A flash of white light, and several blades descended like sharpened swords.
Gao Yue cried out in alarm, leaping into the air to dodge the attack. Without hesitation, the blade in her hand plunged into the arm of a black-clad assailant.
Ye Luan turned to look, a cold smile playing on her lips. Truly, as a daughter of a distinguished military family, her martial arts were impressive.
With Gao Yue’s skill, she could definitely fight the black-clad figures to the death.
She wanted to run, but suddenly, a corpse flew towards her with a loud thud.
Ye Luan startled, immediately ducking to avoid it.
A sharp, dull ache bloomed in her abdomen.
She frowned slightly, and as she stood up, supporting her belly, she noticed the Dragon Scale Guard insignia on the torn clothing of a black-clad figure.
She gasped and immediately crouched down, examining the back of the assailant's neck.
Dragon Scale Guard?!
Impossible!
Someone was trying to frame Xiao Chi Zhan?!
"Go!"
Gao Yue suddenly appeared, grabbing her and pulling her towards the frozen lake.
The few remaining black-clad figures behind them pursued relentlessly.
Ye Luan suppressed her suspicions, letting herself be pulled along. She feigned panic, asking, "Your Ladyship, what should we do? They're catching up."
'Follow me, I'll get you out.'
The two of them ran towards the frozen lake. The black-clad figures behind them were fast, wielding their blades to strike.
Ye Luan quickly dodged, simultaneously pulling Gao Yue's hand and pushing her back.
Gao Yue was shocked. Why was this fool pushing her?!
Her hand numbed from the impact, and a metallic taste rose in her throat. She quickly swung her saber to parry the fatal blow.
The black-clad figures immediately engaged her, and a fight ensued.
Ye Luan retreated, watching as Gao Yue took down each assailant one by one, a look of cold indifference in her eyes.
The assassins bore the insignia of the Dragon Scale Guard. Who wanted to frame Xiao Chi Zhan?
She couldn't help but recall Gao Yue's mention of Noble Consort Han's death. Was there a connection?
What role did Qi Lin Chen play in this?
"Run quickly."
At this moment, Gao Yue had shaken off the few black-clad figures. She leaped forward and grabbed Ye Luan's hand.
Ye Luan found herself unable to break free.
She followed Gao Yue towards the frozen lake. The remaining black-clad figures, seeing Gao Yue's actions, seemed less urgent in their pursuit.
An indescribable suspicion dawned in Ye Luan's heart.
She quickly tightened her grip on the hidden weapon on her wrist and looked at the thin ice of the lake, a cold smile gracing her lips.
"Miss Ye, don't blame me for your death. Blame your man for being the King of Dingbei."
Suddenly, Gao Yue let out a cold laugh, her wrist snapping forward, shoving Ye Luan towards the frozen lake.
But in the next second, a silver needle shot out, followed by a flash of white. Blood bloomed before her eyes, and her body flipped as Ye Luan kicked her into the water.
"Ah----"
Ye Luan didn't dare to delay. She picked up the saber from the ground and plunged it into Gao Yue's submerged body.
The frozen lake exploded with a splash, water scattering everywhere.
Gao Yue stared with bloodshot eyes, her mouth gurgling what seemed like curses.
Ye Luan knew she wasn't dead yet. She laughed, "A dignified daughter of a military family, reduced to this for a nobody. Gao Yue, you are truly foolish."
"Can't you see? Your husband wants to kill you."
Foolish!
She finally understood. Gao Yue was working for Qi Lin Chen, intending to harm her and lure them here.
And with the tight security of the post station, only someone from the royal family could have allowed assassins in. Only Qi Lin Chen knew of Gao Yue's plan.
Therefore, this was clearly Qi Lin Chen's plan to capture them all, even willing to kill Gao Yue, who was acting on his behalf.
The Third Prince's Consort of Zhongzhou died at the post station, and these assassins bore the insignia of the Great Liang Dragon Scale Guard. This incident would put Great Liang in a disadvantageous position.
Qi Lin Zhou might also be implicated. Colluding with Great Liang people and causing the death of a distinguished daughter of a military family like the Third Prince's Consort would undoubtedly jeopardize his claim to the throne.
Qi Lin Chen's plan was truly a kill of three birds with one stone.
A skillful, ruthless move.
Gao Yue clearly heard her words and was shocked. Her submerged body thrashed violently.
She still wasn't dead.
Ye Luan's hidden weapon pierced through the icy water, striking directly at her heart.
"In your next life, don't be so blind."
As the words left her lips, a potent killing intent surged from behind. Ye Luan immediately rolled away to dodge, pulling out a packet of powder from her purse and flinging it out.
While they were poisoned, she used the saber to stab them one by one.
After they all lay dead.
Ye Luan finally breathed a sigh of relief, her ruthless gaze gradually returning to calm.
She was about to look for Lan Mu Rou when she suddenly sensed the deadly intent of an arrow attacking her from behind. She was startled and, without conscious thought, rolled to the left.
Her lower back slammed against a rock, and a dull ache returned to her abdomen.
Her eyes widened slightly. Enduring the pain, she immediately turned to look at the pavilion across the frozen lake, catching a fleeting glimpse of a skilled archer closing a window.
"A'luan, A'luan?"
Just then, Lan Mu Rou woke up, rubbing her neck. She rushed out from behind the rocks and, seeing Ye Luan lying on the ground, was greatly alarmed.
"How are you? Are you injured?"
Ye Luan was helped up by her, withdrawing her gaze. She frowned tightly. "We can't stay here. We need to leave quickly."
Gao Yue was dead, and so many assassins were dead. If she were caught, she would be the murderer, and Zhongzhou would not let her go.
They had to leave immediately.
"Okay."
The two of them ran along the path towards the Plum Garden. But as they reached behind the rockery, a maid suddenly rushed out, crashing into them.
"A'luan."
As the maid bumped into her, Ye Luan dodged, and her abdomen accidentally struck a sharp protrusion on the rockery.
"Hold her."
Lan Mu Rou immediately grabbed the maid. "Why are you rushing around so carelessly?!"
"My ladies, please spare me. This servant bumped into you accidentally. Please spare me."
The maid knelt on the ground in terror, her tray clattering to the ground.
She had just been scolded by her mistress and couldn't help but think of her family. She had been crying, but she hadn't expected to bump into someone by accident.
The maid was truly frightened.
"My lady, please spare me."
Ye Luan felt her stomach ache more and more, her face turning frightfully pale.
She looked at the maid with tear-reddened eyes and grabbed her wrist.
No martial arts!
Not an assassin.
"My lady, this servant truly bumped into you by accident. Please spare my life."
Ye Luan released her, feeling all her strength drain away, and leaned against the rockery behind her.
"A'luan, blood. You're bleeding so much beneath you."
Lan Mu Rou's eyes widened. Seeing the profuse bleeding beneath her, staining her skirt, she froze in shock.
Ye Luan also noticed. She lowered her gaze and looked, her eyes holding a mix of coldness and bitterness.
She had endured so much fighting without incident, only to have this happen after a bump.
"Quick, hurry to the assembly hall and find the King of Dingbei. Tell him to come."
The little maid was also terrified. Harshly pushed by Lan Mu Rou, she snapped back to her senses. "This servant will go immediately."
"No, don't find him. Find a doctor----"