HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 665: The Crown Princess's Multiple Targets with One Arrow

Chapter 665: The Crown Princess’s Multiple Targets with One Arrow

“Using Eighth Brother’s blade to kill Second Brother’s in-laws,” Xiao Huayong appeared beside Shen Xihe, taking the umbrella from Biyu and holding it above her.

Noticing the oil-paper umbrella from the corner of her eye, Shen Xihe looked up to find most of it tilted toward her side. Her lips twitched as she grasped his hand, slowly straightening it: “Don’t think that just because Prince Jing has left, you’re no longer the weak Crown Prince.”

Xiao Huayong obligingly coughed lightly, his voice growing weaker: “Everyone knows the Crown Prince is weak, but they don’t know he values his wife above life itself. Therefore, I should demonstrate more.”

Shen Xihe let out a soft sigh through her nose, glancing at him as she stepped forward: “We’ve delayed rescuing Prince Yan, and Prince Jing knows keeping him imprisoned serves no purpose anymore. During this time, I’ve kept him too busy to handle this matter.

Bringing it up suddenly today, he must release Prince Yan, though how to do so is difficult.

Prince Yan is a living person who knows how long he’s been imprisoned. He ‘doesn’t know’ who imprisoned him and will naturally inform us, thus exposing Prince Jing’s lie about him being in Rongcheng County.

A brother goes missing, Prince Jing conceals it and lies to cover it up – this indicates he’s the one who imprisoned Prince Yan, a serious crime.”

“He has only one option: release Twelfth Brother and have him cover up the lie,” Xiao Huayong continued her thought.

Her obsidian eyes sparkled with scheming brilliance, a flash of moisture passing through them as she smiled: “To show sincerity, Prince Jing must personally explain to Prince Yan. But the performance must be good – best if Prince Jing personally rescues him.

This way, Prince Jing can explain to Prince Yan that he didn’t want to startle the snake in the grass. Seeing Prince Yan wasn’t in immediate danger, he didn’t inform us during the severe disaster to avoid adding to our worries. How could Prince Yan not be understanding and pretend he was never imprisoned?”

Xiao Huayong took tiny steps, following her closely, his gaze never leaving her for a moment. She possessed a kind of magic that constantly drew his attention, making him unwilling to look away even slightly.

In the wind and rain, their shoes inevitably got wet, leaving two sets of footprints – one large, one small – along the corridor, gradually fading into the distance.

With Xiao Changyan going to “rescue” Xiao Changgeng, Shen Xihe sent people to follow and create chaos. With Xiao Changgeng’s cooperation, it would be impossible for Xiao Changyan to deceive everyone.

Thinking of this, Shen Xihe’s smile deepened: “Doesn’t Prince Jing want to know if Prince Yan is truly loyal to him? I’ll help him find out.”

Xiao Huayong kept one hand behind his back while holding the umbrella with the other. The damp air in the cold wind entered his nostrils, making him feel refreshed.

Meanwhile, in another place…

Xiao Changyan departed in the morning and reached Rongcheng County by afternoon. Everyone there was his man. After counting and storing the transported grain in the county storehouse and issuing notices about distribution, he went to “rescue” Xiao Changgeng late at night.

Originally, everything went according to his plan. He went alone to “fight bloodily” up the mountain, found Xiao Changgeng, and was pursued by the alarmed kidnappers.

By the mountainside, both were exhausted. Xiao Changgeng had been drugged during his captivity and had no strength, relying entirely on Xiao Changyan.

“Eighth Brother, go first and find help for me,” Xiao Changgeng panted, leaning against a damp rock.

In the fine rain, without stars or moon, the night was especially dark, hiding Xiao Changyan’s expression: “Now that we’ve startled them, if you’re captured again, you surely won’t survive.”

“The darkness and slippery paths will help me hide carefully until you return with help,” Xiao Changgeng continued persuading.

“If we go, we go together.” Xiao Changyan pulled up Xiao Changgeng, practically hanging him on himself as they continued down the mountain in the misty rain.

However, they hadn’t gone far before being surrounded. Xiao Changyan protected Xiao Changgeng behind him, his movements agile, swift, and fierce. Whenever he found an opening, he delivered fatal strikes.

The damp air gradually filled with the scent of blood. Just as Xiao Changyan took down the last pursuer and before they could catch their breath, a black-clad masked figure attacked with a knife. Xiao Changyan raised his sword to block, his eyes darkening.

Such powerful force, such fierce attacks, such ruthless blade work – this wasn’t one of his men!

The attacker had clear targets – him and Xiao Changgeng – striking to kill whenever an opening appeared.

Normally in such an encounter, Xiao Changyan wouldn’t have worried much about this opponent. But now, with a weakened Xiao Changgeng to protect, and the attacker not intending to spare him either, Xiao Changyan found himself constrained. He gradually lost ground, receiving shallow cuts on his arms, chest, and even legs.

Just then, an arrow flew from the darkness. Through the rain and darkness, neither Xiao Changyan nor Xiao Changgeng noticed it immediately. By the time they saw it, it was too late to dodge.

Xiao Changgeng used all his strength to push Xiao Changyan aside. The arrow pierced his shoulder blade as he fell onto Xiao Changyan, and they both tumbled down the slope.

The black-clad figure pursued halfway before retreating upon noticing others approaching.

Xiao Changyan’s men, worried after waiting too long, had come looking for them, thus saving their lives.

“Your Highness, terrible news – the arrow that struck Prince Yan was poisoned,” the county magistrate came with a physician, face pale. “This poison… the physician cannot…”

Xiao Changgeng was wounded and seriously poisoned. To save his life, they needed medical help. The current physician was the most experienced in the county, but if he couldn’t help, then…

Whether they sought the imperial physicians who came with the Crown Prince or the Crown Princess’s doctor, Xiao Changgeng’s situation couldn’t be kept secret anymore.

Xiao Changyan closed his eyes, remembering how Xiao Changgeng had pushed him away from the arrow – otherwise, he would be the one lying there between life and death: “Send someone on horseback to request the Crown Prince dispatch a physician immediately!”

“Your Highness-” the advisor’s face changed dramatically upon hearing this.

“Go!” Xiao Changyan commanded firmly.

“Your Highness, seeking the Crown Prince’s help will surely expose everything,” the advisor urged anxiously.

Xiao Changyan grew especially stern: “Who says it will be exposed? Wasn’t someone trying to assassinate me and Twelfth Brother? Twelfth Brother was kidnapped by this person. I only kept it quiet to avoid causing panic among the people during the disaster. Whatever the crime, as long as Twelfth Brother can be saved, it won’t be serious. Go dig three feet into the ground if you must, but find whoever tried to assassinate us!”

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