Leaving the Estate (4)

Yu Qingyan nodded. Gu Jinshi frowned slightly and, following his gaze, saw a young master dressed in opulent brocade already standing before the two of them.

"Well now, when did such figures arrive in Southern Capital? This young master is seeing them for the very first time."

The attendant behind him stepped forward. "Our young master is asking you a question, yet you fail to reply."

"Xiao Liu, show some respect!"

Yu Qingyan cast him a sidelong glance. Did the fellow really imagine himself the epitome of courtesy?

"Let's go."

As Yu Qingyan rose, the person behind them immediately gave chase. "Wait, wait, wait."

Yu Qingyan and Gu Jinshi paid their bill and left the tavern, but the pursuer dogged their steps across two streets without stopping.

"..."

"I say, my two friends, there's no need to walk so fast. This humble person merely wishes to make your acquaintance, no other intentions whatsoever!"

Gu Jinshi and Yu Qingyan suddenly halted. The pursuer caught up, overjoyed. "You've finally—"

Yu Qingyan frowned at the scene before them. In broad daylight, someone was actually committing murder in the open street?

"Let's leave."

Gu Jinshi, however, did not move. "It's him."

Yu Qingyan saw it as well. The person inside the carriage was none other than the Prince of Jing, Chu Yufeng.

Right under the emperor's nose, a dignified prince was being assassinated in the middle of the street.

"This is none of our business."

He Haozhuo, who had followed close behind, was utterly dumbfounded. "Run, run for your lives! There's been a murder!!"

Yu Qingyan sidestepped to evade a hand reaching out, simultaneously pulling Gu Jinshi clear.

"No, the guards he brought are no match for them. He's going to die."

"That is still none of our business."

Yu Qingyan looked helplessly at the person beside her who was already poised to act. "Very well, you head back first."

Gu Jinshi looked at her.

"I will help. You must not be noticed—go on back."

"Then I shall wait for you nearby."

"In any case, we cannot be seen returning together. Rest assured, these people are no match for me; I will be back shortly. If my identity is exposed, on no account are you to say you came out with me, understood?"

Gu Jinshi surveyed the chaotic scene. "Very well, take care of yourself. Return quickly."

Seeing Gu Jinshi depart, Yu Qingyan did not rush forward to assist. Instead, she stood her ground, observing the situation. That narrow alleyway would serve as an excellent hiding spot. Flicking out a few pebbles from time to time to relieve the pressure, she repeated this several times until the dozen or so assassins sensed something was amiss.

Hearing a disturbance behind her, Yu Qingyan frowned and turned around.

"Why have you come back?"

"I—I came back to look for you both! Hey, where is the other one? Let's go quickly, this place of trouble is not somewhere to linger, hurry up..."

With the sound carrying so loudly, the group of assassins naturally noticed them.

"Ah! They're coming, they're coming! What do we do, what do we do?"

With a single kick, Yu Qingyan sent him flying. She seriously doubted whether this brat had done it on purpose!

She unleashed all the hidden weapons in her hand, imbuing them with formidable internal energy. It was her first time employing this level of strength in actual combat, and she had yet to see if it would prove effective.

Every single one of the dozen-plus pebbles hit its mark flawlessly, resulting in instant death. The two remaining men in black exchanged glances and vanished from her sight in an instant. Yu Qingyan did not pursue them, making a motion to leave. He Haozhuo, whom she had just kicked away, hurried up behind her.

"Hero, do not go."

Yu Qingyan kicked him flying once more and vanished from the spot in a flash, completely ignoring Chu Yufeng, whom she had just rescued.

Intending to return directly to the Manor of the Leisurely Prince, she looked down at her own attire; should she be recognized, wouldn't that implicate Gu Jinshi? Consequently, she casually found a ready-made garment shop, changed into a new set of clothes, and arrived back at the prince's manor while it was still early, quietly slipping back into Emerald Bamboo Courtyard.