Shanhe Festival 311. Assassination

Madam Sun's casual words made Princess Lingyun pale. But Princess Lingyun was arrogant but not an idiot. She naturally understood that the Xiling royal family was no longer the same as before. Not only did she have to bow down to Ye Li, the Princess of Ding, but she couldn't lose her temper easily in front of this widow who had just taken refuge in the Ding Palace. She could only snort and walked to a chair with a gloomy face and sat down.

Princess Lingyun's tolerance surprised everyone present. After the surprise, they understood a little more. After all, the times are different now. Even a proud Princess Lingyun dared not act presumptuously in front of Princess Ding. At the same time, she became more determined to stay with Princess Ding's mansion.

After Princess Lingyun sat down, Madam Bai came forward with Bai Qingning to greet Ye Li, "I, the concubine Bai, have brought my daughter Qingning to see Princess Ding."

Bai Qingning followed Madam Bai and knelt down gracefully, "My daughter Qingning pays respects to Princess Ding." This etiquette was the proper etiquette of a young lady from a scholarly family in Da Chu, and it was exactly the same, which was quite different from the noble ladies of Xiling who came forward to pay respects before. Ye Li raised her eyebrows slightly and said with a smile, "Madam Bai, Miss Bai, there is no need to be so polite. I am also a guest, please go ahead."

Madam Bai smiled and said, "How dare I? It is truly a blessing that we have cultivated for three lifetimes to see the princess' beauty today."

While Madam Bai was talking to Ye Li, Bai Qingning also took the opportunity to look at the woman in green sitting at the top. She seemed to be no older than him, but her beautiful and graceful appearance had a faint but irresistible brilliance and majesty. Her beautiful face was even more elegant and noble, making people feel embarrassed. Ye Li was such a person that even when she was talking to someone, how could she not notice Bai Qingning's eyes on her? She couldn't help but smile.

"Miss Bai, do you have anything to say?" Ye Liqian asked with a smile.

Bai Qingning was slightly startled, and quickly stood up and said, "Qingning dare not, but I heard that the princess galloped on the battlefield and her reputation spread far and wide. Qingning yearned for it in her heart, so... Qingning was rude, please forgive me, princess." Ye Li waved her hand and smiled, "It doesn't matter, the so-called reputation is just a rumor spread by outsiders. I just followed the prince to the capital and saw more."

Bai Qingning's eyes were full of envy and yearning. She smiled and said, "Princess, you are too modest. If I could be as carefree and carefree as you, my life would not be in vain."

Madam Sun, who was sitting next to Ye Li, heard this, raised her eyebrows, held her daughter in her arms, and put on a playful smile. The Bai family has taught their daughters to become queens and concubines for generations, but it has never been heard of a legitimate daughter who yearns for a carefree life. But seeing that Madam Bai did not take it as an offense, Madam Sun's smile deepened.

Ye Li lowered her head and took a sip of tea, but the smile on her face faded a little. Normally, she would really like such a woman, but these days her mood seemed to have affected even her view of people. Facing the smiling, elegant and cheerful woman in front of her, she did not have the slightest favor in her heart. In fact, Ye Li knew what these people were thinking, but she did not care. Since she and Mo Xiuyao were in such a position, it was inevitable that they would encounter such problems. They were all for their own interests. She did not like them because of their own standpoints, but she did not think they were so evil. It's just a pity... If she and Mo Xiuyao didn't have any feelings for each other, she wouldn't mind being a concubine in name only, but they have been through so many things and have such deep feelings for each other, so she can only say sorry to these people. Mo Xiuyao belongs to her alone!

The atmosphere in the water pavilion was a little cold. Princess Lingyun, who was sitting on the side, snorted with disdain. She was born in the palace, and even if she was domineering, she was more scheming than the average person. How could she not know what the Bai family was planning? Unfortunately, Ye Li was not someone who could be manipulated so easily. Princess Lingyun, who was nearly thirty years old now, had already married. The infatuation she had back then had been worn away by the years and it was unknown how much was left. What was left was not the infatuation with Mo Xiuyao but the unwillingness to give up with Ye Li. Therefore, she also knew more about what kind of person Ye Li was. Ye Li, who was only fourteen or fifteen years old and newly married, dared to be ruthless to her, the Princess of Xiling. Now, Princess Ding, who had gone through many hardships and matured, would not tolerate other women coveting her property. The Bai family's calculations were destined to fail. Xiling hasn't been destroyed yet, but these people are already rushing to seek refuge in Prince Ding's Palace. Every one of them deserves to die!

