Chapter 591 The Assassin Hidden Behind the Scenes
Wu's nephew obtained a minor official position in the court through the help of Consort Wu. He then served as a lackey to Lord Wu. Later, when the Wu family was executed, he escaped alone. In order to seek revenge, he contacted the Southern Barbarians and secretly brought them into the capital.
Lu Yan's face was full of anger, and he gripped his sword, ready to strike.
He had spent many years on the battlefield and harbored deep hatred for the southern barbarians.
Just as he was about to rush forward, Zhou Ruiyuan pulled him back.
Then, Zhou Zhao's voice suddenly came from outside the inn, "Big brother, uncle! Are you doing well inside!"
Lu Yan was startled and quickly peered out. He saw Zhou Zhao wearing armor, riding a horse, holding a long spear, with rows of soldiers standing beside him.
He looked at Zhou Ruiyuan with a puzzled expression.
Zhou Ruiyuan said slowly, "Zhao'er arrived outside the capital a month ago. I sent people to pick them up and host a welcome dinner at a small estate. Only today have I allowed him to come to the capital."
Zhou Zhao was left outside the city to prevent any ministers from rebelling against him.
Unexpectedly, there were Southern Barbarians in the city, so he had no choice but to recall them ahead of schedule.
A few days ago, Zhou Ruiyuan learned from his scouts that there were Southern Barbarians in the city. He made an agreement with Du Wanchun in advance that if anything strange happened, he should immediately send a message to Zhou Zhao and ask him to enter the city.
When Du Wanchun learned that Zhou Ruiyuan and Lu Yan had gone to find the emperor, she pretended to be anxious and followed Miss Mo to the inn to look for them. In fact, she had already left a letter for Hai Qingyang, asking him and Mr. Yuan to bring Zhou Zhao to him.
As for Zhou Zhao, who had spies all over the city, he received the news from Du Wanchun and immediately rushed to the city. After entering the city gate, he heard that something strange had happened in the restaurant. Without much thought, he immediately sent troops to surround the restaurant.
As they surrounded the inn, Du Wanchun and Miss Mo's carriage also stopped at the inn's entrance.
Miss Mo strode down from the carriage, her face showing panic. "Wanchun, it seems we're too late. His Highness and the General have already been taken hostage in the inn."
Du Wanchun slowly walked to his side, looked up and said, "Ruiyuan must have a plan to follow them upstairs. Let's wait and see."
Miss Mo nodded, but the worry on her face remained.
Inside the restaurant, the Southern Barbarians panicked when they saw soldiers surrounding them outside.
They came prepared to die, but when it really came down to it, they couldn't help but feel fear.
Zhou Ruiyuan noticed the panic on their faces and slowly said, "I'll give you a chance. Surrender now, and I'll spare your lives."
The black-bearded man sneered, "The prince is trying to fool us like fools."
"We came here today with no intention of leaving alive."
As soon as he finished speaking, he swung the large knife in his hand at Zhou Ruiyuan.
Zhou Ruiyuan stepped back, took out a soft sword from his waist, and unexpectedly stabbed at the black-bearded man.
The black-bearded man was stabbed in the shoulder and cried out in pain.
Lu Yan flew towards them and swung his gun, then shielded Zhou Ruiyuan behind him.
Blackbeard, wielding his scimitar, gritted his teeth and swung it at Zhou Ruiyuan again, shouting as he slashed, "Quick, pour oil on me and set me on fire!"
The other southern barbarians immediately set off to carry the oil drums.
Just then, Zhou Zhao led his men up and fired an arrow at the Southern Yi people who were dragging oil barrels.
With a whoosh, the arrow pierced straight through the chest of the southern barbarian.
The black-bearded man was startled and turned his head to look, when Zhou Zhao fired another arrow at him.
As the arrow flew, a group of soldiers rushed in and tackled all the southern barbarians.
Lu Yan took the opportunity to protect Zhou Ruiyuan and retreated.
Zhou Zhao swiftly knocked the black-bearded man to the ground, stepped on his back, and mocked, "I didn't kill you on the battlefield, but I didn't expect to be able to pick up the scraps here. Your king is really audacious, sending a few of you to assassinate the crown prince."
"wishful thinking!"
The black-bearded man huddled up and didn't say a word, as if he had become docile.
Lu Yan breathed a sigh of relief, "Zhao'er, thankfully you arrived in time."
Zhou Zhao laughed and said, "Uncle, don't be afraid. My elder brother knows what he's doing. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to capture them alive."
As he spoke, he ordered the soldiers behind him, "Tie them up tightly, don't let them bite their tongues and commit suicide."
"Yes, General."
The soldiers tied up the burly man with the black beard, stuffed a large wad of coarse cloth into his mouth, and pressed it against the back of his tongue so that he could neither bite his tongue nor speak.
Seeing this, Zhou Ruiyuan turned around and slowly walked downstairs. When he reached the top of the stairs, he paused. Through the window of the stairwell, he suddenly felt a chill rushing towards him. The chill was somewhat familiar. He quickly asked Zhou Zhao, "Third brother, where is your sister-in-law?"
Zhou Zhao replied, "My sister-in-law is at the door."
Zhou Ruiyuan strode downstairs, and just when everyone thought everything was alright, he rushed towards Du Wanchun, grabbed her in his arms, and turned his back to the inn.
Then a chill swept over him, and Zhou Ruiyuan froze, hugging Du Wanchun even tighter.
Du Wanchun was startled. "Husband, what's wrong?"
She reached out and hugged him, her hand vaguely touching the cold hilt of a sword. Looking down, she saw her hands were wet with blood.
Du Wanchun was shocked. Her eyes suddenly turned cold, and she looked up sharply in the direction of the inn. Just now, someone had managed to sneak up on her and shoot a sword at her.
She frowned. As darkness fell, the doors and windows of the inn rattled and banged, and it looked as if the entire roof was about to be ripped off. But then a strange force suddenly struck and broke through the barrier bit by bit.
She was astonished, and then another arrow flew toward them.
Du Wanchun quickly led Zhou Ruiyuan to hide behind her.
Just then, a slightly trembling figure suddenly rushed towards them. The man spread his arms and tightly protected her and Zhou Ruiyuan behind him, letting the arrow pierce his heart.
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