Тhey wаntеd hеr lifе!
Нan Yan was stаrtlеd. She had сonsiderеd thrеаts аnd ехtortion, but nеver expectеd thеm to bе so dirесt аs tо want hеr lifе! Whо in thе Grеat Dуnasty would bе sо bold аs to seek hеr life right under thе empеrоr’s nоsе, in brоаd dаylight and in а рublic рlасe?
In thе blink of аn еye, Наn Yan twistеd her body аnd thrust backward, lеаving а finger-lеngth gash on the nесk оf the blасk-сlаd mаn сharging аt hеr from thе front. Тhis was, aftеr all, а раnickеd соuntеrattack, аnd the other side clеarly cоnsisted of trаined individuаls. Аfter оnly a brief pause, they lunged at her again with their blades. Ji Lan and Shu Hong, both startled, threw themselves forward, ready to shield Han Yan with their own bodies.
In truth, everyone understood—even if Ji Lan and Shu Hong truly took the blow for Han Yan, what then? They could block the first strike, the second, but what about the third, the fourth? Ji Lan and Shu Hong had cried out so loudly, yet no one around had come to their aid. Today, it seemed, was likely to end in disaster. No one was coming to save her. Was she really going to die here, under a flurry of blades? But how could she accept that? Absolutely not!
At the critical moment, a gleaming long sword suddenly shot out from the side, cleanly deflecting the chaotic blades before her. In just a brief moment, sword light flashed everywhere. Han Yan couldn’t even see clearly what happened before the black-clad men in front of her fell, blood spurting from their necks. Her body was abruptly pulled backward, her back pressed against a warm embrace. A cold hand covered her eyes, and she faintly heard a sigh echoing in her ear. Han Yan desperately wanted to turn her head, but in the end, she restrained herself.
"Young lady!" Seeing the danger had passed and the black-clad men lay in pools of blood, Ji Lan and Shu Hong anxiously turned their gaze to her. Just as Han Yan was about to speak, she felt the weight behind her lighten—the stranger had taken two steps back, and she was no longer in his embrace.
Han Yan wanted to turn around, but one of the black-clad men lying in the blood suddenly leaped up, his blade instantly slashing toward her. Han Yan hadn’t anticipated this move. The man was too close—at such a distance, there was no way to avoid it. The person behind her also seemed caught off guard. His long sword left its sheath, but at the last moment, it suddenly veered off course, missing its mark entirely. Yet even so, the man abruptly threw himself forward, shielding Han Yan in his arms. His own body took the blow, the blade deeply embedding itself in his waist. The black-clad man froze for a moment, but in the next instant, the long sword pierced his chest. His eyes widened as he stared at the unharmed Han Yan before collapsing straight to the ground.
Han Yan whirled around to look at the person who had saved her from peril, asking anxiously, "How are you?"
It was only then that Han Yan saw the man’s appearance. He wore a dark robe, a large wet patch at his waist—undoubtedly blood, though nothing else could be discerned. His face, however, was concealed by a mask, revealing nothing. The man staggered slightly, just a very faint movement, but Han Yan noticed it nonetheless. Meeting her worried gaze, the masked man’s voice betrayed neither joy nor anger: "It’s nothing." His voice was low, not at all like that person’s. Han Yan paused briefly. "May I ask your honorable name? Such a great kindness—this humble girl has no way to repay it."The masked man turned and silently watched her for a long moment before suddenly leaping away and disappearing. Only Han Yan remained standing in place. Ji Lan hurried forward and asked anxiously, "Miss, are you alright?"
Han Yan shook her head, her gaze falling on the several black-clad men lying on the ground. Suddenly, she stepped forward, crouched down beside one of the black-clad men, and reached into his clothing, searching for something.
"Miss!" Ji Lan exclaimed in alarm. "We should leave this place quickly. What if more of these black-clad men arrive?"
Shu Hong, however, watched Han Yan's actions, thought for a moment, then walked over to another black-clad man, crouched down beside him, and quietly imitated Han Yan, using her hands to search for something.
After a while, Han Yan stood up, her expression more grave than ever before. "Let's go."
"Miss..." Shu Hong and Ji Lan stood up as well. Seeing the change in Han Yan's expression, they exchanged a glance and followed her.
After returning to the Clear Autumn Courtyard, Han Yan sat down on the bed. Neither Ji Lan nor Shu Hong dared to speak. When Han Yan was deep in thought, they knew better than to disturb her. And today, Han Yan's contemplative demeanor seemed particularly troubled. Had she discovered something?
It was impossible to tell how much time had passed. Only when the oil in the lamp was nearly exhausted did Han Yan let out a deep sigh and take a sip of tea from the cup beside her.
This movement signaled that she had come to some conclusion. Ji Lan and Shu Hong had been holding back their questions for a long time. Surprisingly, it wasn't the usually impatient Ji Lan who spoke first this time, but Shu Hong, who couldn't help asking, "Miss, is it because you've discovered something?"
Han Yan gave a bitter smile. "Exactly. I've just realized that we're in serious trouble."
Ji Lan didn't understand the meaning behind Han Yan's words. "Miss... this servant doesn't understand."
Han Yan shook her head. "Do you know who those black-clad men from today belong to?"
Ji Lan and Shu Hong looked at each other, both shaking their heads.
"They are from the imperial family," Han Yan sighed. "Can you think of anyone?"
"Could it be... the Empress Dowager?" Shu Hong ventured a bold guess. Ji Lan was startled and glanced around before chiding her, "Keep your voice down. What if someone hears?"
Han Yan shook her head. "If it were the Empress Dowager, it wouldn't be this complicated. It's The Emperor."
"The Emperor?" Ji Lan and Shu Hong exclaimed in unison, both looking incredulous. Indeed, The Emperor had no grudge against Han Yan. Even when Fu Yunxi insisted on marrying Han Yan and clashed with the Empress Dowager, The Emperor had only shown mild displeasure, which quickly faded due to Fu Yunxi's staunch defense of Han Yan. Why would he now go to such lengths to have her killed? Even if it were to please that Western Rong princess, surely he wouldn't go this far. Moreover, as the ruler of a nation, there was no need for him to curry favor with some Western Rong princess. But then, how had Han Yan offended His Majesty?Han Yan let out a deep sigh. Earlier, she had found a token of the Imperial Guard on the black-clad man, and that token could not be fake, nor could it have been planted on the Emperor by someone else. The movements of those black-clad men were indeed remarkably familiar and coordinated—a sight Han Yan was no stranger to. When she had entered the palace, she had seen the Imperial Guards by the Emperor’s side, and their movements were exactly the same. The Imperial Guards could only be mobilized by the Emperor himself and no one else. When this thought surfaced in her mind, Han Yan’s heart instantly sank. The Emperor wanted her dead, but why?
The first possibility was that Fu Yunxi was to marry the Western Rong princess. However, the Emperor had already issued an imperial decree granting her marriage to Fu Yunxi. Now, the only way would be to issue another decree, annulling her status and bestowing upon Irina the title of Xuan Qing Prince Consort. But in doing so, the Emperor would become someone who went back on his word. For a ruler, losing trust was an extremely serious matter, especially for those in power, who would go to great lengths to erase any blemish on their public image. To avoid being criticized by his subjects and people for not being a man of his word, the Emperor might simply have her killed. Then, under the pretext of her unfortunate demise, he could rightfully find another consort for Fu Yunxi without giving anyone cause for gossip. This explanation indeed made sense, yet for some reason, Han Yan felt that the Emperor would not resort to such a ruthless act for this reason alone. But if not for this reason, then what else could it be?
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