After rebirth, I cried and criticized the prince

"Girl, there are bloodstains here." Xiao Zhu squatted on the grass in the flower hall, looking at a few drops of red blood hanging on the grass leaves.

Helan Xuenuo bent down and looked with Xiaozhu, then walked towards the source of the blood. After walking for a while, they found a few drops of blood on the grass near Qi Didi's courtyard.

Helan Xuenuo bent down, touched the blood, and twisted it between her fingertips. "He escaped."

"The female assassin escaped?"

"Ah."

Helan Xuenuo looked at the palace guards standing outside Qi Didi's courtyard. She walked closer and asked, "Who has been to Miss Qi's courtyard today?"

The palace soldier replied, "Twelve maids came today. Eleven left first, and the last one will leave later."

"One leaves later?"

"Yes."

“What’s wrong?”

"The last maid left with a shoulder pole full of things on her shoulder."

"Do you have any doubts, girl?"

"It's okay, no need to tell me I was here."

Last night, when Helan Xuenuo saw Yuan Xu's capture go in vain, she had become suspicious. In both her previous and current lives, the female assassin had been elusive. It turned out Qi Didi had protected her and allowed her to escape. She simply didn't know Qi Didi's motives. Was she in cahoots with the assassin? But assassinating Yuan Fu certainly didn't make sense.

Helan Xuenuo frowned and shook her head, "Xiaozhu, let's go."

"Miss, why don't you just go in and ask? We have evidence. The blood disappeared when it reached her courtyard door. She's not a ghost! I've always suspected she had ulterior motives."

"Strike the snake at its most vulnerable part. All we're doing is just whining without any real purpose. It's useless."

Helan Xuenuo did this just to stop herself from being led by Qi Didi. She wanted to get more evidence against Qi Didi, which would come in handy at some point.

After driving Xiaozhu back to the yard, she went to the training ground by herself.

Yuan Xu was riding a horse at full speed in the riding field, the galloping horse's hooves raised up a cloud of dust. Yuan Xu's hair was all tied up, and his sleeves were bulging because of the wind. He turned around and smiled brightly at Helan Xuenuo, looking heroic and dashing as a young man.

He slowed down and returned to the stable, leading a horse to Helan Xuenuo, a few drops of sweat on his tanned skin, "Get on the horse."

After Helan Xuenuo climbed onto the horse, he withdrew his gaze. "Good news from the South Pass: a great victory."

Yuan Xu and Helan Xuenuo rode side by side, but the expression on Helan Xuenuo's face was not as happy as expected. She was naturally not happy, because this great victory was due to Gu Shicheng, and this was the glorious moment for Gu Shicheng to be crowned king and appointed prime minister. Thinking of this, she felt so angry that her teeth were itching.

"You're so calm, did you calculate it again?"

When Helan Xuenuo heard what Yuan Xu said, she suddenly felt less annoyed and started to laugh.

"The soldiers guarding Qi Didi's courtyard should withdraw. She escaped."

"Your sister is indeed quite capable."

"Have you found out the identity of this assassin?"

"No, but I couldn't find it even after searching the entire capital. I think it must be hidden in a powerful family. It's not that simple. Yesterday I stabbed her palm, severing the meridians and going straight through her. Even if the wound heals, it will definitely leave a scar."

"Oh, you're lucky to have managed to escape like this. By the way, how's the matter with the Qi Mansion that I asked you to investigate last time?"

"I'll tell you again after the spies report back in a few days."

The story of the female assassin ended here.

The capital has been very lively these days. The battle at Nanguan was a great victory and the news spread throughout the capital. The news first came from Hanxiang Pavilion and then to Wenxiang Tower.

Everyone was having a lively discussion.

"I thought this prince was just good-looking, but I didn't expect him to be such a young hero."

"I heard that he led his cavalry in a surprise attack, causing the enemy to be routed and flee back to Ulan Kingdom overnight."

"The Ulan Kingdom has evil ambitions and attacks every now and then. I think we should send people to wipe them out sooner rather than later."

"I heard that the terrain of Ulan Country is unique and easy to defend but difficult to attack."

The people were discussing this so enthusiastically, which shows how well Gu Shicheng fought in this battle.

Two days later, in front of all the ministers, the emperor conferred the title of "Prince of Ding'an" on Gu Shicheng.

"What other reward do you want?"

"I haven't thought of it yet. I'll ask Your Majesty for it when I do."

The emperor loved his nephew very much.

Gu Shicheng's father, the old prince, and the emperor were born to the same mother. The old prince put in a lot of effort before the emperor ascended the throne. However, the old prince was in poor health and died of illness at a young age, leaving behind this child.

At that time, the palace was in chaos and other princes were trying to seize the throne. The old prince led his troops into the palace to rescue the emperor and kill the rebels and traitors.

At that time, Gu Shicheng was kidnapped by rebels and threatened the prince. However, for the sake of the world, the prince was unwilling to be shaken and would rather sacrifice his son.

Later, during the kidnapping, Gu Shicheng found an opportunity to escape and walked back to Beijing. His clothes were tattered and he fainted from hunger on the street.

It was also at that time that the Qi Mansion was still prosperous. Qi Didi rode a carriage out on the street and met Gu Shicheng who was blocking the middle of the road. She gave Gu Shicheng a pancake.

From that time on, Gu Shicheng fell in love with Qi Didi, and Qi Didi became a cinnabar mole in his heart.

Until they met again at the Winter Banquet, his love had no place to go and was completely released.

Originally, there was no reason to reward this nephew, but this time, taking advantage of the battle at Nanguan, the emperor gave him a special reward.

The old princess took Aunt Cui to touch the emperor's reward over and over again, feeling deeply moved.

When Gu Shicheng was living on the streets, everyone assumed that he would never come back, and even hung white cloth on his head to make a tombstone.

Unexpectedly, the old princess vowed to see Gu Shicheng's body until her death. She ate vegetarian food, chanted Buddhist scriptures every day, and finally waited for her son to come back.

But after that, Gu Shicheng became silent and taciturn, and even when the old prince died, he did not shed a single tear.

The old princess stroked Aunt Cui's supporting hand and said, "We'll prepare a banquet in a few days. It's called the Spring Banquet. When the time comes, we'll invite all the young men and women from all the families. Cheng'er should get married soon. I want to hold my grandson."

"Well, old princess, the young prince is such a young talent, and he has such a handsome face. Which girl wouldn't like our young prince? I'm afraid she would knock down the door."

It was three days later that Helan Xuenuo received the invitation to the Spring Banquet. She sat under the mulberry tree in the yard, looking at the invitation over and over again. When she received this invitation in her previous life, she was so happy that she couldn't sleep for several nights, but now it felt hot to the touch.

Of course, Qi Didi also received the invitation.

She knew that it must be the list that Gu Shicheng requested to be added to.

"Girl, how come Miss Qi also received the post this time?" Xiao Zhu was sitting next to her, his face full of curiosity, thinking with his chin in his hand.

"What else could it be? Of course it was added by Prince Ding'an himself."

"You mean..."

Xiao Zhu's face became indignant.

"Did the people you asked to follow Qi Didi discover anything unusual a few days ago?"

Xiao Zhu rubbed his head and replied after a while, "I spent money to hire people from the spy tower to follow her, but Miss Qi hasn't left the house much recently. She has been to the fabric shop a few times and ordered a few dresses."

The answer was within Helan Xuenuo's expectations.

"The snake is about to come out of its hole. Send someone to follow it closely."