The Prince Consort's Secret (GL) - Chapter 22

We moved through the palace in a tense procession. Everyone was on edge, as if bracing for a battle. Even those who bowed to me did so absentmindedly, visibly distracted. No one knew how far the repercussions of this assassination attempt would reach. Fortunately, Mu Han had been at Father’s side during the attack. Given her unclear identity, if she hadn’t been, I might have had reason to worry she’d be implicated.

Before long, we arrived. From a distance, I saw Father leading a group of officials into the Hall of Eminent Governance. Mu Han was among them.

I paused, recalling Mu Han’s injury. A wound to the hand—if severe—could sever tendons or nerves, potentially rendering it useless. But with the imperial physicians attending to her, she’d likely be fine. It would just be painful. Still, since this was a planned capture, why get hurt at all? Honestly, she never stops worrying me.

Now that Father was in discussion with his ministers, I decided it would be best not to interrupt. I’d go after they’d spoken. Though I wasn’t happy about it, I turned to head toward the adjacent hall.

Just then, a nearby palace maid asked in surprise, “Princess, why aren’t you going to see His Majesty?”

I was puzzled too. “Father wasn’t injured. Besides, there are many officials with him—it would be inappropriate. I’ll wait until they finish.”

The maid chuckled. “Since your marriage, Princess, you’ve become much more proper. In the past, you’d have charged in regardless of who was present.”

Ah! If I didn’t go in now, Father might think I no longer cared. That was what caused the rift between Kang Xi and the Crown Prince—the Crown Prince showed no concern when Kang Xi fell ill. I must go!

Resolute, I headed toward the main hall. As I neared, I clenched my jaw and said, “I should go see Father.”

At the entrance to the Hall of Eminent Governance, I instructed the guard to announce me. He returned shortly, saying I was welcome to enter. Even during official discussions? Truly, he is a good father.

Inside, a few officials bowed to me, but Mu Han was not among them—she must have been receiving treatment in a side chamber.

I casually waved for them to rise and hurried over to Father. “Are you alright, Father?”

He smiled. “I’m standing right here, aren’t I?”

I studied him carefully before throwing myself into his arms with a smile. “That’s wonderful! I knew you’d be fine.” As I spoke, I couldn’t help but reflect: in my past life, Father had always been stern. I’d never had a moment like this. Yet here I was, daring to act playfully with an emperor.

He patted my back and laughed heartily. “Married and still so unruly. Aren’t you worried my ministers will mock you?”

I rose from his embrace and turned to the slightly bowing officials. Before I could retort with “Who dares mock me?”, they had already launched into flattery—praising my filial piety, celebrating His Majesty’s family joy, envying him, declaring it a blessing to the realm. I had to admire their eloquence. Father seemed pleased, and honestly, I didn’t mind the praise either.

I recognized these three: the shifty Minister Li of the Ministry of Justice, the elegant yet strong Prime Minister Zhang, and the upright Commander Liu Yifei. None of them seemed like flatterers, but reality rarely matches expectations.

In the midst of this harmony, Father suddenly asked, “Why have you come to the palace?”

I was momentarily stunned, then carefully smiled. “I missed you, Father…”

Apparently uninterested in pursuing the matter, he simply said, “The culprit this time, Du Ruo, was colluding with the Khitan. He claims there are Khitan spies within the capital. Rou’er, be very careful.”

At last, a proper investigation could begin. The scoundrel who abducted me might finally be caught. But why tell me this?

Father continued, “I’ve ordered that no one may roam the streets without an official token. Drums will sound across the city for half an hour. After that, anyone found outside without cause will be arrested and sent to the Court of Judicial Review. A thorough search will follow. You should return home.”

So he was telling me to leave. I hesitated slightly, just about to take my leave, when Father added, “Oh, and your husband is being treated in the side hall. You may leave together. Someone, summon the prince consort.”

He turned back to me with a teasing smile. “Don’t worry, Rou’er. The physician said his injury isn’t serious. With daily treatment, he’ll recover in a week or so.”

