Xie Fengran heaved a sigh of relief and curtsied to the Crown Prince. "Thank you, Your Highness."
The Crown Prince grunted in acknowledgement and stood there, watching the people from the Eastern Palace inspect the horses one by one.
The staff in the horse - ranch were all detained, and the rampaging horse had been subdued. The people from the Eastern Palace quickly found out the cause.
"Your Highness, Miss Xie's horse went crazy because it was fed an excessive amount of drugs. The other horses in the ranch are all fine. Please rest assured, Your Highness."
"Fed an excessive amount of drugs?"
A shadow fell over the Crown Prince's eyes. He waved his hand. "Have someone guard this place. No one is allowed to approach the horses for the upcoming exam."
"Yes."
Just as the Crown Prince finished speaking, Grand Academician Sun rushed over with the people from the Women's Academy. She had just heard about the incident and came to check.
Seeing the Crown Prince there, she quickly bowed. The Crown Prince dodged and stepped forward to support her arm. "Grand Academician, there's no need for such formalities. You also heard about what happened here?"
"Yes, Your Highness. What on earth is going on? Is anyone hurt?"
The Crown Prince shook his head. "Someone tampered with the horse. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The horse has been subdued. Grand Academician, please rest assured."
"With Your Highness here, I'm naturally at ease. But about the investigation..."
Before she could finish, the Crown Prince said firmly, "Grand Academician, you don't need to worry about this. Leave everything to me. You just focus on the opening of the academy."
The Crown Prince was so determined that Grand Academician Sun had no choice but to agree. Moreover, she couldn't disagree. However, she was a bit curious. When did this Highness become so kind - hearted?
This thought flashed through her mind. Before she could think further, she saw Xie Fengran coming from behind. Xie Fengran bowed to her. Only then did she suddenly realize that there was a reason behind it!
Most likely, the incident with the horse was aimed at Miss Xie.
The person who informed her didn't make it clear. She didn't know who exactly was involved. But now, seeing the Crown Prince's reaction, she understood it more or less.
Not to mention that the Prince of the County was standing not far away, as well as her foolish son!
Grand Academician Sun didn't think too much. She comforted Xie Fengran a few words and then went to console the young ladies and take charge of the situation.
Only the Crown Prince's entourage and Xie Fengran's group were left. The young ladies who had been staring at them had to withdraw their gazes with the arrival of Grand Academician Sun.
As for Qi Yueying, she had retreated into the group of young ladies when the Crown Prince and the others arrived.
Well, there was no more fun to watch.
"Miss Xie, leave the matter here to me and my cousin. You go to the palace with Princess Zhaoyue to rest for a while. I'll inform you as soon as I find out the truth. How about that?"
"Yes! Sister Xie, come back to the palace with me. Leave this to Crown Prince brother and the others."
Xie Fengran shook her head. Looking at Grand Academician Sun in the distance, she said softly, "Your Highness, I'm fine. I don't need to rest. Moreover, I also want to know who wants to ruin me!"
She wasn't that fragile. She had just been scared. Now it seemed that this was all targeted. Either to ruin her or to prevent her from entering the Women's Academy.
If they wanted to stop her from entering the academy, they would have tampered with the written exam. But now it was the horse that had a problem. Most likely, they wanted to kill her.
Who on earth hated her so much?
Thinking of the look in Qi Yueying's eyes just now, she felt a headache.
Seeing her firm attitude, the Crown Prince let it be. He told Princess Fourth to accompany her, then turned to look at Qin Junxing, who had been silent all this time. "Cousin, why have you been so quiet?"
Qin Junxing withdrew his gaze from the horse - ranch and glanced at the Crown Prince. "With Your Highness here, why does your humble cousin need to act?"
"Cousin, you're wrong. We need to find out the truth as soon as possible and give Miss Xie an explanation."
Although the Crown Prince disliked Qin Junxing, he had to admit that his cousin was as capable as he was. If not, there wouldn't be so many people in the court who hated him to the core but still couldn't do anything to him.
It was not only because the Emperor gave his aunt face but also because the Emperor found him very useful. He could handle any matter clearly.
Qin Junxing didn't say a word. His eyes continued to stare at the horse - ranch. Just when the Crown Prince's patience was almost worn out, he suddenly pointed to a place and said, "Your Highness, look. There's a gap in the horse - ranch. If I'm not mistaken, that's where the rampaging horse was about to rush out. And if you go straight from there, there's a cliff. If a galloping horse rushed out, the rider would have no chance of survival."
"So... someone wants to kill Miss Xie!"
"Ah!"
Princess Fourth opened her mouth and let out a soft cry, seemingly not expecting such a thing. Sun Yuelan couldn't help but clutch Xie Fengran's clothes tightly, not daring to imagine what would have happened to the person beside her if Qi Yueying hadn't intervened just now.
Even the Crown Prince's expression changed. "Are you sure, cousin?"
Premeditated murder was no joke!
"Your Highness, if you don't believe it, just have someone check."
The people from the Eastern Palace had been busy blocking the scene and arresting people. No one had checked the outer perimeter of the horse - ranch. Hearing what Qin Junxing said, someone immediately went to check.
Just as the person left, the Crown Prince's personal eunuch rushed over, followed by a guard escorting a man.
"Your Highness, this is the person in charge of this horse - ranch today."
The Crown Prince glanced at him and asked, "Have you found out anything?"
"He said that the eunuch in charge of this area took a leave today. He just came here today."
The Crown Prince's tone was not good. "So you're saying he doesn't know anything?"
The eunuch trembled and quickly said, "Your servant asks for Your Highness's warrant to arrest the eunuch in the horse - ranch."
The Crown Prince paused, took out his personal token and handed it to the eunuch. "You take this and go search in person."
"Yes!"
After that, the Crown Prince looked at Qin Junxing. "Cousin, would you like to go with me to see the Emperor?"
"Yes." Qin Junxing lowered his head slightly. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he looked at the Second Prince. "Your Highness, why don't you go with us? Could it be that you're thinking about the young lady from the Qi family?"
"..."
At this time, the man who had been standing quietly beside Sun Jiming suddenly spoke up. "Student doesn't know when Your Highness the Second Prince started to take a fancy to student's younger sister? Father has been worried about my sister's marriage. Student will surely tell Father this good news when I get back!"
"… Qi Yueheng, there's nothing like that. Don't listen to cousin's nonsense. I'm leaving. I'll leave right away!" The Second Prince didn't wait for the Crown Prince and Qin Junxing. He hurriedly walked out of the horse - ranch. His speed was as if he would be captured by the Qi family to marry Qi Yueying if he was a bit late!
Seeing the man leave, Qin Junxing couldn't help but curl his lips. He glanced at Xie Fengran and then walked out.
The Crown Prince told Sun Jiming, "Jiming, I'll leave this place to you."
Sun Jiming nodded and bowed. "Your Highness, please rest assured!"