25. Chapter 25 Heartbeat
Luzhu immediately chased after him and set off fireworks as a warning.
The man carried Xiaoxiao and flew quickly across the roof. When he saw the fireworks, his pupils shrank. He didn't expect to be discovered so quickly.
He ran forward quickly, but was soon blocked by someone. Fortunately, the Wu'an Marquis Mansion had already ambushed his men. When they saw Pei Xiuhan's men appear, they also jumped out from the dark.
The sounds of fighting between the two sides attracted the guards of Wu'an Marquis Mansion.
Seeing that the situation was not good, the man did not stop. He released a smoke bomb to block everyone's view, and then continued to run forward carrying Xiaoxiao.
Xiaoxiao was awakened by the shaking. When she woke up, she was being carried on the man's shoulders. She instinctively wanted to struggle but gradually regained consciousness. Xiaoxiao's heart was pounding and her palms were sweating with nervousness. She froze and didn't dare to move for fear of alerting the enemy.
The man ran forward quickly, holding Xiaoxiao's legs tightly. Xiaoxiao lay on his shoulder, her head hanging weakly on his shoulder. The sound of the wind was whistling in her ears, making her cheeks tight.
Xiaoxiao didn't dare to move. She squinted her eyes and finally got a clear look at the surrounding buildings. They had obviously left the Wu'an Marquis Mansion. Although there were mansions around, there were more winding alleys.
The man ran without stopping, his breathing was a little heavy, but he did not stop, as if someone was chasing him.
Xiaoxiao opened her eyes wide and tried to look behind the man, only then did she see a figure not far away, desperately chasing after him. Xiaoxiao barely recognized it as Luzhu, and her tense nerves relaxed a little.
The man didn't expect that she was already awake.
She was drugged and should have been unconscious for several hours, but before Pei Xiuhan left, he fed her a pill, saying that she would be immune to all poisons in the future.
He was afraid that the little girl would be framed when he was away, so he asked her to drink one pill. Unexpectedly, the pill detoxified her in advance.
Xiaoxiao suppressed her panic and quickly thought of a countermeasure. She only had one chance and she had to make the man slow down, so she had to hit him in one go.
Xiaoxiao doesn't know martial arts, and her only weapon is a butterfly-shaped hollow gold hairpin with sapphires embedded in it on her head. This hairpin was bought for her by Brother Pei last year. Xiaoxiao has always been reluctant to wear it, but she took it out because she was going to attend Zhong Miao's birthday party.
Xiaoxiao held her breath, stretched out her right hand and carefully pulled out the golden hairpin. During this process alone, her heart almost jumped out of her chest.
Xiaoxiao did not act rashly. She kept waiting, waiting for the moment when his breathing became more rapid.
He was very tired, and his breathing was heavy, each one getting louder and louder. Xiaoxiao didn't know how long he had been running, nor how long Luzhu had been chasing him.
She just wanted to wait until he was a little more tired, a little more exhausted, and when his pace slowed down noticeably and his breathing became heavy like gasping for breath, Xiaoxiao raised the hairpin and quickly pierced his ear.
The man cried out in pain and subconsciously raised his hands to cover his ears. Xiaoxiao took the opportunity to roll off his shoulder. As her body fell, her face turned pale with pain.
Seeing that it was the girl who woke up early, the man's eyes were filled with horror. Blood flowed out of his ears and his ears twitched in pain. Seeing Luzhu catching up with him, he released his hands that were covering his ears, rushed towards Xiaoxiao quickly, grabbed her and continued to run forward.
Luzhu swung the dagger in her hand towards him. She was far away from him and was afraid of hurting Xiaoxiao so she didn't dare to make a move. The poisoned dagger stabbed into his leg and blood gushed out instantly. The man's steps staggered, but he didn't fall down. He continued to run forward.
Seeing that the helpers had not caught up yet, the man cursed and his face became very gloomy. Luzhu flashed in front of him, and within a few breaths, the two of them fought more than ten times.
After Xiaoxiao recovered, she continued to poke his ear with the butterfly gold hairpin. This time the man was prepared and did not let her succeed. He knocked Xiaoxiao unconscious with a single slash of his hand and threw her to the ground.
