Chapter 53 Hu Qing is in danger
In Yaowang Valley, after the old valley master's condition stabilized, Hu Qing did not dare to delay for a moment.
He knew that the clues he carried were of vital importance and he had to meet the prince and the emperor as soon as possible.
He entrusted his master to a reliable junior fellow apprentice, personally selected several skilled disciples from the Medicine King Valley, and escorted some precious medicinal herbs as a token of gratitude, and set out on the journey back to the capital.
For safety reasons, they chose the official road and traveled during the day and slept at night, being extremely cautious.
However, they still underestimated the viciousness and power of their opponents.
When we reached a dangerous area called "Luoyingjian", the official road became narrow because of the high mountains and dense forests on both sides.
Suddenly, the road ahead was blocked by several "accidentally" fallen trees!
Hu Qing's heart trembled, and he immediately realized that something was wrong: "Oh no! There's an ambush! Retreat!"
But it's too late!
The sound of hurried horse hooves was heard from behind. More than ten bandits in black clothes and masks, holding sharp blades, rushed out of the forest and attacked them from the front and back, blocking them on the narrow mountain road!
"Kill! Don't leave any alive!" The leading man in black had a hoarse and cold voice. With one order, the bandits pounced on them like hungry wolves!
Although the disciples of Yaowang Valley know some fighting skills, how can they be a match for these professional killers?
In an instant, two people were killed! Hu Qing drew out his dagger and fought hard, but he was good at medicine after all, and his martial arts was only mediocre.
Soon danger arose and his arm was cut.
Seeing that he was about to die here, Hu Qing's heart was filled with a chill. He thought unwillingly: Is this the clue that Master had exchanged his life for, going to be destroyed here? He hadn't even met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince yet, and hadn't even seen the truth revealed...
At this critical moment!
“Swoosh—swoosh—swoosh—!”
Several sharp arrows shot down from the high slope on the side like venomous snakes, piercing the throats of the bandits rushing in front with incredible precision!
Immediately afterwards, more than twenty elite soldiers wearing light armor and moving as fast as the wind rushed down the hillside like divine troops descending from the sky!
They cooperated well with each other and used their swordsmanship fiercely, turning the tide of the battle in an instant!
The leader had a tall figure and a stern face. The long sword in his hand was as fast as lightning, and every strike went straight to the vital point. He was none other than the most capable deputy general under the command of the second prince Liu Cong - Han Feng!
"General Han!" Hu Qing was surprised and happy, and could hardly believe his eyes.
Han Feng slashed a bandit who was attempting to attack Hu Qing with his sword and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Hu, please be frightened! Your Highness is certain that there will be some scoundrels causing trouble along the way, so he has specially ordered me to meet them here!"
It turned out that when Liu Cong received Hu Qing's letter and learned that he was about to return to Beijing, he immediately realized the danger.
He knew too well the methods of those people in the dark! He immediately sent his trusted general Han Feng to lead a team of elite soldiers to the road that Hu Qing had to take to return to Beijing and secretly protect him.
Sure enough, I waited for this group of killers!
With the addition of fresh troops, the battle quickly became one-sided.
Although the black-clad bandits were fierce, they were quickly killed in the face of the elite and tacit cooperation of the regular army.
Han Feng deliberately left two people alive in order to force them to confess, but the two men bit the poison sacs in their mouths without hesitation and died instantly!
"Death squad!" Han Feng frowned, examining the corpse with a solemn expression. The power that could train and deploy death squads was definitely not an ordinary force.
Hu Qing was still in shock. Looking at the corpses scattered on the ground and the brave officers and soldiers, he bowed deeply to Han Feng: "Thank you, General Han, for saving my life! Thank you, Second Prince, for your foresight!"
Han Feng quickly returned the greeting: "Mr. Hu, you are too polite! His Highness has ordered that your safety is of paramount importance. We cannot stay here for long. Please follow us back to the capital!"
After a brief reorganization, the team quickened its pace and headed towards the capital.
Hu Qing stroked the letter in his arms that contained important clues, feeling extremely frightened. His gratitude and admiration for the second prince Liu Cong also reached its peak.
This prince, far away in the capital, was able to plan and save him from danger. His meticulousness and foresight were truly amazing.
Capital, Eastern Palace.
Liu Xiao was reviewing memorials, but seemed a little uneasy.
He had already learned that his second brother had sent Han Feng to pick up Hu Qing. Calculating the time, he should have news back by then.
At this time, a notice came from outside the palace that the second prince Liu Cong wanted to see him.
"Please come in!" Liu Xiao immediately put down the red pen.
Liu Cong strode into the hall. He had just returned from the military camp and was wearing a dark-colored uniform.
It makes his figure more upright, with a hint of imperceptible fatigue between his brows.
But when he saw Liu Xiao, his eyes naturally softened.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"No need to be so polite, Second Brother." Liu Xiao stood up and asked with concern, "But is there any news about Hu Qing?"
Liu Cong nodded and reported in detail the news that Han Feng had sent back on horseback, including the ambush at Luoyingjian, the appearance of the assassins, and the fact that Hu Qing was safe and sound and was speeding back.
Liu Xiao was horrified, especially when he heard the word "death warriors".
His face turned pale. "How dare they be so brazen! They used assassins to kill us in broad daylight! If my brother hadn't anticipated this, Hu Qing..."
He couldn't bear to imagine the consequences.
"Your Highness, don't worry. With Han Feng here, Mr. Hu will definitely arrive safely."
