Mo Lei led the Red Flame Steed over, and the steed enthusiastically nuzzled Yang Mengchen with its head.
Hai Tang and the four others formed an impenetrable circle around Yang Mengchen, discreetly helping her into the Gold Silk Soft Armor. They had received information that someone intended harm, and the princess was very likely to be the target of the villains.
Long Xuanmo’s gaze deeply lingered on Yang Mengchen, "Your safety is of utmost importance!" Upon seeing her smile and nod in agreement, he immediately ordered the five members of Hai Tang to stay close to Yang Mengchen, to prevent any accidents.
Yang Mengchen rode the Red Flame Steed to the competition ground, where the rules were the same as before—competitors took turns stepping forward to compete.
Many people recognized the Red Flame Steed because it was Long Xuanmo’s beloved mount. The steed was proud and aloof, acknowledging no one but Long Xuanmo. Yet, it was intimately close to Yang Mengchen, which is why everyone present was astonished.
Among the competitors from the three countries, only Wu Feilan hit the bullseye with two arrows, Qi Qiuxin hit it once, and the rest failed. However, the equestrian performances from Xiliang and Beiyue were spectacular, with Hai Ruofeng and Su Manru barely completing the competition.
All eyes were glued to Yang Mengchen, everyone widening their gaze, afraid of missing any spectacular moment.
Yang Mengchen performed many difficult maneuvers, and her first two arrows hit the bullseye as well.
The moment the third arrow left her hand, Yang Mengchen sharply sensed a strong gust of energy rushing from her right side. Focusing her eyes, she saw a long arrow flying out of the woods. She swiftly bent down on the horse’s back, and the deadly arrow whizzed past her, finally landing a dozen meters away on the ground.
As she straightened up, unexpectedly, a second arrow followed closely behind. Although Yang Mengchen intended to dodge again using the same trick, she suddenly noticed another long arrow flying toward the Emperor seated in the main position. Without hesitation, she caught the arrow aimed at her, drew her bow, and released the arrow. The long arrow she shot collided with the incoming arrow five meters from the Emperor, and both arrows fell to the ground.
Faced with this sudden turn of events, everyone was stunned.
The five members of Hai Tang swiftly moved to Yang Mengchen’s side, vigilantly scanning the surroundings, their weapons glistening with a cold and sharp gleam.
Chu Dieyi also ran towards Yang Mengchen.
Seeing his beloved wife unharmed, Long Xuanmo’s heart finally settled, and he immediately led the soldiers to be on full alert, ensuring the safety of everyone present.
Regaining their senses, Grand Prince and the other protectors firmly surrounded the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress, creating a solid wall of people.
Lin Zheqi rushed to Grand Prince’s side at the earliest opportunity.
Prince Duan and Prince Jing soon followed, strongly urging the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress to leave quickly and return to the Imperial Palace.
The Emperor calmly gestured with his hand, still sitting with dignity alongside the Empress Dowager and the Empress, their expressions unchanged even in this life-or-death moment.
Among the startled women, some fainted, some screamed in fear, and some hid under tables and chairs.
Some men with weaker constitutions turned pale, while those skilled in martial arts and military officers protected the womenfolk.
At that moment, the sound of a clear and distant flute slowly began to resonate. The previously panicked crowd quieted down, turning their attention to the source of the flute music. They saw Yang Mengchen sitting on the Red Flame Steed, her countenance composed and tranquil, eyes as clear as water, and the light breeze lifted her ink-like hair, making her seem like a celestial being descending to the mortal realm, inexplicably bringing a sense of calm to everyone.
The situation was controlled in an instant.
Yang Mengchen’s gaze, cold and clear, scrutinized the woods to her left and right. Her profound and dark eyes glittered like stars, as an intense murderous aura began to spill out, while the flute music grew more urgent.
Before long, over a dozen men in black tumbled out of the woods, crawling and falling to their knees before Yang Mengchen, wailing and begging for mercy.
Following them was a massive group of animals, closely watching the men in black.
