Seeing his sizing gaze, Ruan Fang Fei confidently unfolded her arms and spun in a circle in front of him, “Does it look good?”
Under the fluttering flower petals, the contrast certainly appeared particularly beautiful. However, Li Hong Yuan, who’s already accustomed to seeing beauties, at this moment was like a blind person, not seeing anything.
If not because she still had use, Li Hong Yuan’s patience towards her afraid would’ve long ran out.
Destroying her was actually very easy. Just need to have her words and actions when facing him made public to the masses, in fact it didn’t even need to be polished, and Ruan Fang Fei would be thoroughly finished.
Perhaps it was also because of this bit of patience that made Ruan Fang Fei from beginning to end feel that Li Hong Yuan had her in his heart, and that they sooner or later will get married. Even though her father didn’t agree to her marrying him, saying he wasn’t a good husband for her.
These however were all irrelevant. She can slowly persuade her father. If a year won’t do, then two years; if two years doesn’t work, then three years; if three years doesn’t, then ten years. She’d never felt that her own age would be big. Besides, in the end, the one marrying him would only be herself. He would always ‘wait’ for her, no? As for good husband whatnot, it’s fine as long as she got what she wanted. What did it have anything to do with him being a good husband or not? Sometimes, Ruan Fang Fei thought this without a doubt.
“You can leave now, leave White Dragon Temple.”
“This subject bids farewell.” Although she was reluctant, Ruan Fang Fei didn’t disobey him. Taking a step back, she turned and retreated. She left the peach orchard, found her own servant girl, and gradually retreated further away, returning to the place she previously stayed. Because she came hastily, her daily necessities were all still on the way. She resolutely got on the carriage, and left White Dragon Temple.
Eunuch Mu couldn’t guess what his master’s current mood was either, thus not daring to rashly go forward.
Li Hong Yuan stood in his original spot, unknown as to how long he stood for, when suddenly, he felt somewhat anxious. He reached out and held his chest, what was going on?
Ever since coming back in time, Li Hong Yuan had very much paid attention to his own body’s condition. He was very certain that his own body didn’t have the slightest aliment or illness, and couldn’t be more healthy.
For the person one was concerned about, the heart was also connected. Li Hong Yuan’s complexion slightly changed and immediately departed from the peach orchard. “Mu An, immediately send a flying pigeon message to inquire if something has happened to Wan Wan?”
Eunuch Mu blanked, yet didn’t dare to neglect in the slightest. At this moment, Miss Luo was the most important, even his own master needed to be put to the side. Disregarding his image, he turned and ran towards the little courtyard they were temporarily staying in.
He wasn’t certain if something really did happen to Jing Wan or not, but Li Hong Yuan’s expression was gloomy. Because of that anxiety, he even reached the little courtyard a step ahead of Eunuch Mu. Although he was highly skilled in martial arts, rushing like this still disheveled his hair. This on him was never seen before.
Seeing his master pass by ahead of him, Eunuch Mu naturally could only increase his speed. One has to know, of those following by Li Hong Yuan’s side, even the servant girls and inner court attendants, not one was weak and feeble. Even so, by the time Eunuch Mu rushed back, his complexion was deathly pale as he gasped for breath.
Li Hong Yuan had already prepared the ink and brush himself, and seeing Eunuch Mu, “Useless thing.”
Eunuch Mu’s complexion uncontrollably went even more pale. Master has always never needed useless people. However Eunuch Mu didn’t even dare to say half a word of plea either, only calming down his own breathing as much as possible, and afterwards, going forward to serve in grinding the ink, hoping to be able to escape this misfortune.
Li Hong Yuan’s brushed moved very fast, completely disregarding if this letter might end up in someone else’s hand. However, fortunately, his handwriting towards the outside wasn’t like this. As oppose to the sharp and vigorous style under his brush right now, his characters written for outsiders to see can only be considered mediocre.
Just as he’d finished writing and rolled up the letter, An Yi who was dressed as a bodyguard hurriedly entered from the outside, “Master, Miss Luo fell off the cliff at the waist of the mountain…..”
