Princess, Spare My Life - Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Pleasant Encounter with an Assassin
Yuan Shang simply regarded those in front of her as non-existent. Anyway, the real experts present only included the princess, the princess family’s Zhu Yu, and her family’s Su Yin. As for others, they did not pose a threat to her escape, so she did not need to be afraid!
According to the “Black Fingerprint”, everyone in the world was divided into three types of people. Enemies that must be killed, companions whom one could entrust their lives to, and strangers who could be used and abandoned at any time. Only the first two were the most important.
The princess was the biggest obstacle in her plans to escape, so she was naturally an enemy. Zhu Yu and Su Yin were also somewhat considered enemies. She had no companions aside from the brothers and sisters of the “Black Fingerprint”, so how could she trust anyone else? As for strangers who were dispensable, Feng Che, Lu Wenfeng and others were included in that category. Therefore, Yuan Shang only paid attention to the princess, Zhu Yu, and Su Yin while completely neglecting the others.
Yuan Shang was unperturbed by those sons of nobility who came prior, entirely ignoring them. Since she did not respond to them, they lost interest in her. Regardless, if they did became entangled with her, then wouldn’t they be the same as those hoodlums that wander around the streets? Therefore, they stared at Yuan Shang in contempt as their lips curled scornfully without another word.
However, the young General Murong nodded in admiration and stepped forward. “Younger Brother Qi, I haven’t seen you since a few years ago, but you have already grown this big? Back then, I was fighting the Huns in the West, so I couldn’t attend your wedding with the princess. I just came back yesterday and heard that you and the princess came out to visit the lake. I figured that I would see you sooner or later, so I decided to go to the lake as well to join in the fun!”
General Murong seems to be in his thirties. He spoke with great enthusiasm as he appeared bold and unrestrained. His seasoned expression revealed traces of his hardships he had faced outside the city as his tone contained the dignity of the upper-class soldiers. Although he was not wearing his military uniform, he still stood tall and firm. In the distance, a few from his army had accompanied him. When he looked at Yuan Shang, he smiled as if he had reunited with a brother he had not seen for many years. He came over and patted her shoulders.
A figure moved in-between Yuan Shang and Murong as he frowned at him.
When Murong was obstructed, he was slightly stunned. As he observed the person in front of him, he smiled and said, “Why, isn’t it little Su Yin? When did you become so big? The last time I saw you, you were just a little beanie!”
Su Yin glared at him. He snorted before returning to Yuan Shang’s side, no longer paying any heed to him.
Yuan Shang did not care about Murong either as she indifferently nodded towards him. Then, she stepped forward and held the princess’s hand.
As Murong watched the master and servant pair show no enthusiasm towards him, he did not mind and burst out into loud laughter. The rest saw Yuan Shang take Princess Minghui’s hand so naturally. and Princess Minghui was filled with smiles as she grasped her hand in return. Those who watched this revealed a variety of different expressions. Some were surprised, some showed an understanding expression, and some had a dark complexion.
From the corner of her eye, Princess Minghui swept a glance at the people present and caught their complicated expressions from their eyes. The lake water reflected her smile, which as bright as sunshine.
Princess Minghui pulled Yuan Shang’s hand as she pointed to the three people in front of them and said, “These are all youths of outstanding talent within our time period. Their elders have deep relations with your own.” Pointing at the fat and rich man in his twenties, she said, “This is the second son of a high official in the Ministry of Appointments and is a member of the Ministry of Industry, Lu Wenfeng.” She also pointed to the man who appeared strong and tall as he walked like the wind. “This the Duke of Chu’s grandson, Feng Che, the former guard of the imperial family!” Finally, she pointed at Murong, who was in a blue robe. “This is the General of Pingxi, Murong Qinghua, the disciple of my father-in-law, who had just returned from the west to defeat the Xiongnu!”
When Lu Wenfeng and Feng Wei were pointed at, they displayed an incomparably proud appearance. Beside them, Murong Qinghua heavily smiled without batting an eyelid.
It took a while for Yuan Shang to realize that the “father-in-law” that Princess Minghui mentioned was her own father. This Murong Qinghua was considered as her senior brother, but it should have been several years since they had last encountered each other. Seeing Feng Che and his companion glare at her with contemptuous eyes, it could be assumed that they were not familiar with each other nor were friends. In that case, everyone on the scene was not exactly familiar with her…
If they were not good acquaintances, then it would be more convenient for her to escape from them. Zhu Yu saw her family’s honorable princess descend with that loathsome Duke of Zhao’s youngster’s help. To her surprise, the princess took his smelly hand as he pulled her forward. Inwardly, she swore with every vicious curse word she could, however, she did not dare not confront Yuan Shang in public. Being one of the most favored maids of the princess, she, of course, had to behave properly with the dignity a head maid should have. This contrasted with her behavior from when she quarreled with Su Yin the other day.
