Yang Mengchen let out a cold snort.
Qi Zonghao, undeterred by this, looked at Yang Mengchen with a burning gaze and professed affectionately, "Chenchen, rest assured, I sincerely adore you. Once you return to the country with me, I will immediately and gloriously marry you as the Princess, not only handing over the authority of the inner palace but also treating you with tenderness and consideration. In the future, we will stand side by side, overlooking the world!"
"The Second Prince wishes to abduct my princess?" Yang Mengchen said mockingly, "Is the Second Prince not afraid of sparking a conflict between two nations? Or perhaps he isn’t afraid that Dong Chu and Qing’an Country will join forces to overthrow Xiliang?"
Qi Zonghao burst into laughter, "The Princess Chen of Dong Chu was separated in the chaos that just took place, her whereabouts unknown ever since. What does that have to do with me? My princess is from Xiliang, merely bearing a resemblance to the Princess Chen of Dong Chu. What can Dong Chu and Qing’an Country possibly do to me?"
Hai Tang and her companions were seething with anger. ƒrēewebnovel.com
Yang Mengchen’s face remained unflustered, and he even shook his head lightly while letting out a faint sigh, "Unfortunately, the Second Prince is bound to be disappointed."
"What do you mean?"
As Qi Zonghao spoke, countless masked figures clad in black appeared from both sides of the yard and from behind, wielding swords, sabers, or crossbows, all aimed at the carriage, or to be more precise, at Yang Mengchen.
With a sharp glance, Qi Zonghao shouted sternly, "Who are you?" Yet no one answered him.
Casting his eyes to a specific position in the shadows, Yang Mengchen said calmly, "Jing Liangdi, or should I say, the Former Dynasty Princess, since you’ve gone to such lengths to plot this opportunity to eliminate my princess, why not show yourself? At least let my princess see the face of the assassin who plotted against her, shouldn’t she?"
"As it is the dying wish of Princess Chen, I, being merciful, will naturally fulfill it."
A chilling voice emerged, and the black-clothed figures in front of them parted ways, revealing a woman in a black veil who slowly stepped forward.
Qi Zonghao and his subordinates turned around.
Yang Mengchen raised an eyebrow and quietly watched the woman without speaking, his eyes glancing meaningfully at the veil on her face.
Convinced of Yang Mengchen’s inevitable demise, the woman lifted her hand to remove the black veil, revealing a face of enchanting and seductive beauty that made many men there gasp for breath.
Her phoenix eyes were naturally provocative, yet they exuded an authoritative aura. With a face as delicate as a lotus and brows like willows, her black outfit accentuated her skin whiter than snow, and her expression was solemnly cold—a woman of breathtaking beauty and icy demeanor.
Had he not known she had a son as old as Prince Jing, Yang Mengchen might have thought she was just a woman in her twenties. Yet, her face was vastly different from the Jing Liangdi that Long Xuanmo had described, no wonder she had been so elusive. This must be her true visage.
"Now that I have fulfilled Princess Chen’s last wish, you may depart in peace," the woman said as she put the veil back on.
Yang Mengchen said indifferently, "I would also like to know your name."
"Dugu Feng!" The woman, known as Dugu Feng, glared at Yang Mengchen, her gaze frosty as ice, but she answered him nonetheless.
Yang Mengchen sighed and shook his head, "It’s a pity, but a phoenix in distress is inferior to a chicken."
"You..." Dugu Feng’s eyes suddenly underwent a drastic change, tinged with freezing cold hostility and murderous intent, "Kill him, no questions asked!"
Dugu Feng’s archers aimed their bows at Yang Mengchen and his companions.
"Stop!" Qi Zonghao shouted furiously, then turned and glared at Dugu Feng, "Don’t forget Prince Jing’s cooperation with me. She is now my person; whoever dares to touch her will be put to death without mercy!"
A trace of mockery flitted through Dugu Feng’s eyes; all men in the world were full of insincerity, "The Prince indeed promised to assist you in obtaining her, but only her corpse."
"Dare to make a fool of me, I will never let Prince Jing off!" Qi Zonghao ground his teeth.
Dugu Feng just sneered.
The sneer was light, yet Qi Zonghao heard it loud and clear, and he became furiously embarrassed, "You’d best let me take her away unharmed, otherwise, I will unleash the full force of the nation to execute you and your followers!"
Dugu Feng remained utterly unmoved. With Princess Chen gone, Prince Chen was finished, and Dong Chu would be hers to command. Once she firmly held Dong Chu in her grasp, Xiliang would not be a concern.
"Kill!"
At Dugu Feng’s command, the archers loosed their arrows. However, Qi Zonghao’s men were ordered to resist, and Hai Tang and her companions defended from the sides. The arrows never neared the carriage, being shot down mid-flight, and fierce combat ensued between the two sides.
Enraged, Qi Zonghao brandished his long sword and charged swiftly towards Dugu Feng, who was not to be outdone and immediately drew her soft sword to confront Qi Zonghao.
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