Chapter 5: A False Alarm

... ...

Fortunately, he is just a thief; if a true assassin had come, I really couldn't rely on these people! Zhao Cheng watched the farcical rescue drama outside and cursed. From the moment that shadow entered the room and headed straight for the cabinet, he had already concluded that it was merely a thief, definitely not an assassin. There was no need to make an example of him or prematurely reveal his secret weapon. What he needed to do now was to keep a low profile

Zhao Cheng shouted loudly while quickly closing and securing the window. In case that rascal, driven to desperation, returned and took him hostage, it would not end well. The chilling and terrifying child’s voice echoed far into the silent night, prompting the night watchman to immediately strike the warning gong and shout loudly.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5... Zhao Cheng's body continued to rise and fall, sweat dripping down like beads. "99, 100" After completing one hundred push-ups, he lay on the bed like a dead dog, gasping for breath, lacking even the strength to lift his hand to wipe the sweat from his face. After a while, Zhao Cheng caught his breath, turned over, and began another one hundred sit-ups, followed by one hundred wall squats. By the time this set of physical training was finished, more than half an hour had passed. Outside, the sound of the timekeeper's clapper rang out; it was now the hour of the pig. After a while, Zhao Cheng caught his breath, turned over, and began another one hundred sit-ups, followed by one hundred wall squats. By the time this set of physical training was finished, more than half an hour had passed. Outside, the sound of the timekeeper's clapper rang out; it was now the hour of the pig.

Doctor Wang was indeed unfortunate; after living for over sixty years, he finally became the head of the Imperial Medical Institute, only to encounter the second prince falling gravely ill. As a result, he ended up 'killing' him. He was bracing himself for the emperor's furious wrath, expecting to be dragged outside the Wu Gate for execution. Unexpectedly, the second prince survived. Although he could not avoid being dismissed from his position, at least he managed to save his life and was sent here to atone for his sins and make contributions.

The old man steadied his mind and instructed the young attendant to bring the candlestick closer. He crawled forward a couple of steps, trembling as he extended his hand to feel the prince's pulse. "The situation is still manageable; he hasn't died!" He was terrified; before coming here, the emperor had spoken, and if anything were to happen to the second prince, it would not only mean his own death but the annihilation of his entire family. Now, the royal physician felt reassured; as long as you remain alive, at least my life is secured for now.

After a while, the prince, with a dark and disheveled face, messy hair, and dirty clothes, emerged from the clouds holding a book box. "You all go and tidy up the study, I will wash up, cough cough..." After saying this, he walked towards his room without looking back

"Your Highness, Your Highness..." Zhao Cheng heard someone rushing into the room, searching for him in every corner. He knew it was time for him to make his appearance. With a 'slap,' he struck his own nose, and mucus mixed with tears immediately flowed out. He casually wiped his face, trembling all over as he collapsed to the ground, looking as if he was about to meet the King of Hell.

Ah! The effect was immediate. The prince shouted, "He is alive!" and danced around, exclaiming, "Assassin, catch the assassin!" "Your Highness, he is not an assassin; he is a thief who has already fled!" Guihua quickly embraced Zhao Cheng and softly comforted him

The first to discover Zhao Chai was still the Huaihua and Guihua who were sleeping in the outer room. Upon seeing the prince covered in blood huddled in the corner, Huaihua's legs went weak, and the candlestick in her hand nearly fell to the ground. She trembled all over and could not move. Guihua, being slightly older, crouched down and reached out to check Zhao Chai's breath. Seeing that he was still alive, she held him in her arms and shouted loudly for help.

A gentleman does not stand beneath a precarious wall. Zhao Cheng has come to understand his current situation, and he has also become more cautious. He no longer sneaks out of the residence to play, but instead maintains a diligent lifestyle focused on his studies and books. In the morning, he no longer goes to the garden, but takes a couple of strolls around the courtyard. Then, accompanied by Jianxi, he attends classes in the large study, returning immediately to his courtyard afterward. In the afternoon, he also stays indoors, hiding in his bedroom or small study.

Cough, cough, I am fine!" The sound of the prince's cough came from inside the room

"Why is the prince still unconscious?" Guihua asked, sobbing as she held Zhao Cheng. "Let me administer acupuncture; the prince will surely awaken!" The royal physician, feeling confident, decided to show off a bit. He took out his needle pouch and selected the longest silver needle, then plunged it into Zhao Cheng's philtrum.

"I want to return to the capital, I want to go back to the palace, I can't stay here any longer!" Zhao Cheng looked around at the crowd, each person appearing relieved yet crying out.

... ...

"Assassin, there is an assassin..." A piercing scream suddenly echoed in the prince's chamber. A shadow, who was in the act of climbing through the window with a bundle on its back, was startled by the sudden shout from behind. In a moment of carelessness, it tripped over the window curtain and fell to the ground, scattering gold and silver utensils all over the place, with ingots and beads rolling everywhere.

Zhao Cheng hid beneath the window, peeking out. The shouts of capturing the assassin echoed in the courtyard, followed by the loud 'bang' of doors being pushed open. Dozens of men and women surged out, the women with their bosoms partially exposed, hair disheveled, and some with unkempt hair, barefoot and dressed in loose trousers. Their weapons were varied; some of the young attendants held flower pots, bricks, or brooms for sweeping. The young maids carried laundry sticks and clothes drying poles. In the kitchen, several cooks wielded the most advanced weapons, with two holding cleavers, while the least equipped had rolling pins in hand. Their weapons were indeed diverse, with young attendants clutching flower pots, bricks, or brooms, and young maids bearing laundry sticks and clothes drying poles. The cooks in the kitchen had the most sophisticated weapons, with two wielding cleavers, and the least equipped also had rolling pins in hand.

