059. Schemes Upon Schemes

“I don’t like watching this. I think I’ll leave first,” Le Qianxue said.

Yu Guhan hurriedly grabbed her hand. “Qianxue, don’t rush off. You haven’t even seen it yet—how do you know you won’t like it?”

The room was dim, and as Qianxue felt Yu Guhan pull her hand, it was as though a jolt of electricity ran through her. Startled, she quickly withdrew her hand. There was a faint glimmer in Yu Guhan’s eyes; he merely smiled softly, approached, and pressed her gently back into her seat.

Qianxue clutched her hand, a little dazed. Why did she feel this way at his touch today? It was too strange. The more she thought about it, the more she felt she shouldn’t stay. Yu Guhan had become somewhat frightening—she ought to be wary.

Yet, when she tried to rise, she found herself unable to break away from him, as if her body no longer obeyed her will. Something about Yu Guhan drew her inexorably closer.

Anxious, Qianxue took out several silver needles and pricked herself, the pain clearing her mind somewhat and restoring a bit of strength. This wasn’t a poison she recognized, yet the longing welling up inside her was inexplicable.

Suddenly, she recalled Young Master Yuan. Damn it! How could she have forgotten about him? She tried to stand, but her legs buckled, nearly sending her sprawling—she caught herself on the table just in time.

Yu Guhan asked, “Qianxue, what’s wrong? Sit down—are you feeling unwell?”

She wanted to keep her distance, but the closer Yu Guhan drew, the more her own body yearned toward him. Qianxue cursed inwardly. She had no idea what kind of venom or parasite had been used on her, but here she was, powerless.

She stepped back. “Your Highness, don’t come any closer.” She gripped several silver needles in her hand, ready to defend herself with deadly intent if Yu Guhan dared act against her.

Yu Guhan smiled lightly. “Qianxue, you’re not well. Let me support you—don’t overthink things.”

Qianxue frowned, her consciousness growing fuzzy. The figure before her blurred, and for a moment, she thought she saw Zhan Lianjing’s face flicker before her eyes. She gasped, her body seemingly controlled by another force, moving involuntarily toward Yu Guhan.

Yu Guhan smiled, visibly pleased. Watching Qianxue’s current state was a delight in itself. She had always been beautiful, but lately, her aura had grown more captivating.

The woman he had long yearned for would finally be his tonight—no one knew how many years he had waited for this. He strode forward eagerly; the parasite within him would draw the one within her, yet he still felt desire of his own. The incense heightened its effect on Qianxue.

He quickly swept her into his arms; the room had a prepared resting place, and the couch was wide and soft. Feeling feverish, he tugged at his collar, a smile playing at his lips.

Qianxue, dazed, saw only Zhan Lianjing before her. Before him, she no longer felt any threat; the silver needles she had gripped were now scattered who knows where. The parasite in her took over, making her voice soft and pliant, “What…what are you going to do?”

Yu Guhan, still rational, wanted to ensure he wasn’t mistaken. He reached out and pulled aside her robe—sure enough, on her right shoulder was the mark he sought.

He spoke quietly, “Qianxue, when I was eight years old, I saw this mark on you. Even then, I resolved to make you mine. But, you only liked my fourth brother. I waited for you to stop caring for him, but then you grew close to Zhan Lianjing. I had meant to wait longer, but now I can’t wait any more.”

Qianxue, stripped of reason, understood nothing he said. Driven by the parasite, she instinctively reached for Yu Guhan, pulling him closer.

He smiled, and pressed her down. Her scent was fresh and alluring; others might not see her worth, but he knew she was destined for greatness. He was right—she was no longer the same as before.

He took her hand, pulling open her robes, laying a kiss on her neck. The parasite’s influence flooded her with pleasure; her body shuddered, a helpless moan escaping her lips.

Yu Guhan was elated. Lifting his head, he was about to kiss her lips when, suddenly, the roof above burst apart with a crash! Startled, Yu Guhan looked up, only to see countless tiles flying toward him.

His martial skills were poor; his first instinct was to dodge. He avoided the tiles just in time to see a masked man, agile as a shadow, sword flashing straight toward him.

Yu Guhan stumbled backward, panicked, remembering the traps set in his chamber. He hastily triggered the mechanism—a volley of tiny arrows shot forth. The masked man’s sword blocked many, but it was clear his internal energy was lacking; some arrows could not be deflected.

