Volume One, Chapter 19: The Assassination Attempt

After Lin Wangzhi returned, it wasn’t long before the imperial physician arrived, and Xiao Aoyu also returned to the room.

After examination, the physician said that Xiao Boqing’s condition was caused by a sudden surge of anger and stress, and prescribed several doses of medicine.

While the servants were preparing the medicine, Xiao Boqing awakened. Initially, he was still fearful of Lin Che’s identity, but after Xiao Aoyu relayed what Lin Wangzhi had told her, everyone finally understood the current state of the court.

“So that’s how it is. Even if Lin Che becomes emperor, he really holds no real power!”

“Hmph, a worthless man—what power could he possibly have? Letting him become emperor would be a national disaster!” Xiao Chen sneered coldly.

Such remarks were only whispered among themselves. Though the Prince of Liang would surely protect them, it was still unwise for others to overhear.

“Besides, that position should have been the Prince of Liang’s. If not for him, our Xiao family would have already risen to great heights!” Xiao Boqing grew angrier the more he thought about it.

How could a useless man have the right to snatch the Prince of Liang’s throne?

They all believed Lin Che was deliberately making things difficult for them, hoping they would regret it.

“He wants us to regret it, but that will never happen,” Xiao Aoyu shook her head.

“Hmph, in the end, he’ll be the one regretting,” Xiao Chen said with a cold snort. “Who is the Prince of Liang? A man of high rank and power, the beloved grandson of the Empress Dowager. Dealing with this puppet Lin Che will be as easy as taking candy from a child!”

Xiao Aoyu was somewhat relieved that she had not aligned with Lin Che; otherwise, once he became emperor, the court officials would surely view her as an enemy, and the Xiao family would suffer resentment.

“By the way, what about our Xiao family? How will the Prince of Liang arrange things for us?” Upon learning that Lin Che was merely a puppet and that most officials supported the Prince of Liang, Xiao Boqing was eager to ask.

Xiao Aoyu then recounted how she had regained her position, and everyone grew even more hopeful.

After leaving the Xiao residence, Lin Che took a carriage back to the palace.

On the way, his expression was grave, and he remained silent.

Today's events made him realize that the enmity with the Prince of Liang would now be out in the open.

The Prince of Liang currently had the support of more than half the court officials, was the Empress Dowager’s direct grandson, and wielded considerable military power.

Compared to him, Lin Che had nothing—only the title of emperor.

As he pondered how to face these challenges ahead, suddenly the startled neighs of horses rang in his ears.

Immediately after, a tremendous force struck, nearly throwing him from the carriage.

The carriage had just entered an alley when several shadowy figures dropped down from the rooftops on both sides.

“Who goes there?!” Cao Shiqi’s face paled at the sight of these men.

They wore masks, moved with agility, and each held a gleaming dagger.

One of the black-clad assailants drew his dagger and plunged it into the heart of the carriage driver.

The driver had no time to react, clutching his chest, eyes wide in shock before collapsing to the ground.

The remaining drivers were terrified and quickly jumped off their horses.

Though they were the emperor’s drivers and former soldiers, they were unarmed—defenseless against the assailants, who were clearly well-trained and merciless.

Chaos erupted at the scene.

“Assassins! Protect the emperor, protect the emperor…” Cao Shiqi shouted sharply.

He hastily pulled back the curtain and helped Lin Che down, preparing to escape.

They had come for a celebration today and had brought few guards.

Upon stepping down, Lin Che saw the horrific scene: half of his drivers had already been killed.

“Chase them!”

The assassins, seeing Lin Che attempt to flee, immediately split into two groups to encircle him.

“Your Majesty!” Cao Shiqi, terrified, instinctively moved to shield Lin Che.

The assassins swung their daggers, their blades flashing menacingly.

Lin Che’s eyes hardened as he forcefully pushed Cao Shiqi aside.

Cao Shiqi stumbled and fell to the ground.

Facing the incoming blades, Lin Che remained calm, sidestepping and kicking one attacker away.

But almost at once, two more assassins appeared before him.

“Die…”

One assassin’s eyes glinted viciously as he lunged toward Lin Che’s chest.

Lin Che took a few steps back, grabbed a nearby horsewhip, and struck fiercely.

The assassin reeled from the blow to his cheek, momentarily stunned.

Lin Che then charged forward, kicking the stunned assassin into another, knocking them both off balance.

They hadn’t expected the emperor to possess such formidable martial skills.

As they turned to attack again—

“Bold assassins! Prepare to die!” A deafening roar suddenly echoed.

Zhao Wu charged in from the alley entrance, followed by a dozen plainclothes guards, all bloodied, clearly having been engaged earlier.

“Guard Zhao Wu!” Cao Shiqi breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the situation was now under control.

Upon seeing Zhao Wu, the assassins abandoned caution, desperately rushing Lin Che.

It seemed as if killing Lin Che would justify their deaths.

But Zhao Wu gave them no chance, blocking their path and engaging them in fierce combat.

Truly worthy of being personally selected by Lin Xu, Zhao Wu dispatched the assassins with ease—one cut down with a single sword, the foes unable to mount any counterattack.

The last assassin turned and fled madly, but Zhao Wu threw his long sword with precision, piercing the man’s body.

Within mere seconds, all the assassins lay dead on the ground.

“Your Majesty!” Zhao Wu drew his sword and approached Lin Che anxiously.

“I am fine,” Lin Che said coldly.

Covered in blood, Zhao Wu knelt and earnestly said, “Guard Zhao Wu was late in coming to the rescue. Please punish me, Your Majesty!”

His guards behind him also knelt, begging for punishment.

In truth, they had only been delayed by less than ten seconds.

Yet even a moment’s delay could have been disastrous.

Lin Che raised his hand, signaling them to rise. “Stand up. See? I am unharmed.”

“Besides, you were restrained. It’s not your fault.”

Strangely, Lin Che had assumed that no one in Chang’an City would dare act rashly, so he had brought few guards.

He hadn’t expected someone to be so bold as to attempt an assassination here.

Moreover, it was clearly premeditated.

They had even considered Zhao Wu and his men guarding in secret, and sent others to distract them in advance.

“Your Majesty, we are to blame. We beg for leniency!” Zhao Wu insisted, unable to forgive himself.

“Enough. Rise. We will discuss this matter later. For now, let us see who these men were,” Lin Che said again, motioning for them to stand.

Only then did Zhao Wu and his men rise, their faces burning with anger.

They strode over to the fallen assassins and swiftly removed their masks.

Strange faces stared back at them.

After a moment’s examination, they realized none of the assassins were familiar.

“Your Majesty, they are all strangers,” Zhao Wu reported.

Cao Shiqi’s face darkened as he glared at Zhao Wu. “You should have kept one alive!”

He knew these assassins must have been sent by the Prime Minister.

But now, with all of them dead, there would be no evidence left.

The truth remained hidden beneath the surface.