He concentrated on fighting with Luzhu.
Seeing the little girl they had taken such good care of being treated like this, Luzhu was furious and her moves became more and more violent.
The man in black had a natural advantage in physical strength. Even though he was injured in the leg, he still fought with Luzhu for a long time. It was not until the poison spread to his upper body as he used his internal energy that his movements slowed down again.
When masters fight, a single flaw can decide life or death. Lu Zhu moved as fast as lightning, grabbed his throat, twisted it hard, and broke his neck.
Luzhu didn't look at him again and walked straight towards Xiaoxiao. The little girl was still unconscious. Because she rolled on the ground, her beautiful dress was stained and her little face was covered with stains.
Luzhu wiped the dirt off her face with heartache, picked up Xiaoxiao, and ran back to the capital with her on her back.
On the way of chasing Xiaoxiao, she threw smoke bombs for help twice, but no help came. Something must have happened in the capital. The thing that could make Yang Hao too busy to handle it must not be simple.
Lu Zhu quickly rushed back to the palace. There was chaos in the palace. Yang Hao led his men into the palace and found that there was indeed an assassin in the palace. Lu Zhu's heart sank.
She hid Xiaoxiao in a secret room and ran quickly towards the palace.
When Luzhu arrived at the palace, the battle inside had already ended. Blood was all over the ground, hundreds of men in black fell to the ground, and many guards were dead. Luzhu even saw Xiaoqi lying on the ground.
Not only Xiaoqi, but also the third brother...
She walked over with red eyes. Shi Yu and others did not hide for the first time after the battle. They all looked very embarrassed. Pei Jing had a pale face and sat next to Xiao Lizi.
Little Leo's chest was pierced by a sword. He died while protecting him. Pei Jing wiped away his tears and stood up silently. He usually loved to laugh, but the smile on his face always looked like asking for a beating in Pei Xiuhan's eyes. But now, when he was not smiling, the aura around him was creepy and cold.
"How many did you catch alive?"
The other party was very powerful. These men in black had obviously practiced martial arts since childhood. It was no exaggeration to say that they were top masters. Ordinary guards in the palace could not stop them at all.
They actually made their way all the way to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. If the Ten Sons of Xuanbing had not delayed the time and Yang Hao and others had not arrived in time, Pei Jing would have died today.
Xiao Jian, the leader of the Imperial Guards, said, "Only arrest two people."
Just now everyone was bloodthirsty, it was either you or me, and the other side was a group of assassins who had been trained for many years, so it was not easy to capture two people.
Pei Jing said coldly: "Take them to the dungeon and I will personally interrogate them. For those who are injured, have them treated by the imperial physician as soon as possible. For those who are injured, bury them properly. Those who have families, take good care of them..."
Pei Jing's voice was choked with sobs and he couldn't continue. He closed his eyes and turned to go to the dungeon.
Xiao Jian was worried about him, so he took a group of people and quickly chased after him. The secret guards who were less seriously injured also chased after him.
Only after their figures disappeared did Shi Yu close the eyes of the third and seventh brothers.
The entire palace was shrouded in a strange, dead atmosphere. After a while, Yang Hao finally spotted Lu Zhu and asked in a deep voice, "Is Miss Xiao Xiao injured?"
He naturally saw the distress signal sent by Luzhu, but he couldn't leave at that time, so he had to choose between the little emperor and Xiaoxiao. Luzhu's mission was to protect Xiaoxiao at her death. When he saw her coming, Yang Hao knew that Xiaoxiao was fine. While he breathed a sigh of relief, he couldn't help but ask a question.
Luzhu shook her head slightly and walked over to support him. "Your arm needs to stop bleeding as soon as possible."
Yang Hao had one of his arms chopped off and blood was flowing down. If no treatment was given, he would probably die from excessive blood loss.
During the interrogation, Pei Jing had already guessed that these killers were indeed sent by Dajin. In order to ensure that they would hit the target, they dispatched almost all of their top masters. This time they sneaked into the capital, one for Pei Jing, and the other for Xiaoxiao.
