Breathing in that familiar scent, crisp and fresh like greenery beneath ice and snow, Song Liang felt the itch in his teeth disappear. Even his dislocated wrist seemed to stop hurting.
He pretended not to notice Xie Yun’s dark expression and continued praising him.
“Imperial Uncle’s eyes are beautiful too. Truly lovely.”
Xie Yun sneered.
“When Your Majesty first met me, you said these green eyes were demonic, and that I could be no decent man.”
Song Liang: “…”
That damned young emperor.
Xie Yun swept him aside, rose, and lifted the carriage curtain.
“What is happening outside?”
“Your Highness, assassins!”
The words had barely fallen when the horses screamed again and reared. Inside the carriage, Xie Yun toppled backward, ending up against the corner wall with Song Liang.
Chaos erupted outside. Cries of “Protect His Highness!” came one after another, occasionally interspersed with “Protect His Majesty!”
Song Liang suspected those came from Cheng Qu, that cunning, silver-tongued flatterer.
Song Liang: 【Mere Black Armor Guards, daring to neglect their emperor. Once we return to the capital, I’ll punish every last one of them. Then I’ll strip their leader and chain him up in my bedchamber.】
3085 couldn’t be bothered to expose his ulterior motives.
【…Figure out how to survive this assassination attempt first.】
Song Liang was unconcerned. 【A few measly assassins—】
【Your leg is out of commission, and your wrist was just dislocated.】
Song Liang froze.
The next instant, a whistle rushed toward them, accompanied by the acrid smell of incendiary oil. A flaming arrow pierced the curtain and shot into the carriage, embedding itself in the wall behind Song Liang.
The burning curtain quickly shriveled away, revealing the scene outside.
Ahead, dozens of flaming arrows lit the dark night like a crimson rain, converging on their carriage.
Song Liang’s pupils contracted. He immediately tried to escape through the window, but the moment he braced his hand against the cushion, a sharp pain shot through him.
He hissed and hurriedly pulled his hand back, only to jostle his left leg and provoke another surge of agony.
He hissed again.
【I’m screwed,】he thought.
3085 was frantic and furious.
【Serves you right! You just had to choose now to tease him!】
Song Liang had no choice. Climbing through the window was out. He would have to use the carriage entrance.
The arrow behind him was already burning. This corner was no longer safe. He was about to pick up the little table as a shield when someone caught his wrist.
He paused and looked up into Xie Yun’s face.
The man frowned at him as though regarding a useless little piece of rubbish he couldn’t get rid of. Then, still holding his wrist, he abruptly pulled Song Liang into his arms, slipped an arm around his waist, and lifted him into a bridal carry.
Before Song Liang’s astonished eyes, Xie Yun shattered the carriage roof with a palm strike, pushed off with his toes, and flew out.
Song Liang: “???”
For once, Song Liang’s brain crashed.
Nestled in Xie Yun’s arms, he watched them soar out of the carriage and land lightly on the ground.
“What was that?” he murmured blankly.
A cool voice answered above him.
“Qinggong.”
Song Liang remained dazed.
“Which of Newton’s laws does that fall under?”
Xie Yun: “…”
The young man in his arms had clearly received quite a shock. All his earlier arrogance and defiance had vanished. Pale-faced, he lay stunned against Xie Yun, his leg still secured with wooden splints and his dislocated wrist hanging limply.
He looked fragile and easily bullied.
The coldness in Xie Yun’s expression eased slightly. He handed him to Ruan Chong, who was hurrying over.
“His hand is injured.”
“…”
Ruan Chong accepted him in bewilderment. It took a moment before he recovered and looked down.
“Your Majesty’s hand is injured?”
“Here.”
Song Liang raised his dislocated wrist.
“Your prince did it.”
Ruan Chong: “…”
He didn’t dare ask why the young emperor had been in their prince’s carriage, much less why their prince had injured his wrist. He could only carry him silently to Cheng Qu’s carriage at the rear, carefully reset the joint, then station half the Black Armor Guard around the emperor and Cheng Qu.
