The Third Prince jumped down from the second floor with a cloak-wrapped bundle in hand, landing with a remarkably solid thud.

His backside aching from the fall, he pointed at Shen Jing nearby and said in a trembling voice: “You didn’t… even catch me…”

After the fierce battle just now, the Third Prince’s guards were either dead or wounded, and not one came forward to receive him!

At that moment, the Wei people seemed to spot the remains of Sui Yin, who had died brutally inside the ground-floor room. They let out miserable howls like wolves, seemingly determined to avenge Sui Yin at all costs, even if it meant perishing together.

“Are all the stakes in the forest outside removed?” Xiaoying anxiously asked Feng Yuan.

Feng Yuan set Xiaoying down: “Mu Hanjiang is outside directing the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards in clearing the area. It should be almost done!”

So Xiaoying called out loudly, “Retreat!”

All those still alive, under cover from Feng Yuan’s men, rushed out in full force. The wounded were carried out on others’ backs.

Feng Yuan led men to guard the door and cover their retreat. After everyone had evacuated, Xiaoying took out a fire starter, lit it, and threw it into the room.

The floor of the post station had been soaked with oil. As soon as the spark touched it, flames leaped up. The attackers who hadn’t managed to escape from the room had oil soaking their bodies. When they tried to rush out through the door, their bodies were wrapped in tongues of flame, causing them to scream in agony.

However, two Wei country experts broke through the roof from the second floor, then jumped down and fled in a sorry state.

Xiaoying watched as the post station was engulfed in towering flames. Just as she was about to mock the fleeing bandits as usual, she caught sight of Mu Hanjiang’s gaze upon her.

The elegant young master had just finished an intense battle in the forest to ensure Feng Yuan could enter the post station smoothly. Now he sat exhausted on a large rock with his sword, but his eyes were fixed sharply on Xiaoying.

No, just because she looked like the Crown Prince, why did Young Master Mu need to stare at her so intently?

Xiaoying knew she had revealed too much today and might very well end up in the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards’ torture chamber along with the Wei country bandits.

She gathered herself, then turned to Feng Yuan with tears welling in her eyes, sobbing: “Why did you take so long to arrive? This servant was almost frightened to death! If not for the Third Prince’s valor and composure, which bolstered everyone’s spirits and stabilized our morale, this servant might never have seen the Grand Prince again!”

After speaking, she pouted and collapsed into Feng Yuan’s embrace, crying.

Although Feng Yuan knew she was pretending, he still held her tenderly, rocking her gently as if soothing a child.

The Third Prince now stared with round eyes, utterly shocked at the sobbing young lady.

Truth be told, after arriving at the post station, he had been knocked out by a pot of drugged aromatic meat.

After being awakened by a bowl of cold water splashed on his face, all he had said was “What’s happening,” “What’s going on,” and “What.”

Besides that, he truly couldn’t remember saying any inspirational golden quotes that had boosted morale.

This young lady had shot people without even blinking just moments ago, but now, nestled in his eldest brother’s arms, she was as soft and delicate as a little kitten!

What kind of tactic was this? Why was she heaping such praise on him?

But if their rescue was due to the young lady’s capable command, the Third Prince’s male pride couldn’t accept it.

So when he heard the young lady vividly describe how he had led everyone in resisting the bandits, the Third Prince kept a wooden face, neither denying nor confirming.

Finally, unable to bear the lady’s flattery, which made his face burn, he impatiently interrupted and asked Mu Hanjiang and the others: “How did you circle back?”

Mu Hanjiang looked down at his mud-covered feet and tattered trousers, then pointed to the nearby mountain: “It took two hours. We came back over that mountain.”

This time, not only had Feng Yuan, Mu Hanjiang, and the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards he summoned returned, but also soldiers temporarily dispatched from a nearby military camp.

In the camp, there was a centurion who had been a local hunter. Upon hearing the bridge was broken, he had led them on an overnight mountain trek, taking little-known mountain paths, and managed to return just before dawn.

Recalling the forced march, even the veteran soldiers were exhausted, their calves cramping, but the Grand Prince seemed obsessively tireless, constantly urging them forward.

Mu Hanjiang knew he probably wasn’t worried about the Third Prince, nor would he risk his life racing back just for a few rebels.

Upon their return, the Grand Prince’s eyes were indeed fixed solely on the servant girl called “Ying’er.” Earlier, even with ambushes all around outside and unknown circumstances inside the post station, Feng Yuan had charged in first.

Feng Yuan… truly doted extremely on this woman. It wasn’t to humiliate the Crown Prince that he had deliberately sought someone with a similar appearance…

This attack on the post station involved so many Wei country experts, and even included Sui Yin, a top disciple of Chen Xifan.

