Shen Xihe showed no curiosity about Bu Shulin’s words and proceeded to the next village according to Mo Yuan’s arrangements.

Staying at the wealthy household’s estate that Mo Yuan had arranged, Shen Xihe finished her evening meal and, at Zhenzhu’s suggestion, went out for a walk in the evening breeze to get some fresh air.

Standing among the mountains, she watched the sun sink inch by inch, weary birds cutting through the brilliant remaining light with their wings as they circled home. In the fields, farmers shouldered their tools and headed back as night began to fall, greeted at the village entrance by eagerly waiting children before heading home together.

Such a peaceful and beautiful scene caused Shen Xihe to become lost in thought.

As the cool evening breeze blew, Zhenzhu stepped forward to adjust the snow-white light fur draped over Shen Xihe’s shoulders. “Your Grace, it’s getting late.”

Turning around, Shen Xihe had only taken two steps when she heard the clash of blades. As she paused, Zhenzhu and Moyu had already moved to shield her.

Mo Yuan also rushed over with a group of guards, forming an impenetrable protective circle around Shen Xihe.

“Your Grace, shall this subordinate scout ahead?” The sound of clashing weapons continued unabated from beyond a mountain hollow, but they couldn’t see anyone. Mo Yuan approached Shen Xihe’s side and bowed as he asked.

Shen Xihe’s gaze swept lightly over him as she said flatly, “No need.”

Mo Yuan’s body noticeably stiffened, but he dared not disobey Shen Xihe. He was meant to be responsible for the Princess’s safety in the future – how could things work if they weren’t of one mind?

However, the Princess was so intelligent – how could she not know this path had all been arranged by the Prince? She had been cooperating until now, so why had she suddenly changed her mind? Fortunately, the person being pursued didn’t disappoint Mo Yuan’s expectations and fought their way over.

That agile figure was surrounded by more than ten attackers. He wore a fire-red fitted robe that had turned nearly black, stained with who knew how much blood. Even before he drew near, Shen Xihe could already smell the thick scent of blood.

“Without my command, no one is to move,” Shen Xihe ordered coldly, seeing Mo Yuan prepare to act.

Though surprised, Mo Yuan dared not show it, instead respectfully acknowledging with a “Yes.”

The assassins had pursued their quarry over, and though they hesitated upon seeing so many people, they noticed Shen Xihe’s group seemed merely defensive with no intention of drawing weapons to help. The lead assassin in black unhesitatingly waved his hand, commanding everyone to attack as one.

This man they had chased all the way here had cost them dearly in casualties. If they didn’t kill him, none of them would survive.

Blades swept across, blood spraying.

No matter how skilled, two fists still struggled against many hands.

“Your Grace, shall we… not offer righteous assistance?” Mo Yuan was extremely anxious.

“Those who hunt others aren’t necessarily evil or desperate; those being hunted aren’t necessarily innocent or pitiful – perhaps they brought it upon themselves.” Shen Xihe spoke without lowering her voice, stating it calmly.

Though the clash of weapons rang clear, her words still startled the pursued man enough to make him hesitate. As a blade swept across, it opened a great gash on his arm, blood spraying forth like a fountain.

The Fierce Prince Xiao Changying – Emperor Youning’s ninth son.

Was this Shen Yueshan’s choice? It seemed Noble Consort Rong’s favor truly ran deep. The Gu family had chosen Noble Consort Rong’s eldest son, Prince Xin Xiao Changqin, for Gu Qingchi, while Shen Yueshan had chosen her youngest son Xiao Changying for Shen Xihe. Both cunning old foxes were betting on Noble Consort Rong.

Today, Shen Xihe would have respected Shen Yueshan’s choice of any prince except the brothers Xiao Changqin and Xiao Changying. They made her uncomfortable.

“Let’s go,” Shen Xihe quietly instructed Mo Yuan, turning to take a detour along the back path.

Mo Yuan was so anxious his temples throbbed!

The Prince had gone to such lengths hoping the Fierce Prince would owe the Princess a life debt, but today the Princess was deliberately ignoring him.

But with Shen Xihe leaving, Mo Yuan not only dared not disobey but if he insisted on helping, wouldn’t that expose their prior knowledge of Xiao Changying? Expose that this wasn’t a coincidence? Xiao Changying had never met a woman like this – one who could watch such bloody fighting without fear, without blinking, and even suggest that the pursued might deserve their fate. Most critically, she truly could just ignore his predicament and turn away with graceful bearing!

This was outrageous!

But the typically arrogant Prince had been pursued for three full days. Though none of his wounds were fatal, he was severely exhausted. His pride truly wouldn’t allow him to bow to such a woman, but reality wouldn’t permit him to hold his head high – if he missed this chance with them, he would likely become a ghost under these assassins’ blades.

With a twist of his wrist, his sword traced dazzling patterns, cold light flashing as Xiao Changying ignored the attacks at his back to kill two assassins before him with one stroke. As he spun, he threw something toward Shen Xihe.

*Ding!* With a clear ring, a fire-red jade piece landed precisely at Shen Xihe’s feet, breaking into two halves. The split didn’t diminish the majesty of its carved flying dragon, and the character “Ying” could still be read despite being broken through the middle.

She had so many guards – she was from an important family. In the Great Xing Dynasty, few noble families wouldn’t know that on each prince’s twelfth birthday, Emperor Youning bestowed jade pendants symbolizing their status, carved with their names.

Though there might be forgeries, in such matters it was better to err on the side of caution. Earlier she could pretend ignorance and leave, but now she could not.

Knowingly refusing to save a prince in peril was a capital crime that would condemn nine generations of family. If Xiao Changying died here, she would have to accompany him to the grave, and Emperor Youning would have the perfect excuse to deal with Shen Yueshan.

The sons of heaven were all extraordinary.

With a light sigh, Shen Xihe commanded Mo Yuan: “Save him!”

Mo Yuan was an iron-blooded warrior who had grown up on the bloody Northwest frontier. The men he led were all elite Northwest soldiers, each fierce enough to fight ten men on the battlefield. Dealing with these already exhausted assassins took barely any effort at all.

When Mo Yuan had finished with everyone, Xiao Changying was kneeling on one knee, completely exhausted, his sword planted in the ground barely supporting his body.

Picking up the broken jade pendant, Shen Xihe walked slowly to stand before Xiao Changying: “Please forgive this subject’s earlier failure to recognize Your Highness. Fortunate that Your Highness isn’t dead.”

*Fortunate that Your Highness isn’t dead…*

“Puh!” The already gravely wounded Xiao Changying spat out a mouthful of blood – from anger! Yet through his blurry vision, he could only see her turn away, her snow-white fur cloak trailing waves of radiant light as she floated away with light steps.