Today, if Xiao Huayong truly fell from the bridge or lost his life in this incident, even if His Majesty showed the slightest hesitation in attempting a rescue, rumors of His Majesty killing his brother would spread. With so many civilians present, would they have to slaughter them all in one night?

With so many civilians present, anyone could spread rumors, as it would be difficult to trace who was stirring up trouble behind the scenes.

Emperor Youning’s firm acknowledgment of Xiao Huayong’s identity prevented him from using this incident to depose the Crown Prince in the future. He would certainly never admit to killing his brother but could have concealed that aspect while questioning Xiao Huayong’s parentage. This way, it would have been much easier for His Majesty to depose the Crown Prince.

Xiao Huayong was already paving the way for his future confrontation with His Majesty, systematically destroying each method His Majesty might use to attack him.

“Such touching father-son devotion,” Xiao Juesong said mockingly, his eyes growing cold as he tilted his head slightly.

His men drew their bows and fired arrows in one fluid motion. Several arrows flew towards them. Despite Xiao Huayong’s best efforts to dodge, one arrow still grazed his shoulder, blood quickly seeping through the light-colored fabric on his arm.

Shen Xihe’s eyes turned cold. She snatched a bow and arrow from a nearby guard, nocked the arrow, and fired. The arrow flew high over Xiao Juesong and his men, striking a guard holding a bow who tumbled from the bushes, an arrow through his brow, blood flowing freely.

Everyone was stunned by this sight, including Shen Xihe herself. She knew her archery skills, and this bow even exceeded her usual training load. She had barely managed to fire the arrow with all her might, and her lowered arm was still trembling uncontrollably.

She hadn’t expected to hit anyone, but Xiao Juesong had angered her, especially the blood on Xiao Huayong’s shoulder, which had inexplicably filled her chest with rage, leading to her impulsive shot.

Xiao Huayong gripped the bridge ropes tightly and turned to see this scene. He couldn’t suppress the upward curve of his lips, his eyes filled with dancing starlight.

Xiao Changying was momentarily dazed, gazing at the person Shen Xihe had killed before slowly turning to look at her.

Xiao Juesong also stared at the corpse that had rolled nearby before raising his head to look at Shen Xihe through narrowed eyes: “Like father, like daughter. The daughter of the unmatched heroic King of the Northwest hasn’t let down your father’s reputation.”

“Don’t hurt him,” Shen Xihe raised her chin slightly. Her back was straight, her expression calm, her voice cold and clear. “That arrow just now was payback. If he suffers even the slightest injury from you or your men again, I will desecrate your corpse inch by inch; if he falls from here, I will have your bones ground to dust, denying you peace even in death.”

The young woman’s voice was like clouds beneath the blue sky, natural and serene. She didn’t speak through gritted teeth or with harsh words but stated her unwavering determination in the most level tone.

Xiao Juesong was stunned for a moment, and surprisingly, he wasn’t angry. For a man near death, what was there to be upset about?

However, Shen Xihe’s words did threaten him. He didn’t want to be tormented after death, unable to even receive a dignified burial.

Before Xiao Juesong could respond to Shen Xihe’s words, Emperor Youning had already stepped onto the bridge. He moved with steady steps, quickly approaching Xiao Huayong. Everyone was tense, and Xiao Changying had already prepared for combat.

Xiao Juesong’s lips flattened as he watched Emperor Youning approach, their gazes meeting, both containing hidden depths.

When Emperor Youning was only five or six steps away from Xiao Huayong, Xiao Juesong gave the order: “Fire!”

“Protect His Majesty!”

Arrows rained down. Xiao Huayong quickly gripped the bridge rope with force, and almost simultaneously, Xiao Changqing rushed to the other side of the bridge. Following Xiao Huayong’s force, the bridge swung into the air, allowing both Xiao Huayong and Emperor Youning to dodge this volley of arrows as they fell onto the bridge.

With this violent swing, some of the loosened planks fell completely away. Xiao Huayong’s entire body dropped, his hands tightly gripping the rope connecting the planks, his whole body suspended in mid-air with his feet dipping into the river water.

Emperor Youning’s situation was similar to Xiao Huayong’s. To prevent Xiao Juesong’s men from hitting them, the soldiers on this side, under cover of their archers, quickly swung the bridge, not daring to stop for a moment.

The bridge couldn’t withstand such heavy swinging. The military guards on this side had already jumped into the river, preparing to assist from below. The opposite shore’s men not only wanted to kill Emperor Youning but also prevent these people from helping in the river. Many were shot in the water. At this point, Xiao Juesong personally took up a crossbow, raising the small weapon and aiming at Emperor Youning. Seeing this, Xiao Changying quickly drew his bow as well.

Xiao Juesong’s swift bolt was deflected by Xiao Changying’s arrow just before it could strike Emperor Youning. This shot, amid the fierce battle between both sides, amazed everyone, even Shen Xihe couldn’t help but be shocked.

A crossbow’s power far exceeded that of a regular bow. Under these conditions, Xiao Changying to shoot accurately was already as difficult as ascending to heaven, yet he had managed to deflect Xiao Juesong’s bolt. Such skill was possessed by very few in the world.

No wonder he had managed to evade capture for so long when being hunted back then, facing so many pursuers and blockades. Xiao Changying’s martial prowess was truly awe-inspiring.

Xiao Juesong merely glanced at Xiao Changying before suddenly raising his crossbow again, and aiming at Emperor Youning. Xiao Changying’s arrow was already nocked, though bow arrows were far slower than crossbow bolts, but Emperor Youning was closer to Xiao Changying.

His prediction was extremely precise. When Xiao Juesong first moved, making several feints, he didn’t release his arrow. Only when Xiao Juesong was truly about to fire his second shot did he release first, once again accurately deflecting Xiao Juesong’s bolt?

Xiao Juesong had thought the first arrow was mere luck, but now he couldn’t help but look at Xiao Changying with admiration.

Suddenly, he felt an indescribable jealousy toward Emperor Youning. The first half of his life had been spent in glory, yet before he could have a single child, he was forced into exile. Meanwhile, Emperor Youning had many children, and not one was incompetent.

With Xiao Changying keeping Xiao Juesong in check, Emperor Youning felt greatly relieved. However, at this moment, the sound of ropes snapping rang out.

Xiao Huayong’s body fell rapidly. Seeing this, Shen Xihe no longer paid attention to the battle here and headed downstream.

The river current was extremely swift. Once in the water, it would be impossible to control oneself against the rushing water. Even those who had jumped in to help could barely avoid being swept away by the current.

“Zhenzhu, go ask the civilians if anyone has fallen from the bridge before, and where they found the person afterward.” Shen Xihe continued downstream with Mo Yu, another idea occurring to her.

Zhenzhu hurriedly turned back, circling the battlefield toward the civilians who seemed frozen, neither daring to advance nor retreat.