Hearing footsteps, Yelü Sage raised an eyebrow with a smile. "My people will be here soon. There's no point in continuing this fight."
Nan Xing sent a palm strike toward Yelü Sage, forcing her back two or three steps, and said coldly, "That's not necessarily true!"
As soon as Nan Xing finished speaking, a series of agonized screams suddenly erupted from outside.
Yelü Sage's expression changed, but Nan Xing gave her no chance to react. Seizing the opportunity, Nan Xing curled her fingers into a claw and aimed for Yelü Sage's throat. Distracted by the commotion outside, Yelü Sage managed to tilt her head in time to avoid a fatal blow, but Nan Xing left three deep claw marks on the side of her neck.
Nan Xing's strike was far from the strength of an ordinary woman's fight. If Yelü Sage hadn't been lucky enough to avoid her carotid artery, she might have bled out on the spot. Even though she had dodged the vital spot, her shoulder was quickly stained red by the blood flowing from her neck.
In that brief moment, the footsteps and screams outside ceased, and all fell silent. Yelü Sage retreated a few steps, clutching the wound on her neck, a chill rising from the depths of her heart.
Nan Xing made no move to press her advantage. She simply stood there, separating Yelü Sage from Ren Yaoqi and Consort Dowager Yun, her eyes fixed emotionlessly on Yelü Sage.
Yelü Sage dared not attack again. The wound on her neck was deep, and reckless movement would only accelerate the bleeding. Moreover, with the unexpected turn of events outside, even if she could defeat the woman before her, she might not escape the woman's hidden allies.
With her keen hearing, Yelü Sage had already deduced that the dozen or so guards who had entered with Xiao Jingyue were likely in dire straits. For so many robust guards to be subdued in such a short time meant the enemy's numbers were far from one or two. Yet, she couldn't detect any unfamiliar presence, indicating that the suddenly appearing allies were more skilled in martial arts than she was.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside, and someone walked in.
Everyone in the room turned to look, and Ren Yaoqi's gaze fixed intently on the doorway. Then, she saw Xiao Shun walk in.
Ren Yaoqi lowered her eyes to conceal her disappointment.
Xiao Shun bowed to Ren Yaoqi and Consort Dowager Yun, then said, "I advise the princess not to act rashly. Although I may not be your match in a one-on-one fight, do you believe that if you raise your hand another half-inch, your throat will be pierced?"
Yelü Sage's hand, which she had just raised, froze. She then smiled bitterly and opened her palm, letting a diamond-shaped hidden weapon fall to the ground.
Xiao Shun smiled faintly. "It's a pleasure for everyone that the princess is so sensible."
Knowing resistance was unwise at this point, Yelü Sage obediently allowed Nan Xing to subdue her.
Only then did Xiao Shun step forward and bow again. "This subordinate is late, causing Your Highness and the young madam distress."
At this moment, Ren Yaoqi could still smile calmly at Xiao Shun. "You've worked hard, Lord Xiao. You arrived just in time."
Tong Xi and Tong He hurried in at that moment. Seeing that Ren Yaoqi and Consort Dowager Yun were unharmed, they finally breathed a sigh of relief and began helping to tidy up the aftermath in the room.Seeing Xiao Jingyue and Yelü Sage both tied up, Ren Yaoqi asked Xiao Shun, "What's the situation outside?"
Xiao Shun lowered his head slightly and replied, "Xiao Jingyue's men have surrounded the mansion. Although we are outnumbered, they cannot approach Zhaoning Hall. Now that Xiao Jingyue is severely injured, those surrounding the mansion have lost their leader and are no longer a threat."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi's frown did not ease. She asked, "Then what should we be wary of now?"
Xiao Shun glanced at Ren Yaoqi in surprise, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Xiao Heng still has five hundred troops under his command. They are likely currently clashing with the guards at the gates of Yunyang City."
Consort Dowager Yun gasped in shock.
Ren Yaoqi, however, was not surprised. Since Xiao Heng and Xiao Jingyue, father and son, had rebelled against the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, they would naturally deploy their forces strategically—one surrounding the mansion, the other the city. They were confident that the Yanbei Prince's Mansion was currently defenseless.
Just then, there was movement outside Zhaoning Hall, as if many people were approaching.
Nan Xing slipped out of the hall and quickly returned, reporting, "Young Madam, Xiao Jingyue's men have noticed something amiss and are gathering around."
Xiao Shun said, "They are merely a ragtag bunch. I will lead our men to drive them away."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but ask, "How many of our people are left in Zhaoning Hall?"
Xiao Shun smiled and replied, "Only twenty-six. But please rest assured, Young Madam. These twenty-six are the Yan Yun Eighteen Guards, each capable of taking on a hundred enemies."
Ren Yaoqi was startled. "The Yan Yun Eighteen Guards?"
She had heard of the Yan Yun Eighteen Guards before but had always thought they existed only in the tales of storytellers in teahouses. Legend had it that the Yan Yun Eighteen Guards were the most mysterious protectors of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, existing since the time of the first Prince of Yanbei. They came and went without a trace, each proficient in eighteen martial arts and capable of fighting ten opponents at once.
Xiao Shun bowed and withdrew.
