After a winding chase that lasted about fifteen minutes, Ye Qingxue and Yun Zhuo realized that they had shaken off Shen Jiefeng's men.
It seems that while finding people in these mountains and forests is difficult, it won't be easy for Shen Jiefeng's people to track them down at all times.
They chased after them for another 15 minutes.
Gray Seven and White Seven stopped the deer, which was terrified; its clear eyes were filled with fear.
The young palace maid, clinging to its back, was also trembling.
The man and the deer tried to rush out several times, but were repeatedly blocked by the gray and white wolves.
The two sides continued to negotiate until Ye Qingxue and Yun Zhuo arrived with Zhuang Xin and the others.
They then discovered that they were in a valley, with a stream beside them, its surface shimmering in the moonlight.
Surrounded by green trees and bamboo groves, it presents a wild scene, and once any animal darts into the forest, it is very difficult to find it again.
Before Ye Qingxue and Yun Zhuo could speak, the little palace maid had already pulled out a dagger and held it to her throat.
"Let me go! Otherwise you will never get any evidence! His Highness the Crown Prince will never be able to clear his name of defaming Consort Li!" The little palace maid's voice trembled, but it was also very resolute.
Ye Qingxue and Yun Zhuo remained silent for a moment.
Zhuang Xin spoke up: "Young lady, living alone in the Bamboo Sea Stream will easily attract wolves and tigers, and your life will be in danger at any time."
"Now that His Highness the Crown Prince is standing before you, we are here to take you back to the palace. As long as you help His Highness clear his name, His Highness will protect your life."
The young palace maid remained unmoved, still holding the dagger to her throat, showing no intention of leaving with Yun Zhuo and the others.
Zhuang Xin added, "Don't worry, young lady. As long as you're willing to come with us and provide evidence to prove that His Highness the Crown Prince has been slandered, I, Zhuang Xin, am willing to risk my life to protect you!"
The young palace maid seemed to waver for a moment, but only for a moment. She resolutely said again, "I'll say it one last time, let me leave, or I'll die in front of you!"
Zhuang Xin was anxious and wanted to say something more, but Ye Qingxue stopped him and stood in front of him, facing the little palace maid directly.
Seeing this, the young palace maid tightened her grip on the dagger and swallowed hard.
Ye Qingxue said, "You refuse to come with us because of that arrow that almost hit you just now? You think we can't even protect ourselves, so we can't protect you at all, right?"
The young palace maid trembled.
Ye Qingxue knew she was right.
She continued, "You don't doubt our identities, nor do you doubt our determination to protect you. You only doubt our ability to protect you, don't you?"
“It’s alright. If I were in your shoes, I would think the same way. After all, you went through so much to get the help of this deer and finally survive in this bamboo forest. It was really difficult, so you cherish your current temporary safety.”
The young palace maid continued to stare at her without speaking, but her hostile aura had diminished considerably.
Ye Qingxue said, "You must have heard about the massacre of Consort Li's entire palace, with blood flowing like a river. It was indeed extremely tragic."
“Even if we hear about it from the sidelines, we will have nightmares. How much more so for you, who once served Consort Li closely. It is normal for you to be more fearful and wary than anyone else.”
"But do you know that you are carrying such a big secret, which could prove His Highness the Crown Prince's innocence at any time and threaten the safety and status of the instigator at any moment? Who would let you go?"
Even if we let you go today and grant you safety, that safety will only last for a moment. A hundred guards may not be able to flatten this mountain, but what about a thousand or ten thousand guards?
"By then, will there still be a place for you to survive in the Bamboo Sea Ravine? Where can a deer carry you? They've already determined that you're hiding here, and they'll turn the whole mountain upside down until they're sure you're dead!"
The young palace maid shrank back slightly.
Taking advantage of the situation, Ye Qingxue said, "Miss, we have no choice but to make a last-ditch effort. Let us protect you as you leave Zhuhaijian. If you successfully deliver the evidence to the Emperor and clear the Crown Prince's name, you and we will be completely saved!"
Ye Qingxue walked towards her, her steps slow but firm. Finally, she stood in front of the little palace maid and extended her hand to her.
The young palace maid looked at her face, then at her hands, and finally slowly reached out her hand, which landed in Ye Qingxue's palm.
Ye Qingxue immediately grasped it tightly.
An unusual movement was reported at that moment.
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