Chapter 107

When Tingfeng saw Zhai Ji, his expression showed just the right amount of surprise.

I have paid my respects to the Third Prince.

Tingfeng was dressed as a boy servant, with delicate features; after paying his respects to Zhai Ji, he said: "Young Master, you were entrusted by the Young Marquis to come up the mountain to look for Miss Shen the Fourth; unexpectedly, there were assassins hiding in the woods, they are rebels of the Holy Heaven Sect, the enemy is numerous and strong, we have lost many men, and you too have been wounded because of this......"

Xie Yan's face was ashen, he appeared weak, half-leaning on Tingfeng; he looked harmless, as if his injuries were so severe he had no strength left to speak.

In fact, while Tingfeng was talking with Zhai Ji, he was covertly observing Zhai Ji's expression; upon hearing that rebels had caused trouble, Zhai Ji's face was full of shock.

Xie Yan then felt relieved.

A barely perceptible curve rose at the corner of his mouth.

It seems the Third Prince still knows nothing. The Crown Prince has already left, yet he remains here—truly a fool lacking any vigilance, no wonder he's been used as a pawn time and again.

But that works well; his stupidity and arrogance are just what we need.

Hell has no gates, yet you insist on barging in; if you're seeking death, don't blame me for being impolite.

Master and servant exchanged a glance in secret.

Originally, our chances of escaping this mountain forest were only fifty percent; but after seeing the Third Prince, our odds suddenly jumped to ninety percent!

Even when Tingfeng spoke to Zhai Ji, his tone seemed much lighter, not at all like someone deep in danger.

But the people opposite were immersed in the shock of nearby rebels, failing to notice this subtle change; even if they did, they merely thought master and servant had run into allies, feeling reassured and relaxed.

Zhai Ji believed Tingfeng's words without a doubt!

For he had heard some rumors last night that Xie Lin and the Jurchen princess had been assassinated, and the Imperial Guard had captured several assassins attempting to flee.

Moreover, because of this incident, the spring hunt could not continue; the emperor and empress, together with a host of officials, departed early.

But Zhai Ji had thought the assassins were either all captured or had already fled without a trace, so he didn't give it a second thought and boldly went up the mountain—never expecting that there would still be a fish that slipped through the net hiding in these woods!

Upon hearing that the rebels numbered nearly a hundred, Zhai Ji panicked instantly.

Here we have only six people counting himself, and the followers of the Holy Heaven Sect are always desperate outlaws; if we really ran into them, would there be any life left?

Zhai Ji regretted so much his intestines turned green; if he had known earlier, he wouldn't have cared whether Shen Shuangning lived or died—let her die wherever she wants!

But there's no medicine for regret; now is not the time to think about that.

Zhai Ji glanced at Xie Yan, his eyes darting quickly. He inwardly disliked Xie Yan as a burden, yet he asked aloud: "Isn't the Imperial Guard also nearby? Didn't you run into them?"

He still harbored a doubt: with over a hundred rebels, so conspicuous a target, how could the Imperial Guard be completely unaware? That doesn't make sense.

Xie Yan weakly said: "There is a traitor among the Imperial Guard; it is precisely their inside‑outside cooperation that let the rebels enter, aiming to assassinate Xiao Jingyuan. But if they learn that Your Highness is also here......"

He hadn't finished speaking, yet it went without saying.

Naturally, they would either kill him on the spot or take him hostage.

Upon hearing this, Zhai Ji's face turned ashen in an instant; the lingering doubt in his heart vanished like smoke, and his mind raced with thoughts.

So there's an insider! No wonder they dared to cause trouble right under Emperor Xuanwen's nose!

Mobilizing so many people just to assassinate Xiao Jingyuan also makes sense; after all, the Holy Heaven Sect bears a deep hatred for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, wishing to eradicate it at once!

Just moments ago, Zhai Ji had been considering abandoning Xie Yan and going to find the Imperial Guard himself, but after hearing this, how could he dare act rashly?

Otherwise, he might walk into a tiger's den and become the first prince in history taken hostage by rebels—then his life and dignity would be gone!

Zhai Ji values his life immensely.

He paced back and forth on the spot, anxious and flustered, at a loss what to do.

Seeing that the preparations were nearly complete, Xie Yan slowly said: "I happen to know a shortcut that leads straight to the mountain's base; it would be safer, though it requires abandoning the horses and going on foot. Though that place is a bit far from the main camp, there is a village nearby where Your Highness may rest first; later I will send someone to report to the main camp."

