Chapter 74: Threats

Upon hearing this, Xia Tong froze for a moment before sitting up straight, her expression serious as she asked, “Is something happening in the palace?”

Xifeng shook his head, his demeanor urgent. “Now isn’t the time to talk, it’s best if you follow me.”

His urgency indicated that something was amiss. After a moment of hesitation, Xia Tong decided to go with him, and Fang Yu immediately rushed to drape a fox fur coat over her shoulders.

“By the way, can we bring my mother along?” she suddenly thought of this.

Xifeng nodded. “I’ll find Madam Liu shortly. For now, you need to come with me.”

Though she didn’t know what was happening outside, she could guess that someone must be targeting her. The secret passage was located in the study, which meant she couldn’t take Fang Yu and the others with her. Those people probably wouldn’t stoop so low as to harm her maids.

The night was heavy with darkness, and the long corridor was blanketed in white snow. Xifeng walked ahead with a lantern, while Xia Tong couldn’t help but ask, “How is the prince?”

The cold wind howled as Xifeng carefully led the way, responding, “Master is fine. As long as the princess is safe, everything else will be fine.”

Today was a rare opportunity, their master had been planning this for a long time and would not allow any mistakes. Thus, Xifeng knew that the safety of the princess was the top priority—everything else could wait.

“What about my father?” Xia Tong began to worry. If chaos erupted in the palace, what would happen to her father?

“Lord Xia is in the palace and will be under master’s watch. You need not worry,” he assured her earnestly.

After this, Xia Tong didn’t say anything further. Although she wanted to ask about what was happening outside, she could tell that Xifeng was trying to shield her from worry.

“By the way…”

“Who!”

Suddenly, Xifeng shielded her behind him as a vague figure appeared at the far end of the corridor. As the figure approached, Xia Tong could finally see his face clearly.

“Princess, where are you in such a hurry to go?”

The man was dressed in a brocade robe, his hands clasped behind his back, his voice low and menacing. Upon seeing him, Xifeng remained silent, tightly guarding Xia Tong as he slowly drew his sword. At that moment, the hidden guards in the residence also swiftly gathered around, forming a protective circle around Xia Tong.

Seeing this scene, the man chuckled. Just then, a rustling sound came from the nearby artificial hill, causing everyone to stand on high alert. A man wielding a sharp sword appeared, escorting a middle-aged woman towards them.

“Mother!”

Xia Tong’s expression changed dramatically, but she didn’t rush over. Instead, she glared fiercely at the man in front of her. “You shameless bastard! I even helped you save Shen Xin before, and this is how you treat someone who has helped you?!”

Indeed, the man standing opposite was the Fifth Prince, Xiao Ming. However, he merely responded with a cold smile. “Princess, have you forgotten that I saved your life in the teahouse? By that logic, I owe you nothing.”

Madam Liu seemed to be unconscious, and Xia Tong felt a surge of anxiety. She had no idea what kind of underhanded tactics had been used against her mother.

“Our master never intended to interfere in today’s affairs. Why does the Fifth Prince need to make things more complicated?” Xifeng spoke up, frowning.

The atmosphere in the darkness grew tense. Xiao Ming merely chuckled coldly, a fierce glint in his eyes. “Such childish tricks are better suited for my older brother. If the Regent really doesn’t intend to interfere, then what harm is there if the princess accompanies me? Once the matter is resolved, I’ll ensure the princess is returned safe and sound—unless, of course, the Regent has other plans.”

“With someone as despicable as you, it’s no wonder the late emperor chose the crown prince as the heir apparent instead of you!” Xia Tong clenched her fists, her voice turning icy.

Xiao Ming’s eyes narrowed sharply as he suddenly drew a long sword and pressed it against Madam Liu’s neck, speaking in a chilling tone, “Since the Princess has said that, I suppose I must be despicable today.”

Seeing the sword poised to strike her mother, Xia Tong immediately shouted, “Don’t!”

Xiao Ming ignored her, and only when he drew a line of blood on Madam Liu’s arm did he turn his gaze back to Xia Tong, saying, “Princess should think carefully. Next time, it won’t just be this.”

The cold wind howled, tangling her hair. Xia Tong clenched her fists, her gaze fixed intensely ahead, her expression tense as if she was in the midst of a struggle.

“Princess…” Xifeng furrowed his brow, seemingly wanting to persuade her.

“Three!” Xiao Ming smirked.

As the sword moved toward her mother’s neck, Xia Tong shut her eyes, took a deep breath, and pushed through the crowd, saying, “I’ll go with you.”

“Princess!” Xifeng knew he couldn’t stop her but still earnestly urged, “You’re carrying the prince’s child!”

The fifth prince harbored a deep hatred for their master, and going with him would surely mean danger. Yet, he understood that he couldn’t prevent her from making this choice.

Gently resting her hand on her abdomen, Xia Tong glanced back at Xifeng, her expression slightly dazed. “Please tell the prince… that I’m truly happy to have met him.”

In the dark, with wind and snow raging, the silent corridor echoed with the slow sound of footsteps. Watching the approaching woman, Xiao Ming’s smile widened. True to his word, as soon as Xia Tong arrived, he had Madam Liu placed on the ground and seized Xia Tong by the shoulder, swiftly leaping out of the manor.

