At this moment, Ye Qingxue realized that everyone around her was poised to pounce, clearly regarding the person not far ahead as prey, ready to seize him at any moment.
Ye Qingxue grasped Yun Zhuo's arm without saying a word, but Yun Zhuo instantly understood her meaning—don't make any rash moves.
Ye Qingxue decided to go forward alone, using her advantages as a woman to be gentle, even gentler, to gain the trust of the little palace maid.
She thought that the young palace maid, hiding in the bamboo forest, must be facing the threat of wolves and tigers day and night, and must be feeling desperate.
The young palace maid has persevered until now, probably hoping that someone can protect her and take her out of this place.
They came tonight, isn't it so that the little palace maid can leave alive? Only if she lives can Yun Zhuo have hope.
We can't treat her like prey and pounce on her. She'll run away, struggle, and might even fight us to the death. That would only cause heavy losses for both of us.
Having figured it out, Ye Qingxue softened her breathing, then softened it even more, her tense body slowly relaxing, and she said in an extremely soft voice:
"If we can find that little palace maid, we will definitely protect her and prevent her from suffering any harm. Only if she lives can His Highness the Crown Prince clear his name!"
The sound was clear and ethereal, as if it traveled through layers of mist, so that people not far away could hear it but would not be frightened.
Sure enough, Ye Qingxue sensed that the other person's aura shifted slightly, but it quickly quieted down.
It seems the other party heard them, but didn't come out, probably to assess whether they could truly protect her!
Yun Zhuo sighed softly and said in a low voice, "I don't know if she can trust us and come with us."
“If Your Highness is sincere enough, she will definitely come with us. Staying in this bamboo forest all year round is not a long-term solution. It is too dangerous with wolves and tigers roaming around. Even if she does not want to clear Your Highness's name, she will think about her own life, and even more so about the tragic death of Consort Li.”
Ye Qingxue continued, "She risked her life to help Consort Li and bring out the truth, which was extremely loyal and brave. Now that Consort Li has died tragically, as a loyal servant, how could she not stand up if she had the chance?"
The aura emanating from the person not far away subtly changed, becoming filled with hatred and rage.
Ye Qingxue guessed that the little palace maid must have heard her words and felt indignant on behalf of the tragically deceased Consort Li.
She walked over without leaving a trace.
Yun Zhuo slowly followed behind her.
The young palace maid hid behind a tree, her body completely concealed by the shadows. Ye Qingxue gradually approached and discovered that the maid did not try to escape.
Ye Qingxue continued, "We risked our lives to come here tonight to find that little palace maid. Now our lives are completely tied to hers. If she lives, we live."
Yun Zhuo gave a very serious "hmm"!
Zhuang Xin solemnly declared, "If we can find that little palace maid, I will risk my life to protect her!"
Very good! Ye Qingxue estimated the distance between them; they were only one zhang apart. The little palace maid still hadn't run away, and her guarded aura had weakened considerably.
They must be having a final internal struggle—should they believe them? Should they stand up?
Ye Qingxue suddenly took a step forward, and at the same time stretched out her right hand towards the other party's arm, wanting to take down the little palace maid before the other party made a decision.
Otherwise, if that little palace maid runs away, it will be very difficult for them to ensure her safety while also capturing her!
Just as Ye Qingxue's hand was about to touch her body, at this critical moment, an arrow came flying through the air!
Yun Zhuo grabbed Ye Qingxue and pulled her back, the arrow grazing past her.
The young palace maid cried out in surprise and turned to run away.
Ye Qingxue bumped into Yun Zhuo's chest, and his arm shielded her. Zhuang Xin and the others had already chased after the little palace maid.
But after Ye Qingxue stopped, she noticed that a deer had run over, carrying the little palace maid at a very fast speed.
No wonder...
No wonder the young palace maid was able to survive in this bamboo forest; it turns out that deer helped her, and they quickly ran away when they sensed danger.
Under the cover of night, Zhuang Xin and his men were quickly outmaneuvered by their opponents.
Yun Zhuo's tone was heavy, filled with a strong killing intent: "Shen Jiefeng's men are impossible to kill off completely. Every time you eliminate one batch, another one comes along. That arrow just now must have been shot by his men. We've been being watched the whole time."
An arrow was still stuck on the ground, right between Ye Qingxue and the little palace maid who had just been standing. It was just a hair's breadth away from hitting either of them.
They had come so close to death.
Ye Qingxue said, "Yes, they let Granny Jing in earlier not only to lure you into the trap, but also to find that little palace maid and get rid of her. Then, the matter of you defiling Consort Li can never be overturned, and it will be even more difficult to clear your name of other crimes."
Yun Zhuo pursed her lips and remained silent.
The wind in the mountains at night is chilling to the bone.
Ye Qingxue said, "Next, we'll see who finds that little palace maid first. If Shen Jiefeng's men find her first, she'll surely die."
In the dim light, Yun Zhuo gave Ye Qingxue a deep look. Yes, although the current situation was tricky, they still had to continue searching for that little palace maid.
Even with Shen Jiefeng's men watching them, there was nothing they could do.
It's quite obvious that Shen Jiefeng isn't making any moves against them right now because he's not confident of victory yet, or perhaps he wants to use them to find the little palace maid, get rid of her first, and then eliminate them.
Although the deer ran very fast, Ye Qingxue and Yun Zhuo had two wolves with them, so they could track it directly.
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