Xiao Jin watched as Xie Changling finally stopped hiding his weakness and revealed his sharp edge, like a drawn sword. The bloodstains on his face made him even more imposing.
He knew exactly what Xie Changling was thinking. He had treated Xie Changling the same way before, and it wasn't for Song Lingxi arriving in time—
Yes, Xi'er, I wonder if Xi'er is still alive?
Did you see Xi'er on your way here?
Xiao Jin's voice was hoarse. He had just been surrounded and attacked by layers of dark assassins. His soldiers were losing momentum and were outnumbered.
Seeing that things were going badly, he quickly ordered General Li and a few others to escort Song Lingxi back to Fengyi Palace.
They had only been gone a short while, and Xie Changling should have been able to see them, which is why he asked them what was going on, hoping nothing unexpected would happen!
"Xi'er, no, I didn't see Her Majesty the Empress."
Mentioning Song Lingxi brought Xie Changling back to his senses somewhat after his escape. He sheathed his knife and also suppressed his murderous glint in his eyes.
"But what happened to Her Majesty the Empress? I haven't seen her anywhere on my way here."
"Yes, Father Emperor, there is no Mother Empress."
"Father, have you hidden Mother away?"
But the atmosphere between them returned to normal, and they were no longer so tense. Xiao Junlin and Xiao Beizhan then ran over to Xiao Jin and each hugged one of his legs.
"I sent General Li Simu with several dozen men to escort Xi'er. Didn't you see?"
Seeing him shake his head, Xiao Jin didn't have time to explain. She picked up the two children and walked out, but turned back halfway and handed the children over to him.
"Keep an eye on things for me. You all go to the side hall and wait. There's bloodshed outside, so don't let them go out."
After putting them down, Xiao Jin rushed out of the Taihe Hall alone.
...
He rushed into the pile of corpses. Yes, he was going to search the bodies. He vaguely sensed that Song Lingxi had met with misfortune.
Xiao Jin dared not think about it any further, and could only hope that it was all just his wild imagination and that Xi'er was alright.
But when he turned over to General Li Simu's body, he finally couldn't hold back anymore. His nose tingled, and he almost collapsed.
Xiao Jin continued searching, his entire body covered in blood, looking at familiar faces: Li Peicong, Liu Hong, Liu Lü...
Suddenly, they found a corpse dressed in a bright yellow phoenix robe. Her face had been slashed and half of her scalp had been cut off, making it impossible to see her features.
Xiao Jin's hands were trembling. He gently placed his fingertips on her nose, but she wasn't breathing. How could she not be breathing?
"Xi'er—"
Xiao Jin couldn't believe it. He was devastated. He had never felt such heartache before. He had clearly sent most of his men to escort Xi'er. How could this be? How could he let her die in vain?
Unbeknownst to Xiao Jin, a sword gleaming with a bluish-purple light was thrusting towards him, about to pierce his shoulder—
With a clang, Xie Changling threw a flying knife, deflecting the poisoned sword. He then leaped forward and killed the man.
However, Xiao Jin was no longer able to care about any of this. He didn't care at all, whether he would die or not, he didn't care about anything!
Xi'er is gone, what's the point of him living?
Xiao Jin was in so much pain that he couldn't breathe. It was as if every breath he took was stabbing his heart, causing him a thousand wounds and a pain like a thousand swords piercing his heart.
...
After Xie Changling dealt with the one who had slipped through the net, he returned to Xiao Jin's side. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that Xiao Jin was swaying unsteadily!
"This is—Xi'er?"
Xie Changling knelt beside the corpse, staring in disbelief at the bright yellow phoenix-patterned robe he had just seen that day, and at the scratched face!
He held the man's hand; it was still warm, indicating that he had just left. If only he had been there a moment earlier.
Xie Changling's heart felt like it was being torn apart piece by piece; the pain was unbearable, and in that instant, tears streamed down his face.
He no longer cared about social status, but Xiao Jin was still there. He held Song Lingxi's hand, their fingers intertwined, which was what he wanted to do most.
When Xie Changling was at the border, what he missed most was that time. He felt the distinct knuckles of Song Lingxi's hands. No, no!
"Xi'er's hands are clearly soft, no, that's not right, she's not Xi'er!"
Xie Changling's words reminded Xiao Jin.
Xiao Jin recovered from the lingering grief. He had been afraid to touch Song Lingxi because he blamed himself for harming her. If it weren't for him, there wouldn't have been this assassination attempt!
However, upon hearing Xie Changling say that, Xiao Jin immediately shifted her gaze to Song Lingxi.
Upon closer inspection, the skin was not as fair and delicate as Xi'er's; instead, it was quite rough. He pulled open the corpse's clothes but found no marks.
Suddenly he laughed, his face full of relief: "Yes, this isn't Xi'er, there's no red mark, it's not Xi'er!"
"Xi'er is still alive, Xie Changling, I order you to find Xi'er..."
Xiao Jin was both crying and laughing. The usually aloof and cold-faced Xiao Jin in front of his ministers was now like a child, his emotions showing.
"Xi'er, she must have been switched with someone else!"
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