Tie Ci shouted in a low voice: “Cover me!”

Behind her, Feiyu swept her wide sleeves, drawing everyone’s attention, and Tie Ci lunged forward.

In the next instant, she was in front of Gu Xiaoxiao, raising her hand to catch a sharp stone.

Her other hand reached out to pull Gu Xiaoxiao away, but then froze.

Three swords were pressed against Gu Xiaoxiao’s back. Obviously, no matter how fast she was, at least one of those three swords could pierce into Gu Xiaoxiao’s heart from behind.

The River Works Commissioner stood facing Tie Ci and said softly, “You must be very careful, otherwise if the people become angry and surge forward together, it would be a pity if Young Master Qi got hurt.”

Gu Xiaoxiao suddenly said, “Just go… They’ve made full preparations, they dare to do anything… I was too stupid and dragged you down… You should leave quickly!”

Tie Ci took a breath and said softly to Gu Xiaoxiao, “Don’t be sad, we have a way.”

Stones kept flying over. She turned around and stood in front of Gu Xiaoxiao.

Several stones hit her robe hem and shoulder. She calmly wiped the mud and water from her face.

The common people were stunned and stopped their hands.

They weren’t familiar with Gu Xiaoxiao, but everyone knew Tie Ci. During these days, this noble young master from the imperial capital had eaten and lived together with them, working together covered in mud through wind and water. In their hearts, they had all praised and admired him, treating him as one of their own. Even though Fourth Master Xiao had just accused Tie Ci, those matters sounded vague and distant to the common people, and what remained more in their hearts was their good feelings toward Tie Ci.

Seeing her standing in front of Gu Xiaoxiao, everyone was somewhat bewildered, looking at each other in confusion.

Fourth Master Xiao and the River Works Commissioner exchanged glances. Just now that woman’s dramatic sleeve-sweeping had been very exaggerated, drawing their attention so they hadn’t noticed whether Tie Ci had flown over or suddenly appeared.

Confirming the Crown Princess’s divine abilities was very important. Fourth Master Xiao wasn’t in a hurry to attack and gave the River Works Commissioner a meaningful look.

The River Works Commissioner said in a soft, gentle voice, “Is this what Young Master Gu was personally lurking in the River Works Office to find?”

He took out a blue-covered booklet from his bosom, rustling through it in his hands. “The real account book for fishing taxes—such an important thing, in such troubled times, how could this old man leave it in the office for people to steal? Naturally it had to be carried with me.”

He held up that account book and, in front of Tie Ci, slowly tore it into several pieces and scattered them.

Those fragments fell in front of Tie Ci’s feet.

At this time, someone came running to report business to Fourth Master Xiao. Fourth Master Xiao turned his head, and the River Works Commissioner also whispered with the deputy commissioner, then stepped back a few paces. For a moment, no one was paying attention to this side.

Tie Ci slowly crouched down.

Those men kept her figure in their peripheral vision, all delighted in their hearts.

Was she going to reconstruct that account book?

Even the men holding swords against Gu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but crane their necks to look.

Tie Ci crouched halfway down, then suddenly grabbed Gu Xiaoxiao’s calves with both hands, lowered her body, swung her arms forward and pushed, literally sending him flying horizontally through the air.

A figure flashed as Feiyu swept over to catch Gu Xiaoxiao.

The three men were caught off guard, their long swords instinctively thrusting downward, this time aimed at Tie Ci’s back.

As Tie Ci crouched forward, her legs had already kicked backward like a crocodile’s tail. With a whoosh, two swords were deflected by her kicks, spinning through the air and nearly slicing off one man’s nose.

The other sword was knocked away by a stone Feiyu flicked out.

Tie Ci’s other leg also shot out like a cannonball, sending one man flying far away with a thud, spitting blood as he flew.

In just an instant, those account book fragments that had been clustered at her feet were already soaked by rain and scattered by wind, floating away in all directions.

The fishing tax account book was supposed to be the most tempting element, since embezzling national taxes was a serious crime and the account book would be irrefutable evidence.

