Chapter 1963: Some Kind of Sorcery?
Not only was she hurt, but now she would be struck by lightning too? Attendant Zhou was certain that the heavens were messing with her.
She looked at the ruthless Zhao Xu. She felt the blade cut deeper into her skin and her back was laced with pain from the previous incision. A cacophony of emotions flooded her heart.
“Okay.” Attendant Zhou closed her eyes and braced herself for the lightning strike.
Even though she was prepared for it, it felt like every cell of her being was tearing itself apart. Lightning spread from the top of her head throughout her body. She couldn’t stop drooling as an iron taste filled her mouth. Attendant Zhou’s eyes rolled back and she fainted.
“Ah…” The dancer behind Attendant Zhou was so frightened by the sudden electric shock that she screamed and dropped the dagger. She fell to the ground as she lost all sensation in one of her legs. She was subsequently crushed by Attendant Zhou and her entire body started twitching, white foam coming out of her mouth.
The dancer’s eyes rolled back as she groaned in pain and the guards rushed to restrain her.
This sudden turn of events bewildered the concubines and palace maids crowded into the ball. No one understood what just happened.
Ning Shu reached out and grabbed Zhao Xu’s arm, holding it tightly. The strength of her grip left Zhao Xu in enough pain that he nearly failed to maintain his calm expression.
“Your Majesty, could it be that someone used some kind of sorcery? Why did they fall down so suddenly?” Ning Shu said, clearly afraid.
Hearing her say that, Zhao Xu also felt the hairs on the nape of his neck stand up.
Zhao Xu glanced at the bewildered concubines and palace maids in the hall with a cold expression. Then he looked from Attendant Zhou, who was lying unconscious on the ground, to the dancing girl, who was still twitching as she was dragged away by the guards.
Ning Shu shivered and pressed herself tightly against Zhao Xu. “Your Majesty, was there a ghost?”
“Don’t speak nonsense,” Zhao Xu said coldly.
“Yes, this subject wife isn’t scared.” Ning Shu’s voice trembled as she spoke.
Zhao Xu narrowed his eyes and glanced at Attendant Zhou with an unreadable expression.
“Hurry and help Attendant Zhou up. She was injured, so please send her back to the Palace of Moonlight,” Ning Shu said as she turned to Consort Zhuang. “Do it quickly.”
“Yes, yes… ” Consort Zhuang panicked. She asked her maid and Attendant Zhou’s to bring the unconscious Attendant Zhou back.
Once Ning Shu had stabilized the situation she turned to Zhao Xu. “Your Majesty, do you want to go to the Palace of Moonlight to see Attendant Zhou? She was injured trying to save you.”
“It’s fortunate that the assassin started having a seizure herself,” said Ning Shu.
Zhao Xu’s expression was dark. After a while, he said, “We’ll go to see her.”
“This subject wife will accompany you,” Ning Shu said quickly. She then told Qiu Ling, “Go and fetch the ginseng I saved, it might be useful.”
“Yes.” Qiu Ling hurriedly returned to the Palace of Prolonged Autumn.
Meanwhile, Ning Shu followed Zhao Xu to the Palace of Moonlight. Several imperial physicians had gathered in the Jade Court. Basins of blood filled from wiping wounds stood about.
“Your Majesty, Attendant Zhou will be fine.” Ning Shu comforted Zhao Xu.
Ning Shu: →_→
Why did this scene look like Attendant Zhou was going through childbirth?
Zhao Xu’s expression was still dark. His gaze was cold enough to freeze water when he turned to Ning Shu. “Empress, I asked you to arrange the banquet personally. Why was there an assassin among the dancers?”
Ning Shu’s expression changed, and she quickly curtsied. “I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness. The negligence of this subject wife has caused you fright, but these dancers have always been in the palace. This subject wife doesn’t know why the dancer was an assassin.”
“Her name is registered, Your Majesty. And now that the assassin has been caught, you can interrogate her to see if she has any accomplices. That way this subject wife can finally rest assured regarding your Majesty’s safety.” Ning Shu said, outwardly panicking.
Editor: Shark
Translator: Kaho