Beneath the calm surface of the Prince Jing's residence in Jiangnan, undercurrents were quietly surging. In Xiao Chengjing's study, father and son sat facing each other.
"Empress Xiling's people are moving faster than expected." Xiao Chengjing put down the secret report in his hand, his face ashen. "Unidentified people have already been conducting secret investigations at several docks in Pingjiang Prefecture."
Xiao Chengkang's expression remained unchanged, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "Father, rest assured. I have already made arrangements; security has been strengthened both inside and outside the palace. A-Yuan is also being secretly protected by reliable individuals." He paused, looking at the swaying lotus shadows outside the window, "Jiangnan is a network of waterways, a melting pot of all sorts of people. Finding their exact whereabouts won't be easy for them. However…"
“But the storm is brewing, and there’s no way to avoid it,” Xiao Chengjing interjected, his tone carrying the composure of someone who has been through many battles. “Now that you’ve made your decision, there’s no need to look back. Protect that girl, and protect yourself. My Jingwang Mansion is not a place where just anyone can run wild.”
"Yes!" Xiao Chengkang replied in a deep voice.
As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, the moon cast shimmering shadows. The upturned eaves of the Prince Jing's residence outlined a silent silhouette against the night. Outside Qinfangzhai, a few koi occasionally leaped from the water, shattering the moonlight in the pond.
A-Yuan leaned against the window, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the white jade safety buckle Xiao Chengkang had given her during the day. Suddenly, her ears twitched slightly—among the rustling of lotus leaves, there was a barely audible whooshing sound.
"Who?" She turned around abruptly, and a dart gleaming with cold light was already embedded deep in the window frame she had just been leaning against.
Almost simultaneously, several dark figures leaped over the high wall like ghosts. The leader gave a sinister smile: "Princess Xilingyuan, how have you been?"
A-Yuan's pupils contracted sharply, and she swiftly drew a short dagger from under her pillow. Just as the assassin closed in, several torches suddenly lit up in the shadows of the Prince's mansion!
"Who dares to break into Prince Jing's residence at night!" A sharp shout rang out in the night sky. More than ten guards leaped out from behind the artificial hill and treetops, their blades flashing like snow, instantly surrounding the assassins.
"Protect Miss Ayuan!" The head guard gave the order, and the two sides clashed in close combat, the sound of metal clashing echoing throughout the courtyard.
A Yuan gripped her dagger and retreated to the corner, watching helplessly as an assassin was stabbed through the chest by a guard, blood splattering onto the moonlit bluestone slab.
In the chaos, Xiao Chengkang rushed over, his robes billowing, followed by several sword-wielding guards. "A-Yuan!" He spotted the figure in the corner at a glance, darted forward to shield her behind him, and a packet of medicine powder appeared in his hand.
"Young Master, be careful!" A Yuan cried out in alarm. An assassin broke through the encirclement, his longsword aimed straight for Xiao Chengkang's back!
Without turning his head, Xiao Chengkang flicked his wrist. The powder glowed with an eerie blue light under the moonlight, causing the assassin's eyes to sting instantly. He cried out in pain, clutching his eyes and staggering backward, only to be killed by a swift strike from the arriving guards.
The battle quickly became clear. More than half of the assassins were dead or wounded, and the remaining few, seeing the situation was dire, whistled and retreated in panic. The courtyard returned to silence, leaving only a mess and the pungent smell of blood.
"Are you injured?" Xiao Chengkang turned around, grasped A Yuan's shoulders with both hands, and looked her up and down, his voice still tense.
A-Yuan shook her head, her face paler than the moonlight: "I'm fine... but..." She looked at the corpses lying scattered on the ground, her voice trembling, "So many people have died again..."
Xiao Chengkang followed her gaze, his brows furrowing. At that moment, Xiao Chengjing and Shen Yuewei also arrived, having heard the commotion. Seeing the scene in the courtyard, Xiao Chengjing's face darkened: "How dare they!"
“Father,” Xiao Chengkang stepped forward, “they are Empress Xiling’s people.”
Xiao Chengjing snorted coldly: "Pass down the order to strengthen security! Anyone who dares to come again will be killed without mercy!"
"Your Highness!" A-Yuan suddenly spoke up, took a few steps forward and knelt in front of Xiao Chengjing, "A-Yuan has a request."
"Get up, child." Shen Yuewei quickly went to help him up.
Ah Yuan stubbornly remained kneeling, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked up: "Ah Yuan wants... to go back to China."
"What?" Xiao Chengkang suddenly turned to look at her.
“I’ve thought it through.” A-Yuan’s voice was soft, but unusually firm. “I have no interest in the throne, but I cannot implicate the innocent. As long as I return to the palace and state my position to my father, the Empress will have no reason to send people to hunt me down... and these pointless sacrifices will stop.”
Xiao Chengjing remained silent, while Shen Yuewei tenderly stroked A Yuan's hair: "Silly child, if you go back, won't you be walking into a trap?"
"Don't worry, Aunt." A Yuan forced a smile. "After all, I am a princess personally appointed by my father. As long as I am in the palace, the Empress will not dare to make a move openly."
“I’ll go with you,” Xiao Chengkang suddenly said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
"No!" A-Yuan suddenly stood up. "It's too dangerous! I can't implicate you, young master..."
"Xi Lingyuan," Xiao Chengkang rarely addressed her by her full name, stepping forward to look her straight in the eye, "Have you ever seen me back down along this journey?"
A-Yuan was forced to take a half step back by his burning gaze, biting her lip and remaining silent.
“Kang’er…” Shen Yuewei looked at her son with concern.
Xiao Chengjing suddenly spoke up: "Let him go." Amidst the surprised gazes of the crowd, he patted his son's shoulder. "The men of my Jingwang Mansion are not cowards who fear death. However..." He turned to A Yuan, his eyes blazing, "Girl, have you thought this through? Once you go, there may be no turning back."
Ah Yuan took a deep breath and nodded emphatically: "I've thought it through. What needs to be faced, must be faced."
"Good!" Xiao Chengjing waved his hand. "We'll depart in three days! I'll send an elite team to escort us secretly. Kang'er, come here, I have something to tell you."
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