She hadn't expected her to speak like that, and Song Qing'an was startled again.
"Does the Princess really need to return so urgently?"
Feng Yinwan nodded, her face neither red nor her heart pounding. "It's a matter of utmost urgency."
She didn't want to stay in this wretched place for another second!
However, she truly hadn't expected Song Qing'an to offer to escort her personally.
"Deputy General Song, as a随行 deputy general, don't you need to… stay and lead the soldiers?"
Their issues hadn't been sorted out yet, and if a lone man and woman were to be caught again…
Song Qing'an gave a wry smile. "Princess, please rest assured, Prince Mo's guard Qi is sharp and capable, no less skilled than myself."
For the past two days, his command over the troops had been significantly undermined by Ye Tinglan, which Feng Yinwan had noticed.
While she hesitated, she heard Song Qing'an say, "If the Princess does not trust me, I can request Guard Qi to escort you instead."
Feng Yinwan's heart tightened at his words and she immediately declared, "No need! This Princess finds you quite capable!"
Qi Xuan, that stubborn fool, would surely prevent her from leaving if he found out!
With that, she mounted her horse, squeezed her legs against its belly, and the horse immediately galloped away.
Zen Monastery.
Ye Tinglan emerged from the kitchen, having intended to see Feng Yinwan's disgruntled expression. To his surprise, the room was empty.
His brow furrowed. Just as he was about to withdraw, his sharp gaze caught sight of a note on the table, and his narrow eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your Highness?"
Qi Xuan, who was patrolling the temple with his men, felt a subtle tremor beneath his brow as he saw his Prince approaching with a stern, angry expression.
"Where is she?"
"What… who?"
Qi Xuan was confused and leaned closer in question, only to retreat under Ye Tinglan's chilling gaze.
Ye Tinglan clenched his large hand, his eyes filled with a cold, deep darkness.
"Feng Yinwan, where is she."
Qi Xuan trembled. "At this hour, the Princess should be resting in her courtyard. This subordinate has not seen her…"
"Useless!"
Before he could finish, he was scolded. Qi Xuan closed his mouth, feeling wronged.
A young attendant accompanying them glanced at the two and timidly spoke up.
"Just now, the Princess of Prince Mo's manor said there was an urgent matter at the General's mansion and she was in a hurry to return. Deputy General Song… has already escorted the Princess back to the capital."
Song Qing'an again!
Qi Xuan's body trembled, his fear skyrocketing.
Looking up again, he saw his Prince's gaze shift towards the stables. With a leap, he landed on a horse's back and, with lightning speed, galloped out of the temple gate.
"Your Highness!"
Ye Tinglan's eyes, dark as ink, fixed straight ahead, a chilling glint flashing within them.
How dare she elope with another man, Feng Yinwan, you have quite the nerve!
…
Galloping all the way, by dusk Feng Yinwan had reached the spot where they had grilled meat earlier. Her familiar taste buds were once again stirred, and Feng Yinwan's stomach immediately felt hungry.
Seeing her listless expression, Song Qing'an reined in his horse. "The nearest inn is still more than ten li away. Does the Princess wish to rest for a moment?"
Ten li was still quite a distance, and it would take a while.
Feng Yinwan rubbed her still-recovering delicate hips and readily accepted his offer.
Unexpectedly, as she dismounted, her stomach rumbled even more loudly.
"Princess, please."
Turning, she saw Song Qing'an holding out two pastries. Feng Yinwan was taken aback.
"You soldiers… still carry these?"
She took only one and withdrew her hand. Song Qing'an pursed his lips and nodded subtly.
These pastries had been dehydrated, and their taste was really not good. Feng Yinwan reluctantly finished one, and the sky had quietly darkened.
Not wanting to delay, she immediately got up. "Let's go."
As she spoke, she went to take the horse's reins. Turning, she saw a flash of silver light in the dense forest.
"What is that?"
