Chapter 186: Lost the Heir Apparent's Consort

Qing Yun led a squad of Black Armor Guards protecting an empty horse carriage, slowly proceeding along the official road.

Indeed, when they reached a desolate bamboo grove, dozens of black shadows sprang out like ghosts, lunging straight at the carriage, clearly aiming to seize Shen Shuangning!

But when they discovered the carriage interior was empty, they only then realized this was merely a decoy!

A sharp whistle sounded, and all the assassins instantly retreated in response, vanishing into the darkness.

Qing Yun covered his wounded arm, leaned on his sword and half-knelt on the ground, a cold sweat already breaking out behind him.

This ambush was clearly more fierce than the last; he couldn't help but feel relieved he had listened to Pei Zhi's advice, otherwise the Heir Apparent's Consort would likely have already fallen into enemy hands.

Qing Yun glanced at the chaos, doubt rising in his eyes; the Heir Apparent was already dead, so why would those behind still seek to exterminate the Heir Apparent's Consort? Perhaps...

Qing Yun's heart jolted, and he immediately thought of something.

Unless they suspected the Heir Apparent wasn't dead, planning to abduct the Heir Apparent's Consort to force him to reveal himself?!

No time to ponder, Qing Yun hurriedly told the remaining Black Armor Guards: "Those assassins must have gone to chase after the Junior Tutor and the others—let's hurry over!"

Qing Yun's judgment was sound; the assassins indeed went after Pei Zhi, but they came up empty, and moreover collided with another band of killers, the three forces entangled in a chaotic melee.

Just as the assassins were about to turn back, they ran into Qing Yun and his party arriving in pursuit; after a bout of fighting, they were all wiped out.

Qing Yun learned that Pei Zhi had already taken Shen Shuangning away by a different route, not being among them, and he let out a deep sigh of relief.

Immediately, he found the leader, using his sword tip to lift the black cloth mask covering the man's face.

It was a man, his face unusually pale, eyebrows fine and long, lip color light, exuding a somewhat effeminate air, utterly unlike the usual valiant demeanor of assassins.

Qing Yun acted meticulously, having encountered all sorts of people; after a brief thought, he used his knife to pry open the man's belt in a few strokes and pulled down his trousers.

Oh, he was a eunuch.

Qing Yun gave his companions a look and said in a low voice: "Check everyone!"

Everyone immediately obeyed, stepping forward to examine the other assassins' corpses.

Soon, exclamations rang out one after another—indeed, over half of them were eunuchs!

Where would eunuchs appear? One doesn't need to think to guess—the palace.

Qing Yun furrowed his brows and said: "The two groups are not the same."

The first group that ambushed them were ordinary assassins; the later pursuers, however, had more uncanny skills, struck with greater venom, and were all eunuchs—clearly the palace's style.

If they were truly the same faction, there would be no need to switch to an entirely different batch of assassins for the ambush.

Those from the palace wanted to capture Shen Shuangning alive; the other group's aim was to kill— but who were they targeting?

"Who sent those assassins? Do you have any leads?" Shen Shuangning asked.

The two did not share a horse.

Pei Zhi rode beside her; having already guessed roughly, he answered: "It must be the Crown Prince."

His secret collusion with Prince Rui was very likely discovered by the Crown Prince—no superior could tolerate betrayal.

Moreover, he happened to leave the capital at this time; the Crown Prince probably feared he would defect straight to Prince Rui, thus ordering the hit.

If the speculation holds, the return journey to the capital at this point would surely be fraught with danger; the Crown Prince, unable to catch him, might also very likely use Shen Shuangning as leverage.

Better to head south straight to Quanzhou; at least for now Prince Rui is safe for him. With him there, he could also fully protect Shen Shuangning.

More importantly, once in Quanzhou she would have to rely solely on herself—that is the true reason Pei Zhi agreed to take Shen Shuangning to Quanzhou.

He didn't tell her that Xiao Jingyuan was probably no longer in Quanzhou.