Four years ago, this man had escorted a Wei princess to the capital for a political marriage. Because his pair of curved blades had killed countless Wei heroes, many people had sought him out for duels.

In front of the post station, Sui Yin had consecutively killed twenty jianghu challengers, displaying extreme arrogance.

Mu Hanjiang, who had been infiltrating Wei country and thus wasn’t in the capital, hadn’t personally witnessed Sui Yin’s arrogance, but he knew he was a top expert.

It was said that afterward, he went into seclusion with Chen Xifan, likely making his martial arts even more advanced.

With such a formidable lineup, how had the Third Prince and his group managed to hold out until reinforcements arrived?

In such a dangerous situation, even if he had been there, he might not have been able to delay them so effectively. When had the Third Prince become so capable?

Mu Hanjiang knew in his heart: those who had truly earned the merit must have been the Grand Prince’s guard Shen Jing, and people like Meng Zhun!

Only those with rich combat experience could have so shrewdly contained those Wei country experts.

During the time spent regrouping and making arrangements, Mu Hanjiang invited the Third Prince aside and casually asked about the situation at the time.

The Third Prince, always proud, kept a wooden face as he briefly described the attack and defense. But in the end, his sense of shame prevailed, and he didn’t mention that all of it had been that young lady’s idea.

Mu Hanjiang listened with furrowed brows, especially when hearing about Sui Yin dying in a trap ambush. Why did these ingenious tactics that used minimal force to achieve maximum effect seem familiar, like the work of an old acquaintance?

By the end, his sharp gaze swept over Meng Zhun and his group, who were bandaging their wounds. Suddenly, he had a feeling: The Little King of Hell wasn’t dead, but among that group of people!

But which one could it be? Looking at their physiques, none resembled the masked person he had encountered that night!

Mu Hanjiang wanted to ask more, but Feng Yuan approached, interrupting his words.

By now, the fire at the post station hadn’t completely died out, and the sky was gradually brightening. Local officials arrived in distress, bringing yamen runners and coroners to examine the corpses and identify the bandits’ remains.

With the two princes having encountered trouble in their jurisdiction, each official feared losing their head, so they were very diligent in their examinations.

In the forest, some who weren’t quite dead had been captured and bound.

They appeared to be disguised as a merchant caravan from the north, displaying papers of a merchant group from beyond the frontier.

During the body examination, they discovered that most of these bandits had tattoos, specifically Wei territory blessing patterns that Wei people received during their twelve-year-old blessing ceremony. This proved they were Wei people disguised as merchants.

As for the experts who had charged into the building, apart from a few who escaped, the rest had been trapped in the post station and burned to death. Their bodies were charred, leaving no traces to follow.

As for the captives, they had been trained, and all bit into poison pouches hidden in their teeth, attempting suicide.

Fortunately, Mu Hanjiang moved swiftly, dislocating two men’s jaws, and ordered the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards to take them aside for thorough interrogation.

During this time, Yan Xiaoying whispered to the Third Prince: “Third Prince, I remember your foresight in cutting off a bandit’s head and arm earlier. It would be perfect to show them to these officials now.”

The Third Prince’s face reddened again from the flattery.

It wasn’t his foresight at all. It was this young lady who, after examining the bandit she had drugged, had told him to cut off the tattooed arm along with the man’s head, and take everything out of the fire scene.

When the blood-stained cloak bundle was opened, everyone gathered around to identify the man.

Xiaoying found a good spot, particularly focusing on Mu Hanjiang’s expression.

Mu Hanjiang showed no reaction upon initially seeing the man’s face, but when he saw the tattooed arm, he first studied the pattern intently, and finally must have noticed the unsuccessfully altered “Yong” character tattoo, as his expression immediately grew grave.

Feng Yuan noticed it too, looking up at Mu Hanjiang and asking calmly: “Young Master Mu, does this person look familiar to you?”

If this truly was someone from the “Yong” rank of Dragon Scale Shadow Guards, who were all prominent figures in the organization, Mu Hanjiang should recognize him.

Mu Hanjiang said with a solemn expression: “I don’t recognize him, but on his arm… it seems…”

Mu Hanjiang didn’t continue, as there were too many yamen runners and miscellaneous people around.

If he were to say this person who colluded with Wei bandits had once borne the “Yong” character mark of the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards, it would inevitably bring unnecessary trouble to the organization.

So he ordered people to bring coarse salt and lime powder to properly preserve the arm and head for anti-decay treatment, planning to take them back to the capital for his mother to help identify.

If it were an old member of the Shadow Guards, it would be more appropriate to have Princess Anqing, who had managed the Shadow Guards for a long time, make the identification.