If they could successfully kill Pei Jing, Pei Xiuhan would definitely return to the capital. As for Xiaoxiao, they simply wanted to capture her alive and use her to threaten Pei Xiuhan. If either of them succeeded, Pei Xiuhan would be restrained.
After learning that Xiaoxiao was nearly kidnapped, Pei Jing's face turned frighteningly cold, and he had Xiaoxiao taken to the palace.
When Xiaoxiao woke up, it was already evening. It was a cloudy day with particularly thick clouds, and the sky was very dark.
She covered her head and took a moment to regain consciousness. Fortunately, her body was soft and she only suffered some minor injuries when she was thrown to the ground, without any broken bones.
The little palace maid hurried in. "Miss, are you awake? Are you feeling unwell?"
Xiaoxiao looked around and found that the palace was very unfamiliar. Her heart began to lift, thinking that Luzhu had been defeated and abducted. Her face became tense and her eyes were filled with vigilance.
The next moment, Luzhu came in, holding a dozen small porcelain bottles in her hands.
Xiaoxiao was on the verge of tears, her dark eyes filled with joy, "We were rescued?"
"It was the girl who saved herself."
Although Lu Zhu's lightness skills are not bad, they are still a little inferior to those of men, otherwise he would not have kidnapped people.
Even though he was carrying Xiaoxiao, it was still very difficult for Luzhu to chase them. If she continued for a while, she would definitely lose them due to lack of internal strength. She had never expected that the little girl, who looked weak, could calmly think of countermeasures and buy time for herself when encountering problems.
Luzhu placed the porcelain bottle on the bedside. Seeing the little girl's tearful eyes, she felt a little amused. She couldn't help but touch Xiaoxiao's head and said, "Wasn't it very powerful when you stabbed him? Are you scared now?"
Xiaoxiao curled her lips awkwardly and whispered, "I am a little scared. I have no grudge against them. They must have arrested me to threaten Brother Pei, right? I'm afraid that I will implicate my brother because of me."
The little girl's voice was soft and pleasant, and her face was full of relief. A few strands of black hair fell down, making her fair skin look as clear as jade. Although she was born charming, her temperament was elegant and well-behaved, making people unable to help but hold her in their hearts and pamper her.
When Luzhu first came to serve her, she had some complaints in her heart, feeling that she was being wasted. But now she really liked this little girl. Knowing that Xiaoxiao did not like to be served by maids, she said, "Miss, please undress so that I can see if you are injured."
Xiaoxiao felt some pain in her back and legs. She could handle the leg injury herself, so she just took off her shirt. "Maybe my back hit a rock, it hurts a little."
When she reached out to undress, Xiaoxiao realized that she was still wearing the clothes that had been spilled with wine. She held the belt in her hand and paused slightly, "Is there something wrong with that maid?"
She had been hidden in a secret room by Luzhu before. The emperor issued an order, asking Luzhu to bring her to the palace immediately. Luzhu did not have time to check whether she had any injuries, nor did she change her clothes.
Lu Zhu said, "When Marquis Wu'an learned that you were abducted, he immediately took the maid into custody. The trial is still ongoing and I believe there will be a result soon. Yang Hao will handle this matter."
Xiaoxiao didn't ask any more questions. After the inner clothes were removed, the girl's white and smooth back was revealed in front of Luzhu.
Not only does she have a beautiful face, her skin is also smooth and delicate, and her butterfly bones are so beautiful that people can't take their eyes off them.
Even Luzhu, a woman, felt a little embarrassed when she saw it.
Xiaoxiao did hit the rock, and her back was bruised and purple. In serious areas, the skin was broken. Fortunately, it only looked scary, and Luzhu carefully applied medicine to her.
Then he told her what happened today. After learning that Xiao Lizi was gone, Xiaoxiao was stunned. Every time she entered the palace, Xiao Lizi would follow the emperor. He was only a few years older than Pei Jing, and he was gone just like that.
