In a secluded corner of the imperial palace, Chu Ling'er huddled in a corner, trembling, her delicate cheeks streaked with tears.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with terror. She crouched on the ground, hugging her knees, daring not to cry or shout, for fear of attracting the fierce and violent guards!
"Creak—!" Just then, the palace gate opened, and Chu Chen dragged Huangfu Chen in.
"Brother! Save me!" Chu Ling'er, seeing Chu Chen appear, became extremely excited and rushed forward, throwing herself into Chu Chen's arms, crying profusely.
"Don't be afraid, my good child," Chu Chen comforted her, then glanced around the palace, finding no danger.
"Brother, I'm scared! Woo woo woo... I'm so scared!" Chu Ling'er said, her voice trembling as she buried her face in Chu Chen's shoulder.
"It's alright now. With me here, I will never let anyone harm you!" Chu Chen gently stroked Chu Ling'er's head, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Let's find a place to hide first," Chu Chen whispered.
"Mhm, mhm!" Chu Ling'er nodded obediently.
Thus, the siblings left the palace and found a dark place to take refuge.
Meanwhile, Huangfu Chen was sent to the Imperial Hospital for treatment. Although his life was not in danger, he remained unconscious.
"Your Highness has sustained severe internal injuries and requires a period of rest!" the imperial physicians sighed after their diagnosis.
"What were you all doing? Where are the guards who were protecting His Highness?" the Emperor immediately roared upon hearing this.
"Your Majesty, please forgive us! We truly couldn't stop Chu Chen, the assassin. He infiltrated the palace, and who among us could have stopped him!" one of the imperial physicians explained bitterly.
Hearing the imperial physician's words, the Emperor's expression turned grim. The fact that Chu Chen could infiltrate the palace undetected was too bizarre!
"Hmph! I don't care what method you use, you must thoroughly investigate this matter!" the Emperor coldly ordered, then turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Chu Chen and Chu Ling'er hid in a corner. Seeing the imperial physicians hastily depart, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Brother..." Chu Ling'er asked timidly, "Why didn't they pay any attention to me?"
"Don't worry, Ling'er. We'll hide here for a few days first," Chu Chen said softly, stroking Chu Ling'er's head.
"Mhm, Brother, thank you for coming to save me. I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime!" Chu Ling'er's eyes welled up, and she couldn't help but shed tears again.
"Silly girl, you are always my sister, and I won't let anyone bully you," Chu Chen said with a gentle smile, feeling extremely remorseful.
If it weren't for him, Chu Ling'er wouldn't have been in danger.
"By the way, Ling'er, do you know about the secret passage that Huangfu Chen had guards posted at?" Chu Chen suddenly remembered this matter and quickly inquired.
"Secret passage? What secret passage?" Chu Ling'er shook her head, asking in confusion.
Chu Chen frowned and pondered for a moment, then finally told Chu Ling'er the location of the secret passage.
"Brother, you're not planning to sneak away, are you?" Chu Ling'er asked curiously, blinking her bright eyes.
"Heh heh, what do you think?" Chu Chen smiled and ruffled Chu Ling'er's hair.
"Hmph! I knew you wouldn't let me off!" Chu Ling'er pouted. "But Brother, you have to be careful.
That bad guy's father is the Emperor! What if he catches you!"
"Don't worry, I will protect you," Chu Chen said, patting Chu Ling'er's shoulder.
A sweet smile appeared on Chu Ling'er's face. She tightly held Chu Chen's hand, feeling an extraordinary sense of security.
The next day, as the sky began to lighten, Huangfu Chen finally woke up from his deep slumber.
Huangfu Chen sat by the bedside, his face extremely pale. Waves of searing pain coursed through his body, causing large beads of sweat to form on his forehead.
"Father! You're finally awake!" Seeing Huangfu Chen awaken, Huangfu Chen cried tears of joy.
"Chen'er, are you alright?" Huangfu Chen's father, Huangfu Changfeng, hurried forward.
"Your son is not dead yet," Huangfu Chen said weakly, waving his hand. "I was almost murdered last night, but fortunately, a master came to my aid!"
"Chen'er, you said you encountered an assassin last night. Who exactly was this person?" Huangfu Changfeng asked urgently.
Huangfu Chen took a deep breath, recalling the events of the previous night. He still felt a lingering fear.
"The assassin was masked, his movements were unpredictable, and he wore a pitch-black cloak. His strength was incredibly formidable; he severely injured me with just one palm strike."
"Father, that person's martial arts are too terrifying. If we continue to stay in the palace, I fear there will be greater trouble," Huangfu Chen said, his expression grave.
"Chen'er is right. If people find out that you sent someone to harm the trash of the Chu family, how will you manage in the palace from now on?" Huangfu Changfeng nodded in agreement.
"Father, that waste is not worth your painstaking efforts to eliminate him. Since this plan failed, we shouldn't waste any more time!" Huangfu Chen advised.
"Chen'er, you don't understand. The Chu family is still a considerable force. If he isn't eliminated, I will always feel uneasy. Moreover..."
Huangfu Changfeng paused, then said, "You will stay in the palace obediently during this period. You are not allowed to step out of the palace grounds."
"But..." Huangfu Chen opened his mouth to speak, but Huangfu Changfeng stopped him.
"Alright, go and tend to your injuries," Huangfu Changfeng said indifferently.
"Yes." Huangfu Chen gritted his teeth, clenching his fists so tightly that they made cracking sounds. He felt utterly stifled.
He had thought he had set a trap to easily eliminate Chu Chen, but in the end, he was the one who suffered! This was truly like lifting a rock only to drop it on his own foot!
Huangfu Chen hated Chu Chen to the core but could do nothing about him. After all, Chu Chen's martial arts were too terrifying; he was no match for him!
At the same time, deep within the forbidden area of the imperial palace, in a magnificent and grand palace, an old man sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, cultivating.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes. His cloudy old eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if sensing something. He murmured,
"This familiar aura... it's that brat's! He's actually still alive!" Chu Chen and Chu Ling'er hid in the darkness, observing every move within the palace.
"Brother, is that person Huangfu Chen?" Chu Ling'er pointed at the unconscious Huangfu Chen lying on the bed.
"That's right. It is indeed this despicable scoundrel who has repeatedly tried to kill me!" Mentioning Huangfu Chen, a chilling killing intent surged into Chu Chen's eyes.
"I really hate such despicable people, using dirty and vile methods like drugging," Chu Ling'er said, her pretty face showing anger. She clearly disliked scoundrels like Huangfu Chen.
"Ling'er, it's not advisable for you to reveal your whereabouts yet. You must not be discovered, or we will be in a lot of trouble," Chu Chen instructed earnestly.