Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 44 Borrowing a Knife to Kill Someone

Chapter 44: Chapter 44 Borrowing a Knife to Kill Someone

"Protect the Empress!"

The Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard immediately led several subordinates to stand in front of Empress Xiao, staring at Tan’er with utmost vigilance.

Empress Xiao said, "Lord Lin, stand down."

Vice Commander Lin turned around with a solemn expression: "Your Majesty..."

Empress Xiao softly replied, "There’s no need to worry."

Vice Commander Lin dropped to one knee: "As you command!"

The others also knelt and paid their respects.

Consort Li reluctantly emerged to meet her, giving a perfunctory bow.

Empress Xiao’s palace attendants and Lady Wang also bowed to Consort Li.

Consort Li did not spare them a single glance and instead smiled arrogantly at Empress Xiao: "What wind has blown Your Majesty here?"

Empress Xiao cast a glance at Meng Qianqian and her maidservant, both kneeling in the snow, as well as Tan’er and the palace attendants and guards she had beaten to the ground. She calmly said, "I was nearby enjoying the snow when I heard quite a commotion at Changchun Palace, so I came to take a look."

Consort Li fiercely glared at the lackeys who were howling like pigs being slaughtered. With a fake smile, she said, "We were capturing an assassin. If we disturbed Your Majesty, please forgive us."

Despite uttering words of humility, her tone and demeanor conveyed complete disregard for the Empress.

The palace attendants were not surprised by this; Consort Li had long marginalized Empress Xiao, even seizing the Phoenix Seal. Were it not so difficult to depose the Empress, the Central Palace might have changed hands by now.

Empress Xiao unhurriedly asked, "Oh? What sort of assassin dares attempt to harm Consort Li?"

Tan’er righteously declared, "I didn’t try to harm her! I’m not an assassin!"

Meng Qianqian said, "Tan’er is my personal maid. Unable to bear my punishment, she clashed with the palace staff."

Empress Xiao looked at Meng Qianqian: "Who are you?"

Meng Qianqian knelt in the snow, her hands folded before her forehead, and bowed: "This humble woman is Meng of the Lu Family, paying respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be ever in good health."

Lady Wang quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, she is the wife of General Lu Lingxiao, the Defender of the North."

Empress Xiao hesitated briefly: "Lu Lingxiao, the great-grandson of the Tiger Might General?"

Lady Wang smiled and replied, "Indeed!"

Empress Xiao said, "The Tiger Might General once followed the Supreme Emperor to battle across the realm, earning countless merits and becoming a pillar of the nation. The Defender of the North carries his legacy to fight on the front lines. Truly, the Lu Family has worthy successors."

Lady Wang nodded: "Your Majesty speaks truly."

Consort Li rolled her eyes.

Empress Xiao asked Consort Li, "What crime has Lady Lu committed that warrants punishment from you, Consort Li?"

Consort Li coldly replied, "The matters of Changchun Palace need not concern Your Majesty. Ying Yue, escort the Empress."

"Understood."

The female official Ying Yue acknowledged her command and began walking toward Empress Xiao.

Empress Xiao sternly said, "The affairs of Changchun Palace are of no interest to me. However, Lady Lu is not of your household. Whether she has committed any wrongdoing is for me, the Empress, to determine."

Consort Li stepped forward with two haughty strides and brazenly challenged, "Empress, are you opposing me?"

Empress Xiao turned and said, "Lady Wang, how is Imperial Censor Wang these days? Please inquire with him about the punishment imposed by Consort Li on a court-official’s wife in Changchun Palace, and what crime that constitutes."

Consort Li’s face darkened.

She feared neither heaven nor earth, but she did have some trepidation toward Imperial Censor Wang—a man foolishly bold enough to send his own father to prison!

Even Lu Lingxiao, the great hero who slew Prince Beiliang, was demoted by him—no need to delve into older cases for reference.

Consort Li gripped her silk handkerchief tightly, turned coldly, and scoffed at Meng Qianqian: "With the Empress pleading for you, I’ll let you off for now. Next time you dare insult me, not even the Jade Emperor can save you!"

Empress Xiao turned to Vice Commander Lin and ordered, "Why are the troops not withdrawn yet?"

Vice Commander Lin gestured, and the archers immediately stowed away their bows and retreated to the side.

