A startled cry came from behind the artificial hill, and the approaching guards immediately became alert, coldly rebuking them:
"Who's lurking around there?!"
There was still no movement behind the artificial hill, so the guard gave a wink to the person next to him and quietly approached.
Suddenly, a glimpse of a skirt peeked out from behind the artificial hill. The woman straightened up and walked out. She was clearly surprised to see so many people, but she still maintained her composure: "I'm sorry, did I scare you?"
The head guard had clearly seen her before, and frowned: "Miss Shen, what are you doing here?"
Shen Tangning gave a wry smile and simply lowered the hem of her skirt that she had been slightly lifting: "I accidentally got my dress dirty. I was going to find the tea room to change, but the princess's residence is too big and I accidentally got lost. When I heard the noise just now, I thought there was a man coming, so I thought I should avoid him..."
The guard looked down and, sure enough, there was a large patch of dirt on the hem of her skirt; she was indeed in a terrible state.
He slightly averted his gaze, his tone softening: "Miss Shen, a thief has broken into the manor and we are currently investigating. For your safety, it is best if you do not wander around."
A hint of surprise flashed in Shen Tangning's eyes, but she wisely refrained from asking further questions, her face slightly flushed: "Thank you for the reminder, young man. May I ask a maid to show me the way?"
The guard initially wanted to have his men lead the way for her, but considering her current situation and the woman's dignity, he nodded and said, "Please wait here for a moment, and I will have a maid come to lead the way for you shortly."
Shen Tangning looked grateful: "Thank you very much, young man."
"Miss Shen, you're too kind."
As the group walked away, Shen Tangning's expression faded.
Her back was damp with cold sweat. She turned to look at the man in the artificial hill: "Isn't that sincere enough?"
The assassin narrowed his eyes, watching the woman put on an act in front of others without batting an eye. He was quite surprised, as this did not conform to his usual understanding of women from secluded families.
The pain from his wound made his vision go black for a moment, but he had no time to think about it. He just said in a hoarse voice, "Now the princess's mansion is full of guards who are trying to capture me. It's heavily guarded. How are you going to get me out of here?"
A grown man like him is already eye-catching, and his presence by Shen Tangning's side only arouses suspicion.
Shen Tangning raised an eyebrow: "I never said I would personally lead you out."
She wanted to do him a favor, but she didn't want to put herself in danger.
If people found out that she was involved with an assassin, she probably wouldn't be able to explain herself no matter what.
In an instant, a gleaming sword pointed at her throat, a ruthless glint in the assassin's eyes: "You want to go back on your word? I can kill you right now!"
With the sharp tip of the sword almost pressed against her throat, Shen Tangning had to tilt her head back slightly. Her brows furrowed slightly: "I said from the beginning that I could help you. There is a relatively remote place in the Princess's residence where no one is guarding it. I can tell you where it is, but whether you can escape depends on your own abilities. I have no obligation to help you to the end."
Despite being in a vulnerable position, she remained calm and showed no sign of fear.
Shen Tangning dared to say this because she was certain that the other party would not lay a hand on her.
With her by his side, he still has a sliver of hope; killing her would only be a thankless and futile effort.
Sure enough, after a moment's consideration and a deep look at her, the assassin agreed.
...
The guards hadn't gone far when they encountered someone.
He ordered the others to continue the search, while he stepped forward, cupped his hands in a fist and palm salute, and said, "Your Highness."
Yan Xingzhou turned around and asked lazily, "How's the search going?"
The guard looked embarrassed and lowered his head: "Your Highness, we haven't found it yet."
"Useless." Yan Xingzhou scoffed. So many people searching for one person and they still can't find him? What else could he be but useless?
The guards dared not utter a sound, burying their heads even deeper.
Yan Xingzhou narrowed his eyes. "The other party went to great lengths to infiltrate the princess's residence, he must have something in mind. But I don't know what a princess's residence could possibly have that he would want?"
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