Chapter Seven: The Assassin with an Unusual Mind

The night was deep and thick, and Hua Rong, feeling a rare moment of leisure, had ordered fine wine and delicacies to be brought, intending to emulate those scholars and poets by drinking freely beneath the moon. Yet just as the wine was taking effect, a chill wind swept by, and the great tree nearby suddenly shook twice.

Hua Rong quickly set down her cup, unable to suppress a wary glance in that direction. “Who’s there?” she called.

But after her words fell, there was only silence.

Still, what had just occurred left her uneasy. No sensible person would naively believe that a mere gust of wind could cause such a shiver in the branches! What’s more, it had only been a faint breeze—nothing but its biting chill to mark it.

“Suxin!” Hua Rong called.

No one answered. She called again, unable to stop herself, “Suxin!”

Still, no reply came, and a vague worry crept into her heart.

Hua Rong straightened, narrowing her eyes as she cautiously scanned her surroundings, muttering, “It’s not yet time for rest. Why doesn’t that girl Suxin answer? Could she be slacking off somewhere?”

Muttering to herself, she rose and looked around, only to notice a pair of feet suddenly protruding from around the corner of the wall.

By the faint moonlight, she could see they wore soft, embroidered shoes, rosy and delicate. “Those look like… shoes worn by palace maids!”

“Who’s there?” Hua Rong swallowed, stepping forward with care.

Seeing no movement for a long moment, she gathered her courage and advanced a little more. There lay Suxin, eyes closed, collapsed silently on the ground—a sight that appeared in an instant before Hua Rong.

“Suxin, what’s happened to you?” Hua Rong rushed to her, grasping Suxin’s shoulders and shaking her frantically.

But then she saw her hands stained with bright red blood, and her heart leapt in terror. “What happened? Who attacked you?”

In her panic, a sudden breeze swept by from behind, lighter in its manner, almost casual.

Hua Rong shuddered violently, so frightened she could not move. “Heavens above, I’ve never done anything evil in my life—must you torment me so? I only wish to live, that’s all!”

Heaven had granted her life anew; surely she would not be allowed to perish so wretchedly.

Her heart pounded in her chest like a frightened rabbit. Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder, and a languid voice drifted through the darkness. “Are you looking for me?”

Hearing this, Hua Rong nearly collapsed from fright. “Are you the accomplice of that assassin from earlier, or some resentful ghost? I’ve no grudge with you, neither old nor new. Don’t trouble yourself with me. This is the Xuanji Palace, the Emperor’s Nine Nether Hall. If you need, I could draw you a map?”

After all, Jun Yeli was so well protected by his guards, and she—on a whim to enjoy peace and solitude—had sent most of them away, living her rustic little life in the vastness of Xuanji Palace.

Little did she expect that one day, a reckless assassin would lose his way and pin the Emperor’s wrath upon her!

She rattled off her words, but the person behind seemed not to listen, only narrowing his eyes and tightening his grip on her shoulder, hauling her up like a chick.

Seeing her knees tremble, on the verge of collapse, the man broke out in a sweat and growled, “Stand up straight, or I’ll kill you!”

“So… if I stand straight, you won’t kill me?” With a trace of hopeful bravado, Hua Rong didn’t know how she managed to ask such a question—she was actually bargaining with an assassin!

But fate is never so simple. The man in black suddenly drew a dagger and thrust it into her hand. “Take this. For self-defense.”

The dagger gleamed coldly in the moonlight, sending chills down her spine just at the sight.

“Is this a joke? Aren’t you the one trying to kill me? If you give me a dagger for self-defense, who am I supposed to defend against—you?”

For the first time, she realized her mind couldn’t keep up with this man’s logic. His intentions were utterly unfathomable—one word described him: formidable.

“Sir, we have no grievance. Why torment me so? Let me go, please!” she pleaded, trying to throw the dagger aside, but he seized her hand in an iron grip. “Hold onto it, or I’ll stab you myself!”

It seemed he was plotting something.

Though her own convoluted thoughts thwarted any attempt to guess his plans, Hua Rong felt a persistent sense of foreboding.

Since escape was impossible, she simply asked, “Was it you who attacked Suxin?”

“No,” the man replied without hesitation.

“Really not?” Hua Rong pressed, somewhat at a loss.

Her repeated question drew a cold glance, his eyes sharp and tinged with impatience. “I said no. Enough questions—just do as I say!”

This man was committing the crime of holding the Emperor’s consort hostage, yet he spoke with such brazen self-assurance—where did he get such shameless boldness?

But on second thought, Hua Rong resigned herself. “If fate is unkind and my body not my own, I’ll endure.”

Whatever his intentions, it was clear he meant her no immediate harm.

Just as the tension mounted, a distant shout rang out: “Guards! Seize the assassin!”

Hua Rong couldn’t help but rejoice, quickly echoing, “Did you hear? The guards are coming for you. If you don’t go now, you’ll have no chance!”

But rather than fear, the man answered with a light scoff. “Is that so? I’m waiting for them.”

A group of torches swept into the courtyard, led by Jun Yeli and several consorts.

The blaze of torches flooded Xuanji Palace, setting it alight in the darkness, a stark and jarring sight.

Of course, the sight of Hua Rong standing beside the black-clad stranger, with Suxin’s motionless form behind them, made for an even stranger tableau.

“Consort Rong, why are you standing with the assassin? Are you his accomplice?” Consort Wan was quick to accuse.

Hua Rong was stunned. “No way, could my unlucky tongue have brought this on so soon?”

She patted her mouth, trying to ward off misfortune. Then, glancing at Jun Yeli’s stormy face, she quickly shook her head. “Your Majesty, this man is an assassin who plotted against me!”