Everything happened in a flash, but it was fast enough for Hong Xiao to react. She immediately grabbed the maid next to her and yanked her in front of her as a human shield.
The second dart hit squarely in that maid’s shoulder.
An assassination attempt!
Hong Xiao’s eyes turned murderous as she ordered her guards, “Are you all stupid? Put out the lanterns!”
Carrying lanterns in the dark? Might as well wear a target on your back!
The lanterns were thrown aside at once. Hong Xiao rolled to the ground and hid behind a tall banyan tree, her face grim.
The few bodyguards who had followed her all the way were still in shock. “Gugu, what’s going on?”
Hong Xiao’s face was as dark as a thundercloud. “That fire earlier clearly wasn’t an accident—someone’s deliberately coming after us.”
Her expression was so grim it looked like water could drip from it.
The guards were all baffled. “Who’d dare?!”
“Our Yihong Courtyard’s been running for years, no one’s ever dared challenge us!”
Yes—arrogance always comes from backing.
Yihong Courtyard had long trafficked in respectable girls without consequence, only because the power behind them was Qi Wang’s manor. Even the local authorities turned a blind eye, too afraid to interfere.
Not only afraid—they’d often make courtesy visits and offer gifts after taking office, paying homage.
In such a place—who would dare…
Before she could finish the thought, the sound of something slicing through the air rang out. Relying on her sharp instincts, Hong Xiao turned her head sharply—an arrow flew past, grazing her scalp.
What accuracy!
Even she couldn’t help but feel her heart jump in fear. She coldly instructed the remaining guards, “Protect me, we’re getting out of here—”
But before she could finish, several more arrows flew in succession. Two guards beside her fell silently, shot dead on the spot.
These people—were really here to kill!
Who would dare?
Her usual composure evaporated completely as fear and confusion overtook her.
As long as His Highness was around, no one should dare touch Yihong Courtyard—no matter how bold they were.
And these weren’t government troops. They were assassins.
It felt more like…
The phrase “eliminate all witnesses” popped into her mind, and Hong Xiao shuddered, frantically shaking her head.
No—it couldn’t be. Why would Zhan Wenhui treat her this way?
As long as he was around, Yihong Courtyard was a gold mine. Qi Wang wouldn’t cut off his own revenue stream.
Then—could it be Qi Wang’s enemies?
Her thoughts raced. She abruptly changed direction, lunging toward the far end of the courtyard.
If she could just escape to the crowded outer yard, where people were fleeing for their lives, it would be harder for the assassins to track her.
She moved quickly—like a nimble cat—grabbing a tree branch and vaulting toward the wall.
But no matter how fast she was, someone was faster. Just as she reached the wall, a hand clamped around her ankle and yanked her down hard.
Meanwhile, outside in the chaos, someone was crying out: “The authorities are here! The authorities are here!”
The authorities?!
Hong Xiao’s heart dropped. She almost spat blood from fury.
Inside Yihong Courtyard today were Lord Wang from the Transport Bureau, and Treasurer Qian from the Ministry of Revenue!
If those men were recognized, things would become very troublesome.
At the thought, hatred flared in her chest. She grabbed the hairpin from her head and slashed it toward her own ankle.
But the person holding her moved even faster, releasing her in an instant. She fell heavily from the wall.
Still, she seized the opportunity. With a roll and a leap, she turned and pounced—pinning her opponent down.
Without hesitation, she raised the hairpin and thrust it downward.
But she didn’t land the blow.
Her opponent twisted her elbow sharply—pain shot up her arm, and her hand went numb. She lost her grip.
The opening was gone.
In the shadows, Qi Yuan smiled and flipped her over, pinning her down with practiced ease. She looked at her calmly, amusement in her voice. “Zhan Wenhui was like a chicken—who would’ve thought his woman had this much bite?”
Hong Xiao struggled furiously. “Who are you?!”
“You really don’t know?” Qi Yuan’s fingers slowly closed around her throat, cold as a snake’s gaze locking on prey. “Zhan Wenhui guessed who I was immediately.”
The name made Hong Xiao panic even more. “Who are you?!”
“You do dirty deeds and still have the nerve to ask who I am?” Qi Yuan grabbed the golden hairpin from the ground and slowly dragged it across Hong Xiao’s cheek. “Pity. You really did do a lot for His Highness over the years, didn’t you? Just how many benefits and secrets did Yihong Courtyard deliver to him annually?”
She was with Qi Wang!
It really was someone from Qi Wang’s faction!
Waves of dread crashed through Hong Xiao. Terror, confusion, and fury consumed her.
She trembled. “Why?!”
Yes—why?
Zhan Wenhui had been a loyal advisor, plotting and planning tirelessly for the prince.
And she—Hong Xiao—had run Yihong Courtyard for years, never once faltering. Together, they’d earned tens of thousands of taels for His Highness.
Why did he want them dead?
“So stupid it’s laughable,” Qi Yuan sneered. “That fool Zhan Wenhui embezzled from the canal taxes and funneled the money through Baotong Bank—he got His Highness reprimanded by the emperor!”
Her grip on Hong Xiao’s neck tightened coldly. “With him dead, His Highness can preserve his reputation. As for gutter rats like you? You can’t be exposed—otherwise, it’ll ruin His Highness’s plans!”
Zhan Wenhui… is dead?
Hong Xiao’s face turned purple. Everything had happened too quickly. The news hit her like a thunderbolt.
Zhan Wenhui—dead?!
But the arrows, the assassins, the fire—they were all real. This was happening.
Yes, this was Qi Wang’s style.
Swift. Ruthless. Leave no loose ends.
What a joke! A cruel joke!
Zhan Wenhui had been loyal to the end—scheming, slaving away for the prince, even defying the emperor’s decrees by establishing a brothel—all to support the grand cause.
And now? Qi Wang didn’t hesitate to throw him away like trash.
Qi Wang!!
She suddenly flung a handful of powder from her sleeve. While the assassin was momentarily blinded, she didn’t waste a second—she vaulted the wall and disappeared.
Qi Yuan was hit full in the face with the powder. Her eyes burned with searing pain.
Just then, Xiao Yunting arrived, casually handing her a handkerchief. “Here—wipe your eyes, assassin.”
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 10 chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
