c114 (2/2)

Qing Feng expect to see a little bit of trust or even hesitation is good but other than coldness, she could see nothing else in that pair of eyes.

Xin Yue Ning went up and quickly said, “Emperor, you shouldn’t listen to her words anymore. This woman’s heart is vicious and she has ulterior motives.”

“Someone come and take Qing Feng to the Board of Investigation’s prison. Announce Zhen’s instruction and sent the other two Qing sisters to the same prison together.” The deep voice was without any trace of emotion, making Qing Feng not believe that this was the man who was warmly discussing baby names with her just now?!

“Yes.” The guards that were on guard outside heard Yan Hong Tian’s words and quickly entered the inner chambers and two of them dragged Qing Feng out.

The pain from the twisted arms was still raw but Qing Feng did not fell any pain. She now could understand the feeling Chen Zhen have when she was banished to the Cold Palace. This man no longer trusted you, what else could be said? Unfortunately she was not Cheng Zhen and would not quietly bear it herself. When she turned around, Qing Feng look at Yan Hong Tian and said word for word, “Yan Hong Tian, I hate you.”

“Emperor! Emperor!”

At the moment when she was dragged out of the door, there were terrified cries sounded behind her. When Qing Feng turned back to look, she only saw black blood stains on Yan Hong Tian’s mouth.

Most of the time the door of Yong Hua Palace would be closed. Since the afternoon, Fu Ling kept hearing all kinds of noises from the outside and the neat rapid footsteps of the guards emitted a restlessness. She vaguely felt that something must have happened but she did not go out to find out and thus felt ill at ease.

Carrying Prince Han in her arms, Fu Ling walked around the courtyard. Yan Han is already a year old and could not speak yet but love to babble and play with Fu Ling’s air. Usually Fu Ling would let him play as she smile but today she grabbed the child’s hand and hugged him tightly.

It was really strange today. It was already long pa.s.sed Yous.h.i.+ (modern timing: 5 – 7 pm) but she did not see Ming Ze coming her. Usually he would come over a quarter of a s.h.i.+chen earlier to Yong Hua Palace but why would he be late today?

Fu Ling walked dozens of round in the courtyard but her heart failed to calm down. As time pa.s.s by, she felt even more uneasy. Fu Ling was about to call of a mama to bring the Prince back into the house so that she will go out on her own to look when the main doors of Yong Hua Palace finally opened and the tall figure of Ming Ze walked in.

He usually put on a cold look and Fu Ling was already accustomed to it but today there were obvious worries and doubts on his face. She had not spoken to him for many months but she had to break it today. Fu Ling carried the Prince and went up to ask, “What is going on outside?”

Ming Ze turned around and closed the doors back again before whispering, “Imperial Concubine Qing plotted the Emperor’s murder and is currently held in the prison of Board of Investigation.”

Fu Ling was surprised, “How is this possible?!” She had be by Mistress’s side for so long and did not see her do anything that could harm the Emperor. Moreover Mistress just gave birth to a Princess for the Emperor, how could she plan to murder the Emperor?

Fu Ling’s heart was feeling distress as she wondered if she should leave the Palace to seek help from Lou Furen and Miss Qing. Before Fu Ling could think clearly, the main doors that were tightly closed was suddenly forced open from the outside. Fu Ling only felt her waist tighten and Ming Ze had already held her and the Prince in her arms to withdrew seven or eight steps back.

Fu Ling just stood firm and Ming Ze already unleash the sword on his waist as he stood in front of her. The person who came in was actually the guards lead by the leader of the guards, Guo Yi.

Ming Ze saw the people approaching and place the sword at his side. He did not point it at the approaching people but did not sheath his sword, as he stared at them alertly.

Fu Ling looked at the dozen people who rushed in and could not help but frowned. She calm herself down and took a step forwards as she hugged Yan Han to speak, “What are you all doing?”

Guo Yi gave her a look and finally his eyes landed on Yan Han as he coldly replied, “Qing Feng colluded with Hao Yue and plotted harm on the Emperor. Prince Han should not longer be brought up by her. This official is here on the Empress’s decree to bring him to Yi Lan Palace.”