Upon hearing this, Zhai Ji immediately said: "Then hurry and lead the way!"

Indeed, Xie Yan's face is so deceiving that Zhai Ji harbors not a shred of suspicion.

His tone was full of commanding arrogance, showing no restraint even toward an injured person.

Tingfeng frowned, clearly displeased, but Xie Yan paid no heed, gesturing for Tingfeng to support him as he walked ahead.

Although Zhai Ji did not regard Xie Yan as a threat, he still put on a show of threatening him: "Behave yourself, don't try any tricks."

Walking in front, Xie Yan heard this, slightly turned his head, lowered his eyes, and said: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will personally see to your safe arrival."

An hour passed.

Shen Shuangning sat beneath a tree, feeling somewhat numb; the cloak wrapped around her carried a faint scent of grass and wood, wide and thick, yet she felt no warmth at all.

Her heart felt heavy, and she didn't know what random thoughts were drifting through her mind.

Finally, Pei Zhi walked over to her.

Seeing this, Shen Shuangning sprang to her feet, though her stance was unsteady; only now did she notice that the wound on her knee seemed worse, yet she felt nothing, anxiously asking: "How is he?"

Pei Zhi's hands had been washed clean with water; even under his nails there was no trace of dirt or blood, giving off a faint pink hue.

He reached out to adjust her cloak that was about to slip, tied a bow at the collar, then spoke gently: "Don't worry, there's no danger to her life; she merely wounded her vital gate and lost too much blood, still unconscious—when she wakes will be up to her."

With such a serious injury, Shen Shuangning still found it hard to believe, staring blankly: "Really, there's nothing wrong?"

Pei Zhi glanced at her, then gave a soft 'hmm,' and handed her a silk handkerchief, indicating she should wipe her face.

Shen Shuangning had intended to go see Xiao Jingyuan first, even lifting a foot, but upon seeing Pei Zhi hand her a silk handkerchief, she paused.

"Thank you."

Shen Shuangning took it, wiped her face hastily, then solemnly said to him: "Thank you."

"I said, no need to thank me."

Pei Zhi's expression was indifferent, unlike his usual warmth, even a bit chilling, making one's heart inexplicably tighten.

"That's different; this is not a small matter, thanks should still be given." Shen Shuangning lifted her small face, gazing at him earnestly.

Pei Zhi tightened his jawline, unable to hold back: "You worry about him so much—could it be that you've fallen for him?"

The others were resting not far away, while the military medics were still treating the wounded.

Yan Zheng, however, glanced over at Pei Shishi, couldn't help but let out a soft scoff, thinking to himself: "What a bunch of hypocritical sages and gentlemen, nothing but unable to pass the beauty's gate; openly flirting in broad daylight, utterly improper!"

Shen Shuangning froze completely, never expecting that Pei Zhi's next question would be this, and so blunt.

She glanced away and said, "I just don't want to owe him anything."

Exactly, she simply didn't want to bear another life on her conscience, which is why she was so worried.

Shen Shuangning told herself that.

Pei Zhi lifted his drooping eyelids, as if regaining a bit of luster, and a faint smile touched his lips as he said, "How should Miss Ning repay the favor she owes me?"

Pei Zhi has helped her more than once; this isn't something that can be settled with just a meal.

Shen Shuangning was about to speak.

Pei Zhi spoke first, saying, "How about repaying with your person?"

"This, this..." Shen Shuangning widened her eyes, her tongue almost tying itself in knots.

"Just joking." Pei Zhi then laughed, reaching up to ruffle her hair, and said, "If the chance arises, you can repay me slowly later."

He seemed to have regained the warm, jade-like grace of Pei Sanlang from memory, though a hint of irrepressible loss flickered in his eyes.

Shen Shuangning met his gaze, dared not say more, and turned to look at Xiao Jingyuan.

Soon, a troop of soldiers came marching in mighty array.

It was personnel from the main camp coming to meet them.

Hearing there were wounded, they specially brought several wagons.

Those who came to meet them, seeing the gruesome scene before them, couldn't help but feel like vomiting.

Yan Zheng stood up from the stone, spat, and said, "This damned place—I've had enough of staying here. Pack up, let's get out of here!"

A guard hesitated and said, "But Deputy General Meng and his men haven't returned yet."

They were referring to the guards who went to pursue Xie Yan.

Yan Zheng snapped impatiently, "What does it matter to us if they haven't come back? My mission is already done—let's go!"

After leaving the dense forest, the view finally opened up and brightened, and it seemed as if a few warm rays of sunlight were spilling through the clouds on the horizon.

