Chapter 911 explains it clearly.

Pei Xingyuan blinked, then suddenly looked up at him.

Then he nodded: "Okay!"

Liang Youying was both surprised and delighted. Although she hadn't expected Pei Xingyuan to go with her—in fact, before what had just happened, even if she had had such a thought, she wouldn't have dared to actually do it. After all, she knew better than anyone that Pei Xingyuan was innocent and had a bright future. Before she resolved her own affairs, as an important minister of the Dasheng Dynasty, a confidant of the Prince of Qin, and a noble young master, he couldn't possibly follow her to wander the world.

Unexpectedly, her hasty action and reckless words actually elicited a response from him.

Liang Youying could hardly believe her ears, but Pei Xingyuan, as if he had made up his mind, grabbed her hand and said, "You, you have to protect me!"

After saying that, he ducked to avoid a knife coming from the side. Liang Youying immediately came to her senses, hurriedly kicked the man away, grabbed Pei Xingyuan, and turned to run.

He ran while shouting, "Fourth Brother!"

At the same time, the fourth brother she mentioned, Jiang Xing, the fourth leader of Wanggang Village, was still tightly holding Su Qinglan's slender wrist. She was already thin, and the hardships and tribulations of these days had made her even thinner and more emaciated. Her originally beautiful cheeks were slightly sunken, revealing a heartbreakingly withered appearance.

But what was even more withered was the look in her eyes at that moment.

The look of fear, panic, surprise, and delight in her eyes as she stared at him gradually faded, replaced by calm and indifference.

Jiang Yan felt a pang of heartache, but a feeling of unease, even more intense than heartache, gradually welled up within him. He gripped her hand tightly once more, pulling her almost entirely into his embrace, and said in a deep voice, "Come with me!"

At this moment, Liang Youying had already run to their side with Pei Xingyuan, but the two of them did not stop. At this time, there was no time to delay any longer. The guards had already noticed something was wrong and were about to catch up.

If we don't run now, it will be too late!

No matter how chaotic the surroundings were, Su Qinglan remained motionless. Her unusual calmness made Jiang Yan even more flustered. He even felt that no matter how hard he tried, he was about to lose his grip on that slender wrist. Just as he was about to exert more force and even subconsciously wanted to pull her away, Su Qinglan suddenly broke free from his grasp.

"...!"

Jiang Yan's eyes widened suddenly, staring at her in astonishment.

Su Qinglan took a step back. Her pale face and bright, clear eyes held only calm and determination, just as her voice and words had been unwavering when she spoke.

"You can go by yourself."

Jiang Yan stared intently at him, her expression no longer one of astonishment, but rather one of indescribable sorrow.

But in that moment of hesitation, Liang Youying and Pei Xingyuan had already run quite a distance, and the guards on the other side were about to rush up. Su Qinglan gritted her teeth and pushed him hard again: "Go quickly!"

Jiang Yan stumbled, his face trembling as if it had suddenly shattered. He took several steps back, instinctively turning and running away as he did so. But at the last moment before turning around, he still looked back at Su Qinglan, his eyes filled with deep reluctance, as if he wanted to hold her hand again.

But Su Qinglan had already silently turned her head away.

All the guards rushed over, creating a gust of wind that chilled Su Qinglan to the bone. In a short while, Jiang Xing and Liang Youying, along with Pei Xingyuan, had disappeared into the surging crowd and the winding streets of the market. The assassins scattered and fled, leaving only a few corpses lying haphazardly on the ground. Blood stained the snow swept along the roadside, the crimson color stinging everyone's eyes.

This scene was witnessed by Yuwen Ye and Shang Ruyi on the second floor.

Only then did the two of them breathe a sigh of relief.

Shang Ruyi immediately said, "They—"

She stopped speaking as soon as she opened her mouth, not because she didn't know what to say, but because she knew that there was no need to say anything more at this moment. On the contrary, Yuwen Ye looked deeply at the panicked figures downstairs. The escorting guards initially wanted to chase after the assassin, and then they wanted to chase after Pei Xingyuan, but in the end they failed to catch either of them. When they turned around, they saw the guards who had rushed into the battle to help them kill the assassin. The two sides said something to each other, and then one of the guards followed them up to the restaurant.

Yuwen Ye led Shang Ruyi back to her seat.

The food and wine had already been served, and the air was filled with the enticing aroma of the food and wine, in addition to the incense. Although neither of them had much of an appetite at the moment, they both picked up their chopsticks and started eating. A heavy footstep approached, and the head guard who was escorting the suspect walked to the outside of the private room and bowed to the inside: "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Qin, greetings, Your Highness the Princess."

Yuwen Ye served Shang Ruyi more food before slowly putting down his chopsticks and turning to look at the person behind the beaded curtain: "What is it?"

"Thank you for your help, Your Highness."

"I brought my queen here for some leisure, and we happened to witness an assassin killing a prisoner, so I just stepped in to help."

"I wonder why Your Highness, the King of Qin, has come to this place at this time."

Yuwen Ye frowned slightly, and an aura of displeasure immediately emanated from him. The invisible pressure forced everyone outside to take a half step back. However, due to his duty and the fact that he was afraid he would lose his head because of today's incident, he could only fight for a way to survive at this last moment.

So he remained standing at the door, waiting for Yuwen Ye's reply.

On the other side, Shang Ruyi looked at Yuwen Ye, then at the outside, before saying, "Yesterday was the Lantern Festival. I wanted to go out for a stroll, but because there were too many people, I was afraid of accidents, so the Prince of Qin did not grant my request. Today, Your Highness has some free time, so you have taken me out to see the scenery and make up for last night's regret."

After saying that, she put down her chopsticks: "Is that not allowed?"

The guard hurriedly replied, "No, I wouldn't dare."

Shang Ruyi said, "The Prince of Qin and I happened to arrive here, originally intending only to sightsee and then return. Unexpectedly, we encountered someone attempting to hijack the prison cart. Seeing that your guards were inadequate, His Highness sent someone to help you kill the assassins; he did nothing else. Instead of using this time to question His Highness and me, you should reflect on what you did wrong and what you overlooked, and then go back and explain to the Emperor!"

The guard's face had turned deathly pale.

After a moment of silence, he said, "I will naturally explain. However, today's matter involves serious criminals and the rebels of Wanggang Village. Since His Highness Prince Qin and Princess Consort have taken action, please be prepared to explain clearly to His Majesty in the future."

Yuwen Ye said calmly, "Of course I can explain it clearly."

"Then, I shall take my leave."