Xiao Jingyuan had taken the Grand Princess's Mysterious Iron Token; next he would go to Jizhou, Jinzhou, and Huizhou to rally the Mysterious Iron Army, awaiting Prince Rui's rebellion and the emergence of the Heavenly Sacred Sect's leader, then strike them unawares and wipe them out in one sweep.

Shen Shuangning was unaware of their scheming; having heard Pei Zhi's earlier words to Qing Yun, she jumped to conclusions, asking puzzled: "Why would the Crown Prince send assassins to kill me?"

She asked herself she had no deep grudge against the Crown Prince.

Pei Zhi slightly narrowed his eyes and said: "Perhaps... it's to sabotage the marriage alliance between the Prince Yan's Manor and the Duke's Manor."

That reason of his is actually plausible.

Shen Shuangning pondered: Xiao Jingyuan is dead, yet she, the Heir Apparent's Consort, lives on; the two families' marriage alliance remains, still able to provide support.

But if she died on the road to find Xiao Jingyuan, the Duke's Manor would surely blame the Prince Yan's Manor, causing the marriage alliance to collapse.

Thinking thus, Shen Shuangning harbored no further suspicion; instead she felt a twinge of guilt toward Pei Zhi, lowering her eyes and whispering: "Sorry, I've implicated you."

Pei Zhi gripped the reins tighter, not looking at her eyes but staring ahead: "On this trip to Quanzhou, if we can't find Xiao Jingyuan's corpse for a long time, do you intend to stay there indefinitely?"

Shen Shuangning shook her head: "I simply don't believe he died in battle."

Pei Zhi turned his head to glance at her: "If he really is dead, would you choose to follow him in death, or remain widowed for him?"

Their horses walked side by side under the moonlight, unhurried, the rustle of wind-blown leaves drifting from around them, with a few sword-wielding guards following not far behind.

Shen Shuangning felt a heaviness in her chest; after a moment's thought she said: "I and he at least share marital affection—if he truly fell in battle, I at least need to uncover why he died. He gained fame young, his military exploits were illustrious; how could he recklessly seek glory in a minor skirmish? He is not that sort of person."

"Prince Rui wants him dead and to tarnish his posthumous name—I won't allow it."

Shen Shuangning paused, then said: "As for dying with him or living in widowhood, I won't do such foolishness. Even if my husband is dead, I will still live well."

Hearing that reply, Pei Zhi's lips curled slightly, the gloom in his heart dispelled considerably.

He didn't know they had a two-year agreement. Shen Shuangning couldn't speak of it outwardly, and Xiao Jingyuan would never let this romantic rival know.

Not long after, a clear birdcall came from the sky.

Pei Zhi blew a short whistle.

The next moment, a snow-white speared hawk swooped down and landed on his raised left arm.

Shen Shuangning saw him untie the message tube from the hawk's talons, lightly pat its crown feathers, then release it.

Watching that winged bird fly away, she involuntarily recalled the spring hunt when Xie Yan led a band of desperadoes lying in ambush for them.

At that time, Xie Yan also had a bird of prey by his side—a dark-feathered eagle used for scouting and surveillance, which had inexplicably failed and was ultimately shot down by Pei Zhi.

Back then, how could she have had the slightest suspicion?

Although she now knows Pei Zhi is the rebirth of Xie Yan from a previous life, sometimes when facing this completely different face she still unconsciously forgets who he is.

Shen Shuangning's feelings toward this person are extremely complicated—complicated enough that merely thinking of him gives her a headache.

Pei Zhi did not know what she was thinking; using the light of a match, he read the letter at a glance, and his expression had already changed.

The letter came from Jingcheng.

Emperor Xuwen was gravely ill and at death's door.

The Crown Prince, following custom, entered the palace to attend the ailing emperor and fulfill his filial duty, but last night a sudden commotion arose in the palace; not knowing what had happened, the Empress suddenly took action, charging the Crown Prince with "patricide and treason," ordering him placed under house arrest in the Eastern Palace, forbidding any visitors.

The commander of the Imperial Guards was nowhere to be found, and his two deputy commanders, Meng Yang and Yan Zheng, turned against each other at this moment.

