Chapter 52: Assassination

　　“Young Master Yun, how sure are you that you can heal Commander Xiao’s injury?” Bai Mou asked.

　　Qin Yue’s eyes shone brilliantly as he stared at Yunxiao. Xiao Qingwang’s injury was originally incurable, and everyone took this factor into account when planning their moves. However, the sudden appearance of Yunxiao had greatly changed the entire situation. If Xiao Qingwang’s injury could be cured, all the plans they had made would be overturned!

　　Yunxiao gave Bai Mou a look. ‘It seems that the State Guardians are not monolithic either… I wonder which faction Luo Yunshang belongs to…’ He said in a calm voice, “One hundred percent.”

　　“What!”

　　Both the prince and the commander cried out at the same time and then looked at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief. Qin Yue said in a low voice, “Young Master Yun, are you really one hundred percent sure?” He still seemed incredulous.

　　Yunxiao said lightly, “Yes, I’m one hundred percent sure. Is Prince Yue asking me not to cure him?”

　　“No!” Qin Yue lurched to his feet, his eyes flashing. “You’ll cure him, you must cure him!” he said, exulted. “Even heaven is helping me! As long as Xiao Qingwang is with us, my eldest brother will not dare to act rashly. And the longer he waits, the better for us!”

　　“Your Highness, you are only sixteen years old, more than thirty years younger than Prince Yang. I reckon His Majesty must be supporting you, but His Majesty’s health…As far as I can see, His Majesty’s time is running out,” Yunxiao said.”

　　Qin Yue trembled and said in horror, “Young Master Yun, what do you mean by this? What do you see?”

　　Bai Mou’s eyes flickered as she said, “Young Master Yun’s medical skills are unparalleled. Is His Majesty suffering some kind of illness?” Knowing that Yunxiao could cure Qin Ruxue and Xiao Qingwang, both the prince and the commander had one hundred percent trust in his medical skills.

　　Yunxiao nodded slightly and said, “His Majesty is over seventy years old and frail, but that is not the most important thing. I noticed a silver tint in his eyes. It’s probably a chronic poison.”

　　“How dare anyone poison His Majesty?” Bai Mou said in horror.

　　Qin Yue’s eyes flashed with anger as he snapped, “It must have been my eldest brother! He can no longer wait!”

　　Yunxiao said, “It will not be a blessing to Tianshui if His Majesty passes away suddenly. I think Your Highness should visit the palace as soon as possible and persuade His Majesty to issue an imperial edict, making you the next King!”

　　Qin Yue said with a wry smile, “Young Master Yun, why are you so sure His Majesty wants to make me the next King?”

　　“Of all the officials present at tonight’s banquet, who doesn’t know about this?” Yunxiao smiled faintly. “A long time ago, Prince Qin Yang had followed His Majesty to fight in the south and north, and had achieved outstanding military achievements. He has long been recognized as the King’s successor. But in the recent years, His Majesty suddenly changed his attitude and began to deliberately snub and alienate him, slowly depriving him of his strength, all of which were reassigned to Your Highness. Even the Third Unit led by Commander Bai should have been sent to protect you by His Majesty, right? Otherwise, who in the State Guardians dared to take sides without permission?”

　　He gave a light snort and said coldly, “From all that, even a fool can see that he intends to make you the next King! It’s just that Qin Yang’s influence over the court and the military is so great that His Majesty is afraid you won’t be able to suppress him, so he hasn’t announced it yet. Even my Li Family used to be on Qin Yang’s side, and it wasn’t until that servant, Old Eight, came to the front that the family turned to your side.”

　　Qin Yue and Bai Mou looked at each other with a wry smile and shook their heads, their faces dejected.

　　“What?” Yunxiao’s eyelids twitched. “Is there something wrong with my analysis?”

　　Qin Yue sighed, “If someone as outstanding as Young Master Yun thinks like that, it’s no wonder everyone else thinks the same. In fact, I am just a pawn pushed to the front by my father…The pawn he is using against Qin Yang!” There was a faint look of resentment in his eyes. “Do you think I want to fight for the throne? I have been pushed to this place by my father. If I don’t fight now, I will die!”

　　Yunxiao’s pupils constricted as he said in a low voice, “Who is the candidate in His Majesty’s mind then? Among all the princes, I can’t think of anyone who can make His Majesty be willing to sacrifice his other son to protect.”

　　Qin Yue said with a bitter smile, “Does he have to protect a prince? The person he wants to protect is actually himself!”

　　Yunxiao was taken aback, but then seemed to understand. “You mean to say that Prince Qin Yang is in a hurry to ascend the throne, but His Majesty is too attached to the throne to abdicate? So, to keep Prince Qin Yang in check, His Majesty pushed you put, leaving Prince Qin Yang too busy with you to covet the throne?”

　　Both Qin Yue and Bai Mou were shocked. “Young Master Yun, you are really a genius. I just mentioned it a little, and you have the whole story! If only you were willing to assist me earlier, perhaps I would have seized the initiative by now!” said the prince with a wry smile.

　　Bai Mou smiled and said, “It seems that my calculation is correct, Young Master Yun is indeed Your Highness’s great benefactor!”

　　After pondering for a while, Yunxiao said, “In this case, there will be some trouble. His Majesty is deeply poisoned and may pass away at any time. Without His Majesty’s help, it would be really difficult for Your Highness to compete with Prince Qin Yang.”

　　Qin Yue’s eyes lit up as he laughed and said, “So, I just have to find another major power to help me. Young Master Yun, your sudden appearance is really a help sent to me by the heaven!”

