"Your Majesty, I will go back and change into a beautiful dress, then prepare some game," Su Ziyan said excitedly, and then hopped back to her palace.
"Master, this world doesn't seem to have spicy skewers," Phoenix Egg said in a milky voice. Although it was still in egg form, it had an adult's voice, cute and handsome.
"It doesn't matter, let's go hunting in the mountains," Su Ziyan said with a smile. She was not familiar with any other places in this world besides the mountains.
The next day, Nangong Che stood in the imperial study, fully dressed, handling state affairs.
Su Ziyan woke up early, practiced her boxing in the courtyard, ate breakfast, and then instructed Xia Xueyi to prepare for their trip to the Western Mountains.
Upon hearing that Su Ziyan was going to the Western Mountains, Xia Xueyi frowned and asked, "Did His Majesty agree to take you to the Western Mountains?"
"Mm," Su Ziyan nodded. Since Nangong Che didn't mind the whole capital knowing he had taken a wife, why should she hide it?
"His Majesty really treats you specially. I've never seen him take any concubine out of the palace for an outing before," Xia Xueyi said with a raised eyebrow, a strong sense of jealousy rising in her heart.
"Let's go," Su Ziyan ignored Xia Xueyi.
In the carriage, Su Ziyan reclined lazily and dominantly on the soft couch, gazing at the scenery outside, a seductive smile curving her lips. She liked this new world and the life in it, and decided to work hard to earn money to become rich and carefree.
Xia Xueyi sat at the other end of the carriage, resting with her eyes closed.
The carriage soon entered the Western Mountains. Su Ziyan lifted the curtain and looked outside, noticing many soldiers on horseback following their carriage.
Suddenly, the carriage shook violently.
"What's happening?" Su Ziyan's expression changed slightly, and she immediately sat up, looking at Xia Xueyi.
Xia Xueyi opened her eyes and said with a solemn expression, "There are assassins."
Hearing this, Su Ziyan quickly surveyed their surroundings and spotted masked figures in black hiding in concealed spots.
Xia Xueyi immediately drew the sword at her waist and vigilantly scanned the area.
Su Ziyan observed carefully and realized that assassins were ambushed everywhere. She couldn't help but frown. They had encountered assassins, and in considerable numbers. It seemed tonight would not be peaceful.
The carriage continued forward and soon collided with a luxurious carriage. At that moment, an old man in white robes rushed forward and blocked the carriage.
Xia Xueyi and Su Ziyan instantly became wary.
Su Ziyan sighed inwardly. Could these people be targeting her?
"Who are you?" the old man demanded sternly. His gaze fell on Xia Xueyi, noticing her formidable martial arts skills.
Xia Xueyi shot a cold glance at the old man but did not reply. She continued to vigilantly observe their surroundings, realizing these were no ordinary assassins, and they were specifically after her.
"Your Majesty, I will escort you back," Xia Xueyi said coldly, gripping her sword.
"No need, you be careful," Su Ziyan said, not worried at all. Instead, she looked forward to a confrontation with the assassins.
Upon hearing "Your Majesty," the old man's pupils contracted sharply. He then looked up to examine Su Ziyan. Was this the Empress the Emperor had been favoring recently? She was indeed quite beautiful.
"Leave the Empress behind," the old man commanded cruelly.
"Not a chance! You can't have the Empress," Xia Xueyi refused coldly. If the Empress fell into their hands, they would surely torture her to death.
Killing intent flashed in the old man's eyes. He waved his sleeve and coldly ordered, "Kill."
Instantly, assassins swarmed from all directions, charging at Xia Xueyi and Su Ziyan with their sharp blades.
"Xia Xueyi, protect me," Su Ziyan called out playfully, then leaped from the carriage.
"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured," Xia Xueyi replied with a firm tone and met the attackers with her sword.
In a moment, Xia Xueyi had dealt with three assassins and then knocked out the remaining ones with a single palm strike.
After being knocked unconscious by Xia Xueyi, the assassins fell onto the road and ceased to breathe.
