"What are you doing?"
A clear male voice rang out from the back of the crowd, and the Imperial Guards immediately stopped their actions.
The torchlight flickered as Song Qing'an walked forward from the crowd, his expression icy.
The leading captain of the guards bowed immediately upon seeing him. "Reporting to the General, we were patrolling here just now and heard unusual sounds from Jiuzhou Xiangxie, so we came in to investigate."
They shouldn't have barged into a prince's residence without reason, but due to the recent unrest in the palace concerning the assassin, they feared overlooking something, which prompted their visit.
Song Qing'an mused for a moment and then spoke.
"This place is secluded and uninhabited, how could there be unusual movements without cause?"
"There's no need to waste your efforts. I've just come from His Majesty's chambers. The assassin has reappeared in the rear palace, so you should quickly go and search there."
The rear palace was of utmost importance. Wasting time here would be neglecting the essential for the trivial.
The Imperial Guards, upon hearing this, dared not delay and immediately responded, "Yes."
A grand procession entered, and a grand procession departed.
As the torchlight faded, from the shadows, Feng Yinwan's tightly held heart finally relaxed slightly.
If the Imperial Guards had taken a few more steps forward from where they stood, they would have clearly seen the broken window and the mess on the floor.
It was indeed Song Qing'an who arrived in time and stopped them, otherwise, if the Imperial Guards had discovered the anomaly and begun their search, it would have been difficult for her to escape.
With the commotion gone, Song Qing'an confirmed from the outside before re-entering the courtyard.
By the moonlight, he could see the situation in the courtyard clearly. As he approached, his brow furrowed deeper.
Just as he was about to head towards the room, a soft call drifted from the shadows.
"Yuzhi, I'm here."
His eyes lit up at the sound, and he immediately moved towards the source.
Behind the screen wall, Feng Yinwan weakly supported her shoulder, her face pale, one side of her body numb with pain.
Despite having anticipated it, Song Qing'an's expression still trembled upon seeing her condition.
"Wan'er, I'm late."
He had crossed paths with that person. That person's internal energy was profound, and even he was no match for them. For Feng Yinwan to escape from their clutches was already no small feat.
Her lips moved, but he said nothing more. He knelt and picked her up, his voice gentle yet resolute.
"Let's go to my place first."
The fact that that person would actively seek them out tonight was beyond their expectations. Now, Jiuzhou Xiangxie was no longer a safe place.
Afraid of touching her wounds, Song Qing'an's movements were extremely careful.
His residence was located near the Imperial Guards' barracks, a relatively safe and densely populated area.
Along the way, Feng Yinwan had recovered some strength. Seeing him carrying her into the courtyard, her face flushed, and she immediately spoke.
"Put me down."
Song Qing'an's movements paused, and he looked at her with some hesitation.
"Wan'er, are you sure you can?"
Feng Yinwan nodded, her expression firm. "Yes."
Confirming that she was not merely putting on a brave face, Song Qing'an let go with relief, but his steps remained slow, staying close by her side.
The layout of the residence was very simple, a bedroom and an outer hall.
Seeing him lead her in and then head straight for the bed, preparing to clear a space for her, Feng Yinwan immediately stopped him. "You've already done me a great kindness by letting me stay here; how can I possibly usurp your place?"
Song Qing'an's actions did not cease. "It's nothing. You are still injured and cannot catch a cold. I am robust and healthy; sleeping outside is fine."
But he had been injured himself just last night, on his back, no less.