Chapter 228 - 150: Death Well Deserved (Part 3)

The assassin immediately felt a sharp pain, unable to hold back a scream. The other two assassins watched Han Lei’s actions with calm expressions, but deep in their eyes, waves were already surging.

"Speak! Why did the Champion Marquis send you to assassinate Zhao Zun?"

Han Lei’s voice remained calm, yet it carried a chilling coldness.

The assassin showed a hint of collapse, trembling as he said, "It’s... it’s because..."

"Don’t say it."

The other two assassins hurriedly stopped him.

Han Lei smiled, a smile of utter relaxation and satisfaction.

"The reason doesn’t matter anymore. As long as I confirm that the Champion Marquis sent you, that’s enough."

Saying this, Han Lei stood up, seemingly intending to walk out the door.

As she passed by the three assassins, she suddenly turned back, quickly sweeping the scalpel across the necks of the three assassins.

Then, the words Han Lei hadn’t finished speaking resounded in the air.

"Then you die without grievance."

The three assassins only felt a chill on their necks; before they could understand the meaning of Han Lei’s words, their bodies already fell to the ground with a thud.

Han Lei did not look at their fallen figures but walked straight out. She was not afraid to see their dead appearances; as a military doctor, she had long been accustomed to life and death.

It was because this was her first true act of killing in its real sense.

Although she knew clearly that she was killing enemies, it nevertheless contradicted her principle as a doctor to heal and save lives, making her feel somewhat uncomfortable inside.

Han Lei was kind-hearted, but her kindness also carried sharp edges.

In this era, encountering situations like the ones with the assassins, she knew the ultimate result was either you die or I perish, with no room for leftover trouble.

Therefore, once she confirmed they were sent by the Champion Marquis, Han Lei decisively ended their lives with the scalpel.

The Champion Marquis had sent a total of twelve assassins to kill Zhao Zun; five had been dealt with. Seven assassins were still lurking in the shadows, biding their time to strike.

If she couldn’t deal with these seven assassins, then she would deal with the root of the problem.

As long as the Champion Marquis was dead, the assassination mission he issued would naturally cease to exist.

Han Lei rubbed her aching temples, slight blood streaks already in her eyes.

She forced herself to stay alert and called over some capable servants, instructing them in a low voice: "You guys, find a secluded place and bury those assassins. Be careful not to let anyone see. Then, have someone clean up inside."

"Yes, Princess Consort." The servants nodded and quickly got to work.

After a half-night of turmoil, the crowing of roosters could be heard outside, and before long, the horizon would turn white with dawn.

Only then did Han Lei drag her weary body back to her room to rest.

Before falling asleep, she had already made a decision in her heart.

When she woke up the next day and finished arranging all the affairs in Fufeng County, she would prepare lavish gifts and enter the capital to "visit" the Champion Marquis and his family...

The next morning, Han Lei was busy organizing affairs in Fufeng County.

Meanwhile, in the court in the Capital City.

Morning light streamed through the carved windows, filling the grand hall with a solemn atmosphere.

Emperor Jing sat on the dragon throne, his brows tightly knit, his gaze like a torch sweeping over the assembled ministers below.

His fingers lightly tapped on the armrest, revealing his inner impatience.

"Mr. Cao." Emperor Jing’s voice was low and powerful, carrying a hint of impatience, "What is the situation at Beiguan? Why has no report been received from your Ministry of War?"

The Minister of War, Cao Ge, quickly stepped forward, bowed, and a fine sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He replied solemnly, "Your Majesty, I... I have not received any news from Beiguan."

Emperor Jing then asked Mr. Wei, who was sitting on the Taishi Chair: "Prime Minister, you have been overseeing the Ministry of Industry recently. Has Mr. Zhang from the Ministry of Industry sent any news?"

Mr. Wei stood up and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang led the Ministry of Industry’s personnel to Beiguan to assist in building defense works, but no news has been received yet."

Emperor Jing exhaled a frustrated breath. He wanted to get angry but did not know where to direct it.

Since early April, after receiving urgent requests for help from Cao Xiong and Li Gang in Yong’an City and Ling’an City, it was now the end of April, but there was no further news from Beiguan.

Even the troops sent by the court and those from the Ministry of Industry who went to assist with the defense works at Beiguan had sent no word.

These circumstances not only left Emperor Jing anxious but also somewhat uneasy.

Though he tried to adjust his emotions, his face grew more somber, and his voice involuntarily rose a few notches.

"My dear ministers. It has been over half a month! The court has dispatched troops and consumed countless supplies, yet no news comes from Beiguan! Are my soldiers merely napping there?"

The hall fell into silence; the ministers looked at each other, none daring to speak.

Seeing this, Mr. Wei stepped forward slowly, bowing as he said, "Your Majesty, perhaps no news is the best news. The battle at Beiguan is complex. Perhaps our forces have repelled the allied forces, and the news has yet to return."

The Minister of War quickly added, "Indeed, Your Majesty, what Mr. Wei says is very true. Beiguan’s terrain is treacherous; the Turkic forces may not easily breach it."

Emperor Jing snorted coldly, about to speak, when suddenly the sound of urgent footsteps came from outside the hall.

A eunuch hurriedly ran inside, loudly reporting, "Your Majesty, an urgent report from Jingzhou has arrived!"

As soon as he finished speaking, another eunuch followed, panting heavily as he shouted, "Your Majesty, an urgent report from Xuzhou has also arrived!"