Chapter 129 This time, don’t leave me again

Yun Zhao had originally been riding a horse, but upon seeing Xiao Jin, he ordered his men to prepare their horses as well. Feeling helpless, she ultimately obeyed his wishes and silently entered the emperor's carriage.

The carriage was silent for a moment, with only the clatter of wheels rolling over the ground. Xiao Jin was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, a subtle tension in his voice: "You've been in Jinzhou for a year... Could you have developed feelings for that kid named Zhao?"

Yun Zhao's expression remained unchanged as she replied calmly, "If Your Majesty truly believed this, then he and I would have been married long ago." She paused briefly before adding calmly, "After all, both families' parents are very happy to see it happen and have done a lot of work to bring us together."

Xiao Jin keenly grasped the implication in her words and said in a deeper voice, "So, you have indeed considered marrying him?"

Yun Zhao was speechless for a moment. How could she possibly mean that? Feeling a little frustrated, she turned her head and whispered, "Your Majesty, I'm a little tired and would like to take a short rest." Then she closed her eyes and stopped looking at him.

Xiao Jin looked at her profile as she pretended to sleep, his eyes complicated.

After a while, he whispered, "This journey back to the capital is destined to be turbulent. I feel truly guilty for letting you take this risk with me."

Yun Zhao knew full well that Xiao Jin had deliberately spread the rumor to lure the Oirat into pursuit, intending to lure her into a trap and annihilate them all at once. She opened her eyes, looked him squarely in the eye, and said, "Your Majesty, do not worry. Even at the cost of your own life, I will protect you."

Xiao Jin sighed softly, "Do you think this is what I want to hear? Ah Zhao, when did you and I become so estranged?"

Yun Zhao was about to say, "There's a difference between the ruler and his subjects," but swallowed the words back and said, "The Wala cavalry will likely launch a surprise attack at night. Your Majesty, please stay by my side and don't slack off."

Her words hit the nail on the head, hitting Xiao Jin's original intention. He was speechless for a moment, so he took a few snacks from the side and handed them over: "Are you hungry? Would you like some snacks?"

Yun Zhao took it and said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty." But he did not move.

Xiao Jin didn't force it, but sighed quietly, and the carriage fell silent again.

——————

The night was as dark as ink, and just as Yun Zhao had expected, the crisis suddenly arrived.

The Wala people were afraid that Xiao Jin would get far away, so they launched a surprise attack at night, rushed straight to the carriage where the emperor was, and quickly surrounded him.

Amidst the flash of swords and sabers, dozens of guards fell in a pool of blood in the blink of an eye. The warm blood splashed on the curtains of the carriage, glowing dark red in the moonlight.

Yun Zhao immediately protected Xiao Jin behind him, but he turned around and pulled her into his arms, his voice low but remarkably calm: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Arrows rained down like rain, piercing the walls of the carriage one after another. The two men were forced to jump out of the carriage and engage the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

Wang Gui led his men to fight to the death, shouting, "Your Majesty, go west!"

However, Xiao Jin grabbed Yun Zhao and broke out to the east!

They rode together and broke through the encirclement. The cold wind of the winter night was like a knife scraping across the cheek, stinging it painfully.

Yun Zhao couldn't help but scold: "Are you tired of the good life in the palace? You have to come to a place like this to suffer!"

Xiao Jin smiled helplessly behind her: "Are you worried that I've caused you trouble?"

She answered without hesitation: "Yes! Your Majesty has indeed implicated me!"

Xiao Jin smiled bitterly: "Originally, I wanted you to leave first, but you refused. I can only go with you...A Zhao..."

Before he could finish his words, a hidden arrow pierced the air! Xiao Jin quickly dodged three arrows, but the fourth was inevitable. He couldn't let it hurt Yun Zhao, so he turned around and took the arrow with his back.

Warm blood instantly splashed all over Yun Zhao's face.

Her heart suddenly twitched, and she had never been so panicked before: "Xiao Jin! What are you trying to do?! Can't I dodge?!"

Xiao Jin leaned on her shoulder, his voice low and hoarse, "I just... want to do something for you. During those years in the palace, you always took care of me and solved my problems... Now that I've finally found you again, I can't lose you again..."

Yun Zhao's eyes welled up, and he interrupted sharply, "Stop talking! Save your energy!" His voice trembled uncontrollably. "Hold me tight, we have to find a place to hide as soon as possible. I have to check on your injuries."

Xiao Jin hummed softly, "Okay, I'll do as you say. The injury isn't serious... I can handle it."

…………

As daybreak approached, the 10,000-strong Wala army had been completely surrounded and wiped out.

However, the emperor and Yun Zhao have not been found yet.

Zhao Ze's eyes were red as he gripped the reins tightly: "I'll go find him! Ah Zhao must not be in any danger!"

Yun Chong'an nodded heavily: "Be careful. Your Majesty and Ah Zhao... must be somewhere safe."

——————

The dawn light filtered through the sparse trees. In a secluded valley, Yun Zhao carefully helped Xiao Jin off his horse. His face was pale, but he was still conscious.

"Let me see your injury." Yun Zhao's voice was filled with a firmness that could not be refused.

Xiao Jin leaned against the tree trunk, panting slightly: "It's really okay..."

Yun Zhao ignored his excuses and gently untied his outer robe. When she saw the arrow deeply embedded in her shoulder blade, she gasped and her eyes became moist again.

"Is this what you call not serious?" Her voice trembled slightly as she carefully examined the wound. "Fortunately, it was a few degrees off the mark, so it didn't hurt any vital parts."

She took out the golden medicine she carried with her from her bosom and said softly, "Bear with it. I have to break the arrow shaft first. I have to deal with the arrowhead when I get back."

Xiao Jin stared at her focused profile and suddenly asked softly, "If I really...what would you do?"

Yun Zhao paused, without looking up, but lowered his voice a few degrees: "Your Majesty will be fine." The firmness in his tone was not sure whether it was to convince him or to convince himself.

She handled the wound with swift movements, each one precise and cautious, clearly the product of years of training. Xiao Jin looked at her and suddenly remembered how she had handled his wounds in the same way back in the palace.

At that time, the previous emperor had just passed away, and several of his uncles were eyeing him covetously. Although he was the crown prince, he was surrounded by dangers. It was Yun Zhao who protected him time and time again, shielding him from both open and hidden attacks.

"A Zhao," he suddenly spoke, his voice weak but gentle, "When we return to the capital, I will give you a home, okay?"

Yunyu's hand trembled slightly. He didn't answer, but focused more on treating the wound.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves and voices calling out came from afar, getting closer and closer. Yun Zhao raised his head warily, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword.

"It's Zhao Ze's voice." Xiao Jin said softly, looking at Yun Zhao with complicated eyes.

Sure enough, Zhao Ze appeared in the woods not long after. Seeing that they were safe, he was obviously relieved: "A Zhao! Your Majesty! I'm so glad you're all right!"

Yun Zhao finally relaxed a little, turned to Xiao Jin and whispered, "We're saved."

Xiao Jin looked at her, suddenly held her hand, and whispered, "Don't leave me this time."