A figure slowly emerged from the corner. Xue Xingyue peered closer, recognizing the person as Yu Ze, the one who was supposed to have failed in his assassination attempt on Old Master Jiang.
“Why are you here?” Xue Xingyue frowned slightly. If Yu Ze was here, then who was the person captured by Old Master Jiang earlier, kneeling before him?
Upon hearing this, Yu Ze said, “Your Highness does not celebrate my escape from death, but instead questions why I am here?”
Xue Xingyue looked up and noticed that Yu Ze’s complexion was somewhat pale. She couldn’t help but ask, “Yu Ze, why are you so pale?”
Yu Ze heard her and gave a faint smile, “Your Highness has finally noticed me?”
Xue Xingyue was slightly taken aback. “Yu Ze, what do you mean by that?”
Before she could finish speaking, Xue Xingyue saw Yu Ze’s body swaying precariously. “Your Highness, I…”
Yu Ze collapsed towards the ground. Xue Xingyue was startled and quickly stepped forward to support him. However, Yu Ze’s weight was significant, and it was so sudden that Xue Xingyue almost tripped and fell with him. Fortunately, at the last moment, she steadied herself by holding onto a table.
“Yu Ze, Yu Ze…” Xue Xingyue called out several times, but Yu Ze did not respond. It was already late at night, and it would not be good to alert the other inhabitants of the Jiang mansion.
After all, having a man in her room was not ideal, especially since she was already married. Getting entangled with another man could be used against her.
With this thought, Xue Xingyue helped Yu Ze onto the bed. It was then that she noticed a wound on his lower left rib. Without further ado, she tore open his clothes and discovered that the wound had turned purple, clearly poisoned.
She took out a medicine bottle she carried with her and sprinkled some medicine on it.
When she was in Zhen Wu Guan, she always kept antidotes with her. This was because, in warfare, deception was paramount. Although she had never been ambushed, it had become a habit to prepare these things whenever she went out. Today, it seemed, they had finally come in handy.
After bandaging the wound, Xue Xingyue let out a sigh of relief and sat down in a chair. Soon, she felt her head growing heavy and eventually fell asleep.
She was awakened by voices from outside.
As she got up, she instinctively looked at Yu Ze lying on the bed, finding that he was still unconscious and had not woken up. At the same time, voices could be heard from outside. “Lord Feng Wu, this commoner is also concerned for Your Highness’s safety. Assassins have indeed entered this place. Even if it means offending Your Highness, this commoner must prioritize Your Highness’s safety.”
Xue Xingyue frowned slightly upon hearing this. She then heard Feng Wu say, “I have been protecting Your Highness here all along and have not seen any suspicious individuals. I do not know who this assassin that Master Jiang speaks of is. Now that Your Highness is not awake, no one is allowed to enter, or else…”
Feng Wu glanced at Jiang Xi Feng and said coldly, “Do not blame me for being impolite.”
“Lord Feng Wu, this commoner did not wish to offend Your Highness, but the mansion’s servants did see the assassin enter here. Perhaps Lord Feng Wu did not see him, as the assassin might be very skilled,” Jiang Xi Feng said.
Feng Wu heard this and looked at Jiang Xi Feng coldly, saying, “Does Master Jiang look down on the abilities of my court’s fourth-rank imperial guard with a sabre? How could I not know if an assassin entered here?”
Jiang Xi Feng said, “Lord Feng Wu, please do not be angered. This commoner is merely concerned for Your Highness’s safety. Since Your Highness resides in the Jiang family, the Jiang family has a responsibility to ensure Your Highness’s safety. I implore Lord Feng Wu to please let Your Highness come out.”
“Jiang Xi Feng, Your Highness is still resting. No one is to disturb her,” Feng Wu said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xi Feng said, “In that case, this commoner can only offend you and Your Highness. Guards, surround this place.”
“Jiang Xi Feng, what are you doing?” Feng Wu asked coldly.
Jiang Xi Feng said, “An assassin entered Your Highness’s courtyard. This commoner can only surround this place. I ask that Your Highness and Lord Feng Wu do not leave here easily.”
“Jiang Xi Feng, are you trying to imprison me?” a clear, cold voice called out. The door was pushed open, and Xue Xingyue walked out, dressed in a purple gown, looking down at Jiang Xi Feng.
The maiden’s appearance was beautiful and noble, her clear, cold eyes as icy as frost. At this moment, she looked at Jiang Xi Feng coldly.
Jiang Xi Feng quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, “This commoner pays respects to the Princess.”
“Feng Wu, what happened? Why are there so many people here?” Xue Xingyue asked coldly.
Feng Wu heard this and said, “Your Highness, Master Jiang said an assassin entered here. Seeing that you were still resting, I did not disturb you. Master Jiang has sent people to surround this place.”
Xue Xingyue saw this, raised her head, and looked at Jiang Xi Feng, saying coldly, “Jiang Xi Feng, what is the meaning of this?”
Jiang Xi Feng quickly said, “Your Highness, you may not know, but an assassin entered Your Highness’s courtyard. Since Your Highness resides in the Jiang family, this commoner must ensure Your Highness’s safety. Therefore, until the assassin is apprehended, it may be necessary to offend Your Highness. Once the assassin is caught, this commoner will quickly withdraw these people.”
Xue Xingyue heard this and gave a cold laugh, “And what if the assassin is never caught? Will I not be able to return to the capital then?”
“Your Highness, you misunderstand. This is merely for your safety. Your safety is of utmost importance,” Jiang Xi Feng said.
“Unfortunately, I believe that your men might not even be able to defeat me, so how can they protect me? Jiang Xi Feng, are you joking with me?” Xue Xingyue said coldly.
Jiang Xi Feng trembled all over and said, “Your Highness, I know you are skilled in martial arts, but assassins are unpredictable. I implore you…”
“I cannot agree with that. Jiang Xi Feng, withdraw your men immediately, or do not blame me for being impolite,” Xue Xingyue said, looking at Jiang Xi Feng with cold eyes.
Jiang Xi Feng heard this, his gaze tightening slightly. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, “I implore Your Highness…”
“This commoner would never dare. This commoner merely…”
“Do not speak your high-sounding words. I do not wish to hear them. Jiang Xi Feng, I will ask you one last time. Are you going to withdraw these people or not?”
“Your Highness, please forgive me. For your safety, this commoner can only offend you temporarily,” Jiang Xi Feng said.
Xue Xingyue gave a cold laugh, “Good, very good. In that case, I do not need to hold back any longer. Feng Wu, your opportunity to train has arrived.”
Feng Wu rubbed his fists excitedly. Just as Jiang Xi Feng was about to ask what the Princess of Mingzhu intended to do, Feng Wu had already thrown a punch, saying coldly, “Master Jiang, I have found you displeasing for a long time.”
Jiang Xi Feng immediately let out a mournful cry, “Your Highness, what are you doing?” Jiang Xi Feng asked, covering his nose.
Xue Xingyue moved a chair and sat down by the entrance, saying, “Didn’t I just say? If you do not withdraw your men, then I will have to use my own methods.”