Xiaoying saw that Mu Hanjiang wasn’t lying. She poked Feng Yuan and then glanced at the head.

Feng Yuan guessed Xiaoying’s thoughts. Since she couldn’t speak freely now, he had to convey her message with authority.

When the surrounding people dispersed, Feng Yuan said, “Young Master Mu, let me keep this bandit’s head and arm! Regardless, as the young master of the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards, you should avoid suspicion!”

Hearing him say this, Mu Hanjiang also realized Feng Yuan had recognized the “Yong” character. But the words “avoid suspicion” were particularly irritating to his ears!

“What do you mean by that? Do you think today’s events have something to do with me?”

During the bridge incident, he had nearly been smashed to pieces! Feng Yuan’s words were unacceptable to Mu Hanjiang.

Just then, Xiaoying, hiding behind Feng Yuan, poked his waist again, signaling him not to let the conversation become too hostile.

Feng Yuan reached behind and held her slender fingers to stop her from poking him, then said to Mu Hanjiang: “Come with me to the forest to talk.”

Feng Yuan and Mu Hanjiang went into the small forest, and Xiaoying couldn’t follow them, leaving her somewhat idle.

The Third Prince limped over to her, looking her up and down: “You… why did you speak that way earlier? Were you deliberately trying to embarrass me?”

Xiaoying could flatter bulls without even drafting her words, maintaining a straight face: “I only spoke the truth! I was terrified at the time, but seeing the Third Prince beside me, I felt very secure. If not for the Third Prince stabilizing morale, how could these people have held out until reinforcements arrived?”

When the young lady looked up to speak, she had the pure and gentle charm of a neighbor’s sister, especially those big eyes that could deceive without consequence, blinking with such sincerity!

Having heard these tales so many times, the Third Prince began to vaguely believe there might be some truth to them.

“But how do you know martial arts? And your archery is so good?” During that chaotic battle, this young lady’s performance had been particularly outstanding, catching everyone’s eye and impossible to dismiss.

Xiaoying sighed: “It’s all because of my admiration for the Grand Prince! The Grand Prince likes women skilled in martial arts. Originally, there were five or six selected young ladies, and the Grand Prince chose the best—whoever had the best martial arts skills won! Fortunately, I grew up following my father on boats and can fight well. I scratched other girls’ faces and thus got close to the Grand Prince! But the Grand Prince still thought my skills weren’t refined enough, so he made me practice martial arts and archery daily! I don’t get a single day’s rest!”

This was the first time the Third Prince had heard such a thing, and he felt his elder brother’s process for selecting concubines was more reliable than the palace’s selection of consorts!

He was somewhat skeptical, looking at Xiaoying suspiciously.

Xiaoying simply rolled up her sleeve: “If you don’t believe me, look at these bruises from when the Grand Prince threw me down in the training field the other day!”

The mottled blue marks on her arm indeed looked quite pitiful.

The Third Prince couldn’t help but give Xiaoying a sympathetic look: “So my elder brother doesn’t know how to cherish beauty! If you find it too difficult, perhaps…”

“Perhaps what?”

Accompanied by these cold words, Feng Yuan had returned and suddenly appeared behind them with a murderous aura.

But he was looking at Yan Xiaoying’s exposed arm as the gloomy young master reached out his long arm and unceremoniously pulled down Xiaoying’s sleeve!

“Aren’t you afraid of the cold? It’s freezing, why are you exposing your arm?”

Xiaoying looked up with a smile, then blinked innocently.

Mu Hanjiang followed behind Feng Yuan. Whatever they had discussed earlier seemed to be troubling him, and he hadn’t paid much attention to her interaction with the Third Prince.

When everyone started to regroup for departure, Mu Hanjiang finally remembered his earlier concerns and spoke privately with Feng Qiwu again: “Third Prince, was there anything strange during your night at the post station?”

The Third Prince opened his mouth, somewhat puzzled: “What aspect are you asking about?”

“For instance, who exactly commanded tonight’s operation in the post station?”

Mu Hanjiang knew the Third Prince too well! When they had suppressed bandits in Jiangzhe together, it was he who had assisted the Third Prince, with all military matters ultimately decided by him.

Could the Third Prince have calmly directed everyone to safety in such a dangerous situation? Mu Hanjiang was the first to disbelieve it!

Feng Qiwu felt his pride wounded: “What do you mean? Why couldn’t it be me?”

Mu Hanjiang carefully chose his words, diplomatically saying: “Tonight’s ghost strategy doesn’t seem like the work of a dignified man, but rather has… some of the Little King of Hell’s cunning style!”

