The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits-Chapter 191

If this had happened in his previous life, Shen Yu could still understand. He had made many enemies back then, and those who wanted him dead were as numerous as fish in a river. But in this life, he had barely done anything before entering the palace. Even if he had offended someone, there hadn’t been enough time for it.

"It may not necessarily be aimed at you, Ah Yu."

Shang Junlin felt that, at its core, this matter was most likely because of him.

He had been on the throne for many years, accumulating many enemies. Even before ascending, there were already those who wished for his death. Although he had dealt with those who acted upon their intentions, there was always a chance some had slipped through the cracks.

"Your Majesty, may I see the assassin?" Shen Yu wanted to confirm whether the attack was indeed directed at him and if there were further schemes behind it.

He disliked being caught off guard. If danger existed, it had to be eliminated in its infancy.

Shang Junlin recalled the state of the dancer when he had left and hesitated slightly before answering, "...Wait two days."

Shen Yu only needed to see the person once. He nodded in agreement, then asked, "Why did Your Majesty come out so quickly? Was the discussion already finished?"

Naturally, it was not.

Upon hearing that Shen Yu had arrived, Shang Junlin had abandoned a discussion midway to meet him. The matters being discussed were complex and wouldn’t be resolved in a short time anyway. His ministers could continue without him.

The ministers had been caught off guard when Shang Junlin suddenly left mid-discussion, exchanging puzzled glances.

"Does His Majesty have urgent business?"

Meng-gonggong forced a dry laugh, unsure of how to respond. He couldn't not report Shen Yu’s arrival—if he failed to do so, he would bear the consequences later. But he had not expected the Emperor to leave so abruptly.

From Meng-gonggong’s expression, the Prime Minister seemed to grasp something and redirected the ministers' attention. "His Majesty must have had pressing matters. Let us continue."

As Shang Junlin had said, the ministers could continue their discussions even in his absence.

The Prime Minister and Fang Jun led the conversation. This assassination attempt, unlike the last, had occurred within the palace, involving more people and greater complexity.

Shen Yu didn’t want to delay Shang Junlin for too long, but since the Emperor refused to return alone, he had no choice but to accompany him.

When the ministers saw the Emperor return with Shen Yu, they widened their eyes in shock. Only the Prime Minister and Fang Jun appeared unsurprised.

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"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Your Highness the Noble Monarch." Despite their thoughts, the ministers quickly rose and paid their respects.

"There’s no need for formalities." Shang Junlin held Shen Yu close as they took the main seat.

One minister, upon seeing this, opened his mouth as if to speak but hesitated.

"This matter involves the Noble Monarch. I believe he has the right to know everything. Since some have accused him without cause, there must be a reason. What do my esteemed ministers think that reason might be?"

By taking the initiative, Shang Junlin led the ministers' thoughts away from questioning Shen Yu’s presence and instead toward the real issue.

"I believe we should start by investigating those around the Noble Monarch. Perhaps someone he once had enmity with is involved."

"Attempting to harm the Emperor is a grave crime. Whether or not the Noble Monarch is truly guilty, mere suspicion could drive a wedge between him and His Majesty..." The minister speaking stole a glance at Shang Junlin before shifting his gaze away. "Of course, His Majesty’s bond with the Noble Monarch is unshakable and will not be swayed by outsiders."

"This assassination attempt serves a dual purpose. Regardless of success, it drags the Noble Monarch into the situation. I believe the mastermind must have a past grudge against him."

"If I may be so bold—does the Noble Monarch recall anyone particularly suspicious?"

Shen Yu had been pondering this for days with no answers. If he had, he wouldn’t have insisted on meeting the dancer.

At that moment, the heads of the Imperial Guards and Hidden Dragon Guards arrived, but their discussions had yielded little of use.

"Has the mastermind behind King Yue been captured?" Shen Yu was almost incredulous at the sudden news.

"I sent both the Hidden Dragon Guards and the Imperial Guards, splitting them into two teams. Finally, we caught them."

This operation had been planned for a long time—ever since King Yue was first imprisoned in the dark dungeons. After nearly a year, the net had finally been cast successfully.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on achieving your goal."

"All thanks to you, Ah Yu." Shang Junlin pulled Shen Yu into his arms and placed a firm kiss on his forehead.

With King Yue’s backer captured, Shang Junlin had even more matters to attend to. This intricate web, laid by the late Emperor before his death, had at last been unraveled.

The mastermind was placed in solitary confinement within the dark dungeons, heavily guarded to prevent any mishaps. Shang Junlin assigned personnel from both the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review to handle the case.

While the ministers busied themselves with these events, the Zhenbei Marquis, having been dismissed from office, naturally did not attend the palace banquet. By the time he heard about the assassination attempt on the Emperor, two days had already passed.

"Marquis, I heard something outside. I’m not sure if it’s true or not." One of his most trusted subordinates hesitated before speaking.

"What is it?" The Zhenbei Marquis, appearing significantly aged since his dismissal, looked up.

