Assassination
"Xue Susu, to appear before His Majesty!"
An eunuch's high-pitched voice pierced the air, adding a touch of color to the otherwise dull vegetarian feast.
Xue Susu's entrance was a spectacle. As the palace musicians played a light and elegant melody, she glided into the plaza like a gentle breeze. Dressed in pink silk robes that flowed like flower petals, she wore a delicate flower ornament on her forehead. Her steps were measured and graceful.
She was the embodiment of elegance, with captivating beauty.
Xue Susu reached the center of the plaza and, without a word, gracefully curtsied. When she rose, her body swayed, perfectly synchronized with the music.
For a moment, even Fan Li was mesmerized. Xue Susu's grace and artistry were undeniable, lacking the usual vulgarity of courtesans. It was a performance fit for the heavens.
Was she truly the Painting Sage, or was she the Dance Sage?
Fan Li couldn't help but wonder.
The music ended, and Xue Susu bowed once more.
"Your subject, Xue Susu, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand ten thousand years!"
Emperor Jiajing remained silent.
Time stretched on, the silence heavy and oppressive. Fan Li couldn't help but wonder if the Emperor had seen through Xue Susu's true identity.
Was he considering killing her right here and now?
"You may rise."
Finally, Emperor Jiajing spoke.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The moment Xue Susu stood up, the Emperor's next words shocked everyone.
"Come closer."
Stunned, the guests stared at the Emperor, then at Xue Susu.
Even Yan Shifan couldn't conceal his astonishment.
Xue Susu herself seemed surprised, her face flushed with a mix of apprehension and excitement.
It was clear that this wasn't part of the plan.
"Strange…"
Fan Li searched his memories of the Great Ming Dynasty.
"Emperor Jiajing is known for his austere lifestyle and dedicated cultivation. Although he has a harem, he rarely visits his concubines."
"Could it be… that the old tree is about to blossom anew?"
That thought, unvoiced by Fan Li, echoed in the minds of many guests.
Xue Susu obeyed the Emperor's command and slowly approached the throne.
Fifteen steps.
Fourteen…
Thirteen…
Twelve…
Eleven…
Ten!
Fan Li unconsciously clenched his fists, anticipating a scene straight out of a martial arts novel – an assassination attempt ten steps from the throne!
Whether the Emperor or the Painting Sage perished, it would be a favorable outcome for him.
But as Xue Susu reached five steps from the throne, still no attack came.
Fan Li could clearly sense that there wasn't a trace of spiritual energy fluctuation within her. She was, for all intents and purposes, a mortal.
How could this be?
Was she still using the 'Immortal in the Painting' technique, concealing her true cultivation?
But her hands were empty. She couldn't possibly conjure a painting out of thin air to release her hidden power.
'Could it be… that she doesn't intend to strike? Should I warn the Emperor?'
Fan Li contemplated this. If he exposed Xue Susu's true identity, she was doomed.
But how could he, a mere representative of the Fan Clan Trading Company, a lowly merchant, possibly see through the Painting Sage's disguise? Once Xue Susu was apprehended, how could he explain himself?
The likely outcome was that he would be "interrogated" by the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Eastern Depot agents. Losing a clone would be a significant setback, and the Fan Clan Trading Company's operations in the Great Ming would surely be uprooted. Then, his plan to rescue Hu Zongxian would be impossible.
"Alas…"
He couldn't borrow the Emperor's blade to eliminate his enemy. It was incredibly frustrating.
The Emperor, seated on his throne, finally spoke. He had a rare, almost gentle smile on his face.
"Your name is Xue Susu?"
"This subject, Xue Susu, greets Your Majesty."
Each of Xue Susu's bows was as graceful as a dance movement, a display of elegant artistry.
"You may rise. There's no need for such formalities. Perhaps you won't believe this, but although I am the Emperor, I dislike being constantly bowed to and greeted with grand gestures."
To everyone's surprise, Emperor Jiajing's attitude towards Xue Susu was unexpectedly approachable.
He continued his praise.
"You have done well. The charity auction raised a significant sum, alleviating my worries. The Great Ming might be the world's most powerful nation, but with vast territories and millions of citizens, our treasury is never full. Speaking of money… I envy the Chu kingdom. They have the Fan Clan Trading Company to help them."
The Emperor's words were half-joking, his gaze casually falling upon Fan Li.
Fan Li, remembering his role as a Chu merchant, hastily lowered his head, feigning apprehension.
"There's no need for alarm."
Emperor Jiajing, across the vast plaza, smiled at Fan Li.
"Although you are a Chu national, you have rendered meritorious service to the Great Ming. I am pleased."
Fan Li rolled his eyes inwardly. Meritorious service to the Great Ming? Wouldn't that make him a traitor to the Great Chu?
Fortunately, Emperor Jiajing quickly lost interest in him, and looked at Xue Susu.
"You…"
"Your Majesty, be careful!"
To everyone's astonishment, it was Xue Susu who raised the alarm.
Her scream echoed through the plaza. The next moment, Emperor Jiajing reacted.
A deafening phoenix cry shattered the air! Behind the Emperor, a crimson bird, bathed in flames, materialized.
The Vermilion Bird of the Great Ming!
The nation's divine protector spread its wings behind the Emperor, forming a barrier of fire.
An instant later, a silver flash shot towards them from the distance. It was an arrow!
The arrowhead pierced the Vermilion Bird's back, lodging itself deep within the divine beast's flesh, but stopping there, unable to penetrate any further.
"Protect the Emperor!"
"Assassin!"
Chaos erupted in the plaza. Imperial guards and eunuchs swarmed the throne, while the guests trembled in fear.
Only Emperor Jiajing remained calm. He picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip.
The silver arrow had been aimed at the Emperor's head. If not for the Vermilion Bird's intervention, it would have pierced through his skull, killing him instantly.
Xue Susu's face paled. She stumbled, falling into the Emperor's arms. He casually caught her with one hand.
The Emperor's voice, steady and commanding, resonated through the plaza.
"Do not panic. The empire is safe."
As he spoke, the Vermilion Bird let out a piercing cry.
The silver arrow embedded in its back was consumed by flames. The divine protector was unharmed.
The Vermilion Bird shot skyward, disappearing into the distance.
Emperor Jiajing, still holding Xue Susu in his arms, continued to sip his tea.
Moments later, the Vermilion Bird returned, hovering in mid-air. The guests, including Fan Li, could clearly see bloodstains on its talons. It wasn't the divine beast's own blood.
"Oh?" Emperor Jiajing, sharing a mental connection with the Vermilion Bird, chuckled. "They escaped?"
The divine bird let out another cry, transforming into a raging inferno that filled the sky. Slowly, the flames subsided, and the Vermilion Bird vanished.
"Uh…"
Yan Shifan, glancing around nervously, spoke softly.
"Your Majesty, may I inquire as to what just occurred?"
"It was nothing," Emperor Jiajing said dismissively. "Just a Great Vehicle realm assassin."
The guests were astonished. Yan Shifan immediately dropped to his knees.
"Your Majesty is invincible! How dare those insignificant wretches attempt to harm you!"
Throughout the palace, countless voices echoed his praise.
"Your Majesty is invincible!"
"Long live the Great Ming!"
Emperor Jiajing smiled faintly, setting aside his teacup. However, he still held Xue Susu in his arms.
"Issue an imperial decree!" he commanded.
"Xue Susu, for her meritorious service in protecting the Emperor, is hereby granted the title of Imperial Consort. She shall reside in the Zhongcui Palace. Her courtesy title shall be 'Consort Rou'. "