Volume 1 Chapter 65: Ambushed at Xiangguo Temple

  Chu Yifeng felt extremely defeated in his heart.

  Why can't this woman in his arms be like other women, with his figure filling her eyes?

  Those infatuated women only saw the noble status of the prince, he didn't care. It was hard to find someone who looked pleasing to him, yet she never gazed at him with such deep affection.

  Staring at her pale face, he suddenly recalled the extreme shock and astonishment he felt when Chu Yixiu saw her true appearance that night in the palace.

  Even more unbearable in heart.

  In the past, this woman liked Chu Yixiu. All Chu State people knew that for him, she even disregarded her daughter's reserve and inquired about his whereabouts everywhere... Even he had encountered more than once the figure quietly following behind Chu Yixiu.

  He grasped her chin, staring at her: "Just wandering around? Do you know how dangerous it was just now?" When he saw those bastards eyeing her on the horse carriage, he almost couldn't help but poke out their beady eyes!

  "What's so dangerous? I'm not out alone." Qin Luo gave him a sideways glance. She didn't believe he hadn't noticed the people from the Wang Manor following behind him.

  Chu Yifeng looked at her carefree appearance, and a hint of indulgent helplessness flashed in his eyes. "You!" He reached out to tap her nose, murmuring as he shook his head.

  As they approached the South King's palace, he finally let go of her hand and personally tidied up her slightly disheveled clothes. Looking at her with an unusually serious and solemn gaze: "Yi'er, there are less than two months left, you must make preparations to leave the palace in advance... Don't bring too many things, I'll prepare them for you."

  Qin's heart skipped a beat.

  With a slightly guilty conscience, she didn't dare look into his dark eyes, and instead shifted her gaze slightly to the side, looking out the window, and softly replied: "Okay."

  Chuyi Feng saw her turn away, thinking she was reluctant to leave the Wang Fu, stretched out his hand and stroked her head, softly comforting her: "Don't worry, in a year or two, I'll find an opportunity that is justified and bring you back, then we can be together forever, and you can return to the Wang Fu anytime."

  Qin Luo Yi pursed her lips and her eyes seemed a bit distracted.

  No matter whether Jian Yuyan can find the Penglai Fairy Island or not, she will leave in the end.

  To Chu Yifeng, she could only say sorry.

  Thinking of him as the crown prince, being caught by her to detoxify and not speaking ill of her, nor looking down on her, but instead taking responsibility for her in every way... she couldn't help but feel moved. However, feeling moved wasn't love, and she wouldn't stay by his side forever just because of a momentary feeling.

  The horse carriage stopped.

  Chu Yifeng lifted the curtain and jumped down first, intending to turn around and help Qin Luoyi down. However, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zhen Nan Wang Qin Lingyun and Chu Yixiu walking towards the palace from a distance. He withdrew his outstretched hand without leaving any trace, and a habitual smile floated onto his face.

  The King of Zhen Nan did not expect that the Crown Prince would suddenly come to the palace, and he was puzzled in his heart. He quickened his pace to welcome him.

  Chu Yixiu also walked over, with a warm and gentle expression, and a smile all over his face.

  "I have seen His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

  "Older brother of an emperor."

  Chu Yifeng's lips curved up slightly as he raised his hand: "No need for formalities, King of Zhen Nan."

  The emerald green carriage curtain was lifted by a pair of slender snow-white hands, and then a faint blue figure walked out of the carriage.

  "Father King."

  "Coat?"

  Look closely at the figure emerging from the carriage, and Town South King's eyes flashed with surprise. How could Yī Er be together with the Crown Prince, and even ride in his carriage?

  Chu Yixiu's pupils contracted, and a dazed look also flashed in his eyes.

  "Thank you, Your Highness!" Qin Luo Yi took in the surprise of both men with a glance, and with a stir in her heart, she made a solemn bow to Chu Yu Feng.

  Chu Yifeng smiled and looked at her: "The young lady has had a fright today, it's better to go back and rest early."

