Zeng Yaxian's sudden laughter made Song Xizhi's chest tremble again. She vaguely felt that the woman in front of her was really different from before.

She was no longer the pitiful woman who indulged in lies in the inner quarters. Dressed in black and holding a red-tasseled spear, she looked as heroic as a female general who had conquered the battlefield.

Zeng Yaxian's current appearance made Song Xi subconsciously want to grant her request.

But Song Xizhi's rational mind told him that he couldn't trust others so easily.

The schemes behind Zhao Qingshu are of paramount importance; a single misstep could have far-reaching consequences, and a complete loss could result from the slightest mistake.

At this moment, she was not only carrying the weight of her own life. Before Song Xizhi could figure out the cause of today's assassination attempt, she could not trust Zeng Yaxian.

Thinking about it, Song Xizhi slowly lowered his hand.

Her hands hung at her sides, her expression still gentle.

"I will repay your life-saving grace today in the future, but I know nothing about Zhao Qianlan and Zhao Qingshu, so I cannot promise anything for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Zeng Yaxian's smile froze slightly. She slowly lowered her hand, then gripped the red-tasseled spear tightly again.

"Consider today's events my way of repaying your kindness in saving me from suffering in the past."

Was I stupid back then?

After saying this, before Song Xizhi could reply, she pulled up her black mask and rejoined the battle.

Her lithe and agile figure tumbled amidst the flashing blades, and with a swift flick of her wrist, the red-tasseled spear in her hand pierced the assassin's eye.

Song Xizhi didn't have time to look at her for long before he hurriedly squatted down and began to treat the wounds on Prince Ning's body.

Just moments ago, Prince Ning was all steely and unyielding, vowing to protect her. Who knew he would be the first to fall? Before Song Xizhi could even see what was happening, she was inexplicably struck by a sword.

Song Xizhi's lips twitched twice more.

Before she could think any further, Prince Ning on the ground had been awakened by the pain and was now pulling on her foot and howling.

Song Xizhi was startled at first, then squatted down to examine the Prince of Ning's wound.

Prince Ning's injury was not serious; he was cut on his lower back and his internal organs were not damaged.

While patiently comforting Prince Ning in a soft voice, Song Xi pressed on Prince Ning's wound, sprinkled on the hemostatic powder he carried with him, and then tore off a piece of Prince Ning's sleeve to wrap around the wound.

She was focused on bandaging the wound, and after what seemed like an eternity, she heard the sounds of fighting behind her gradually subside, followed by what sounded like hurried footsteps.

Song Xizhi raised her head warily and immediately saw Zeng Yaxian standing beside her, blood still flowing from the red-tasseled spear in her hand. The fight she had just experienced had left her breathing somewhat unsteady.

"They'll be here soon, I have to go."

Zeng Yaxian turned her gaze to the distance, her voice hoarse through the black mask: "I didn't kill all the assassins; I'll leave these to you."

Song Xizhi suddenly looked up and met her gaze, then saw her watery eyes in the moonlight.

"I'll leave it to you to find out the truth. I don't know why they wanted to assassinate you, and I don't know whose people they are working for, but it's definitely not me."

Zeng Yaxian finally smiled again: "Though I have lived a stupid and dull life, I have always been honest and upright."

Hearing her words, Song Xizhi looked up at her in surprise.

Seeing that she gave the order, she led several hidden guards away using her light-footed skills.

A surge of emotions inexplicably welled up in Song Xizhi's heart.

After Zeng Yaxian left, countless Imperial Guards rushed over immediately, carrying torches.

As soon as they stepped into the Imperial Garden, they saw blood everywhere and signs of a fight.

All the assassins fell to the ground. Siqin and several guards beside Song Xizhi were also lying on the spot, panting heavily. They were all more or less injured and looked like they couldn't even breathe steadily.

Meanwhile, Song Xizhi was squatting on the ground, having settled the Prince of Ning in his hands, when he hurriedly went to check on Siqin's injuries.

The scene before them made all the Imperial Guards who had rushed over jump. The leader hurriedly went to Song Xizhi's side, and seeing the blood on Prince Ning's body, his legs began to go weak.

He wanted to step forward but dared not, and could only ask in fear, panting and hoarse, "Judge Song? Judge Song!"

"Your Highness Prince Ning... is there something you need?"

Song Xizhi glanced at them, recalling Zeng Yaxian's words, and didn't want to say anything more. He simply ordered them to check on the assassins' injuries:

"The Prince of Ning is alright. You should go and check on those assassins first. See if any are still alive and find out what their purpose was."

Song Xizhi's voice was cold and clear, and his tone seemed to have a natural intimidating power, making it impossible for anyone to question him.

The Imperial Guard leader nodded hurriedly and led his soldiers to check on the assassins one by one.

There were thirteen assassins in total; ten died, and three survived.

They looked like people from the Central Plains, unlike the Western Rong assassins they had encountered on Heyan Mountain before. Their faces were unfamiliar, and they couldn't discern anything about them.

Their tendons and ligaments had been severed, rendering them unable to move, and their jaws had been dislocated to prevent them from being poisoned or assassinated.

These assassins not only infiltrated the emperor's heavily guarded palace with weapons, but also dared to assassinate Prince Ning.

The head of the Imperial Guard felt a chill run down his spine as he thought about it.

The guards around Song Xizhi and Prince Ning were all trembling, looking as if they had been drugged. If it weren't for Zeng Yaxian's appearance, their fates would have been uncertain.

Remembering what Zeng Yaxian had just said, Song Xizhi sighed softly again.

Once the Imperial Guards had bound all the assassins, there was movement in the distance again.

With a sharp cry from the eunuch: "The Empress Dowager has arrived."

Then another large group of people, carrying lanterns, arrived at the Imperial Garden in a grand manner.

"My son, my son! What is going on? What is going on?"

The Empress Dowager changed her formal attire from the birthday banquet into casual clothes. She had only removed half of the elaborate headdress when she heard a report from the palace guards. Without having time to think about anything else, she hurriedly left the palace.

At this moment, she was no longer the dignified woman she was at the birthday banquet; even the hairpins on her head seemed about to fall off.

When she saw the bloodstains all over the ground and the lifeless figure of Prince Ning lying there, her eyes narrowed in shock, and she stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

"How is he? How is he? How is my child?"

The Empress Dowager, supported by the hand of the nanny beside her, almost lost her composure and collapsed next to Prince Ning.

The Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with panic and fear. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her hands trembled as she stroked Prince Ning's face, wanting to touch him but also hesitant to do so.