When someone was chasing from behind, the old woman wasn't particularly nervous, but when Chu Zhao stopped and turned around, she couldn't help but halt her steps and tighten her hold on the child in her arms.
The child clutched her clothes, leaning over her shoulder to look back.
In the dim and hazy night, he saw the girl suddenly draw a knife and suddenly kill someone.
A lot of blood sprayed out, as if splashing onto his face.
His eyes were wide open and unblinking, completely unfazed.
He had never seen anyone killed before, nor even seen blood, but tonight, it seemed as if he were soaked in a sea of blood and mountain of corpses.
A Le also widened her eyes; blood had splattered on her face, and she too held a knife in her hand.
The young lady had warned them earlier that it would be dangerous, that they might have to kill or be killed.
She wasn't afraid either, even though she had never killed anyone before.
The young lady had never killed anyone either, yet she killed without hesitation!
The young lady was so impressive!
"Go." Chu Zhao, gripping her knife, strode over and pushed the old woman.
This time, the old woman quickened her pace.
A Le fell behind Chu Zhao, now determined that she would be the first to strike with her knife—she too would kill someone.
All of this happened in an instant, but it was still noticed.
As the two figures fell to the ground, more shadows emerged from the depths of the alley, surging forward like a tide, carrying with them the chill night wind and the stench of blood.
Chu Zhao raised her knife and leaped forward.
"Let me handle this, young lady." A Le stepped ahead, brandishing her knife as she charged.
A few muffled groans followed, and wherever the blade flashed, figures fell one after another.
A Le was stunned—she hadn't even, actually, touched—
"Fall back." Chu Zhao grabbed her and pulled her backward.
She scanned their surroundings.
On the walls flanking the alley, figures dropped down one after another, like scythes sweeping through, and wherever they passed, the charging figures fell in droves.
From deeper within, the sounds of fighting erupted as well.
Who were these people?
"Hey." A female voice descended from atop the wall.
Chu Zhao looked over; in the darkness, she couldn't make out the face, but she could see the silhouette of a girl, with a smaller figure beside her.
The small figure's hand swayed back and forth, glinting coldly.
Looking again at the surging shadows, there were men, women, and the elderly—
They looked just like neighbors from the surrounding area, but since when could neighbors kill like this?
Chu Zhao tightened her grip on the knife, but before she could speak, the female voice spoke again.
"Do you need horses?" she asked.
Running on foot was, of course, no match for horses. Chu Zhao looked at the girl and replied decisively, "Yes."
The small figure crouched beside the girl let out a sharp whistle.
Immediately, a tightly shut door on the street swung open, and more than a dozen horses charged out, neighing loudly.
"Go, go." The girl waved and shouted.
Without another question, Chu Zhao turned decisively, helped the old woman, and ran toward the horses, with A Le close behind.
These horses were not only saddled but also equipped with knives, bows, arrows, and other weapons.
Chu Zhao grabbed one at random, swung herself onto its back, and called out, "The—child, give him to me."
She had almost said "Little Highness," but thought better of it.
Before the old woman could react, the child in her arms lifted his head and once again reached out toward Chu Zhao.
The old woman hurriedly passed him over.
Chu Zhao lifted the child and held him in front of her, while the old woman and A Le each mounted their own horses.Chu Zhao glanced back. The sounds of fighting in the alley grew more intense, as if countless dark shadows were surging forward, but the girl standing atop the high wall seemed to cast a net, firmly trapping the shadows in place.
"Go!" she shouted again.
Chu Zhao withdrew her gaze, sheathed her blade, and pulled a long spear from her horse, gripping it tightly as she urged her steed forward at full speed.
"Head toward the Imperial Palace," she yelled.
The old woman behind her finally spoke up: "The Imperial Palace is swarming with the Third Prince's men. It's too dangerous."
Without turning her head, Chu Zhao replied, "If it's dangerous, then let everyone face danger together."
Let the Third Prince know that the Crown Prince of Zhongshan was reaping the benefits while others fought.
Even if a battle erupted, a three-way melee would be better than being silently surrounded and slaughtered.
The more chaotic it became, the greater their chance of survival.
But after urging her horse forward just a few strides, the sound of rapid hoofbeats echoed from the street ahead—clearly, more people were approaching.
