"I have no major issues, this matter ends here!"
Lu Fan stated directly, "If we pursue it further, it might not be a good thing!"
"Don't worry, I will handle it for you!"
Princess Linglong said coldly, "Within the White Dragon Dynasty, no matter who makes a move against you, I will seek justice for you!"
"I don't know who made the move, but to be able to dispatch a Venerable, I reckon there aren't many people within the Imperial City who possess such capability!" Lu Fan said frankly.
"Venerable?"
Linglong's expression changed. She hadn't expected someone to be so malicious as to send a Spirit Venerable expert to kill Lu Fan. If Lu Fan hadn't been so fortunate, he would have perished last night.
"After returning to the palace, I will have my father send people to investigate thoroughly!"
Princess Linglong comforted him, "You are this princess's man from now on. Whoever dares to touch you, I will exterminate their entire clan!"
Lu Fan was slightly stunned, an embarrassed expression appearing on his face. Princess Linglong's words left him somewhat at a loss.
"Princess, you..."
Xiao Qing, with a hint of awkwardness, didn't know how to remind her. For a dignified dynasty princess to speak such words, who knew what others would think if they heard it.
Princess Linglong was taken aback, instantly sensing something was amiss. Her face flushed: "Uh, it's nothing, I'll take my leave now!"
With that, Princess Linglong fled, not daring to delay, her heart pounding wildly.
Not long after leaving the inn, Xiao Qing caught up to her.
"Did I just lose my composure?"
Princess Linglong asked, "Should I not have said that?"
"You didn't lose your composure, Princess was very imposing just now!"
Xiao Qing said solemnly, "I imagine His Highness the Prince Consort must be very pleased. With the Princess protecting him, I doubt anything will happen."
Princess Linglong nodded, her expression instantly turning cold: "Who is responsible for this? I must investigate this matter thoroughly. To dare to touch my man, they truly don't know death!"
Meanwhile, within the Grand Palace Hall, the Dragon Emperor sat on the main seat, his expression filled with coldness.
"Your Majesty, why have you summoned me to court?"
The head of the Zhao family arrived, looking travel-worn, as if he hadn't dared to delay at all.
"The Prince Consort was assassinated last night, do you know about this matter?"
The Dragon Emperor asked coldly, his words carrying a significant meaning.
"This old minister knows nothing!"
The head of the Zhao family repeatedly said, "I was heavily intoxicated last night. This morning, upon waking, I was summoned to the palace!"
"Then, in your opinion, who is responsible for this?"
The Dragon Emperor smiled faintly, looking towards the head of the Zhao family.
"This..."
The head of the Zhao family's expression shifted: "Your Majesty summoning me here, you must suspect the Zhao family. Tianyun, though ignorant, would not go as far as to assassinate the Prince Consort!"
"If it wasn't the Zhao family, it would be for the best!"
The Dragon Emperor nodded, "You should understand, the Prince Consort's status is special, and he cannot be provoked lightly. Otherwise, what remains of the royal family's dignity!"
"This old minister understands!"
The head of the Zhao family quickly cupped his fists, "But this old minister swears, this matter is absolutely not the work of the Zhao family!"
"Alright, I didn't say it was the Zhao family!"
The Dragon Emperor waved his hand, "I am merely reminding you, lest you act foolishly!"
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty!"
The head of the Zhao family cupped his fists, his body swaying slightly, clearly scared. He knew that the Dragon Emperor's actions meant he suspected the Zhao family, otherwise, he wouldn't have summoned him to the palace.
"Alright, I am also tired, you may withdraw!" The Dragon Emperor waved his hand.
"This old minister takes his leave!"
The head of the Zhao family cupped his fists and then headed out of the palace hall.
Not long after he left, the Dragon Emperor looked at Steward Li by his side, "Go and investigate, who exactly is responsible! To assassinate the Prince Consort within the Imperial City, what of the royal family's dignity!"
"Your Majesty, this old servant fears it will be difficult to investigate!"
Steward Li frowned, "The person who made the move might very well be from one of the three great families. If that is the case, wouldn't it shake the very foundation of the dynasty!"
"Hmph, if it is someone from the three great families, they will still be punished severely!" The Dragon Emperor's expression was icy.
"This old servant obeys!" Steward Li quickly cupped his fists.
Not long after, Princess Linglong barged into the hall, "Father Emperor, you must do justice for me!"
"You girl, I knew you would come!"
The Dragon Emperor glanced at her, "Is this about the Prince Consort's matter?"
"Since Father Emperor already knows, you must give the Prince Consort an explanation!"
Princess Linglong said coldly, "Otherwise, how can I face the Prince Consort!"
"Don't worry, I have already dispatched Steward Li to investigate this matter thoroughly!"
The Dragon Emperor comforted her, "You don't need to rush it!"
"What else is there to investigate!"
Princess Linglong shook her head, "Isn't it clearly the Zhao family's doing? The Prince Consort offended the Zhao family that day, and they held a grudge. Does this still need investigating?"
"You are still young and don't understand some things,"
The Dragon Emperor shook his head, "However, rest assured, your father will thoroughly investigate this matter!"
"But..."
Princess Linglong wanted to say more, but the Dragon Emperor slowly closed his eyes, unwilling to say anything further.
"Your Majesty is resting, Princess, please withdraw!"
Steward Li smiled, "This old servant will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly!"
Princess Linglong was extremely annoyed, but she was utterly helpless.
Meanwhile, in the Zhao family courtyard, Zhao Tianyun was playing cockfighting with a few subordinates. Old Master Zhao walked over with a gloomy expression.
"Grandfather, you went to the imperial palace, why do you have such an expression?" Zhao Tianyun asked in surprise.
"You still have the nerve to ask!"
The head of the Zhao family said coldly, "The Prince Consort was assassinated last night, do you know about this?"
"Of course, I know. The entire Imperial City is abuzz with it!"
Zhao Tianyun shrugged, "That brat is really lucky, he's actually fine. I heard the assassin was a Venerable!"
*Slap...*
The head of the Zhao family slapped him, "You prodigal son, how dare you speak such arrogant words! Do you know what the outside world is saying?"
"Grandfather, you don't think I arranged for the assassin, do you?"
Zhao Tianyun looked wronged, "I never arranged anything. He is now the Prince Consort. No matter how foolish I am, I wouldn't run headfirst into a gun!"
"Hmph! Even if I believe you, will the Princess believe it? Will the royal family believe it?"
The head of the Zhao family said coldly, "For the next few days, you are not to leave the estate. Meditate and reflect. If any further trouble arises, the Zhao family is in peril!"
"How can it be so serious!" Zhao Tianyun was surprised. He hadn't seen his grandfather like this in many years.
"Factional struggles are no trivial matter!"
Old Master Zhao said solemnly, "One wrong step, and you lose everything. Someone must be targeting the Zhao family for this to happen!"
Zhao Tianyun's expression shifted. If that were indeed the case, as the young master of the Zhao family, how could he sit idly by.
Meanwhile, in the inn, Lu Fan was leisurely drinking tea.
"My Lord, was last night's assassination the work of the Zhao family?" Duan Tianya asked.
"Not necessarily!"
Lu Fan shook his head, "Although the Zhao family has immense power, they wouldn't dare to be so blatant!"
"Then, according to your Lord's meaning, the person who made the move is someone else!" Duan Tianya was bewildered.
"If my guess is correct, it should be one of the three great families!"