Chapter 8: Encountering Assassins Suddenly

She smiled, "It's fine. Zhongping Bo Xu would not be my enemy."

Qin Zhen nodded, "I have submitted the report to the Emperor Shun. There is no unusual activity at the border, so I will stay in the capital. I will handle the matters at Yueling Pass and the Marquis Wei Ping's residence. You are still a woman of the inner chambers, don't take any risks." The battle at Yueling Pass had far-reaching implications, and he didn't want her to take any risks.

Xiao Jingxi shook her head with a smile, "Qin Zhen, I am not just a woman of the inner chambers."

Qin Zhen couldn't find words to refute her, indeed, she had trained with him for several years in swordsmanship and had few opponents. On the day of the chaos at the city gate and the struggle for the crown prince of the Jin Kingdom, it was likely that she had a hand in it. Naturally, she was not an ordinary woman of the inner chambers.

After finishing the meal, there was constant commotion outside the ship.

Qin Zhen asked, "What's all the commotion outside?"

Zhang Zhou, who was standing outside the ship's curtain, replied, "General, it's the two county princesses Xianyang and Anyang seeking shelter from the rain."

The two county princesses Xianyang and Anyang were the twin daughters of Princess Minghui, the younger sister of Emperor Shun. Because twins were rare in the royal family, they were greatly favored by the emperor. In the capital, the princess's residence was highly esteemed, and the two sisters were beautiful and sought after by many suitors.

However, when Xianyang was thirteen, she declared that she would only marry a top-notch general in the Great Liang.

Qin Zhen said expressionlessly, "I won't receive them."

It was clear that the top-notch general in the Great Liang had no interest in the Xianyang princess.

Hong Baode, holding a wine glass with a debonair look, teased, "Qin Zhen, you really don't know how to appreciate beauty. There are many young men and women boating on the lake today, and the two beautiful women specifically chose to seek shelter from the rain on the general's ship. Everyone can see the intention, but you don't seem to appreciate it."

Before he finished speaking, the attendant from the Prime Minister's mansion followed up, "Sir, the son of the Prince Pingguang's mansion has sent someone to invite you to join them. They have prepared your favorite wine, Li Ren Drunk."

Who was the son of Prince Pingguang? He was a notorious playboy in the Great Liang. This playboy had roamed through the various districts of the capital and had grown tired of the affected and delicate beauties. Recently, he had set his sights on the female minister, and his relentless pursuit had almost driven Hong Baode to flee.

The smile on Hong Baode's face instantly turned fake, and he rubbed his brow, squinting his eyes, "I said I had a few drinks and got drunk." Just now, he said that Qin Zhen didn't know how to appreciate beauty, but now he was being contradicted. He looked at Qin Zhen seriously, "Well, it's not that we don't appreciate it, it's that someone is asking for trouble."

Qin Zhen couldn't be bothered to argue with her, and with a focused expression, he served Xiao Jingxi a cup of tea after the meal, leaving Hong Baode feeling embarrassed.

The rain stopped after a short while, the tea cooled, and the night grew deeper.

Xiao Jingxi called for Zixiang to fetch the lanterns and said, "The rain has stopped. I'm going back to the mansion."

Qin Zhen got up to help her put on a cloak, "I had Zhang Zhou bring two pots of apricot blossom wine for you to take back to the Duke's mansion."

"Okay."

Xiao Jingxi got off the boat and stepped onto the bridge, only to see the bright lights swaying as if it were daytime.

Someone shouted, "Protect the prince! Protect the prince!"

"How dare you, in broad daylight, attempt to assassinate the prince." The man's voice was deep and commanding, "Spread the order, kill on sight."

Xiao Jingxi stood at the bridge, turned around, and saw him, Feng Fuli... The dialogue from a previous life echoed in her ears.

"Xiaojie from the Wenguogong Mansion?"

"Who are you?"

"The Crown Prince, Fuli."

In the previous life, they had first met at this bridge by the river, and now it felt like a world away.

"Jingxi!" Qin Zhen shouted.

When she came to her senses, the sharp blade had already cut her neck, causing a slight stinging sensation. Beside her, a hoarse and rough voice said, "Don't move!"

The strong smell of blood, the man in black clothes who had her in his grip was covered in wounds.

"Take him down!"

Ten meters away, Feng Fuli gave the order, and all the shadow guards formed a defensive formation with arrows ready.

The black-clothed assassin shouted, "Back off."

The atmosphere was tense and on the verge of erupting, but the woman being held hostage remained calm and composed throughout, "You're hurting my hand."

Even the assassin was taken aback by her composure.

In the face of danger, this woman showed remarkable courage.

The descendants of the Marquis Weiping are indeed extraordinary women. The two princes of the royal family were both stunned.

Xiao Jingxi slightly tilted her head, her neck brushing against the blade. With just a little more force, her beautiful neck would surely be cut and blood would gush out. She said to the assassin, "How about we make a deal? If you let go, I will spare your life."

In this situation, it was obvious that she could hardly protect herself, so how could she have the ability to save someone else's life? The assassin naturally didn't believe her. He pressed her shoulder with one hand and brought the dagger closer, saying, "Don't play tricks."

Xiao Jingxi didn't move, speaking calmly, "Don't you trust me?"

But as a defenseless woman with a stunning appearance, how could she be convincing?

Most people probably thought so.

However—

A piercing sound rang out, and a swift arrow flew towards them, catching everyone off guard.

The arrowhead was aimed at the woman in front of the assassin.

Qin Zhen shouted, "Jingxi!"