After a while, Ye Liqian smiled and said, "What's the big deal? I always think it's not a good thing for my daughter to be locked up in the inner chamber. If Miss Bai is interested, I will tell the head of the Bai family and let Miss Bai go out to gain some experience."

"Experience?" Bai Qingning was startled, not quite understanding why the topic suddenly came up. She didn't really want to go out and experience anything. She was different from Princess Ding. Although she was a Xiling woman, she was powerless. How could she endure the hardships of life?

Ye Li smiled and said, "Isn't it? I still remember... the first time I went out was to Southern Xinjiang. I think I was about fifteen or sixteen years old, which is about the same age as Miss Bai."

Bai Qingning's smile was a little hard to maintain, and she glanced at Madam Bai worriedly, fearing that Ye Li would really let someone throw her to Southern Xinjiang. She had only read about Southern Xinjiang in books, how could she go to such a poor and filthy place? Madam Sun, who was watching the show, smiled and said, "What the princess said is very true. My biggest regret is that I have never been able to leave the Xiling Imperial City in this life. When Xiaofu is older in the future, I will definitely not restrict her like this."

Others also immediately complimented Princess Ding on her wise opinion, but in their hearts, no one took it seriously. Although Xiling did not have to be as strict as Dachu on their daughters' families, the ladies were all raised with pampering, and no one intended to throw their daughters out to suffer. However, many people secretly thought that Princess Ding was able to travel to Southern Xinjiang at the age of fifteen or sixteen, which obviously meant that she was indeed extraordinary. They could not help but suppress the idea of ​​sending their daughters to the Ding Palace.

Everyone sat and talked with Ye Li for a while, drank some tea, and then got up in groups of three or five to go to the garden. Ye Li was naturally no exception and was accompanied by Madam Sun and Madam Bai to stroll in the garden. Looking at the colorful silk flowers on both sides of the road, Ye Li couldn't help but smile and said, "Madam is smart, no wonder the Sun family has become more prosperous under your hands."

Madam Sun held Sun Xiaofu's hand and said with a smile: "Xi Ling is located in the Western Regions, and the climate is cold. Not to mention compared with Da Chu, it is even worse than Li City. There are not many flowers and plants to be seen all year round. It is helpless now. I am sorry to make you laugh." Ye Li smiled faintly, and Bai Qingning, who was following beside her, smiled and said: "Does your princess like flowers and plants? There are many flowers and plants from Da Chu and the Western Regions in my daughter's mansion. Why not send them to your princess tomorrow for viewing." Ye Li turned sideways to glance at Bai Qingning, who was smiling peacefully, and shook her head and smiled: "It is not a gentleman's behavior to take away what others like. Besides, I am not an elegant person, and it would be a waste if I were given rare flowers and plants."

Bai Qingning smiled and covered her lips, "The princess is Mr. Qingyun's legitimate granddaughter. If the princess is not a refined person, then we are all vulgar."

Madam Sun glanced at Bai Qingning with a half-smile, and said to Madam Bai with a smile: "Madam, your daughter is really good at talking. If you said that to me, I would be so happy that I would be dizzy." Madam Bai's smile froze, and she said lightly: "Madam Sun, you are joking. How can a little girl like her compare to Madam Sun's eloquence?"

Madam Sun chuckled and said, "I'm not joking. Everyone knows that the girls in the Bai family have always been good at speaking. If not, how could they have served the emperor and become his concubines for generations?"

Mrs. Bai's face turned pale and she glared at Mrs. Sun angrily. But Mrs. Sun didn't care and continued to walk and chat with Ye Li while holding her daughter.

"Princess, the fourth young master wants to see you." The guard behind her came up and reported.

