The Golden Hairpin

After a short rest, the hottest part of the midday had passed. Since Princess Qile was accompanying them, riding horses was out of the question. Li Shubai and Huang Zixiang boarded a carriage, with the princess's carriage following behind.

Though they traveled light, Princess Qile had brought along seventy to eighty guards, and the retinue from Prince Kui's residence numbered over two hundred. This grand procession moved along the official road, raising clouds of dust that blotted out the sun, creating an imposing spectacle. Inside the carriage, Li Shubai and Huang Zixiang could feel the bumpy ride, their speed reduced by more than half, leaving them with little to say to each other.

The glass bottle hanging inside the carriage swayed precariously, and the small red fish within seemed weary from the long journey, swimming restlessly in the water.

Huang Zixiang reached out to steady the bottle, minimizing its movement, and said softly, "Why bring it along on such a strenuous journey, Your Highness? If the glass were to crack or break, wouldn’t it be better left in the residence?"

Li Shubai glanced at the fish and replied, "Habit."

Habit—what kind of habit? Was it the fish being accustomed to following him wherever he went, or was it him being used to keeping a small fish by his side, occasionally pausing to gaze at it?

Huang Zixiang looked at the Agashini and suddenly recalled how, ten years ago, he had discovered this little fish in the blood coughed up by the late emperor. Back then, he had been an innocent child, unaware of the world's complexities. Now, he was the illustrious Prince Kui.

Yet, over these ten years, the fish had neither grown nor changed, remaining by his side without ever making a sound. It was as if something had frozen forever on that night when he was thirteen, forever unchanging.

She released the glass bottle and sighed inwardly. Whatever it was, after ten years, perhaps it was no longer just a habit but something indispensable.

As the sun gradually dipped westward, Chengdu Prefecture was still nowhere in sight.

Jing Yu urged his horse forward and whispered outside the carriage window, "Your Highness, the princess is feeling unwell and has disembarked to rest."

Their carriage had no choice but to slow to a stop. Li Shubai looked out the window at Princess Qile, who leaned against a tree after alighting. She didn’t appear fatigued but rather looked around with a carefree expression, even plucking a hollyhock to admire in her hand.

Li Shubai glanced at Huang Zixiang, who understood his silent cue. She fetched some mint water and went to greet the princess, offering it to her. "His Highness sent this water for you. If the journey is discomforting, inhaling its scent may help soothe and relieve tension."

Princess Qile accepted it cheerfully, bringing it to her nose for a gentle sniff. "How thoughtful of His Highness. I merely felt a slight tightness in my chest."

Huang Zixiang surveyed their surroundings. Dusk clouds gathered, and birds fluttered in disarray as the evening wind howled through the pine forests. A sense of unease crept over her, and she said to the princess, "Your Highness, we should return to the carriage soon. We must hurry to reach Chengdu Prefecture before nightfall."

"No need to worry. I’ve heard it’s only about twenty li away. We’ll surely arrive before the first watch," Princess Qile replied, smiling as she looked around. "Don’t you find the scenery here enchanting? The mountains and valleys are blanketed with blooming flowers—wouldn’t you like to take a look?"

Huang Zixiang couldn’t help but feel a twinge of helplessness. "Your Highness has refined tastes, but it’s already late today. Perhaps tomorrow we could arrange for a leisurely day of sightseeing. What do you think?""Everyone says the Eunuch Yang by Prince Kui's side is exceptionally graceful, yet who would have thought he lacks any appreciation for elegance." Princess Qile tossed aside the flower in her hand and walked toward her carriage.

Huang Zixiang breathed a sigh of relief and was about to return to report to Li Shubai when she suddenly heard Princess Qile call out from behind, "Wait a moment, Eunuch Yang."

She turned back to look at the princess, only to see her holding a small box. "I nearly forgot—this is a gift for Prince Kui."

Huang Zixiang lowered her head and reached out to take it, but Princess Qile raised her hand slightly and said, "This cannot pass through another's hands. I must deliver it to Prince Kui myself."

Amid the startled fluttering of resting birds, Huang Zixiang replied helplessly, "Then, Your Highness may present it to His Highness once we arrive in Chengdu. For now, please board the carriage and proceed there without delay."

"Do you think I don’t know? Once you reach Chengdu, Prefect Zhou will surely host banquets and performances, dragging things out half the night. By tomorrow, Prince Kui will be buried in official duties—it’ll be far too difficult to catch him." Lifting the hem of her skirt, she stepped across the lush grass beneath the trees and approached Li Shubai’s carriage. Smiling at him inside, she said, "I almost forgot to give you your gift."

Li Shubai set down the document in his hand and reached out with a smile. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

"Ah, why aren’t you opening it?" She lifted her skirt, climbed the wooden steps, and sat beside him, beaming as she held out the box once more. "Guess what’s inside?"

Li Shubai studied the box, frowning slightly. "How should I know?"

"Honestly, you won’t even humor me." Annoyed, she flicked open the latch and lifted the lid. "I prayed before the Buddha for months to obtain this. The Bodhisattva told me it would surely fulfill my wish, granting my hopeless desire..."

Before she could finish, the lid was already open.

Before anyone could clearly see what was inside, a flash of light gleamed.

Li Shubai reacted with lightning reflexes—the moment the light flickered, he grabbed a small side table and hurled it at the box. "Don’t open it!"

Yet a faint hissing sound had already begun. As Princess Qile lifted the lid, a subtle current burst from the box, filling the entire carriage.

No—it wasn’t air, but hundreds of steel needles finer than ox hair, scattering like a sudden gust of wind within the confined space, impossible to evade.

Fortunately, the table struck just in time, knocking Princess Qile’s hand askew. The box fell onto the carriage floor, its thick carpet muffling the remaining needles as they embedded harmlessly.

