Chapter 38-Part 2

To prevent any assassination attempts, the high platform was actually set far from the crowd. Arrows from one side wouldn’t reach within range, and even if they tried, the arrows would lose accuracy and power.

However, the sudden arrow from the Liang state guard, accompanied by a whistling sound, was evidently shot from a rare heavy crossbow, which had incredible power.

Liu Pei was hit hard in this situation and fell off the platform with a cry of “Ah”.

In that moment, chaos erupted below the high platform. On the side platform where Jiang Xiurun was, people were also in a panic, with shouts of “Catch the assassin!” creating a scene of utter confusion.

Jiang Xiurun grabbed her brother’s hand and suddenly slipped down from the side of the platform.

Qian’er and Ying’er closely followed. Although a guard noticed the Jiang siblings trying to escape, he was knocked unconscious by Qian’er before he could shout.

Earlier, when Jiang Xiurun had come to the market, she had noted the location of the riverside dock. Amid the chaos, they made their way to the dock, cut the rope, and jumped onto a small boat.

Surprisingly, their escape was smooth, and before long, they were floating down the main river.

Ahead was a dense reed marsh.

Jiang Xiurun knew that once they passed through the reed marsh, they would be back in Yan state territory. They could then plan their escape on land.

But just as they entered the reed marsh, their small boat reached a bend in the river.

Several pitch-black, heavy wooden ships surrounded their pitiful little boat, leaving no way out.

Standing on the boat, Jiang Xiurun looked around. Although she couldn’t name most of the burly men on the ships, she clearly remembered seeing these people around the Crown Prince’s residence…

At that moment, a cold voice came from the largest black ship’s cabin: “My dear tutor, did you enjoy your little adventure?”

A cold wind blew, and Jiang Xiurun felt a chill in her heart—she never expected Feng Liwu to personally pursue her with the elite guards of the Crown Prince’s residence.

Qian’er wanted to resist, but dozens of long hooks came over, catching her head. Any reckless movement would have surely taken her head off.

Jiang Xiurun was also dragged onto the large ship and pushed into the cabin, where the Crown Prince was.

After many days apart, Feng Liwu was still as strikingly handsome as ever.

However, his face appeared even more chiseled, and his eyes seemed to be deeply shadowed with melancholy, as if thick ink had been heavily applied.

From the moment Jiang Xiurun entered, those sharp eyes fixed on her, as if they were hooks piercing into her flesh.

At that moment, the smell of blood she had sensed on the execution platform seemed to fill her nostrils again. Jiang Xiurun could almost imagine herself and her brother kneeling on the platform, awaiting execution…

Jiang Xiurun tried to remain calm, knowing that any argument would be in vain and she would likely face death regardless. So she kept her mouth tightly shut.

Seeing her stubborn silence, Feng Liwu’s icy face showed a hint of a cold smile. “Weren’t you quite eloquent in front of Liu Pei, speaking like a river? Why do you have nothing to say now? Is it because I am not a wise and benevolent ruler like him, unworthy of your words?”

From his words, it was clear that he knew everything she had said in Liang’s camp.

Jiang Xiurun steeled herself and made a final effort: “Your Highness, you are a person with a clear mind, not someone who only listens to flattery like Liu Pei. I know my crime is unforgivable, and whatever punishment you deem fit, I am prepared to face.”

Feng Liwu laughed at her words, but the smile was more frightening than his cold expression.

He finally stood up and walked over, lifting the boy’s face with a long finger and coldly asking, “Why did you run?”

Thinking of how all her plans had failed, Jiang Xiurun’s eyes welled up.

“When I heard that the hostage princess of Bo had given birth… how could I not be afraid, fearing that I would become a dead soul under the knife like the hostage of Wei State? So, I ran…”

Before she could finish, she felt the Crown Prince move behind her. He suddenly lifted her with one hand, clamping his other hand around her neck, ready to kill her at any moment.

Jiang Xiurun’s heart tightened as she awaited death once more.

What she didn’t know was that Feng Liwu, with a murderous look, was actually greedily inhaling the sweet scent emanating from the boy’s neck. For days, he had forgotten how long it had been since he last breathed easily or ate well.

There were countless accounts to settle with this unruly boy, but first, he needed to calm his raging heart to avoid accidentally killing this manipulative, deceitful creature.

This soft and fragrant boy, usually so obedient and seductive, had nearly escaped his grasp! Just a bit more, and he would have been lost forever!