look appears on your face.

The carriages are slow on their way back to Beijing. Halfway there, there is a neighing sound. A horse rears wildly, and the carriage shakes violently.

Guard A: Help! Help! It's the Princess' carriage!

Guard B: Kill the horse! Now!

6th Prince: This is the Princess' carriage! What are you doing ? Hurry up and rescue the Princess. If she is injured, it'll all be your fault!

In a flurry, the guards finally arrive in front of the carriage and lift the curtain. However, they find that there's no one in it. They are stunned for a moment. One of them is almost thrown off by their horse but quickly stabilizes himself.

Guard A: The Princess isn't in the carriage!

6th Prince: What? Where is the Princess?

The horse is killed and the carriage stops steadily but there is no one in it. The guards look at each other and don't know what to do, while the 6th Prince frowns with concern written on his face.

Queen Rong: What happened?

Guard A: Empress, the Princess' horse got spooked and we had to slay it. But the Princess isn't in...

Before he finishes, he notices that the person next to Queen Rong is the "disappeared" Ping Le Princess.

6th: It turns out that the Princess was with you the whole time, mother.

Looking at your own carriage, you feel scared and take a deep breath. You gently hold Queen Rong's arm.

Xiu Ying: You are such a blessed person, Your Highness. How fortunate I was to be in your carriage, otherwise, I don't know what would have happened.

Queen Rong frowns. She's not sure if it was her own son who did this. She temporarily suppresses her doubt, staring at the 6th Prince.

Queen Rong: [Smiles) It's because you are such a kind child and you were afraid that my journey would be boring, so you specially brought some snacks and chatted with me. That's why you escaped this.

Xiu Ying: I'm so frightened just thinking about it.

Queen Rong: It's OK. Just a spooked horse. Well, why don't you stay in my carriage with me?

Queen Rong is worried that it was the 6th Prince who did it. In order to avoid your suspicion and destroy the alliance between you and the 6th Prince, she takes the initiative to invite you to share a carriage. That's exactly what you were waiting for, so you happily agree.