Song Qing'an followed her gaze. Before he could see clearly, a cold arrow pierced the air sharply, and his expression immediately changed.
"Not good."
His hand moved faster than his mind, protecting Feng Yinwan first. The cold arrow grazed the clothes on Feng Yinwan's back and flew past.
Feng Yinwan's heart suddenly tightened. "What's happening?"
As she spoke, over a dozen black-clothed men suddenly appeared from the dense forest. Song Qing'an's eyes narrowed, and he reached for the sword at his waist.
"Princess, we've run into trouble."
He said, then leaped forward to engage in a fight with the black-clothed men. Amidst the clash of swords and sabers, Feng Yinwan's eyes sharpened, and she immediately clenched a few silver needles in her hand.
Someone wanted to kill her.
Having been chosen as a随行 deputy general at such a young age, Song Qing'an's martial skills were indeed excellent. However, the opponents were numerous and clearly well-trained.
After some exchanges, Song Qing'an was already struggling. He glanced over and saw Feng Yinwan holding silver needles, breathing slightly heavily, in a defensive posture, with two black-clothed men lying on the ground beside her.
Song Qing'an was shocked and immediately warned her, "Princess, quickly return to Qingpu Temple!"
Upon hearing this, the black-clothed men's attention shifted more significantly towards Feng Yinwan. Several of them held Song Qing'an back, while the rest lunged at Feng Yinwan.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes darkened. She immediately mounted her horse. The black-clothed men's sabers were a step too late, slicing through the air behind her.
The leader of the black-clothed men narrowed his eyes. "Chase."
Without any hesitation, the group flashed forward and immediately pursued closely.
Night fell, and apart from the howling wind in the mountains, only the sound of galloping horses could be heard.
Feng Yinwan had pushed the horse to its fastest speed, yet the black-clothed men still caught up using their lightness skills.
*Crack—*
A tree as thick as a well's rim was snapped in half and fell straight down, instantly blocking the path ahead.
Feng Yinwan fiercely reined in her horse, forced to stop.
Giving her no chance at all, the black-clothed men's sabers slashed towards her with the wind. Feng Yinwan dodged sideways, and at the same time, a silver needle from her fingertips shot out rapidly towards the black-clothed man's neck.
With a "thud," the black-clothed man fell to the ground.
As if taken by surprise by her skill, the leader of the black-clothed men paused slightly. His hawk-like eyes narrowed, revealing a hint of amusement.
He raised his hand, and one of the men beside him immediately charged forward.
Feng Yinwan dared not be distracted, focusing intently on the direction of the approaching attacker. She raised her hand and sent another silver needle flying.
Having witnessed the previous attack, the black-clothed man was clearly prepared for this move. He swung his saber, splitting the silver needle, and lunged directly at the horse.
Seeing this, Feng Yinwan's heart tensed. She immediately leaped off the horse, and the silver needle in her hand was inserted into the horse's flank. The black-clothed man, failing to strike, was kicked in the chest by the startled horse and cried out as he was sent flying.
Another one dealt with.
Her physical strength greatly depleted, Feng Yinwan leaned against a tree, panting slightly. Suddenly, applause came from the front.
"Good."
The leader of the black-clothed men looked at her with apparent pleasure. His lips, hidden by the mask, moved slightly.
He raised his chin, and the black-clothed man behind him immediately charged forward.
He could have killed her directly, yet this person sent out only one person at a time.
It was obvious he was toying with her.
Or rather, he wanted to see her struggle like a trapped beast.
Feng Yinwan's eyes turned cold, and she reached for the last two silver needles at her waist.
She, Feng Yinwan, was no clawless cat.
Having learned from the previous two encounters, this black-clothed man was clearly much more cautious, and his attacks were ruthless, each one aiming for a fatal blow.
Finding no opportunity, Feng Yinwan did not act rashly. Seeing the blade drawing nearer, she flashed her body, and a silver needle was thrown out from the shadows, heading straight for the forehead of the leader of the black-clothed men.