Then the wave crashed over, and indeed there was a carriage thundering from shore, rolling forward arrogantly, crushing countless black-clothed men, then crashing into the water with a bang, stirring up giant waves and knocking down another batch of black-clothed men.

In the moment the wave passed, Xia Houchun vaguely heard creaking sounds. Through the misty water, it seemed those two wheels had retracted.

Without wheels, the carriage seemed more like a boat on water, or… like a coffin?

Who had such ingenious imagination—a carriage that could also function as a boat?

Suddenly a figure swept toward them through the wind.

His approaching posture and form were extremely graceful. In the wind and rain, his robes billowed like drifting clouds, and his long legs were eye-catching even in the darkness. With a light lift, he covered several zhang, and the swift wind and sudden rain condensed into straight lines behind him, as if carrying a transparent sword.

He stepped on those black-clothed men’s heads as he swept toward the carriage. Wherever his feet passed, those heads were stomped into the water bottom like whack-a-mole.

Tie Yan looked up, dazzled and mesmerized.

Were martial artists really this graceful?

His Ci’er had even better martial arts—she must look even more beautiful when flying.

Xia Houchun frowned.

A word the Crown Princess had once said flashed through his mind.

Showing off.

Someone still showing off at such a deadly moment landed lightly and skillfully on the carriage top. The next instant a window opened on the carriage, and that person reached out, grabbed Tie Yan, and threw him through the window. The next moment the window closed.

Xia Houchun didn’t stop him—he recognized who it was.

Platforms extended from the carriage’s four sides, and four gray-clothed men dropped down with oars in hand, rowing the carriage.

Black-clothed men tried to rush the carriage but discovered those four gray-clothed men formed a battle formation, coordinating with each other. The oars in their hands were actually forged from Deep Iron—thin yet sharp, harvesting heads in strings.

The river surface was immediately rolling with heads, a sea of deep red.

Murong Yi on the carriage top looked around and found Consort Jing’s direction. Chi Xue had endured this moment with poison but was now exhausted, while Consort Jing hung dead weight in her hands, only knowing to scream and struggle, causing her to uncontrollably sink.

She thought desperately: It’s over, the Crown Princess will be heartbroken…

Suddenly her scalp tightened as someone yanked her out of the water by her hair. Through the scalp pain, she heard the other person mutter: “Better to go bald than for Zhao San to lose his wife…”

The next moment she and Consort Jing both flew up. A hole suddenly opened in a carriage ahead—with a whoosh, she and Consort Jing shot through the window and crashed into a pile with Tie Yan inside the carriage.

Clatter clatter—a pile of miscellaneous things was thrown in through the window. Someone outside laughed: “Father-in-law and mother-in-law, this carriage is very safe—rest here. If bored, play with crickets, play chess, play backgammon, read ‘Ci Xin Chronicles,’ read storybooks… all fine, just absolutely don’t open the windows!”

Tie Yan had no time to look at that pile of things. Before the window closed, he rushed over shouting: “Go check on the Crown Princess!”

Murong Yi laughed loudly outside: “That’s my person—naturally I keep her in my heart. No need for father-in-law to worry!”

Snap—the window shut.

Isolating both killers and waves.

Tie Yan: “…”

Only now did he realize what the other had called him.

But there seemed no way to react—after all, every sentence had too many objectionable points, making him numb instead.

With the carriage window closed, the wind, rain, and killing intent outside were all blocked. This small space actually gave people a sense of complete peace and tranquility.

It just swayed much more than ordinary carriages, but thoughtfully, all four walls were fitted with handholds wrapped in deerskin to prevent injury from bumping.

The carriage interior appeared smaller than it looked outside, since this carriage was designed with a hollow bottom to help the carriage body float on water.

Though small, it had everything needed. Murong Yi had also thrown in a large pile of things—a cricket cage with a silver-headed general chirping energetically, and ‘Ci Xin Chronicles’ that were completely new, from volume one to volume nine.

Even at such a time, someone didn’t forget to please his father-in-law and mother-in-law.