However, reality disappointed Fourth Master Xiao and the others. From beginning to end, Tie Ci hadn’t even glanced at the account book. She was calm, composed, her smile free of worldly concerns.

Those people suddenly felt their schemes were so ridiculous.

The River Works Commissioner stepped back and quietly asked Fourth Master Xiao, “What do we do now…”

Not only had they failed to test the Crown Princess’s true capabilities, but she had also rescued the hostage.

Fourth Master Xiao gave a meaningful look, and the River Works Deputy Commissioner shouted, “Are you trying to protect this villain who embezzled funds and deceived the people!” He also said to the people, “If this person escapes, today’s matter will be without evidence, and don’t blame us officials for being unable to seek justice and compensation for you!”

Immediately some people shouted, “Evil thief, where are you going!” The timid ones hid behind the crowd throwing stones, while the bold ones were already swinging iron spades and shovels as they charged forward.

Tie Ci didn’t want to fight with the common people. The embankment was uneven and slippery—if they lost their footing and fell into the river, that would be another calamity. She could only protect Gu Xiaoxiao as they retreated.

Rakes, shovels, and similar tools were constantly thrown over, but they were quickly thrown out again, crashing into the increasingly high river water.

The crowd surged, but Fourth Master Xiao showed signs of anxiety, looking toward the deep rainy night.

Why hadn’t that old monster been lured over yet?

…

Time returns to one hour earlier.

The black-robed man stepped over the Poison Maniac’s corpse and stripped the brocade robe from the Poison Maniac’s body to put on himself. The hood’s shadow densely covered his face, making his features unclear.

He stood for a while, then suddenly burst into wild laughter, laughing madly while saying, “…Never expected such fortune… Ye Shiba… Crown Princess… Let’s see how you humiliate me in the future!”

He walked toward the outside of the house. As if he couldn’t yet control the poisonous qi flowing through his body, you could visibly see colorful, brilliant light emanating from his side. With each step, that halo spread forward by a foot.

Chi Xue and Zhao San crouched in the grass, uncertain whether he had discovered them, already growing anxious.

Because whether he had discovered them or not, his walking route was heading straight toward them. Just from the poisonous qi on his body, before he even arrived, he could poison both of them.

Zhao San exchanged glances with Chi Xue, asking whether they should strike first.

Previously he had habitually asked Mu Si, but now with Mu Si absent, he turned to Chi Xue again.

Chi Xue lightly nodded.

The two covered their mouths and noses. Chi Xue placed her hand on the crossbow on her arm. Zhao San’s shoulders moved slightly.

But at this moment, they heard someone outside the forest say, “May I ask if Senior Tu is residing here?”

Both stopped, and the black-clothed man also halted.

The person outside the forest continued speaking with a respectful tone, “Senior Tu, I am the deputy steward of the Xiao family, sent by my master to pay respects to you, sir. My master recently heard that you had appeared, and has been searching everywhere, wanting to invite you to visit our ancestral home as a guest. Today, due to the missing baby being sent to the capital, we searched and found this place. Presuming to visit without invitation, please don’t blame us, sir.”

Zhao San and Chi Xue looked at each other, both realizing that the Xiao family had been searching for this old monster all along. It seemed the Xiao family had more than one group sending babies to the capital. When they later discovered the baby was missing, they quickly connected it to the Poison Maniac, since only the Poison Maniac would know the timing and route of their baby deliveries.

The black-clothed man was silent for a while, then said hoarsely, “So, do you want this old man to compensate for this medicine baby?”

The person outside hurriedly said, “We wouldn’t dare. Please use it as you wish, sir. The master only wants to invite you to the estate for a chat. If you’re unwilling to honor us with your presence, then the master will send various supplementary medicines. Additionally, the master says that the two who injured you are currently at Sanhe River embankment.”

After speaking, he had people put down what they were carrying, waited a while, and hearing no response from inside, bowed and left.

Obviously knowing that the Poison Maniac was full of poison, he didn’t want to get close at all.

The black-robed man walked toward the outside of the forest. Since the things that person had left were in another direction, he changed his walking route. Zhao San and Chi Xue both silently sighed in relief.

