Chapter Forty-Six: The Gentle Assassin

Yun Ming had no idea what memories Feng Jinye was lost in; there were many matters and emotions that an outsider like him could not untangle. The only reason Yun Ming spoke so frankly was that he understood Feng Jinye well—no matter what, Feng Jinye would never truly harm Weishao Qianyu, not in the slightest...

"I don't know what you're thinking of," Yun Ming said, and as the words left his mouth, the atmosphere thickened with tension. Still, he continued, "You should consider whether it's simply because Qianyu provoked you today."

At the mention of Weishao Qianyu's name, Feng Jinye felt an inexplicable emptiness. She had left without a backward glance—who knew where she would go?

The next instant, Feng Jinye regained his usual composure and stated, "There's news about Qingxuan and Huangfu."

"Qingxuan was captured by the Twilight Pavilion. Huangfu infiltrated the Twilight Pavilion to look for her." As Feng Jinye spoke, the memory of last night—Huangfu Chen embracing Weishao Qianyu—surfaced again in his mind...

"Did Qianyu give you this news?" Yun Ming was puzzled; clearly Weishao Qianyu knew about this as well. How had the two of them fallen out?

"Last night, at the General's residence, assassins surrounded and attacked. Huangfu was among them. They... saw each other..." Feng Jinye's voice was strained and unnatural.

Yun Ming couldn't help bursting into laughter. "So the mighty Prince of War is jealous! Hahaha..."

"Still, that isn't reason enough for you to drive Qianyu away," Yun Ming said, lifting his teacup, probing for the real cause of their quarrel.

"It was..." Feng Jinye paused, not mentioning how Weishao Qianyu had unilaterally decided to end their partnership. Then another memory struck him: last night, Qianyu had shouted, "Don't force me too far! If you won’t listen to me, I... I... I'll divorce you!"

"Luo Yanqing!" Feng Jinye spat coldly. It was Luo Yanqing again—he hated that person, hated even the sound of those three syllables.

Feng Jinye’s frustration knew no bounds. Last night, Qianyu’s words—"I'll divorce you," and "You divorce me"—had infuriated him so much that he hadn’t even considered the deeper meaning behind what she’d said.

She was so proud, and yet he had ignored her wishes and, in a fit of rage, killed Luo Yanqing. Wasn’t that just another way of forcing her to obey him? Feng Jinye let out a long sigh.

But his anger was truly directed at Luo Yanqing, who haunted her like a malevolent spirit, and at the thought of her suffering any injustice.

Suddenly, Feng Jinye remembered: at noon today, Weishao Qianyu had arranged to meet Yun Ming. He looked at Yun Ming, already guessing that Qianyu was likely trying to enlist his help...

Feng Jinye bitterly regretted his actions. He should have kept it from her, should have dealt with Luo Yanqing in secret, hired assassins from the Twilight Pavilion without her knowledge!

It was her fault for bewitching him—one soft "my Feng Jinye," and he’d lost his head, laying all his plans bare before her.

"Chu Jiu!" Feng Jinye called out harshly. When Chu Jiu entered, Feng Jinye ordered, "Is Ye Jiu following her?"

"He is," Chu Jiu replied, having been standing guard outside and sensing his master’s burning anger. He dared not say more, only nodding.

"Have Ye Eleven and Ye Ten follow as well," Feng Jinye said, tapping the table with cold detachment.

Chu Jiu answered meekly and retreated. Only once outside did his eyes widen in shock—his master was sending Ye Eleven to follow the Princess?

Yun Ming listened to Feng Jinye's words, hardly surprised, and secretly laughed. "You reap what you sow."

If he had just gone along with Weishao Qianyu from the start, all would have been well. Instead, he’d angered her enough to drive her away, then panicked and sent his shadow guards to protect her, unable to let go.

After leaving the Prince of War’s residence, Weishao Qianyu was now in the tower of Wanlai Xue, silently opening a window...

In the past, Weishao Qianyu had a habit—she loved to either sit in the tower of Wanlai Xue or in the tea room at Mingke Residence where Feng Jinye often lingered, watching the stories unfold among the passersby below...

Wanlai Xue and Mingke Residence faced each other directly. Looking down, at the corner of the street was a small stall selling wontons—a place Weishao Qianyu used to frequent...

The stall was run by a young couple and their daughter, now six years old. Weishao Qianyu watched as the little girl, carrying a bowl of wontons to each table, would always smile softly at the customer.

Weishao Qianyu couldn’t help but mirror the girl’s gentle smile...

Qing Xia brought in a bowl of shredded chicken congee, puzzled as to what could make her mistress smile at this hour. She followed Qianyu's gaze...

Sensing Qing Xia’s confusion, Weishao Qianyu explained, "This stall is run by a family of three. Do you know why the little girl smiles?"

Qing Xia guessed it was because people enjoyed their wontons—homemade food bringing joy when appreciated.

Qianyu read her thoughts. "Xue Chun would probably guess it’s because their family is earning money."

"And what does my lady think?" Qing Xia asked.

Weishao Qianyu only smiled and turned to her congee, saying nothing...

Later, on another day, Qing Xia brought up this matter, and Dong Nuan remarked, "Mistress, you used to smile a lot too."

In the dark cell of the Twilight Pavilion, Feng Qingxuan’s complexion was pale, her eyes ringed with darkness, looking battered and exhausted...

