Chapter 81 Missing

Swords flew on the dragon boat, while Liang Jiugong on the small boat breathed a slight sigh of relief, as the emperor's safety was somewhat guaranteed.

Unfortunately, Liang Jiugong didn't get a chance to breathe for long before he saw the ship in front of him also tilting, and screams filled the air.

"This..." The people on the small boat all looked grim, even Emperor Kangxi. It was obvious that the assassins had pierced through all the boats, and this was a death sentence for everyone.

"Not good!" Yinzhen's expression suddenly changed, and he shouted to the two guards rowing the boat, "Row quickly and get out of here."

Following Yinzhen's gaze, everyone noticed the danger. In an effort to save the emperor, the three ships in front and behind chose to move closer to the central dragon boat, causing all four large ships, which had been pierced through, to gather together.

The force of the sinking dragon boat was far beyond what their small boat could withstand. If all four large ships sank together, the small boat caught in the middle would have no chance of survival.

At Yinzhen's prompting, the guards, noticing this, rowed frantically, with Liang Jiugong and Yinzhen joining in as well.

Yinzhen hadn't rowed for long when Kangxi stopped him and took the oar from his hand.

"Father..."

"I'm not so old that I can't move. You should rest well." Kangxi noticed the blood staining Yinzhen's shoulder from the exertion and his gradually paling face, so he took over rowing the boat for Yinzhen.

"Father, you are the Emperor, how could you..."

Before Yinzhen could continue, Kangxi interrupted, saying in an unquestionable tone, "I am the Son of Heaven, and also my father."

Yinzhen was taken aback, as if he hadn't expected Kangxi to say that. His expression softened slightly, and he avoided Kangxi's gaze, responding in a muffled voice. Only then did he notice the discomfort in his shoulder, clutching his wound and frowning slightly.

Ignoring the astonished looks of the others, Kangxi cooperated by rowing the boat. In this life-or-death situation, no one dared to say a word.

Kangxi naturally noticed the fleeting emotion on Yinzhen's face. Remembering how Yinzhen had unhesitatingly shielded him from an arrow on the boat, he felt a rare touch of tenderness in his fatherly love. Yinzhen was indeed a good son…

Before Kangxi could even think about how to reward Yinzhen after escaping danger, the real danger struck.

The dragon boat behind them finally gave way and sank completely.

No matter how hard they paddled, it was still human power, and they didn't paddle very far. Feeling the suction behind them, the small boat didn't move forward, but was instead pulled backward.

The good news is that the leak on the ship of the official who first discovered the problem was brought under control, and the last ship carrying passengers was also repaired in time due to the assassins' negligence. Therefore, only the sinking of the dragon boat had any impact on the rear.

Kangxi and his entourage rowed with all their might, barely managing to avoid being dragged down by the sinking ship, and could see that rescue ships would arrive soon.

The bad news was that the guards on the large ship ahead were mostly away rushing to the rescue, leaving the defenses weak and giving the men in black an opportunity to intensify their efforts to scuttle the ship. Soon, to everyone's horror, the large ship followed the dragon boat and sank.

The current from the sinking dragon boat hadn't subsided when another force pulled at it. The waves surged, and the small boat carrying Kangxi instantly went out of control, spinning in circles on the river. The guard on the far left was momentarily knocked off his feet by the current.

The small boat, which everyone was struggling to control, suddenly lost its grip and capsized. In the blink of an eye, the four people remaining on board were thrown into the river.

"emperor!"

Liang Jiugong's scream was swallowed by the river, and he and the river quickly disappeared into the water.

As Kangxi fell, he was struck on the forehead by an oar. Instantly, the world spun around him, and he lost the strength to struggle. In the last second before darkness fell, he vaguely saw only a figure desperately swimming towards him, and the spreading blood...

"Father..."

...

"Father! Father!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother, where are you..."

The moon peeked out, and after the storm subsided, the river was littered with all sorts of wreckage, with small boats constantly searching and salvaging.

With bloodshot eyes and no time to treat the wound on his arm, Yinxiang searched desperately on the river.

Half an hour had passed since Kangxi and Prince Yong's small boat capsized. Apart from Liang Jiugong, who was rescued and was on the verge of death, the others were nowhere to be found.

Everyone had a bad feeling, but dared not say it. They could only keep searching on the river, leaving no corner unchecked.

"Thirteenth Brother, how is it?" Yinzhi rushed over, his clothes a mess, not even bothering to clean himself up. In the immediate aftermath, Yinxiang was left to handle the salvage operation, while Yinzhi went to find a way to notify the garrisons of Dongping Prefecture, Dongchang Prefecture, and Tianjin Garrison along the coast.

Yinxiang shook his head and wiped away the tears on his face. "I will find Father Emperor and Fourth Brother."

"Yes, they will. I have notified the naval forces along the river. Perhaps Father and the others will reach the shore by following the river. They will definitely be fine."

Yinzhi added, seemingly trying to convince Yinxiang or himself.

News of Emperor Kangxi's assassination attempt and his disappearance on the river along with Prince Yong spread instantly, causing a huge uproar. Troops stationed on both banks joined the search, leaving no place unsearched.

The news reached the capital early the next morning, causing turmoil in the court and among the people. Crown Prince Yinreng requested to lead a search party to the riverbank, but was stopped by his court officials. Although no one said it aloud, everyone knew in their hearts that the Emperor was likely in grave danger, and they couldn't afford to sacrifice the Crown Prince as well. After all, the origin of the assassins hadn't even been determined yet.

Despite everyone's obstruction, Yinreng was left behind to deal with the turmoil in the court and find out the truth, while the other princes, from the eldest prince Yinzhi who was still recuperating to the fourteenth prince Yinzhen, were all sent out to search for people.

The large group split up and set off in different directions.

"Fourteenth brother, fourteenth brother."

Yixiu, accompanied by Su Peisheng, stopped Yinzhen's horses outside the city gate.

"Fourth Sister-in-law..." When Yinzhen saw that the person who came was Yixiu, he stopped in his tracks. Seeing that Yixiu was about to kneel down to him, he quickly jumped off his horse and rushed forward to help her up...

"Fourteenth Brother, I beg you, you must find Fourth Master..." Yixiu's face was deathly pale, tears streaming down her face. She had been distraught ever since she heard the news. Unfortunately, her family was useless, so she could only come to Yinzhen for help.

"I will, I will definitely bring Fourth Brother back, don't worry, Sister-in-law." Yinzhen looked at Yixiu, his eyes reddening, and tightened his grip on her hand, promising her.

"I beg you, Fourteenth Prince." Su Peisheng, standing beside him, also knelt down and kowtowed twice to Yinzhen, his heart heavy with sorrow. He should have gone with the prince, even if the prince was unwilling; he should have gone along…

"I'm going..." Yinzhen choked up, unable to utter a single word. Time was of the essence, so Yinzhen bowed to Yixiu one last time. With unwavering determination, he remounted his horse and led his entourage away at full speed.

Upon seeing Yinzhen leave, Yixiu collapsed to the ground, only to be helped up by Su Peisheng and Jianqiu.

"Go back, go back and pray for Grandpa. He'll be alright, he'll be alright..."

"Yes, Master will be alright..."