Chapter 215 Suspicion
She turned around abruptly and stumbled back, with only one thought in her mind -
We must report the news!
The prince must be told immediately!
"Bang!"
She pushed open the door, her expression frighteningly serious.
Guyu and Xiao Quanzi in the room were startled by her.
"Princess, what's wrong with you?"
Shen He's voice was fast and urgent, carrying an unquestionable command.
"Guyu, Xiao Quanzi, listen to me!"
"From now on, I will stay by your side forever!"
"No matter who comes, no matter what happens, don't let him out of your sight! Do you understand?"
The two were stunned by her appearance and nodded quickly.
"Yes, I understand!"
Chen He took a deep breath, turned to Xiao Jingchi who was looking at her curiously on the bed, and tried to make her voice sound softer.
"Your Highness, I have something urgent to go out for. Please stay here and listen to Guyu until I come back."
Xiao Jingchi seemed to sense the tension and determination in her tone.
He dropped the Nine-Ring Chain in his hand, crawled to the bedside, stretched out his uninjured hand, and grabbed Chen He's sleeve tightly.
His eyes were filled with tears again, with a childlike panic and dependence.
"don't want!"
"He He, don't go! There's a thundering monster outside, I'm scared!"
His strength was so astonishing that Shen He couldn't break free for a while.
Looking at his innocent and helpless eyes, Shen He's heart was gripped.
But the safety of the prince is related to the fate of the entire Zhou Dynasty!
She cannot ignore her family and country for her own selfish reasons!
Shen He hardened his heart and his eyes became fierce.
"Xiao Jingchi, let go!"
He shook his head stubbornly, tears falling down his face, and he held on tighter.
"No! He He is mine! Don't leave!"
Chen He no longer hesitated, stretched out his hand, and forcefully pried open his tightly clenched fingers one by one.
The knuckles are white and the veins are bulging.
"obedient!"
When the last finger was pried open, she didn't stop for a moment, turned around resolutely, and rushed out of the yard with big strides.
Behind him, Xiao Jingchi's heartbroken cry was heard.
"Hehe! Don't you want me anymore? Wow!"
Shen He paused, but did not look back.
She rushed to the guards outside the courtyard and jumped onto a tall warhorse.
"Catch up with the prince's team. I have something extremely urgent to report!"
"drive!"
With a clear shout, the horse rushed out of the small village like an arrow from a bow, heading towards the muddy official road, leaving a cloud of dust.
The wind whistled in my ears, shattering the cries behind me.
Chen He lay on the horse's back, with no tears in his eyes, only a cold determination.
***
On the muddy official road, horse hooves flew and mud splashed everywhere.
Chen He lay on the horse's back, letting the cold rain and strong wind hit his face, with only one thought in his mind - faster, faster!
Finally, when it was getting dark, the shadow of the prince's carriage appeared in front.
"Stop! Who are you?"
The guards outside drew their swords and blocked her way.
Shen He tightened the reins, and the warhorse let out a long neigh.
She took out the Ning Wangfei's token from her bosom, her voice hoarse from her rapid breathing.
"Princess Ning, Chen He! We have extremely urgent military information and need to see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince immediately!"
Seeing this, the guards did not dare to delay and immediately rushed inside to report.
A moment later, Shen He was brought to the center of the team. Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan was standing next to a carriage, looking at her solemnly.
"Sixth sister-in-law, why are you so panicked?"
Chen He jumped off his horse and rushed to him without even bothering to salute.
"Your Highness! There's a trap!"
Her voice was quick and soft, but every word was like thunder.
"Someone is trying to take advantage of this disaster relief effort, disguise it as a refugee riot, and assassinate you in the disaster-stricken area!"
Xiao Jingyan's pupils suddenly shrank, and the aura around him instantly turned cold.
"How...did you find out?"
"I was in the village at the foot of the mountain and overheard it!"
Shen He's eyes were earnest and urgent.
"Your Highness, this trip is extremely dangerous. Please cancel your plan to inspect the disaster site tomorrow immediately!"
Jamel Xiao was silent. He stood with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed. There was rage in his eyes, but also a hint of deep consideration.
After a long moment, he spoke slowly, his voice low but firm.
"I cannot retreat."
Shen He was startled, "Your Highness!"
"I am the Crown Prince, a representative sent by my father to appease the people."
Xiao Jingyan looked in the direction where the victims were coming from, his eyes full of compassion and determination.
"Right now, the people of Jiangnan are in dire straits. What they need to see is the court's determination and the gesture of me, the crown prince, standing with them."