Of course I already knew that… But Father wasn’t done: “For his meritorious defense of the throne, I’m promoting him to Director in the Ministry of Personnel. The decree will be issued immediately. Since his hand is injured, I’ve also approved a ten-day leave. That should keep you from being too bored at home.”

Bored? I think lifting the etiquette tutors and musicians, and ending my house arrest, might do more for my boredom!

Just then, I heard footsteps behind me. I instinctively turned. Mu Han approached, expression calm, as if she weren’t in pain at all. But her right hand was wrapped thickly in bandages. Imagining the knife tearing through flesh, I couldn’t help but wince on her behalf.

Behind her stood Qin Huaiyu, smiling faintly. So he’d treated her wound. The two of them—talented and beautiful—looked like a perfect match.

When they reached us, they bowed first to Father, then to me. I returned their greeting with a smile. Father reminded Mu Han to keep me from mischief during his leave. I muttered inwardly: even with Father backing her, she couldn’t control me. I knew her secret—she’s a woman. She’s at a complete disadvantage now! Only Lin Gugu remains as a threat; I need to deal with her quickly.

I bid farewell to Father and exited the hall. Mu Han and Qin Huaiyu followed a step behind, flanking me on either side.

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. After some thought, I turned to Mu Han and smiled. “I’m truly grateful to you this time.”

She replied with a perfect, formal tone, “It was my duty.”

Once again, she reverted to that composed and respectful persona. I sighed inwardly. I still preferred the moments when she smiled and said, “I am a woman,” or turned red when I teased her. Even when she put me in my place with sharp words—it was more endearing than this.

With nothing better to do, I offered a few more pleasantries. Then I glanced at Qin Huaiyu. In this trio, he was clearly the third wheel. I wondered if, behind that always-gentle expression, he was figuring out how to escape this situation. But then I remembered: he knew Mu Han’s secret and even gave her two maidservants for cover. Perhaps I was the real third wheel.

Frustration crept in. So even as a princess, I couldn’t escape being the unwanted extra. Just as I turned away, a young eunuch rushed over, summoning Qin Huaiyu to attend a concubine in the inner palace. He apologized and left hastily—it looked like a proper escape. I couldn’t help but chuckle. But when I turned back, I found Mu Han watching me with a thoughtful expression. What was there to ponder?

We walked a few more steps. I glanced at her and smiled. “You don’t seem afraid of pain at all!”

What I really wanted to say was: for a woman to go this far, I’m deeply impressed.

She smiled. “I’ve trained since childhood. This is nothing.”

True enough. I was worrying over nothing again.

After a few more idle exchanges, we reached the carriages. I boarded mine, and we sped through the grand palace. Soon, the sound of drums echoed from the palace gates, shaking the walls. Officials and guards scurried about, and I, in contrast, felt utterly at ease. If only I’d known how fleeting that feeling would be.

Once outside the palace gates, the drums grew louder. Soldiers shouted Father’s edict while citizens ran in panic. A true disruption. Still, it meant the Khitan spy would surely be found—unless something unexpected happened.

I lifted the curtain to peer outside, just in time to spot Ning Guangshi in full armor. It took me a moment, then I remembered—he was the commander of fifty thousand troops, about to be reassigned north. Du Ruo had come to take over from him. Ning was the only one in the city who could counter Du Ruo militarily. So, he was involved too.

This was high-level politics, beyond my reach in this life. I couldn’t help but envy Mu Han—standing in the court as a woman, shaping the fate of the empire.

I was lost in thought when disaster struck.

From the crowd, a man with a long beard and dark skin suddenly leapt toward me.

My guards froze, then moved to intercept—but were struck down instantly.

In the blink of an eye, he’d thrown my driver aside and yanked me from the carriage. He locked an arm around me, a knife pressed cold against my neck.

Just two days since the last time I was taken hostage. I never want to feel this helpless again.

Guards swarmed around us. The man bellowed, “Drop your weapons or I’ll kill her!” His voice was familiar—then it clicked. He was the Khitan spy who escaped a few days ago! He’d disguised himself, but his voice gave him away.