Nan Xing remained in the hall to guard Ren Yaoqi. Seeing Ren Yaoqi deep in thought, she volunteered an explanation, "Although rumors cannot be fully trusted, the Yan Yun Eighteen Guards are undoubtedly the most formidable protectors in the world. Though they are called the Yan Yun Eighteen Guards, there are not just eighteen of them—there are forty in total. The young master took fourteen with him when he left, and the remaining twenty-six were left behind to protect you, Young Madam. You need not worry. With them here, no one can enter Zhaoning Hall."
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback. Xiao Jingxi had left most of the elite guards to protect her. What about his side...
Nan Xing was not one to speak unnecessarily. Seeing Ren Yaoqi fall silent, she too stood quietly to the side.
Sounds of fighting seemed to come from outside, but at this moment, Ren Yaoqi paid no mind. She believed that the men Xiao Jingxi had left behind were more than enough to ensure her and her child's safety.
After about a quarter of an hour, Xiao Shun returned and reported with a bow, "Young Madam, Xiao Jingyue's men have been driven back. We will wait here for Mu Hu's men to arrive."
Ren Yaoqi nodded without saying a word.
Not long after, someone outside Zhaoning Hall shouted that Xiao Heng had arrived and wished to discuss matters with Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi remained seated without moving.
Consort Dowager Yun frowned and said, "What does that beast want now?"Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingyue, who lay unconscious and bloodied on the ground, and smiled faintly. "What he wants to do—we’ll know just by listening."
Before long, Xiao Heng’s voice sounded outside the hall.
"Niece-in-law, your second uncle has a few words to say to you."
No one in the room responded.
Xiao Heng continued, "You are the granddaughter of the Prince of Hezhong. Regardless of the grievances between your second uncle and the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, I would never dare harm you in the slightest. So you can easily stay out of this matter. Now that Xiao Jingxi is dead, if you are willing, in a while, I can send you back—or perhaps to the Prince of Hezhong. What do you think?"
Still, no one replied.
"Niece-in-law, could you let Xiao Jingyue come out so I can see him? No matter what foolish words he said or what foolish things he did, as his father, I apologize on his behalf. Please do not stoop to his level."
Xiao Heng waited a while longer, but there was still no response from Zhaoning Hall, nor did anyone answer him. He couldn’t help but frown, and worry for his only son inevitably began to stir in his heart.
After what felt like an eternity, Xiao Heng spoke again, "Niece-in-law, you may not want to listen to your second uncle’s words, but surely you would listen to the Old Princess Consort?"
Everyone in the room was taken aback by this.
Then, a sharp voice rang out from outside, "Xiao Heng, what do you think you’re doing! Why have you brought me here?" It was unmistakably the voice of the Old Princess Consort.
Xiao Heng seemed to whisper a few words to the Old Princess Consort, but she angrily rebuked him without any gratitude, "First, you suddenly had people surround my Shou’an Hall, and now you’ve brought me here against my will. What are you trying to do?"
Xiao Heng chuckled at this. "Mother, Yue’er is still in Zhaoning Hall. Could you ask my niece-in-law to let him out?"
"If Xiao Jingyue is in Zhaoning Hall, why have you brought me here?" the Old Princess Consort retorted impatiently.
Ignoring her, Xiao Heng raised his voice toward Zhaoyang Hall, "Niece-in-law, everyone says you are a filial person. Surely you wouldn’t want to see anything happen to the Old Princess Consort, would you? If you release Yue’er, I’ll let the Old Princess Consort enter to rest. How about that?"
Only then did the Old Princess Consort understand—Xiao Heng actually intended to exchange her for Xiao Jingyue. Enraged, she exclaimed, "You beast…"
Unfortunately, her words were cut short as one of Xiao Heng’s guards stepped forward and pressed a blade to her neck.
Without even glancing at the Old Princess Consort, Xiao Heng said, "Niece-in-law, if you disregard the Old Princess Consort’s life, it wouldn’t be right, would it? As long as you return Yue’er, I won’t pursue today’s matter. What do you say?"
Ren Yaoqi was amused by his shamelessness but still remained silent, listening to his one-man show outside.
Consort Dowager Yun suddenly spoke, "Let me handle this. You stay here and don’t make a sound."
Ren Yaoqi looked at Consort Dowager Yun, who smiled. "He’s using the Old Princess Consort to threaten you. If you stand by and do nothing, you’ll inevitably be criticized in the future. But in this world, there is one person whose refusal to save her would be seen as perfectly justified by outsiders—and that person is me. What a joke! Everyone knows I am at odds with that woman surnamed Li. Only a blind person would think I’d want to save her."With that, Consort Dowager Yun patted Ren Yaoqi's hand, then raised her voice toward the outside: "That wretch Xiao Jingyue dared to assault me, his elder, just now. I have already ordered him bound, and I will deal with him later. As for the person you brought, take her back with you. I do not wish to see her."
Xiao Heng was taken aback, then said, "Your Highness? My nephew's wife, she..."
Consort Dowager Yun said coldly, "How dare you mention her! She has already fainted from the shock of your actions! If anything happens to her, I will not let you off!"
Ren Yaoqi, who had supposedly fainted from shock: "..."
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