　　“I understand now. The helper you are looking for is Xiao Qingwang. However, the State Guardians have always been under the direct command of His Majesty. Even if Xiao Qingwang can recover, he will only support his future King, and not a prince!”

　　“I know. But, if you can completely cure Xiao Qingwang, then he will owe you a big favor! When the time comes, if he only favors me a little, it will be enough to make things much easier for me. In fact, the contest for the throne between my eldest brother and me is entirely in the hands of six people. If only four of them are willing to support me, I will have no fear even if all the civil and military officials oppose me!”

　　Bai Mou said softly, “Prime Minister Lan Hong is an old fox. He has been watching the fire from afar and is reluctant to choose a side. Duke Jingguo, Young Master Yun’s grandfather, was originally on the side of Prince Qin Yang. But, whether he is still alive is a question, and the future of the Li Family is also uncertain. Commander Xiao belongs directly to His Majesty. Lord Zhang Qingfan, the court chief alchemist, was biased toward Prince Qin Yang. Lord Zhong Lishan, the dean of Jialan Academy, is inclined toward Prince Qin Yue because His Highness is his student. The last one is Lord Xu Han, president of the Alchemist Association. He does not take part in state affairs, but only focuses on alchemy.”

　　Qin Yue’s eyes flashed as he said, “I will do my best to help you regain control of your family, so I will have the support of the Li Family and my teacher. Adding Xiao Qingwang’s favor, I will have the support of two and a half people! Even if Zhang Qingfan and Lan Hong support Qin Yang, I still have half more person than him!”

　　“Your Highness, don’t forget the existence of His Majesty,” Yunxiao said calmly. “As long as His Majesty is still there, it is useless even if all six people support you.”

　　Qin Yue’s eyes grew cold. “You mean it’s bad for me to have my father alive?”

　　“Whether a thing is good or bad depends on how you use it. If it is properly used, it will bring benefits, and vice versa. But, if His Majesty suddenly passed away and the whole world knows that Prince Qin Yang poisoned him, then Your Highness will have no fear even if all six people support him!”

　　Qin Yue was overjoyed, and he quickly got up and grabbed Yunxiao’s hand as he said excitedly, “Young Master Yun, if you can help me accomplish this, I will not only ensure the safety of your family for a long time to come, but also decree Ruxue to be betrothed to you after I ascended the throne!”

　　Puke!

　　Yunxiao sprayed a mouthful of wine directly on Qin Yue’s face. “Ahem… Fu*k! Are you trying to choke me to death!”

　　Qin Yue froze in place while the two maids were terrified and quickly wiped the wine from his face. He pushed them away and said thoughtfully, “I understand! Young Master Yun, you are the kind of talented youth who walks among clusters of flowers but is not caught by any of the leaves. Although Ruxue is beautiful and lovely, she is delicate and difficult to please. It is enough for her to be your wife for a short period of time. We are both men, and I understand what you want. Well, if I can ascend to the throne, I will definitely arrange it for you!”

　　Yunxiao’s forehead was covered with cold sweat. To ascend to the throne, this man could even give his sister to others to play with. He was really comparable to his father! “We’ll talk about this matter later. Let’s get down to business first!” Yunxiao said hastily.

　　Bai Mou also stared at Qin Yue with a flicker of anger in her eyes. Obviously, the relationship between the two of them was not as simple as that between a superior and a subject.

　　All of a sudden, from outside came the guards’ shouting. “Who’s there? Be careful! Assassins!”

　　A rapid whistling sound pierced through the quiet night as numerous arrows came shooting toward the palanquin! The air was immediately filled with the screams of the guards and the noise of fighting. “Gather up and protect His Highness!”

　　After a slight change in his expression, Qin Yue still sat in his place as usual while Bai Mou poured wine for the two as if nothing had happened. A trace of surprise flashed through Yunxiao’s eyes as he chuckled and said, “Your Highness did not move even when the enemy is at hand. You indeed have an excellent bearing!”

　　Qin Yue was also surprised and said, “I have Commander Bai to protect me from assassins, so I’m naturally not scared. But, I really admire you for being so calm even though you came here alone.”

　　Yunxiao laughed. “Will Commander Bai only protect Your Highness and not me? Then I am going to cry for help.”

　　“Haha!” Qin Yue burst into laughter. “Young Master Yun, don’t worry! I’ve been through many assassinations. As long as Commander Bai is here, who can hurt me except the King’s two Martial Kings?”

　　Yunxiao said lightly, “If so, that would be very nice. But this time, I’m afraid there’s some trouble.”

　　“Hmm?” Both of them were stunned. Suddenly, Bai Mou’s pupils constricted as she looked up in horror and shouted, “Not good! They have sent an expert here!”

　　Just then, from outside the palanquin came a series of screams, all let out by Qin Yue’s guards, as if many of them had been killed in an instant. Bai Mou’s eyes were filled with an intense killing intent. She gave a cold snort, then suddenly turned into a puff of smoke and disappeared from the palanquin.

　　Qin Yue looked at Yunxiao in surprise and did not seem to understand why he knew about the enemy. Yunxiao, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes. Bai Mou’s move was indeed interesting, but it was just a child’s play in his eyes. He smiled at Qin Yue and said, “Don’t worry, Your Highness! Although the enemy is tough, Commander Bai is here to protect you.”

　　Qin Yue seemed a little impatient when Bai Mou was not by his side as he said coldly, “I will not spare anyone who tries to assassinate me tonight!”