Meng Yang refused to submit to the Empress, insisting on leading troops into the palace to rescue the Crown Prince, but Yan Zheng cut him down on the spot. Now the entire Imperial Guard of the Imperial City has fallen into Yan Zheng's hands.

In other words, Yan Zheng has defected to the Empress. The Imperial Palace is now firmly in her grasp.

Just a few short lines sketch out the utter upheaval in Jingcheng.

Who would have thought? Without them having to set a trap to force Prince Rui into rebellion, the Empress's side is already unable to wait any longer!

Fortunately, they had made preparations in advance, so they are not completely plunged into a passive situation; under these circumstances, returning to the capital is even more out of the question.

Pei Zhi's gaze fell on a line of the letter; the Empress seemed to be searching for something in the palace, looking quite urgent.

He couldn't help but recall that, in his previous life, the Empress and Prince Rui, after gaining control of the court, had also been frantically searching for something, and the loyal attendant Hai Gonggong who served Emperor Xuwen was tortured to death because of it.

Pei Zhi vaguely guessed that the Empress was looking for a last edict, but he did not know its content.

Seeing his solemn expression, Shen Shuangning couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

The letter turned to ash in the man's hand, and Pei Zhi said tersely, "The Empress is rebelling."

On a official road a hundred li away, a troop clad in night attire galloped through the darkness, finally reaching the foot of a mountain as a glimmer of dawn rose in the east.

Looking around, the place was overgrown with weeds, thick with brambles, and the trees grew tall and lush, while the interior was a dark, chilly gloom.

The moonlight had not yet fully faded; a pale halo wrapped in thin mist made the scene look perilous and eerie—this is the Black Stone Mountain that makes ordinary people turn pale at the mention.

It is said that the mountain harbors not only ferocious beasts but also poisonous insects everywhere; those who mistakenly enter have their minds disturbed by toxic vapors and are ultimately devoured by this man‑eating mountain that spits out no bones.

Yet at this very moment, a tall man in dark robes emerged from the woods, strolling leisurely as if he were walking through his own backyard.

The instant he saw that face, Qingfeng immediately dismounted, stepped before the man, and knelt in salute: "My lord!"

Xiao Jingyuan had taken off his light armor, wearing only a thin dark robe; he bore wounds, but they were not serious.

He was not lost at sea as rumored, but had been pursued by Prince Rui; fortunately he had prepared beforehand, so when Prince Rui rose in revolt he deliberately led his pursuers toward Black Stone Mountain.

He knew well that the mountain's miasma was toxic; even if Prince Rui personally led troops in pursuit, they would surely be disrupted by the poison and be ineffective, whereas the miasma had no effect on him.

Later, driven to the cliff's edge, Xiao Jingyuan even staged an act of "having no way out," leaping off the cliff before the pursuers' eyes.

In fact, he used the momentum of his fall to slip silently into a hidden cave in the cliff face, thereby evading Prince Rui's search and waiting in Black Stone Mountain for his own people to arrive.

At daybreak, Xiao Jingyuan carefully took something from his bosom.

It was a flower wrapped in layers of brocade, its petals deep purple with edges glowing a pale white light, intact and undamaged.

This is precisely the Netherworld Flower that Mu Yu sought, capable of dispelling the strange poison in Shen Shuangning's body.

He was also lucky; while hiding in the cave he happened to find it, this flower grows in a unique form, so he would not mistake it.

Xiao Jingyuan let out a breath, then rewrapped the Netherworld Flower and handed it to Qingfeng, ordering, "Send someone to rush this back to Jingcheng and deliver it to Mu Yu; there must be no mistake."

He cannot return for now; he must go to Jinzhou to summon the Black Iron Army.

Unexpectedly, Qingfeng's face turned dark as he reported, "My lord! The Empress has colluded with the Imperial Guards to plot rebellion! Two days ago she issued a city‑lockdown order; now the whole city is under martial law, allowing entry but no exit, and our people have lost contact......"

Xiao Jingyuan's handsome brows and eyes grew a bit colder.

How is the Empress acting? Could she have sensed something?

"Explain clearly, what's going on?"