  As soon as this was said, the expressions on the faces of Zhen Nan Wang and Chu Yi Xiu changed, as if they had understood something. Their eyes quickly scanned Qin Luo's body, seeing that there was nothing out of place, before they finally put their minds at ease.

  "What's going on?"

  Qin Luo didn't hide anything and told him what had just happened.

  Zhen Nan Wang's face turned red with rage, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Chu Yi Xiu's expression was also extremely unpleasant as he walked to her side: "Yi Er, did you go to the Xian Ling Fang today?"

  Qin Luo Yi nodded.

  "Next time you go, bring a few more people with you." Chu Yixiu looked at her, his dark phoenix eyes gleaming with intense light.

  Chu Yifeng saw this and smiled slightly at the corner of his lips, but his eyes were cold, and he hummed a low, inaudible sound to himself.

  Zhen Nan Wang Xie passed the crown prince, and led him into the palace. The third imperial son fell two steps behind, following Qin Luo Yi's side, walking while asking her what she had bought at Xian Ling Fang.

  Qin Luo picked up her clothes and said a few irrelevant things.

  "Yi'er, what are you buying these spiritual plants for?" Chu Yixiu's heart was filled with doubts.

  Zi Lingzhi is no ordinary spiritual plant. Her physical constitution isn't suitable for cultivation either, I really don't know where she's using all these things.

  "I'm learning alchemy." Qin Luoyi's footsteps paused for a moment, and she smiled slightly.

  Chu Yifeng, although walking in the front, had his ears perked up all along, listening to their conversation. Upon hearing this, he turned his head back with a sly smile and teased: "Oh, Princess Anping is learning alchemy? I wonder how many levels of dan medicine she can refine now?"

  Facing his teasing, Qin Luo's eyes flashed with cunning as he said ambiguously: "Ordinary elixirs usually don't have any problems."

  "Haha." Chu Yifeng burst out laughing, clearly disbelieving.

  "Yi'er, don't talk nonsense." Zhen Nan Wang lightly scolded her, his black eyes filled with doting. Refining elixirs wasn't easy; just like how he had reached the realm of Wu Sheng after decades of cultivation, yet hadn't successfully refined even a single grade of elixir. It was fine for Yi'er to say such things in front of him, but the person before her was the Crown Prince.

  Qin Luo Yi pouted and said in a low voice: "I didn't say anything nonsense."

  The delicate face's tender pout caused Chu Yishu's calm and collected eyes to be tinged with a layer of unusual warmth: "So, Yī'er likes alchemy. Our manor just so happens to have an alchemy room. From now on...Yī'er can use it as she pleases."

  Zhen Nan Wang, who had already walked far away, heard this and a satisfied smile appeared in his eyes.

  Chu Yifeng's smile at the corner of his lips disappeared, and his expression became unpredictable.

  Qin Luo Yi stopped in her tracks and tilted her head to gaze at his handsome face, her lips slightly parted: "Can you refine pills?" This seemed like something she had never heard of before.

  Chu Yixiu smiled and shook his head: "No, but when I moved out to open a new mansion, thinking of being prepared for any situation, I built an alchemy room."

  Qin Luo Yi thought of Shang Guan Qiu Yu.

  She pursed her lips, indeed it's better to be prepared for any situation.

  Qin Luo Han stood far away in the corner, gazing at the Third Prince and Qin Luo Yi walking shoulder to shoulder towards the palace, a warm smile spreading across the Third Prince's refined face.

  "You scoundrel! The Third Prince is mine!"

  The pink flower that had just been plucked from her hand was tightly twisted into a ball, shattered into pieces and fell to the ground, her eyes turned red, with an almost frantic expression.

  Until those two figures disappeared into the distance and could no longer be seen, she withdrew her gaze and forcibly trampled the scattered flower petals into the mud.