Still, a few had already escaped.

Without a word, Li Shubai plucked a hair-thin needle from his left elbow. Princess Qile, who had opened the box herself, stood closest—several needles had already pierced her chest and shoulder, and she let out a sharp cry.

Li Shubai immediately seized her arm and leaped from the carriage with her in tow.

In her dazed state, Princess Qile’s unfocused gaze met his one last time before her eyes lost all awareness.

Li Shubai caught her firmly and commanded in a low voice, "Jing Yu, assemble the arrow formation; Jing You, deploy cover."Dark clouds gathered in the sky as dusk approached. A fierce wind howled through the mountains like roaring waves.

Cries of agony erupted all around, accompanied by the dense sound of arrows cutting through the air. A barrage of arrows rained down indiscriminately upon the halted convoy, targeting both the guards of Prince Kui's residence and those of Princess Qile without distinction.

The guards of Princess Qile were thrown into chaos. Some were struck by arrows, others fled in disarray, scattering like ants.

In contrast, Prince Kui's guards, well-trained under the command of Jing Yu and others, quickly rallied. Using trees, horses, and carriages as shields, they formed a defensive perimeter facing outward. Some even drew their bows and began to counterattack.

Arrows fell like rain, mingling with the pitiful whinnies of horses and the agonized screams of guards. Stray arrows flew toward them behind the carriage, one nearly striking Princess Qile's exposed leg.

Li Shubai helped Princess Qile down from the carriage and checked her breathing before lowering his hand.

Huang Zixiang, in her panic, didn't notice his expression, focusing instead on the commotion outside.

Despite their bravery, Prince Kui's guards were outmatched by the relentless ambush and began to falter.

Unarmed, Huang Zixiang turned to Li Shubai. He tossed her a dagger and whispered, "Later, ride Nafusha and head southeast."

Gripping the dagger tightly, Huang Zixiang said hurriedly, "Their attack is relentless. We might not break through this crossbow formation."

"They're using nine-shot repeating crossbows—three arrows per shot, nine consecutive volleys requiring twenty-seven arrows to reload. Though they're firing in rotation, their coordination is uneven, especially in the southeast corner. There will be gaps. Besides, each arrow weighs half a tael. How many can they carry while marching through the wilderness? I doubt they can sustain such an intense attack for long."

As Li Shubai predicted, the initial onslaught soon weakened. Jing Yu and Jing You immediately mounted their horses, signaling a breakout.

Huang Zixiang climbed onto Nafusha and turned the horse to look at Li Shubai.

Dice, eager and impatient, let out a long neigh and leaped forward.

Li Shubai glanced at Princess Qile, whose fate was uncertain, then mounted his horse. Passing by her, he left behind the corpses of horses and guards, leading everyone in a swift charge toward the southeast.

At that moment, the enemy's arrows were depleted. Caught off guard by the sudden breakout, they hastily organized a defense, but their panicked resistance was no match for the desperate charge. The first few who tried to block were swiftly cut down by Jing Yu and the others. As more horses surged forward, those still raising their swords were trampled underfoot. Their screams sent chills through the remaining attackers, who scattered in fear.

Li Shubai led the charge, breaking through the encirclement with dozens following him, dispersing into the wilderness.

From Hanzhou to Chengdu Prefecture, the land was vast and densely forested. Once scattered, they vanished like birds into the woods, making it impossible for the enemy to eliminate them all.

In the deepening shadows of the wild forest, Huang Zixiang followed closely behind Li Shubai. Their magnificent horses, one after the other, disappeared into the mountains.

Suddenly, a flaming arrow whistled past Huang Zixiang's ear, streaking toward Li Shubai ahead.

Instinctively, she cried out, "Watch out!"Her voice was still in her throat when Li Shubai heard the sound of an arrow cutting through the air. He immediately crouched low, and Di'e instinctively leaped to the right. The arrow narrowly missed the horse, embedding itself into a nearby pine tree.

The pine tree's bark was dry and coated with resin. Upon contact with the flame-tipped arrow, it instantly burst into flames, illuminating the two of them brightly in the gradually darkening forest.

"Go!" Li Shubai ignored the burning tree and urged her in a low voice.

Huang Zixiao spurred Nafusha, galloping past the blazing tree.

From behind, distant shouts reached them: "Two riders on a black and white horse—kill them at all costs!" The voice carried a distinct Xuzhou accent.

Cold arrows whistled toward them, though far less menacing than the earlier volley of crossbow bolts. In the dim forest, they relied solely on their horses' speed to race ahead.

Emerging from the pine grove, they faced a sheer cliff and had no choice but to turn along the precipice toward a slope ahead. Here, devoid of trees, the two horses galloped through thickets, their hooves snagging on undergrowth. Without cover, their pursuers gradually closed in.

Without a word, Li Shubai pointed toward another patch of mixed woodland ahead. Huang Zixiao urged Nafusha to follow, but suddenly, the horse let out a pained whinny as its legs buckled, sending it crashing forward.

An arrow had struck its hind leg, and it collapsed heavily to the ground.

Huang Zixiao, unable to react in time, was thrown forward with the falling horse, about to land in a bed of thorns.

Before she could even gasp, she felt a sudden lightness around her waist as strong arms snatched her midair, lifting her clear of the brambles.

Li Shubai held her securely against him, one hand gripping the reins, the other shielding her. Di'e charged onward, racing into the dark woods ahead.

She turned to look back at Nafusha, still whimpering in pain, and thought of the guards who had just perished. A chill ran down her spine. Yet when she glanced up at Li Shubai, who held her protectively, she saw in the fading light his unwavering focus ahead—his resolute gaze and the firm arms around her slowly dissolved her fear and panic, leaving only calm in her heart.

She knew he would lead them to safety.