But now Tie Yan had no mood for these things. He heard constant banging outside, the carriage walls shaking—obviously someone was chopping at the walls.

And obviously failing to chop through.

He also worried about the carriage taking on water, but there was none—inside was very dry with no signs of leaking.

Looking up, the carriage roof was actually set with a large crystal allowing view of the activity above. He saw a pair of boots dancing on top with light, quick steps, completely showing no sign of being in fierce combat.

Until suddenly a great splash of blood splattered the crystal, turning that view bright red. Only then did he feel as if his eyes were scalded, quickly withdrawing his gaze and closing his eyes to catch his breath.

Heart-stopping, between life and death.

Was this the kind of life Ci’er lived outside, day after day?

Consort Jing lay gasping on the ground for a long time before recovering somewhat, saying apprehensively: “How can this carriage travel on water? Don’t know if it’s sturdy…” Suddenly looking up to see a person fall on the crystal top—a pale, bloody face pressed flat, gradually clouding lifeless eyes still staring at her—she immediately screamed in fright and nearly fainted again.

Tie Yan rubbed his forehead: “Chi Xue, cover Her Majesty’s eyes.”

This person was fine—everyone’s ears would be deafened first.

Really, often he wondered how she could have given birth to a daughter like Tie Ci. Must have burned some incredibly good incense in past lives.

Or perhaps, with mother being too incompetent to protect her daughter from childhood, the daughter was forced to become capable.

Chi Xue calmly covered Consort Jing’s eyes and said in her ear: “Your Majesty, rest assured. Since this carriage was brought for His Majesty and you to use, it must be safe.”

Hearing “safe,” Consort Jing calmed somewhat, then suddenly murmured: “My mother and brother’s family are still outside? Will something happen? Could we…”

A vein jumped on Tie Yan’s forehead. Unable to bear it, he said: “You certainly remember to worry about your mother and brother’s family—why don’t you worry about Ci’er!”

Consort Jing was stunned. She truly hadn’t thought Tie Ci would face any danger—she only thought about whether such assassin attacks would affect her relatives following behind.

But with Tie Yan saying this, she became anxious too, constantly asking what dangers Tie Ci might encounter. Her questions annoyed Tie Yan, making him regret that remark.

Some people were better off staying muddled—at least they’d save others trouble.

Instead, Chi Xue also firmly told Consort Jing: “Your Majesty, rest assured. The Crown Princess has weathered all storms—she certainly won’t have problems.”

Hearing this made Tie Yan’s heart ache, but Consort Jing breathed a long sigh of relief, immediately feeling at ease. Suddenly she had mood for gossip: “What did that man call us earlier?”

Tie Yan fell silent, thinking: That little bastard.

How did Ci’er take a liking to someone with such thick skin?

He said: “Nothing. You heard wrong.”

Consort Jing also felt she’d heard wrong—how could anyone in this world dare call His Majesty and herself father-in-law and mother-in-law?

And how could the Crown Princess get involved with such martial artists? Seeing how decisively that person killed… She most feared such crude people who drew swords at the slightest disagreement. Living with such people, could one even sleep peacefully?

She had already forgotten she was currently hiding in that crude person’s carriage to escape.

Chi Xue, watching her expression and knowing since childhood what she would think, said seemingly casually: “Your Majesty, isn’t this carriage design quite ingenious? The materials inside, including every furnishing, are worth fortunes. This carriage must have cost dearly—very rare. Now pushing it into water to save people shows the carriage owner’s complete loyalty to His Majesty and Your Majesty.”

Consort Jing nodded, her expression softening somewhat.

Chi Xue really didn’t want to hear her talk, so she opened a cabinet to show Consort Jing various jewelry, perfumes, and skincare creams hidden inside.

Murong Yi had previously given Tie Ci a carriage managed by Chi Xue. She knew these carriages were extremely luxurious inside with everything available. Sure enough, Consort Jing was attracted by these things, but Chi Xue noticed she seemed to have lost her former interest in the precious skincare creams she usually loved most.

