Chapter 2: Assassination

Yan Ling lifted her head uneasily to meet his gaze, when a sudden shout exploded by her ear.
“A-Ling!”

That cry made Xie Chongqing’s hand freeze in midair, stopping barely an inch from her sleeve.
His expression remained calm as he looked toward the newcomer.

Yan Ling’s elder brother jogged over without much regard for decorum, Fu Li close behind him.
Urgent and wary, he pulled Yan Ling behind himself.

Xie Chongqing had long known that this Eighth Prince was simple-minded and impulsive, a habitual troublemaker.

Seeing how fiercely he shielded her, Xie Chongqing merely smiled faintly and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Your Highness.”

His wide sleeves fluttered in the wind, his movements effortlessly elegant.
Even when offering a salute, he exuded an oppressive presence.

Yan Yi lowered his voice and asked his younger sibling, “Did he bully you?”

At a moment like this, Yan Ling was almost grateful for her brother’s lack of tact.
She tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to shut up.

“Shaoshi, we’ll take our leave first,” Yan Ling said, leading her brother away.

Fu Li followed behind her expressionlessly.
Xie Chongqing’s gaze swept over him, and he nodded lightly, allowing them to leave.

After returning to their residence in the traveling palace, Yan Yi anxiously asked, “How is Father Emperor?”

“He’s fine for now, but his body is still weak.”

“You have no idea how awful Prince Hui’s expression was after you entered Yan Ying Hall.”
“Oh right—the 羽林 Guards have already sent word back to the capital. Her Majesty the Empress will be arriving at the traveling palace tomorrow.”

Yan Ling had no mind to listen.
She nodded absentmindedly, and after exchanging a few words, the siblings returned to their respective chambers to rest.

Fu Li followed Yan Ling into her room like a shadow.
The moment they entered, a soft, warm body pressed into his arms, slender arms lightly wrapping around him, her cheek resting against his chest.

A faint fragrance drifted from her, brushing against Fu Li’s senses and stirring his heart.

He froze for a brief moment, then awkwardly patted her shoulder.

The two had grown up together since childhood.
Though Emperor Yonghe had fed him medicine and made him her guard and servant, Yan Ling had never looked down on his origins and instead treated him as a trusted confidant.

Fu Li was a Hu native.
According to Emperor Yonghe, he had been picked up somewhere.
He had deep-set features and eyes as beautiful as the sky.
He was taciturn by nature, yet keenly sensed that his master was afraid.

“It’s fine, I’m okay now.”
She lifted her face and forced a smile onto her clear, breathtakingly beautiful features.

“Xueci, don’t be afraid,” he murmured softly to comfort her.

Yan Ling’s brows curved as she coquettishly said, “Stand watch outside for me tonight.”

Fu Li answered quietly, then went to the window outside the door, where a wooden bed had been set for him.

Once the door was closed, Hanlu, the female scribe of Yuqing Palace, emerged from the inner chamber as usual and lit the candles.

By the flickering candlelight, Yan Ling carefully took out the box hidden in her sleeve and opened it.
Two scrolls fell out.
She picked up one and unrolled it.

After skimming its contents, she froze for a moment.

The two exchanged looks.
Hanlu stammered, “Your Highness… with a woman’s body, how could you possibly—”

Panic surged over her.
After a long moment, Yan Ling hurriedly picked up the other scroll and opened it.

The second scroll was an identical secret edict of succession.
The only difference was the name written on it—her brother’s, Yan Yi.

Hanlu was stunned.
“Why didn’t His Majesty give this directly to the Eighth Highness?”

Yan Ling fell silent, understanding her father’s intent with difficulty.
“Because the son Father Emperor openly favors is me.”

So she was meant to draw attention away from her brother?
Yan Ling did not want to think so, but the truth seemed to be exactly that.

“Then when should this secret edict be given to the Eighth Highness?”

“Not yet.”
“I’m afraid Brother might drink and accidentally let it slip.”

She steadied her emotions.
Closing the box again, Yan Ling hid the two scrolls separately, in places both concealed and secure.

---

The next day.

The Empress’s carriage arrived at the traveling palace.
All the princes gathered at Yan Ying Hall.
By the bedside, the Empress carefully fed the Emperor his medicine, blowing gently on the spoon.
The pearl pendants by her earlobes chimed softly as she moved.

Her crimson-purple ruqun embroidered with entwined honeysuckle patterns made her appear especially splendid and dignified.

“Father Emperor,” Prince Hui said with clasped hands.
“Your son hunted a deer yesterday and had the kitchen slice the antlers to nourish you.”

Prince Ji was not to be outdone.
“That white tiger was truly hateful. Today, your son will capture it for Father Emperor.”

