Approaching closer, they saw a woman sitting on the ground, rubbing her ankle with both hands, appearing to be in unbearable pain.
Feng Wu took the lead, walking over and asking, "Miss, did you hurt your foot?"
The woman looked up, and Feng Wu was startled, for this person was none other than the Princess's future son-in-law's cousin, Jiang Xiu Yi.
"Yes, I sprained my ankle. Could you kind sir help me call for someone?"
Kind sir? Feng Wu's lips twitched. She was clearly a woman, as clear as could be. Although she was tall and strong, she shouldn't be mistaken for a man.
As Feng Wu was pondering this, Xue Xing Yue had already walked forward. She also recognized the woman as Meng Jiang Ming's cousin at a glance.
Although they had only met once at a banquet, she still remembered her.
Quiet and gentle, like a charming young lady, she now looked so pitiful that one couldn't help but want to protect her.
"Your Highness, Princess." Jiang Xiu Yi exclaimed in surprise.
Xue Xing Yue walked to Jiang Xiu Yi's side, squatted down, and reached out to examine Jiang Xiu Yi's ankle.
Jiang Xiu Yi stiffened. "Your Highness... you..."
"My Princess wishes to examine Miss Jiang's injury," Feng Wu said coldly.
She disliked Jiang Xiu Yi, especially someone who was secretly corresponding with her own cousin. She didn't understand why the Princess could act so indifferent.
If it were her, even if she disliked Prince Meng, she wouldn't tolerate the presence of various women around him.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiu Yi released her hand and said, "Your Highness, I am of humble status and truly dare not let Your Highness examine my injury. I fear it would offend Your Highness's eyes."
"It's good that you know that. It is only because the Princess is kind-hearted," Feng Wu said coldly.
If it were her, she would let her die here.
Xue Xing Yue took a look and found that Jiang Xiu Yi's ankle was already quite swollen and needed immediate treatment, otherwise, it might lead to permanent disability. She looked up and instructed, "Feng Wu, go back and fetch an imperial physician. Miss Jiang's foot injury is rather serious."
Feng Wu was stunned and said, "No, I cannot leave Your Highness. What would Your Highness do then? Why doesn't Your Highness take Miss Jiang back with you!"
"Feng Wu, Miss Jiang's foot injury prevents her from being moved," Xue Xing Yue said.
Seeing this, Feng Wu bowed and said, "Your Highness, Feng Wu cannot obey this order." Before leaving, Feng Jiu had repeatedly instructed her not to leave the Princess's side.
"Feng Wu, you dare defy my command?" Xue Xing Yue frowned slightly.
"Your Highness, you can punish me however you wish when we return, but this time, please forgive Feng Wu for not being able to comply." Feng Wu straightened her back and said solemnly.
"Your Highness, my injury is not serious enough for you to worry about. I only hope that you can inform Prince Meng when you return. I, this humble one, thank Your Highness for your kindness."
Saying this, Jiang Xiu Yi endured the pain and was about to kowtow.
Xue Xing Yue reached out to stop her. "Miss Jiang, you are too polite. How could I possibly leave you here alone?"
She had already scouted the surroundings. Although this place was not far from the encampment, it was actually quite remote and secluded. Feng Wu's arranged escorts might not have reached here. Then how did Jiang Xiu Yi arrive here?
Among the many people who set out with them, why was it only her who could hear them?
"Miss Jiang, I will stay here with you. Feng Wu, go back and fetch people," Xue Xing Yue said coldly, looking at Feng Wu.
"Your Highness, Feng Wu..."
"Feng Wu, this is my command. If you do not agree, then you need not follow me anymore."
Feng Wu was stunned. She looked at Xue Xing Yue, then suddenly knelt on one knee. "Your Highness, take care. Feng Wu will return as soon as possible."
Feng Wu mounted her horse, glanced coldly at Jiang Xiu Yi, and turned to leave.
"Miss Jiang, Feng Wu has already left. If there is anything you need, or anything you want to do, just reveal it!" Xue Xing Yue said as she stood up, looking coldly at Jiang Xiu Yi.
Jiang Xiu Yi trembled all over. Her delicate face instantly turned pale and bloodless. She seemed flustered. "Your... Your Highness, what are you saying? I don't understand."
"Don't understand?" Xue Xing Yue sneered, her eyes like frost, shooting directly at Jiang Xiu Yi.
Jiang Xiu Yi felt a chill spreading from the depths of her heart. She instinctively clenched her fists. "Yes, I don't understand."
"In the wilderness, Miss Jiang being here alone is already suspicious."
Jiang Xiu Yi said, "Your Highness, if you suspect I have ill intentions, you are welcome to leave and not bother with me. Why go to such lengths to frame me?"
"Miss Jiang knows best whether it is framing. However, I like things that are a bit complicated, such as knowing Miss Jiang has problems but still choosing to stay."
Xue Xing Yue's gaze turned cold, and the corner of her lips curved, revealing a hint of a wicked charm.
Having grown accustomed to the aloof and radiant Princess Xing Yue, seeing this completely different person, Jiang Xiu Yi felt that the person she was facing was not Princess Xing Yue but someone impersonating her.
"You... You are not Princess Xing Yue." Jiang Xiu Yi's body trembled. She couldn't run and she couldn't leave. What should she do?
Seeing Jiang Xiu Yi's frightened state, like a startled fawn, Xue Xing Yue knew she had gone a bit too far. Knowing that Jiang Xiu Yi had merely intended to lure her, she had planned to use this opportunity to find the mastermind.
After all, where would Jiang Xiu Yi get the audacity to plot against her on her own?
She suspected there was a hidden hand behind it, but whether it was Consort An, she could not be sure.
"Miss Jiang, as long as you tell me who instructed you to lure me here and what your intentions were, I will absolutely ensure your safe departure. Otherwise..." Da Feng Novel Network
Her gaze turned cold, like frost, piercing the heart.
"If I were to accidentally injure you, I doubt anyone would hold me accountable, after all, I am still Princess Xing Yue, am I not?"
Jiang Xiu Yi trembled. "Your... Your Highness..."
"So, speak obediently. Who is the mastermind?"
"Your Highness, what are you talking about? I don't understand!" Jiang Xiu Yi tightly clutched her sleeve, her heart filled with fear. She never knew that this Princess Xing Yue could be someone who so carelessly disregarded human life.
And now, with no one to call upon, what should she do?
"Will you speak, Miss Jiang?" Xue Xing Yue drew her sword from her waist and suddenly lunged towards Jiang Xiu Yi.
Jiang Xiu Yi turned pale with fright, her mouth wide open. Before she could cry out, the sword whizzed past her ear.
A muffled groan was heard, and the grass behind Jiang Xiu Yi rustled.
Jiang Xiu Yi was also frightened into unconsciousness.
Xue Xing Yue stepped forward, parted the grass, and saw a man in black lying there, her sword plunged into his chest.