The icy pool water was as black as ink, and the swift currents carried the four of them as they sank and spun around.
Wang Xiuxiu gripped Lu Jingze's wrist tightly, desperately trying to find her way in the murky water.
Although Lu Jingze regained consciousness, he was too weak due to his serious injuries and could only keep up with her by pulling him along.
Wang Xiuxiu struggled to lead Lu Jingze toward the faint light overhead.
Her lungs were almost empty, and her vision blurred; just as she was about to give up—
"Splash!"
The two finally broke through the water!
Wang Xiuxiu gasped for breath, the icy air stinging her lungs.
She clung tightly to Lu Jingze's waist with one hand and paddled desperately with the other, swimming towards the shore.
"Your Highness! It's Your Highness and the Empress!"
Suddenly, a familiar shout came from the shore.
Wang Xiuxiu looked up and saw Lu Jingze's personal guards leading a search along the edge of the pool. Upon seeing them, they immediately ordered their men to lower the ropes.
"Quick! Pull them up!"
Several strong hands pulled the two ashore.
As soon as Lu Jingze landed, he knelt on one knee, coughing up several mouthfuls of pool water mixed with blood, his face as pale as paper.
"Your Highness!" Zhao Qing hurriedly stepped forward to help him up.
Lu Jingze raised his hand to stop him, forcing himself to stand up. His voice was hoarse but left no room for argument: "Seal off the entire deep pool...all exits..."
He was panting, but his eyes were sharp. "Zhou Yun'an and Xiao Cheng... are still down there... I want to see them alive... or dead..."
\"yes!\"
The head of the guard immediately led his men to disperse and surround the entire area upstream and downstream of the pool. Archers took their positions, and torches illuminated the entire body of water.
Wang Xiuxiu wrung out the water from her clothes, walked to Lu Jingze's side, and whispered, "You're badly injured, and it's too cold here. Let's find somewhere else to wait."
Lu Jingze stared intently at the dark water: "Okay, I'll do as you say."
---
Time passed second by second, and the light of the torches was gradually replaced by the dawn.
Lu Jingze's back injury had been properly bandaged, but his face was still as pale as paper.
He stood in front of the sand table, his gaze fixed somberly on the area representing the deep pool.
The search and rescue team rotated three times, and skilled divers thoroughly searched the bottom of the pool. They even went into the collapsed Dayong secret chamber to check, but they still couldn't find Zhou Yun'an and Xiao Cheng.
"Your Highness, we've searched the entire riverbed within three miles downstream, but found nothing. I suspect..."
\"explain.\"
"There might be an underground channel at the bottom of the pool leading out of the mountains; they... have probably already escaped."
Lu Jingze remained silent for a long time before finally closing his eyes.
How could he not understand?
Zhou Yun'an was as cunning as a fox. Since he dared to plant gunpowder in the Forget-Worry Pavilion, he must have left himself a way out.
Now that so much time has been wasted, it's futile to catch up.
"Return to the capital." He finally gave the order, his voice filled with weariness and coldness.
The curtain was lifted and then lowered again, and Lu Jingze turned and walked towards the inner tent.
Wang Xiuxiu was leaning against the soft pillows, drinking her medicine. Seeing him enter, she immediately put down the bowl: "Any news?"
Lu Jingze shook his head, sat down beside her bed, and gently took her hand.
Those hands that once held the pen and accountant's pen, now covered in scars, made his chest feel heavy.
"They got away." His voice was low, filled with suppressed anger.
Wang Xiuxiu gripped his hand tightly, her fingertips icy cold: "Zhou Yun'an is incredibly resilient. If it doesn't work this time, there will be another."
She spoke lightly, but Lu Jingze clearly saw the worry flash in her eyes.
Zhou Yun'an is like a venomous snake; if we fail to kill him this time, he will surely make a comeback in the future.
"After we return to the capital, I will send more people to protect you," he said in a deep voice.
"I'm not afraid of him. Although we didn't achieve complete success this time, we at least severely injured Zhou Yun'an. The wound on his chest definitely won't heal in less than three months."
She paused, a cold smile curving her lips: "Besides, the red moss I applied to his wound... is poisonous."
Lu Jingze's pupils contracted slightly.
"It won't kill him immediately," Wang Xiuxiu said, straightening her wet sleeves, "but it will make him wish he were dead."
The morning light shone on her pale face, reflecting a pair of eyes as cold as stars.
Lu Jingze suddenly reached out and tucked a strand of damp hair that clung to her cheek behind her ear, whispering, "After we return to the capital, you should get some rest too."
Wang Xiuxiu was slightly taken aback, then nodded.
In the distance, the imperial guards had already prepared carriages and horses.
The two walked side by side in the morning light, with the mountains gradually awakening behind them...
----
One month later, at Prince Jing's residence.
As the autumn rain drizzled, Wang Xiuxiu stood under the eaves, gazing at the osmanthus blossoms in the courtyard that had been knocked down by the rain.
"Your Highness, it's getting chilly, please put on another layer of clothing," the maid said softly, holding a cloak.
Wang Xiuxiu straightened her clothes and suddenly asked, "Did Your Highness go to the military camp again today?"
"Yes, I left early this morning."
This is the seventh time since returning to Beijing.
Lu Jingze left early and returned late every day, sometimes even staying overnight in the military camp.
Wang Xiuxiu knew that he was tracking down Zhou Yun'an's whereabouts.
Although his forces have been almost completely wiped out, they will not have peace as long as that madman remains.
"Prepare the carriage." She suddenly turned around. "I'm going to check on the trading company."
The maid hesitated, then said, "But did the Prince give the order...?"
"Don't worry, we'll bring plenty of guards." Wang Xiuxiu smiled, but there was no smile in her eyes. "We can't stay home forever just because we're afraid of a mad dog, can we?"
As the carriage drove through the wet streets, Wang Xiuxiu lifted the curtain and glanced around the corners of the streets and alleys.
Where exactly is Zhou Yun'an hiding?
Meanwhile, in a dark room.
"Cough cough cough..."
Zhou Yun'an lay slumped on the simple bed, his face ashen and lifeless.
His chest was wrapped in a blood-soaked bandage, and every breath felt like a knife cutting into him.
Xiao Cheng entered carrying a bowl of medicine, frowning upon seeing the patient: "Master, it's time to take your medicine."
Zhou Yun'an coughed violently, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
The explosion nearly killed him; if Xiao Cheng hadn't risked his life to save him, he would have been buried at the bottom of the pool long ago.
Wang Xiuxiu, that woman, is truly ruthless...
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