Chapter 34: Crisis

Yan Ze prepared to leave; his body was covered in the stench of blood, and he needed to change his clothes.

Yan Ning and Ji Lan, standing to the side, saw the blood all over his face and couldn't help but turn their heads away.

Both were used to living in a peaceful era and were not accustomed to the killing and fighting of ancient times.

But many people in ancient times were so base they had no bottom line, such as forcibly seizing common women or bullying the wives and daughters of exiled officials...

These people had to be killed.

After Yan Ze killed that man, Ji Lan asked, "If we kill an Imperial Official like this, will there be trouble?"

Yan Ning whispered, "There shouldn't be any major trouble; no matter what, my father is still a prince."

Who would have thought that before they could even walk out, a squad of men arrived and blocked Yan Ze.

Steward Chen took advantage of the chaos to sneak away.

This squad consisted of about twenty men, and they were outnumbered.

However, hindered by Yan Ze's status, the leading bailiff did not dare to take him into custody directly.

The leader, Wan Siyuan, frowned and asked him, "Why did you kill him?"

Yan Ze replied righteously, "He coveted my wife and daughter; shouldn't he be killed?"

Wan Siyuan was stunned; it seemed this was his own doing.

But...

"That still doesn't justify killing him; he didn't actually make a move."

Yan Ze had been holding back a belly full of fire, "If you keep blathering, I'll kill you too and let you accompany him."

Yan Ning smoothed Yan Ze's temper, "Father, let's not lower ourselves to his level."

Please don't kill anyone else.

Wan Siyuan frowned, "Then please come with us."

Yan Ning stood in front of her father, "What are you things, and how are you worthy of making us follow you?"

If it were someone else, like General Xie, he would have long since held a blade to his neck to make him go. But as it happened, the one he was facing was the former First Prince.

There were two factions in the Capital; one had him look after the First Prince's family, and the other had him cause trouble for the First Prince.

Wan Siyuan offended neither side and just did what he had to do.

But now that Yan Ze had killed someone, although it was only a seventh-rank Sesame Official, it was still difficult to explain to his superiors.

The one who had just died, Zhuo Rui, was from the side that wanted to cause trouble for the First Prince; if it weren't for his daily inspections, Wan Siyuan wouldn't have been in such a difficult position today.

Facing Yan Ning's arrogant statement, Wan Siyuan only frowned.

He didn't dare make a decision on this matter and had to go back to ask his superiors for instructions.

Wan Siyuan's tone softened, "Your Highness, please come with me; I won't make things difficult for you."

It was at this moment that Steward Chen arrived with Laifu.

Laifu was already a bit plump and getting on in years; having run so far in one breath, he almost passed out.

After a long while, Laifu asked, "What business do you have wanting His Highness to go with you?"

Wan Siyuan repeated the situation from just before.

Laifu didn't even ask, "It's just a seventh-rank minor official; killing him is just killing him, why do you need to take people back? What are your intentions?"

Wan Siyuan was stunned, "But he killed someone..."

Laifu let out a cold snort, "The First Prince is magnanimous; if he hadn't been pushed to the limit, why would he kill someone so casually?"

Laifu turned his head to ask Steward Chen, "You tell me what happened; I want to report everything that happened today to the Empress Dowager word for word."

Wan Siyuan's legs went weak.

He knew he shouldn't have come over with Zhuo Rui.

Steward Chen quickly recounted what had just happened and specifically reminded them, "This dog-bastard actually coveted the little Princess; the First Prince only moved to kill when he reached out to touch the little Princess."

Laifu was furious, "What a thing, dirtying the First Prince's hands! For this person to dare harbor crooked thoughts, killing him like this is already the Prince's mercy; if it were me, I would definitely have him torn apart by chariots."

Wan Siyuan apologized profusely.

He wouldn't dare come for inspections again; as a sixth-rank Sesame Official, he only felt a chill on his neck.

Laifu returned with Yan Ning and the others.

Yan Ning took out a piece of pastry for Laifu, and Laifu's eyes crinkled with a smile.

Yan Ning continued, "Grandpa Laifu, don't tell Great-Grandmother about today's events, so she doesn't worry about us."

Laifu's eyes turned red.

Such a good First Prince, such a good little Princess; it was the Emperor who was blind to exile them here.

After returning today, the family of three began their meeting again.

Yan Ning frowned, "The Crown Prince has already been placed under house arrest; right now, the biggest threat to the Crown Prince is the Third Prince. Logically, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince should be locked in a fierce struggle, so how do they have time to target us?"

None of the three had any leads.

Ji Lan thought for a moment, "Could there also be people from the Third Prince? After all, your father could return to the Capital at any time."

Yan Ning felt this was also possible.

Subsequently, Yan Ning asked a question, "Father, is your relationship with the Third Prince good, and how does everyone evaluate him?"

Yan Ze, "The relationship is average. I held a sinecure and usually just slacked off and listened to gossip. I heard he likes to gamble and also likes to go to brothels; in short, he's quite unprincipled."

Yan Ning understood.

No wonder these people had been making so many moves lately.

She analyzed for her parents, "You say, is there a possibility that the Third Prince is too useless, and even if the Crown Prince falls, he can't stir up any waves? The other princes are still young, so the most likely person to become the Crown Prince is Father!"

"Therefore, both the Third Prince's and the Crown Prince's subordinates might make a move on our family; we must prepare quickly."

Hearing Yan Ning's analysis, Ji Lan suddenly became anxious, "Then what should we do? The enemy is in the dark and we are in the light; we can't be on pins and needles all day long."

Yan Ning patted her mother's shoulder: "Mother, rest assured. Next, we must speed up and finish building our new home. When the time comes, we will build two Watchtowers; we shall kill anyone who comes."

"And Father's Crossbow, is the range enough? Does it still need improvement?"

With the Crossbow and Explosive Package, no matter how many men and horses they bring, we can deal with them.

Yan Ze immediately said: "I will go find Zhuo Heng to test it out."

That afternoon, they went to the new home; the two places were neither too near nor too far, requiring a half-hour boat ride.

This place is located in a remote area, which is just right for using the Crossbow.

Zhuo Heng aimed at a tree in the distance and began to fire; at a distance of about six hundred meters, the wooden arrow pierced straight through it.

Yan Ning smiled and said: "Father, this range is still acceptable. You can make a few more, make... twelve, I suppose. It is a bit much, but you can have the carpenters make the semi-finished products, while you do the critical carving. How about it?"

Yan Ze nodded: "That will be faster."

Zhuo Heng, however, was somewhat surprised.

Why make so many weapons? Could it be they want to rebel?

Yan Ning saw through Zhuo Heng's thoughts, gathered ten people, and said: "We are in great danger now. The people of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince will not let us go, and even the Gou Huangdi wishes for our family to die early, which is why my father, mother, and I are preparing to build a new home here."

"In other words, if you stay with us, there may come a day when we clash with the imperial court. If we win, you might become a Great General; if we lose, we will likely all die together."

"Those who are willing to stay may stay; those who are not willing, fifty taels of silver for each person."

Yan Ning's meaning was already very clear.