Chapter Forty-One: Assassination

Xie Shisan stared at Prince Shou in terror, her eyes wide with fear, but before she could utter a word of plea, the guards dislocated her jaw and dragged her away.

Xue Fanzhi watched Xie Shisan being taken away, recalling the young lady on the southern migration—always dressed in finery, always demanding to be one step above others, provoking the wrath of refugees. Xie Shisan was shallow and extravagant, and even conspired with Xue Jiaoyue to tarnish her reputation, but was that truly a crime deserving death? And the Xie family, though adorned with splendor, were still dependent on greater powers. Prince Shou was despicable, but it all showed this was a world where people devoured each other.

The episode quickly ended in the hall. Prince Shou, still agitated, glared at Xiao Yi, “Are you here to honor me, or to bring me trouble? Worthless wretch! Your father ought to strip you of your title and make you a commoner…”

His scolding made others in the hall uncomfortable, though some were clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Yet Xiao Yi kept his composure, smiling cautiously, “Nephew truly did not know this girl would act so insensibly. I will find someone better for uncle!”

“No need!” Prince Shou pointed to the seat beside him, “Stay if you wish, leave if you don’t. I’ve just obtained the twins, haven’t even seen them yet; I don’t need your meddling!”

Xue Fanzhi noticed Xiao Yi twisting the jade ring on his finger—a habit since childhood, one that meant he was truly furious, perhaps even bloodthirsty.

Xiao Yi was indeed angry, not only at Prince Shou, but also at that fool Xue Fanzhi. He’d told her to change clothes—so why was she parading about the garden in red robes?

He knew his uncle was utterly unscrupulous, secretly sending people to seize young girls. Noble families would hesitate, but with Xue Yang as her father—a scoundrel—what worries could Xue Fanzhi’s family have?

He’d thought he could enjoy his wine in peace, but when his subordinate reported Xue Fanzhi had been taken by Prince Shou’s men, his anxiety knew no bounds.

If only that fool had a bit of sense—but she didn’t. How could he not rescue her?

The first attempt to save her had failed. Bloodshed was inevitable.

Xiao Yi secretly squeezed the dagger hidden in his sleeve, smiling, “Uncle, it was my poor judgment. I shall punish myself with three cups, and toast you a fourth!”

Prince Shou had already ordered someone to bring out Xue Fanzhi and her sister. Looking at Xiao Yi, he was less angry and nodded.

Soon, the servants brought another table of wine and dishes for Prince Shou. Before the feast began, it was not appropriate to bring Xue Fanzhi out.

Just then, a person approached the door respectfully—a young man dressed as a court magistrate, with sharp brows and striking features, memorable to all who saw him.

The youth stepped forward, “I have three beauties I wish to present to Your Highness!”

Prince Shou, somewhat tipsy, was used to officials currying favor for their careers. It was nothing unusual.

He’d just received the twin sisters, and now came triplets!

His interest piqued, Prince Shou sat upright, “Bring them in at once, quickly!”

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“Right away, Your Highness!” the youth bowed respectfully.

Xue Fanzhi recognized him immediately—wasn’t this Wang Yunzhi? What was he doing in this disguise, with such demeanor?

While Xue Fanzhi was lost in thought, Wang Yunzhi straightened up and, with a swift motion, fired three sleeve arrows from his cuff. With three sharp sounds, the arrows shot toward Prince Shou’s face. Xiao Yi shouted, “Protect His Highness!”

He leapt to shield Prince Shou.

The three arrows landed at Prince Shou’s feet, none injuring him.

Wang Yunzhi saw this, gritted his teeth in frustration, and turned to flee. Prince Shou’s personal guards, already rushing forward at Xiao Yi’s command, charged after Wang Yunzhi, and the two sides clashed.

Prince Shou, scared out of his wits, was already hiding under the long table.

Xiao Yi, taking the opportunity as he reached for Prince Shou, crouched down. Prince Shou grabbed him, groaning softly, “Scared…”

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi had picked up one of the arrows from the floor and plunged it into Prince Shou’s chest.

Prince Shou looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief, “You…”

Xiao Yi whispered, barely audible, “You dare touch my woman? You’re courting death!”

Prince Shou’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed stiffly.

Xiao Yi settled Prince Shou’s body and saw Wang Yunzhi, outnumbered, in mortal danger. He shouted, “His Highness is wounded—there may be a mastermind behind this! Capture them alive!”

The guards hesitated, their attacks losing intensity. Wang Yunzhi, skilled at escape, seized the moment, grabbed a minister as hostage, and slipped away like smoke.

Once he was gone, Prince Shou’s guards rushed after him, while his hangers-on scattered like birds and beasts.

Xue Fanzhi turned to look—her attendant eunuch was already nowhere to be seen.

It turned out that the chief eunuch had gone ahead to await orders, but Prince Shou hadn’t called them; when chaos broke out, the man had rushed to protect His Highness, and the two eunuchs guarding Xue Fanzhi had gone to the front in hopes of gaining merit…

Xue Fanzhi blinked, lifted her skirts, and ran.

Perhaps because the chaos was so great, nobody stopped her as she fled, until she reached the entrance and footsteps sounded behind her. Xue Fanzhi dared not look back, but her hand was suddenly seized, and the familiar scent of Xiao Yi enveloped her.

Xue Fanzhi steadied herself and turned around.

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“Still dazed? Hurry, we must leave!” Xiao Yi pulled Xue Fanzhi along as they ran.

It had only been a dozen days since they last held hands, yet his grip was just as rough and strong. Xue Fanzhi felt as if their previous touch had been half a lifetime ago.

Though the moment was perilous, her heart bloomed with sweetness, and she did not wish to let go.

Xiao Yi did not stop until they were safely away.

The shock brought Xue Fanzhi back to her senses. She withdrew her hand, regretful, but solemnly thanked him, “Your Highness has saved me again. From now on, I owe you my life. If ever you need help, I will go through fire and water for you!”

Xiao Yi rolled his eyes, “Just don’t cause trouble for me. What use could you possibly be?”

His disdain made Xue Fanzhi feel utterly mortified.

She recalled Xiao Yi’s earlier warning and explained, “I ran into some villains—they stole my clothes!”

“Who did you meet? Are you hurt?” Xiao Yi’s tone grew anxious.

Xue Fanzhi was about to say she’d met Wang Yunzhi, but remembered he was the one who tried to assassinate Prince Shou. It seemed Wang Yunzhi had brought the Hu people to attempt the assassination earlier, but failed.

Prince Shou was a beast, deserving death; from this perspective, Wang Yunzhi was a true hero. How could she betray such a person?

“I didn’t recognize them. They stole my clothes and let me go.”

Xiao Yi, a man reborn, had been married to Xue Fanzhi for sixteen years—he knew her too well. She was not one to lie, but seeing her glance upward in thought, he immediately knew she was hiding something.

He then wondered, where could someone have stolen her clothes?

His expression darkened, regretting he hadn’t ordered Wang Yunzhi to be shot on sight.

He was clever enough to deduce that, aside from Wang Yunzhi who had just attempted to assassinate Prince Shou, there could be no other thief in the courtyard.

But it was too late, and even with all the Xie family’s lanterns, Xue Fanzhi could not see Xiao Yi’s face clearly.

Xiao Yi, frustrated that Xue Fanzhi would not speak honestly, remained in low spirits. He sent her to Madam Xue and then left without another word.

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