Chapter 54: Killing in the Open
From the moment Wen Youqing walked out of the door, several street vendors stared at him silently, stood up and followed him.
This building is built by the water and has a beautiful view. It is a favorite place for literati and scholars in the capital. It seems to be particularly lively today.
In the private room on the second floor, you can see the street below and the shops opposite by opening the window.
As soon as I sat down, the door downstairs closed tightly.
Wen Youqing looked across at Li Wenqin and Shen Laixi, a trace of guilt flashing across her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. She had to do this.
Only by muddying the waters and keeping the Wang family out in the open can she have a chance of survival.
The Wang family was powerful. If they had only sent ordinary assassins hired from outside, the Wang family and the Dali Temple might have been able to deal with it on the grounds of "insufficient evidence." However, if the family members of imperial officials were affected, the nature of the case would be completely different.
The Dali Temple will speak for the aristocratic families again. If two aristocratic families are in conflict, the Dali Temple will also consider it.
She personally poured tea for Li Wenqin and drank it all in one gulp. Then she clenched the dagger in her hand and stood quietly behind the door.
Seeing this, Li Wenqin also understood what was going to happen. She held the child in her arms and said to the maid with a cold face, "Let's go."
"You can't leave." Wen Youqing said softly, as if she didn't care about these two people at all. "They've already sealed off the building. You're safest staying in this room."
At the same time, a commotion erupted from the street below, like a quarrel among vendors. Wen Youqing's nostrils twitched slightly as, amidst the various scents carried by the breeze from the window, she caught a faint whiff of saltpeter and sulfur, a scent that seemed incompatible with this elegant environment.
It's really crazy!
As she approached the window——
“Swoosh! Swoosh!”
Without warning, several powerful crossbow arrows burst through the air from the roof of the shop opposite! Their target was directly aimed at Wen Youqing standing in the window!
The arrows came extremely fast and fiercely, and were sure to kill with one blow!
"Be careful!" Wen Youqing exclaimed, not entirely for herself, but because she suddenly rushed back, knocking Li Wenqin and the chair away from the possible range of the arrow, and used the force to fall to the side.
"Knock, knock, knock!" With a few muffled sounds, the crossbow arrows deeply penetrated the window frames, floor, and wall where they had just been! The arrowheads were dark blue, obviously poisoned!
"Ah--!" Li Wenqin was knocked down unexpectedly, letting out a short scream, and subconsciously held her frightened son tightly in her arms.
"Protect the Madam and the Young Master!" The Cui family guards outside the door reacted extremely quickly, immediately drawing their swords and rushing into the private room. They used their bodies to form a human wall, blocking Li Wenqin and her son, and looked vigilantly at the window and door.
The restaurant was instantly in chaos. Guests in other private rooms were startled by the sound of arrows and screams. There was a cacophony of screams, running, and the sounds of breaking cups and plates.
But no one could escape.
As soon as the first wave of crossbow arrows fell, the second wave of attacks followed!
Like ghosts, several masked men suddenly burst out from the restaurant corridor and the windows of adjacent private rooms! Their martial arts were fierce and tricky, and they headed straight for Wen Youqing's private room, clearly knowing their target's location well.
"Kill!" the Cui family guards roared, charging forward and engaging the men in black. The flash of swords and sabers instantly filled the once elegant space. Tables and chairs were overturned, cups and plates were scattered, and sachets and pastries were scattered on the ground, mixing with the sudden smell of blood.
Wen Youqing quickly stood up, her eyes scanning the battle situation sharply. Her martial arts skills weren't top-notch, but she still had the strength to protect herself.
At this moment, she knew clearly that the Wang family's killer had indeed been restrained. Cui Junji's family was present, so they didn't dare to set fire and could only send assassins to kill her directly!
A masked man fearlessly broke through the guards' blockade, with the tip of his knife pointing directly at Wen Youqing's throat!
Wen Youqing swung her knife to block, and with a "clang" sound, sparks flew everywhere. Her arm was numb from the shock, and she took two steps back, just retreating to the vicinity of Li Wenqin.
Seeing this, the masked man's eyes flashed with a murderous gleam. He feinted, then swung his blade, slashing at the horrified Li Wenqin standing nearby! Encircling Wei to save Zhao, forcing Wen Youqing to come to the rescue, or simply attacking the officials' families to create chaos!
"Mother!" Shen Laixi burst into tears in fear.
Wen Youqing's pupils shrank, but she didn't move at all, watching the sword pierce Li Wenqin's shoulder.
