Shao Mingyuan didn’t give a clear answer, making Prince Rui even more panicked.

At this moment, a servant reported: “Your Highness, the Side Consort has come.”

“What is she here for?” Prince Rui said reflexively, then remembering that Qiao Zhao was present, changed his words: “Please invite the Side Consort in.”

Moments later, the sound of ornaments jingling announced Li Jiǎo’s entrance.

She carried a tray in her hands with several small, delicate soup bowls placed on it.

The sounds of slaughter outside seemed not to affect Li Jiǎo whatsoever. Upon seeing Prince Rui, she immediately performed a curtsy.

“Is there something?” Prince Rui was still somewhat displeased with Li Jiǎo’s presumptuous appearance before outsiders, but considering the special circumstances, he softened his tone.

Li Jiǎo looked worried: “Your Highness hasn’t had even a sip of water all day. This concubine prepared sweet soup—please moisten your throat, Your Highness.”

“My beloved consort is so thoughtful.” Prince Rui’s brow relaxed.

After enduring for so long, he was indeed finding it difficult to bear. Earlier, he’d been too tense to notice, but now that he was inside the room and the sounds of slaughter seemed temporarily distant, he immediately felt the discomfort.

Li Jiǎo nodded toward Qiao Zhao: “Third Sister and the Marquis should also have a bowl. I’m afraid there’s still much enduring ahead.”

“Thank you, Elder Sister, but we’re fine. Neither the Marquis nor I like sweet things,” Qiao Zhao politely declined.

They had eaten and slept well, not suffering like the others, so their spirits were indeed quite good at the moment.

A flash of hurt crossed Li Jiǎo’s face, and she quickly glanced at Prince Rui.

Prince Rui had no mind for tender feelings at this time and waved his hand dismissively: “The sweet soup has been delivered, so return to your room and stay there. This isn’t something a woman should be involved in.”

Li Jiǎo felt a surge of bitterness in her heart upon hearing this.

If this wasn’t something women should be involved in, then why could Third Miss Li stand openly by Marquis Guanjun’s side?

Of course, she didn’t want to be involved in these matters, but she wasn’t a fool—she knew full well what the situation was outside.

If things reached a critical point and the prince was escorted away by protectors, would anyone think of her then?

If she, a young woman, fell into the hands of those rebels while bearing the identity of Prince Rui’s side consort, what would her fate be?

“Your Highness, this concubine wishes to stay by your side always,” Li Jiǎo pleaded.

“Sigh, I know you’re worried about me, but you’re staying here won’t help matters. Be obedient and return to your room quickly.” Prince Rui sighed and instructed a servant: “Escort the Side Consort back to her room.”

Li Jiǎo was furious but dared not show it on her face, having no choice but to leave with many backward glances.

After only about half an hour, someone came in to report: “Your Highness, Marquis, those rebels have broken through!”

Prince Rui shot to his feet, knocking over the soup bowl he’d mostly finished, and grabbed Shao Mingyuan’s sleeve: “Marquis, what do we do now?”

Shao Mingyuan’s gaze fell on the hands clutching his sleeve, his heart full of disgust.

Just because Prince Rui always liked grabbing his sleeves, he didn’t want to deal with the imperial family’s messy affairs anymore.

“Your Highness, please remain calm. This minister will go outside to take a look.”

“Good, good, Marquis, please return quickly.”

Seeing Shao Mingyuan pulling Qiao Zhao toward the exit, Prince Rui couldn’t help saying: “Why doesn’t the Marquis let the Marquis’s wife remain here? Outside, blades and arrows have no eyes, after all.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Leaving my wife here would distract me.”

Don’t joke around—once things truly became uncontrollable, he still needed to take his wife and flee far away.

Prince Rui was stunned and had nothing to say.

That Marquis Guanjun could express his love for his wife so openly—he had to admire that.

Walking outside, the sounds of slaughter grew more deafening, and arrows could be seen flying over the courtyard walls.

Seeing Shao Mingyuan emerge, the noble ministers taking refuge in Prince Rui’s courtyard all asked: “Marquis, what can be done now?”

“My lords, don’t be anxious. Allow me to go to the front and see.” Shao Mingyuan spoke while pulling Qiao Zhao forward.

Everyone couldn’t help but twitch their lips in unison.

“General, the Jinwu Guards have all been killed by the rebels. There are now over a thousand rebels surrounding us outside, and they’re preparing to break down the gate.”

“Protect my wife well.” After speaking, Shao Mingyuan looked around, then his body rose from the ground. With a spinning motion, his legs stepped on the tree trunk, alternately stepping on the trunk a few times before reaching the treetop.

Standing in the tree, he could clearly see the situation outside with the help of starlight and lamplight. Countless people wielding weapons surrounded the courtyard, and at the very front of this crowd was Jiang Yuanchao.

At this moment, Jiang Yuanchao’s vermilion robes had been dyed blood red, and in the night, his eyes sparkled like stars, staring intently at the gate.

Shao Mingyuan drew his bow and nocked an arrow, shooting it straight at Jiang Yuanchao.

Beside Jiang Yuanchao were people holding shields protectively around him. Upon hearing the movement, they immediately raised their shields to block.

The arrow pierced through the shield and into that person’s chest. Soon, more people blocked in front of Jiang Yuanchao.

Jiang Yuanchao looked up, gazing across the distance at Shao Mingyuan, revealing a faint smile.

Shao Mingyuan remained completely unmoved, and with almost no pause, his second arrow shot over.

Cries of “Protect the Young Master” immediately rose one after another.

But this arrow wasn’t aimed at Jiang Yuanchao—it landed at the gate instead.

A wretched cry rang out as a dark-faced man collapsed to the ground.

“General—” The surrounding people cried out in terror around the fallen man.

Shao Mingyuan’s expression remained unchanged as another arrow quickly flew out. This arrow took the life of a thin, pale man.

“Sir—” More mournful cries echoed.

Shao Mingyuan’s lips pressed tight as he shot another arrow. From the commotion it caused, this arrow had killed yet another rebel leader.

“Shoot him down!” Jiang Yuanchao shouted harshly.

Arrows rained toward Shao Mingyuan’s position, but before they could reach him, they all fell to the ground.

“Young Master, what do we do? That person is beyond our shooting range!”

Jiang Yuanchao’s expression changed slightly.

He had indeed underestimated Marquis Guanjun’s abilities.

Now his side held absolute advantage, and breaking in was just a matter of time, but with Shao Mingyuan there, his side kept losing important figures—a loss he was unwilling to bear.

Just as Jiang Yuanchao thought, while his side was counterattacking against Shao Mingyuan, Shao Mingyuan didn’t stop at all, shooting several more arrows. All those who fell on this side were key figures.

Jiang Yuanchao’s people began to panic.

Was the man in the tree some kind of demon? Though they were all dressed similarly, how could he pick out their leaders one by one from the crowd?

“Retreat, fall back!” Jiang Yuanchao shouted.

Shoot the horse before the rider, capture the king before the bandits—Shao Mingyuan’s earth-shattering arrows forced over a thousand people beyond shooting range, leaving the area before the gate instantly empty except for layers of corpses.

“Marquis Guanjun, do you think you can stop us with your strength alone?” Jiang Yuanchao called out loudly.

Shao Mingyuan held his bow and arrow, his dark eyes brilliant, laughing heartily: “Then by all means, come ahead!”

Under the firelight, expressions flickered across Jiang Yuanchao’s jade-pale face. Finally, he smiled across the distance at Shao Mingyuan and raised his hand: “Prepare for fire attack!”