Xiaoxiao went to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. When she arrived there, Pei Jing had already had someone put Xiao Lizi into the coffin. He stood silently in front of the coffin, his eyes very red.
Xiaoxiao walked over to his side and saw an incense burner in front of the coffin. Xiaoxiao lit three incense sticks and inserted them into the incense burner. She didn't say anything, but stayed silently beside Pei Jing. After a long time, he finally said in a hoarse voice, "The day before yesterday was his eighteenth birthday. I asked him what he wanted, and he said that when I have my coming-of-age ceremony, he wants to retire home in style."
Little Li's parents died young, and he was raised by his uncle until he was five. His aunt thought he was a burden and wanted to sell him. He entered the palace at the age of six. His greatest wish in life was to return home in glory and make his aunt regret her actions. Pei Jing had just promised him, but he left in this way.
Pei Jing stared at his profile in a daze and continued, "He nags all day long and often tells tales to the Emperor's uncle. He often makes me so angry that I jump up and down, and I call him annoying all day long. In the morning, when he called me to get up and study, I kicked him in anger. I'm obviously not nice to him at all, so why is he so stupid?"
Xiaoxiao was so sad that she couldn't speak. Her face was wet with tears. Her mind was filled with the voice and smile of Xiao Li. He loved to laugh, and his smile was very delicate. Every time she entered the palace, he would help her to pour tea and water. Such a vibrant life, but now he will never wake up again.
After a long while, Xiaoxiao choked up and said, "He thinks it's worth it. Your Majesty, don't be sad. If Little Li is still alive, he would definitely hope that you are well."
Seeing her crying so hard and even trying to persuade him, Pei Jing pursed his lips. He looked at her for a while, then reached out to close the coffin lid and whispered, "Carry it away."
*
The two of them had dinner together. Pei Jing said, "For the time being, you should stay in the palace. If the enemy still wants to capture you, the palace is at least safer than outside."
Xiaoxiao nodded obediently, "Okay."
Although Pei Jing is naughty, he is not stupid. On the contrary, he is very thoughtful. Xiaoxiao is almost fourteen years old and is no longer a little girl. He is afraid that this move will affect Xiaoxiao's reputation, so he invites Mu Wen, Mu Hong, Zhong Miao and others as well.
Xiaoxiao had just finished dinner and returned to the palace where she was staying when she found that Mu Wen and Zhong Miao had also come. They both knew that Xiaoxiao had been kidnapped and were very worried. When they saw Xiaoxiao, they both rushed over quickly, pulled Xiaoxiao up and down to check her out. They were relieved to see that she was not seriously injured.
Zhong Miao was filled with guilt, his eyes red, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't held the birthday party, nothing would have happened to you today."
Marquis Wu'an had not expected that an assassin would sneak into the mansion. He spent the whole day in agony, fearing that the emperor would vent his anger on him.
Xiaoxiao held her hand and said gently, "It's not your fault. They've already set their sights on me. They'll attack me no matter where I am. The palace is heavily guarded, yet assassins have appeared. Don't blame yourself."
Zhong Miao had already cried all afternoon, and her eyes were still red. Seeing that Xiaoxiao didn't blame her, she sobbed and threw herself into Xiaoxiao's arms, "How can you be so nice? You even have time to persuade me. If I were kidnapped, I would definitely be scared to death."
Xiaoxiao was also afraid. She was not a very brave person. When she recalled the danger at that time, her hands and feet felt cold.
The three little girls stayed in the palace. Pei Jing also invited their teacher into the palace.
He even went to attend classes, and Xiao Chen also went with him once. Seeing that he always paid attention to Xiaoxiao intentionally or unintentionally, Pei Jing was very unhappy. He felt like the little sister he was protecting was being spied on by a big-tailed wolf. He was very unhappy. If he was not afraid that the emperor's uncle would come back and settle the score with him, he would have wanted to unilaterally divorce his cousin as his study partner.
Xiaoxiao was unaware of it. The silly little girl had no idea that as she grew up, many young men were secretly watching her. She just buried her head in books all day long and was almost becoming a nerd.
