Seeing this, Yu Jingchen's eyes sharpened. He spun around, holding Nan Ziyun, and a dagger grazed the back of his hand. Grapes scattered across the floor, leaving Nan Ziyun bewildered.
The commotion inside alerted the guards outside, and the assassins were instantly surrounded. However, having chosen to assassinate, they had come prepared to die.
The assassins lunged directly towards Yu Jingchen. Perhaps Nan Ziyun was truly Yu Jingchen's weakness, as every attack from the assassins was aimed at her.
It wasn't just him; other assassins who had been secretly guarding within Zichen Palace swarmed forward. This group was clearly well-prepared.
"Good girl, don't be afraid, close your eyes," Yu Jingchen said to Nan Ziyun.
"Your Majesty... I'm fine, please put me down." Nan Ziyun knew she had become a burden to Yu Jingchen.
Yu Jingchen merely smiled, said nothing, and did not let go. Holding Nan Ziyun, he engaged the attackers. Whether Yu Jingchen held back or because he was holding Nan Ziyun, his movements seemed to slow down.
These assassins were likely professionally trained, making them difficult to deal with, especially since all their blades were aimed at Nan Ziyun. Yu Jingchen appeared to be struggling.
Suddenly, a sword pierced directly between them. Yu Jingchen was forced to release Nan Ziyun. Nan Ziyun, suppressing her nervousness, moved to the side to avoid getting in the way.
Without the restraint, Yu Jingchen's movements became much more agile. Logically, since they appeared in Zichen Palace, the target should have been Yu Jingchen himself, yet these people were aiming for Nan Ziyun.
Yu Jingchen was entangled, and Nan Ziyun, alone in the corner, presented an opportunity for the assassins. Raising their swords, they lunged. Nan Ziyun, unable to dodge, simply closed her eyes. In that critical moment, she suddenly felt herself being pulled into an embrace.
The sound of steel piercing flesh left Nan Ziyun stunned. It was Yu Jingchen who had blocked the sword. Looking at the wound on Yu Jingchen's left shoulder, Nan Ziyun didn't know how to react.
"Your Majesty!" Xing Lai, seeing this, repelled the assassin with a palm strike.
"Your Maj... Your Majesty..." Nan Ziyun's voice trembled.
"It's nothing... Hmm? Good girl." Yu Jingchen held her close.
"Don't look, it'll be over soon." Yu Jingchen didn't want Nan Ziyun to witness the bloody scene that would follow.
Nan Ziyun, pressed against Yu Jingchen's chest, felt tears well up instantly, but she dared not cry out.
After the commotion behind them subsided, Nan Ziyun heard Xing Lai's voice: "Your Majesty, one survivor. The rest have all been executed." The survivor was the one who had almost injured Nan Ziyun.
"Pour mercury into their bodies, flay their skin, and display them on the city walls as a warning. The bodies of the others are to be treated the same," Yu Jingchen's voice was soft. Hearing this judgment, even Nan Ziyun, held within Yu Jingchen's embrace, could not help but feel fear.
"Yes," Xing Lai replied, accustomed to such orders.
"Good girl, shall we go inside? It's too messy out here," Yu Jingchen said, tightening his hold on the young woman.
Nan Ziyun nodded in his arms. Yu Jingchen smiled gently and led her into the inner chambers.
"Your Majesty..." Nan Ziyun's eyes glistened with tears.
"I'm fine, don't worry." Yu Jingchen knew Nan Ziyun was distressed because he had been injured.
Nan Ziyun helped Yu Jingchen sit down. She wanted to examine his wound but lacked the courage.
"It just hurts a little, nothing serious, just a minor injury." Yu Jingchen kissed Nan Ziyun's forehead.