Shen Xihe did not dwell on Bu Shulin's words. Following Mo Yuan's arrangements, she proceeded to the next village.
Staying at the wealthy estate Mo Yuan had prepared, Shen Xihe finished her evening meal and, at Zhenzhu's suggestion, took a stroll in the cool night breeze to refresh herself.
Standing among the mountains, she watched the sunset inch by inch as weary birds cut through the brilliant afterglow with their wings, circling homeward. Farmers in the fields, too, shouldered their tools and headed back as dusk began to envelop the land. At the village entrance, they were met by eagerly awaiting children before returning home together.
This serene and beautiful scene captivated Shen Xihe, leaving her entranced.
As the cool evening breeze swept by, Zhenzhu stepped forward to adjust the snow-white fur cloak draped over Shen Xihe's shoulders. "Your Highness, the night grows late."
Turning around, Shen Xihe had taken only a few steps when the clashing of swords reached her ears. Pausing mid-step, she found Zhenzhu and Moyu already shielding her.
Mo Yuan rushed over with a group of guards, forming an impenetrable barrier around Shen Xihe.
"Your Highness, shall I send someone to investigate ahead?" The sounds of clashing blades persisted from beyond a ridge, yet no one was in sight. Mo Yuan approached Shen Xihe's side and bowed as he inquired.
Shen Xihe's gaze swept lightly over him. "Unnecessary," she replied indifferently.
Mo Yuan stiffened visibly but dared not disobey. As the one responsible for the princess's safety, how could he afford to fall out of her favor? Yet, how could someone as astute as her be unaware that this was all part of the path carefully laid out by the prince? She had cooperated until now—why the sudden change of heart?
Fortunately, the pursued individual did not disappoint Mo Yuan's expectations, fighting his way toward them.
A nimble figure, clad in a tight crimson robe now darkened to black from layers of blood, was surrounded by over a dozen assailants. Even before he drew near, Shen Xihe could smell the thick, metallic scent of blood wafting toward her.
"No one moves without my order," Shen Xihe commanded coldly, noticing Mo Yuan's readiness to act.
Though astonished, Mo Yuan concealed his reaction and bowed respectfully. "As you wish."
The assassins, having pursued their target this far, initially hesitated upon seeing the large group. But observing that Shen Xihe's guards seemed only defensive, with no intention of intervening, the lead black-clad figure decisively signaled for a full assault.
They had chased this man relentlessly, suffering heavy casualties along the way. If they failed to eliminate him now, none of them would survive.
Blades swept horizontally, blood spraying through the air.
No matter how skilled, one could hardly prevail against overwhelming odds.
"Your Highness, should we not... lend a righteous hand?" Mo Yuan grew increasingly anxious.
"Those who pursue are not necessarily vile or forced into desperation; those pursued are not necessarily innocent or pitiable—perhaps they have brought this upon themselves." Shen Xihe's voice remained calm and audible, carrying clearly despite the ringing of steel.
Her words struck a nerve with the pursued man, causing him to falter mid-action. A sweeping blade sliced a deep gash across his arm, blood gushing forth.
The Ninth Son of the Youning Emperor, Prince Lie—Xiao Changying.
Was this Shen Yueshan's choice?It seems Noble Consort Rong's profound favor runs deep in people's hearts. The Gu family chose her eldest son, Prince Xin Xiao Changqing, for Gu Qingzhi, while Shen Yueshan chose her youngest son, Xiao Changying, for Shen Xihe. Both shrewd old foxes clearly favor Noble Consort Rong.
Today, Shen Xihe would have been willing to respect Shen Yueshan's choice regarding any other prince—except for the Xiao Changqing brothers. She felt somewhat repulsed.
"Let's go," Shen Xihe softly instructed Mo Yuan, turning to take the rear path to avoid them.
Mo Yuan was frantic with anxiety!
His lord had expended great effort precisely to have Prince Lie owe the lady a life-saving favor, yet today she acted as if she saw nothing. But since Shen Xihe had already left, Mo Yuan dared not disobey. Moreover, if he insisted on rescuing them, wouldn't that expose their prior acquaintance with Xiao Changying? Wouldn't it reveal this was no coincidence?
Xiao Changying had never encountered a woman like this—one who not only showed no fear upon witnessing such a bloody fight, not even blinking, but could even suggest the pursued might deserve their fate. Most crucially, she actually turned a blind eye to his plight and gracefully turned to leave!
How utterly unreasonable!
But Prince Lie, usually arrogant and domineering, had been pursued for three full days. Though none of his wounds were fatal, he was severely exhausted. His pride genuinely forbade him from bowing to such a woman, yet reality left him no room for haughty defiance. If he missed this chance with them, he would likely end up dead under these assassins' blades.
With a twist of his wrist, his long sword drew a dazzling arc. A cold gleam flashed as Xiao Changying ignored the attack from behind, killed two assassins in front with one stroke, and spun around, throwing an object toward Shen Xihe.
Clink!
A crisp sound rang out as a fiery red jade landed squarely at Shen Xihe's feet, splitting into two halves. Even broken, the coiled dragon carved on it retained its majestic aura, and the character "Ying" remained clearly legible.
With so many guards in tow, she was clearly a noble lady from a prominent family. Few aristocratic clans in the Great Xing Dynasty would be unaware that the Youning Emperor bestowed each prince with a jade pendant on their twelfth birthday—a symbol of their status, engraved with their name.
Though counterfeits existed, in such matters, it was better to err on the side of caution. Earlier, she could have feigned ignorance and left, but now she could not.
Knowing a prince was being hunted yet refusing rescue was a crime punishable by extermination of nine clans. If Xiao Changying died here, she would have to accompany him in death—and the Youning Emperor would have a perfect pretext to deal with Shen Yueshan.
Every son of the imperial family was far from simple.
Sighing softly, Shen Xihe ordered Mo Yuan, "Save him!"
Mo Yuan, a hardened soldier forged in the blood-soaked battlefields of the northwest, led elite northwestern troops—men who could single-handedly take on ten on the battlefield. Dealing with these already weary assassins was effortless for them.
By the time Mo Yuan had dispatched them all, Xiao Changying was half-kneeling on the ground, utterly exhausted. He leaned on his sword to keep from collapsing.
Picking up the broken jade pendant, Shen Xihe slowly walked over to Xiao Changying. "Pray forgive this subject's daughter for failing to recognize Your Highness earlier. Fortunately, Your Highness is not yet dead."
Fortunately, Your Highness is not yet dead...
"Pfft!" Already severely wounded, Xiao Changying spat out a mouthful of blood—out of sheer fury.Yet his blurred vision could only catch her turning away, the snow-white fur coat sweeping through undulating waves of resplendent light as she drifted away with ethereal grace.
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