The pain jolted Prince Qing awake from his nightmare.
The flashing swords and blood in his dream, his daughter's blood-stained face—these gruesome images still terrified him even after he woke up.
The soldier bandaging his shoulder wound beside him tensed up and quickly said, "Your Highness... I'm bandaging your shoulder wound..."
Prince Qing's face was covered in sweat, and he seemed not to have heard what was said. He was just nervously looking around.
The moon was still in the night sky, and there was a faint smell of blood in the wind. A group of soldiers were walking around, and a little further away was a group of foreign soldiers, from whom intermittent shouts and curses could be heard.
This scene suggests that the tragedy on the ship is over. Prince Qing took a deep breath, ignoring the cold sweat on his forehead, and asked:
"The assassin has been captured?"
"We've captured them, Your Highness. The Second Prince led the Thousand Machine Battalion onto the ship and captured them," the soldier replied.
Having received an answer, Prince Qing impatiently asked his second question: "Is Sir Mai alright?"
"Master Mai was not injured and has been properly taken care of. He's over there." The soldier pointed to a group of foreigners.
"Good, good, that's good." Prince Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his face.
"How was the assassin captured? Was he taken alive or killed on the spot?" he then asked.
"They've all been captured alive," the soldier replied.
"That beast!" Prince Qing clenched his fist and cursed in a low voice.
But as soon as he uttered the curse, he realized that the answer was a bit strange: "All of them? What do you mean? Besides Yongning, there are other assassins?"
Before the soldier could speak, a cold snort came from behind Prince Qing.
"Yes! She's not the only one!"
"She's colluded with the Red Tide rebels! Dozens of people have died at their hands!"
"Her methods are ruthless and outrageous!! Even I almost died at her hands!"
Prince Qing turned his head and saw Prince Jing with his face wrapped in gauze. His one eye was wide open and filled with rage.
"She colluded with the Red Tide rebels, and you were completely unaware? Hmm?" King Jing said coldly.
Prince Qing's face gradually turned ashen, and his hands clenched into fists.
"Where are they? Where are they?!" Prince Qing roared.
"He was taken away by your powerful second son!" King Jing said coldly.
"Your son and daughter were quite the spectacle tonight. One went on a killing spree like a madman, and the other disregarded Lord Mai's request, forcibly taking them away and even scolding me."
Prince Qing's expression grew increasingly grim: "They took them away?"
"Yes, he didn't care about us wounded, but was in a hurry to take them away for interrogation. Oh, by the way, Jin Jiande immediately had someone treat your daughter's injuries. What a good brother he is."
"The foreign guests died the most. Lord Mai requested to be interrogated together, but Jin Jiande refused outright, showing no regard for him at all. Today's tragedy has such a significant impact, yet he completely disregards the feelings of others and insists on his own way!" Prince Jing said coldly.
He took a step forward, his voice growing lower and colder: "Jin Changge colluded with the Crimson Tide Alliance, and you were unaware of it? Could there be an internal traitor within the Prince Qing's mansion?"
"Is Jin Jiande in such a hurry to take people away for interrogation?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?! You still want to start internal strife at a time like this?!" Prince Qing glared angrily at Prince Jing.
He had barely finished speaking when he turned to the soldier and shouted angrily, "Where did they go? How long have they been gone?"
"They left in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and the Second Prince personally led the team, ordering the Thousand Machine Battalion to take them into the city," the soldier replied immediately.
Just then, a loud voice rang out from afar:
"Your Highness, you've finally woken up! Congratulations!" Marilyn, leaning on his cane, led a group of foreigners over.
Prince Qing rushed forward to greet him: "Sir Mai, I'm so glad you're alright."
"Me? Heh, thanks to the Second Prince and his men for rescuing me, otherwise I would have lost my life today." Mai Lirui said with a forced smile.
"It's just that the Second Prince has a really bad temper. So many of us have died, and all we want is justice, but the Second Prince just took them away without even allowing me to ask any questions."
"Even though this is a major operation, and you're the one who killed the assassins, isn't this a bit... too disheartening?"
"How can we establish diplomatic relations with you if things continue like this? Even tonight there are assassins, what about tomorrow? The day after tomorrow?"
"Our fleet will arrive in the South China Sea soon. Before we land, do we have to clear the way with artillery fire to ensure our safety?" Merry's expression grew cold.
The words had barely left his mouth.
"Guards! Bring them all back immediately! I want to interrogate them myself!" Prince Qing shouted angrily.
"Your Highness, the Second Prince..." the soldier hesitated.
"Take my token and tell the Thousand Machine Battalion to come back!"
"We must see them alive or dead, and bring them all back!"
“If he refuses to obey…” Prince Qing grabbed the soldier by the collar, pulled a token from his pocket and stuffed it into his hand, then said, “Ignore him, bring him back to me all now!”
"Yes, sir!" The soldier immediately left.
Mai Lirui tapped his cane, squinted at Prince Qing, and said, "Your Highness, it seems you are still willing to continue establishing diplomatic relations with us."
"Well then, I think we should sit down and have a proper talk."
Prince Qing took a deep breath and nodded, saying, "Of course."
"No one could have predicted what would happen today, but since it has already occurred, we will definitely resolve it properly."
"Even if...my daughter is among the assassins, I will not tolerate it!"
"When it comes to matters of state, there is no room for personal feelings!" Prince Qing said coldly.
Suddenly, a thought popped into his head, and he turned to ask the soldier, "Where's Jianzhong? How is he?"
——
"It'll be soon, Yongning. I'll see you off one last time. Once you're gone and your injuries have healed, you can go wherever you want. No one will force you anymore."
Under the moonlight, Jin Jiande, riding a horse on the street, had a gentle gaze and murmured to himself.
Behind her was Jin Changge, whose wounds had been simply bandaged and the bleeding had stopped, but who was still unconscious.
Beside him were the Red Tide Alliance's assassins, each riding a horse and carrying the group of unconscious people on their backs.
Jin Jiande planned to take them to the east of the city, where there were many people and houses, and let them leave there. Jin Jiande believed that these Red Tide Alliance members could hide among the people.
That's all I can do.
Once they escaped, Jin Jiande knew he would never see his sister again.
After tonight, it will be goodbye forever.
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