Chapter 343: Whenever, Wherever, I Will Protect You

Wan Tang took Minghui's hand and walked toward the Zen Chamber.

"Mother, I'm scared of the dark," Minghui said timidly, his small body leaning tighter against Wan Tang.

Wan Tang simply lifted Minghui into her arms and whispered, "If you're scared of the dark, just obediently sleep; no matter what you hear, keep your eyes closed."

"Remember, Mother is by your side, and I will protect you."

"Okay!" Minghui clutched Wan Tang's hand tightly, his eyes full of trust.

The guards stood quietly around the Zen Courtyard, their expressions solemn.

The palace maids and eunuchs also stopped outside the courtyard, leaving the scene in the Zen Chamber to Wan Tang.

Inside the Zen Chamber.

Qiu Niang swiftly tidied the bed and carefully inspected every spot that might have been poisoned.

Seeing Wan Tang enter, she halted her actions.

She bowed low and hurriedly signed with her hands.

The gist was that after night fell Xiao Shunzi had not been seen, she was worried, and asked whether they needed to go out to look for him.

Wan Tang did not rush to answer.

After soothing Minghui to sleep, she finally rose and walked to the window.

She watched the moonlight completely covered by dark clouds, the world shrouded in gloom.

She let out a cold laugh, her voice tinged with chill: "He naturally has his own matters to attend to."

Qiu Niang did not understand and did not probe further.

As usual, she crouched by the bedside.

Wan Tang gently tucked the blanket over Minghui, saw that it was nearly time, and calmly extinguished the candle.

Outside was terrifyingly silent.

Even the usual insects' chirping and birds' songs had vanished.

The steady breathing of Minghui and Qiu Niang drifted to her ears; Wan Tang felt no sleepiness, her eyes shining unusually bright in the darkness.

"Shei?"

"Ah!"

"Assassin!"

"Quick, protect the Empress!"

Outside the Zen Chamber, sudden shouts rang out.

Following that came the harsh clashing of weapons.

Wan Tang threw on her coat and sat at the bedside.

It seemed the fighting outside had nothing to do with her.

Until the chaotic footsteps drew ever closer to the door.

"Be gentle," Wan Tang's voice was light, as if admonishing the outside, "Don't startle the child."

Someone at the window sneered, "Even at death's door, why still put on the Empress's stinky airs?"

"If you don't want others hurt, then hurry out and die."

The sounds outside were gradually subsiding.

It could almost be concluded that these assassins had already dealt with the guards outside.

Breaking in would be a matter of minutes.

Yet they chose to stand outside the courtyard shouting; it's not that these assassins have much compassion, it's just about the priority of matters.

The Empress is merely a woman, a possession of the Emperor; after her death there are plenty of replacements.

But Minghui is the Emperor's child; touching the Imperial Heir makes the matter reach an irrecoverable end.

Amid the fighting, Qiu Niang was startled awake.

She was curled at the bedside, pale with fear, trembling all over.

Even if the people sent by Su Yanci arrived, she was still just a mountain healer.

Being able to calmly face the Imperial Palace's tedious rules was already unsuitable, but killing remained something she could not bear.

Wan Tang turned to look at her, whispering, "Guard Minghui."

Having said that, she handed over a dagger.

The dagger was icy; Qiu Niang's whole body trembled as she took it.

She nodded heavily, still trembling, and stayed at the bedside.

Wan Tang casually grabbed her outerwear, draped it over her shoulders, and calmly pushed open the Zen Chamber door, stepping out.

In the courtyard, blood vapors lingered.

The ground was strewn with guard corpses in all directions; several burly assassins, brandishing blood‑dripping blades, stood in the courtyard like beasts, staring at Wan Tang.

Not to mention they easily dealt with the palace guards, but from their eyes murderous aura surged; they clearly were demons who had killed countless people.

Seeing Wan Tang, the leader gave a hand signal.

A few of them formed a fan shape, surrounding Wan Tang.

The leader sneered, "Empress, I've long heard of your kind heart and concern for the people."

"We were also forced with no other choice, which is why we turned to banditry; now we can only come to you, Empress, to ask for a morsel of food."

Wan Tang replied coldly, her tone calm, "Currently the disaster is mainly in Huainan and other regions; the Capital has not yet been affected."

"Looking at you all, you're not here just for a morsel of food."

"Since you're acting on someone's request, why resort to these clumsy excuses?"

Wan Tang's cool gaze swept over the guard corpses on the ground, finally settling on the opponent.

His eyes were deep: "How did the other side promise you?"

"Getting promoted and rich? Or doing a great treasonous act for you."

Wan Tang said, her gaze fixed on the opponent's silk‑clad boots: "Looks like you aren't short of money, so I'll give you a chance."

"Honestly name who is behind the scenes, step forward to testify, and I can not only spare your lives but also consider giving you a small favor."

Wan Tang said it casually.

The opponent seemed to hear a huge joke and laughed uproariously.

"You'd better worry about your own afterlife!"

"What are you all just standing there for?"

"She's alone now, attack!"

Wan Tang watched their ferocious looks, the signal clenched in her hand about to be thrown.

"You bold rogue, daring to strike the Empress Dowager, you shall die!"

A roar suddenly rang out.

The thunderous hoofbeats filled the air as Su Yanci spurred their horse straight into the back courtyard, drawing a bow to shoot.

"Swoosh," the arrowhead collided with the great sword.

The lead assassin's tiger‑mouth gap opened, and his great sword fell to the ground with a sound.

Su Yanci drew a long sword, leapt off the horse, and charged forward.

The sword light flashed like a ribbon, instantly separating Wan Tang from the group.

With a swift turn, they had her firmly shielded behind.

"Is something wrong?" Su Yanci turned back hastily, voice tinged with unmistakable panic, eyes quickly scanning Wan Tang to confirm she was unharmed.

Wan Tang's lips barely part, the signal in her hand clenched tighter.

A "It's fine" slipped out, heart pounding like thunder—how did they arrive?

"Another suicide runner arrives."

"Brothers, don't be afraid; it's just one person."

"This man shows up at the right time; kill him first, then stage a tragic love suicide of two, and the grand plan will succeed."

Seeing Su Yanci, the few present were not only unafraid but grew even more excited.

Su Yanci's brows knit tightly, knowing the situation was dire.

They pulled Wan Tang into their arms, pressing her face against their chest: "Don't be scared!"

"Close your eyes and entrust everything to me."

"This time, I will never let anyone hurt you even a bit."

Su Yanci's tone left no doubt, eyes fixed on the assassins.

One hand kept her tightly protected in their embrace, the other wielded the long sword in a flurry, each strike lethal, shielding Wan Tang airtight.

Blade flashes and sword shadows, Su Yanci's chest was robust and powerful.

Wan Tang saw darkness and brightness before her eyes.

The scent of blood grew thicker in the air, yet Su Yanci's grip on their hand remained unusually firm.

So, there truly is a person.

Who will suddenly tear open the strength of your disguise, allowing you to reveal your vulnerability without concealment.

Just close your eyes, and all fear will vanish.

Those problems can also be resolved.

Scalding blood splashed onto Wan Tang's neck.

In a daze, it seemed to return to that moment.

Su Yanci held his waist tightly.

She heard an arrow pierce Su Yanci's chest and felt the warmth of blood.

The words, "Go forward, don't look back," seemed to linger at her ear again.

"No… don't!" Wan Tang's voice trembled.

She would never again let anyone she cared about fall into danger.

Even if it would expose everything.

Wan Tang's hand suddenly released, and the signal fell to the ground with a sound…