Su Ziyan clapped her hands, looking at the fallen assassins, a brilliant smile spreading across her face. "Well done."
"Your Majesty, what is this?" Xia Xueyi retrieved a golden plaque from a horse. It was inscribed with 'Chen Wang's Mansion.'
"Chen Wang's Mansion? Nangong Che's home?" Su Ziyan was taken aback.
"Yes, this is what His Highness gave you yesterday," Xia Xueyi said with a light laugh. No wonder the Empress was so happy just now. It was a gift from His Highness. It seemed the Emperor was serious about the Empress.
Su Ziyan took the golden plaque from Xia Xueyi, shook her head with a smile, and then put it into her spatial storage.
"Let's continue our tour."
"Alright."
The two continued their shopping. Su Ziyan bought many beautiful and exquisite jewelry, fabrics, rouge, and powders. Finally, she bought a horse, preparing to ride to the Western Mountains.
When they arrived at the Western Mountains on horseback, they found it very lively. A bonfire party was in full swing, with men and women everywhere, singing and dancing joyfully.
"Let's go join the fun," Su Ziyan dismounted and walked towards the top of the Western Mountains.
Nangong Che had already set up a banquet on the Western Mountains. As far as the eye could see, tables, chairs, and wine cups were arranged, and the tables were filled with all sorts of delicious dishes, emitting an enticing aroma. It seemed Nangong Che had sent people to make preparations in advance.
Seeing the delicious food before her, Su Ziyan's stomach rumbled. She immediately walked over, grabbed her chopsticks, and began to eat.
Nangong Che happened to look up and see Su Ziyan eating ravenously in the distance. He couldn't help but smile. Then, he picked up his chopsticks and joined her. This girl's eating posture was quite cute.
When Su Ziyan finished a plate of food, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach. She clutched her abdomen, frowning, and slowly crouched down.
"Your... Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Xia Xueyi rushed to Su Ziyan's side in alarm.
"My stomach hurts, it hurts so much!" Su Ziyan gritted her teeth, certain she had eaten something bad.
Xia Xueyi supported Su Ziyan and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, I'll go find a doctor right away. Please hold on." With that, Xia Xueyi ran towards a nearby tea stall.
Seeing Xia Xueyi run away, Nangong Che's expression turned grim. He stood up and chased after her.
"Where are you going?" a deep, authoritative voice rang out. A moment later, an old man in brocade robes blocked Nangong Che's path.
Nangong Che stopped and stared at the old man with cold, bloodthirsty eyes. "You're meddling too much in my affairs. Move aside!" He knew that this old man was the one who had arranged the assassination attempt on Su Ziyan, so his strength was not to be underestimated.
"If you don't want your mother to die, then obediently listen to us," the old man sneered sinisterly. As long as they captured Nangong Che and the Empress, their objective would be achieved.
Nangong Che narrowed his dark, icy eyes and said coldly, "I will not harm my Empress. She is my woman."
"Heh heh, in that case, you and your mother will never see each other again," the old man roared with a cold laugh. He knew they had a deep affection for each other, but for the sake of the bigger picture, the Empress had to be sacrificed.
"You're courting death!" Lingering cold light flickered in Nangong Che's eyes. He kicked out his right leg and lashed out fiercely at the old man.
The old man nimbly dodged and simultaneously threw a round object at Nangong Che.
"Bang"
Nangong Che's leg kicked the round, plump ball.
"Boom"
The ball exploded, releasing a cloud of white mist. When the mist dissipated, Nangong Che and the old man were nowhere to be seen. They had both taken the opportunity to escape.
"Master, they've escaped. What do we do?" Xia Xueyi asked anxiously.
"Chase them. We'll split up and chase," Nangong Che pondered for a moment. He had to find out who sent those people.
"Yes, be careful then," Xia Xueyi cautioned Nangong Che and then ran to the left.
After Xia Xueyi left, Nangong Che also quickly departed, leaving only a few guards to protect Su Ziyan.
"I'm fine, hurry and chase them," Su Ziyan instructed calmly.
The guards nodded and quietly pursued.