There was a ring enclosed in the letter. It was hers.
It had been snatched by Chu Junyi during the imperial feast and then returned to her.
After that, she had always kept it in her pouch. Presumably, he had quietly taken it away that night before he left for the South of the Yangtze River.
Maybe he wanted to keep it as a memento?
Thinking of this, her heart was like a pool of spring water being stirred up. The ripples shattered the high - standing rationality, and Li Xinyue wavered.
Although she knew it would be dangerous, she still decided, "Go to the South of the Yangtze River!"
"Princess, you mustn't!"
The horse galloped on the broad official road, its hooves kicking up clouds of dust.
The howling wind messed up her hair and puffed up the clothes on her back like a sack, but it strengthened Li Xinyue's determination to go to the South of the Yangtze River. She raised the horsewhip in her hand high and whipped it down hard.
The horse neighed long and ran even faster.
Hongxiu urged her horse desperately to barely keep abreast of Li Xinyue. Against the howling wind and with her lips flapping, she shouted hoarsely in persuasion, "The Fu family is just looking for an excuse to lure you to the South of the Yangtze River. If you go, won't you just fall into their trap!"
"If His Majesty finds out, he will surely fly into a rage!"
"Princess! The glory and wealth you've managed to obtain with great effort, the same honor as the legitimate princess, are you willing to let it all go up in smoke?"
Li Xinyue raised her eyes and looked at the endless road ahead. "My decision is made!"
Then, she waved away Hongxiu's obstruction.
The two fought a few rounds on horseback. Unfortunately, Hongxiu was no match for Li Xinyue and couldn't stop her. She had no choice but to follow.
At that time, in the South of the Yangtze River, outside a civilian house, dozens of killers disguised as passers - by surrounded the house, silently scheming.
The leading old doctor signaled to his subordinates with hand gestures: The newly - arrived Lord Chu is highly skilled in martial arts, and the few people following him are no less capable than us.
Learning from the last lesson, this time we should outwit them. Do you understand!
The subordinates signaled back: Understood!
The leading old doctor glanced at the plaque with the words "Zhou Residence" hanging on the door. Confirming that it was consistent with the information he received, he knew that the target was hiding inside to recuperate. So, while gently knocking on the door, he carefully drew out the dagger from his waist and tried to push the bolt from the crack of the door.
"Sister - in - law Zhou, it's me, Doctor Xing. Didn't you invite me to see a patient? I'm here now."
As the old doctor spoke, the other subordinates in the guise of passers - by were ready. They were just waiting for the door to open so that they could rush in and take the target by surprise.
At this moment, the door was pried open. The old doctor looked at the empty yard and hesitated. But seeing the smoke rising from the chimney and hearing the crowing of chickens in the yard, it was obvious that there were people, perhaps they were out.
It seemed that the information from above was absolutely accurate.
On a sudden inspiration, he decided to lie in ambush inside for a better chance of success.
The old doctor turned around and signaled to his subordinates with hand gestures, indicating that they should all go in.
Hiding not far away, Chu Junyi and his men watched this nervously. There was a string hidden under the door, connected to a mechanism behind.
As long as they stepped in...
"Excuse me?"
Li Xinyue stood on the road not far from the killers.
On her way here, she had heard the news that Chu Junyi was recuperating here, but it didn't seem right. It looked more like someone else's house, so she couldn't help but hesitate.
The killers raised their eyes.
But the next moment, a figure flashed like lightning and snatched Li Xinyue away, too fast for those people to see clearly.
Li Xinyue was about to raise her hand to fight back when she heard the person holding her from behind whisper softly, "It's me."
Li Xinyue's pupils dilated. A certain emotion suppressed in her heart welled up. She was far from calm. She gently put down her hand and lowered her eyes to hide the involuntary emotion.
Chu Junyi turned around and pinned her against the wall, covering her mouth. "Shh!"