Leaning against Consort Jing, Chi Xue suddenly sniffed. She felt that in the water vapor, she smelled an extremely peculiar fragrance.

This peculiar fragrance seemed vaguely familiar, yet she couldn’t remember where she’d smelled or heard of it.

Regarding her question, Consort Jing stroked her face and told her somewhat proudly that she’d recently used an extremely effective cream that had greatly improved her skin. The cream was very precious and couldn’t be mixed with other creams, so these things were temporarily unnecessary for her.

Saying this, Chi Xue noticed the fragrance was indeed emanating from Consort Jing. Usually they maintained distance, and tonight they’d been soaked, so only now could she smell it.

She asked about the cream’s origin. Consort Jing said: “A recipe from Nanny Qin’s hometown.”

Chi Xue relaxed, since Nanny Qin was reliable. Consort Jing had indeed become much paler. She cared so much about appearance—why hadn’t she used such a good recipe before?

Perhaps previously without favor, she hadn’t bothered.

Like Tie Ci and Tie Yan, Chi Xue didn’t like talking much with Consort Jing.

Tie Yan also vaguely smelled this scent—indeed very pleasant—and noticed Consort Jing had become paler. But this discovery only worsened his mood, making him move further away.

The carriage swayed violently, inevitably causing everyone to bump together. Tie Yan worriedly watched blood traces on the crystal top quickly washed by rain into faint pink, thinking: If this was Yannan’s method to prevent the Crown Princess from touring, being so arrogant and powerful while still in the capital, what would happen once Tie Ci reached their territory?

He began thinking of persuading Tie Ci not to go.

Ci’er said without eliminating the Three Feudatories, the Xiao Family couldn’t be completely taken down. If they couldn’t be taken down, so be it—couldn’t they coexist peacefully? He could compromise somewhat, as long as Ci’er was safe.

They hadn’t stayed in the carriage long before feeling it pushed back to shore, sensing slight ground tremors. He said joyfully: “The Blood Cavalry has arrived!”

After a while, the carriage exit opened with someone waiting beside it, personally helping him down.

Tie Yan’s gaze lingered on those snow-white, slender, distinctly jointed fingers, then as if not seeing them, he jumped down himself.

Murong Yi, whose attempt at courtesy failed, wasn’t angry. Licking his lips, he followed with a smile.

The river was full of floating corpses. Xia Houchun, wounded, was directing the arriving Blood Cavalry and Scorpion Camp to surround remaining assassins trying to break out.

Because they wanted live captives, no arrows were shot.

The main force basically remained on the other side of the river. With the Nine Guards present, though chaotic briefly, there weren’t major casualties. The assassins had focused their main energy on the river.

A rider charged from the distance, passing through crowds where everyone bowed their heads. The rider didn’t stop.

Murong Yi’s eyes lit up as he waved from afar. That horse reached the riverbank where people quickly set up a floating bridge. Tie Ci crossed on horseback.

Seeing Father and Mother Consort safe and sound, she breathed a long sigh of relief and smiled at Murong Yi.

Murong Yi looked her up and down, confirming she was unharmed, and also smiled.

Unlike what Tie Ci expected, he didn’t take the opportunity to claim credit—he said nothing.

Murong Yi felt: What was there to say?

Wasn’t it natural for a man to protect his father-in-law and mother-in-law?

Now all assassins were surrounded. The disadvantage of initially dividing the Emperor’s party into three sections for assassination now showed—assassins were divided into three locations for annihilation, unable to coordinate, support each other, or escape.

But these people were ruthless enough. Seeing escape impossible, they committed suicide one after another.

Finally only a group on the opposite shore remained. Xia Houchun fought desperately, determined not to give them time even to suicide.

That group fought while retreating toward a forest. Tie Ci pursued, originally guarding against traps in the forest. Sure enough, several people emerged from the forest, holding a man and woman hostage.

The lead masked man said coldly: “Release us! Or we’ll kill them!”

From the group of ministers’ wives behind Consort Jing, someone rushed out: “Dunzhi! Xiuyue!”