During the time of the book fair, the prince remained holed up in his small study, refusing to allow anyone to disturb him. The two guards stationed outside were on edge for quite some time, as the sounds coming from within did not resemble reading; rather, it seemed like a disturbance. Suddenly, the room fell silent, devoid of any noise. "Your Highness, are you still there?" a young eunuch asked, mustering his courage, for if anything were to happen to the prince, they would all face dire consequences.

The prince is not in any danger to his life; he is merely overly frightened, which has affected his spirit, and he needs proper recuperation. After so many years of practice, Doctor Wang is not without experience. He calmed himself and carefully took the prince's pulse, discovering that it was neither floating nor sinking, neither too strong nor too weak, with a regular rhythm, calm and gentle, smooth and powerful, even healthier than himself. However, the prince's condition did not match what he observed, so after a moment of contemplation, he concocted a diagnosis for Zhao Cheng.

Sigh, just take it all, and get another set from the inner storage to change into!" Huang Jingchen sighed lightly and said, treating this as a child's mischief

Quickly summon the imperial physician! Huang Jingchen resides in a separate house in the back courtyard and was unable to catch the recent 'battle.' Having experienced storms before, upon seeing the prince's condition, he immediately instructed someone to invite the prince's dedicated health physician who lives outside the courtyard.

Oh, the servant is waiting outside! The little yellow gatekeeper felt relieved; let him do as he pleases. Everyone knows the prince is not normal. As long as the person is safe, the higher-ups will not blame them. The few nosy individuals in the courtyard also retreated back inside.

He dried his body, lay on the bed, rubbed his aching abdomen, and prepared to fall asleep. Suddenly, a soft sound "click" came from the roof. Zhao Cheng rolled out of bed after pulling a gun from under his pillow and hid in the shadows. The rustling footsteps stopped abruptly at the eaves, and a figure was reflected in the window. Zhao Cheng held his breath, gripping the gun, and stared at the silhouette, waiting for its next move.

Hit him! At that moment, the people in the courtyard heard the prince's prolonged shout, and they quickly realized that the prince was still inside the house. If anything were to happen to him, none of those present would escape a fatal fate.

A servant first threw a chamber pot, hitting the "assassin" on the head. With that initial blow, a barrage of various ranged weapons followed, creating a cacophony of sounds. This "assassin" was likely new to the trade; after taking a few heavy hits, he finally regained his senses and thought of fleeing. He utilized his skills, clinging to a pillar to ascend to the roof, and with a few agile leaps, he scaled the not-so-high wall of the inner courtyard and made his escape. A group of people watched as the "assassin" vanished into the darkness.

Upon entering the study, the two individuals immediately ran out, trembling with fear. "Quickly report to the high official, such a big incident has occurred, we cannot bear the consequences!" one said with a quivering voice, while the other nodded like a chicken pecking at rice. After receiving the report from the young attendant, Huang Jingchen, the chief eunuch of the Wang residence, hurried over. The smoke in the study had yet to dissipate. He instructed the young attendant to open all the windows, and only after dispersing the smoke did he step inside. He couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly. The tidy study looked as if it had been struck by lightning; the fine rosewood desk was battered and pockmarked, and the iron hammer lying on the floor appeared to be the weapon. The glass pen wash and the Duan inkstone bestowed by the lady were also in disarray. The set of imperial Jun porcelain teacups had been reduced to fragments, and two tattered copies of the "Analects" were strewn on the floor. The wall displayed a painting of "Spring Flowers" personally drawn by the Emperor, now marred with several large holes. He simply could not fathom how the young prince could have turned the study into such a state at his tender age.

By nightfall, Zhao Cheng did not step out of his bedroom even once. There were quite a few people residing in the inner courtyard, including a chief steward and two lower-ranking eunuchs, who were responsible for finances and procurement, respectively. Beneath them were ten minor attendants, tasked with various chores. Additionally, there were two female officials in their thirties assigned by the palace, leading more than ten maids and servants responsible for his daily needs and meals. It could be said that he was the only true man in the entire courtyard.

It is said that the prince has encountered an incident. Imperial Physician Wang hurriedly ran towards the inner courtyard with his medicine box. Upon seeing Zhao Cheng, whose face was covered in dirt, eyes tightly shut, and foam spilling from his mouth, he felt his legs weaken and knelt down first. "Imperial Physician Wang, you must quickly attend to the prince!" Huang Jingchen exclaimed, pulling him over as he noticed the physician lost in thought.

The lanterns in the courtyard were quickly lit, illuminating the area brightly. Zhao Cheng watched with great interest; although many of his men had come out, their presence was more bluster than substance. A group of people merely surrounded from a distance, posturing but too afraid to advance. However, this display appeared quite intimidating. The thief likely did not expect to provoke such a significant response, feeling somewhat dazed. He took a few steps back, leaned against the wall, and drew a dagger, attempting to appear desperate as he confronted these disheveled individuals.

It is ... ... is! The two little yellow gatekeepers, accustomed to the prince's unkempt appearance, were still taken aback today. It was only after Zhao Cheng had walked quite a distance that they reacted and remembered to pay their respects

What happened next left him perplexed. The man observed for a moment, then suddenly pushed open the window and climbed in. "Damn it, is he coming for me?" Zhao Cheng gently raised the hammer, aiming the gun at the shadow, but soon lowered it again, a faint smile lingering at the corner of his mouth