Chapter 455: Don’t Harm Him
If Xiao Huayong were to fall from the bridge today or lose his life because of this incident, even if His Majesty showed the slightest hesitation in rescuing him with full effort, the reputation of the Emperor killing his own brother would spread. With so many commoners present, could they all be slaughtered overnight?
With so many witnesses, anyone could spread rumors, as it would be difficult to trace who was behind the instigation.
The Youning Emperor firmly acknowledged Xiao Huayong’s identity, preventing any future attempts by the Emperor himself to use this incident as a pretext to depose the Crown Prince. He would never admit to killing his brother, but he might obscure that fact and cast doubt on Xiao Huayong’s origins. In doing so, it would become easy for His Majesty to depose the Crown Prince.
Xiao Huayong had already begun paving the way for his eventual confrontation with the Emperor, systematically dismantling every method the Emperor could use to attack him.
“What a touching display of father-son affection,” Xiao Juesong remarked with a light, mocking tone, his gaze cold as he tilted his head slightly.
The person behind him drew his bow and shot in one fluid motion. Several arrows flew toward Xiao Huayong, who did his utmost to dodge, but one still grazed his shoulder. Blood quickly seeped through the light-colored fabric on his arm.
Shen Xihe’s eyes turned icy. She snatched a bow from a nearby guard, nocked an arrow, drew the string, and let it fly. The arrow soared high over Xiao Juesong and his men, embedding itself in the ground behind them. A guard clutching a bow tumbled out of the grass, an arrow piercing his forehead, blood streaming down.
Everyone was stunned by this scene, including Shen Xihe herself. She knew her own archery skills well, and this bow was even heavier than what she usually trained with. She had barely managed to shoot the arrow with all her strength, and her arm was still trembling uncontrollably as she lowered it.
She had never expected to hit anyone. She had acted on impulse, angered by Xiao Juesong’s provocation, especially at the sight of the blood on Xiao Huayong’s shoulder, which had inexplicably filled her chest with rage.
Xiao Huayong, gripping the suspension bridge’s ropes tightly, turned and saw this. The corners of his lips curled upward uncontrollably, his eyes sparkling like starlight.
Xiao Changying was momentarily dazed, staring at the man Shen Xihe had shot dead for a moment before slowly turning his gaze to her.
Xiao Juesong also stared at the corpse that had rolled nearby for a while before lifting his head and squinting at Shen Xihe. “A fierce father breeds no weak daughter. The daughter of the fearless and mighty Northwest King does not disgrace your father’s prestige.”
“Don’t harm him,” Shen Xihe said, lifting her chin slightly. Her back was straight, her expression calm, and her voice cool. “That arrow was my repayment to you. If he is harmed again by you or any of your men, I will whip your corpse for every inch of his injury. If he falls from here, I will have your bones ground to dust, denying you peace even in death.”
The girl’s voice was as natural and tranquil as clouds under a clear sky. There was no gritted teeth, no harsh tone—only the calmest of declarations, conveying her unwavering resolve to keep her word.
Xiao Juesong was taken aback for a moment. Strangely, he felt no anger. As a man nearing his end, what was there to cling to?
Yet Shen Xihe’s words had indeed threatened him. He had no desire to be tormented after death, denied even a dignified burial.
He did not respond to Shen Xihe’s words, but at that moment, the Youning Emperor had already stepped onto the suspension bridge. His steps were steady as he swiftly approached Xiao Huayong. Everyone tensed, and Xiao Changying had already assumed a fighting stance.The corners of Xiao Juesong's lips flattened slightly as he watched the Youning Emperor approach. Their gazes met, each holding a restrained intensity.
When the Youning Emperor was only five or six steps away from Xiao Huayong, Xiao Juesong gave the order: "Release arrows!"
"Protect His Majesty!"
Arrows rained down like a storm. Xiao Huayong swiftly tightened his grip on the suspension bridge's ropes, and almost simultaneously, Xiao Changqing rushed to the other end of the bridge. With a forceful pull from Xiao Huayong, the bridge swung into mid-air, allowing both Xiao Huayong and the Youning Emperor to evade the volley of arrows. However, both men tumbled onto the swaying bridge.
The violent jolt caused several already loose planks to slip away completely. Xiao Huayong's entire body plummeted downward, his hands desperately clutching the ropes that held the remaining planks. He dangled in mid-air, his feet submerged in the rushing river.
The Youning Emperor found himself in a similar predicament. To prevent Xiao Juesong's archers from targeting them, the soldiers on their side rapidly shook the bridge under the cover of their own archers, not daring to pause for even a moment.
The suspension bridge could not withstand such violent swaying under their combined weight. Some guards had already leaped into the river, attempting to assist from below. However, the enemy on the opposite shore aimed not only to kill the Youning Emperor but also to prevent any rescue efforts. Many were struck by arrows in the water. At this critical moment, Xiao Juesong himself took up a crossbow, raising the compact weapon and aiming it directly at the Youning Emperor. Seeing this, Xiao Changying swiftly nocked an arrow.
Just before Xiao Juesong's bolt could strike the Youning Emperor, it was deflected by Xiao Changying's arrow. Amid the deafening clashes of the fierce battle, this feat stunned everyone, including Shen Xihe, who could not help but be awestruck.
The force of a crossbow far exceeded that of a regular bow. Under such circumstances, merely hitting the target would have been an immense challenge, yet Xiao Changying had managed to deflect the bolt. Such skill was a rarity in the entire realm.
No wonder, despite being relentlessly pursued and surrounded by so many in the past, he had managed to evade capture for so long. Xiao Changying's martial prowess was truly fearsome.
Xiao Juesong merely glanced at Xiao Changying before abruptly raising his crossbow again, aiming once more at the Youning Emperor. Xiao Changying already had another arrow nocked. Though the speed of a bow could not match that of a crossbow, the Youning Emperor was closer to Xiao Changying.
His judgment was remarkably precise. Xiao Juesong feigned several times, but Xiao Changying did not release his arrow. Only when Xiao Juesong was truly about to loose the second bolt did Xiao Changying let his arrow fly a split second earlier, once again accurately knocking aside Xiao Juesong's bolt.
Xiao Juesong had initially dismissed the first deflection as a coincidence, but now he could not help but cast an admiring glance at Xiao Changying.
Suddenly, he felt an indescribable envy toward the Youning Emperor. The first half of his own life had been filled with luxury and privilege, but he had been forced into exile before fathering any children. In contrast, the Youning Emperor had numerous descendants, and not one of them was incompetent.
With Xiao Changying keeping Xiao Juesong in check, the Youning Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. But at that moment, the sound of snapping ropes echoed through the chaos.
Xiao Huayong's body plummeted downward. Shen Xihe, witnessing this, no longer paid attention to the ongoing battle and hurried downstream along the river.
The river's current was ferocious. Once someone fell into the water, they would inevitably lose control, swept away by the powerful flow. Even those who had jumped into the river struggled to avoid being carried off course by the raging waters."Zhenzhu, go find a commoner and ask if anyone fell from the bridge, and where they were found after falling into the water." Shen Xihe continued downstream with Moyu, when a sudden thought struck her, leading her to devise another approach.
Zhenzhu hurriedly turned back, bypassing the battlefield, and approached the commoners who seemed frozen in place, neither daring to advance nor retreat.
Note: Returning late today, only one chapter for now. Will strive to maintain no less than eight thousand words tomorrow.
(End of Chapter)
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