Li Chenxi glanced at the guards trailing behind Hua Yundan, saying, "With such a slender frame, I fear he won't be able to protect you at all."
"No, he's very capable." Although he had been drunk and semi-conscious last night, he still remembered the feeling of having him by his side, a sense of peace.
"Yundan, you must be careful of that person!" Last night's events made it impossible to guarantee that it wasn't the King of Jing's doing. He knew the King of Jing's ultimate target was either His Majesty or Yundan.
Therefore, he had to protect Yundan well, as Yundan had no martial arts skills, unlike His Majesty who possessed some. Moreover, with Gu Cheng protecting His Majesty, he felt at ease.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the nearby woods. Xue Zining's gaze turned sharp, and Li Chenxi beside her also sensed it.
Abruptly, a figure lunged towards Hua Yundan.
Xue Zining shouted, "Careful..."
Li Chenxi leaped forward, engaging the attacker.
Xue Zining quickly moved in front of Hua Yundan, shielding him behind her.
Hua Yundan looked at the thin, frail body standing before him, a complex feeling stirring within.
"Who are you?" Li Chenxi demanded angrily while fighting the assailant.
The assassin remained silent. After a few exchanges, they fought Li Chenxi to a standstill.
Suddenly, another person sprang from the side, heading directly for Hua Yundan. Li Chenxi's face turned ashen, "Yundan!"
However, Li Chenxi was already occupied and could only watch helplessly as the figure moved towards Hua Yundan.
Xue Zining surged forward, blocking the attacker's sword with her own.
"Who are you?" she asked coldly. The assailant seemed surprised to see her.
Xue Zining paused, then looked closely. The person felt familiar.
"You..."
Before she could finish, many people suddenly appeared around them, surrounding the two assassins.
The King of Jing rode up, looking at the assassins and roaring, "Who dares attempt to assassinate Prime Minister Hua of Fengguo? Seize them!"
The two assassins, outnumbered, were captured. The King of Jing's guards stepped forward and tore off the black cloth covering their faces.
Xue Zining was stunned. She never expected it to be Song Jiang and Hei Yin.
"How dare you!" The King of Jing also recognized Song Jiang and Hei Yin and roared.
Li Chenxi stepped forward and bowed, "I request an explanation from Your Highness."
Seeing this, the King of Jing dismounted and approached Song Jiang and Hei Yin, then suddenly struck them with a palm. Song Jiang and Hei Yin, unable to withstand the blow, both coughed up blood.
The King of Jing walked up to Hua Yundan and said, "This was my oversight. You may deal with these two as Prime Minister Hua sees fit."
Xue Zining knitted her brows, her hands clenched tightly within her sleeves.
Hua Yundan glanced at Song Jiang and Hei Yin and coldly asked, "Why did you attempt to assassinate me?"
Song Jiang turned his face away, remaining silent.
Hua Yundan furrowed his brow slightly and stepped forward, saying, "Why did you attempt to assassinate me..."
"Your Highness, bad news! Yun Huang has had an accident," a guard rushed in to report.
Xue Zining trembled all over. Hua Yunjin was in trouble?
"Take me there quickly," the King of Jing ordered.
"Let's go take a look too," Hua Yundan said.
Li Chenxi left with Hua Yundan. Xue Zining stopped herself from following immediately and approached Song Jiang and Hei Yin, whispering, "What exactly is going on?"
Hei Yin said, "We don't know what's going on either. Song Jiang just received a letter. It said if we didn't come to the hunting grounds and assassinate Hua Yundan, Feng Hua's life would be in danger. We had no other choice." Hei Yin bit his lower lip.
"Let's take it one step at a time. I think the King of Jing intends to put you to death. Be very careful," Xue Zining whispered.
Hei Yin nodded, "I understand."
Song Jiang remained silent, only looking into the distance. Xue Zining asked, "Song Jiang, what are you looking at?"
Song Jiang shook his head, "I must have seen wrong."
"Guard Ning, His Highness has ordered me to escort these two assassins away," a guard approached Xue Zining and said.
Xue Zining looked at the guard, a hidden weapon already slipping into her palm.
Song Jiang glanced at her and shook his head.
"Alright, I understand," she turned away, no longer looking at Song Jiang. She knew that if she kept looking at him, she would be unable to bear it and would impulsively try to rescue Song Jiang and Hei Yin.
"Don't worry, we'll be alright," Song Jiang said softly as he passed by her.
"I'll find a way to get you out. Wait for me."
Song Jiang was startled. He saw the determination in her clear eyes.
It was as if they were the same as before, the starlight in her gaze, so bright.
"Okay, Hei Yin and I will wait for you," Song Jiang said, and they were led away.
"Damn it." She struck the tree with the hidden weapon in her hand. This was the first time she felt a sense of helplessness, so close yet so powerless.
"Guard Ning acting like this would make me believe you are in league with those assassins," a deep voice drifted over. Xue Zining stiffened, she looked up, and at that moment, her hidden weapon was already poised.
Seeing who it was, Xue Zining's brows furrowed slightly, for this person was none other than Mr. Li.
"Mr. Li, why are you here?" She remembered Mr. Li had gone hunting.
"Shouldn't I be here?" Mr. Li's tone was cold, as if... he was somewhat angry.
"Mr. Li, you misunderstand. I meant no such thing."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Li said indifferently, "If I weren't here, I'm afraid I wouldn't know that Guard Ning is colluding with assassins."
Xue Zining's eyes flashed coldly, her fingers twitching slightly. Mr. Li looked up at her, his gaze unusually clear, as if he knew her intentions.
"Are you trying to make a move against me?" His gaze was so icy that she felt the hidden weapon in her hand had frozen.
"Mr. Li, you flatter me. How could I dare make a move against Mr. Li?" Xue Zining said coldly.
Mr. Li let out a cold laugh, then surveyed the surroundings and said lightly, "There is no one before and no one after. If Guard Ning wishes to do something, no one will know."
Xue Zining's gaze paused. In fact, she had just had that very thought. Killing Mr. Li here would go unnoticed. She could then report to the King of Jing that Mr. Li was killed by assassins, thus no one would know she had spoken with Mr. Li, and no one would know she was acquainted with the assassins.
"What? Still not acting?" Mr. Li suddenly said coldly.
Xue Zining's gaze turned sharp, and she clasped her hands into fists, "Mr. Li, please forgive my offense."
Saying this, she suddenly attacked, lunging towards Mr. Li.
At this moment, she could not afford to be soft-hearted, otherwise, Song Jiang and Hei Yin's situation would become even more dangerous. Although she felt Mr. Li did not deserve death, he had seen too much.
And only the dead can keep secrets.