The two looked at each other.

Chi Xue knew this guy was both cowardly and afraid of trouble. Now that the crisis was over and the opponent seemed inexperienced in combat and had walked far away, he could very well escape.

But Chi Xue didn’t plan to leave.

This guy would definitely go to the embankment—she had to stop him!

She looked at Zhao San, wanting to remind him that when she charged forward to attack, he could take the opportunity to escape. He shouldn’t be too hasty in escaping and alert the enemy, affecting her attack.

Who knew Zhao San didn’t move. Not only didn’t he move, he even nodded and gripped the sword at his waist with one hand.

Chi Xue: “?”

Before she could understand, Zhao San suddenly grabbed Chi Xue and threw her upward.

Chi Xue leaped in the air, arriving right above that black-robed man. She reacted extremely quickly, lowering her arm toward his neck, her crossbow firing repeatedly with swooshing sounds!

At the same time, Zhao San also charged out. In a sliding step, one hand caught the falling Chi Xue while his other hand had already drawn his blade. Cold light and freezing wind swept toward the black-robed man’s waist!

The black-robed man heard the wind and instinctively turned back, sweeping out his sleeve.

He seemed to have gained great power but wasn’t familiar with techniques. He shouldn’t have turned back at this moment. When he turned back, the arrow shot toward his forehead.

But his sleeve was wide and hard. Strong wind swept out, deflecting one lighter crossbow bolt, while another arrow pierced his temple.

He screamed loudly, his body spinning. Zhao San’s blade drew a line of blood across his waist. He staggered and swept out his other sleeve too.

A black mist condensed into a black line shooting out. The edges of the black mist sometimes scattered, sometimes gathered, revealing tiny poisonous insects with even tinier, disgusting mouthparts.

Zhao San and Chi Xue retreated quickly, but ultimately couldn’t withstand this overwhelming poison. Both fell one after another. Before falling, Chi Xue gritted her teeth and released a signal flare.

This was a signal flare to summon the Nine Guards. She only hoped they could intercept this poisonous person along the way.

Zhao San had originally been somewhat habitually hesitant, but seeing her release the signal flare, he immediately sent out a signal too.

One yellow and one purple signal flare shot through the night sky.

The black-robed man’s temple was bleeding profusely. Gnashing his teeth and howling, he pulled out the arrow and covered the bloody wound at his waist.

He seemed to have injured his vision or brain, spinning around wildly in place several times. Unexpectedly, he didn’t go settle accounts with Zhao San and Chi Xue, but instead stumbled outward.

Chi Xue was less severely poisoned and managed to prop herself up on her arm. Seeing that guy actually heading toward Sanhe embankment, she became extremely anxious.

Obviously, getting power to revenge against the Crown Princess had become his obsession—even injured, he wouldn’t give up.

However, Chi Xue ultimately lacked the strength to catch up. She felt in her bosom—there was still one detoxification pill left. She had once had the fortune to learn poison techniques, and the opponent was said to have once served the Poison Maniac and Medical Maniac brothers, so the poison techniques she learned had some connection to the Poison Maniac. The detoxification pill could barely be somewhat useful, but now only one remained.

Beside her, Zhao San lay like withered wood, still waving at her, saying, “Let me try… let me try to help you expel the poison… After expelling the poison, you should leave quickly. We released signal flares, and the Xiao family’s people haven’t gone far. If they come back, we’ll be dragged away like dead dogs…”

Chi Xue said, “What about you?”

Zhao San said dejectedly, “As long as you can leave, that’s enough… I’ll find a pit to bury myself in. Anyway, both master and A’si dislike me, saying I eat for nothing, only grow more talkative without growing taller, wasting food…”

Chi Xue chuckled, slowly moved to his side, and stuffed that detoxification pill into his mouth.

Zhao San swallowed it instinctively and said happily, “You still have pills, that’s great. Why aren’t you eating? Eat quickly.”

Chi Xue lay down, placing her hands on her abdomen, lying on the wet ground quietly and elegantly like a refined young lady, lying beside Zhao San. She sighed, “Only one left. In the past, I would have kept it no matter what—what if master needed it? But now I gave it to you. How nice—I suppose I’ve betrayed my master for you, you stinking man?”

