At this moment, Wen Shiqing could only brace her trembling legs and attempt to shuffle toward the shadows nearby. She had to take advantage of the chaos while everyone was fighting and slip away unnoticed. Don't ask why—the answer was simply to avoid being a burden to the Prince!
Suddenly, an assassin in black spotted a gap while Shen Heting was occupied with two other attackers. He lunged from the side, his dagger aimed straight for Shen Heting’s waist. Shen Heting sensed the danger, but he was too entangled with his opponents to dodge in time.
Wen Shiqing didn't have time to think. She shouted, "Watch out!" and, fueled by a sudden, inexplicable burst of strength, grabbed a stone from the ground and hurled it at the assassin. The stone hit its mark precisely, striking the assassin’s wrist. He cried out in pain, and his dagger clattered to the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Shen Heting kicked the assassin in front of him aside and backhanded his sword toward the flanker. The man couldn't dodge in time and was struck in the shoulder, stumbling back several paces.
Wen Shiqing looked at her own hand in astonishment, marveling to herself, "Whoa, my aim is actually that good!"
When she looked up, she saw the assassin glaring at her with venomous, unreconciled eyes. A chill ran down her spine, but the next moment, he was dragged back into the fray by the clashing blades. She watched nervously, swallowed hard, and began to back away silently. *That’s enough, that’s enough. I’ve done what I could; time to retreat.*
Just as she reached the entrance of the post station and was about to step inside, a gust of wind brushed past her. Before she could even turn her head, a hoarse, gravelly voice whispered right beside her ear: "Ruined my plans and you think you can just leave?"
Wen Shiqing shuddered violently. She didn't even need to look to know that the assassin whose surprise attack on the Prince she had just foiled had caught up to her. The icy touch of a blade pressed against her neck, the cold biting deep into her skin.
She turned her head slightly to look at the assassin. His shoulder was still seeping blood, and his body was covered in various sword wounds. Yet, the murderous glare in his eyes hadn't diminished in the slightest; it was filled with a ruthless determination to see his goal through.
"Meddlesome brat, still want to run?" The assassin’s voice was raspy, each word squeezed out from between his teeth.
"No, no, no, I’m not going anywhere." Wen Shiqing’s gaze fixed on the dagger at her throat, and she swallowed instinctively. "You, you, you’d better be careful. My skin is thin."
*Who could understand? At a time like this, she was worried about her life and her fake Adam's apple!*
"Hmph, begging for mercy now? Too late!" The assassin let out a cold snort and pressed the dagger a little deeper.
She instinctively grabbed the assassin’s arm with both hands, but he was incredibly strong and didn't budge an inch.
"Your Highness..." Wen Shiqing couldn't help but glance toward the distance.
Hearing this, the assassin pressed his dagger harder, the sharp edge slicing into the skin of her neck as a bead of fresh blood slowly welled up. "Still thinking about that damn Prince? Today, you’re both going to die!"
Just then, Wen Shiqing noticed out of the corner of her eye that the assassin's injured leg was trembling, as if it could no longer support his weight. Her heart stirred. Feigning a compromise, she loosened her grip and, masking her fear, continued, "I can see you guys aren't going to make it out of this. Why don't... why don't you take me as a hostage?"
She obediently raised her hands in an innocent gesture. "Look at me, I'm weak and frail; I can't do anything."
The assassin paused for a split second, clearly not having expected Wen Shiqing to say such a thing. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her up and down with intense suspicion.
A moment later, he sneered, "Based on what? Who are you to him?"
Before the question was even fully out, Wen Shiqing lowered her eyelids, her gaze flickering as she lowered her voice. "I... I’m actually his newly acquired, favorite plaything."
The assassin was clearly stunned, his eyes darting back and forth between her and Prince Jiu in disbelief. "Why should I believe you?"
Wen Shiqing gritted her teeth, hardened her heart, and continued to spout nonsense, her cheeks flushing a deep red from nervousness and embarrassment. "It doesn't matter if you don't believe me. He finds me so intoxicating that he’ll do anything for me. Keep me alive, and I guarantee you'll make it out of here."
As soon as Wen Shiqing finished her babbling, she looked up and saw the assassin’s expression shift to one of wary alarm, his eyes glaring viciously past her at something behind her.
Her spine instantly went cold; a sense of foreboding washed over her. *It's over. That feeling of needles pricking my back—he definitely heard everything!!!*
Before she could think further, she took advantage of the assassin’s split-second distraction, gathered all her strength, and kicked him hard in the crotch.
"Ah!" the assassin shrieked, his dagger clattering to the ground.
Wen Shiqing didn't dare to hesitate; she turned and bolted into the post station. But once she ran inside, she realized that it wasn't exactly safe in here either! She tried to close the doors, but as she turned, the scene before her made her freeze in place.
Prince Jiu, Shen Heting, stood there holding a long sword that glinted with a cold, piercing light. With one fluid motion, he had thrust his blade through the assassin's chest. The assassin’s eyes went wide with resentment and terror, a vague, guttural sound escaping his throat as blood gushed from the corners of his mouth.
Shen Heting pulled his sword out with force, the crimson blood dripping down the blade. He slowly looked up, his face splattered with blood, stray locks of hair clinging to his cheeks. His gaze was icy, and a thin, cold smile played on his lips. His entire being radiated an aura of lethal slaughter.
The sight was overwhelming; he looked like an Asura risen from hell. A terrifying sight of blood-soaked return.
Wen Shiqing stared at him, her breath hitching, and she instinctively stepped back, her legs feeling like jelly. Shen Heting gave her a indifferent glance, his thin lips parted, and he dropped two words before turning to walk away: "Return to your room."
Wen Shiqing looked at the ground, littered with the bodies of men in black, some of whom had been captured alive. Knowing full well that curiosity killed the cat, she took one quick look before turning and sprinting toward her room.
Once inside, Wen Shiqing leaned against the door, gasping for breath, her heart hammering against her ribs. With her adrenaline spiking, she didn't even feel the pain in her ankles anymore. She reached up to touch her neck, relieved to find her Adam's apple was still there.
Only when she pulled her hand away and saw the blood on her fingertips did she remember that the assassin’s blade had cut her. After a long time, Wen Shiqing finally recovered from the terror. After cleaning her wound, she lay down on the bed.
It wasn't long before a soft knock sounded at the door.
Wen Shiqing shuddered, looking toward the door with wariness. "Who is it?"
"It is I, Yun Xi. Prince Jiu sent me," came a steady, respectful male voice from outside.
Wen Shiqing relaxed her guard slightly and got up to open the door. Yun Xi stood in the doorway, holding a tray with medicinal powder and clean gauze.
"Censor Wen, I hope you are unharmed. The Prince ordered me to bring you some high-quality medicinal powder." Yun Xi bowed slightly and held out the tray.
Wen Shiqing was taken aback, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes. *He's concerned about such a minor wound? Could this be a warning?*
*Those words... he definitely heard them.*