Since Xiao Xun had resolved to kill, he must have laid a net of heaven and earth around the Chu residence.
After scheming for so long, how could the Prince of Zhongshan and his son allow her to escape so easily?
"Miss Chu—" the old woman trembled, as if asking what to do.
Chu Zhao gripped her blade and stared ahead. "I don't know what to do, nor do I know if I can lead you to safety. The only promise I can make is—"
"I will die before any of you."
If this was the fate of the Little Highness—the fate Xiao Xun had framed her father for, the fate Chu Lan had foolishly embraced—then this time, she would die with them.
The only regret was that in this second chance at life, she still hadn't been able to see her father even once.
This was all A Jiu's fault!
If only he had delivered her letter to her father earlier, or if he hadn’t dawdled on the road back then, she would already be in the Border Commandery, guarding her father’s side—
The child in front of her clung tightly, and Chu Zhao could feel the little one trembling.
Ah, perhaps it was just as well she was still in the capital. Even if they were to die together, at least this child wouldn’t harbor hatred for her father, and would die knowing exactly who had harmed him.
Chu Zhao wrapped one arm protectively around the child and raised her spear with the other.
"A Le," she called out, "what we learned as children will be put to use today."
A Le raised her bow and arrows, galloping alongside her. "Miss, this time it’s not for play."
With a twang, two arrows shot forth like meteors.
A clang echoed from ahead, as if arrow had met metal.
To deflect arrows with a weapon? How formidable.
A Le and Chu Zhao paled slightly but showed no fear. A Le discarded her bow and drew her spear, while Chu Zhao urged her horse to gallop even faster.
A shout came from the darkness ahead.
"A Le, you reckless girl!" a man’s voice scolded. "How many times have I told you? On the battlefield, use single arrows—no showing off! The most dazzling skill is the one that kills!"
A Le froze, but Chu Zhao was already overjoyed.
"Uncle Zhong—" she cried out, her voice growing hoarse.
Uncle Zhong! Uncle Zhong had come!
Yes, this life was different from the last. Uncle Zhong had come to the capital, and today, he was right here in the city.
Zhong Changrong reined in his horse, watching the girl rushing toward him. Her eyes glistened as if with tears, and his own eyes stung, nearly shedding tears as well.
Thank goodness, thank goodness—A Zhao was safe.
"Uncle Zhong is late," he said, his expression filled with self-reproach. "You must have been terrified."
Everything had happened too suddenly. An old friend had insisted he stay the night, and though he had repeatedly declined, he had indulged in a little wine and slept deeply. By the time he realized what was happening, the capital was already engulfed in chaos.An old friend had advised him to stay hidden at home, but he was too worried about Chu Zhao and had managed to make his way through the city to get here.
Sure enough, he saw fighting over there—
Who were they?
No matter who they were, anyone threatening the young lady must die!
Zhong Changrong’s eyes sharpened. "A Zhao, step back."
He gripped his blade and prepared to charge forward.
Chu Zhao quickly moved aside, then added, "Uncle Zhong, are those people you arranged to protect me?"
Zhong Changrong was taken aback. What? Only then did he notice that two sides were clearly locked in combat, with one side preventing the other from even leaving the alley.
He was about to say no when he spotted a figure running toward them.
It was a girl, holding a blade, seemingly thinking Chu Zhao was under attack and rushing to her aid.
As she drew closer, she noticed Zhong Changrong and abruptly halted, stepping back as if unwilling to let him see her face.
But then, perhaps feeling that retreating was shameful, she stopped, tilted her head with a hint of arrogance, and looked away.
Though only half her face was visible in the flickering torchlight, Zhong Changrong recognized her instantly. His expression shifted, and he barked, "You—!"
He cut himself off mid-sentence.
Chu Zhao looked at him, then at the girl. Only now did she get a clear view: the girl was about her age, carrying a blade almost as tall as she was—
Since when did Uncle Zhong have such a young girl working for him?
Or perhaps not?
"Uncle Zhong, is she... are they your people?" Chu Zhao asked again.
Zhong Changrong’s expression shifted for a moment before he forced a smile. "Yes, yes, I arranged for them to be here."
Though his words were directed at Chu Zhao, his gaze remained fixed on the girl, his eyes delivering a stern warning.
The girl snorted, turning her head even farther away, her slender neck twisting as if it might snap.
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