Chapter 4

Thinking back to the perilous situation he had just escaped and the phrase "bloodshed" that Xiao Liangdi had mentioned,

A vague suspicion began to form in Luo Qinghan's mind—

Could it be that Xiao Liangdi had known all along that he would be attacked?

If she was an informant, what was her relationship with these assassins?

Could it be that they were in league?

But if they were in league, why did Xiao Liangdi give him an amulet and warn him to be cautious of someone trying to harm him?

Numerous doubts flooded his mind, causing Luo Qinghan to stare at the amulet in his hand for a long time.

It wasn't until the First Prince and the Second Prince arrived with their guards in a hurry that Luo Qinghan snapped back to reality.

He put away the amulet and resumed his usual cold and indifferent expression.

"Third Brother, we heard you were attacked by assassins. Were you injured?"

Luo Qinghan's gaze swept over the faces of his two elder brothers, who seemed genuinely worried, their faces filled with concern.

However,

Who knew what their true thoughts were?

Perhaps one of them had sent the assassins.

Luo Qinghan had been appointed as the Crown Prince only a year ago, but he was neither the eldest son nor of legitimate birth. The only support he could rely on was from the Empress's maternal clan.

But in the eyes of the other princes, no matter how close Luo Qinghan was to the Empress, he was not her biological son. Why should he occupy the position of Crown Prince?!

The princes showed no outward signs, but they were all deeply resentful.

Over the past year, they had been making small moves behind the scenes, but they were just minor tactics that couldn't harm Luo Qinghan, so he didn't take them seriously.

He never expected that his brothers would escalate their actions, even resorting to fratricide for the position of heir!

Luo Qinghan's emotions were turbulent, but his face remained calm: "I'm fine, there's no need for you two to worry."

"That's good. Father is very worried about you. Go and reassure him. We'll handle things here."

"Then I'll leave it to you two."

Luo Qinghan left on a guard's horse but left his own guards behind.

Because the Crown Prince had nearly been in danger, the Emperor lost interest in the hunt, and the day's hunt was called off early.

Back at the Eastern Palace,

Luo Qinghan summoned his few trusted confidants to the study.

They discussed for an hour.

In the end, they split into two groups. One group went to search the cliff below for the horse's body to determine the cause of its sudden madness.

The other group went to investigate the assassins' background to find out who had sent them.

When Luo Qinghan came out of the study, it was already evening.

He suddenly remembered the woman who had clung to his leg that morning.

"Where is Xiao Liangdi?"

Eunuch Chang bowed and replied, "She is confined in the Cold Fragrance Pavilion."

Luo Qinghan walked towards the Cold Fragrance Pavilion.

When they reached the pavilion, they saw the door tightly shut, and the windows revealed the dim light of candles.

Eunuch Chang went up to knock on the door.

"The Crown Prince has arrived!"

Inside the pavilion, there was a clatter of sounds, and faintly, they could hear Xiao Liangdi's urging voice.

"Quickly put the things away!"

This was followed by hurried footsteps.

The door was pulled open.

Xiao Xixi and Baoqin came forward to kneel and pay their respects.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince."

Luo Qinghan looked at the woman before him, noticing her red, shiny lips and the faint scent of spicy and fresh flavors.

He asked indifferently, "What were you doing inside?"

Xiao Xixi felt guilty: "We were having dinner."

"You don't seem worried at all."

"Worried about what?"

"What do you think?"