Empress Huan nodded in satisfaction.
Yan Yi lifted his head as if about to make a show of filial piety as well, but Yan Ling pressed him down and shook her head slightly.

Prince Hui and Prince Ji were backed by the Huan and Yu clans, two great families currently at the height of their power, both eyeing the supreme throne.
Meanwhile, the Langya Wang clan had already estranged itself from the siblings.
With no one to rely on, it was best for them to remain low-key.

“Today’s hunt will proceed as usual. There’s no need to worry about me,” Emperor Yonghe said, looking much better.
“Prince Hui, stay behind.”

Yan Hui immediately brightened.
“This son obeys.”

The Empress set down the bowl.
“You father and son should talk properly. I’ll go watch the princes hunt.”

As everyone dispersed, Yan Xiang called out to Yan Ling.
“Twelfth Brother, wait.”

Yan Ling turned back.
“Fourth Imperial Brother.”

“Father Emperor has always favored you.”
“Would Twelfth Brother be willing to hunt the tiger with me?”

Yan Ling declined politely.
“There’s no need.”
“I’m not skilled in riding or archery. I can barely hunt rabbits—how could I hunt a white tiger?”

“It doesn’t matter.”
“Participation is what counts.”

Yan Xiang persisted, and Yan Ling frowned slightly.
Fortunately, Yan Yi spoke without thinking.
“With A-Ling’s constitution, is Imperial Brother sending her to feed the tiger or hunt it?”

Yan Xiang lost face.
His smile stiffened.
“In that case, forget it.”

The sky was gloomy with heavy clouds that day.
Yan Yi muttered, “Looks like it’s going to rain. What’s the point of hunting?”

“The other brothers have already claimed the tiger and deer.”
“Today we’ll have to hunt foxes.”

Yan Yi exclaimed, “But you’re not good at archery.”

“Fu Li,” Yan Ling sighed.

Fu Li stepped forward from behind, nodding expressionlessly.
Yan Yi grumbled, “Great. Someone yesterday absolutely refused to cheat.”

Fu Li went to fetch a quiver and slung it over his back, walking ahead of them and unconsciously slowing his pace to match the girl’s steps.

He lowered his gaze to look at her.
The girl looked up as well, her brows curved in a smile.
Her slender body was wrapped in a moon-white cloak, her neck pale and fragile.
In her clear, watery eyes was reflected his figure.

As Fu Li cleared the way ahead, Yan Yi leaned close to Yan Ling and muttered, “He only ever looks pleasant with you. Why?”

Yan Ling guiltily rolled her eyes.
“Lower your voice.”
“Stop talking, or you’ll scare the foxes away.”

The three of them entered the forest, heading west.
The sky was dark that day.
Dense branches layered upon one another, blocking out what little light there was.
Visibility was so poor it was almost impossible to see one’s hand before one’s face.

Foxes were hard to find and extremely clever.
They set traps, and after about half an hour, Yan Yi was already tired of squatting.
At last, movement sounded from deep within the forest.

The three of them perked up.
A snow-white head cautiously poked out from the bushes.
Fu Li silently drew his bow, blue eyes cold as ice, killing intent filling them.

His fingers released.
The arrow tore through the air.
At the same instant, another arrow shot out from deeper in the forest, slicing cleanly through Fu Li’s arrow from behind and striking the fox squarely in the back.

Yan Ling froze.
A tall horse suddenly appeared ahead, the rider unmistakably familiar.

Xie Chongqing did not dismount.
He merely cupped his hands in greeting.
“Eighth Highness, Twelfth Highness.”

Yan Yi shouted angrily, “We clearly saw that fox first!”

Xie Chongqing neither agreed nor disagreed.
“Since Your Highness wants it so badly, this minister will reluctantly yield.”

“You—”

Yan Ling pulled her brother back.
“Forget it.”
“Whoever shot it gets it.”

Xie Chongqing glanced at her.
“My thanks, Your Highness.”

He then dismounted, picked up the fox, and left.

Once he was gone, the three had no choice but to continue deeper into the forest to search for another fox.

No one knew how long they walked.
Suddenly, a tree trunk trembled slightly.
Fu Li’s ears twitched, his body reacting before his mind.
He turned and raised his bow to block, just in time to meet a sword that appeared from nowhere.
Cold light flashed as the blade cleaved the bow clean in two.

The sudden change stunned everyone.
Yan Yi cried out in terror, “Assassins! There are assassins!”

Yan Ling’s heart turned cold.
She quickly pulled her brother behind Fu Li as black-clad assassins surged out from all directions.

Another group suddenly appeared.
Their sharp figures moved to block the assassins, engaging them in combat in front of Yan Ling and her brother.
The two forces tangled together, plunging the scene into chaos.

