Chapter 70: Rescuing the Emperor

Chapter 70: Rescuing the Emperor

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty—"

"Your Majesty, where are you—"

In the forest, guards shouted at the top of their lungs, startling flocks of birds into flight.

The ministers following Prince Jin were in a state of panic, having been gathered together by the guards from Prince Jin's residence.

At that moment, the Emperor was chasing an elk when the Night Jade Lion suddenly went wild, bolting deep into the forest with the Emperor, causing the following ministers to hurriedly chase after.

But after a thorough search, there was no sign of the Emperor.

Those who were qualified to join the Autumn Hunt in Pingcheng were all astute, and it didn't take long for them to sense that something was amiss.

Unfortunately, the Prime Ministers, due to their age, hadn't accompanied them, so the group had to look to Duke An and Duke Qing, the highest-ranking officials present.

Duke An, living up to expectations, stepped forward and said to Prince Jin, "Your Highness Prince Jin, there are many wild beasts in Pingyang Mountain. Our immediate priority should be to contact the nearby Pingcheng garrison to search and rescue!"

In the 28th year of Qian Ning, Duke An's eldest legitimate son, the Crown Prince of An, had tragically met his end here. Mentioning the search, Duke An couldn't help but show a heavy expression, his eyes filled with sorrow.

Duke Qing also said, "Your Highness Prince Jin, my soldiers are currently patrolling the camp and should be immediately dispatched to search the forest!"

Prince Jin, visibly anxious, regained his composure after a moment and, making eye contact with Duke Qing, nodded, "Good, I will lead the guards to search the mountain with Duke An. The rest of the ministers should follow Duke Qing back to the camp and quickly mobilize the patrolling soldiers and Pingcheng garrison to join the search!"

The group readily agreed, and soon only Prince Jin's personal guards and Duke An remained by his side.

Prince Jin said to Duke An, "His Majesty headed north. I will go northeast, and you, Duke, go northwest. We must split up and find His Majesty as quickly as possible!"

Duke An bowed and, without further words, led two teams of palace guards towards the northwest.

Prince Jin paused, murmuring to himself, "So he ran off ahead of time..."

Xiao Sheng waited near the cliff on the east side of Pingyang Mountain. The snow-white Night Jade Lion lay lifeless at his feet.

Yang Rong'en, the Grand General of the Imperial Guards, bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, Prince Jin, along with Duke An, is searching the mountain, ordering Duke Qing to return to the camp and dispatch the patrolling soldiers and Pingcheng garrison."

"Duke An?" Xiao Sheng frowned.

Though Duke An’s title was a hereditary one passed down through generations, his family had shifted from military to civil roles several generations ago. Since the demise of Prince Yuanhui and the appointment of Prince Cheng as the new crown prince, Emperor Qian Ning had removed Duke An from positions of real power, assigning him a nominal role in the Ministry of Rites.

"Yes," Yang Rong'en said, bowing his head, "Duke An suggested dispatching the Pingcheng garrison to search the mountain promptly. He is currently accompanied by guards from Prince Jin’s residence."

"And what about Duke Qing?"

"Upon returning to the camp, Duke Qing immediately sent soldiers to search the mountain, but deliberately delayed when sending troops to the Pingcheng garrison."

Xiao Sheng sneered, slowly saying, "Have someone continue to watch and report back on who is colluding with Prince Jin."

"Yes!" Yang Rong'en responded in a deep voice.

At that moment, the sound of approaching horse hooves echoed nearby.

"Take the men and hide behind," Xiao Sheng instructed. As soon as he finished speaking, the Imperial Guards swiftly concealed themselves in the dense forest.

Xiao Sheng, along with Sheng An and a few other guards, peeked out and saw that it was indeed Prince Jin and his entourage approaching.

Prince Jin, without a word, immediately ordered his archers to shoot upon spotting the Emperor.

Xiao Sheng, protected temporarily by his personal guards and Sheng An, remained unharmed. With a serious look in his eyes, he said to Prince Jin, "Are you plotting a rebellion, Prince Jin?"

"Didn’t you already know, brother?" Prince Jin laughed heartily, his demeanor charming. "The plan was to end your life at the cliff ahead, but who knew you would run off ahead of time, and even kill such a precious steed?"

Before Xiao Sheng could reply, Prince Jin added, "Brother, no need to hide your capabilities. You traveled with the Imperial Guards and the Twelve Guards. Even if some are stationed at the travel palace, there aren’t many by your side. Under this barrage of arrows, they won’t last long!"

At that moment, the sound of a whistling arrow filled the air, as a feathered arrow sped towards Prince Jin. The Prince's eyes narrowed, and he quickly dodged to the side.

"Who?!"

"Hui'er?!"

Both exclamations rang out simultaneously, as Jiang Hui, leading the guards of the Princess's mansion, arrived on the scene.

Jiang Hui's hair was slightly disheveled, and a faint scratch marked her cheek. Without a word, she drew another arrow and swiftly shot it at Prince Jin.

"Noble Consort?" Prince Jin retreated behind his guards to avoid the arrow, laughing, "Your devotion to the Emperor is indeed profound, but sadly, I wonder if you know that initially—"

"Insolence!" Xiao Sheng shouted loudly, "Xiao Shi, if you dare harm the Noble Consort, I will make sure you neither live in peace nor die in ease!"

The Imperial Guards emerged from the dense forest behind, forming a protective circle around the Emperor, while another team moved towards Jiang Hui.

Prince Jin's face darkened, "Then let's see who the victor will be."

Under the protection of her guards and the Imperial Guards, Jiang Hui galloped towards the Emperor, quickly dismounting and asking, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Xiao Sheng stepped forward, taking Jiang Hui's hand, urgently inquiring, "Hui'er, what are you doing here?"

"I heard about Your Majesty's horse being startled in the forest and was worried..." Jiang Hui carefully examined the Emperor, relieved to see he was only slightly injured, "The audacity of Prince Jin is unfathomable, Your Majesty, quickly mount and return to the camp!"

Touched, Xiao Sheng quickly whispered, "I have my plans, Hui'er, hurry back with Sheng An."

A flicker of surprise crossed Jiang Hui's eyes, understanding the Emperor had another strategy in mind, and obediently replied, "Understood, Your Majesty. Take care."

She then prepared to withdraw under the cover of her guards.

Just then, an arrow flew through the air, sliced in half by a guard's sword, but the remaining half continued straight towards the Emperor!

Jiang Hui's mind raced, glimpsing Sheng An protectively by the Emperor's side, she made a split-second decision and stepped in front of the Emperor—

"Third Brother, be careful!"

"Hui'er!"

Xiao Sheng quickly pulled Jiang Hui behind him—

The sound of an arrow piercing flesh resonated heavily.

It was Sheng An who timely shielded her, taking the arrow in his arm for Jiang Hui.

Seeing Jiang Hui unharmed, the Emperor breathed a sigh of relief and, not waiting for news from the camp, ordered angrily, "Seize Prince Jin!"