"If I remain here in fear of assassination, it will chill the hearts of the people of the world!"
As he spoke, he turned back and looked at Chen He with a tone that brooked no room for argument.
"Pass the order down. The number of guards will be doubled tomorrow. All guards must be on high alert."
"The original plan remains unchanged."
Shen He's heart sank, she knew that it was useless to persuade her any further.
She took a deep breath and her eyes became firm.
"In that case, I, your Highness, am willing to go with you."
***
The next day, disaster victims gathered in the area.
Makeshift shacks were everywhere, the air was filled with the sweet smell of blood and mold, and there were groans and cries everywhere.
When the figure of Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan appeared on the high platform, the originally noisy crowd became quiet for a moment, and then broke out into a greater commotion.
Countless pairs of numb, desperate eyes, yet filled with a hint of hope, looked over at the same time.
Xiao Jingyan looked solemn and was about to speak, announcing the court's disaster relief measures in a gentle but powerful voice.
At this moment, a hoarse and sharp voice suddenly sounded in the crowd.
"Don't believe him!"
"The court's corrupt officials are here! They only know how to talk nice things and don't care about our lives at all!"
This sound was like a drop of boiling oil splashing into a pot of cold water, exploding instantly!
"Where's the food! Where's our food?"
“My children are starving to death!”
In the chaos, several men in tattered clothes who looked like disaster victims had a fierce gleam in their eyes and suddenly pulled out poisoned daggers from under their tattered clothes!
"Kill this bastard official!"
Their target was terrifyingly clear, and they went straight for Xiao Jingyan on the high platform!
The scene suddenly became chaotic!
"Protect the emperor! There's an assassin!"
The guards roared and swung their swords to resist, but the assassins were extremely agile and mixed in with the panicked victims, making it difficult to distinguish them for a moment!
The flashing of swords and the screams were heard!
An assassin broke through the defense line, like a bloodthirsty hungry wolf, and the dagger in his hand drew a strange arc and pierced Xiao Jingyan's heart!
"Your Highness, be careful!"
Chen He was the closest, and her pupils shrank sharply. At that moment, her body's instinct was faster than her thinking, and she subconsciously reached out, trying to push Xiao Jingyan away!
However, it was too late!
At the critical moment!
A black figure came like a ghost, so fast that only a shadow was left behind!
"clang!"
There was a crisp sound and sparks flew everywhere.
The man held a long sword as thin as a cicada's wing in his hand, which accurately blocked the fatal blow!
A man wearing a half silver mask protected the prince and Shen He firmly behind him.
It’s Ah Sheng!
How come he is here?!
Seeing that their attack failed, the assassins looked at each other and surrounded the enemy even more fiercely.
Ah Sheng said nothing, his figure was as fast as the wind and his sword shone like a thread.
His martial arts skills are extremely high and his moves are sharp. Every sword strikes directly at the vital points without any unnecessary movements.
Puff! Puff!
Blood splattered everywhere, and several assassins fell down holding their throats before they could even see his movements.
In the chaos, an assassin viciously shot out a poisoned hidden weapon.
In order to protect Chen He behind him, Ah Sheng moved sideways to block the attack. The hidden weapon grazed his arm, leaving a trail of blood.
Without even frowning, he swung his sword back and pierced the assassin's chest.
Seeing that the situation was not good, the assassin leader's eyes flashed with horror and unwillingness, and he let out a short bird cry.
"withdraw!"
The remaining assassins had no desire to fight. They made a feint, turned around and blended into the fleeing victims, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
The crisis was temporarily resolved.
Xiao Jingyan was still in shock. He looked at the corpses on the ground and bowed to the silver-faced man in front of him.
"Thank you for your help, brave man. May I ask your name?"
Ah Sheng didn't answer.
He turned around without saying a word, and his deep eyes hidden behind the mask looked deeply at Shen He.
The look in his eyes was complex and difficult to decipher, as if filled with worry, reproach, and a thousand words to say.
Then, without stopping, he stepped on his toes and disappeared at the end of the chaotic crowd in a few jumps.
Chen He stared blankly at his departing back.
Especially his left arm which had just been scratched by a hidden weapon.
That location...
Suddenly, her mind flashed by the bloody left arm of Xiao Jingchi, which was cut by rocks when he tried to protect her during the mudslide yesterday.
The positions are surprisingly consistent.
Chen He's heart suddenly sank, and an absurd and bold idea grew uncontrollably.
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