One arrow pierced the man’s abdomen. Yu Guhan, seeing this, was delighted and shouted, “Guards! Assassin! There’s an assassin!”

The masked man glanced at him, swiftly grabbed Qianxue, and leaped through the shattered roof. Before leaving, he flung two concealed weapons—this time, Yu Guhan could not dodge. One grazed his left cheek, and blood immediately welled up.

Clutching his face, Yu Guhan watched as the guards burst in, shielding him.

“What are you doing guarding me? The assassin has taken Le Qianxue! Go after them!” Even wounded, Yu Guhan shouted furiously, terrified she might not be recovered.

To him, Qianxue was indispensable—she could not be lost!

The masked man’s lightness skills were superb. Even carrying Qianxue, he quickly left pursuers far behind. In the end, the guards lost their trail near the Red Hibiscus Pavilion.

“Search everywhere!” their leader commanded. “Search the Red Hibiscus Pavilion too—leave no stone unturned.”

The Red Hibiscus Pavilion was turned upside down, but there was no trace of them. Since the Yang family backed the pavilion, the palace guards dared not make too much trouble.

After everyone had withdrawn, Qingqing lifted the mattress, opened a secret compartment beneath the couch, and whispered, “Your Highness, come out quickly.”

Inside the compartment, two people were wedged together. Qianxue had fainted, while Zhan Lianjing’s robes were stained with blood.

Qingqing was utterly shocked—this was the first time she had seen Zhan Lianjing wounded.

Yet he still had the strength to carry Qianxue out and lay her on the soft couch. Qingqing hurried to fetch bandages. “Your Highness, you’re bleeding badly—let me dress your wounds.”

Zhan Lianjing’s expression remained unchanged. He pulled out the broken arrow from his abdomen, wrapped it with a strip of cloth, and said, “No need. I must return to the Prince’s Manor at once.”

“But it’s dangerous outside now…” Qingqing began, but Zhan Lianjing could barely stand and nearly collapsed.

Supporting him, Qingqing exclaimed, “I nearly forgot—it’s the month of the yin moon! You mustn’t be up, Your Highness!”

Though he still wore a mask, Qingqing could imagine how pale his face must be beneath it.

But Zhan Lianjing ignored her concern, taking a deep breath. “I can still make it back.”

Qingqing looked at Qianxue. “Why not leave her here? You can send someone to fetch her later.”

Given Zhan Lianjing’s state, he could hardly carry a person any distance.

Who knew what fortune Qianxue possessed, to have Zhan Lianjing risk so much for her?

He replied, “I don’t know what has happened to her—she must be treated at the manor immediately.”

He had seen her, just moments ago, throwing herself at Yu Guhan—something was clearly wrong.

He was certain Qianxue was afflicted with something, so she had to be taken back without delay.

“Let me help you bring her back!” Qingqing pleaded, unwilling to see Zhan Lianjing push himself further—he might lose his life at this rate.

He cut her off. “Qingqing, remember your duty.”

That left her speechless. She watched as Zhan Lianjing carried Qianxue away, knowing full well how much he was forcing himself, but she could not make him stop.

Back at the Prince’s Manor, Zhan Lianjing was drenched in cold sweat. He managed only to say, “Your little disciple is in trouble.”

Yuan Tianci was startled and quickly took Qianxue from him, preparing to treat her, only then realizing that Zhan Lianjing was covered in blood.

Haoyue’s face paled. “Your Highness!”

A scout had reported that Qianxue went to the Crown Prince’s palace. Zhan Lianjing had rushed after her; Haoyue had tried to stop him, but could only hope for his safe return. Yet he had come back wounded.

He shook his head. “I’m fine—save her!”

Yuan Tianci hesitated; Zhan Lianjing’s condition seemed even more dire.

Seeing him unmoving, Zhan Lianjing barked, “I command you—save her!”

Yuan Tianci immediately carried Qianxue away. Only then did Zhan Lianjing collapse, half-kneeling, gasping for air, his legs powerless.

Haoyue knew he should have been resting this month, especially after his recent injuries—he was far from healed and should never have gone to rescue anyone himself.

Zhuixing helped Zhan Lianjing aside, removed his bloodied robes, and began tending his wounds. They had some experience with such things—after all, they had followed Zhan Lianjing through many campaigns before.