What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 255 - 251: Do You Still Want to Go to Hedong?
"Those people were all dressed in black, with their faces covered, wielding short knives. Their attacks were extremely vicious, not ordinary soldiers," the patrolling soldier from the south reported.
Xin Yi and Ah Jin were not attacked alone.
Since meeting up with Tang Ziqian over a month ago, Xin Yi seemed to have officially become a soldier under Tang Ziqian’s command. Though she didn’t charge into battle, she often led patrols.
At the time of the incident, Xin Yi was leading a team of ten, patrolling the southern part of the camp.
The south was where the prisoners were held.
The prisoners of the Duke Yan father and son were all high-ranking members of the Turkic royal family, including even the Crown Prince Murong Shun.
In this light, the purpose of the surprise attack became quite clear.
"How is Ah Jin’s injury?" Tang Ziqian asked as he strode into Ah Jin’s tent.
Tang Xiaobai didn’t follow inside, but as the curtain was lifted, the heavy scent of blood hit the face, indicating how severe the injury might be.
"Go tend to your own wound first!" Tang Ziqian’s cold and deep voice came from inside.
Soon, the curtain lifted again, and Xin Yi emerged with a pale face. Seeing Tang Xiaobai, she stopped, "Second Miss."
"Are you injured too?" Tang Xiaobai examined her with concern.
"Just a minor injury," Xin Yi replied.
Xin Yi had the appearance of a delicate woman, but since meeting in Liangzhou, her demeanor no longer bore the gentle weakness of a woman.
Though her face didn’t look good at the moment, she answered calmly.
Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief and asked again, "What about Ah Jin?"
Xin Yi’s gaze dimmed, "He’s injured in the waist and abdomen, probably not damaging the internal organs, but he has fainted from excessive blood loss. The military doctors are currently treating him."
Tang Xiaobai fell silent, not knowing how to respond.
Xin Yi pressed her lips and said, "Jin Guard got hurt saving me." Her voice was a bit hoarse towards the end, showing her discomfort.
Tang Xiaobai suddenly remembered.
Today, Xin Yi was leading a patrol in the south, and Ah Jin, as Tang Ziqian’s guard, was not responsible for patrolling.
Why did Ah Jin appear in the southern camp just in time to save Xin Yi?
Just as this question flashed in her mind, Tang Ziqian came out from inside as well.
"How is Ah Jin?" Xin Yi hurriedly asked.
"The bleeding has stopped," Tang Ziqian replied simply, his gaze falling on Xin Yi’s injured shoulder, "Why haven’t you gone down?"
Xin Yi bowed and took her leave.
Tang Ziqian then looked at Tang Xiaobai and said, "Ah Jin is seriously injured and can’t go to Hedong with you." His voice sounded a bit more somber than usual.
Tang Xiaobai nodded, staring inside with a blank expression.
Seeing her like this, Tang Ziqian smiled, "It’s nothing, just a bit of suffering. Ah Jin has been with me through life and death for many years; such an injury is not something he can’t overcome."
Tang Xiaobai nodded, feeling heavy-hearted, "Then I’ll go pack."
Urgency called in Hedong too, and Little Ancestral planned to depart this afternoon.
Tang Ziqian first nodded, then suddenly said, "Wait—"
Tang Xiaobai looked at him in confusion.
He frowned, waving away the people around him.
"Ah Jin and Xin Yi have been with you on this journey; do you think—" He started to speak but stopped halfway.
He sighed lightly and waved his hand, "Never mind, go on."
Tang Xiaobai murmured an "oh."
She had just taken a step when she heard Tang Ziqian ordering firmly from behind, "Fetch my armor, mobilize three thousand soldiers, and request a battle at the Royal Capital!"
Tang Xiaobai turned back.
Under the shadowy clouds, the general’s handsome face carried a stern and cold severity.
She suddenly recalled the first time she saw her brother, injured but with no less arrogance between his brows.
Having left the capital for many years, he returned still able to strike fear in countless hearts.
When did that trace of gloom settle in his eyes, never to be dispelled?
"Brother!" she couldn’t help but call out to him.
Tang Ziqian turned his gaze, the ferocity in his eyes dissipating, and frowned, "Why haven’t you gone?"
"Brother, since I reached Liangzhou, I’ve seen Ah Jin and Xin Yi supporting each other, trusting each other. It’s no surprise to me that Ah Jin would risk his life to save Xin Yi," Tang Xiaobai said.
She didn’t have sharp emotional intuition and couldn’t tell if there was anything between Ah Jin and Xin Yi.
But fighting side by side in adversity is indeed a fertile ground for feelings, whatever kind they may be.
Moreover, even if they had no feelings for each other, Ah Jin would still go all out to save Xin Yi.
Because Xin Yi is someone close to Tang Ziqian.
Everyone could see that clearly, except Tang Ziqian himself, blinded by a leaf.
"Brother, if you have any questions, you can directly ask Xin Yi," Tang Xiaobai said seriously, "Xin Yi has followed you since the first time she met you, never expressing any intention to leave."
Tang Ziqian initially listened impassively, but suddenly smiled hearing this, "If I hadn’t coerced her, why would she willingly follow me?"
"What about later?"
Tang Ziqian sneered, "What are you trying to say?"
Tang Xiaobai didn’t know what else she could say.
Her brother and her sister were both people who cared too much about their pride.
If he weren’t her own brother, she really wouldn’t want to bother with him.
Tang Xiaobai sighed, "Xin Yi is also hurt; do you want to check on her?"
Tang Ziqian said coolly with his back turned, "In an army, who goes without injury? As the commander, can I attend to each and every one?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than someone spoke up with an even colder tone, "If you can’t attend to her, then let Xin Yi leave with me, Young Master!"
Tang Xiaobai froze at the sound, turning to look.
A young man in dark battle attire was striding towards them, his long legs and height making his steps seem large, almost hurried. The small military items hanging at his waist swung and occasionally clashed loudly.
His expression was colder than usual, making his beautiful eyes appear even darker and deeper.
Tang Ziqian saw him and instead laughed, "You want Xin Yi to leave with you? To Hedong?"
"Yes!" He replied without hesitation, "Since you can’t guarantee her safety, let me take her away."
Tang Xiaobai listened in a daze.
Had Little Ancestral become anxious upon hearing of Xin Yi’s injury? Had he suddenly understood his feelings, finally realizing the person he cared for was his boyhood companion who had disguised herself as a boy?
"Are you sure she wants to go with you?" Tang Ziqian asked coldly.
"That’s not something for you to worry about," Li Mu said indifferently, glancing at the still dazed Tang Xiaobai.
Tang Xiaobai snapped back to reality under his gaze, then froze again.
Could it be that Little Ancestral wanted her to convince Xin Yi for him?
Tang Ziqian sneered, "You’re not thinking of having Xiaobai persuade Xin Yi, are you?"
Li Mu frowned but did not deny it.
Tang Xiaobai suddenly felt a little stuffy in her heart.
What had she said again? That a young boy’s affection is so unreliable, and who knew when he would realize the true love in his heart?
Luckily, she was already prepared!
"Then I—" Tang Xiaobai began, intending to leave, but was interrupted by Tang Ziqian.
"Then do you still want to go to Hedong?" Tang Ziqian asked, seemingly knowing what she was thinking.
Did she still need to go? Was it still necessary?
Tang Xiaobai showed hesitation.
Hearing this, Li Mu saw it, and suddenly realized something wasn’t quite right.
