"Zhiyu?" Jiang Zhiyu called out in confusion as Zhou Shengsheng hurriedly pulled her outside. "Where are we going?"
"We're going to find His Highness the Crown Prince. Just follow me, alright?" Zhou Shengsheng quickened her pace while coaxing her.
Life had been far too turbulent lately—she had almost forgotten such a crucial plot point!
In the original story, Song Weiqing was ambushed while strolling through the imperial gardens.
The battle had been fierce, with even Zhang Jian, his personal bodyguard, forced to join the fray. Left alone, Song Weiqing was vulnerable, and when an arrow came flying toward him, the female lead—whom he had forcibly brought along—selflessly threw herself in front of him to take the hit.
From that moment on, Song Weiqing truly fell for her.
How could she have nearly forgotten such a pivotal scene?!
What a sin.
"Zhiyu, remember our acting lessons? I’ve got a new script for us this time," Zhou Shengsheng panted as she spoke to Jiang Zhiyu, who trailed behind her.
It was strange—though they were moving at the same speed, Zhou Shengsheng was gasping like a dying dog, while Jiang Zhiyu didn’t even break a sweat, looking as fresh as a breeze.
Was this another perk of the female lead’s halo?
Jiang Zhiyu, the blessed protagonist, brightened at the mention of acting. She loved performing!
---Dividing Line Reminds You the Excitement is About to Begin---
"Protect His Highness!!"
Amidst flashing blades and bloodshed, Song Weiqing stood shielded in the center of his guards.
Seeing his men losing ground, he frowned slightly and commanded in a low voice, "Zhang Jian, assist them."
Zhang Jian nodded and darted into the fray like an unsheathed blade.
By the time Zhou Shengsheng and Jiang Zhiyu arrived, they were a little late.
But it didn’t matter—as long as the hidden archer hadn’t struck yet, there was still time!
She had deliberately avoided the thick of the battle, taking a detour to approach from the side.
Spotting Zhou Shengsheng and Jiang Zhiyu, Song Weiqing waved for the guards to let them through.
Breathless, Zhou Shengsheng staggered to his side and asked, "Your Highness, are you alright?"
[If you’re fine, have some liuliumei~]
Song Weiqing: "......" Another one of her nonsensical references.
"What are you two doing here?" He glanced at her wind-tousled hair.
"We happened to be taking a stroll and heard there were assassins in the imperial gardens, so we rushed over to protect you," Zhou Shengsheng answered earnestly.
[Well, more like here to watch the show and push the plot forward.]
At the mention of the plot, Song Weiqing understood.
"How amusing. It seems the imperial guards are utterly useless—you two arrived before they did," Song Weiqing remarked dryly.
Zhou Shengsheng recognized the tone—this was bad news for the guards.
Just as she was about to speak, Ah Pang flew up to her, waving frantically.
Song Weiqing noticed it too, but before he could decipher the meaning—
A sharp whistling sound split the air.
The arrow was aimed straight at Zhou Shengsheng.
Damn it?!
Staring at the deadly projectile hurtling toward her, Zhou Shengsheng’s body froze. Her feet felt rooted to the ground—she couldn’t move an inch.
Instead of the expected pain, the dull thud of an arrow piercing flesh and a pained groan snapped her back to reality.
Her eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the girl in a pale blue dress standing before her. Tears instantly spilled from Zhou Shengsheng’s eyes. "Zhiyu!!"
[Shengsheng! It’s happening again!] Ah Pang’s scream rang out simultaneously.
This time, the arrow flew straight for Song Weiqing—the first had merely been a diversion.
With Jiang Zhiyu wounded in her arms, Zhou Shengsheng watched as Song Weiqing, for some inexplicable reason, stood motionless despite seeing the arrow coming.
Everything unfolded in mere seconds.
No time to think—the male lead couldn’t die!
Just as Song Weiqing pieced together that something was off and prepared to dodge, before he could react—
A brutal kick slammed into his waist, sending him flying.
[Buddy, this is all I can do for you.]
The arrival of the imperial guards turned the tide of battle.
The assassins were swiftly subdued, but before the guards could restrain them, the black-clad figures bit down on poison and dropped dead in unison—as if they had rehearsed it.
When Zhang Jian, reeking of blood, turned to find Song Weiqing—
He was met with a sight he would never forget.
His master, the Crown Prince of the Zhen Kingdom—a man of unparalleled intellect, strategy, and peerless beauty—
Lay sprawled face-first on the ground in an undignified heap, utterly still.
Zhang Jian hesitated to speak, but under the pleading gazes of his fellow guards, he steeled himself and stepped forward.
If not him, then who?
"Your Highness... are you alright?" His voice had never been so gentle or cautious.
After a long pause—likely to prevent more witnesses to this humiliating spectacle—Song Weiqing finally spoke, his tone icy. "Help me up."
Zhang Jian obeyed, hearing his master’s pained hiss as he did.
"Your Highness, you’re injured!" Zhang Jian exclaimed, only to be met with a glare so furious it made him flinch.
He had never seen His Highness wear such an expression before.
"That... insolent maid—where is she?" Song Weiqing’s veins bulged as he scanned the area, finding no trace of the culprit.
Zhang Jian was baffled, but someone else knew.
"Your Highness, that girl... she left after stopping her friend’s bleeding and carrying her away?"
"Good. Very good." Song Weiqing let out a chilling laugh.
It sent shivers down Zhang Jian’s spine.
"This incident will likely reach His Majesty’s ears. Let us return to the palace first."
Zhang Jian nodded, dispersing the crowd before whispering, "These assassins were clearly trained. The intelligence we obtained must be genuine."
But Song Weiqing frowned. "No... investigate further. Something about this feels off."
Though unsure why his master doubted it, Zhang Jian knew better than to question his judgment.
"And... the one who caused your... predicament...?" he ventured carefully.
Song Weiqing’s face darkened. "Summon the imperial physician first."
"Your Highness, why didn’t you say so earlier?"
Song Weiqing smacked him over the head.
With so many people around earlier, how could he have admitted it?!
Once seated in the palanquin, wincing in pain, Song Weiqing suddenly thought of the perfect punishment.