Yang Mengchen paid them no attention.
With the sound of the flute alternately piercing and deep, the black-clad figures clutched their heads and rolled incessantly on the ground. Soon after, they began to tear at their own bodies with force such that their flesh was lacerated with wounds deep enough to reveal bone, and fresh blood stained the ground beneath them red. Yet, they did not stop, presenting a sight so gruesome it chilled the onlooker’s heart.
Everyone was stunned, completely forgetting to react.
As the flute playing ceased, Yang Mengchen looked down upon the black-clad figures from high above, his eyes and brows tinged with a bloodthirsty aura, his voice calm, devoid of any emotion, "Those who dare to harm my princess’s family will be made to live a fate worse than death by the princess herself!"
The black-clad figures turned ashen, despair engulfing their hearts, but tragically, they had been poisoned by Yang Mengchen’s powder and couldn’t even die if they wished.
Those who had regained their senses trembled upon hearing Yang Mengchen’s declaration, displaying various expressions.
Princess Chen had always seemed gentle and kind; nobody expected her to have such a ruthless and cold side. Could it be that closeness to darkness had tainted her, turning the dignified and virtuous Princess Chen as decisive in killing as Prince Chen?
The Emperor’s eyes brimmed with moisture, his heart filled with emotion and joy.
Not only had Jiujiu found ways to earn Silver for him and poured her heart and soul into sharing his worries and easing his burdens, but now she had also bravely risked her personal safety to save him and stand up for him. It had been many years since he had felt so moved.
The Empress Dowager and others were equally touched, feeling at once proud and fortunate.
Those who supported Prince Chen were delighted as well. With such a wise and resolute Princess Chen to assist Prince Chen, the prosperity and strength of Dong Chu were surely just within reach.
"Ah Jiu, are you alright?" Long Xuanmo strode forward and lifted his beloved wife down from the horse.
Yang Mengchen smiled and shook her head.
Long Xuanmo, not reassured, meticulously examined his beloved wife from head to toe, only breathing a sigh of relief when he confirmed she was indeed unhurt.
After instructing Hai Tang and the other four to protect Yang Mengchen, Long Xuanmo approached the Emperor, "Your Majesty, may I deal with these assassins?"
Daring to attack his Ah Jiu, he would make these people and their mastermind regret ever coming into this world.
"Very well," the Emperor consented gladly.
Long Xuanmo issued a grave command to Mo Yun and the others to immediately take the black-clad figures back to the Prince Mansion’s dungeons for custody.
Yang Mengchen, accompanied by Hai Tang and the four others, approached the group of animals and smiling, thanked them. The animals responded submissively with nods, tail swishes, and calls before returning in grandeur to the forest.
That morning, Hai Tang had told her that Mo Yun had brought people to inspect the competition ground the previous night. Hai Tang immediately called for Lv Luo and the other two to catch up with Mo Yun, to assist with the inspection while scattering a secret powder formulated by Yang Mengchen around the Imperial racetrack’s surrounding forests.
If miscreants were lying in ambush within the forest, they would unwittingly become coated with this powder. It would slowly seep into their scalps and flesh, reaching their bones, and with the flute music taught by Old Master Shao to Yang Mengchen, the miscreants would feel as if they were being devoured by millions of ants, an agonizing pain that made death seem preferable, yet they were unable to die.
Thus, she had carried the jade flute with her, not expecting that there would indeed be an ambush, with targets being her father and herself.
She hadn’t given any instructions to the animals, and Xiao Guai and the others weren’t present, yet these animals had come to help. Perhaps it was related to the flute music taught by Grandpa Shao; she would have to write him a letter to find out what was going on.
Seeing those fierce animals obediently following Princess Chen’s commands, everyone except for a select few was dumbfounded.
Could Princess Chen truly be a fairy?
Qi Zonghao’s eyes sparkled, and he felt even more resolved to claim Yang Mengchen for himself. With her abilities, dominated the world seemed effortless.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
