From cute to empress

I nodded slightly, signaling Zhen Youcai to continue. Scholar Zhao and Instructor Sun exchanged glances, seemingly sensing the unusual atmosphere. Zhen Youcai whispered in my ear, his voice rapid and low, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince... seems to be plotting something bad against the First Prince, and the plan is for tomorrow's autumn hunt!"

My heart trembled, a chill running down my spine. The Third Prince and the First Prince had always been at odds, and this was no secret to the court. But I had never imagined he would be so brazen as to attack the Crown Prince right under the Emperor's nose!

"Is the news reliable?" I asked in a low voice, trying not to reveal my feelings.

"It's absolutely true, it's..." Zhen Youcai was about to reveal the source of the information when I raised my hand to interrupt him, shaking my head slightly to signal him to stop. Walls have ears, and there are some things the less you know, the better. I have my own judgment.

"I understand. You can leave first." I said lightly, but my eyes gradually became sharper.

Zhen Youcai glanced at me worriedly, wanting to say something but holding back, before finally bowing and retreating. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil within me. It seemed that this seemingly peaceful harem was actually rife with undercurrents, and a single misstep could lead to disaster.

Seeing my expression turn gloomy, Master Zhao and Instructor Sun didn't dare to say anything and simply took their leave. I paced the hall alone, my thoughts racing. The Third Prince's choice of the Autumn Hunt must have been premeditated. The hunting grounds are brutal, and even if the First Prince were to suffer an accident, it could be chalked up to a hunting incident, unnoticed.

No, I absolutely cannot sit idly by and do nothing! I secretly made up my mind to prevent this tragedy from happening no matter what.

"Come here," I called over to the palace maid, "pass down the order. I will also participate in tomorrow's autumn hunt!"

The maid was horrified upon hearing this. "Your Majesty, this... this is illogical! You are a noble concubine, how can you easily take risks?"

I waved my hand, my tone unquestionable: "I will handle this matter properly. Just go and pass on the order."

Seeing that I had made up my mind, the maid dared not say anything more and withdrew. I looked at her back, a look of determination flashing in my eyes.

Third Prince, since you want to play, then I'll play with you! The autumn wind was bleak, and the flags fluttered. The royal hunting grounds, located on the outskirts of the city, were bustling with activity. I, dressed in riding clothes, rode atop a chestnut horse with a dashing presence, my gaze piercing the surroundings.

Zhen Youcai, dressed in a sturdy outfit, rode beside me on horseback, his expression alert, always paying attention to the surrounding movements. We both knew that today's autumn hunt was more than just a simple hunt.

"Your Majesty, look over there..." Zhen Youcai lowered his voice and pointed in one direction.

I followed his gaze and saw the Third Prince whispering something to several of his followers. His expression was sinister, and he kept glancing at the nearby First Prince. I sneered inwardly. It seemed like the show was about to begin.

The eldest prince, unaware that he had become prey, was enthusiastically chasing a sika deer, gradually moving away from the crowd. Seeing this, the third prince's mouth curled up in a sinister arc, and he winked at his followers behind him. The followers understood his intention and followed quietly.

"Let's go!" I whispered, squeezing my legs against the horse's belly and chasing after the eldest prince. Zhen Youcai followed closely behind, not daring to slack off even for a moment.

When we arrived, several followers of the Third Prince had already surrounded the First Prince. On the surface, they were "assisting" the First Prince in hunting, but in fact they were harboring murderous intentions, waiting for the Third Prince's order to kill.

"How dare you! What do you want to do?!" I shouted sternly, and at the same time drew the sword at my waist, pointing the sword directly at the third prince.

The sudden change stunned everyone. The third prince's followers looked at each other, not knowing what to do for a moment.

"Sister-in-law, what do you mean?" The third prince asked with a dark face, suppressing his anger.

I sneered, "Your Highness the Third Prince knows exactly what I mean! How dare you harm the Crown Prince in broad daylight? Who gave you the guts?!"

