Chapter 125: Ambush

"You are a victim?" Lin Qingyue sneered. "You can actually say such a thing? That's right, it was indeed Lin Ruzhen who deceived you first. But if you had even a shred of intelligence, you could have seen the flaws in the many minute details!"

"How could a delicate, weak woman like Lin Ruzhen possibly brave the wind and snow to carry you back from the wilderness outside the city to the city gates? Does she even have that kind of strength?"

As for the original Lin Qingyue, she had been accustomed to farm work since childhood, which had forged a body of raw strength, and she had a heart full of passion; she would risk frostbite just to save someone.

Speaking of this, Lin Qingyue felt deeply that it was not worth it for that silly girl. If she hadn't saved Dongfang Yan, she would never have married into the Jin Wangfu by some twist of fate, nor would she have died a miserable, unjust death.

When it all comes down to it, this is all Dongfang Yan's fault!

"So, you blind and heartless person, what right do you have to call yourself innocent?"

Dongfang Yan restrained all his arrogance, bowing his head to listen to the lecture in silence.

Every one of her words, every accusation, was like a knife, stabbing fiercely into Dongfang Yan's heart.

His eye sockets turned red before he knew it, and tears rolled out unconsciously.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." He apologized over and over, repenting deeply.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Lin Qingyue was not the original owner; she would not, and could not, forgive on her behalf.

She gave a cold smile and turned to leave, only to be blocked by Dongfang Yan's subordinates.

Zhao An said cautiously, "Princess Consort, it is not safe below. Please do not go down there again."

Dongfang Yan also reined in his sorrow, walked to Lin Qingyue's side, and said, "Whether you forgive me or not, we are husband and wife. From this day forward, I will not let you suffer any harm."

Lin Qingyue lowered her eyes to look down; from this vantage point, she could see that the troops General Luo had brought had already fully entered the canyon. The vanguard was about to exit the canyon.

And at the exit of the canyon lay a dense forest. As the night wind blew, the trees rustled.

Just now, the only reason she was willing to waste words with Dongfang Yan was to buy some time for the escort troops below.

But at this moment, seeing that forest, she seemed to realize: "You have set an ambush in the woods?"

Zhao An glanced at Dongfang Yan before explaining, "Reporting to Princess Consort, not only is there an ambush in the woods, but it has also been doused with fire oil in advance. Once the people in the canyon come out, the woods will erupt in raging flames."

"Even if they retreat back into the canyon, it will be useless; the thick smoke from the burning will be carried by the wind into the interior of the canyon. The canyon is already narrow, and as the thick smoke rolls in, everyone inside will be choked to death alive."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyue frowned slightly: "Truly a ruthless method. Dongfang Yan, it is worthy of you."

Dongfang Yan said, "The struggle for power is inherently cruel. You are a woman; you should stand behind a man and enjoy peace and wealth. Qingyue, how about I conquer an empire for you?"

Lin Qingyue laughed: "Assassinating the current Crown Prince, you speak as if you are about to go to the battlefield. Dongfang Yan—"

She pointed below and asked, "Are these your only methods? If the Crown Prince suffers any mishap, do you think His Majesty won't know who is behind it? Murdering the current Crown Prince is a grave crime; you know this in your heart."

Dongfang Yan laughed lowly: "Qingyue, you underestimate me too much. The people ambushed there are the Li Wang's subordinates. It is also the Li Wang who is murdering the Crown Prince."

"As for me... I learned that the Crown Prince was in danger and rushed to save him. Unfortunately, I arrived a step too late and only managed to save the Jin Princess Consort. The Crown Prince, including the troops escorting him, were all buried in a sea of fire."

Lin Qingyue couldn't help but exclaim, "Ho, so that's the plan you've hatched! Not bad, not bad, a good strategy! Borrowing a knife to kill, and still being able to keep yourself completely clean. Dongfang Yan, it seems you've grown a brain."

Dongfang Yan heard the tone of her voice and felt something was wrong: "Why are you not nervous at all? Weren't you sent to the Crown Prince's side as a guard? How come..."

Lin Qingyue said, "So you knew my mission for this trip, yet you still risked killing the Crown Prince. You've kept yourself clean, but what about me? If the mission fails, neither Xie Shouzheng nor I will escape death. Is this what you meant when you kept saying you wanted to take me home and atone for your past sins? Is this how you repent and atone?"

Dongfang Yan said, "That's why I found you first! Don't worry, Qingyue, I won't let you suffer any harm. I will hide you carefully, and when I inherit the throne in the future, you will be the only Empress of Da Qi, the love of my life!"

"Hahaha..." Lin Qingyue laughed, "Your love is truly shallow."

"Dongfang Yan, the only person you have ever loved is yourself, which is why you put yourself first in everything. Even if you have some intention of repentance toward me now, it won't be long before your guilt and love fade away."

"Dongfang Yan, those with different paths cannot make plans together. Tell your people to move aside, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Princess Consort!" Zhao An wanted to help persuade her, but Lin Qingyue kicked him away.

"Qingyue!" Dongfang Yan tried to pull Lin Qingyue back.

Lin Qingyue turned around and swung her long sword; although Dongfang Yan retreated immediately, a shallow wound was still slashed across his chest.

Before he could react while clutching his wound, Lin Qingyue's sword was coldly pressed against his chest: "If you want to live, don't provoke me again."

Dongfang Yan refused to retreat further: "I know that no matter what I say, you may not believe in my sincerity anymore. But today, unless you kill me, I will never let you go down there. Look below, the firelight has already started to shine; the Li Wang's people are about to make their move. Qingyue, Dongfang Qi is dead for sure! I cannot watch you go to your death!"

"Is that so?" Lin Qingyue curled her lips into a smile, "Dongfang Yan, you underestimate Dongfang Qi too much. Do you really think he is mixed in with those soldiers?"

"What did you say..." Dongfang Yan suddenly realized, "Could it be that Dongfang Qi is not among them?"

Lin Qingyue said, "Of course not. Using the troops of the Beiyuan Regional Military Governor to escort us was merely to set up a target for you."

At this moment, the forest below had already been ignited, and the firelight spread rapidly against the wind, soon becoming a sea of flames.

The soldiers who had just walked out of the canyon screamed in panic and retreated back into the canyon.

Dongfang Yan sighed inwardly at the pity, then said mockingly, "The world says the Crown Prince is benevolent and righteous. Yet tonight, to save himself, he used these two thousand soldiers as living targets to be choked to death by thick smoke in the canyon. Truly benevolent and righteous indeed!"

Before his words had even faded, another troop appeared below, rushing over with lightning speed, surrounding the people who had been lying in ambush outside the forest.

The ambushers were caught off guard, and with thick smoke and raging fire behind them, they had nowhere to retreat and were soon captured in one fell swoop.

The fire was still burning, and the thick smoke drifted from afar to the mountaintop, smelling quite choking.

At this moment, Dongfang Yan finally understood everything: "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. So that's how it is! Dongfang Qi, I truly underestimated him." ===== CHAPTER 126 =====