Chapter 361

Chapter 361: Ambush

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Yu Niaoniao held her forehead, looking very uncomfortable.

“I thank Her Highness for her kindness, but I haven’t been feeling well for the past two days and have been dizzy. The doctor asked me to rest at home. I’m afraid I won’t be able to enter the palace to admire the flowers and drink tea with Her Highness.”

The young eunuch looked troubled. “I’m afraid that’s not good. This time, not only did Her Highness invite the princess consorts of the capital, but she also invited the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager is very interested in this flower appreciation. If you’re absent, I’m afraid you’ll spoil the Empress Dowager’s mood. At that time, none of us can bear the blame.”

Yu Niaoniao did not believe that Empress Dowager Deng would be angry without her.

Noble Consort Shu must have expected her to refuse and deliberately asked the young eunuch to use the title of Empress Dowager to suppress her. She could reject Noble Consort Shu, but she had to give the Empress Dowager respect.

Yu Niaoniao let out a long sigh and said helplessly.

“Since you insist on me going, I’ll go. However, let me say this first. If I fall sick halfway, don’t blame me for disturbing everyone’s mood in admiring the flowers.”

The young eunuch hurriedly said, “Of course not. There are so many imperial physicians in the palace. If you’re sick, there will be many imperial physicians to treat you. I guarantee that you’ll come back healthy.”

Knowing that Yu Niaoniao was going to the palace tomorrow, Granny Xiu Yan and Meng Xizhou were quite worried.

Since there were no outsiders in the room, Meng Xizhou had no qualms about speaking.

“That Noble Consort Shu must be up to no good!”

Yu Niaoniao threw up her hands. “I know that too, but she’s already brought up the Empress Dowager. I can’t refuse.”

Meng Xizhou said, “I’ll accompany you to the palace tomorrow. I’ll protect you.”

Granny Xiu Yan was worried. “There are many rules in the palace. As long as Noble Consort Shu makes a small plan, she can send you away. At that time, the princess consort will be alone and will find it difficult to protect herself.”

Looking at their worried expressions, Yu Niaoniao smiled and comforted them.

“Don’t put on a bitter face. Since Noble Consort Shu dared to invite me into the palace openly, she won’t do anything to me in the palace.

Otherwise, if anything happens to me, the entire world will know that she did it. Is she that stupid?”

When Meng Xizhou and Granny Xiu Yan heard her words, they felt that they made sense and were slightly relieved.

Although Yu Niaoniao said that, she was actually not optimistic.

Noble Consort Shu had plotted against her before. As the saying went, with the first, there would be a second time. The possibility of it happening again was very high. Even if the emperor would pursue it later, it would only be to make up for things that had happened. It would not be of much use.

In order to ensure her safety, Yu Niaoniao decided to put on the crossbow that Xiao Juan had specially made for her. In addition, she specially asked Lo Pingsha for some powder.

This powder was very stimulating. As long as it touched the skin directly, it would make one itch. If it touched the eyes, it might even make them blind.

Previously, in Liaodong County, Yu Niaoniao had used it to deal with the assassins who ambushed her. The effect was very good.

She had specially named this powder itching powder.

At night, the bridal escort team found a courier station to rest.

The station officials prepared a sumptuous dinner for them.

Xiao Juan did not eat much. He only sat at the table for a while before returning to his room to rest.

He still had to get up early tomorrow. After washing up, he prepared to go to bed.

At this moment, Princess Tao Ran, who lived next door, suddenly screamed in fear.

Xiao Juan immediately put on his coat, picked up the No Return Saber, and quickly rushed out.

When he kicked open the door and rushed into Princess Tao Ran’s room, he found her shouting in the corner.

“A rat just ran past!”

So it was just a rat.

Xiao Juan sheathed his saber and strode over to take a look. He did not see any rats.

However, just in case, he still got someone to call the officials at the courier station and get them to help change Princess Tao Ran’s room.

The official was in a difficult position.

“To be honest, our temple is small and our rooms are limited. Now that they’re all full, we can’t spare a room for Princess Tao Ran for the time being.”

Princess Tao Ran whispered, “If you really can’t, I can stay in Duke Lang’s room. ”

Xiao Juan agreed without thinking.

“Sure.”

Princess Tao Ran was stunned before she was overjoyed.

Xiao Juan agreed so readily. He definitely wanted to live with her.

Unexpectedly, in the next moment, she heard Xiao Juan continue. “My room is vacated for Princess Tao Ran. I’ll sleep in the carriage outside.” The joy in Princess Tao Ran’s heart was immediately extinguished.

She said hurriedly, “No! The rat has gone away anyway. I can sleep here.

There’s no need to change rooms.”

In the middle of the night, Xiao Juan could not be bothered to do anything else. He nodded when he heard her say that.

“Then that’s it. Your Highness, rest well. We’ll take our leave first.”

Princess Tao Ran stopped him. “Brother MO Zhu, please wait. I still have something to tell you.”

Xiao Juan asked, “What is it?”

Princess Tao Ran looked at the others.

Everyone understood and tactfully retreated.

Soon, only Princess Tao Ran and Xiao Juan were left in the room.

Princess Tao Ran walked to the table and picked up the teapot to pour tea. “Brother MO Zhu, it’s been hard on you to run around in the middle of the

night. Hurry up and drink a cup of tea.”

She handed the teacup to Xiao Juan, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Xiao Juan took the teacup, but he did not drink it. Instead, he placed it back on the table.

“Thank you. I’m not thirsty. If you have anything to say, just say it.”

Disappointment flashed in Princess Tao Ran’s eyes.

She sat at the table, picked up the silver shears, and fiddled with the wick of the oil lamp.

“We grew up together and can be considered childhood sweethearts. With our relationship, there’s really no need for you to be so polite.”

Xiao Juan still looked cold. “If there’s nothing else, Princess, I’ll take my leave first.”

With that, he turned around and left.

Princess Tao Ran put down the silver scissors. “Stop!”

Xiao Juan ignored her and walked straight towards the door.

Just as he reached for the door to pull it open, he suddenly felt someone approaching behind him.

He subconsciously bent his right hand and slammed his elbow back.

There was a painful grunt.

Then there was the sound of someone falling to the ground.

Xiao Juan turned around and saw Princess Tao Ran hugging her chest and curling up on the ground. Her face was twisted in pain.

She had wanted to hug Xiao Juan from behind when he was not paying attention. In the end, she received an elbow strike.

As someone who practiced martial arts all year round, Xiao Juan was far stronger than ordinary people.

He almost broke Princess Tao Ran’s ribs.

Xiao Juan frowned at her. “Did you want to ambush me just now?”

Princess Tao Ran was already in extreme pain. When she heard Xiao Juan’s question, she almost vomited blood.

Was he speaking human language?

She, a weak woman, had taken the initiative to throw herself at him, but he actually treated it as a sneak attack! Was there something wrong with this man’s brain?

Princess Tao Ran resisted the urge to vomit blood and gritted her teeth.