"Fourth brother?" Ye Li was a little surprised. Today's banquet was for female guests only, and male guests were not allowed to enter. Even Mo Xiuyao sent her to the door and left. But Ye Li also knew that if it wasn't for something important, Xu Qingbai wouldn't come to see her at this time. "Madam Sun, is it convenient?"

Madam Sun thought for a moment and said with a smile, "The Fourth Young Master is in such a good mood, there is nothing inconvenient. Princess, why don't you go to the pavilion in front and wait for the Fourth Young Master?"

Ye Li nodded and said, "Okay."

Soon, Xu Qingbai came hurriedly, led by the guards, "Li'er."

"Fourth brother, what happened?" Ye Li asked worriedly.

Xu Qingbai glanced at the women around him, and thinking it was no secret, he said directly: "My mother has come to Xiling!"

"What?" Ye Li was stunned, not quite understanding what had happened. After a while, she came to her senses and asked, "Aunt... Why did Aunt come to Xiling?" Xu Qingbai smiled bitterly and whispered, "My mother found out about my stay in Xiling some time ago. She just received a letter from my eldest brother. She left Licheng half a month ago and should be here soon."

Ye Li calmed down and said, "Since my eldest brother and uncle know about it, my eldest aunt's safety must be no problem. I will send someone to pick up my eldest aunt, so fourth brother, don't worry." Xu Qingbai smiled helplessly. Seeing Ye Li's puzzled expression, he told her frankly, "I will stay in Xiling for a long time. When I go to mother's place, I am afraid... Please ask Li'er to convince mother for me."

Ye Li finally understood. She and Mo Xiuyao had discussed who would be in charge of Xiling after they left. It seemed that Mo Xiuyao had already decided. Moreover, Xu Qingbai had experience in local governance and seemed to have a very good record. He had managed the barren land in the north very well in the past few years. It was indeed appropriate to hand it over to him. Ye Li also understood why her aunt had rushed here without fear of danger. It would not be possible for her fourth brother to stay in Xiling overnight. It might take three to five years. Now her fourth brother was already quite old. If he did not return to Licheng for three to five years, her aunt would be worried to death.

Covering her lips and laughing, Ye Li nodded and said, "Fourth brother, I understand. I will tell my aunt about it."

Xu Qingbai finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Thank you very much, Li'er." After finishing the business, Xu Qingbai also relaxed and nodded to Madam Sun, "Qingbai is sorry for disturbing you, please forgive me, Madam." Madam Sun smiled and said, "Fourth Young Master, you are too polite. Madam Xu Qianli, if there is anything I can help you with, please let me know."

Xu Qingbai thought about it and realized that he really needed Madam Sun's help, so he smiled and said, "My mother may have to stay in Xiling for quite a while, so it's not very suitable for her to live in the posthouse all the time..."

Madam Sun understood and said with a smile, "It seems that the Fourth Young Master will have to stay in Xiling for a long time. The daughters of the nobles in Xiling... Hehe, there are many houses in the city that want to be sold these days. I will keep an eye out for you." Although many powerful families want to seek refuge with Princess Ding, there are also many people who want to follow the King of Xiling to the south, so there are many houses in the imperial city that need to be sold.

Xu Qingbai cupped his hands and smiled, "In that case, I'm sorry to trouble you, Madam."

Using the excuse that Madam Xu was coming, Ye Li sat for a while and then stood up and said goodbye with Xu Qingbai. With her status, she didn't need to attend the banquet from beginning to end. Just showing up and exchanging a few words with these noble ladies was considered to be fulfilling her courtesy. Besides, she felt a little unwell after seeing them off for a while, so Madam Sun didn't dare to stay for long. She stood up and saw them out. After seeing them off at the door, Ye Li turned around and said, "Madam, there's no need to see me off anymore. Please stay."

Madam Sun was not polite either, she nodded and smiled, "In that case, Princess, take care."

"Goodbye." Ye Li nodded, turned around and walked towards the carriage.

"Princess, be careful!" A silver light flashed under the sunlight, and Ye Li dodged reflexively. A feather arrow shot past her and pierced into the carriage beside her. The guards who followed immediately protected Ye Li and Xu Qingbai in the middle. In the meantime, a group of men wearing different clothes but with their faces covered jumped down from the roofs of various street corners and rushed towards Ye Li.

