The day of the spring hunt arrived.
Lin Qinghe and You Rong traveled by carriage to the imperial palace and set off with the Emperor's entourage towards the royal hunting grounds outside the city, a grand procession.
Lin Qinghe lifted the carriage curtain to look outside and immediately spotted You Jing, riding his horse at the front. Dressed in a pale yellow robe, he possessed a tall and straight posture, appearing exceptionally handsome and dashing.
Alas, one could never truly know another's heart. Both he and Consort Xiao were wicked individuals who, for the sake of the throne and power, would not hesitate to make a deadly move against You Rong.
As Lin Qinghe gazed, other thoughts began to form in her mind. Once they reached the hunting grounds, perhaps she could subtly lead You Rong to stay close to You Jing. If assassins were to appear, why not devise a way to use them to kill You Jing, letting them reap the consequences of their own actions?
While Lin Qinghe was engrossed in her thoughts, You Rong suddenly and angrily pulled down the curtain. He said with a pout, "Why is the Princess Consort looking at my fifth brother? Is he that good-looking! But Empress Dowager said that I am better-looking than him! If the Princess Consort wants to look… you can only look at me!"
Lin Qinghe chuckled upon hearing this. She pinched You Rong's puffed-out cheeks. "You silly child, you even get jealous? Alright, alright… you are the most handsome, I will only look at you, okay?"
You Rong huffed, "It's true that I am better-looking than him! You are not allowed to look at fifth brother! When we get out of the carriage later, you are not allowed to look at him either!"
"Fine, I'll do as you say, but once we enter the hunting grounds, Your Highness must also listen to me and stay by my side, understood?"
You Rong nodded emphatically. "Yes, as long as the Princess Consort doesn't look at Wu Di, I'll do whatever you say!"
Looking at You Rong, who was so obedient to her words, Lin Qinghe couldn't help but think how much easier it would be if the simple-minded You Rong were also like this towards her. Then, she wouldn't have to worry about failing her mission.
Upon arriving at the hunting grounds, the group, led by the Emperor, reached the entrance. Lin Qinghe, with You Rong, approached. The Emperor, perhaps remembering the Empress Dowager's instructions, spoke, "If Prince Rong and the Princess Consort do not wish to enter the hunting grounds, you may rest in the tents outside."
Lin Qinghe replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty, this concubine can ride a horse. My Prince happened to mention he wanted to ride into the hunting grounds. This concubine can take him on horseback. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, my equestrian skills are good, and I will certainly take good care of my Prince."
Ye Qingyan was hiding in the dark within the hunting grounds. If she didn't enter the hunting grounds, and the assassins chose to strike outside, they would be in true danger.
The Emperor was still hesitating when You Jing's eyes flickered, and he suddenly interjected, "Father Emperor, why not let Prince Rong's Consort take Imperial Brother into the hunting grounds for a stroll? It is rare to see Imperial Brother so fond of something. Moreover, if Father Emperor is worried… you can simply dispatch more soldiers to follow them."
The Emperor looked at You Rong and asked, "Do you truly wish to go inside?"
You Rong, clinging to Lin Qinghe's arm, replied without hesitation, "Yes, Father Emperor, this humble subject wishes to ride with the Princess Consort…"
The Emperor relented. "Very well, Prince Rong's Consort, you may ride with Prince Rong around the perimeter of the hunting grounds. Do not venture deep into the grounds. Although it is a royal hunting ground, it is still a dense forest, fraught with danger. Be careful."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this concubine obeys."
The Emperor led You Jing and a host of officials into the hunting grounds on horseback. Before leaving, no one saw You Jing cast a glance back at You Rong and Lin Qinghe; his eyes held a hidden ferocity.
Lin Qinghe rode her horse, bringing You Rong into the hunting grounds. Thinking of her initial plan to stay close to You Jing, she now realized it was impossible. She and You Rong, on horseback, couldn't even keep up with You Jing and his party. Su Dan Fiction Network.
Lin Qinghe discreetly surveyed her surroundings.
Where would Ye Qingyan be hiding? Would she falter at the crucial moment?
While lost in thought, You Rong, who was holding Lin Qinghe's waist from behind, suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "Princess Consort! Quick, look… a rabbit! A rabbit! So many rabbits! Let's go catch them quickly!"
Lin Qinghe snapped back to reality, pulled the reins, and stopped. Before she could speak, You Rong eagerly dismounted and ran off to catch rabbits.
Lin Qinghe's heart tightened, and she quickly called out, "Your Highness! Come back!"
It was not unusual to find rabbits in the deep mountains, but the sudden appearance of so many was definitely abnormal!
You Rong paid no heed, happily shouting, "Princess Consort! You wait, I'll catch rabbits for you. I'm the best at catching rabbits…"
Lin Qinghe was about to get angry, but it was too late. She saw an arrow shoot out from the dense forest ahead, heading directly for You Rong's vital spot.
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth, spurred the horse forward with a forceful squeeze of her legs, and with a "Giddy up!", she leaped off the horse at the last moment, tackling You Rong to the ground. They rolled a few times, narrowly escaping death.
Simultaneously, a multitude of arrows shot out from the same direction, like a rain of arrows descending upon them. Lin Qinghe, without time to catch her breath, held You Rong and rolled forcefully behind a large tree, seeking shelter behind its thick trunk.
The accompanying soldiers reacted, shouting urgently, "Quick! Protect His Highness and the Princess Consort… there are assassins, argh…"
The soldiers fell into chaos, with some dying and others injured amidst the assassins' arrow barrage.
You Rong's face turned pale with fright. Just as he was about to move, Lin Qinghe grabbed him and held him tightly, whispering fiercely, "Don't move! Do you want an arrow to pierce your head?"
You Rong froze, no longer daring to move, clutching Lin Qinghe's clothes tightly.
Seeing the soldiers being overwhelmed and almost all of them dead, Lin Qinghe was frantic.
What about Ye Qingyan, who was supposed to appear with her protagonist halo to save them? Where was she? This was too unreliable!
Lin Qinghe, in extreme distress, disregarded everything else. She dragged You Rong and ran backward, dodging arrows aimed at them. She stumbled on a vine underfoot, and they fell heavily to the ground, exposing their position.
Lin Qinghe inwardly cried out in alarm, but her body reacted before her mind could. She immediately threw herself over You Rong, shielding him with her body.
Lin Qinghe closed her eyes, expecting certain death. But strangely… the anticipated pain never came.
She opened her eyes and saw a terrified You Rong, frozen in shock. She looked back and noticed that the arrows had stopped.
What was happening?
As she pondered, the sounds of pained wails echoed from the dense forest not far away.
Lin Qinghe hesitated for a moment, then pulled You Rong up and whispered to him, "Stay behind me. You must stay close, understood?"
You Rong nodded blankly. Lin Qinghe led him towards the source of the sounds.
Pushing through the tangled undergrowth, Lin Qinghe saw several black-clothed assassins' corpses lying on the ground. A slender youth in red stood with his back to them, facing the kneeling assassins, his long sword held at the neck of one of them.
The assassin clutched his injured arm and pleaded with difficulty, "You… please let me go. I… I was ordered by someone. Please let me go…"
The red-clothed youth sneered, tightening his grip on his sword, about to end the assassin's life. Lin Qinghe suddenly jolted and quickly shouted, "Wait! Don't kill him yet!"