‘Bang’, a loud sound sounded. Li Hong Yuan had smashed the table. And in an instant, he’d already reached in front of An Yi, grabbing the latter by the neck, “Explain clearly.”
Ai Yi only felt that he was about to suffocate, not only because he was being strangled by the throat, but further because of Li Hong Yuan’s eyes that appear to devour one whole. “Ma-master….”
Li Hong Yuan threw him to the side, “Go!”
He forcibly suppressed his choking cough and hastily followed after Li Hong Yuan’s steps, walking along as he explained in detail, “For some unknown reason, Miss Luo and the others who were originally planning to come to White Dragon Temple tomorrow, shifted the date earlier to today. The carriage that Cabinet Minister Ruan’s youngest di daughter was riding in was heading down the mountain, but when they arrived at the waist of the mountain, a wild beast suddenly charged out from the forest by the roadside, startling the horses and momentarily going out of control. Miss Luo and the others just happened to be coming up the mountain. The two sides collided together, and the horses on that side were also startled. And they’d just happened to be on the side overlooking the cliff. Several horse carriages fell off the cliff together……” An Yi paused for a moment, “Traveling together with Miss Luo and the others was also Wu An Marquis’s heir, as well as his wife.”
Li Hong Yuan stopped his foot, “Who did you say? Fu Yun Ting?”
An Yi instinctively took a step back. This expression of master’s was practically wanting to have Wu An Marquis’s heir eaten alive. Master’s attitude towards Wu An Marquis’s heir has always never been good, just no one knew the reason why. Looking at it now, perhaps it was related to the future wangfei? Otherwise, why else would he have such a big reaction?
Perhaps because he was struck by Fu Yun Ting’s appearance, Li Hong Yuan actually calmed down a bit. He massaged between his brows, letting his chaotic train of thoughts clear up a bit. “Secretly provide assistance to the temple’s monks in rescuing. And go find out why there wasn’t a message passed to this prince about Wan Wan’s early arrival, as well as whether the matter with the horses being startled was an accident or human caused. Also, the arranged matters will be put into effect right now.”
For the sake of officially meeting Jing Wan, Li Hong Yuan painstakingly prepared a ‘pity inducing scheme[1]‘, while also acting out a big play for those in the capital, letting that pool of muddy waters become even muddier.
“Master, forgive this subordinate for speaking frankly, but given the current situation, wouldn’t doing this be not too good? What if by chance Miss Luo……is heavily injured….” Everything will all be a wasted effort.
“You all best pray that she’s not hurt in the slightest.” Li Hong Yuan’s eyes grew increasingly dark, brewing to engulf all the madness.
An Yi originally wanted to say, ‘what if by chance Miss Luo died’, but fortunately before the words came out, it took a turn. Else, his own blood would’ve probably spilled on the spot.
“Still not leaving!”
A true pity inducing scheme wasn’t self-directed and self-acted, but instead staged through meticulous planning, letting someone else follow along your intentions, and use real spears and swords.
Although White Dragon Temple was a buddhist monastery, and also had Grandmaster Liao Chen overseeing it, but, as long as it involved the two words ‘Imperial Family’, it was absolutely impossible to be clean. And as long as it wasn’t too overboard, such as ‘killing’, ‘debauchery’, and so on, Grandmaster Liao Chen would just turn a blind eye.
Not even a quarter of an hour later, an assassination attempt unfolded in broad daylight. The formation was quick, and the movements were rapid. Thus, it can be seen, this White Dragon Temple similarly also had Li Hong Yuan’s people.
In order to achieve the best results, Li Hong Yuan didn’t have too many people by his side. However, because the circumstances required to have the opponents all killed, naturally each and every one were all ruthless characters. And once the fighting began, Li Hong Yuan himself also gave his all. In addition, Jing Wan’s life and death was still unclear. His suppressed anxieties turned into blood thirst, aiming for quick, precise, and ruthless. Not only was he ruthless towards his enemies, he was also ruthless towards himself. As long as it wasn’t a fatal wound, he even could exchange wound for wound.
