As night fell, Consort Xue was in the backyard with Xue'er, gazing at the stars.
However, the heavens were uncooperative—after waiting for a long time, only a few scattered stars appeared. When the hazy crescent moon rose, those stars grew even dimmer.
Leng Ying also glanced upward and, spotting a thick dark cloud, sighed, "It might rain tonight."
Consort Xue froze, instinctively raising her head, only to find a shadowy figure suddenly appearing in her line of sight.
Squinting, she realized it was none other than Prince Ping.
Xue'er had already run off.
Consort Xue's lashes fluttered slightly as she turned to call the child back, but Prince Ping spoke first, "Your Highness, perhaps it's best not to force Xue'er."
She paused, then steadied herself, casting a glance at Leng Ying.
After a brief hesitation, Leng Ying understood and hurried after Xue'er.
Only then did Consort Xue turn to face Prince Ping, who stood still, arms outstretched toward her.
"The palace maids will be coming soon. Your Highness should be cautious," Consort Xue said, sidestepping him to sit on a nearby swing. "Is there something you need?"
Prince Ping gave her a helpless look.
With only the two of them in the courtyard, Prince Ping approached without reservation, his hands resting on her shoulders.
"Can't I just see you without a reason?" His tone was suggestive.
Consort Xue pressed her lips together and glanced back at him. "...I’m just worried about you."
Prince Ping took her hand. "I know. You’ve suffered."
She remained silent, subtly withdrawing her hand.
Assuming she was merely being cautious, Prince Ping didn’t dwell on it. After a few pleasantries, he began probing.
Consort Xue kept her eyes downcast, responding to his questions until, finally, Prince Ping’s interest was piqued.
"So, the Regent refuses to go northwest to persuade General Xiao?"
Consort Xue nodded, puzzled. "Didn’t the Regent have a good relationship with the old general in the past? Why would he refuse now?"
A faint smirk curled Prince Ping’s lips.
"I can’t say for certain. But for General Xiao, returning to the capital would clearly be the wiser choice." His eyes lowered, concealing his determination.
Consort Xue sensed hidden meaning in his words but couldn’t grasp it.
"It’s getting late." Prince Ping shook off his thoughts and gently touched her hair. "Take care of yourself... Trust me, I won’t let you down."
Consort Xue nodded, watching as Prince Ping disappeared beyond the courtyard wall.
She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply.
Qi Xiuyuan was shrewd, and every encounter with him left her mentally exhausted.
With a sigh, she had just returned to her chambers when Leng Ying rushed in, her expression grave, clutching Xue'er in her arms.
"What’s happened? Why the panic?" Consort Xue stood up again.
Leng Ying shielded her and said solemnly, "An assassin has infiltrated the palace."
Consort Xue gasped, gripping Leng Ying’s arm. "Was His Majesty harmed?"
No sooner had she spoken than a crowd surged in, led by a figure clad in bright yellow robes.
"Your Majesty!" Consort Xue’s eyes widened as she hurried forward, about to inspect the emperor closely when he pulled her into a firm embrace.
His reassuring voice sounded above her.
"Don’t be afraid, my love. I’m unharmed," the emperor soothed, patting her shoulder.
Her heart pounded as she looked up. "Was the assassin captured?"
The emperor shook his head. "The assassin was targeting you but was misled and ended up in the Regent’s quarters. Si Shui and the others are pursuing them now. We should have news soon."
Consort Xue’s eyes widened in shock.
The emperor had come specifically to reassure her. After delivering the news, he hurried off to Sima Qing’s side.
He could only hope the Regent would hold on.
After all, it would take Prince Ping some time to arrive upon hearing the news.
They had put too much effort into this performance for it to go to waste.
...
Prince Ping had indeed received word and was now rushing over.
He was even surprised—night had barely fallen, and Jiu Yue had already acted so swiftly...
The palace was in chaos, guards swarming every exit and entrance.
For once, Prince Ping’s heart raced.
He couldn’t tell if it was excitement or the thrill of the unknown.
Sima Qing had been attacked in the hot spring pavilion, and a flood of guards had surrounded the building, sealing it off completely.
By the time Prince Ping arrived, the emperor had just reached the scene as well.
"Your Majesty!" Prince Ping rushed forward, feigning distress. "Are you unharmed?"
The emperor frowned slightly and shook his head. "A palace maid reported seeing the assassin earlier, claiming she was from Consort Xue’s retinue. It seems she was targeting the Consort."
Prince Ping hesitated. "Then she likely acted alone."
The emperor nodded. "I’ve ordered a thorough search of the palace... But the Regent is our priority now."
"How is the Regent?" Prince Ping asked, brows furrowed.
The emperor sighed, his gaze fixed on the pavilion.
"That assassin is despicable! The Regent had only just recovered from his leg injury, and now this..." Prince Ping’s chest heaved with indignation.
Before he could finish, a guard rushed out. "Your Majesty, the assassin has taken the Regent hostage and fled into the mountains!"
The hot spring’s water was drawn from a mountain stream, so the pavilion’s rear wall wasn’t fully enclosed—now providing the assassin an escape route!
The emperor roared, "Pursue them! Search the mountains! Bring the Regent back at all costs!"
A resolute glint flashed in Prince Ping’s eyes. "Your Majesty, allow me to assist!"
Have you ever carried someone else’s burden?
Jiu Yue: Thanks for asking—currently sprinting through the woods with a 200-pound man on my back while being chased by who-knows-how-many people!
"Are you sure you’re not setting me up?!" Jiu Yue couldn’t help but doubt.
Sima Qing dangled like discarded trash in her grip, equally miserable. "...Why would I sabotage my own plan?" he managed.
"Fine, fine! But what do we do now?" Jiu Yue was frantic. "I can’t keep carrying you all night!"
Sima Qing replied, "Turn ahead—there’s a cliff. Make it convincing and throw me over."
Jiu Yue froze. "What if you die?"
Sima Qing, still struggling to free his hair from her grip, chuckled. "I’ve made arrangements. Just do it."
Jiu Yue: "..."
She had to admire his dedication. What a man.
Footsteps closed in behind them. With no time to argue, Jiu Yue bolted toward the direction Sima Qing had indicated.
The closest pursuers were Fu Yu and Wen Shuang.
If Fu Yu caught up first, there was still room for theatrics.
But if Wen Shuang got to them first, Sima Qing might end up as corpse disposal...
The trees thinned, moonlight brightening the open space ahead.
Fu Yu’s voice rang out from behind. "Halt, assassin! Surrender now!"
Jiu Yue exhaled in relief, deliberately slowing her pace. Fu Yu quickly closed in to seize the hostage.
According to the script, all she had to do now was fight Fu Yu to a stalemate and then toss Sima Qing over the edge.
But a third party quickly joined the fray.
A dagger flashed—Wen Shuang had arrived to ambush them!
Jiu Yue pressed her lips together and swiftly struck Fu Yu with a palm strike.
Fu Yu reacted just as quickly, repelling Wen Shuang and pulling Sima Qing behind him.
Failing to land his blow, Wen Shuang retreated, spinning to stand side by side with Jiu Yue.
For now, he had no mind to scold Jiu Yue for her lack of professionalism—his eyes were fixed solely on Sima Qing’s head.
"You deal with him. Leave the Regent to me," Wen Shuang said sharply.
Behind him, Jiu Yue’s gaze darkened, brimming with malice and violence.
A nuisance like this was practically begging for death.