Hearing this, the Third Prince’s brows immediately furrowed.

He had witnessed with his own eyes that tonight’s operation was commanded by his elder brother’s little concubine.

According to Mu Hanjiang’s words, wouldn’t that woman be the Little King of Hell who had once run circles around them?

How could that be possible! The Third Prince instinctively felt Mu Hanjiang’s paranoia was acting up, likely to harm an innocent person.

Although Mu Hanjiang appeared cultured and measured in speech daily, once he entered the torture chamber, it was as if he were possessed, completely transformed inside and out. His interrogation methods were cold-blooded and extremely ruthless.

He had just seen those two Wei people who failed to commit suicide now in the mountain ravine, with three toes cut off by the Shadow Guards, their dislocated jaws causing them to wail miserably.

If, because of groundless suspicion, wouldn’t that young lady be captured by Mu Hanjiang into the secret prison, tortured inch by inch?

The young lady’s arm was covered in blue bruises, along with her sad life story, truly aroused the Third Prince’s chivalrous heart.

A fragile woman, living under the breath of a madman elder brother, practicing martial arts daily while serving him attentively was already difficult enough. Why should she also be targeted by the Shadow Guards’ leader?

This young lady had risked her life to protect him! She was Feng Qiwu’s life-saving benefactor!

Thinking of this, the Third Prince made up his mind and said without a trace of shame: “Of course it was Meng Zhun and the others who planned it. They used to hang around with the Little King of Hell, so they probably learned some of his techniques. Nothing strange about that.”

Mu Hanjiang narrowed his eyes without speaking. The Third Prince had always been candid with him and wouldn’t deceive him without a reason for a mere bandit.

Perhaps he was overthinking?

With this thought, his gaze wandered to the young lady who resembled the Crown Prince.

She hadn’t gotten into the carriage yet, perhaps still recovering from the shock. Wrapped in a cloak, she sat beside the Grand Prince near the fire, allowing him to feed her pastries. With crumbs at the corners of her mouth, she appeared lazy as a cat.

For a moment, this young lady again overlapped with the casual youth in his memory.

That youth was also so greedy for food, always satisfying his appetite first, regardless of circumstances…

No wonder Xiaoying was eating so heartily. She had stayed up all night without much food, and her slender arms were exhausted from shooting arrows.

So after the Grand Prince fed her a piece of pastry to fill her stomach, she joined everyone in boarding the carriages to depart.

Since the Grand Prince’s horse had died, he shared a carriage with Xiaoying.

Inside the carriage, Xiaoying was too lazy to sit up and lay her head on Feng Yuan’s thigh, groaning.

“Gentler, what kind of massage is this? You’re about to snap my tendons!”

The Grand Prince was skilled in many things, but not in giving massages. Without looking, she could tell the bruises on her arms were going to increase.

Those delicate arms in his hands were like noodles being kneaded.

“Last time you massaged me, your strength was too much, leaving my arm bruised for a long time. Forget it, I don’t need your help!”

As she spoke, Xiaoying tried to withdraw her arm but was skillfully caught by Feng Yuan, who pulled her into his embrace.

Xiaoying helplessly pushed against him. Earlier, when she had wanted to bandage her adopted father and the others’ wounds, Feng Yuan hadn’t allowed it.

So she was quite concerned and wanted to sit in the same carriage as her adopted father and the others.

“There are physicians with the carriage, you don’t need to do it. Besides, men and women should be separate. How can you casually touch a man’s body?”

Xiaoying glanced sideways: “That’s reasonable talk, you should have told me earlier!”

When she had bandaged his wounds, why hadn’t this gentleman cried out about the separation of men and women? If he had mentioned it earlier, she wouldn’t have gotten entangled with him.

Feng Yuan, receiving her reproachful glare, couldn’t help but caress her slender wrist.

“Besides your arm hurting, where else are you injured?”

As he spoke, Feng Yuan scanned her up and down, seemingly wishing he could personally examine Xiaoying’s body.

Xiaoying leaned lazily in his embrace: “I wasn’t injured! I listened to you, knew my limits, and didn’t do anything reckless. I didn’t even go downstairs to cause trouble for Shen Jing and the others! However, this Wei attack seems suspicious. They seem to know our entire journey’s itinerary.”

They could calmly saw through the bridge and set an ambush at the post station. Without someone aiding them, how would they dare to be so bold?

The first person that flashed into Xiaoying’s mind was Princess Anqing!

At Yao City post station, she had encountered her adopted father and stopped to exchange some words, seemingly testing him.

Could it be that her adopted father had accidentally discovered Princess Anqing’s secret activities in Jiangzhe years ago, resulting in false accusations and the tragic extermination of his entire family?