  Two days later, Qin Luo Yi successfully refined the Eight-Stage Faux Death Pill and carefully placed it in a pale green porcelain bottle, storing it safely away.

  Thinking that she would be leaving soon and might never see her mother again, she felt reluctant to part with her and no longer hurried to cultivate herself. Instead, she spent as much time as possible accompanying her mother every day.

  The King of Zhen Nan and the Queen thought she had given up on her cultivation, finally abandoning it. They let out a sigh in their hearts, but didn't say anything, instead they were delighted to see her current state.

  Time flies, and suddenly it's the annual Spring Festival.

  In the capital, lanterns and streamers are hung everywhere, bustling and extraordinary. Officials from all over Chu State are busy returning to the capital to report on their duties, and with more officials returning, their families naturally increased as well. In those famous wine houses and tea shops, and in the alleys of flowers and willows, one can often see those young masters who are dressed in finery, elegant in manner, and arrogant in demeanor, pointing fingers and giving orders.

  On the third day of the first month, King Zhen Nan brought his queen and two ladies from the palace to Xiang Guo Temple in the southern suburbs of the capital to offer incense. This is a custom that has been passed down for thousands of years in Chu State.

  Xiangguo Temple was once home to a very powerful and enlightened monk. According to legend, visiting Xiangguo Temple from the 2nd to the 5th day of the first lunar month can bring peace and prosperity to one's family throughout the new year, and is extremely effective.

  After finishing the incense, King Town South and his wife were invited by the abbot of Xiangguo Temple to go over, leaving Zhu Mei with a group of servant girls and guards guarding Qin Luo Yi and Qin Luo Han.

  Because of the noble status of the King of Town South, Temple of Minister specially emptied out a very quiet small yard to let them rest.

  The small courtyard faces south and north, the courtyard is extremely quiet and secluded. However, because there are too many people burning incense in the past two days, Xiangguo Temple is overcrowded, so many people bring a lot of food and small trinkets to sell here.

  The house they settled in, although it couldn't be seen as lively a scene, could hear the occasional shouting and peddling sounds from outside.

  Qin's face was covered with a white veil, and she looked out of the window, feeling somewhat moved.

  "Sister, Father and Mother will definitely not come out for a while, let's go out and have a stroll."

  Qin Luo's bright face had a hint of a smile, and she raised an eyebrow to look at her: "I was thinking of going out, but just now when Father Wang left, he said we shouldn't wander around randomly. There are too many people coming to Xiangguo Temple today, it's chaotic and not safe."

  Qin Luohan stood up and walked over to her side, holding her hand intimately and said in a gentle voice: "Good sister, we won't go far, just take a look around here."

  Zhu Mei walked over and looked at her with a scowl, saying: "The princess is right, there are too many people coming to Xiangguo Temple today, we can't go out. Han Er, you must listen to the king's words."

  Qin Luohan changed his mind and took her hand, shaking her arm and coquettishly saying: "Mother, I really won't go far, just take a look outside."

  Then he turned his head and said to Qin Luoyi: "Sister, let's go out together and call a few guards. Nothing will happen."

  Zhu Mei's face showed a hint of hesitation, her eyes gazing at Qin Luo Yi.

  Qin Luo Yi looked at her and then turned to Qin Luo Han, a hint of relaxation flashing in the depths of his dark, shiny eyes: "Alright, we can't go too far."

  "We certainly won't go far!" Qin Luohan's voice rose as he saw her agree.

  "Ah, you...!" Zhu Mei nodded somewhat helplessly: "You've gone out, take good care of the young mistress and remember to come back early."

  Qin Luohan smiled and replied.

  Zhu Mei picked out five exceptionally skilled guards, gave them detailed instructions, and then had them escort Qin Luo Han and her sister out.

  Outside Xiangguo Temple, it's crowded with people, fortune tellers, food vendors, and face readers - you name it.

  Qin Luo Han pulled Qin Luo Yi along, and as they looked at each other, they unknowingly walked far away.

