The sharp knife was about to pierce the prince.
Just then, a roar came from behind.
"stop!"
Qi Junlin threw several throwing knives, and the assassins fell to the ground one after another.
Qi Junxian then arrived and fought with the assassins who pounced on him again.
The Crown Prince's secret guards also arrived in time.
Although the number of assassins increased, the prince's bodyguards were agile and highly skilled in martial arts, causing the assassins to be repeatedly defeated.
The second prince, sitting in the private room, frowned as he looked at the situation outside.
What's going on? Why is this not what I expected?
What I want is to kill the Crown Prince and then frame the Qi family.
So, this young man from the Qi family has actually become the savior of the crown prince?
The one who changed the situation, of course, was Chirp.
Hearing Qiuqiu's anxiety, the eldest and second brothers knew the Crown Prince's danger and situation, and quietly followed him not far away.
Seeing that some people had ill intentions, the two Qi brothers went into battle to kill them.
Because Qi Junzhou was not skilled enough in martial arts, he was eager to rush up and show off, but his mother and sister held him back.
Xu Ruyun: "Zhou'er, if you rush up there, you're not protecting the Crown Prince, you're going to your death!"
Qi Junzhou lowered his head in shame: "Mother, am I really that bad?"
Xu Ruyun: "When I ask you to practice martial arts, you're either sleepy or tired. Do you think this is a good thing now?"
Qi Junzhou: "Mother, I know I was wrong."
At this moment, seeing that he could not withstand the martial arts of the guards and Qi Junlin, the assassin fled in panic.
Qi Junxian was eager to make a contribution and wanted to capture a prisoner for interrogation, so he pursued the assassin closely.
Unable to shake off Qi Junxian, the assassins took Qi Junzhou, who was standing nearby, hostage.
Qi Junzhou: "Why are you arresting me! Let me go!"
Assassin: "Don't move, or I'll kill you!"
After saying that, the assassin's knife brought it close to Qi Junzhou's neck once more.
Crown Prince: "Wait! Release him immediately!"
The others also watched Qi Junzhou nervously.
Assassin: "Hmph! Let him go? Do you think you'll let us go?"
Qi Junzhou was so frightened that he trembled all over.
"Help me, help me!"
[Silly Third Brother! Can't you distract the assassin? I'll send Xiao Feng to rescue you!]
At this moment, the assassin's knife was very close to Qi Junzhou's neck.
Although the guards had their arrows aimed at the assassins, they hesitated to strike for fear that the assassins' knives might injure Qi Junzhou.
The others looked at Qi Junzhou with great tension.
Xu Ruyun cried out, "Zhou'er, my Zhou'er—please don't hurt my Zhou'er—"
"Oh, I see. This assassin is probably short of money. Third Brother, why don't you lure him with valuables?"
Qi Junzhou said to the assassin, "Brother, the jade pendant on my waist is worth a lot of silver. Also, there are quite a few silver notes in the purse on my waist. I'll give them all to you, all of them!"
The assassin was tempted and took two steps back.
Qi Junzhou: "Brother, as long as you spare my life, I'll make them let you go. Then you can live a carefree life with these valuable things. Wouldn't that be better?"
The assassin glanced at Qi Junzhou's waist and indeed found the jade pendant and purse he had mentioned.
The assassin freed one hand and reached for Qi Junzhou's things.
[You stupid third brother! Hurry up and run for your life!]
Seeing that the assassin had relaxed, Qi Junzhou dodged the knife in his hand, kicked him, and then ran away!
The assassin had barely realized what was happening when he chased after Qi Junzhou, and was about to stab him with his knife.
Just then, a pheasant jumped out from the side, pounced on the assassin, and tried to peck at his eyes.
The assassin screamed, and then the arrow in his hand fell to the ground.
Qi Junzhou looked at the pheasant in surprise, thinking: Isn't this my family's pheasant?
[Sigh! It seems my spiritual power won't last long; Xiao Feng has already returned to normal so quickly!]
No one had the mind to think about the meaning behind Chiu Chiu's heartfelt words anymore.
The assassin groped for the knife on the ground, preparing to pounce on Qi Junzhou again.
But at that moment, a hundred swords were unleashed simultaneously, each striking the assassin.
The assassin died.
Seeing this, the other assassins also bit into the poison they had prepared beforehand and quickly collapsed to the ground, dying instantly.
Qi Junzhou suddenly threw himself into Xu Ruyun's arms.
"Mother—Mother, I thought I'd never see you again! Mother—"
Xu Ruyun kept patting Qi Junzhou's back, crying and saying, "Zhou'er, it's alright. It's alright, Zhou'er."
The Crown Prince looked at the panicked crowd; some people hid in the private rooms, while others hid under the tables.
These frail scholars had never seen anything like it before.
The Crown Prince walked to the main seat and said, "I apologize for the surprise! I have chosen today's champion, and that champion is none other than Qi Junlin!"
Everyone turned their attention to Qi Junlin.
Jinlan and her brother were so angry they were practically fuming.
The Crown Prince said, "Qi Junlin is not only exceptionally talented, but also highly skilled in martial arts. He saved my life at a crucial moment. Today, he has won first place. Does anyone have any objections?"
Everyone shook their heads.
When faced with life-or-death peril, these talented but powerless men all hid away.
Now, naturally, no one has the right to question Qi Junlin, who is skilled in both literature and martial arts.
Crown Prince: "Very well! Since no one has any objections, I hereby announce that Qi Junlin is hereby appointed as the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor!"
Qi Junlin knelt down excitedly: "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!"
The Crown Prince said, "Get up! This is what you deserve."
The crowd erupted in uproar.
"The Crown Prince's Junior Tutor! This kid is rising through the ranks at an incredible speed!"
"Yes! He just attended a poetry gathering and unexpectedly landed the high position of Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince. When luck comes, you can't stop it!"
Qi Junlin looked at Qiuqiu with excitement and gratitude.
It was all thanks to his younger sister. If he hadn't heard what his sister said, he wouldn't have known that His Highness the Crown Prince was in danger, nor would he have followed the Crown Prince to protect him.
Crown Prince: "Qi Junxian has rendered meritorious service in saving the orphan. He is hereby appointed as Commander of the Imperial Guards!"
Qi Junxian was so excited he could hardly speak. He looked around happily, making sure he wasn't dreaming.
He then knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!"
Qi Junxian glanced at Qiuqiu and thought to himself: Good sister, I am so grateful to you. When we get back, I will definitely buy you lots and lots of delicious food!
Qi Junzhou looked at his two older brothers with a confused pout.
If it weren't for my usual laziness, idleness, and lack of knowledge, I might have stood out at this poetry gathering.
Now his two older brothers have both been granted official positions, while he was held hostage by assassins and nearly lost his life. What a stark and ridiculous contrast!
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