Remember the bookstore in one second.

  That's right!

  This dagger is indeed Ling Jingyu's.

  At that time, the bandits forced her to walk, she used this dagger against her own neck. But... why was this dagger on the bandit's chest?

  Ling Xi's mind was in a state of utter chaos as she stared at the dagger covered in blood, looking like she had seen a ghost.

  Wang Tong looked at Ling Xi's stunned expression and smiled slightly, "You didn't hear wrong, nor did you think wrong. The leader of the bandits was indeed killed by that kind-hearted, weak, and blood-averse Miss Ling Jiu. Earlier, when the situation was critical, the bandit leader who had taken her hostage was already injured. If he had been caught again, he would have probably dragged Miss Ling Jiu down with him before his death. Miss Ling Jiu was quite decisive, rushing to take action and killing him first."

  He paused and continued, "This matter is not suitable for publicizing, otherwise it will damage Miss Lingjiu's reputation. As for the East Palace guards, I will instruct them to keep it confidential. As for the guards in your mansion and the boatmen on the ship, you'll have to take care of that yourself, young master."

  As he spoke, he inserted the dagger into Ling Xi's hand.

  Ling Xi lowered his head, looking at the dagger, only feeling heavy in his hand, and even more so in his heart.

  If it weren't for the sake of everyone's lives, Ling Jingxu wouldn't have stood out resolutely. Knowing that the road ahead was perilous, she still chose to leave with the bandits voluntarily.

  If Ling Jingyu really had an affair, how could the elder son of the Ling family still have the face to return to the old residence of the Ling family and what face would he have to meet the people of the five houses?

  Ling Jingxu was also forced to do so, and only then did she take action and kill someone. Such a weak and delicate woman, yet so quick-witted and decisive, truly worthy of admiration. It's even more embarrassing for this proud seven-foot-tall man.

  This must never be made public!

  Once it gets out, not only will the Ling family's reputation be damaged, but Ling Jingyu will also become an outcast in the eyes of others...

  Ling Xi quickly made up his mind and took a deep breath before responding: "Thank you, Commander Wang, for the reminder. I know what to do now."

  ......

  "Father, big brother and Ah Xiao have all gone up to the deck, and there's no more fighting outside either. Are we safe now?" Ling Jingyan, who had been crying in shock for half a day, asked with a hoarse voice, trembling as she squeezed out a few words.

  Ling Da Ye listened with his ear sideways for a while and said uncertainly, "Outside, there really isn't any unusual movement. Those bandits should have all been beheaded."

  "Come on, first light the candle holder."

  The maids who were frightened and paralyzed on the ground finally reacted, struggled to get up, and felt their way to light the candle holder.

  There was finally light in the cabin.

  Jiang's expression suddenly changed. Trembling, he said: "There are footsteps outside."

  Everyone's face changed color.

  Those footsteps weren't heavy and soon reached the door outside. The door creaked open with a groan.

  Ling Jingyan had already closed her eyes and let out a sharp cry. The faces of Old Man Ling and Sun Shi suddenly turned white.

  "Don't be afraid, it's me and Ah Xiao." The two people who appeared at the door were indeed Ling Jingyu and her younger brother. There was a hint of fatigue in Ling Jingyu's voice.

  Everyone finally let out a long sigh of relief.

  Ling Jingyan, who was still screaming non-stop, immediately shut her mouth and somehow found the strength to quickly get up and rush over. She hugged Ling Jingxiao tightly and burst into tears: "Jingxiao, I'm so glad you're back safely. When you followed the bandits earlier, I was so scared and didn't dare to speak out to ask you to stay...I'm sorry..."

  Mr. Ling and Sun felt guilty in their hearts, looked at each other, and silently turned their heads to one side.

  Just now they watched Ling Jingxu leave with the bandits, no one dared to make a sound. Now that I think about it, it was really too timid and cowardly...

  "Yan Tang sister, you don't have to blame yourself."

  Ling Jing's soft and calm voice entered everyone's ears: "At that time, being able to keep everyone's lives was already a blessing. Moreover, they were rushing towards me in the first place. If I didn't take the initiative to follow them, they would never have let me go."

  "Uncle and Aunt must be keeping quiet, definitely thinking of preserving their strength, secretly waiting for an opportunity to rescue me back. This bitter intention, how could I not know?"

  Mr. Ling and Sun's face felt a little hot, knowing that this was Ling Jingyu's considerate way of making excuses for them...

  What a kind and understanding good girl!

  Ling Da Ye cleared his throat and said: "Ah Shu, you've had a hard time this time. You must have been quite frightened. Come in quickly and let's talk."

  "Yes, Ah Jiao, come in quickly." Sun also changed his tone and became very intimate.

  Ling Jingxu's voice was somewhat bitter: "I've got a lot of fresh blood on me, I'm afraid it will scare you. I'll go back and change into some clean clothes first, then we can talk again."

  It wasn't until now that Ling Jingyan smelled the bloody smell on Ling Jingxiao's body.

  At ordinary times, Ling Jingyan's legs would go soft with fear.

  However, after going through so many dangers today, it's already a blessing from heaven that everyone is safe and sound. Who still cares about this minor detail?

  Ling Jingyan pulled Ling Jingxiao into the house, saying: "What's the big deal about some bloodstains? As long as everyone is safe and sound, that's all that matters."

  So, under the lamplight, Ling Jingyan was startled to see the bloodstains on Ling Jingshu's clothes and blurted out: "Jingshu, where did all this blood come from?"

  It's as if I've been stained with the fresh blood of a close-range kill...

  Ling Jingyan was startled by the fleeting thought in her mind, and she quickly waved it away, thinking she had found a reasonable explanation: "I know. It must have been the rescuers who killed the hijackers holding you hostage. You were too close, and the blood splattered all over your body."

  Ling Jing remained silent and motionless, allowing Ling Jingyan and others to continue misunderstanding.

  Yes, who would have thought, it was she who killed that bandit with her own hands!

  Even she couldn't have imagined that she would have the courage to take someone's life.

  At such a critical moment, the body's reaction was even faster than the brain.

  The feeling of killing is not wonderful, and it's even a bit nauseating. However, she doesn't regret it. If things were to happen again, she would still take the same action.

  The only thing that made her anxious was the presence of too many people. This matter couldn't be hidden from them. The Ling family would soon find out the truth... and might even view her as an outcast.

  Later, after being spread out, she also found it difficult to stand firm in the capital.

  This is Ling Jingxu's real worry.

  "Ah-chu, who exactly saved us today?" Jiang asked.

  Ling Jingxiao's mind flashed with the handsome and cold face of a young man in a black robe: "It was the Crown Prince leading the Eastern Palace Guards to come and rescue."

  Crown Grandson?

  Jiang was taken aback for a moment, then quickly let out a sigh of relief: "It's the Crown Prince."

  According to their blood relationship, she and the Crown Prince were cousins within five degrees of mourning. However, given his noble status, she naturally wouldn't casually call him "cousin".

  Grandfather Ling's spirit lifted, and he immediately said: "You all go back to your rooms, wash up and change clothes. When it gets light, I'll take you to express our gratitude."

  PS: It seems that more people are in favor of updating together, so from tomorrow on, all three chapters will be updated at 8 o'clock. There may be a difference of a few minutes in between ~ O (∩ _ ∩) O ~ .