The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 411: To avoid being involved altogether, break them one by one (second update)

Chapter 411: To avoid being involved altogether, break them one by one (second update)

Li Yumin had been extra cautious since the last assassination attempt, while ordering people to investigate Qin Rou.

Her Mother Queen had been immersed in palace intrigue for many years, leaving behind numerous lackeys for her to dispatch. Theoretically, looking into a powerless beauty should have been an easy task.

Yet, after several days, not a single clue had been found.

The inability to locate the assassin left her on tenterhooks, unable to sleep or eat in peace.

Li Yumin thought about the masked man who had kidnapped her last time. At the moment, she had been too focused on escaping to ask who they were or how to contact them.

Now, she could only buzz around like a headless fly, without any leads.

Aluo said, "Family Head, why don’t you leave the palace and try your luck? Perhaps those people are also searching for you."

"Not a bad idea."

For two consecutive days, Li Yumin wandered the streets aimlessly, but no one approached her.

Just as she was about to give up, a little beggar bumped into her and thrust a piece of paper into her hand before vanishing into the bustling crowd, slipping away like an eel.

Li Yumin unfolded it and saw written, "Lingyin Temple."

She knew without guessing who had sent the note.

Without delay, she brought her people to Lingyin Temple. Before even entering, she saw a masked man in black standing beside the woods, watching her.

With a dozen or so experts by her side, she was not afraid and walked over to the man in black.

Seeing her approach, the man in black turned and headed deeper into the forest.

Aluo whispered, "Family Head, what if it’s not the person you’re looking for?"

"Better to face it now than to live in constant worry and fear," she replied.

Hearing this, Aluo said no more.

In the depths of the woods, two men in black awaited, their stature resembling the man she had seen before.

Gasping for breath, Li Yumin asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

The leader of the men in black replied, "I will only speak with you."

"Family Head, don’t believe his words. What if he harbors ill intentions towards you?"

The leader of the men in black scoffed, "If I had wanted to kill your Family Head, why would I have saved her?"

Aluo, unaware of the situation, was completely confused.

Li Yumin calmly ordered, "Withdraw a hundred paces and do not eavesdrop."

The people behind her dispersed as commanded.

"Speak, who are you? What do you want?" Li Yumin asked again.

The man in black countered with his own question, "Has Your Highness found out the origin of Consort Rou?"

Li Yumin didn’t answer, wanting to gauge the depth of the other party.

"A woman without power or status, and yet Your Highness has found out nothing about her, doesn’t that make you suspicious?" said the man in black.

"You mentioned wanting to cooperate with me last time. How exactly, and what are your intentions?" she asked.

"My intentions will be clear to Your Highness in due time. But for now, I have another gift for Your Highness," said the man in black.

"What gift?" she asked.

"Six years ago, a young master at a flower house rescued a woman. Skillful in manipulating men, the master charged this woman with a mission: to capture a man’s heart, to obtain intelligence, and to act upon orders."

"Six years ago?" Li Yumin remembered the vixen entered the palace six years ago.

The man in black continued, "As expected, the woman did not disappoint. She quickly gained the favor of that man and secured her position. A steady stream of intelligence was sent to the young master through her, and many became guests of honor in the young master’s presence because of this information. No one dared to provoke him anymore."

"The woman you’re referring to is Qin Rou, and the young master is?"

With a sneer, the man in black said, "Who acts with such impunity in the capital, domineering and fearless of anything?"

"Murong Ce," Li Yumin’s face turned pale, "This is impossible! How could Murong Ce be involved with Consort Rou?"

Could the person behind the attempt on her life be Murong Ce?

The man she had admired for years—decisive in killing, bloodthirsty by nature, capable of anything.

"If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, you can send someone to Chaisang to inquire with the famous courtesan Su Manman. Then you’ll see that what I say is true."

Did Murong Ce really think that by bringing a woman from the remote Chaisang, they would not investigate?

Su Manman was so well-known; many men had seen her. It was impossible to kill them all. A simple inquiry would reveal the truth.

The man in black went on, "Has Your Highness ever considered that you often insult the woman loved by Murong Ce and even facilitated her marriage with the Khitan? Given Murong Ce’s vengeful nature, why has he not taken action yet?"

Li Yumin drew in a sharp breath. She had thought about it before but felt that Murong Ce spared her because of their past affections.

After all, they had known each other since childhood and had grown up together.

When Murong Ce first came to Houliang as a hostage, he had no power or influence, and she had often helped him.

Anyone would feel grateful.

But Murong Ce was not human.

Li Yumin looked at the man in black and asked, "Why?"

"Li Xianyun has already agreed to marry into the Khitan. The situation is set," said the man in black. "Your Highness believes that Murong Ce wants to take back Li Xianyun. With Houliang’s current strength against the Khitan, how would it be?"

"Like an egg striking a rock."

"And what if Houliang and Houtang joined forces?"

"The outcome would be undecided."

"Exactly, the key to facilitating an alliance between Houtang and Houliang lies with Your Highness," said the man in black.

Li Yumin was utterly astonished.

"If Your Highness had died from the assassination attempt last time, there’s no doubt about how His Majesty would react. Now, the document agreeing to the marriage will soon be delivered to Chang’an."

Li Yumin was delighted and murmured, "He has finally agreed to marry me."

However, under the clear gaze of the man in black, Li Yumin calmed down.

"This document is a death warrant for Your Highness. You could face two fates: one is that Murong Ce will not let Your Highness reach Houliang safely. The assassins along the way would be blamed on the Khitan, with the excuse that the Khitan fears the alliance and killed the princess to sabotage it. To avenge Your Highness, His Majesty would surely join forces with Houliang to attack the Khitan."

Li Yumin pursed her lips, "What’s the second fate?"

"If Your Highness safely arrives in Houliang, you will be used as a hostage to pressure Houtang to join forces in attacking the Khitan. Then, Your Highness will have to watch as Murong Ce fights the Khitan over Li Xianyun. Out of these two fates, which does Your Highness prefer?"

Such a cruel question left Li Yumin clenching her teeth and shaking with anger.

Seeing this, the man in black said, "In fact, taming a man like Murong Ce, who is as sharp as a hawk, is not difficult for Your Highness."

Hope flared in Li Yumin’s eyes as she stared at the man in black, "How so?"

"Have you ever heard of ’taming hawks’? When a hawk soars high, proud and fierce, if you want it to obey, you must break its spirit and clip its wings. When Murong Ce is at his lowest, if Your Highness helps him, would he not become devoted and thankful?"

Li Yumin said, "You mean to have me refuse the marriage?"

The man in black chuckled, "Your Highness’s fate is in your own hands to decide."