Chapter 224 - 149: Using Him as a Sacrifice for the Banner

"Speak, you have only one chance."

The assassin’s forehead was drenched in cold sweat, his face as pale as paper, and his voice was so weak it was almost inaudible.

"It was... it was the Marquis Champion who sent us to kill... kill the King of Canzhou."

"What?"

Hua Tianyou suddenly leaned towards the assassin, a trace of shock and anger flashing in his eyes.

"How could it be him?"

The old lady couldn’t help but exclaim, the Buddha Beads in her hand dropping to the ground with a "pa."

"Who is the Marquis Champion?"

Han Lei was completely puzzled, turning her head to look at Hua Tianyou for answers.

Hua Tianyou took a deep breath, trying to calm the shock in his heart, then solemnly said, "The Marquis Champion is the Empress’s brother, a man of immense power, untouchable in the court."

Saying this, Hua Tianyou glanced at the two swords and knives discarded in the corner, and the question pressed in his heart finally had an answer.

The Marquis Champion’s family, most of whom are generals, held positions in the armies near the capital region of Jingzhou, Liangzhou, and Jiozhou. No wonder the weapons these assassins used were all standard weapons of the court.

"The Empress’s brother? You mean the Su Family?" Han Lei was still bewildered.

When did Zhao Zun offend the Empress’s brother?

Han Lei had heard of the powerful figures in the court but had never deeply understood these complicated relationships. Hearing the name of the Marquis Champion at this moment, she couldn’t help feeling perplexed.

"Zun has never crossed him, why would he want to kill my Zun? Why?"

The old lady also walked to the table, glaring angrily at the assassin lying on the table, her voice trembling, her eyes full of anger and grief.

She clenched her sleeves tightly, her knuckles turning white from the exertion.

The assassin lowered his eyes, not daring to look at the pain in a mother’s eyes.

"I... I don’t know, just heard the Marquis say he wanted to stop the Commandery Princess’s affections, so..."

"Stop her affections?"

Han Lei murmured, repeating the words, and suddenly, she seemed to understand something, a chilling sensation filling her heart.

"I understand now." Han Lei turned to look at the old lady, her expression grave: "Princess Changle indeed has deep feelings for Zhao Zun, but Zhao Zun has always kept his distance from her, never responding."

"Damn it!"

Hua Tianyou cursed, "So, to stop Changle’s affections, the Marquis Champion simply wants to destroy Zhao Zun? Just because he doesn’t want Changle to continue her infatuation? What kind of, what kind of..."

"What kind of logic?"

Seeing Hua Tianyou struggle to find words, Han Lei irritatedly filled in for him.

Hua Tianyou nodded angrily: "Yes, what kind of logic is this?"

Hearing this, the old lady could no longer hold back, stamping her foot in anger, her voice trembling.

"Absurd! Simply absurd! To take my son’s life for such a reason?"

"Do these nobles think they can treat lives so lightly? That they can decide others’ fates just because things don’t go their way?"

The thought made Han Lei furious.

These noble families monopolize resources and bully others, and now they even want to take their lives?

Hua Tianyou didn’t respond to Han Lei’s words, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

He himself came from a noble family, only the Duke Heng’s family neither raised assassins nor had power and wealth comparable to the four great noble families.

He knew well the coldness and ruthlessness of the court nobility, but hearing the Marquis Champion’s ridiculous reason for targeting Zhao Zun still filled him with anger and helplessness.

The assassin kept his head down, not daring to speak, cold sweat from his forehead dripping onto the table, silently revealing his inner fear and regret.

The old lady trembled as she stood up, walking to the assassin, her voice icy and dignified.

"You go back and tell the Marquis Champion that the Zhao family, though not as wealthy as his marquisate, will not let him do as he pleases! If he dares to harm a hair on my son’s head again, the Zhao family will fight him to the end, even if it costs us our last breath!"

The assassin trembled all over, nodding hurriedly: "I... I wouldn’t dare, I was just following orders, please spare my life, madam!"

Hua Tianyou stepped forward, supporting the old lady, speaking softly, "Aunt, please calm down, we need to consider this matter carefully, don’t let it affect your health."

The old lady took a deep breath, barely suppressing the anger in her heart, and nodded.

Once the old lady settled down, Han Lei lightly tapped the assassin’s face with the scalpel in her hand, the cold blade sending a chill through his skin.

On Han Lei’s sweet face, a frost had formed, yet her tone carried a hint of disdain.