He actually did not bow when he saw the Prince and that look in his eyes made gooseb.u.mps form on Fu Ling’s body and also scared Yan Han into moving. Seeing that the two guards had stepped forward to forcefully grab, Fu Ling hastily took a few steps back from them to avoid their hands and asked in a strong calm voice, “Do you have the Emperor’s Imperial decree?”

Guo Yi did not put her in his eyes as he replied, “This official’s action is in accordance to the Empress’s instruction.”

Guo Yi gave a look to the two guards and they did not dare to neglect their duties. They rush towards the child in Fu Ling’s arms. In Fu Ling’s panic, she hid behind Ming Ze’s back and thought that it was not an option to just hid, so she quickly said, “Hold on! The Emperor have decreed that Prince Han will be brought up by Imperial Concubine Qing and the decree was read out in front of an entire court of civil and military officials and even to the world. If you want to take Prince Han away, unless you have the Emperor’s decree, else please leave.”

The two guards hesitated for a moment and looked back at Guo Yi. Guo Yi did not expect that a palace maid would actually dare to stop him and stared at Fu Ling angrily, “Impudent. This official’s orders is not what you a palace maid…”

“I am the female official that the Emperor granted personally and is ranked at fifth upper rank. Guo Official do not need to wave your authority in front of me. Without an Imperial decree, I will not let you take the Prince away!” Fu Ling dare not give in. If she back away, this child cannot be saved!

Ming Ze was somewhat surprised. He turned his head sideways and saw that female who did not fear or retreat at all. He did not think that she had this side of her. In Ming Ze moment of thought, Guo Yi angrily shouted, “It is not up to you!” Finis.h.i.+ng, he pulled the blade from his waist and strike at Fu Ling’s direction.

“Ah–” Fu Ling never had imagine that he would actually use his sword and she was still carrying the Prince?! If in the beginning she was only suspicious of the purpose these people were carrying, at this moment she could be sure that they were targeting the Prince’s life!

The blade forcefully brought the cold air over and Fu Ling had no time to avoid it. She could only use her body to protect the child in her arms as she closed her eyes in fear.

“Kuang dang” sounded and the sound of sword clas.h.i.+ng shook one’s heart. The pain did not come as expected so Fu Ling opened her eyes and saw Ming Ze’s sword in his arms blocking that fatal strike.

“Ming Ze…” Fu Ling eyes was somewhat heated as words choked in her throat.

“Ming Ze, what are you doing? You actually dare to stop this official!” Guo Yi did not think that this usually silent and cold person would actually stop his sword for a palace maid.

Ming Ze did not say anything to him and held one sword in front of the guards with one hand as he protected Fu Ling with the other to withdraw to the gate, “Quickly leave! Go to Dong Sheng Palace.”

When Ming Ze finish, he pushed Fu Ling out the door and gave a back kick. As Fu Ling fell out, the doors were slammed shut.

“Ming Ze!” Fu Ling screamed but no one replied her. She only heard the continuous sound of sword clas.h.i.+ng. Fu Ling dare not stay back and dare not look back as she held Yan Han tightly and rush towards the direction of Dong Sheng Palace without addition thoughts. Seeing Dong Sheng Palace in sight, she only need to pa.s.s the winding corridor to reach it. The skies were getting dark and Fu Ling’s legs weaken as the hands that were carrying the Prince were shaking. Fu Ling grind her teeth as she walked on the stone steps of the winding corridors when suddenly her hand felt pain and a hand firmly gripped her arm.

“Ah!” At this time any little movement was enough to scare Fu Ling. Fu Ling cried out in shock and that pair of hands immediately covered her mouth.

“Don’t scream!” The lowered voice was very familiar so Fu Ling looked over and saw clearly the person who was holder her. Fu Ling finally quieten down and that person also loosen the grip. Fu Ling murmured, “It’s you…”

“Right now, Dong Sheng Palace is also not safe.” The person made a silencing gesture and looked around before heading towards a small trail. Fu Ling look towards the direction of Dong Sheng Palace and then back to the person before finally following the person’s footsteps and quickly disappeared into the night

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