At this critical moment——
Wen Youqing attacked from behind Li Wenqin, stabbing the killer's throat with a dagger. Blood splattered all over Li Wenqin's face, and she fainted from fright.
"presumptuous!"
A loud shout filled with shock and anger rang out at the entrance of the corridor like a thunderclap!
Lu Zhixue's figure swept over like a gust of wind. His sword arrived before him! A flash of unparalleled sword light flashed, and the steel knife that was about to chop Wen Youqing's back was directly deflected. The masked man holding the knife screamed, his wrist broken, and the sword fell out of his hand!
"Capture them all! Those who resist will be killed without mercy!" Lu Zhixue's command was as cold as iron. The Dali Temple officers joined the battle like wolves and tigers, and their numbers and combat power instantly overwhelmed the masked man.
Seeing that there was no way out, the killers looked at each other and bit the poison sacs in their mouths without hesitation. In an instant, they fell to the ground and died, leaving no one alive!
In an instant, the situation reversed and none of the masked men survived.
A moment later, Cui Junji came over, his face livid, stepping over the corpses. His eyes were filled with an unprecedented coldness and fear. He had rushed over immediately after receiving the urgent report from his men, but he was still a step too late.
He watched as Lu Zhixue directly grabbed Wen Youqing's arm and was about to take her away. Cui Junji stepped in front of Lu Zhixue and said, "Sir Lu, the sword of the Dali Temple is a little too swift."
Lu Zhixue was not intimidated at all and said, "Master Cui is also fast, but Master Cui doesn't care about the safety of his wife and children, but is willing to engage in verbal exchanges with this humble official. Could these assassins be related to Master Cui?"
Li Wenqin fainted with blood all over her face, and Shen Laixi lay on top of her, trembling all over. He knew that Wen Youqing deliberately took Li Wenqin with him, almost causing the death of his wife and children, but he had no time to care, and just wanted to get Wen Youqing out of Lu Zhixue's hands.
Wen Youqing looked at Cui Junji and said, "Master Cui, you should first make sure your wife and children are settled. I will explain everything here to Master Lu."
Cui Junji looked at Wen Youqing with a complicated gaze. There was scrutiny, anger, but more than that, a cold determination.
He understood Wen Youqing's full intention. She had used the most drastic means, posing an assassination threat to him, even putting his family in danger, just for this moment—to force him to make the most "reasonable" choice.
In front of numerous Dali Temple officials and his unconscious wife and children, Cui Junji took a deep breath and spoke in a deep, yet undeniable voice: "Wen Youqing, you have caused a fierce street fight, affecting innocent people and endangering the officials' families! You have offended me today, and I will not tolerate you causing trouble outside again. I will personally punish you severely!"
After Cui Junji finished speaking, he stamped his mark. No matter how the matter was handled, the Dali Temple should give an explanation to the Cui family.
But now, Lu Zhixue was the only one who could take the person away. He immediately said word by word, "Come here! Arrest the suspect Wen Youqing and take him back to the Dali Temple Prison. Keep him under strict supervision! No one is allowed to visit him without my order!"
Wen Youqing listened quietly, without the slightest resistance. She breathed a sigh of relief and held out her hands.
Two Dali Temple officers came forward and put heavy shackles on her.
Amid the crisp sound of shackles being added, Wen Youqing looked up at Cui Junji, his eyes clear and firm, silently conveying a message: the first step of the plan was accomplished.
Wen Youqing was escorted by officers down the stairs and through the chaotic restaurant lobby. Outside, the sun shone brightly, and the street was filled with onlookers, pointing and talking at her.
She held her head high and walked towards the prison van marked with the Dali Temple. The shackles were cold and heavy, but her steps were remarkably firm.
The moment she stepped into the cage, she looked back at the second-floor window of Baiwei Tower. There, Cui Junji was standing at the window with a solemn expression.
But she saw the gnashing of his teeth.
The prison van started slowly and drove towards the Dali Temple Prison, which symbolized law and imprisonment.
Wen Youqing knew that imprisonment was just the beginning, and the real game had just begun.
However, she used herself as a prisoner and pried open the entire chess game.
"Mrs. Shen, aren't you afraid?" Lu Zhixue rode his horse beside her, looking down at her condescendingly.
"Am I the one who should be afraid?" Wen Youqing asked back, and then smiled at Lu Zhixue's slightly surprised expression, "Shouldn't I be?"
She has done enough. Now it depends on how Cui Junji can find a way out for her and the Cui family in this vortex.
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