“Fourth… Fourth Brother?”

Ye Li stared blankly at Xu Qingbo who stood protectively before her. A long sword had pierced through from behind him, with blood dripping from its tip onto her clothes and spotting her jade-like, beautiful face.

“Li’er…” Xu Qingbo gave a bitter smile, his body trembling involuntarily from the intense pain. Behind him, Qin Feng finally withdrew his hand, only to witness this heart-stopping scene. He swiftly dodged a sword thrust from someone nearby and struck back. The assassin, who had intended to deliver another blow, was instantly cleaved in two by Qin Feng’s sword energy.

“Princess Consort! Fourth Young Master!” Seeing the incident, other guards quickly converged on their position. This was their oversight – everyone knew of the Princess Consort’s martial prowess, so most had focused on fighting the enemy instead, never expecting her to encounter danger. Though their tightened formation now made it harder to eliminate the assassins, it also prevented any further attacks on their charges.

Qin Feng surveyed the surroundings before stepping forward to ask, “Princess Consort, you…”

Ye Li bit her lip lightly and said in a deep voice, “I’m fine. Check how Fourth Brother is doing?”

Qin Feng could see that the assassin hadn’t wounded the Princess Consort – most of the blood on her was from Xu Qingbo. Xu Qingbo had already fallen into a semi-conscious state. After carefully examining Xu Qingbo’s injuries, Qin Feng pressed several acupoints and said with slight relief, “The vital points weren’t hit, but Fourth Young Master has lost too much blood. We need to stop the bleeding and bandage him quickly, otherwise…” But they were surrounded by assassins and couldn’t break through.

“We’ve sent the signal. The city guards will arrive soon,” Qin Feng said softly, noting Ye Li’s pale complexion.

Ye Li nodded, carefully supporting Xu Qingbo to avoid aggravating his sword wound and causing more bleeding.

The Prince’s guards in the city arrived swiftly, led by Feng Zhiyao and Xu Qingfeng. Breaking through the encirclement, Xu Qingfeng’s eyes reddened at the sight of his blood-covered brother. “Fourth Brother! Li’er…”

“Princess Consort, Fourth Young Master…” Feng Zhiyao, arriving close behind, felt his heart clench until he saw Ye Li was unharmed. He and Xu Qingfeng had been resting at the relay station when they saw Qin Feng’s signal and rushed to the scene, finding it already in bloody chaos. Cold light flashed in Feng Zhiyao’s eyes as he ordered, “Kill them all! Just leave two alive for questioning!”

Seeing Feng Zhiyao and Xu Qingfeng, Ye Li also felt relieved, but her vision began to darken. She grabbed Xu Qingfeng’s arm and said, “Third Brother, take Fourth Brother to the medical hall… quickly!” Xu Qingfeng nodded grimly, “I understand.” He carefully lifted Xu Qingbo, avoiding the embedded sword, and left under guard escort. Ye Li stood with support from Feng Zhiyao and Qin Feng, but her body, which had been feeling severely unwell, grew even colder as she relaxed. Her vision went black and she collapsed.

“Princess Consort?!”

“A’Li!” A sharp cry came from the street corner as a swift horse approached. A white-robed figure leaped from it, sending a blade of sword energy through the air that struck down the assassins nearest to Ye Li with bloody chest wounds.

Mo Xiuyao landed and grimly took Ye Li from Feng Zhiyao’s arms, anxiously calling, “A’Li… A’Li…” He reached to check her pulse, but his hands – which had never trembled even while wielding the Blood-Drinking Sword – now shook so much he couldn’t find it. His handsome features showed anxious gloom, with hints of violence in his brow. Seeing this wasn’t right, Feng Zhiyao quickly said, “Your Highness, the Princess Consort isn’t injured. She just fainted.” Indeed, even without taking her pulse, one could see Ye Li’s breathing was steady – Mo Xiuyao was simply too worried to think clearly.

Mo Xiuyao paused, seemingly regaining his composure as clarity returned to his eyes. He took Ye Li’s wrist again to check her pulse. Though not an expert, as a martial artist he could read basic pulse patterns. Confirming her pulse was steady with no signs of internal injury, external wound, or poison, his expression softened slightly. Feng Zhiyao added, “This servant has already sent for a doctor. Perhaps Your Highness should first have the Princess Consort properly settled.”

“Your Highness, there are rest chambers in the flower garden. Perhaps we should take the Princess Consort there to rest?” Madam Sun approached, her face pale. If anything happened to the Princess Consort here today, the Sun family would be held accountable regardless of their involvement. So even though her legs still trembled with fright, she had to come forward.