Qingfeng relayed all the information he had learned the previous day, but he knew nothing of what had happened these past two days.

The Empress is rebelling.

Xiao Jingyuan's face remained calm, but inside he was somewhat anxious—not because he feared the situation or the fate of his manor, but because his thoughts were with the woman in Jingcheng.

He lowered his eyes to look at the object in his hand and said calmly, "You go back yourself; that secret passage ought not to have been discovered—enter through it and then find a way to deliver it to Mu Yu......"

Before his words finished, he saw Qingfeng's face showing he wanted to speak but hesitated; Xiao Jingyuan furrowed his brows: "What now?"

Qingfeng rarely hesitated like this; he fixed his lord with a sharp gaze, swallowed hard, and said, "The consort is no longer in Jingcheng......"

Xiao Jingyuan, who ought to have already set out for Jinzhou, disregarded danger and returned to Quanzhou; after searching, he learned that Shen Shuangning was not there.

If he had departed from Jingcheng, even at the slowest pace he should have reached Quanzhou by now—unless...... something went wrong along the way.

Xiao Jingyuan immediately sent people to search covertly, a feeling of unease rising in his chest.

Finally, after two days, they located Qingyun and the others who had originally escorted Shen Shuangning, yet still saw no trace of her.

Xiao Jingyuan was nearly driven mad.

He never imagined that, upon hearing the news of his death, Shen Shuangning would actually come to Quanzhou to look for him.

Moreover, he did not expect that she would be ambushed on the way, together with "Pei Zhi"!

Qingyun, upon learning that his master was not dead, felt ecstatic, but thinking that he had lost the consort made him feel ashamed to face the lord; his whole head almost sank into his chest.

That day, after disposing of all the assassins, he guessed that Pei Zhi had taken Shen Shuangning back to the capital by another side road, so he wasted some time pursuing them.

Who would have thought that Pei Zhi was actually bringing people back to Suzhou, and then all the way to Quanzhou!!

We had agreed to bring people back to the capital, so why did he instead go to Quanzhou, that den of dragons and tigers!

Could it be that Junior Tutor Pei is defecting in the face of battle, intending to join Prince Rui and harm the consort?

Qingyun clenched his fists, feeling a resentful hatred at having been deceived; damn it, he would never believe Pei Zhi's nonsense again!

The forest was so still that the fall of a needle could be heard.

The personal guards trembled, daring not to utter a word.

Qingyun lifted his eyes to the handsome yet cold man before him, thinking he should still tell the matter of those eunuch assassins.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyuan immediately knew they were people sent by the Empress.

The Empress's attendant Kang Gonggong is a master; he secretly raised a corps of assassins, all of them eunuchs who had entered the palace after castration, using the guise of palace servants to hide openly in the depths of the Imperial Palace, remaining undetected for years.

This old witch surely doesn't believe he really died; she fears he might secretly ruin her rebellion plot, so she wants to seize Shen Shuangning and use her to restrain him.

One must admit, the Empress's thoughts are even more meticulous.

Xiao Jingyuan couldn't help but feel a lingering fear; fortunately Shen Shuangning had already left the capital ahead of time, otherwise she would likely have fallen into enemy hands by now.

However, the situation now is still not good...... Pei Zhi took Shen Shuangning to Spring Prefecture, where Prince Rui resides; if Shen Shuangning fell into Prince Rui's hands, the situation would not be much better than falling into the Empress's hands.

Most importantly, he still doesn't know what scheme Pei Zhi is hatching.

Xiao Jingyuan slammed a fist into the nearby old tree; the force was so great the whole tree trembled, the back of his hand turned completely red and even oozed blood, yet he felt none of it.

His killing intent was so great he wanted to kill someone.

He forced himself to calm down and consider countermeasures. In a moment, he swung onto his black war horse, and in a deep voice said, 'To Spring Prefecture!' Having spoken, he whipped the horse and rode off.

The personal troops all spurred their horses to follow.

There are three routes from Revive Prefecture to Spring Prefecture; no one knows which one Pei Zhi took, and unfortunately Xiao Jingyuan thus missed Shen Shuangning.