After hearing her plan, Qin Jue started coughing violently! Xie Lin Lang wanted to lure the two sides to fight with one another. The plan was good in theory, but extremely dangerous to carry out. If a single thing went wrong, isn’t that a one-way road to their graves with no return?!
But before he was able to say anything, Xie Lin Lang took a few steps back, fetched a firework from her clothing, and let it into the air!
The red circular firework exploded into the sky, lighting up the night sky as well as lighting up her face.
Qin Jue discovered that there was no trace of panic written on her face, only showing the stable and calm expression that she’s always had. Even her speaking tone revealed her exceeding confidence!
“No need to be worried, I will be fine. Plus, you’ve known me for all these years. When have you ever seen me be completely stumped by something?”
“I am Capital City’s number one genius––Xie Lin Lang–– after all!”
…
The red firework exploded, causing such a big spectacle that not only did the assassins see but also the black-armored cavalry who were searching for Xie Lin Lang!
“Major general, that’s the Imperial Preceptor’s firework! It’s Xie GongZi!”
Shen Shao Feng saw, but his eyebrows furrowed, “…Xie Lin Lang appeared voluntarily, he must have met trouble! Hurry, let’s head there first.”
“Yes!”
*
On the other hand, the assassins were very startled after seeing the firework.
One of the men dressed in black asked suspiciously, “DaRen, isn’t the red circular firework the Imperial Preceptor Shen family’s symbol? Did the Imperial Preceptor’s people also come?”
The ‘DaRen’ he was referring to paused to think, then suddenly sneered.
“What Imperial Preceptor? It’s Xie Lin Lang! Don’t forget, Xie Lin Lang is traveling together with the Crown Prince and he’s the Imperial Preceptor’s disciple. Naturally, he would have Shen family’s fireworks.
Let’s hurry up. Xie Lin Lang probably lit the fireworks because he’s in danger. If we still can’t capture Qin Jue this time and someone does it before us, let’s see what’ll happen when you report that to Mistress Hui!”
“Yes!”
The group immediately answered, and then rushed off in a gathered formation towards the direction the firework was lit.
They didn’t ride for long before a thinly clothed young panicked man ran in their direction.
It was too dark so they couldn’t see the person’s face, the only thing for sure was that they were a young man. Moreover, after the person saw them, they were also startled, and without any hesitation, switched directions and began running to the left!
Seeing this reaction, the fellow assassins were filled with eagerness!
They had never seen Xie Lin Lang. Their files only said that she was the Imperial Preceptor’s disciple, presumably not too young. So the moment they saw this fleeing young man, their thoughts naturally associated them with the Crown Prince!
“Chase! Capture him! Don’t let him get away!”
The assassins immediately reacted and began running towards her. On the other hand, Xie Lin Lang, running in front of them, appeared to be panic-stricken, but a small smile formed on her lips.
The night was getting boring, so let her play with them for a bit.
*
The black-armored cavalry quickly found Qin Jue under guidance. He was leaning against a tree with his head hung low, seeming to have already lost consciousness.
Shen Shao Feng saw it and immediately went up to see the situation. Once he checked his pulse, his entire expression changed.
He swiftly fed Qin Jue a couple of pills and punctured golden needles into Qin Jue’s pressure points, helping him reduce his temperature.
Without a doubt, acupuncture was one of the treatment techniques that took effect the fastest. So it wasn’t long before Qin Jue opened his eyes.
The moment he opened his eyes, Shen Shao Feng stared at him and asked, “Your Highness, where is Xie Lin Lang?”
Qin Jue shook his still painful yet now clear head, hoarsely replying.
“He disguised as me and was captured. Now they’re heading down south…”
“What?!” He exclaimed, hastily standing up.
But after remembering something, he regained composure again. With some thought, he sent two-thirds of the black-armored cavalry to go after her and stayed with the remainder.
Qin Jue stared at him weirdly, “Why aren’t you going?”
Shen Shao Feng humphed, saying without much care, “There’s actually not that much of a hurry. Xie Lin Lang is a monster. Even if I don’t go and he gets in trouble, he won’t be the one to die.”
Qin Jue didn’t understand, Xie Lin Lang, a monster?
Shen Shao Feng peered at him, murmuring, “Rather than worrying about him, you should be more worried about yourself! All of the invisible wounds in your body are now flaring up! Even if it’s me helping you, the best I can do is suppress it temporarily.
If you still want to live, the best thing to do right now is to find a place to nurture your body. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be much longer until you die.”
Actually, Qin Jue already had an idea of what kind of situation his body was in.
He coughed, asking with a pale face, “…So what? Are you planning to help me?”
This was originally asked in sarcasm, but to his surprise, Shen Shao Feng nodded his head.
“That’s right. My purpose for coming down here, other than to bring Xie Lin Lang back, is also to come to assist you!”
He paused, then continued with a serious tone.
“Imperial Preceptor DaRen requested that I pass his words to you. He wants to make an exchange with you, Your Highness!”
“…An exchange?”
“Yes. Without me needing to say it, Your Highness should be clear on what kind of situation you are in. There are many people looking to kill you, yet your body has reached its limit.
So the Imperial Preceptor told me to tell you that, if you are willing, he is willing to repay Xie Lin Lang’s debt in her place!”
His words made Qin Jue laugh, “Replacing Xie Lin Lang in repaying her debt?”
“That’s right!” Shen Shao Feng said solemnly, “WoJiang City isn’t far off in the distance ahead. If you agree to the exchange, I will immediately bring you there to treat your wounds.
After that, Imperial Preceptor DaRen will send the best doctors, bring the best medicine to come find you, and help you recover. Once your injuries are healed, he will also send escorts to bring you to Xiang City.
And once you arrive at Xiang City, you won’t need to worry either, because Imperial Preceptor DaRen will send a new county magistrate over there to look after you. That way, you can live a peaceful and safe life without having to worry about food and clothing even in Xiang City.”
“Other than these, you can also request anything you want. As long as it’s plausible, Imperial Preceptor DaRen will get it done. And he only has one request: he wants you to stay away from Xie Lin Lang!”
Qin Jue laughed, “Why should I?”
“Because you will drag him down!”
Shen Shao Feng furrowed his brows, “Although Imperial Preceptor DaRen did take part in the Empress affair, the most he did was give His Majesty a helping hand. You really don’t have a need to take your anger out on the Imperial Preceptor. If you were in his shoes, you would’ve probably done the same thing.
But because of this one thing, Xie Lin Lang had a fight with the Imperial Preceptor. Don’t know what’s going on inside that brain of his, to actually want to be associated with the Empress at a time like this, even speaking about repaying some favor. And even coming all the way here to find you after the Empress passed away…”
Speaking up to this point, Shen Shao Feng took a deep breath and continued sullenly.
“That’s why as long as you agree to cut ties with Xie Lin Lang, all of the favors that he owes you, the Imperial Preceptor will repay them!”
“You’re a smart person, so you should know what to choose. No matter how amazing Xie Lin Lang is, he’s only but a young man around your age. There’s a limit to how much he can help you.
But the Imperial Preceptor is different. By letting him help you, your situation, whether it’s now or in the future, will get better.
You wouldn’t reject such a profitable exchange, would you?”
The moment he finished speaking, a gust of wind blew through the forest. In this solemn coldness, Qin Jue suddenly laughed lowly.
“If I don’t agree, perhaps you’ll just behead me right here? After all, once I am dead, Xie Lin Lang won’t have to constantly be concerned about me anymore.”