Princess Minghui dragged Yuan Shang away as they strolled side-by-side toward the small pavilion by the lake. Yuan Shang acted like a gentlemanly prince consort, accompanying Princess Minghui. The princess exuded a cultured and refined elegance.
A few people were stationed in the pavilion, waiting respectfully for Princess Minghui and Yuan Shang to arrive, they were far from waiting. After seeing Princess Minghui enter the pavilion, they bent over and saluted.
“Princess, Your Highness!”
“Long live the princess!”
Here, in addition to Princess Minghui, only Yuan Shang’s and Feng Che’s identities were respected. Yuan Shang was the grandson of the Duke of Zhao, who currently had the highest seniority in the imperial court. Feng Che was the grandson of the Duke of Chu. Although Yuan Shang does not know who the Duke of Chu was nor what he had done, he was a duke, so his status should not be bad.
Imperial guards would protect the face of the imperial palace, and Feng Che could possibly become an imperial guard. In addition to his martial arts skills, he had a good appearance. As he stood in the pavilion, he was glowing with health and vigor, completely contrasting from the low-profile and aloof Yuan Shang.
Feng Wei introduced, “This is a gifted scholar of Jiangnan, Xu Shichang. Qi Hanwen is the leading scholar of the capital city’s Imperial College of Supreme Learning—Lin Xiu. This is another student at the Imperial College of Supreme Learning, Zuo Qiushi.”
Lin Xiu’s bearings were the most imposing. With aristocratic demeanor, he cupped his hands and greeted Princess Minghui, “Your Imperial Highness!”
Zuo Qiushi and the rest also made their greetings, however, they seemed more reserved.
Xu Shichang and Zuo Qiushi were emotionally moved as they took out a scroll from their embrace. They cupped their hands together and spoke with a respectful tone, “Your Imperial Highness, this scroll contains our written poetry. We have heard about the princess’s talent from all over and we request for the princess to review our poetry.”
Princess Minghui continued to smile gracefully but did not answer. Instead, she turned to glance at Zhu Yu. Zhu Yu immediately nodded, moved forward, and received the scroll. She said, “Reviewing the scroll is out of the question. However, since our princess likes poetry, it is possible to become friends, but only for collating and examining one or two literary works.”
The two gifted Jiangnan scholars bowed and cupped their hands in succession. “Why, of course! It is an honor for us, Jiangnan scholars, to discuss poetry with the most talented woman in the lands under the heavens!”
After reaching his goal, Feng Che smiled and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, refreshments and entertainment for the boat are ready, are you ready to tour the lake?”
Zhu Yu came over and stealthily relayed to the princess, “Your Imperial Highness, you should look at how foolish the prince consort is. Perhaps, he doesn’t even understand the significance of ‘reviewing poetry’ with others!”
Princess Minghui was noncommittal. After a while, she faintly smiled and said, “While the prince consort is a noble person, how could he understand everything? Let’s put off this discussion until later!”
Zhu Yu stuck out her tongue but did not say another word.
Yuan Shang was not far away. During this period of time, she appeared beautiful both inside and out. Also, her body itself had a deep inner foundation and she had a strong sense of hearing, which was good enough to hear Zhu Yu’s words. However, this was a minor issue to a killer like Yuan Shang. Her previous assignments were to go to the West to assassinate wealthy American businessmen and European royals. She did not really study the politics of ancient China that much. But when she was tasked to assassinate or protect some Chinese aristocrats, and thus studied some advantages and cultures about the ancient times. Nonetheless, she really didn’t know much about the inner workings of the imperial court of ancient China. Although she heard Zhu Yu say that, she still didn’t understand what secretive thing they were talking about.
Using her instinct of a former hitman, she read the atmosphere and learned that the things beneath the surface were extremely profound.
On the pleasure boat, Yuan Shang’s eyes suddenly opened.
Killing intent!
Although it was very light, with her instincts from being on the verge of death for many years, she couldn’t possibly be mistaken! This was the murderous intent of a killer. It was the killing intent from an individual that had gotten away with taking countless lives. It was definitely not the few “sons of nobility” nor “gifted scholars.”
Then, who was it?
Inspecting her surroundings, besides Murong Qinghua’s men, there were only the princess’s bodyguards, Feng Che’s and Lu Wenfeng’s several bodyguards, and several female entertainers. Yuan Shang could not find the source of the killing intent, but she understood that was aiming toward this boat.
How could Yuan Shang be afraid in this situation? On the contrary, if this person would seriously make a move, maybe she could flee without initiating her escape plan during the chaos. Furthermore, she could also confuse the tracking personnel’s eyes and ears because of this assassin’s emergence.
Comments for chapter "Chapter 6"
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JustCallMeDaBoss
I’m still wondering what exactly the princess wants from mc? Does she want to make him look good or kill him?
Also I guess I read wrongly before, I thought they were gonna get married later but no they’re already married eh? No wonder the princess kept saying “between his and wife”, so maybe she figured out shes a woman and was to kill her?