Liu Cong's tone was reassuringly calm. He looked at Liu Xiao's pale face, and the urge in his heart to hug him tightly and isolate him from all danger was almost uncontrollable.
He could only force himself to look away and focus on the report. "This incident also proves that the other party has reached a point of desperation. We are getting closer and closer to the truth."
Liu Xiao took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He looked at Liu Cong with eyes full of gratitude and dependence: "This time, I am grateful to my brother for his brilliant plan! Otherwise... the consequences would be disastrous."
Liu Cong bowed slightly and said, "It is my duty to share your Highness's worries."
He paused, lowering his voice with a hint of subtle tenderness.
"However... after this incident, I'm afraid the other party will become even more crazy. I implore Your Highness to be more careful in the coming days and avoid leaving the palace unless necessary. I will double the guards in the East Palace."
His concern was beyond words, and that focused and deep gaze made Liu Xiao's heart skip a beat for unknown reason.
He felt that his second brother's care for him always seemed particularly strong, with a sense of urgency that went beyond brotherhood?
But this feeling was fleeting and was quickly overshadowed by the current sense of crisis.
"Okay, I will listen to you, my brother." Liu Xiao agreed solemnly.
At this moment, Liu Xiao accidentally knocked over the teacup on the corner of the table because he stood up too quickly.
The warm tea was about to spill on him.
In a flash, Liu Cong instinctively took a step forward, put his arm around Liu Xiao's waist, and quickly took him away from where he was.
At the same time, his other hand steadily caught the teacup that was about to fall to the ground! His movements were as fast as lightning and completed in one go!
In an instant, the two bodies were close
Liu Xiao could even feel the warmth and strong heartbeat coming from the other person's chest.
And the undeniable strength and... a barely perceptible tremor coming from the arm wrapped around his waist.
Liu Cong was also stunned.
The touch of the thin but flexible waist of the person in his arms, and the breath close to him with the faint fragrance of ink, were like the strongest liquor, instantly breaking down his rational defenses.
He lowered his head and looked at Liu Xiao's eyes, which were slightly widened in surprise and as clear as a deer's. His long eyelashes trembled slightly, as if sweeping across his heart.
Time seems to stand still at this moment.
Liu Xiao was the first to react. A blush suddenly appeared on his face. He struggled a little uncomfortably: "Royal brother..."
Liu Cong suddenly loosened his hand as if he was scalded, took two steps back, and put the teacup on the table, his movements even a little flustered.
He lowered his eyelids, hiding the turbulent waves surging in his eyes, and said in a tense and hoarse voice: "Your Majesty... I have overstepped my bounds! Please forgive me, Your Highness!"
The atmosphere suddenly became a little subtle and awkward.
Liu Xiao also felt his face getting hot and his heart beating fast. The closeness just now, the emotions in the eyes of the second brother... seemed too complicated and hot.
He felt a strange throbbing and confusion. He cleared his throat.
Trying to break the weird atmosphere, she said, "No...it's okay. I have to thank my royal brother for his quick reaction, otherwise my clothes would be in trouble."
Liu Cong didn't dare to look up, but simply bowed and said, "I'm glad Your Highness is alright. If you have no other instructions, I will... take my leave."
He needed to leave here immediately, he needed the cold air to cool down his emotions that were almost out of control.
"Oh... okay, your Majesty, go and get busy." Liu Xiao also felt a little uncomfortable.
Liu Cong left the Eastern Palace almost as if fleeing. Only after he had walked quite a distance, the cold wind blowing on his face, did he slowly stop, lean against the cold palace wall, close his eyes, and breathe heavily.
The touch at that moment and those eyes so close to him were engraved in his mind like a brand.
"Axiao..." He groaned in pain, his fingers clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.
This feeling, like a maggot on his tarsal bone, gnawed at him day and night. The more he suppressed it, the more violent it became. He didn't know how much longer he could control it.
Liu Xiao in the East Palace watched his second brother leave in a hurry.
Touching the waist that seemed to still retain the warmth of the other person's palm, the strange feeling in my heart lingered for a long time.
Second Brother...what on earth...
A few days later, Hu Qing arrived safely in the capital under Han Feng's strict escort and was secretly taken to the palace as soon as possible.
In the Yangxin Palace, the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Second Prince gathered. Hu Qing combined the old valley master's memories with his own deductions.
He reported everything in detail and mentioned the key clue again - the eunuch with a scar about an inch long on his left eyebrow!
The emperor's rage threatened to set the palace on fire, but this time he forced himself to calm down.
With a clear goal, it will be much easier to check!
There was also progress from Fu'an: after layers of screening, they locked in on an old eunuch named "Wu De".
Fifteen years ago, this person worked in the department responsible for palace chores and had the opportunity to come into contact with the baby room area.
Later it was said that he fell into a well and died.
But the archival records are vague, and there is indeed an old scar on his left eyebrow!
"Dead?" The emperor's eyes were icy. "Is he truly dead, or has he escaped? Dig deep underground to find out everything about this Wu De! Who are his acquaintances? Where is his hometown? Find out everything for me!"
All the clues seemed to point to the "dead" eunuch Wu De.
As long as we find him, or someone who knows about him, the truth behind the shocking conspiracy fifteen years ago may be revealed!
However, everyone understood that the other side was even willing to mobilize death squads and would never let them find Wu De easily.
A bigger storm is quietly brewing on the eve of the truth being revealed.
And the Second Prince Liu Cong's unexpressible affection became increasingly intense and... painful in this increasingly dangerous game.
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