Chapter 330 Assassination
When Zhao Qixuan and Su Yi came together, Zhao Qixuan still had a little embarrassment and awkwardness on his face.

The emperor's sharp eyes looked at the two men for a moment and then he smiled.

They were obviously two talented people, one with an unparalleled business acumen, and the other with extraordinary talent, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, rituals, music and archery. The family had high hopes for them, but these two fell in love with each other and would rather give up their future and titles to enjoy the mountains and rivers.

It is said that Zhao Qixuan has proposed to give up the title many times, but Marquis Yongning still refused to give up and still hoped that his son would turn over a new leaf one day. But Prime Minister Su was so angry that he almost vomited blood. He tried all kinds of means, including beating, scolding and exile, but finally gave up and didn't care anymore.

"Didn't you go to the south? When did you come back?" the emperor spoke slowly.

Su Yi replied: "I have been back for a few days."

The emperor pretended to be dignified: "You are back now, but you don't stay at home to be filial to your elders. You don't come to the palace to see me, but hide here and enjoy yourself."

Zhao Qixuan said embarrassedly: "My father said that he misses me sometimes when he can't see me, and gets very angry when he sees me. So, I will go up the mountain when I come back, and my father won't have to worry about me or get angry."

The emperor was drinking tea and almost spit it out, choking his trachea and starting to cough.

Concubine Shu quickly rubbed the emperor's back to help him calm down.

Su Yi glanced at Zhao Qixuan indifferently and asked, "Can you speak properly?"
The emperor paused and sneered, "Let's talk about border trade! How is it going over there?"

Speaking of border trade, Zhao Qixuan was overjoyed: "Your Majesty, your decision is so wise. You chose such a place where three countries meet. In name, it is to build a bridge between Nanyue and Huai Song, but in fact, it also includes Xifan. Nanyue and Xifan are rich in resources, but their commerce and handicrafts lag behind Huai Song for many years. There is a great demand for our silk, tea, porcelain, etc. in Huai Song, which is equivalent to opening up the market of the two countries. At the same time, we can purchase medicinal materials, iron ore and other materials there at a low price to make up for the shortage of Huai Song. It is really a policy that benefits the country and the people."

The emperor felt so relaxed after hearing the flattery that his expression became even more amiable.

Su Yi said: "When we went there, it was still a deserted village. Now merchants from all over the country have flocked in, and with the strong support of the court, it has developed rapidly and has become quite large. I think that within three years, it will become a prosperous place no less than Yangzhou."

The emperor was deeply pleased, as this would greatly increase the court's tax revenue.

"So, this time we came back to raise money and prepare for a big event. After all, we are also from Jinling, so if we want to do something, we have to do it with the momentum and pomp of the people in the imperial capital." Zhao Qixuan continued.

The emperor was delighted: "Okay, okay, the prosperity of the border town is also a credit to you, but I have to make it clear that you are not allowed to evade taxes."

Zhao Qixuan said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, look at what you said. I have always been law-abiding and a moral and self-disciplined person. I will never do such a thing as tax evasion. I have made a lot of money, so why should I let the court suffer? I have no other ability, but I just want to pay more taxes, which can be regarded as contributing to the court."

Su Yi's mouth twitched, and he despised the slick flatterer in his heart. But he just liked his eccentricity, what a sin!
Seeing that the emperor and his ministers were chatting happily, and that the emperor had not been so happy for a long time, Concubine Shu suggested heating a pot of wine.

The emperor readily agreed.

After a while, fine wine and delicious food were served.

The emperor said, "If I hadn't heard the music of Lord Su just now, I wouldn't have known that you two brats were back."

Su Yi said: "The moon is bright overhead, the pine trees are rustling, and I was so excited that I couldn't help but want to show off my skills. I disturbed the emperor, and I am terrified."

The emperor waved his hand and said, "It's okay."

"I heard that your zither skills were passed down from Mr. Ouyang. No one in Huaisong can match you. It's a rare opportunity that the emperor is in a good mood today. How about playing the zither for you, Mr. Su?"

Su Yi hurriedly stood up and saluted: "I obey your order."

Concubine Shu said, "It just so happens that I brought Luqi with me when I came to the palace this time. I will ask someone to fetch her now."

"But is it the Luqi that is as famous as Mr. Ouyang's Jiaowei?" Su Yi said with emotion, no longer having his previous calm and composed look.

A hint of pride flashed across Concubine Shu's eyes, and she said in a gentle voice, "That's right."

Su Yi said solemnly: "It is really my honor. I will burn incense and clean my hands. I dare not tarnish the name of Luqi."

After a moment, a palace maid came with a zither and placed it on the piano table.

Su Yi sat cross-legged, stroking the strings of the zither with some excitement. It was a rare opportunity to even see such a famous zither handed down from generation to generation, let alone play it.

The whole body of the zither was black with a faint green hue, like green vines entwined around ancient wood. I tried to pluck the strings, and the sound was gurgling and lingering, very pleasant to the ear.

Zhao Qixuan said to the emperor with a smile: "He is obsessed with the zither. I guess he won't wash his hands for three days after returning home today."

The emperor laughed heartily again. Zhao Qixuan was really a funny guy who could always make people happy.

Su Yi couldn't help but give Zhao Qixuan a stern look, then closed his eyes and concentrated. Before the piano started playing, his mind was already moving.

The slender white fingers rolled up, like a breeze blowing through the pine forest, stirring up waves of pine trees.