Zhao San was so shocked he sat up abruptly. “What? Only one? Then I’ll spit it out!” He said, clawing at his throat.

Chi Xue was disgusted beyond measure. Even this refined young lady rolled her eyes and said, “Who would eat it if you spit it out? Swallow it back down yourself!”

Zhao San stopped dejectedly and collapsed heavily again, saying gloomily, “Why am I still dizzy and seeing things?”

Chi Xue said, “It’s not the right antidote—it can only keep you from being paralyzed or dying.”

Zhao San also lay down beside her, placing his hands straight on his abdomen. “Alright then, let’s wait here and see whether our people arrive first or the Xiao family’s people come first.”

Chi Xue said calmly, “Based on distance calculations, the Xiao family’s people should return first. Also, the signal I sent means: great enemy approaching, protect master.”

Zhao San said, “What a coincidence, mine was the same.”

The two turned their heads to look at each other. Chi Xue’s eyes curved as she smiled softly, “I thought you were cowardly, but I didn’t expect you wouldn’t run away.”

Zhao San sighed, “I am cowardly, I did want to run. To tell the truth, before every fight I want to escape, but if I escape, I won’t be able to see Mu Si and master again in the future, and I can’t bear that. So I have to grit my teeth and charge forward. After gritting and charging so much, I got used to it.”

Chi Xue listened quietly without speaking, closing her eyes.

Zhao San lay for a while, then began chattering about various worries—like whether lying on grass would give them lice, whether those poisonous insects would crawl over to bite him, how Mu Si was doing. After talking for a long time without hearing a response, he turned to look at Chi Xue and saw her snow-white face had turned slightly blue. He panicked and scrambled up, “Miss! Miss!”

He also called, “Chi Xue, Chi Xue!”

He knew this girl was the most capable maid beside Ye Shiba. Since they usually lurked near their master, they could often see this maid who seemed capable of doing everything in the world.

Although she wore a mask this time and he hadn’t recognized her in the foundling home, once they left the foundling home and learned they were also sent by their master, he knew who she was.

Besides Ye Shiba, no one else would care about these foundling home matters.

He just couldn’t call out before, since calling would expose everything. Now that he had called out, he thought this girl would open her eyes and ask him, “How do you know my name is Chi Xue?”

After calling for a long time with no response, he stared blankly for a while, spat out black blood, struggled to get up, and put Chi Xue on his back.

They couldn’t wait here to die—he had to find a doctor for this girl.

He struggled to carry Chi Xue on his back and walked forward shakily, the woman’s soft body pressed tightly against his back. But he didn’t have the slightest improper thought.

His face was suddenly lightly patted, like a small slap or just a reminder. Chi Xue’s voice came from behind, her tone not very good but her pitch low and gentle, “Hero, don’t hold so tightly.”

Zhao San made a sound of acknowledgment, then realized, “You’re awake?” Then he felt the soft pressure from behind, his face flushed red, and he relaxed his grip on Chi Xue’s knees.

“I was never unconscious, I was just annoyed by your noise.”

Zhao San made a dejected sound, thought about it and said, “How about… you change position, we go back to back?”

Chi Xue: “…”

Like carrying a statue on his back!

“Or hold you in front…” The cowardly and chattering person, hearing her silence, began to panic and speak nonsense.

Finally, Chi Xue lightly kicked his knee, and Zhao San finally quieted down.

The sound of rain on all sides mixed with light breathing, the world peaceful and quiet.

After a while, the restless Zhao San broke the atmosphere again, “I knew you found me too talkative…”

Chi Xue sighed and said nothing, quietly tightening her arms around his neck.

She lowered her eyes and saw the fine hair on the back of his neck, his ears were somewhat large and for some reason always red.

The sound of footsteps continued tapping along, accompanied by the woman’s voice gradually fading into the distance in the forest.

“No, I don’t mind.”

Author’s Note: Early July monthly votes are still double! Whether there are many votes or few, as long as there are some, I don’t mind either.