Ning Hongxi jerked his head back the instant the sword was about to his throat, letting the sword energy tear a bloody gash across his collarbone.
If Ning Xun hadn't intervened in time to deflect Yun Zhuo's sword, his throat would have been slit by now.
Even so, his situation was not much better. After dodging Yun Zhuo's longsword, he fell heavily off his horse, the intense pain making him feel as if every bone in his body had burst.
Lu Zangfeng stepped forward and helped him up from the ground.
Ning Hongxi wanted to continue to berate and reprimand Yun Zhuo, but Yun Zhuo had already led his men and fought his way out of Ning Xun's group.
Ning Hongxi: "…………"
Pan Yuanzhou and other court officials were thrilled. They hadn't expected the deposed crown prince to be so capable, managing to break through the encirclement with only a dozen or so men.
Oh wait, it seems there's still a rescue operation!
Who could be so daring as to stand on the side of the deposed crown prince and send reinforcements to him before the situation is clear?
Never mind, let's fight our way out with the deposed crown prince first.
Once they break out, they will definitely go to the Emperor's court and tell him everything that happened in Taoxi Village tonight, so that the Emperor knows that they are not part of the deposed Crown Prince's faction.
This also lets the emperor know that the villagers who survived in Taoxi Village tonight were all saved by the deposed crown prince, and that he did not massacre the entire Taoxi Village!
With the rescue team in place, Pan Yuanzhou and the others believed that breaking out was only a matter of time. However, just as they were beginning to see a glimmer of hope, they were surrounded again.
Cui Shao, the commander of the Palace Guard, surrounded them with three thousand guards.
“The deposed Crown Prince Yun Zhuo is vicious and ruthless. He wants to massacre the villagers of Taoxi Village. I am here on His Majesty’s orders to arrest him!” Cui Shao said.
Looking at Pan Yuanzhou and the others, he said, "You have actually colluded with the deposed crown prince. If you obediently admit your mistakes and surrender now, perhaps the emperor will spare your families!"
"Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Pan Yuanzhou and the others spoke at once, explaining that they were not members of the deposed prince's faction at all, that they had been completely deceived and then wronged.
However, they lacked evidence, and Cui Shao was merely following orders, ignoring their explanations and directly ordering their arrest!
If you have any grievances, you can speak about them before the Emperor!
As for Yunzhuo...
He remained standing on horseback, sword in hand, without saying a word.
He was constantly worried about Ye Qingxue's injuries. Heaven knows, when he learned that his blood could be used as medicine to save Ye Qingxue, his hands were trembling. At this moment, he could not leave with Cui Shao no matter what.
Otherwise, he would be imprisoned and completely miss the opportunity to save Ye Qingxue.
This battle with Cui Shao is inevitable!
Yun Zhuo raised his longsword, but he still tentatively said, "I can understand you arresting people. But I cannot accept you arresting people indiscriminately."
"Even if that person were the current emperor, I would never agree! Why don't you investigate the truth first, Lord Cui?"
The truth? A cold laugh came from the side!
"The crimes you committed that led to your deposition are common knowledge, and you have utterly disgraced your mother. Do we really need to repeat them?!"
Ning Hongxi said, "If you are unwilling to die, then you want all the villagers of Taoxi Village to be buried with you! The Emperor ordered your arrest and execution, which is only right and proper. What other truth do you want!"
Yun Zhuo glanced at the horizon; dawn was approaching. Ye Qingxue was still waiting for his blood. He said nothing more, drew his sword, and charged out.
Cui Shao immediately led his men to stop him!
...
"Report—Your Majesty, many reinforcements have appeared around the deposed Crown Prince. After careful investigation, it was discovered that they are actually elite guards sent by the Prince Yu's residence!" New news came from the palace.
The emperor was furious and kicked the servants around him out: "I trusted Prince Yu so much, yet he is in cahoots with the deposed crown prince!"
"Send more men to arrest everyone from the Prince Yu's residence and imprison them. No one is to be let go!"
Before dawn, Princess Yu met with Prince Yu in the prison, along with their three sons and one daughter.
In addition, there were some of Prince Yu's concubines and young children, who had never seen such a scene before and were crying in fear.
Princess Yu grasped Prince Yu's hand; his hand was icy cold, and his face was ashen and bloodless.
The third young master said, "Father, you're confused! You clearly know that man is the deposed crown prince, yet you still help him! Now hundreds of people in our entire household are going to be killed by him!"
Princess Yu glanced at him coldly and snapped, "Shut up!"
The third young master retorted, "He's the one who broke my arm. He's infamous, and he was so ruthless towards me. How could he possibly be begging for help? And yet you all fell for his tricks!"
Prince Yu's heart was completely broken.
From childhood to adulthood, he rarely did anything out of line. He was mild-mannered, and one could even say he was somewhat timid.
His actions today were the boldest thing he had ever done in his life, and as a result, he implicated his entire family.
Perhaps he will be beheaded, perhaps he will be exiled, perhaps he will be imprisoned for life.
Regardless of the outcome, it would be extremely miserable and unbearable for them, who were originally living in luxury.
At that moment, he noticed that many people were looking at him, their eyes seemingly filled with resentment.
He became a sinner in the Prince Yu's mansion.
Princess Rongqing crawled over and hugged Prince Yu, saying in a childish but earnest voice, "Father and Mother, Rongqing thinks that the people that Fairy Sister trusts and protects must be good people, so Rongqing trusts Crown Prince Brother."
"He hasn't been exonerated yet, which is why we're stuck here. But with the help of the fairy sister, he will definitely be able to clear his name, and then he will come to take our whole family out!"
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