Shen Shuangning sat alone in the carriage, lifted the curtain to gaze out; having survived the ordeal, her heart finally found its place.

It's wonderful to be alive.

Xie Lin looked left and right, finally waiting for their return.

Not having seen Shen Shuangning with his own eyes, he would absolutely not leave this place; likewise, Jingyu also stayed behind.

The two had been waiting outside beforehand, longing for the stars and moon; fortunately, the stars and moon had not yet risen, and the person they were waiting for finally appeared before them.

Shen Shuangning herself held onto the carriage shaft and slowly stepped down.

"Ningning! You've finally come back—I was worried sick!"

Jingyu, taking advantage of being a woman herself, flung herself forward without hesitation in front of everyone and enfolded Shen Shuangning in a tight embrace.

Jingyu had already changed out of yesterday's riding attire, donning a light palace robe woven of cloud-patterned brocade, her hair styled elaborately and beautifully; in contrast, Shen Shuangning looked like she had fled a famine—aside from the clean cloak draped over her shoulders, her face was smudged with dirt.

Jingyu didn't mind the dirt on Shen Shuangning's person at all, holding her for a long while.

Had the emperor not issued an order forbidding her from going up the mountain, she would have personally gone to fetch Shen Shuangning back.

"Is Your Highness's foot better?" Shen Shuangning patted her shoulder.

Jingyu released her and said, "That little injury is long healed—look at you, why are you such a mess? Good heavens, what have you been through?"

Shen Shuangning merely gave a bitter smile: "It's a long story; I'll tell you later."

Jingyu also knew this wasn't the place to talk, so she nodded.

At that moment, Xie Lin walked over, gazing at her with deep concern.

When Shen Shuangning lifted her eyes and met his clear gaze, what came to mind was the inscrutable eldest son of the Xie family.

Xie Lin had also been wounded the day before, his lips still slightly pale; now he curved his lips into a smile toward her and said, "Seeing that you're safe is truly wonderful."

He also wanted to say more intimate things to her, even to hold her and feel her warmth, but in the end he restrained himself.

This matter is of great importance, involving the rebel faction and the Yongning Marquis's residence; Yan Zheng, a deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, naturally has no authority to handle it and does not want to get involved, so, following Pei Zhi's instructions, he first suppressed the matter.

Thus, the people at the main camp still do not know exactly what happened on the mountain.

Xie Lin also did not know that the brother he revered most had almost killed the woman he loved most.

Pei Zhi sat on his horse, his gaze wandering between the two, not knowing what he was thinking.

Seeing that Shen Shuangning appeared injured, Xie Lin could not restrain himself, grabbed her hand, and only then noticed how cold it was, anxiously asking, "You're injured, right?"

Xie Lin's hand was always so warm and broad, able to completely envelop hers.

The youth's gaze was so scorching, filling his vision with only her.

Shen Shuangning ultimately did not pull her hand away, softly replying, "Just a minor injury, it's fine."

Xie Lin examined her from head to toe, then painedly asked, "What exactly happened yesterday? The mountain was so dark and terrifying; how did you, a young lady, get through it?"

Shen Shuangning seemed to have thought of something, feeling a bit guilty, her snow-white earlobes tinged with faint red as she lowered her eyes and said, "Don't ask."

She could not possibly tell him that she had spent the night with Xiao Jingyuan, even sleeping entwined in a mountain cave—Xie Lin would think she was mad; besides, there are so many people watching around right now!

She had not yet figured out how to say it.

Seeing her expression off, Xie Lin keenly realized that Shen Shuangning was not only hiding something from him, but also seemed to have become less close to him.

It's only been one night; how could Ningning have changed? No, it must be that Ningning is simply too exhausted, frightened, and hasn't recovered yet.

He shouldn't have rushed to ask these things.

Although he thought that, Xie Lin inexplicably felt a pang of anxiety, unconsciously tightening his grip on her hand, as if afraid she would leave him just like that.

"Sorry, I didn't think it through. If you don't want me to ask, I won't."

"Eh, you don't need to apologize." Seeing his cautious demeanor, Shen Shuangning didn't know what to say for a moment, so she changed the subject.

"The young master's injury is relatively serious; Marquis, go see him."

Upon hearing that, Xie Lin finally reacted. Right, why haven't I seen Ah Yuan? Where is Ah Yuan?

Pei Zhi had already dismounted, and as he stepped forward, his gaze lingered for a moment on their clasped hands before he slowly said, "Your Ah Yuan is about to die; if you don't go see him now, you might not even get a last look."