  Behind them were five guards, each of whom was a cultivator of the Zun stage. No matter how many people there were, they always followed closely behind the two women.

  After turning two corners, the crowd gradually thinned out, but Qin Luohan's enthusiasm grew higher and higher. He held her hand tightly and continued to move forward.

  Qin Luo's eyes flashed with a hint of light, but she remained silent.

  The end of the road was a very dilapidated courtyard. When Qin Luohan saw it, he looked disappointed: "What a pity, it's gone."

  As soon as the words fell, several cyan figures suddenly jumped out of the dilapidated house, holding cold and sharp blades, and hacked at the two women fiercely.

  "Ah!"

  Qin Luohan let out a cold cry and instantly retreated several steps, his pale face angrily rebuking: "What kind of people are you, what do you want to do?"

  "Princess, Second Miss, hurry up!" The guards following closely behind them immediately drew their swords and rushed forward, tightly shielding Qin Luo and the others behind them.

  The assassins in green clothes were all masked, and they struck with extreme ferocity. In an instant, one of the Wang mansion's guards was killed, and the remaining four were injured to varying degrees.

  "Sister, let's hurry, they won't last much longer!" Qin Luohan's face was pale, tightly grasping her hand and pulling her towards the outside of the courtyard. Then he quickly ran towards where there were more people.

  The target of the people in green clothes was obviously them. Seeing that they were escaping, someone immediately broke out from the small courtyard and blocked their way, holding a long sword covered in blood, and chopped down at them.

  "Sister, hurry up!" Qin Luohan was greatly shocked and pulled her to run in the opposite direction. There was a small path down the mountain over there.

  The man in green clothes came chasing again with great ferocity.

  In a critical moment, a blood-soaked guard jumped out from the small courtyard and charged forward with his sword.

  Two people ran while looking back, didn't know how far they had run, finally couldn't see the assassin's shadow chasing after them. Qin Luohan took a breath and stopped.

  He lifted his torn sleeve, wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around. The surrounding area was all high mountains, except for the birds chirping and insects buzzing, not a single person was in sight.

  "Where is this?" Qin Luo Yi also looked around and asked.

  "Just now I was running wildly, I don't know!" Qin Luohan shook his head weakly, earlier in order to shake off the assassin, he didn't feel anything uncomfortable on his body, but now that he stopped, he found out that his body ached all over, his clothes were torn in several places, and some places even had skin lacerations.

  Qin Luo Yi looked at her disheveled figure, a cold glint flashing in the bottom of his eyes: "Sister used to come to Xiang Guo Temple every year, didn't she ever come here?"

  Qin Luo Han bit her lip, and the black pupils visible outside the white gauze were full of regret: "Sister has amnesia, so she doesn't remember... In the past when we came to Xiangguo Temple, we always stayed inside the temple and never went out. Today... it's all my fault..."

  "What should we do now? We must hurry back, if those assassins find us, it will be big trouble." Qin Luo Yi stamped her foot and said anxiously.

  "My sister is absolutely right." Qin Luohan nodded solemnly, looked around and suddenly lit up with excitement, "Hey, there's someone over there, let's go ask them."

  At a distance of several hundred meters from them, there was a team of men dressed in bright and handsome attire, looking around.

  "Hurry up and find her for me, I must have that beautiful woman from just now! Hmph, I don't believe she can escape my grasp!" A luxurious red robe-clad man, likely under twenty years old but already quite plump, haughtily berated the guard beside him.

  With a loud shout, the guards behind him scattered and searched up the mountain like wolves. Some sharp-eyed ones quickly discovered two slender figures on the small path in the mountains and excitedly shouted: "Young Master, they're over there!"

  The man in red laughed loudly, his eyes full of complacency: "Haha, I'll make you run... Hurry up and bring the person to me! I will heavily reward you!"

  "No problem, young master! She can't escape!" The generous reward made the group of guards very happy, and they rushed forward while laughing and teasing each other.

  Digression

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