Xiao Yujue took care of all affairs in the northwest region, and then returned to the capital with Mu Jingrui.
Shangguan Wanning reluctantly bid farewell to Doctor Qin and set out on the journey back to Beijing.
This time, Xiao Yujue went out of the capital to provide disaster relief. Although he received great help from Zhang Yide, he still spent all his family wealth.
The people were grateful and lined the streets for ten miles to see him off. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's reputation for benevolence, righteousness and generosity was increasingly recognized and praised.
Everything was moving in a good direction, which made Shangguan Wanning feel a lot more at ease.
The journey back to Beijing was very smooth. In order to please Xiao Yujue, officials along the way kept hosting banquets to entertain him, which delayed the trip a lot.
"Miss, please have a cup of tea." Lu Tong handed the brewed tea to Shangguan Wan Ning, "I have already inquired about it. We can reach the next post station to rest before sunset."
Shangguan Wanning nodded slightly. She lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out. In a few days, they would be able to return to the capital. After arriving at the next post station, the troops led by Mu Jingrui would be stationed there.
According to the rules of the imperial court, only the commander-in-chief and several important generals of the army could go to the capital to report to the emperor after returning victoriously.
This also means that the number of people escorting Xiao Yujue will be suddenly reduced.
At dusk, Shangguan Wanning was sitting in her room eating dinner when she heard someone knocking on the door.
Lu Tong opened the door and saw Mu Jingrui standing in front of it.
She looked back at Shangguan Wanning and chuckled. "Miss, I'll go to the kitchen and get you a bowl of soup."
After saying this, he bowed and walked out.
"Have you eaten yet? Do you want to eat together?"
Mu Jingrui sat down opposite Shangguan Wanning and shook his head slightly. "I came here because I want to tell you something."
Seeing Mu Jingrui being so serious, Shangguan Wanning put down the bowl and chopsticks in her hands.
Mu Jingrui was silent for a while, actually he was making sure that no one was eavesdropping outside the door.
He leaned towards Shangguan Wan Ning and said in a low voice, "At midnight tonight, I will escort His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to leave the post station and return to the capital overnight. But... I can't take you with me. I will leave my left and right vanguards to protect your safety."
This decision made Mu Jingrui struggle for a long time. He held Shangguan Wanning's hand, reluctant to let go.
"Or, you can find an excuse to stay at the post station, and I will come back to pick you up after I safely escort the prince to the capital."
Shangguan Wanning could fully understand why Mu Jingrui and Xiao Yujue made such a decision.
"Don't worry about doing your thing. This place is very close to the capital. I have my father, my grandfather, and a few uncles to protect me. No one dares to make a move on me."
Mu Jingrui reached out and patted Shangguan Wanning on the head, and said with a smile: "Then Miss Shangguan, please take good care of me in the future."
Shangguan Wanning picked up a piece of cake and stuffed it into Mu Jingrui's mouth. "Of course I can take care of you, but first you have to save your own life."
She stared at Mu Jingrui, feeling a little sad. "Jingrui, see you in Beijing."
"Okay. See you in the capital."
Late at night, Mu Jingrui brought only ten carefully selected guards and accompanied Xiao Yujue to leave the inn overnight.
The group hid during the day and moved at night, constantly changing their route back to Beijing, making it impossible to find them.
"Your Highness, after this mountain we will be under the jurisdiction of the capital. We can then take the official road directly, and it won't be too dangerous."
Xiao Yujue nodded and dismounted from the horse.
It was already late at night and the woods were completely silent, with only the faint chirping of insects. The cold moonlight shone down, casting mottled reflections on the tree branches.
"Everyone has worked hard, let's take a rest here. When I return to the capital, I will definitely reward you handsomely."
As soon as Xiao Yujue finished speaking, noisy but orderly footsteps suddenly came from all directions.
Mu Jingrui's face darkened. He held a sword in his hand and protected Xiao Yujue behind him.
Soon, dozens of torches were lit, illuminating the surroundings.
Mu Jingrui looked around and found that they were surrounded by archers. Outside the archers were masked killers holding steel knives.
Looking at their appearance, their foreheads are full and their temples are slightly protruding. They are all masters of practicing internal martial arts.
Pick any one of them out and they can all stand on their own.
It may not be easy to deal with these people.
"Your Highness, if you find an opportunity, leave first, and don't look back no matter what happens."
"No," Xiao Yujue also drew his sword and stood back to back with Mu Jingrui, "Since there is no way to escape, I will live and die with you."
Xiao Yujue's eyes had lost their former gentleness and elegance, and a strong murderous aura emanated from his pupils.
He raised his wrist slightly, and in an instant, thousands of arrows were fired at them like raindrops.
The ten guards selected by Mu Jingrui immediately formed a formation and surrounded Xiao Yujue in a safe area.
Mu Jingrui shot down the sharp arrows while rushing towards the archers, creating a gap on his own.
Four of the ten guards were sacrificed, and the remaining one was left to escort Xiao Yujue to break out of the gap, while Mu Jingrui covered the rear.
Not long after they walked out, a group of masked men in black caught up with them.
Just as Mu Jingrui had expected, this group of men in black were highly skilled in martial arts, and each of them was comparable to the elite masters of the Palace.
Faced with the siege of a group of masters, Xiao Yujue and several guards gradually felt overwhelmed.
"Your Highness, go!"
The guard blocked the knife for Xiao Yujue, grabbed Xiao Yujue's belt, and used his last bit of strength to throw him onto the horse's back.
Xiao Yujue rode his horse at full speed all the way. He knew that the guards who were covering him and covering his retreat, including Mu Jingrui, were in great danger.
He hesitated whether he should turn back, when suddenly the horse let out a terrible roar, its front hooves were cut off by a special steel wire, and it fell to its knees.
Xiao Yujue was caught off guard and was thrown out, falling heavily to the ground. His internal organs seemed to be shattered, and he saw stars. He couldn't stand up for a long time.
It wasn't until a cold sword was placed on his neck that his thoughts finally came back to him.
"It is really sad and lamentable that a crown prince of a country has fallen to this state."
Xiao Yujue raised his eyes and saw a pair of sharp eyes. He clenched his fist and secretly gathered his true energy in his palm.
"Don't even think about resisting. Even if you are intact, you are no match for me. Tonight is destined to be your death. I will bury you in this desolate wilderness. Maybe someone will find your remains hundreds of years later."
Xiao Yujue looked at the masked man with pain and said, "You are nothing more than taking money from others and helping them get rid of disasters. No matter how much your employer gives you, I will give you ten times as long as I can return to the capital alive."
The masked man looked at Xiao Yujue coldly and slowly raised his hand.
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