Chapter 214 Assassination
Chen He suddenly opened his eyes and pulled open the car curtain!
With the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the mountain on the side, which was collapsing with tremendous force!
The mudslide, carrying broken trees and huge rocks, roared and rushed towards the convoy like a mad beast!
The carriage jolted violently, and Shen He was thrown all over the place.
"ah!"
Guyu and Xiao Quanzi were so frightened that their faces turned pale and they clung to the inner wall of the carriage tightly.
Another exclamation came from the front.
"Your Highness! The road ahead is blocked by huge rocks!"
The prince's carriage is stuck!
And their carriage was right in the center of the mudslide's impact range!
Chen He's pupils suddenly shrank. She saw a huge rock as big as a millstone, with a deadly roar, smashing straight into the roof of their carriage!
Her mind went blank and she even forgot to dodge.
At the critical moment!
"Chen He!"
A figure suddenly pounced on her, pressing her down with irresistible force and protecting her in the innermost corner of the carriage.
It’s Xiao Jingchi!
"boom--!"
A deafening bang!
The huge rock smashed down, and the entire carriage was instantly shattered into pieces!
Wood chips were flying and dust was everywhere.
Chen He was held tightly in Xiao Jingchi's arms. She felt dizzy and her ears were buzzing.
When everything calmed down a little, she felt something warm dripping on her cheek.
One drop, two drops...
She raised her head tremblingly.
There was a deep cut on Xiao Jingchi's arm caused by a broken wooden board, and blood was oozing out.
He seemed not to feel the pain.
Those eyes that were usually covered with a layer of mist were now surprisingly clear and sharp!
It was filled with anxiety, fear, and a kind of pure worry that she had never seen before.
There is no trace of stupidity or confusion at all!
He gripped her shoulders, his voice hoarse and urgent.
"How are you?"
"Are you hurt anywhere? Let me see!"
Shen He was completely stunned.
She felt like she was struck by a thunderbolt, staring blankly at the familiar face and the completely unfamiliar eyes in front of her.
The crisis seemed to have passed, and the shouting and the sound of rain outside became clear again.
The clarity in Xiao Jingchi's eyes faded away quickly like the tide, and was once again replaced by childlike fear and confusion.
He lowered his head and finally saw his bloody arm.
"Wow--!"
A deafening cry echoed through the valley.
"My hand! It's bleeding! It hurts! Hehe! It hurts so much!"
He was like a child with a broken knee, crying and heartbroken.
Shen He was startled by his crying and came back to his senses in an instant.
"Don't be afraid, Your Highness. Don't be afraid. I'm here."
She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and took out the medicine and cloth strips from the bundle that Guyu handed to her tremblingly.
"Be good, don't move, I'll bandage you."
She comforted him softly and carefully treated his wounds, but her fingertips trembled uncontrollably.
Those eyes just now...
That anxious and concerned tone...
Is it an illusion?
No!
Absolutely not!
Chen He lowered her eyes, hiding the suspicion and inquiry that surged in them, as well as a slight...throbbing that she herself hadn't even noticed.
***
The rain gradually subsided, and on the muddy winding mountain road, the surviving guards were busy clearing roadblocks and rescuing the wounded.
Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan, surrounded by a group of guards, trudged over, one step deep and one step shallow. The hem of his bright yellow robe was stained with mud, and he looked disheveled but dignified.
"Sixth brother, sister-in-law, are you okay?"
His voice was hoarse as if he had survived a disaster. His eyes fell on Xiao Jingchi's bloody arm, and his brows were tightly furrowed.
Chen He had already made a simple bandage for Xiao Jingchi with a piece of cloth, and was now patting his back gently, comforting this frightened "big kid".
She raised her head, met the prince's gaze, and shook her head calmly.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The prince only has minor injuries and is not seriously injured."
"But the wound is bleeding, I'm afraid it can't travel long distances anymore."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyan's expression became more solemn.
He looked towards the south of the Yangtze River, his eyes full of worry.
"The disaster is as severe as fire. The people of Jiangnan cannot wait. I must lead my people ahead immediately."
As he spoke, he looked at Shen He with a questioning and a hint of apology in his eyes.
Chen He understood.
She lowered her eyes to glance at Xiao Jingchi who was still sobbing in her arms, and spoke without hesitation.
"Your Highness, please proceed with peace of mind. I will stay and take care of you."
Xiao Jingyan hesitated a little. It was too dangerous to leave them in this desolate mountain and wilderness.
Chen He said firmly, "The prince's injury is important, and no more mistakes can be made."
"good."
Xiao Jingyan said no more and made a prompt decision.
"I've left a team of men behind to guard you. Once you're settled, I'll send someone to pick you up. Sixth brother and sister-in-law, be careful."
"I understand."
***
Half an hour later, Shen He and his group were placed in a temporarily requisitioned house in the village at the foot of the mountain.
The house is not big, but it is clean.
Chen He was holding a bowl of black medicine and coaxing Xiao Jingchi who was lying on the bed.
"Your Highness, be good and drink the medicine. The wound will stop hurting after you drink it."
Xiao Jingchi shook his head like a rattle, his lips tightly pursed.
"It's bitter! I won't drink it!"
"Sister He gives me candied haws, and I'll drink it!"
Chen He patiently took out a piece of malt sugar from his arms that he had prepared for the journey.
"Take the medicine first, then eat the candy."
Seeing him drink the medicine with a frown on his face, and then hold the candy with a smile on his face, the strange feeling in Shen He's heart surged up again.
Was that clear and sharp look just now really just her illusion?
She was weighed down by worries and felt a tightness in her chest, so she gave Guyu and Xiao Quanzi a few instructions and walked out of the yard alone.
The village is not big, and there are traces of heavy rain everywhere. The villagers all have sad expressions on their faces.
Shen He walked aimlessly, but his eyes were attracted by a dilapidated thatched house at the entrance of the village.
Under the eaves, several strange men were gathered together, talking in low voices.
They were wearing coarse linen clothes and looked like local villagers, but Shen He could tell something was wrong at a glance.
Those people were strong and sturdy, standing steadily, and looking around vigilantly. It was a kind of vigilance engraved in their bones, which was definitely not the appearance of ordinary refugees or merchants.
As if possessed by a ghost, Chen He quietly went around to the back of the thatched hut, took cover behind a pile of haystacks, held his breath, and listened attentively.
The sound of intermittent conversation drifted over on the wind.
"...The prince is very lucky. He didn't die on the winding mountain road. I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain to the adults."
A gruff voice rang out.
Another gloomy voice answered.
"Why rush? The best is yet to come."
"When the prince arrives in Jiangnan, there will be so many refugees and chaos. Who will notice us?"
"When the time comes, we'll have to act like a refugee riot. Be clean and leave no traces. This matter must succeed, failure is not allowed!"
Prince!
Refugees!
riot!
Every word was like an ice-cold steel needle, piercing Chen He's eardrum!
A chill rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and Shen He's face turned pale as paper in an instant.
Someone wants to assassinate the prince!
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