She stared listlessly at the food before her. She’d been imprisoned here for a long time, cut off from the outside world, not even knowing where she was...

The cell was eerily quiet most days. Feng Qingxuan felt that if she remained any longer, she would become a walking corpse...

Today, a soft, alluring female voice shattered the silence, making Feng Qingxuan’s eyes flicker...

Weishao Qianyu, these past days, had slipped back into her old idle habits. Disguised as a man, drawing her brows bold, eyes wide, nose high, and skin bronzed, she still couldn’t mask her delicate features. She spent her days wandering the capital, waiting for assassins from the Twilight Pavilion to come for her...

Yet, after several days, nothing stirred. Qianyu realized that Feng Jinye must have seen through her plan—he hadn’t sent Yun Ming to hire a killer from the Twilight Pavilion. With Luo Yanqing’s sudden death, and the Pavilion not receiving payment, the contract on her life had likely been withdrawn...

Just after sunset, Qianyu knew the Twilight Pavilion would make no move—her return to the General’s estate was no secret, and after days of roaming the city in disguise, it was impossible the Pavilion hadn’t noticed.

She and Xue Chun passed by the wonton stall at the street corner. Today, dressed as a man, Qianyu impulsively sat down and ordered two bowls of wontons...

Xue Chun watched the little girl, grinning as she served the wontons, and remarked, “What a clever child, so happy to be earning money!”

Qianyu smiled at the girl, pulled a piece of silver from her sleeve, and handed it over. The girl paused, took the silver, and ran back to her mother...

Just as Qianyu was about to eat, she sensed danger. A dart flew toward her; with a flick of her chopsticks, she knocked it to the ground.

She sprang to her feet as dozens more darts shot toward her. Qianyu wanted to dodge, but behind her was the family of three from the stall. Unable to bear risking their lives, she tore off her cloak with one hand and swept it through the air, catching all the darts within its folds...

"Xue Chun, get them out of here!" Qianyu warned, needing to lure the assassin out and find a way to contact Huangfu Chen...

But this time, the assassin was clearly different from last; it seemed to be a lone operator, with all the darts coming from a single direction...

"Miss... be careful," Xue Chun said reluctantly, knowing her limited martial skills would only hinder Qianyu.

Xue Chun turned and ran, leading the family of three back around the corner to the safety of Wanlai Xue...

From the tower, Dong Nuan watched anxiously, worried for Qianyu’s safety, but consoled herself that three guards still hid in the shadows.

When the darts were finally spent, the assassin revealed herself—not Huangfu Chen, but a woman dressed in black...

The assassin, in her black garb, faced Qianyu, who now wore red. Qianyu frowned, noticing the woman’s bright, searching eyes. Was this truly an assassin?

The black-clad woman scrutinized Qianyu as well, frowning deeply, unable to discern her features. Impatiently, she demanded, "Are you Weishao Qianyu?"

Qianyu, startled by the assassin’s soft, lilting voice, wondered at the recklessness—striking without even knowing if she was the right target. Did she think assassination was child’s play?

Had Qianyu not intervened, the family behind her would surely have perished on the spot!

With a rueful smile, Qianyu mused—how fragile life was. Who else would be foolish enough to protect such a simple joy, to shield a family as light as a feather on the scales of fate?

In the bitter cold, Qianyu calmly shook out her cloak, then fastened it again. She smiled lightly, "I’m not Weishao Qianyu. I don’t even know who she is."

The assassin, surprised, scratched her head, a look of distress on her face. Had she truly picked the wrong target?

Qianyu watched the assassin warily, tracking her every move. As the woman’s hand went to her head, Qianyu’s gaze followed...

Suddenly, Qianyu’s pupils narrowed sharply as she barked, "Ye Jiu, Ye Ten, Ye Eleven—seize her!"

The three shadow guards obeyed at once, encircling the assassin. She erupted in fury, roaring, "You lied to me! You are Weishao Qianyu!"

As she spoke, her hands and feet never paused—she spun and unleashed another flurry of darts at Qianyu...

Ye Eleven and the others leapt in front of Qianyu, deflecting the hail of darts. Qianyu’s heart stirred; she drew her concealed blade and darted close to the assassin, engaging her in melee...

Qianyu quickly saw that the woman relied on darts for long-range attacks, so she pressed the advantage, forcing her into close combat...

But Qianyu had underestimated her. As she drew near, the assassin whipped out two curved blades from behind her back, and they clashed fiercely...

The woman’s attacks were wild and cunning, and Qianyu, lacking in experience, soon began to falter. The assassin’s strength was tremendous; a blow from the hilt sent a surge of blood rushing through Qianyu’s chest...

Seeing this, Dong Nuan leapt from the tower and rushed to her mistress’s side. "Are you all right?"

Qianyu shook her head, signaling she was fine, and said calmly, "The hairpin in her hair—it’s Qingxuan’s!"

Dong Nuan followed her gaze. The assassin wore a plum blossom hairpin of red agate and sandalwood. All in the Prince of War’s household knew the princess loved plum blossoms...

As an assassin, the woman’s hearing was extraordinary. She heard Qianyu’s words and smugly stroked her hairpin. “Well, Weishao Qianyu, you have no shortage of enemies. One woman failed to have you killed, now another has paid me to finish the job!”

"It was a woman who bought your life—with this very hairpin!" she mocked, and with a flick of her cloak, another dense volley of darts flew toward Qianyu...