Then he looked out sideways. Thinking of something, he turned back and gave her a naughty smile. "Wifey, why did you come? Didn't I tell you to wait for me at home? Miss me?"
After saying that, Chu Junyi removed his hand from her mouth, clearly indicating that he wanted her to respond.
Li Xinyue glared at him fiercely!
She wasn't going to respond!
Chu Junyi signaled with his eyes for her to look over there.
Li Xinyue saw those people coming over, so she reluctantly let out a grunt.
"What did you say? Speak louder!"
Li Xinyue stomped on Chu Junyi's foot. Chu Junyi endured the pain with pleasure. "Wifey, your feet are so strong!"
Li Xinyue's whole face flushed. Why did she come here? Wouldn't it be nice to stay in the Princess Mansion!
She wanted to go back!
Chu Junyi let out a muffled laugh. After enjoying her embarrassment to the fullest, he reluctantly let her go. But out of the corner of his eye, he saw the old man draw out his dagger and come towards them.
He turned around, hugged Li Xinyue, and kissed her. He deliberately turned Li Xinyue's face towards the old man while only showing his back.
Li Xinyue watched the approaching old man. Her hand occasionally touched his belt, and a glint of something shiny was faintly visible from the belt. It was obviously the blade of a dagger.
As a last resort, Li Xinyue held Chu Junyi's head and kissed him back. She closed her eyes, looking like she was going to sacrifice herself.
Chu Junyi's heart skipped a beat. He tightened his arms around her waist and kissed her more passionately.
Li Xinyue's whole body burned. Her little hand rested on his chest, pinching his flesh in dissatisfaction. He laughed merrily, kissed passionately, and whispered in her ear in a lingering tone.
"I didn't expect you to come. Were you worried about me?"
"Well, it's good this way. I don't have to miss you every day, and I don't have to worry about some people taking advantage of the situation."
Li Xinyue felt like she was melting. Her mind was like a field of fireworks.
It must be a dream. It definitely was.
She must still be in the Princess Mansion. She must!
The old man watched for a long time. After confirming that they were just an ordinary couple, he turned around and went back to his business.
Noticing that the man had left, Chu Junyi let her go. He looked at her intoxicating face and her moist, shiny red lips with lingering eyes. He smiled with a sense of smugness but accidentally pulled his wound and grimaced in pain.
Li Xinyue said, "Serves you right!"
Chu Junyi pursed his smiling lips and winked at the imperial bodyguards hiding on the other side.
The imperial bodyguards received the order and rushed out. Just as the killers entered the house, the imperial bodyguards kicked the door shut.
Then there came the sound of crackling and painful howls from inside the house. But soon, the highly - skilled killers broke open the door and charged at the imperial bodyguards.
Chu Junyi looked at the beautiful and charming Princess. He coaxed her gently, "Wait for me to come back."
Then he drew out his long sword and rushed forward.
Li Xinyue struggled for a moment. Since she had come, she couldn't just stand by and watch.
So she also dragged her long sword and chased after him.
After Chu Junyi fought back the approaching killers, he turned around and saw Li Xinyue standing beside him. They walked side by side. This time, it was her turn to scold sharply, "Look ahead. Don't be distracted!"
Chu Junyi smiled helplessly. "You're quite vindictive!"
So a fierce fight broke out on the scene.
Chu Junyi and Li Xinyue cooperated closely. With a wave of their swords, the living turned into corpses.
The surviving killers resorted to all kinds of dirty tricks. Besides poisonous silver needles, they also used lime powder.
In an instant, the scene became hazy, and it was hard to tell the direction.
Chu Junyi quickly pushed Li Xinyue away and told her not to come over!
The killers tried to take the opportunity to escape, but were firmly held back by Chu Junyi and several imperial bodyguards.
Chu Junyi closed his eyes, listened to the sounds to determine the direction, and quickly and accurately took out a handful of silver needles and threw them out.
Whoosh!