Chapter 28 - A Planned Attack (1)
When Li Rui entered the Imperial Palace, it was morning. When she finally came out of Imperial Palace Gates, the afternoon had arrived already. The carriage stood outside the gates waiting for her.
While in Cining courtyard, Princess Wenling was bursting in rage. A maid was kneeling in front of Princess. It was the same maid who was ordered to 'lead the way' for Li Rui by Princess Wenling.
Hearing her describing all the happened events, Princess Wenling's murmured in disbelief.
"She was just standing there calmly. How can it be possible? She was not scared at all."
The maid was hiding behind a pillar and from there she could only see Li Rui's unmoving back which made her think that Li Rui was not affected at all because of that place.
Princess Wenling looked towards the maid as if realizing something.
"It must be because you didn't let her stay there for more time."
A cup was thrown at the maid's forehead and blood flowed out from that spot. She didn't raise her hand to press the wound and continued kneeling. In front of her, Princess Wenling's face was red with rage as she shouted furiously.
"You can't do even a small job properly. How did that damn child get there?"
The kneeling maid trembled in fear.
"Come and drag out this useless servant from this Princess courtyard."
The maid pleaded for mercy. How could she not understand what dragging out meant? She has known about all the schemes of Princess for the time she was here. She will not be kept alive if she was thrown out of this courtyard.
But her pleas went in vain. Two maids came and dragged her forcefully outside Princess Wenling's chamber. Although they pitied the maid, they could not do anything as they know it would be them who would have to face Princess wrath then.
Looking at the maid who was getting dragged outside, Princess Wenling smiled coldly and her eyes glinted with happiness.
"Fortunately, I am not stupid like you and had already made more arrangements."
She chuckled and then signed leaning on the chair she was sitting on.
"Li Rui, this Princess had worked so hard to make your day eventful and unforgettable. Hope you will not waste this Princess's efforts."
Her eyes flashed with a cold light.
"...or I will have to work hard again."
The maid who was standing by Princess's side shuddered when she glanced at her smile. She secretly sympathized with Lady Li.
Inside the carriage, Xi Ying was looking at Li Rui. She was looking outside through the carriage curtains but he could tell that her mind was somewhere else. She didn't even blink when the carriage stumbled a little. Perhaps she was thinking of that place again. He himself was thinking about it. Whenever he remembered her state, he felt as if someone was twisting his heart again and again. What kind of unpleasant experience she had there to look frightened like this?
Only he knew, how he wished to know her each and every thought, her fears.
At this moment, a shout was heard from outside then followed a 'thud' sound of something hitting the ground. The carriage stopped moving. Li Rui came out of the trance.
Xi Ying got alerted.
That sentence again rang in his ears.
'Be careful on your way.'
Nothing was heard from outside after that. He already knew what had happened outside. He looked at Li Rui. Staying inside the carriage was not safe at this time. Going outside was also not a guarantee of safety.
But it was the only option Li Rui had. So she slid the curtains of the carriage and stepped outside. They were on a deserted road. The eerie silence on the deserted road was doubtful.
Stepping forward a few steps, Li Rui saw that the man who was driving the carriage was now lying on the ground. An arrow was stuck in his chest and blood flowed out from his wound continuously. She could tell in one glance that he was dead.
She turned around and looked at the second carriage in which Steward had sent some gifts and precious things for Princess Yi Huiqing.
There also was lying a man with an arrow stuck in his chest.
Xi Ying looked around. On their left and right side, there were dense forests. Closing his eyes, he tried to feel his surroundings. He let out a sharp breath after a few seconds. There were three to four shadow guards hiding inside the forests. He could feel their energy. It was not a problem for him if only he had his body and could fight with them. But now.....
He looked at Li Rui. She looked very calm. But the fear and panic he felt, he never wished to feel it again.
Breaking the silence and his thoughts, an arrow came flying towards the carriage Li Rui was standing nearby. It missed her just by a needle distance. However, it was just a start.
A few seconds after, countless arrows emerged from the forests towards her. Li Rui's eyes flickered with something Xi Ying didn't understand. Lifting her dress, she suddenly ran towards the forests and she took out the small dagger from her sleeve. She left behind those arrows when she was deep inside the forests.
Different from a few moments ago, her calmness was now gone. Her forehead was covered with a thin layer of sweat as the sun shone on her pale-white face. She was breathing heavily looking around herself just like a child trying to protect herself.
Xi Ying's lips trembled to see her like this.
When another arrow came flying towards Li Rui, he reflexively stood in front of her to block it. He never believed in God. But at this moment, he wished that God was somewhere in this world and would give him back his body. He couldn't bear to let her die. Although he never met her in these four years, he never forgot her. He never thought of separation and marrying again. Her being in his manor gave him a strange comfort and peace. He realized he never really hated her. He was just angry.
And now when he wanted to mend everything between them and give her all the happiness she deserved, how could he see her die in front of him like this.
His life would be meaningless without her. He would destroy this empire if anything happened to his wangfei.
The arrow really passed him and a tear slipped through his red eyes.
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