Lu Youtang’s words sent a shockwave through the tent, leaving everyone except Lu Yang visibly shaken.
None of them had forgotten that the first assassination attempt back in the capital was aimed at Princess Shunyu. Could it be that Yuan’er was sent by someone from the capital to get close to the princess?
After Lu Youtang was taken out of the tent, the remaining men all turned to Lu Qing. “Father, this matter seems far from simple.”
Lu Qing, too, understood the gravity of the situation. The Lu family was now on the same side as Princess Shunyu, and their future recovery depended on her status. If anything were to happen to the princess, it would only harm the Lu family, not benefit them.
If Yuan’er had indeed been sent from the capital, she couldn’t be allowed to stay.
Lu Qing’s expression darkened. “Give the order. For the next two days, keep a close watch on her. The moment she makes any suspicious move, apprehend her immediately.”
“Yes, Father. I will see to it right away,” one of his sons replied.
That night, Princess Shunyu couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned, her mind consumed with what the girl Yuan’er had said earlier.
An hour before, Lu Xingyao had distributed the sparklers. While everyone else was distracted with the fireworks, Yuan’er seized the opportunity to approach Princess Shunyu for a private conversation.
At that moment, Shunyu had been sitting in a secluded corner, reading, when Yuan’er suddenly appeared and knelt before her, showing great respect.
“Your Highness, I am Ming Yuan, a member of the Jinlin Guards. I greet you, Princess.”
Princess Shunyu was startled. She jumped up, staring at Yuan’er in disbelief. “Jinlin Guards?!”
The words “Jinlin Guards” were not unfamiliar to her. The late emperor, her father, had often spoken of them. The Jinlin Guards were the emperor’s personal guards, selected at a young age and trained to serve him for life. They were spread across the empire, acting discreetly with swift and ruthless efficiency. Her father had used them as a formidable weapon to control the court and beyond.
However, it was widely known that when the late emperor appointed the crown prince, he officially disbanded the Jinlin Guards.
Princess Shunyu glared at Ming Yuan, her mind racing. Although she was nervous, she kept her composure. “The Jinlin Guards were disbanded long ago. Who are you to impersonate them?”
Without hesitation, Ming Yuan pulled a dragon-engraved token from her sleeve and held it up for the princess to see. “Your Highness, while it was publicly declared that the Jinlin Guards were disbanded, in truth, the late emperor commanded us to remain in hiding, awaiting orders from our two commanders.”
Princess Shunyu was momentarily stunned, her hand instinctively reaching for the pendant around her neck. The token in Ming Yuan’s hand was identical to the one her father had given her, save for its size. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
But one question lingered: if the Jinlin Guards still existed, why were they here before her and not serving the current emperor?
Perhaps Ming Yuan had been sent by that person in the capital to deceive her.
Sensing the princess’s doubts, Ming Yuan continued, “The late emperor left instructions. If the new emperor treated you well, the Jinlin Guards would indeed disband after ten years. However, if the new emperor persecuted you, we are to swear our loyalty to you, serve under your command, and protect you at all costs.”
As she spoke, Ming Yuan pulled a letter from her robes and respectfully handed it to Shunyu. “This is a letter written by the late emperor himself, Your Highness. Please, read it.”
Shunyu’s hands trembled as she accepted the letter. She carefully unfolded it, her heart pounding as she recognized her father’s familiar handwriting. The words within echoed the tone and care she remembered from him.
“My dearest Jingli, as my health declines, you are still young and must rely on your brother. It brings me great comfort to see the harmony between you and your siblings. However, I fear that Zhan’s nature is ruthless, and he may not be the brother you need. Once I am gone, I cannot ensure your safety. The Jinlin Guards are trained warriors, and beyond them, I can offer you nothing more. If you are reading this letter, the future may not be as peaceful as we hoped. I pray you grow wings to soar high. Know that even in the afterlife, I will rejoice in your strength.”
Tears blurred Shunyu’s vision as they fell onto the letter. She had never expected her father to have foreseen such things. The Jinlin Guards should have been under the command of the new emperor, but instead, her father had secretly left them for her, his daughter, to protect herself. And he had never once mentioned it to her.
If Zhan had never moved against her, the Jinlin Guards would have stayed hidden, allowing her relationship with her brother to remain untainted. But now that Zhan had turned on her, the Jinlin Guards were the weapon her father had left behind.
It was up to her how to wield this weapon.
Wiping the tears from her face, Shunyu carefully returned the letter to its envelope and tucked it into her robe. She took a deep breath, looking at Ming Yuan, who still knelt before her.
“Rise.”
Ming Yuan stood up. “Your Highness, we will soon arrive in Ji County. The left commander of the Jinlin Guards is already there with reinforcements. They will help you escape this situation. We urge you to come with us. The Jinlin Guards are ready and waiting for your command.”
Ming Yuan had been instructed to infiltrate the exiled group, get close to the princess, and help her escape when the time came.
However, Shunyu hesitated. She had already decided to stay with the Lu family. Old Master Lu and Mr. Liu were currently teaching her, and she knew that finding such good mentors again would be nearly impossible if she left.
Looking at Ming Yuan, who was clearly skilled despite her young age, Shunyu realized that if she left, Emperor Zhan might stop sending assassins after her, sparing the Lu family and others from being implicated.
After a moment, she spoke softly. “I need some time to think.”
Ming Yuan grew anxious. There wasn’t much time left. “Your Highness—”
Just then, Lu Youtang came running over, calling for Yuan’er from a distance.
Ming Yuan had no choice but to cut the conversation short and follow Lu Youtang, glancing back at Shunyu several times, worried that the princess might insist on continuing with the exile group.
Shunyu clutched the dragon-engraved token around her neck. If only she could see her father again… If only…
She knew she needed to find an opportunity to discuss this with Old Master Lu. Perhaps with the help of the Jinlin Guards, she could leave safely with the entire Lu family.
The next day, as Shunyu ate her meal, she noticed Ming Yuan watching her closely.
It was obvious.
The Lu family had noticed it too. Old Master Lu had already instructed them that the little girl might have been sent by someone in the capital to harm the princess.
Who would have thought that such a young girl could be so calculating?
At midday, the group stopped to rest. Shunyu bit into her dry, hard rations, struggling to swallow. Ming Yuan immediately offered her water, but before Shunyu could accept, a member of the Lu family snatched it.
“I’m quite thirsty myself. Thanks, Yuan’er.”
Ming Yuan fell silent, staring at the person who had taken the water. They didn’t drink from the flask, but Ming Yuan had already figured it out: the Lu family knew she was here for the princess.
She had hoped to take the princess away quietly, but now that the Lu family knew, they would surely try to stop her.
The Jinlin Guards were aware of the Lu family’s connection to a mysterious deity. Ming Yuan knew that no matter how many men they had, they wouldn’t stand a chance against divine intervention.
The left commander had already warned them, “don’t confront the Lu family.”
But now, things were getting complicated.
Leave a Reply