The guards of Prince Ding's mansion came forward without hesitation, and the two sides soon fell into a battle. Ye Li was protected in the middle, and could see clearly that although these people were dressed in different colors, they were all very skilled and obviously trained. But for a moment, she couldn't think of anyone in Xiling Imperial City who would have such a team of elite soldiers and wanted to assassinate her except the Emperor of Xiling.

"Ah?!" These people came suddenly, and the noble ladies standing at the door who had not had time to enter were affected. Although they were not coming for them, they were inevitably caught in the chaos. A maid was stabbed to death by a sword and fell right in front of Madam Sun. Madam Sun was so scared that her face turned pale, but she still hugged her screaming daughter tightly and retreated to a corner. At the same time, she shouted loudly: "Catch the assassin quickly!" After all, this banquet was a banquet for the powerful women in the city, so it was impossible that there were no guards to protect them. However, these guards were obviously no match for the assassin, and they were killed and injured heavily as soon as they fought.

A guard was hit in the face by a knife and fell towards the door. It landed right next to Bai Qingning. No matter how calm Bai Qingning was, she was still a girl of sixteen or seventeen years old. She was so scared that she screamed loudly, and her voice was even louder than Sun Xiaofu's. An assassin not far from her heard her voice, turned around and shot a willow leaf dart at her. Bai Qingning's eyes widened, but her body could not move at all and she had to close her eyes and wait for death.

Ding—with a crisp sound of collision, the willow leaf dart that was supposed to pierce her body was knocked to the ground. There was also a red hairpin broken into two pieces next to it. Bai Qingning clearly remembered that it was the red hairpin on Princess Ding's head. She quickly looked in the direction of Ye Li, only to see Ye Li and Xu Qingbai being protected by the carriage. Although the surroundings were in a mess, the areas around the two of them were always clean. Not knowing where she got the courage from, Bai Qingning rushed towards Ye Li. Perhaps she was lucky and her life was not destined to end, as she actually rushed to Ye Li and Xu Qingbai, "Princess..."

Seeing that she was frightened, and since everyone was here, they couldn't just throw her out again, Ye Li signaled the guards to let her in. After walking in front of Ye Li and Xu Qingbai, Bai Qingning breathed a sigh of relief and said tremblingly, "Princess... these people..."

Ye Li said calmly: "Don't be afraid, everything will be fine soon."

Seeing Ye Li's calm and composed appearance, Bai Qingning had to shut his mouth as he was about to say something. He just stared at everything in front of him in fear, his eyes filled with fear.

These assassins seemed fearless and didn't care about the people around them. They just rushed towards Ye Li desperately, and they were determined not to stop until they achieved their goal. Although there were many guards in Prince Ding's Mansion, there were even more assassins. These assassins obviously knew that they didn't have much time, so they attacked more desperately. There were even several people who desperately held back a guard of Prince Ding's Mansion so that their companions could rush forward. If it was normal, Ye Li would definitely praise these people for their bravery, but the situation at this time was extremely unfavorable for them.

Finally, someone broke through the guards and rushed towards Ye Li. Ye Li pushed Xu Qingbai away and said, "Fourth brother, hurry up!"

Xu Qingbai also knew that he was not good at martial arts, and that if he stayed, he would only become a burden to Ye Li. He nodded and said, "Li'er, be careful." Ye Li nodded, turned her head to avoid the assassin's sword, and a silver light flashed in her sleeves, and a flash of blood appeared, and the hand holding the long sword fell to the ground. The pungent smell of blood made Ye Li frown a little uncomfortable, but his men showed no mercy, and the dagger quickly hit the assassin's heart, instantly killing the assassin and his men.

A guard pulled Xu Qingbai out, and Bai Qingning beside him rushed over, "Master Xu! Master Xu... take me with you..." The assassin who had just had his palm cut off and stabbed to death by Ye Li had covered her in blood, which had already made her already frightened mind unbearable. Seeing Xu Qingbai leaving, she quickly grabbed him. Xu Qingbai frowned slightly and had to pull her up. However, these assassins obviously knew Xu Qingbai's identity, and surrounded them and forced them towards Ye Li. The guards had to protect Xu Qingbai and deal with the assassins, and gradually became a little overwhelmed and encountered danger again and again. Xu Qingbai said in a deep voice: "Life and death are determined by fate, don't worry about us. Just concentrate on fighting the enemy."