Ahead on the main road, battle cries rang out. The initial fire arrows had indeed caught the guards off balance, but they quickly reacted, splitting into two groups: one remained to protect Song Liang and the others, while the second engaged the assassins.
The confusion had lasted little longer than the moment when Xie Yun’s carriage caught fire. Once they saw him emerge safely with Song Liang in his arms, the guards immediately regained their composure, swiftly dividing their forces between defense and combat. In the blink of an eye, more than half the assassins were dead or wounded.
Just then, a small party appeared ahead. Their leader wore flowing white robes and rode a chestnut-red horse. He dismounted with his companions, drew his sword, and charged into the fight.
The assassins were already at a disadvantage. Now their defeat became inevitable.
Cen Huan immediately shouted, “Leave some alive!”
He had barely spoken when the last assassin still fighting was run through the chest. The few others promptly crushed the poison concealed between their teeth and died.
“…”
Cen Huan clenched his teeth in fury. Flicking the blood from his saber, he fixed the newcomer with a sharp stare.
“Who are you?”
The young man in white was barely into his twenties, handsome and elegant. His expression carried an air of easy, unrestrained confidence. Turning, he flourished his sword and held it behind his back.
“I am Helan Ze.”
Before Cen Huan could speak, Xie Yun’s stern voice sounded behind him.
“What brings Prince Duan’s heir here?”
“I was out hunting with friends. On our return, we unexpectedly found the regent surrounded by villains, so I took the liberty of intervening. In my haste to help, I acted without permission. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”
“You came to my rescue. Why would I blame you? I merely find the coincidence rather remarkable.”
“…”
Helan Ze clasped his hands and bowed. As he raised his head, his gaze seemingly drifted toward the person beside the carriage at the front. Then he addressed Xie Yun.
“As it happens, I am also returning to the capital. To prevent further danger to Your Highness and the distinguished person in the carriage, I venture to request permission to travel with you.”
“Do as you please, Heir Helan.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Xie Yun glanced at him and turned away.
“What coincidence? He was obviously sent to watch us. Prince Duan has always stayed out of outside affairs. To think he’s meddling in this now. The Grand Empress Dowager must have sent him.”
Cen Huan followed indignantly.
“We’re only two days from the capital. Are they afraid we’ll eat the young emperor?”
“If he wishes to follow, let him.”
Xie Yun’s expression remained unchanged.
“Keep all the assassins’ bodies. Investigate thoroughly. Until you have results, reveal nothing to anyone.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Then Cen Huan suddenly remembered something.
“Is the young emperor all right?”
Xie Yun’s steps faltered slightly.
If a dislocated wrist didn’t count as something wrong, then he was presumably all right.
They reached the carriage as they spoke. Ruan Chong stepped forward and looked Xie Yun over. Only after confirming he was unharmed did he report.
“Your Highness, His Majesty’s wrist has been reset. The splints on his leg are slightly displaced, and Lord Cheng received something of a fright. They will likely need a short rest.”
“Mm.”
Xie Yun glanced at the closed curtain behind him. He was about to speak when a gentle voice sounded at his back.
“I heard the distinguished personage was here. May I ask whether he is in good health?”
Xie Yun paused, understanding that Helan Ze was seeking his permission. He glanced at Ruan Chong.
Taking the hint, Ruan Chong stepped forward and lifted the curtain.
Helan Ze advanced a step.
“Helan Ze pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
Inside the carriage, Song Liang stared at Helan Ze’s face for a long time without speaking. Only when Xie Yun looked toward him did he answer indifferently.
“You may rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Helan Ze slowly raised his head. His face was handsome and radiant, his manner gentle as polished jade, and a faint smile touched his lips.
The very picture of a refined young gentleman.
Helan Ze.
Song Liang silently rolled the name over his tongue and sneered inwardly.
As expected of the main gong. He really was handsome, and his acting was excellent.
No wonder he had played the original character to death.
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