Mo Xiuyao lifted Ye Li, gave Madam Sun a cool glance, and strode toward the garden.

The doctors arrived quickly. Just as Mo Xiuyao had settled Ye Li in a small building in the flower garden under Madam Sun’s guidance, Qin Feng and Feng Zhiyao entered, each bringing a doctor. These weren’t military physicians from the Prince’s forces, but doctors brought from nearby clinics on Mo Xiuyao’s orders. Both were terrified at being suddenly seized and brought here. Seeing the white-haired, grim-faced Mo Xiuyao sitting by the bed, their legs gave out and they collapsed.

Madam Sun quickly helped them up, saying, “Doctors, please check the Princess Consort’s pulse quickly.”

Her reminder brought them back to their senses. Though their limbs felt weak, they approached the bed but dared not get too close to Mo Xiuyao there. Mo Xiuyao gave a light snort, studied the doctors briefly, and then stood to give them space.

Though not particularly distinguished, the doctors worked in clinics that saw all sorts of people and weren’t completely ignorant of current affairs. They could guess whose Princess Consort lay before them and grew even more cautious under Mo Xiuyao’s threatening gaze. They took turns checking Ye Li’s pulse and exchanging diagnostic glances. But Mo Xiuyao had no patience for this, demanding, “How is A’Li?”

One doctor frowned and checked the pulse again, seeming to finally confirm something before bowing with his colleague to Mo Xiuyao: “Please be at ease, Your Highness. The Princess Consort is not in danger.”

Mo Xiuyao’s expression didn’t improve as he asked darkly, “I’m asking why she won’t wake up!”

The old doctor trembled and quickly replied, “Your… Your Highness, the Princess Consort is almost three months pregnant. Her unconsciousness… is likely because the young prince in her womb was frightened…”

“What did you say?!” Everyone was stunned. Mo Xiuyao grabbed the doctor’s collar and demanded answers. The terrified doctor could barely speak. His colleague quickly explained, “Your Highness, the Princess Consort is indeed with child, and hasn’t suffered any other harm…”

In the room, Feng Zhiyao, Qin Feng, and Madam Sun all sighed in relief before breaking into joy. Feng Zhiyao stepped forward to rescue the poor doctor Mo Xiuyao was nearly strangled, saying, “Congratulations, Your Highness. The Prince’s manor will soon have another young master.” Mo Xiuyao finally came to his senses and sat by the bed, staring at his sleeping beloved. Feng Zhiyao shrugged helplessly and turned to consult with the doctors, “Is the Princess Consort truly alright? When will she wake?”

The doctor said quietly, “The Princess Consort received quite a shock, and the young prince’s vital energy is somewhat weak, likely from fright. The Princess Consort’s sleep is protecting the child. We will prescribe some medicines to stabilize the pregnancy and calm the spirit. The Princess Consort will certainly wake within two or three days.”

Feng Zhiyao looked at both doctors seriously and asked, “Are you certain?”

The doctors nodded miserably, “We guarantee the Princess Consort is truly fine. She is remarkably healthy – with today’s incident, most women would likely have lost the child. The Princess Consort only experienced slight pregnancy discomfort, nothing serious.” Feng Zhiyao finally nodded in satisfaction, “That’s good then. I’ll trouble you both to stay at the Prince’s manor these few days to look after the Princess Consort. Of course, you’ll receive satisfactory compensation.”

The doctors knew they had no choice but to agree. They were led away by Feng Zhiyao’s men to prepare prescriptions and medicines.

After Ye Li took the medicine and was settled, her color improved notably even in sleep, and Mo Xiuyao’s dark expression finally warmed slightly. When Feng Zhiyao reported that all assassins had been captured, Mo Xiuyao carefully adjusted Ye Li’s blanket before standing to leave.

In the outer hall, Madam Sun still waited, not daring to leave without permission. Seeing Mo Xiuyao emerge, she stepped forward and knelt, saying gravely, “Sun Yu’er begs Your Highness for punishment.”

Mo Xiuyao gave a light snort and said coolly, “Tell me the assassins’ origin within one hour. If you can’t…” Before he could finish, Madam Sun quickly said, “Thank you for Your Highness’s mercy. This servant understands.” She bowed and hurried away.

Mo Xiuyao walked outside and glanced at Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, and Lin Han standing at the door, saying darkly, “I’ll deal with your dereliction of duty after A’Li wakes. If anything else happens to her…” Qin Feng responded solemnly, “This servant accepts the command.” Mo Xiuyao snorted and strode away. Zhuo Jing and Lin Han, standing beside him, sighed. Zhuo Jing patted Qin Feng’s shoulder in comfort before hurrying after Mo Xiuyao with Lin Han.

