jdhmnovel Chapter 1319: Resentment
Chapter 1319: Resentment
Before the words were finished, more than a dozen masked men in black leaped out from behind the palace roof and the walls on both sides, wielding sharp blades, and rushed straight towards Pang Qiang and Zhan Xuan.
The Imperial Guards immediately drew their swords and rushed forward to stop them. The two sides instantly clashed, the clanging of weapons, screams, and shouts mingling together, turning the originally festive palace into a battlefield of carnage.
Ye Li shielded Pang Qiang behind him, drew his sword from his waist, and his eyes were sharp as an eagle's.
He was highly skilled in martial arts and possessed exquisite swordsmanship. After a few rounds, he killed two assassins. However, the assassins were fearless and continued to rush forward, their target being very clear: Pang Qiang.
Pang Qiang stood calmly behind Ye Li, her eyes quickly scanning the surroundings, trying to find the leader of the assassins.
She discovered that these assassins had peculiar martial arts styles, unlike those of native Li Kingdom sects, and seemed more like killers from the Western Regions.
They were ruthless, each move deadly, and they all carried a faint scent of exotic spices.
Just then, taking advantage of the moment when Ye Li was engaged in combat with the others, an assassin bypassed the Imperial Guards and lunged straight at Pang Qiang. The short knife in his hand gleamed coldly, and it looked like it was about to pierce her heart!
In a moment of panic, Ye Li whirled around and used his back to block the knife.
The dagger pierced deep into his shoulder blade, and blood instantly stained his purple python robe, dripping down the fabric and spreading into glaring blood flowers on the red felt.
"Ali!" Pang Qiang exclaimed in surprise, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes. She subconsciously reached out to support his swaying body.
Despite the excruciating pain, Ye Li swung his sword back and pierced the assassin's throat.
He pulled the dagger from his back, and blood gushed out. He staggered and almost fell, but still gritted his teeth and said, "Empress... it's good that you're alright."
Upon seeing Ye Li injured, Zhan Xuan's heart tightened, and he immediately ordered, "Protect the Empress and Ye Qing at all costs!"
The Imperial Guards were greatly encouraged and fought desperately. After half an hour of fierce fighting, the assassins were finally all killed. The scene was littered with corpses and rivers of blood. The originally festive red carpet was stained dark red with blood, and the air was filled with a strong stench of blood.
Zhan Xuan quickly walked to Pang Qiang's side and asked with concern, "Qiang, are you alright?"
Pang Qiang shook her head, her gaze falling on Ye Li, a hint of guilt in her eyes: "I'm fine, but Ye Li, how badly are you injured?"
Ye Li clutched his wound, his face pale, but he still forced himself to say, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am fine, it's nothing."
Just then, a commander of the Imperial Guards stepped forward, holding a jade pendant in his hand. He knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, we found this jade pendant in the arms of an assassin. It is engraved with the character 'Ye'!"
Zhan Xuan and Pang Qiang both looked at the jade pendant, their expressions changing drastically. Ye Li's pupils constricted, and he said incredulously, "This is impossible! This double-fish jade pendant is one I've worn since childhood. It was lost before I came to Li Kingdom. How could it be on an assassin?"
Zhan Xuan took the jade pendant and examined it carefully. The jade pendant was warm and smooth, with a beautiful double fish pattern carved on it. There was also a small scratch on the edge, which Ye Li had accidentally dropped when he was a child. He would never mistake it for something else.
Zhan Xuan frowned, his gaze towards Ye Li filled with doubt and scrutiny: "Ye Li, this is indeed yours. How do you explain this?"
Ye Li panicked and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I have really lost this jade pendant. Someone must be framing me!"
Li Song, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward. He was a former official of the Wu Kingdom and had always harbored resentment towards Zhan Xuan and Ye Li for their close relationship.
Seeing an opportunity, he immediately said, "Your Majesty, Lord Ye and the Empress are old acquaintances with a deep friendship. Logically, he shouldn't have any intention to harm her. But now that his jade pendant has been found on the assassin, this matter is probably not so simple."
Another courtier chimed in, "Your Majesty, there are many suspicious points in today's events. Lord Ye's injury appears to be for the purpose of protecting Her Majesty the Empress, but it could also be a ruse to clear his name!"
Several others chimed in, "Lord Ye commands a large army and has a close relationship with the Empress. If he harbors any disloyal intentions, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Seeing the suspicious looks from everyone, Ye Li felt both angry and anxious, and the pain in his wound seemed to intensify. He knew that no matter how he explained, it would be difficult for anyone to believe him now. He looked at Pang Qiang, his eyes pleading, hoping she would believe him.
Pang Qiang remained silent, her gaze fixed on the jade pendant, her expression complex.
She knew Ye Li's character and knew he was by no means a villain, but how could she explain the jade pendant on the assassin? She recalled the look in his eyes when he brought her the sachet last night—so gentle, so sincere, it didn't seem like an act. Yet, the evidence before her made her suspicious.
Seeing that Pang Qiang remained silent, Zhan Xuan became even more irritated and said in a deep voice, "Qiang, do you really doubt Ye Li?"
Not wanting to put Pang Qiang in a difficult position, Ye Li immediately protested loudly, "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
His voice was hoarse with pain and agitation: "Your Majesty, I have been loyal to you and devoted myself to the country. How could I have assassinated the Queen and betrayed the nation? This is clearly a deliberate plot to frame me!"
Li Song sneered, "Ye Li, may I ask who framed you? What evidence do they have?"
Ye Li was speechless. He indeed had no evidence that the jade pendant had been stolen, nor any evidence that the assassin was unrelated to him.
Because that jade pendant was indeed the one he usually wore.
How can this be good?
Zhan Xuan looked at Ye Li's pale face and clenched fists, and struggled with his inner turmoil.
He and Ye Li grew up together and were like brothers. He couldn't believe that Ye Li would do such a thing.
But today's case is based on conclusive evidence, and if it is not severely punished, it will be difficult to convince the public.
"Guards, seize Ye Li and imprison him temporarily in the Heavenly Prison. I will investigate the truth before making further decisions!" Zhan Xuan finally made his decision, his tone tinged with helplessness and heartache.
Ye Li looked at Zhan Xuan in disbelief, her eyes filled with disappointment and grievance, "Even you don't believe me?"
Zhan Xuan closed his eyes, unable to bear looking at him any longer, and said in a deep voice, "Take him away!"
The Imperial Guards stepped forward, supported the injured Ye Li, and slowly left.
Ye Li glanced back at Pang Qiang, the light in his eyes gradually dimming until it was replaced by endless despair. He couldn't understand why, after risking his life to save the emperor, he had ended up being imprisoned.
Pang Qiang watched Ye Li's retreating figure, a sharp pain piercing her heart. She wanted to speak up in his defense, but the words caught in her throat. She knew that any explanation at this moment would be futile and would only make her a suspect herself.
She must calm down, find the real culprit, and clear Ye Li's name.
Upon returning to the inner palace, Pang Qiang immediately dismissed her attendants and sat alone in the hall. She removed her phoenix crown, tossed it casually onto the table, and wearily rubbed her temples.