Yet the number of assassins only grew, wave after wave.
And outside, no reinforcements seemed to have noticed anything.

Fu Li alone could not protect two people indefinitely.
He had already been slashed several times.
Blood soaked into his gray short tunic, hideous wounds crisscrossing his back and chest.

Yan Ling made a snap decision.
In a low voice, she said to Fu Li, “I order you to protect my brother.”
“You must protect him.”

Fu Li gasped for breath, his eyes full of confusion.
Yan Ling added, “Three inches beneath the bed—guard that thing for me.”

With that, under the cover of the shadow guards, she dashed out.
Fu Li’s eyes went bloodshot as he reached out to grab her, but the assassins blocked him again.

Yan Ling staggered and ran in the opposite direction with all her strength.
The outer perimeter was sealed off, making it impossible to escape the forest.
Ahead lay only mountains.
As she ran, she shouted, “Help! There are assassins!”

The assassins immediately swarmed toward her, their target clear.

She stumbled through the forest, one foot deep, one foot shallow.
The shadow guards covering her were shot dead by arrows.
The assassins seemed deliberately to avoid injuring her, allowing her to flee more recklessly.

Xie Chongqing was walking calmly through the forest when he suddenly heard chaotic footsteps in the distance.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a green-clad figure dart behind him like a rabbit, clutching tightly at his sash.

A palm-sized face lifted toward him.
Her snow-white nose was smudged with dirt, her breathing ragged, cheeks flushed red.
“Shaoshi, save me.”

Not far away, black-clad figures surged like a swarm.
Several arrows shot straight toward him.
Xie Chongqing frowned sharply.
“Get on the horse.”

The two mounted in one fluid motion.
Xie Chongqing snapped the reins, and the horse charged through the forest.
The arrows were far too dense.
He was forced to divert his attention to block them with his feather fan.

Xie Chongqing’s face darkened with irritation.
Spots of blood stained his snow-white sleeves.

He found Yan Ling a burden, yet having already been dragged into this, he had no leisure to question her.

Up ahead lay the slopes of Qixia Mountain, where no proper roads had been opened.

They abandoned the horse and fled swiftly through the mountains, sending the horse off in another direction to draw the assassins away.

Until one misstep.

Yan Ling cried out in alarm.
Even so, she did not release her grip on Xie Chongqing’s wrist, squeezing so hard her palm went numb.

Because Yan Ling never let go, the two were forced into each other as they rolled.
It was a steep slope, extremely treacherous, and below it lay a bottomless cliff.
When the pursuing assassins looked down, the two were already gone.

“Alive, we see the person.”
“Dead, we see the corpse,” the leader said coldly.

With that, he slid down the slope.

Yan Ling felt as though every bone in her body was about to shatter.
Xie Chongqing shoved the person sprawled in his arms away and let out a cold laugh.
“Does Your Highness think it appropriate to use this minister as a human cushion?”

Why could he still speak?
Yan Ling was already in too much pain to form words.

“Shaoshi, circumstances were urgent.”
“Please forgive me,” Yan Ling said weakly after catching her breath.
Her waist must have struck a rock; the pain made her vision go black.

It was still early in the day.
Without the dense branches overhead, Xie Chongqing could clearly see the small prince sitting on the ground, frowning as she rubbed her waist.

“Delicate,” he commented flatly, making no move to help her.

He toyed with the feather fan in his hand, then suddenly pressed it against her slender, fragile throat.
“If this minister were to cut this neck,” he asked coolly, “would it hurt very much?”

Yan Ling stared at him blankly, her breathing instantly turning rapid.
“You… you want to kill me?”

Xie Chongqing raised a brow.
“Obviously.”
“Where is His Majesty’s secret edict?”

Yan Ling’s heart nearly stopped.
Her mind buzzed in disbelief, her eyes burning so badly she could barely hold back tears.

“Don’t kill me.”
Her lashes trembled as she suddenly released her breath, afraid he would hear something amiss.

Tears slid down her cheeks.
No matter how hard it was to accept, reality left her no room for sorrow.

“Where is the secret edict?”
His patience was thin, the chill between his brows deepening.

Suddenly, her dark hair spilled loose like a curtain of rain without warning.
Strands clung to her temples as her head tilted back slightly, a trace of seductive allure appearing at the corners of her eyes.

Thunder roared across the sky. A heavy rain poured down without warning.

The two faced each other in silence.
Xie Chongqing lowered his head to look at her.
Her cloak was long gone, her clothes soaked through and clinging tightly to her body, outlining a slender yet bewitching figure.

Yan Ling’s tears fell one by one, like broken pearls from a snapped string—fragile and lost.

Xie Chongqing narrowed his eyes.

“You are not a man.”