No, in addition to reading, she also looks forward to letters from the border every day. In the past few months, she not only received letters from Brother Pei, but also received letters from her brother. Seeing that her brother also wanted to contribute to the Great Zhou, she was proud of her brother, but also worried. In her spare time, she copied prayer scriptures for them, and prayed almost every day for the war to end as soon as possible.
At the end of the month, the Great Zhou finally achieved a decisive victory. Not only did it drive the people of the Great Jin back completely, but it also dealt a heavy blow to them. Within five years, they were unable to start a war again.
The news of the army's return to the capital soon spread back to the capital.
Xiaoxiao and the others were overjoyed. A few days later, Xiaoxiao received letters from her brother and Brother Pei, and learned that her brother had injured his leg and would be back for two months.
Xiaoxiao was extremely worried and read the letter more than ten times. Only when she saw that he had indeed only injured his leg and would be able to come back to pick her up after resting for two or three months did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.
She waited and waited all day, almost to the point of passing out, but she still couldn't get Brother Pei back before the New Year. Southern Xinjiang is very far away from the capital, and the journey takes a long time.
Xiaoxiao had this year's New Year's Eve dinner with Pei Jing. They both remembered the New Year's Eve dinner they had with Pei Xiuhan last year and felt secretly lost for a long time.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the army finally arrived in the capital.
Pei Jing couldn't leave the palace to greet her because he was afraid there might be assassins outside. He didn't want Xiaoxiao to go out in the first place. The little girl was so anxious that tears came to her eyes and she could only look at him pitifully.
As soon as she cried, he compromised on everything and had to watch her leave the palace.
Xiaoxiao waited at the city gate for a long time. When she saw Pei Xiuhan returning on horseback, her eyes were full of joy. Pei Xiuhan saw her at a glance.
The little girl stood pretty beside the carriage. Her skin was white and her brows had lost some of their childishness, but her body was still so thin. Her waist was so slender that it could not even be held in one hand. It seemed that a gust of wind could blow her away.
He turned over and got off the horse. Xiaoxiao couldn't help but run towards him. When she came to him, she stopped and didn't throw herself into his arms. She just took his hand and looked him up and down.
He thought the armor was too heavy, so he didn't wear it. He only wore a crimson robe. He was still tall and burly, and extremely cold, but his white and slender hands were covered with calluses and were much rougher than before.
Xiaoxiao's eyes became red again, but this time it was out of heartache.
Seeing that her little hands were cold, Pei Xiu Han knew that she must have been waiting for a long time, so he took her into the carriage.
After Xiaoxiao got in the car, she couldn't wait to ask him about the border affairs. Pei Xiuhan leaned lazily on the wooden board. The tiredness of the whole day disappeared for the most part when he saw her.
Seeing the little girl looking at him eagerly, he simply picked out some interesting things to tell her. Even though he spoke lightly, Xiaoxiao still sensed danger in it. Her eyes were sore and her heart was full. She just felt that it was great that he could return safely.
As the two were talking, Pei Xiu Han's eyes suddenly narrowed. The next moment, he pulled Xiao Xiao up. Xiao Xiao was sitting right opposite him, and without any defense, she threw herself into his arms.
He had been in the frontier for a year and had become stronger, with muscles all over his chest. She felt dizzy when she was hit, and her nose was filled with his strong masculine scent.
The girl's body was incredibly soft. The moment she threw herself into his arms, Pei Xiuhan truly experienced what it meant to be warm and soft. Only then did he realize that the little girl had really grown up and it seemed inappropriate to hug her anymore. He didn't have time to think about it and just held her slender waist tightly.
The man's powerful arms were like iron clamps, preventing her from moving. She could only cling to him tightly. Xiaoxiao's heart suddenly shrank uncontrollably. When she looked up in surprise, her warm lips just brushed against Pei Xiuhan's chin.
His chin was very cold, even a little prickly. Xiaoxiao's breathing quickened and her heart began to pound.
She didn't know what was wrong with her, but at this moment, she was extremely nervous. When her eyes slid across his handsome profile, her heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
Pei Xiuhan's breath caught when he felt her soft lips sliding across his chin.
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