Now in the Sun family’s flower garden, though many people were present, the atmosphere was frighteningly tense. In the outer garden by the waterside pavilion, all the noble ladies and young misses who had attended the gathering were detained. Though September in the Western Imperial City was already quite cold, these privileged women faced the expressionless Imperial soldiers and had stood in the chilly wind for over an hour, none daring to complain of the cold.

Bai Qingning collapsed lifelessly beside Madam Bai, who had also been standing at the edge of the crowd, equally terrified. The mother and daughter pair, one standing and one sitting were inconspicuous among the crowd, as others were in no better state. Not to mention the captured assassins nearby – when their face coverings were removed, some were faces they recognized. Those sensitive to current affairs could sense the approaching storm.

“Greetings, Your Highness.” Amidst the respectful salutes of the Prince’s guards, Mo Xiuyao strode forward in white robes, his snow-white hair dancing freely in the breeze, somehow inspiring a piercing chill in observers. Mo Xiuyao didn’t look at the frightened noblewomen, instead fixing his gaze on the assassins pressed to the ground. Looking down, he asked, “What are their identities?”

Feng Zhiyao said quietly, “Your Highness, we’ve confirmed their backgrounds. They vary – this one is from the Western Capital’s Imperial Guard, another is a minor official from the Ministry of War, all from old noble families of the Western Capital.”

“Very good…” Mo Xiuyao chuckled softly, looking down at a young man whose legs had been broken, still glaring at him hatefully. Crouching down, Mo Xiuyao lifted the young man’s face with one hand and smiled coldly, “Western Capital nobility? How very bold…”

“Mo Xiuyao, you won’t get away with controlling the Western Capital. The Southern Pacification King will return!” the young man cursed.

Mo Xiuyao remained calm, “Lei Zhenting? Pity… the Western Capital doesn’t seem so important to Lei Zhenting. But don’t worry, I’ll fulfill your wish – eventually, I’ll scatter Lei Zhenting’s ashes across the Western Capital’s streets for people to trample. For now… worry about yourselves.” As he finished speaking, there was a crack. The young man’s expression twisted as his chest cavity caved in unnaturally, blood beginning to spill from his lips.

“Mo Xiuyao, you… you’ll die horribly! You and Ye Li both—?!” Before he could finish, his body suddenly flew backward, sailing over the crowd to crash directly into a distant wall. With a heavy thud, the wall was stained dark red. His body slid down, crumpling lifelessly. “Fool who courts death!”

The garden fell completely silent. Everyone stared fearfully at the white-haired man before them, as if facing not the famously handsome prince but a demon straight from hell.

Mo Xiuyao ignored the corpse in the corner, looking down at another assassin with a faint smile, “An Imperial Guard? Did the Western Emperor send you to assassinate my A’Li?”

After that frightening display, even the elite Imperial Guard felt chilled to the bone.

“It was my idea, nothing to do with others. Kill me if you want!” The guard gritted out, fighting his fear.

Mo Xiuyao nodded, “Very good, you have spirit. I’ll grant your wish. Execute three generations of your family!”

Hearing this, the man’s eyes widened, “No… you can’t!”

“Then I’ll show you whether I can or cannot.” Mo Xiuyao smiled calmly. “Feng San, have the people been brought?”

Standing nearby, Feng Zhiyao watched Mo Xiuyao’s casual demeanor and sighed inwardly, hiding his concern as he nodded, “Your Highness, all identified assassins’ families to three generations await outside for judgment.”

Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “Kill them all.”

“No! Prince, you cannot do this!” From the crowd, Princess Lingqun stepped forward, glaring at Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao curled his lip disdainfully, “I don’t need you to tell me what I can do.” Princess Lingqun shouted, “They are Western Capital subjects, your manor has no authority to execute them.”

Feng Zhiyao stepped forward, blocking Princess Lingqun with a slight smile, “They are assassins who attempted to kill the Princess Consort. The Prince’s manor has every right to decide their fate.” Princess Lingqun choked, then argued, “But their families are innocent.” Feng Zhiyao laughed coldly, looking at her with interest, “Attempting to assassinate the Princess Consort could merit execution of nine generations – we’re being lenient only executing three, out of respect for the Western Emperor.”

Princess Lingqun’s expression turned ugly. Though these assassins themselves weren’t high-ranking, their families were all prominent Western Capital nobility, most allied with the Southern Pacification Prince. Given how noble families intermarried, executing three generations would eliminate half the Western Capital’s nobility. The Southern Pacification Prince’s power base would be essentially destroyed. Unlike her weak, ineffective father the Emperor, Princess Lingqun had always admired her capable uncle Lei Zhenting. She had good relations with the Southern Pacification Prince’s manor and naturally didn’t want Mo Xiuyao to destroy Lei Zhenting’s power in the capital.

