nucmednet Chapter 532: Roadblocks
Chapter 532: Roadblocks
Shi Wanxia took the bronze whistle, held it in her palm, and nodded: "I understand."
She got up, straightened her clothes, hid the account book and secret letter in her hair bun, and secured it with a hairpin.
As Choi Ji-ho watched her movements, his heart felt like it was being clenched by something, and he felt extremely uncomfortable.
He stepped forward, took a black cloak from the clothes rack, and gently draped it over her shoulders: "It's chilly at night, put this on."
The cloak still carried his scent, and Shi Wanxia felt a warmth in her heart. She looked up at him and smiled, "When I come back, I'll make you your favorite peach blossom pastry."
"it is good."
Choi Ji-ho looked into her eyes, and all his unspoken words were reduced to a single syllable.
At that moment, Cui Jiu suddenly burst in and hurriedly stopped Shi Wanxia.
He lifted his robes and knelt before the two of them, his tone sincere.
"Young Master, my injuries are no longer serious. I will escort Miss Shi to her destination!"
Choi Ji-ho quickly helped him up, admitting that he hadn't considered this point in his haste.
Cui Zhihao patted him on the shoulder, "Cui Jiu, you must bring Miss Shi back safely. I will be waiting for you at the manor."
Cui Jiu nodded and clasped his hands in a salute.
"Young master, rest assured, I will definitely protect Miss Shi."
Shi Wanxia turned around and walked briskly out of the study. Cui Jiu quickly followed, and their figures soon disappeared into the night.
Cui Zhihao stood by the window, watching her back until she could no longer see him, before turning to Zhao Hu and saying, "Take a few brothers and quietly follow them. Don't let them find you. If there is any danger, act immediately."
"Yes!"
Zhao Hu responded and turned to leave quickly.
Cui Zhihao was left alone in the study again. He walked to the desk, picked up the bamboo tablet, and crushed it into powder with his fingertips.
The calm in his eyes vanished completely, leaving only a chilling aura.
Third Prince, Prince Rongyang, you dare to touch my woman, Cui Zhihao's woman, and you dare to harm His Highness the Crown Prince. I will settle this score with you sooner or later.
Meanwhile, in a small alley outside the Qin residence, Shi Wanxia and Cui Jiu were walking along the wall.
The night was thick, with only the lanterns of distant restaurants emitting a faint light to illuminate the path ahead.
She held her breath, listened carefully to the sounds around her, and followed Cui Jiu cautiously, not daring to be careless in the slightest.
Just as she was about to reach the back gate of the Qin residence, she suddenly heard a soft footstep behind her.
Her heart tightened, she stopped in her tracks, and slowly turned around.
In the darkness, several dark figures were walking towards her. The leader, dressed in black, had his face covered, revealing only a pair of sinister eyes that were fixed on her.
"Lord Shi, is your late-night visit to the Qin residence to bring Lord Qin some fine gifts?"
The leader spoke, his voice hoarse and tinged with mockery.
Shi Wanxia's heart sank; she knew she had been discovered.
She forced herself to remain calm, gripping the account book tucked into her hair with one hand, while her other hand quietly reached for the dagger at her waist.
"I was just passing by and have no idea what you're talking about."
She spoke calmly, trying to stall for time.
"Passing by?"
The masked man sneered, "Lord Shi has quite the interest, staying up so late to pass by the back gate of the Qin residence."
"Hand over what you have, and we might spare your life."
Shi Wanxia knew that what they wanted were the account books and secret letters.
She took a step back, her back pressed against the cold wall, her mind racing as she considered what to do.
Just then, the masked man suddenly waved his hand: "Go! Take her down!"
Several dark figures immediately pounced, their knives flashing coldly in the night.
Shi Wanxia dodged to the side, but stumbled and almost fell.
Although she had learned some self-defense techniques from Choi Ji-ho, she was no match for these well-trained assassins.
Just as a knife was about to strike her, Cui Jiu blocked the attack with his longsword, and at the same time pulled Shi Wanxia to his side, protecting her behind him.
"Stab!"
The crisp sound of a sword ringing out in the night was particularly jarring.
The masked man's expression changed: "Oh no, an ambush! Attack now!"
Just then, several figures suddenly rushed out of the alleyway; they were the bodyguards sent by Cui Zhihao.
The guards were agile and quickly engaged the assassins in combat.
Taking advantage of the situation, Cui Jiu led the way backward, hoping to slip into the Qin residence.
But just as they turned around, they caught a glimpse of a dark figure weaving through the fighting crowd and lunging toward her, a short knife in its hand aimed straight for her back.
She was startled and tried to dodge, but it was too late.
At this critical moment, Cui Jiu directly swung his longsword and stood in front of her.
"Pfft-"
The dagger plunged deep into Cui Jiu's back, and blood instantly stained his clothes.
Shi Wanxia's pupils contracted sharply as she looked at the person blocking her way and cried out, "Cui Jiu!"
Cui Jiu grunted, turned around, his face covered in blood, but still grinned at Shi Wanxia: "Miss, hurry... hurry into the Qin residence..."
After saying that, he used his last bit of strength to push Shi Wanxia away, and then lunged at the assassin, clinging tightly to his leg.
"Run!" Cui Jiu roared.
Looking at him, Shi Wanxia's tears welled up instantly, but she knew now was not the time to cry.
She gritted her teeth, turned and ran towards the back gate of the Qin residence, pounding on the door: "Lord Qin! Lord Qin! It's me, Shi Wanxia, I have urgent business to discuss!"
The door was quickly opened, and the Qin family's steward poked his head out. When he saw that it was Shi Wanxia, his face was full of surprise: "Lord Shi? What brings you here so late?"
"Quickly, take me to see Lord Qin, it's a matter of life and death!" Shi Wanxia said urgently.
Seeing her flustered expression and the dust on her cloak, the steward dared not delay and immediately stepped aside to let her in: "My lady, come with me."
Shi Wanxia followed the butler quickly into the alley, while the sounds of fighting and screams continued behind her.
She knew that Cui Jiu might already be... She dared not think any further and could only pray in her heart that Cui Jiu and the guards would be safe and sound.
Upon arriving at Qin Zhongshan's study, the butler stepped forward to announce their arrival. Soon, the study door opened, and Qin Zhongshan, dressed in casual clothes, walked out with a grave expression: "Niece Wanxia, your visit so late at night, has something happened?"
Before he could say anything more, Shi Wanxia immediately took out an account book and a secret letter from her hair and handed them over: "Lord Qin, look at this! The Third Prince and Prince Rongyang are colluding to attack His Highness the Crown Prince at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet!"
Qin Zhongshan took the account book and the secret letter and quickly flipped through them.
The more he looked, the darker his face became, and his hands began to tremble slightly.
He looked up abruptly, his eyes sharp as knives: "Is this true?"
"Absolutely true!"
Shi Wanxia nodded, her voice slightly choked with emotion, "These were all found in the private residence of the Prince of Rongyang. My subordinates were still fighting with their people outside to protect me..."