The guards around him also understood that if they died, Xu Qingbai, who had no martial arts, would also die. So they let go of their hands and feet and concentrated on fighting the enemy. Gradually, Xu Qingbai and Bai Qingning were forced back to Ye Li by the assassins. Ye Li swung the long sword snatched from the assassins, and with one sword, he lifted the frown of an assassin and asked, "Why don't you leave? Qin Feng, take Fourth Brother away first."

Qin Feng was surrounded by several assassins. Although he heard Ye Li's order, he couldn't get away for a while. Xu Qingbai pulled Bai Qingning, who was tugging at his clothes, to the side and tried to keep a distance from Ye Li. He smiled helplessly and said, "Li'er, it seems that I'm going to implicate you." Ye Li's sword was as strong as the wind and she smiled faintly, "What nonsense are you talking about, fourth brother? Isn't it me who implicates you?" Ye Li's swordsmanship was originally taught by Mo Xiuyao himself. Although it was not perfect, it was also very good. For a while, the assassins could not do anything to her. But gradually, Ye Li frowned slightly, her abdomen ached slightly, and fine beads of sweat gradually appeared in her ears. With Ye Li's strength, she shouldn't be so poor, but at this point she has no time to care about the reason.

The assassins were naturally overjoyed when they noticed Ye Li's slowing down. Several of them rushed forward in unison. Their purpose was to kill Ye Li. As long as they could kill Ye Li, they could destroy half of Prince Ding's mansion and even Prince Ding. Even if all of them died, it would be worth it.

Ye Li calmed down, and a flash of blood appeared as she swung her long sword. However, the dull pain in her abdomen made her feel extremely weak and even a little cold.

"Princess!" Qin Feng got rid of the assassin's entanglement and also noticed Ye Li's discomfort. He quickly jumped over and held Ye Li with his hand. Ye Li grabbed his shoulder with one hand and said, "Take the fourth brother out first!"

Qin Feng frowned and said in a deep voice: "No, I will take the princess out first!" Although he didn't know where the princess was injured, he could see that she was extremely uncomfortable at the moment. Bai Qingning, who was not far away, rushed over in panic and shouted: "Take me away... Please take me away..." Qin Feng raised his hand impatiently and wanted to slap her, but he only heard a strong wind breaking through the air in his ears, "Ye Li, accept your death!"

Three shining long swords came straight at Ye Li. Qin Feng swung his sword to block two swords in front of Ye Li, and the other sword could not help but deviate to Bai Qingning beside her. Bai Qingning screamed and reached out to pull the person next to her, but just happened to grab Ye Li's clothes. Ye Li was already in great pain and almost unsteady on her feet. She was supported by Qin Feng, and she was pulled by her and sent to the sword.

"princess!"

"Li'er!"

Ye Li raised her hand with all her strength, and the dagger in her hand neutralized the force of the sword. However, she also broke away from Qin Feng's support and fell on Bai Qingning. The assassin's first sword missed, and the second sword immediately came up, "Princess?!"

Qin Feng was trapped by someone and it was too late to rescue him, so he had to throw the long sword in his hand towards the person, but it was too late. The long sword of the person had already stabbed at Ye Li, Bai Qingning's face turned pale and he quickly moved aside. Just as the tip of the sword was about to stab Ye Li, a jade-colored figure rushed over and blocked Ye Li.

With a hiss, warm blood fell on Ye Li's face. Ye Li's eyes widened suddenly, "Fourth...Fourth Brother?"

－－－－－－－A side note－－－－－－－

Well~ now do you know what Miss Bai is for? She is not here to seduce Prince Ding nor to be a scumbag, she is just a cannon fodder. Actually, this matter...it is not really her fault, it is an instinctive reaction. But she is going to be in trouble, and the Bai family is also going to be in trouble. Who made her not have the ability and determination to sacrifice for the family? If Madam Sun encountered this, she would definitely take the sword for A'li. Even if she died, Prince Ding's Mansion would definitely take care of her daughter and the Sun family.