"It’s about the Noble Monarch," the subordinate lowered his voice. "Word from the palace suggests that the assassination may be connected to him. Some even claim he orchestrated it."

"Utter nonsense!" The Zhenbei Marquis slammed his hand onto the table.

"Marquis, please calm yourself. This is not baseless rumor. It’s said that on the night of the attack, the Noble Monarch inexplicably shattered a cup, which triggered the dancer to act."

The Zhenbei Marquis fell silent, rubbing his face in exhaustion. "What does His Majesty say about this?"

"His Majesty has suppressed the news, forbidding it from spreading. Regardless of the truth, this situation is highly unfavorable to the Marquis’ household."

"I understand... Shen Yu would never do such a thing. There must be some misunderstanding."

If this assassination attempt was real, it could lead to the execution of nine generations of his family.

Standing by the window, the Zhenbei Marquis watched the setting sun and suddenly recalled events from years ago.

At that moment, his subordinate spoke again. "I fear this incident may be connected to the faction the Madam once mentioned. If so, future turmoil will be inevitable."

"Let’s wait and see. If things worsen, I will personally enter the palace."

Outside, unnoticed, a figure disappeared into the shadows.

Shen Qingran had passed by by chance and overheard everything. While he longed for Shen Yu’s downfall, he had no desire to be implicated himself.

He had been in this world for years and knew that, unlike in the modern era, familial ties here were binding. As Shen Yu’s half-brother, if Shen Yu was sentenced to death, he wouldn’t escape either.

He had no intention of dying alongside Shen Yu.

Hearing that Shang Junlin had suppressed the news, he finally let out a breath of relief.

But jealousy gnawed at him like a venomous serpent. Why did Shen Yu always have the best of everything? Not only did he monopolize the Emperor’s favor, but now the ruler of the nation was protecting him from scandal.

Jealousy burned within him, but he was powerless to do anything.

That night, he awoke with a start—and saw a figure in a black robe standing beside his bed.

“Who are you?”

“Who I am isn’t important. What matters is—I can grant your wish. Don’t you want to take Shen Yu’s place? It should’ve been you in the palace. Why does he get everything?”

The raspy voice echoed from the hood, strangely persuasive and almost hypnotic.

But Shen Qingran wasn’t so easily swayed. He stared warily. “What do you want?”

“I can help you replace Shen Yu—all you have to do is agree to one small request.”

“You say you can, but why should I believe you? Don’t treat me like a child.” Shen Qingran did want to take Shen Yu’s place—but he wasn’t going to fall for some stranger’s words. Maybe in the past he would’ve—but now, he trusted no one but himself.

“If you really have that power, go find someone else. There are plenty of people in the capital who’d jump at the chance.”

With that, he pulled the blanket over his head and refused to speak again.

The robed figure stared at him for a moment, then let out a soft, unreadable hum and vanished.

Everything that happened at the Zhenbei Marquis’ estate was relayed to Shen Yu via Yinghuo1Literal meaning is Mars, the planet but in this case, Shen Yu used it as the name of his organization.

Yinghuo—a name Shen Yu gave his intelligence network—was tasked with gathering and delivering information. In his past life, it had grown into a vast web spanning the country, a powerful tool for Prince Yue. In this life, Shen Yu had returned to when Yinghuo was still in its infancy. He would have to rebuild it from scratch.

Fortunately, time was on his side.

With a year of progress and past experience, Yinghuo grew rapidly. Shen Yu sent people to Beimo with Jiang Huaiqing—not just for protection, but to plant the roots of Yinghuo there.

“You’re saying you lost track of the man in black?” Shen Yu toyed with a red plum blossom in his hand.

Mu Xi bowed her head. “Yes. He appeared and vanished too quickly. We lost him.”

Shen Yu placed the plum in a white porcelain vase. “Keep a close eye on whoever approaches Shen Qingran. If something exists in this world, it leaves traces. What Yinghuo must do is find those traces and follow them.”

“I understand.”

Shen Yu adjusted the vase on the table. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Mu Xi smiled. “If it’s touched by you, it can’t be anything but.”

When Shang Junlin returned, he noticed a splash of red in the room. Shen Yu followed his gaze and said, “Your Majesty brought back the red plum.”

“Ah Yu has skillful hands. You deserve a reward.”

After dinner, Shang Junlin took Shen Yu for a walk. “You said you wanted to see the assassin. Today, you can.”

Shen Yu asked, “Did Master Fang get anything out of them?”

Shang Junlin’s gaze lingered on him. “A little. The assassin confessed that the real goal wasn’t to kill me—but to frame you.”

“These days, I’ve been thinking—who hates me so much they’d plan an assassination just to get me blamed? I still haven’t figured it out. Do you remember the person you almost executed when we first met, thinking he was a threat? I wonder if that has anything to do with this.”

Shen Yu kicked a stone along the path.

Shang Junlin furrowed his brows. “You think it’s the same people behind both incidents—both targeting you?”