A flash of panic crossed the Third Prince's eyes, but he quickly calmed down and said, "Your Majesty's wife has misunderstood. I was only assisting you in hunting and had no ill intentions."

"Really?" I sneered. "Then why did you surround my brother? Is this what you call 'assistance'?"

I stared at the Third Prince with a sharp gaze and spoke in a stern tone, not giving him any chance to quibble.

The Third Prince's face paled and blue after I exposed him in public, but he was speechless. His sinister gaze swept over Zhen Youcai and me, and he finally walked away in anger, swishing his sleeves. Before leaving, he uttered a harsh word: "This prince will remember what happened today!"

I sneered inwardly. This empty threat had no deterrent effect on me. I dismounted, walked over to the eldest prince, and asked with concern, "Brother, are you okay?"

The eldest prince clearly hadn't recovered from the sudden change. He stared at me blankly, and after a while, he finally reacted and stammered, "No, it's okay... Thank you, my brother and sister-in-law, for saving me..."

I smiled faintly, turned to look at Zhen Youcai, and ordered: "Clean up the things here, and let's go back to the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhen Youcai accepted the order and began directing the guards to handle the situation. I supported the eldest prince and walked back in the direction we came from.

The atmosphere on the way back to the palace was particularly heavy. I knew the Third Prince wouldn't let this go, and what happened today would only make him angrier.

Sure enough, just as we were about to arrive at the palace, a group of men in black suddenly rushed out from the woods on the side of the road and attacked us without saying a word.

"Protect the Queen!" Zhen Youcai shouted, drew his sword, stood in front of me, and fought with the man in black.

These men in black were clearly well-trained assassins, each one ruthless and intent on killing. Zhen Youcai, a skilled martial artist, was able to handle the situation with ease even when outnumbered.

However, at this moment, a cold arrow broke through the air and shot straight at my face!

"My Lady, be careful!" Zhen Youcai exclaimed, and without a second thought, he rushed over and used his body to block the fatal blow for me...

"Zhen Youcai!" I widened my eyes in horror, watching the arrow pierce deep into his chest, and blood instantly dyed his clothes red...

He groaned, a trace of blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, but he forced himself to give me a weak smile: "Don't be afraid... I'm fine..."

My head buzzed, my vision went dark, and I nearly fainted. Zhen Youcai, the man who always stood in front of me, the man who would even sacrifice his own life for me, was now lying in my arms, his life or death uncertain.

"Zhen Youcai! Hold on, you will be fine! Someone, come and call the imperial physician!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, tears blurring my vision.

I held his hand tightly, feeling the warmth from his palm, and an unprecedented surge of anger and hatred welled up in my heart. Third Prince, you're the one who forced all of this! I swear, I'll make you pay with blood!

The imperial physician arrived quickly, but seeing his solemn expression, my heart sank. Zhen Youcai was seriously injured, and the arrow was poisoned. Although the imperial physician tried his best to treat him, it was still unknown whether he could wake up.

I stayed by his bedside, caring for him for three whole days and nights, without even taking off my clothes. During those three days, I was in a daze, as if my soul had been torn out of my body. I constantly blamed myself, wondering if I hadn't taken him out of the palace, if I hadn't asked him to protect me, he wouldn't have been hurt, he wouldn't have...

"Your Majesty, you haven't slept for three days and three nights. Please eat something." The palace maid brought me some porridge and looked at me with concern.

I shook my head, looked at Zhen Youcai lying unconscious on the bed, and holding back my tears, asked, "What did the imperial physician say?"

The palace maid sighed and whispered, "The imperial physician said that Guard Zhen's poison has been cleared, but...but whether he can wake up depends on his own luck..."

My heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, making it almost impossible to breathe. Was this God's punishment for me? Just because I wanted to change my fate, to protect the people I wanted to protect, was I going to lose the person I cherished most?

At this moment, there was a slight sound of footsteps outside the door, followed by a deep voice: "Sister-in-law, are you okay?"