"Elder Sister!"

Tan’er darted toward a nearby bush, grabbing something as she rushed over, crying, "Ban Xia!"

Ban Xia, barely able to speak with her frozen lips, murmured, "I’m fine... My lady is freezing..."

Tan’er, with resolute eyes, lifted the ice-cold Meng Qianqian onto her back. "Elder Sister, Tan’er will take you home!"

Lady Wang hurriedly removed her cloak to cover Meng Qianqian, while her maid helped support Ban Xia.

Empress Xiao said, "Let us leave."

The group departed from Changchun Palace.

Within the Imperial Guard, there were also injured soldiers. Vice Commander Lin instructed his men to escort the injured away while cleaning up the remnants of the chaotic skirmish. When he pulled out a long sword embedded in the bush, his expression subtly changed.

The blade showed a minute hole—as if pierced by some concealed weapon.

How was that possible?

Who possessed such skill?

Could it be that little maid?

Meng Qianqian’s condition was dire; her complexion was snow-white, and her gaze started to turn listless.

"Bring her to my quarters to warm up. Xiaodengzi, call the Imperial Physician," Empress Xiao ordered.

"Understood!"

Xiaodengzi hurried off.

Meng Qianqian’s lips barely moved.

Tan’er asked, "Elder Sister, what did you say?"

Meng Qianqian weakly murmured, "Return... to Haitang Courtyard... Also... thank Lady Wang..."

Tan’er listened carefully and suddenly stopped: "Alright! Haitang Courtyard! We’ll go right now!"

Lady Wang asked, "Wait—where are you going?"

Tan’er turned back, glanced at Ban Xia being supported, and said to Lady Wang, "Lady Wang, my elder sister says thank you! She remembers your immense kindness! Look after Ban Xia for now. I’ll bring Elder Sister back, then come to fetch her!"

"Wait—Tan’er—Lady Lu—"

Despite Lady Wang’s attempts to stop her, Tan’er, swift as a steed, disappeared into the snowy expanse with Meng Qianqian on her back.

Lady Wang sighed.

Empress Xiao said, "She must have her reasons for returning."

Lady Wang nodded, bowing deeply to Empress Xiao: "I am deeply grateful to Your Majesty for today’s intervention. Lady Lu has been a benefactor to me, and I simply could not stand idly by. Yet, I’ve caused trouble for Your Majesty."

She hadn’t expected the situation to escalate like this; initially, it seemed like a mere misunderstanding.

Upon reflection, Lin Wan’er was likely well aware of Tan’er’s capabilities and temperament. She must have deliberately instigated her with her maid to exacerbate the conflict between Lady Lu and Consort Li.

Such cunning indeed.

Empress Xiao replied warmly, "Consort Li and I—this matter changes nothing. You need not dwell on it, cousin."

Meanwhile, Consort Li returned to her chamber and calmed herself after gulping down three cups of tea.

"Court-official’s wife? She hasn’t even been granted the title of Lady by imperial decree! Xiao Lanyi, you’ve tricked me!"

"Find that little wench for me! And her maid—I want her dead!"

Eunuch Wang reluctantly obeyed but returned shortly with bad news: "Your Majesty, Lady Lu and that maid have already left the palace!"

Consort Li furiously smashed a cup, speaking icily, "Send the Imperial Guard to capture them! Tell them it’s an assassin hunt! Outside the palace, let’s see Xiao Lanyi meddle in my affairs!"

The snowy official road stretched endlessly into the horizon.

"Elder Sister! Hold on!"

Tan’er felt Meng Qianqian’s breath grow increasingly faint. Pushing herself to the limit, her entire body felt like it was ablaze.

"Tan’er... let me rest..."

"No!"

"I just want to rest..."

"You’re not allowed to rest! You’re not allowed to sleep!"

Tan’er desperately ran forward, her sweat pouring out, soaking her clothes completely.

Finally, she spotted a horse-drawn carriage.

Hoisting Meng Qianqian upward, she leapt onto the carriage and flung her hairpin at the coachman: "Take us to the Lu Family on Changyang Street! Or I’ll kill you!"

Terrified, the coachman quickly grabbed the reins and whipped the horses into action.

However, before they had made much progress, Imperial Guard cavalry swarmed in from side alleys, surrounding the carriage.

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