So he knew he couldn’t escape and resorted to this. He’d hidden near the palace, waiting to seize someone powerful.

Weapons clattered to the ground. The guards stepped back.

“Move!” he shouted again. “All of you!”

More guards arrived, bows drawn but none daring to shoot. Everyone was frozen. Ning Guangshi fumed. Mu Han—when had she dismounted?—stood calmly among the crowd, utterly unfazed.

That calmness stung. I felt more and more aggrieved.

I knew he wouldn’t kill me immediately—he needed me to escape the city. But once outside, would he let me go? If he feared war between nations, perhaps. But if he only wanted to save himself…

And why was he alone? Where were his accomplices? Had they abandoned him? Tried and failed to kill him?

His voice rang out again: “Make a path! You—drive the carriage!” He pointed at a random guard.

They looked to Ning Guangshi. He shouted, “Don’t just stand there—move! If anything happens to the Princess, we’re all dead!”

The man holding me sneered. I was too scared to be indignant anymore. He was clearly unhinged. I had a needle hidden in my sleeve—but his knife would be faster.

A path opened through the crowd.

Except for one person.

Mu Han, dressed in crimson robes, her injured hand bandaged, stood tall and unmoving. Calm. Composed. And stepping forward.

The guard who was supposed to drive the carriage froze.

The attacker barked, “I didn’t tell you to come! Get back!”

Mu Han didn’t answer. She kept walking. I looked at her, torn between confusion and faint hope. Perhaps she had a plan? But her calmness made me hate her, just a little.

The knife at my throat bit down. Bl00d trickled. The man growled, “One more step and I’ll kill her!” Ning Guangshi echoed, panicked, “Prince Consort, stop!”

I hated her then—her indifference, her poise. I waited for her response.

She smiled. “Try me.”

She stepped forward. She was now level with the carriage.

The Khitan man sneered, “Useless hostage.”

I shivered. Mu Han had told him I was expendable. Which might mean he’d let me go. Or kill me to spite her.

His blade lifted slightly. A better angle to behead me.

Then Mu Han’s shoulder twitched. A blur. A sound sliced the air.

Clang!

Steel met steel. The sword did not reach my neck. A blade—Mu Han’s—had intercepted it.

In that instant, victory was sealed. She had concealed a weapon—and her speed defied belief.

Her sword slid down and struck the attacker’s stomach. He flew back, hit the ground, and was instantly surrounded.

Without turning, she pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and passed it to me. Then bowed.

“Apologies, Princess. You were frightened.”

She hadn’t even looked at me. Only now did the pain register. I wiped the bl00d and jumped down.

Smiling, I helped her up. “Once again, I owe you.”

Ning Guangshi knelt before me, tearful. “Your servant failed to protect you. Please punish me!” All the guards followed suit. Mu Han knelt too, her face full of guilt—but it felt hollow.

I told them to rise. Lost in thought. They were likely all feigning remorse. Afraid they’d be punished if I died. I’d never cared about such things—why did I now?

Mu Han had saved me. I should thank her. She had done well.

In the face of danger, she had stayed calm and acted with skill. Such composure in the face of death—it was admirable.

Or maybe… she just didn’t care if I died.

What was wrong with me?

I looked up. The sun was warm. Maybe too warm.

My wound burned. I pressed the cloth to it.

Mu Han stepped forward. “Princess, allow me to escort you back to the palace for treatment.”

I smiled. At least she offered. Even if she was only being dutiful. I scolded myself, then climbed into the carriage, ready to return.

Outside, some curious commoners still lingered. The drums still thundered, grating on my nerves. The spy had been caught—what more did they need?

We turned around. I noticed Mu Han hadn’t boarded the carriage. She was on horseback.

Puzzled, I asked why.

She smiled. “Carriages are inconvenient. I’ll escort the Princess from outside.”

I stared. The sunlight framed her face in a soft orange glow. For a moment, I forgot everything else.

Then I blinked, nodded, and lowered the curtain.

And in that moment, I realized—maybe I finally understood why I’d been so out of sorts today.