Tie Ci raised her eyebrows. How had these two left the main force and been captured by assassins?

Looking at their disheveled state, covered in water and mud, they must have been captured for some time.

Murong Yi muttered: Idiots!

Despite his precautions against assassins, he had specifically kept this idiot nearby during the earlier hunt—not out of regard for Tie Ci’s relative, purely to prevent these fools from causing Tie Ci trouble. But just from one rendezvous, trouble still came.

Wang Shi rushed from the crowd, seeing her son and screaming, then turning to prostrate before the Emperor and Consort Jing: “Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Save Dunzhi! Please save Dunzhi!”

Master and Madam Tan also exclaimed: “Xiuyue, how are you here!”

Consort Jing looked at the Emperor in panic. The Emperor frowned.

Tie Ci said: “That’s exactly what I want to ask—how are these two here, captured as hostages by assassins?”

Wang Shi’s face stiffened. Her eyes rolled as she quickly said: “Dunzhi was always following everyone. Seeing His Majesty under attack, he must have been anxious and rushed to fight the assassins, thus being captured!”

Tie Ci was almost amused by her shamelessness. Before she could speak, Murong Yi already said wonderingly: “Do you think everyone has river water in their brains like you? With so many guard experts unable to cross this river, how did your weakling son get into the water, pass so many assassins, reach the other shore, then get captured by assassins?”

He said with complete seriousness: “Your Majesty, this matter is suspicious! Tan Dunzhi and Tan Xiuyue, two people without martial arts, safely crossed the river and now became hostages completely unharmed—they must be colluding with assassins!”

The Emperor almost laughed out loud.

What a marvelous person.

Actually following Wang Shi’s nonsense with more nonsense. This way, the Tan siblings were no longer imperial relatives whose non-rescue would bring criticism, but spies suspected of collaborating with enemies.

Then not rescuing couldn’t be blamed on him.

Wang Shi hadn’t expected such a development. Speechless and before she could figure out how to salvage the situation, Tan Xiuyue was already saying heartbrokenly: “Young Master… why slander us? I… my brother and I clearly went to find Your Highness… and you, and were captured by assassins!”

Murong Yi looked her up and down: “Who are you?”

Asked with complete sincerity.

Tie Ci nearly laughed out loud.

Originally seeing Tan Xiuyue had actually run into the forest seeking Murong Yi, she wanted to tease him. Thinking about it, she decided against it—that person needed no teasing to infuriate Tan Xiuyue to death. If she added provocation, he might turn to revenge against Tan Xiuyue, and that girl might die of shame and anger any minute.

Murong Yi more sincerely conducted soul-searching interrogation: “Miss, I don’t know you—how could you risk entering the forest to find me? If you’re going to lie, could you find a reasonable excuse? Your Majesty, look—their words are full of holes. They must be spies!”

The last sentence turned to the Emperor, righteous with indignation.

The Emperor bit his cheeks to keep from laughing.

But Consort Jing couldn’t laugh, because Wang Shi, seeing the situation unfavorable, grabbed her skirt and cried loudly: “Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Dunzhi is loyal and devoted to His Majesty and Your Majesty—how could he be a spy!”

The assassins in the forest shouted: “We don’t know these two either, but seeing them searching for the Crown Princess in the forest, we invited them as guests. Speaking of which, these two are the Crown Princess’s cousin and cousin-sister? And were captured while seeking the Crown Princess—does the legendarily benevolent and wise Crown Princess show no care for blood relatives?”

Wang Shi cried louder, kowtowing to the Emperor while pulling her mother-in-law: “Mother, mother, Dunzhi is so dangerous—he’s your most beloved grandson. Please beg His Majesty and Her Majesty!”

Lü Shi actually went over to them hesitantly.

Consort Jing also turned those tearful, pitiful rabbit eyes toward the Emperor, preparing to speak.

Tie Ci’s scalp exploded.

Now she knew whose temperament Consort Jing resembled!

But today Murong Yi was here.

With him present, no one could cause trouble.