“Even so, this matter should be reported to my father the Emperor before taking action,” Princess Lingqun said.

Feng Zhiyao sneered, “The Western Capital belongs to the Prince’s manor now. Your Western Imperial family are merely guests here. Since when must hosts consult guests on their affairs?”

“You… you’re shameless!” Having no response, Princess Lingqun could only curse.

Feng Zhiyao rolled his eyes meaningfully, about to retort, when a white figure flashed past like wind. The previously imperious Princess Lingqun was now being choked, her eyes rolling back. Mo Xiuyao looked down coldly at the finely made-up woman, his voice like winter wind, “Since when do you have any say in my affairs? You think… being a Western Princess makes you untouchable?”

Choked by Mo Xiuyao, Princess Lingqun could barely breathe, struggling to say, “I’m… not… involved… gak…” Mo Xiuyao showed no mercy. Princess Lingqun used all her strength but couldn’t form a complete sentence, could only feel her breathing growing more difficult, her chest feeling ready to burst.

“How many of these people did you bring? Hmm?” Mo Xiuyao asked.

Princess Lingqun’s expression changed, terror showing in her eyes. Meeting Mo Xiuyao’s smiling handsome face, she saw undisguised killing intent in his deep eyes. “No…” This was Princess Lingqun’s last word before she silently slid to the ground before everyone’s eyes, blood foaming at her lips.

“Ah?!” Someone finally couldn’t bear the horrific scene and screamed. Chaos erupted in the garden as the noble ladies fell to their knees begging for mercy. If even Princess Lingqun could be killed without hesitation, what hope did they have?

“Silence!” Feng Zhiyao saw Mo Xiuyao growing visibly impatient with the crying and wailing and quickly shouted.

At his shout, the crying stopped. Mo Xiuyao walked to a chair placed nearby and sat down, his gaze slowly falling on the Bai mother and daughter huddled in the crowd. Bai Qingning shivered involuntarily when she noticed Mo Xiuyao’s attention, trying to press closer to Madam Bai. After what had happened, any thoughts of glory or the Prince’s grace and status had vanished from her mind. Now the Prince seemed far more terrifying than any hell demon – if she could leave immediately, she hoped never to see this man again in her life.

“Bai Qingning?” Mo Xiuyao called softly, his tone revealing nothing.

During the earlier chaos, Madam Bai hadn’t seen what Bai Qingning had done. Though terrified of Mo Xiuyao, she assumed the Prince had taken notice of her daughter and quickly pushed Bai Qingning forward. Bai Qingning trembled, shaking her head repeatedly and hiding behind her mother, too afraid to move. Standing by Mo Xiuyao, Feng Zhiyao waved to the side, and two guards easily brought Bai Qingning before Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao studied Bai Qingning carefully before saying mildly, “Not bad looking.”

Though meant as praise, to Bai Qingning it sounded like a death sentence. Remembering how Mo Xiuyao had just praised those assassins for being “very good” and “having spirit,” Bai Qingning’s face grew paper-white. Trembling as she knelt, she forced herself to say through her fear, “Thank… thank you for your praise, Your Highness…”

Mo Xiuyao laughed coldly, “I wasn’t praising you. My beloved lies unconscious because of you – how dare you!”

“No!” Bai Qingning cried out, “It wasn’t my fault! I didn’t… I didn’t do anything!” She truly hadn’t done anything – yes, she had pulled Ye Li, but that was an accident, she hadn’t meant to grab Ye Li. Moreover, she just wanted to survive – in that situation, being helpless, was it wrong to want to live?

“Didn’t do anything?” Mo Xiuyao stared at her. Bai Qingning nodded repeatedly, “That’s right, it wasn’t my fault. I did nothing!”

“Doing nothing… is also worthy of death!” Murderous rage showed in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes as he stared at Bai Qingning with disgust and even hatred, his tone gentle, “You were right beside A’Li – why didn’t you shield her?”

Bai Qingning was speechless. So in the Prince’s eyes, not taking a sword for the Princess Consort was also a capital offense? No! Bai Qingning shook her head repeatedly, indignant anger rising in her heart.

Why? Why should she die for not shielding the Princess Consort? Why should a helpless woman like her take a sword for someone with martial arts skills who meant nothing to her? She just wanted to live – was that wrong?

“No! This isn’t fair!” Bai Qingning shrieked.