The masked assassins disguised as fake monks finally realized something was wrong. How is this Jin Qinwang an empty shell decoration with a good face? Clearly a wolf, a hawk, a lion, “Tsk….” Unfortunately, it was already too late. They were already led into a place prepared in advance. Because of the terrain, wanting to retreat wasn’t easy……and even if they retreated out, they would still inevitably be caught. Failing the assassination mission, rather than getting caught, it was better to commit suicide.
Since there was no path of retreat, naturally they could only fight till the bitter end. Killing Jin Qinwang was the only way out.
Both fighting and retreating, Li Hong Yuan’s clothes were practically soaked in blood. There was his own, and also even more of his enemies’. Seeing that his strength was also getting exhausted more and more, but his figure was agile from beginning to end, not weakening nor surrendering in the least.
The assassins all prostrated with fear. For their own master to also have such a terrifying opponent in the dark, who knows how many more hidden losses will they have to eat.
Never mind them, even Li Hong Yuan’s own subordinates were all frightened by him. Although it’s not that they’ve never seen their master’s ruthless appearance before, but those people were merely trapped beasts and didn’t have the room to resist. He could mess with them however he wanted. But right now was a genuine struggle of life and death. However their master completely didn’t seem like this was his first time facing this kind of situation. Having good martial art skills was one thing, but fighting at the risk of one’s life was a whole separate matter. Merciless with his strikes, fearlessly meeting the blade, and reacting keenly, not one didn’t display his experience.
The assassins originally very much had the advantage in numbers, feeling sure of their success prior to setting out. Yet, at this very moment, their numbers continuously declined rapidly. However, Jin Qinwang’s side was also spent, with only two people remaining at his side. To whom the deer falls to, it was still unknown. Clenching their teeth tightly, they prepared for the last fight.
Despite the ‘pity inducing scheme’ perhaps having only been devised at the last moment, this assassination attempt however had long been prepared for, needing only an opportunity. Li Hong Yuan naturally wouldn’t really throw in his own life. In the critical moment, Li Hong Yuan saw the bodyguards he placed on the surface and a few martial monks having found their way over. Li Hong Yuan turned the sword over in his hand, and probably because it was too sly, the assassins weren’t able to block it. As they neared death, they burst out the last of their energy. Li Hong Yuan blocked with the sword, but his body instead fell back two steps. He was already situated at the edge of the slope, and seeing that his goal was accomplish, he took the opportunity and tumbled down.
“Wangye….” When the bodyguards rushed forward, and this was exactly the kind of scene they saw. In an instant, their hearts shot into their throats. The bodyguard in the very front, without saying another word, had the assassins that still had a breath left all cleanly taken care of.
Another bodyguard next to him immediately grabbed him, “Leave some alive….” Just, unfortunately, it was already too late.
“I-I saw Wangye fall down, and momentarily saw red, that’s why……”
“Enough.” An Yi coldly shouted. He was the leader of the shadow guards, and similarly was also the leader of the bodyguards. “It’s crucial to find Wangye first, if anything happens to Wangye…..”
Needless for him to say, the others all knew. Failing to protect one’s master, even if Wangye doesn’t die, they still wouldn’t have a good end. However, if Wangye is still alive, then perhaps they might be able to survive. Not daring to slack, they hurriedly followed along the place where Li Hong Yuan tumbled down and searched.
An Yi examined the two brothers (not real brother kind) who’d been following by Li Hong Yuan’s side. Although they were heavily injured, but fortunately it wasn’t life threatening, only having drained their energy. He handed them over to the monks, and then followed after the search party. Examining the current situation, it wasn’t too great. Although it was a slope, at the same time it was also very steep. Perhaps because Li Hong Yuan was unlucky, even though there were clearly trees to the side, he instead rolled down along the lush green weeds. The blood trail was very obvious, and underneath was a river stream. But this height was at least over ninety meters. This situation made all the bodyguards all go pale. “Head, what do we do?”
Even An Yi, who was familiar with the situation, couldn’t help but worry too. “What do we do? Go down and search, if alive, need to see the person, and if dead……”
[1] Pity Inducing Scheme – literally would translate to ‘bitter flesh plan’; it’s a pretty common idiom, or tactic, used to describe situation where one injuries oneself, or put oneself in a pitiful position to gain someone else’s sympathy.