Meanwhile, instructing others to return Madam Liu, Xifeng tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, his eyes burning as he glared at the manor walls, and squeezed out a single word through clenched teeth, “Pursue!”

*

Inside the brightly lit Council Hall, the atmosphere was heavy and solemn, punctuated by the occasional murmurs of ministers. Suddenly, a member of the Imperial Guard rushed in, instantly raising everyone’s tension.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the rebel forces have arrived at the city gates. They are currently trying to persuade the soldiers within the city to open the gates. It won’t be long before they launch an attack. There are an estimated eighty thousand rebels.”

Upon hearing this, the hall erupted into chaos. With such a large number of rebels, their chances of winning seemed slim!

At that moment, another figure entered the hall, and everyone recalled that it was Xifeng, who was close to the regent.

Seeing him, Gu Qin’s expression shifted dramatically, and the teacup in his hand shattered into pieces at a visible speed, causing everyone to tremble. They had never seen the regent so out of control during his time in court.

Before Xifeng could approach, Gu Qin stood up with a darkened face. Suddenly, Xiao Jing spoke up, “Where is the Regent going?”

The atmosphere in the hall became tense and eerie, as everyone was left wondering what had caused the regent’s unusual behavior.

As Xifeng approached with a serious expression, Gu Qin didn’t need to ask to know what had occurred. He turned coldly to Xiao Jing and said, “This is a matter concerning my family. I believe the Emperor can understand the urgency.”

With that, the regent strode out, leaving everyone in a state of nervousness. For a moment, they were all extremely nervous. Could it be that the Regent had changed sides at the last minute? If so, how could the capital city be defended?

Xiao Jing’s expression was also grim. It was the first time he had been publicly humiliated. At that moment, one of his servants leaned in to whisper something in his ear, causing his gaze to grow increasingly complicated. His fifth brother would stop at nothing.

Meanwhile, outside the city, in a camp five miles away, a petite figure leaned against a small bed. As the girl on the bed began to stir, her listless expression started to change.

Slowly opening her eyes, Shen Xin rubbed her sore neck and was taken aback when she saw the woman beside her. “What are you doing here?”

Xia Tong leaned against her, frowning as she recounted what had just happened in detail.

Shen Xin stood up, her face pale, but as soon as she stepped outside the tent, she was stopped. Soldiers filled the area outside, arranged so tightly that only their figures were visible.

“Miss Shen, His Highness has instructed that you cannot go out,” one soldier said respectfully.

Glaring at the sea of soldiers outside, Shen Xin coldly scoffed and returned to the tent, realizing that Xiao Ming had truly captured Xia Tong and his methods were exceptionally despicable.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t persuade him,” Shen Xin said apologetically as she sat beside Xia Tong, determination in her eyes. “But I won’t allow them to harm you!”

Thinking of the heroine being detained, Xia Tong felt disheartened and glanced at her, saying calmly, “Sister Shen, can you now see the true nature of people?”

Gu Qin, though wicked, was overtly so and would never resort to such coercive tactics. Unlike some who wore a facade of virtue but harbored countless vile intentions. If she had been more open-minded, perhaps she wouldn’t have done those things that betrayed Gu Qin.

Shen Xin remained silent for a while, and in that moment, she felt more regret than Xia Tong. She realized it was wrong, the desire for power could corrupt anyone. Compared to Gu Qin, she looked down on Xiao Ming’s coercive methods even more.

“I’m sorry, I should have listened to you sooner.” She displayed a hint of exhaustion in her expression, realizing that this had nothing to do with her. Why had she meddled and gotten herself into such a mess?

Understanding her feelings, Xia Tong patted her shoulder and comforted her, “Sister Shen, there’s no need to blame yourself. Human nature is complex. If we both manage to get through this unharmed, I hope you can find a peaceful place away from all this turmoil.”

The plot had already gone off the rails, the concepts of hero and heroine no longer mattered. This was the real world, where everyone had only one life. If they failed, there would be no second chances, so they should cherish the present even more.

Their eyes met, and suddenly, Shen Xin tightly embraced her, taking a deep breath. “I will.”

Xia Tong’s lips curled into a slight smile. At least the other party had finally come to their senses.

Just then, footsteps echoed from outside. The curtain was lifted, revealing Xiao Ming, who entered with several others. Upon seeing him, Shen Xin immediately stood up and walked toward him.

“Take Miss Shen away,” he ordered.

The others quickly surrounded Shen Xin. She glared at them angrily and exclaimed, “Xiao Ming, if you dare to touch a single hair on Xia Tong’s head, you will be my enemy for life!”

Xia Tong felt a bit tense in her corner but forced herself to remain calm. She understood that they intended to use her to threaten Gu Qin. If she were alone, it might have been easier, but now that she was pregnant, she had to be extremely cautious.

Seeing the growing distance and coldness in Shen Xin’s eyes, Xiao Ming felt some displeasure. He furrowed his brow and stepped forward to grab her arm, saying, “Why won’t you try to understand me?”

“How can I understand you?” Shen Xin suddenly shrugged off his hand, her expression tense. “I no longer recognize the Xiao Ming who valued loyalty and righteousness.”

Exchanging glances, the atmosphere in the tent grew heavy. After a moment, Xiao Ming pressed his lips together and coldly replied, “One day, you will understand me. But don’t worry, I won’t harm her. I believe that when Gu Qin sees his wife and child in danger, he will spare no effort to save them, right?”