Sit or lie on a rock, lean against an ancient pine tree, listen to a song in the morning, as if drinking the dew, watch the clouds gradually rise between the mountains, and fly freely above the thousands of feet. Slowly, the pine wind and the cranes dance, slowly, the blue smoke rises from the valley, all sounds are silent, the flying birds understand, cleanse the worldly heart, escape from the three realms and return to seclusion...

The song "Lying Down and Watching the Clouds Rise" is as leisurely as the wind, as light as the clouds. The sky is high, the earth is vast, and the heart is leisurely, leaping at the fingertips.

The lingering sound gradually faded away, but the people in the hall had not yet come back to their senses, and were all immersed in the music. Zhao Qixuan stared at Su Yi infatuatedly, unwilling to look away for a moment.

Whoosh...a discordant sound of breaking through the air was heard.

Su Yi grabbed the half-burned incense sticks in the incense burner, waved his hand and threw them, and the three incense sticks shot out like three sharp arrows.

With a ding sound, the arrow that was coming at you at full speed was hit. However, the arrow was so powerful that it was slightly disturbed and flew towards the emperor on the dragon throne at a high speed.

There was another thud, and the hidden arrow pierced the emperor's hair and hit the rosewood screen with a dragon carving behind him.

Everyone just woke up, and Eunuch Wei shouted loudly: "There is an assassin, protect the emperor..."

Before he could finish his words, another row of hidden arrows broke through the window and shot straight at the emperor.

Everyone was so frightened that their breathing stopped. The emperor was unable to react and didn't know where to hide. However, Concubine Shu immediately slid off the chair and crawled on the ground.

In a flash, Su Yi jumped out, as light as a swallow, with a sword in his hand, swinging at the arrows. At the same time, the infatuated Zhao Qixuan

He threw himself towards the emperor without hesitation, wanting to use his body to block the arrow for him.

Swish... Su Yi shot down several arrows, but one still hit Zhao Qixuan and penetrated into his shoulder.

When Su Yi saw that Zhao Qixuan was injured, he glared at her and rushed out through the window with his sword in hand.

Zhao Qixuan endured the pain, turned over and protected the emperor under him, and kicked over the table in front of him.

The guards heard the news and moved. Some of them rushed towards the place where the assassin was hiding, while others rushed into the hall to form a human shield to protect the emperor.

Seeing that the crisis was temporarily resolved, Zhao Qixuan endured the pain and climbed up, saying, "Your Majesty, the situation was critical just now, and I have offended your majesty. Please forgive me."

After all, the emperor was the supreme ruler who looked down upon the world, so he immediately calmed down and said, "You have done a great service in protecting the emperor, so you have done nothing wrong."

His eyes gleamed with rage, and he shouted, "We must capture the assassin alive. I will interrogate him personally."

Someone actually dared to assassinate the emperor. This is outrageous.

Concubine Shu also got up in a panic, with a look of panic on her face, and asked with concern: "Your Majesty, are you okay? Are you injured?"

The emperor glanced at her coldly and ignored her.

Concubine Shu was very uneasy. She was afraid that her subconscious avoidance just now would make the emperor unhappy. Zhao Qixuan was willing to block the arrow for the emperor regardless of his life, but she dodged it. Concubine Shu regretted it very much. If she had known earlier, she would not have dodged. But it happened too suddenly. It was too late to regret it now. She missed a good opportunity in vain.

Not daring to offend the emperor again, Concubine Shu turned her concern to Zhao Qixuan and hurriedly asked someone to call the imperial physician.

Zhao Qixuan shook his head and said, "The assassins have not been caught yet, and we don't know how many of them there are. We should hold our ground and ensure the emperor's safety first."

There was a little more admiration in the emperor's eyes when he looked at Zhao Qixuan. His loyalty was evident and he could keep his composure in the face of difficulties. He was a man of character, but the emperor usually underestimated him.

There was a loud banging outside. Not long after, Su Yi came back with a sword in hand. He said coldly, "I am incompetent and the assassin is very skilled. I fought with him for a few moves, but he ran away. Now the commander of the guards has led people to chase him."

The emperor waved his hand and ordered the guards to impose martial law outside. He then said, "It is fortunate that you two are here today, otherwise, I would have been killed."

Su Yi suddenly knelt down and apologized, "I was summoned by the emperor today. I came in a hurry and forgot to take off the soft sword at my waist. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The emperor didn't have time to pursue these things at the moment. Besides, if Su Yi hadn't brought the sword, today would have been dangerous.

"Get up! Did you find anything when you fought with the assassin just now?"

Su Yi said: "The man had his face covered, so I couldn't see his appearance clearly. His moves were ruthless, and his martial arts skills were even better than mine."

"Report..." A guard ran in.

"Your Majesty, we found a badge at the place where the assassins were fighting." The guard presented a black badge with both hands.

Eunuch Wei went to take it and handed it to the emperor.

The emperor's eyes spit fire when he saw this, his lips trembled, and after a long while, he managed to utter a word through his teeth: "This rebellious son..."

Su Yi was shocked: "Your Majesty..."

The emperor handed the badge to Zhao Qixuan who was standing beside him. Zhao Qixuan was also shocked when he saw the badge: "Dong... is it the East Palace?"

Concubine Shu, who was originally depressed because she failed to protect the emperor in time, suddenly felt happy. It turned out to be a killer sent by the Eastern Palace. That's great. Now the prince can't explain himself even if he has a lot of mouths.

(End of this chapter)