kvmb Chapter 151 Shen Qingtan Disappears
Chapter 151 Shen Qingtan Disappears
Looking into Shen Qingtan's innocent eyes, Zhao Yi recalled the fire-avoidance diagram in the bathroom, and as if bewitched, he slowly lowered his head and leaned towards her.
At that moment, a silver light flashed in the darkness and pierced towards them.
Zhao Yi pressed the button on the bedside table.
The gears clicked, the bed board flipped, and the two people fell into the secret passage.
Upon seeing this, the assassin drew his sword and gave chase.
Just then, the bodyguard responsible for protecting Zhao Yi jumped in through the window and blocked the assassin's path.
The assassins' moves were ruthless, each strike aimed straight for vital points. The assassin was clearly no match for them and was forced to retreat steadily.
He twirled his sword, feinting an attack, hoping to deceive the assassins and escape.
But the assassin was experienced and was not fooled at all. He flicked his longsword upwards, knocking the sword out of the assassin's hand. He then touched the ground with his toes, spun around, and leaped up, kicking the assassin hard in the chest.
The immense impact sent the assassin flying backward.
With a "whoosh," the longsword was aimed straight at the assassin's chest.
The assassin wanted to spare his life, not take it.
Knowing he couldn't escape this fate, the assassin grabbed the assassin's sword and plunged it into his own chest.
The assassins couldn't stop him in time; he coughed up several mouthfuls of blood and then died.
He glanced at the canopy bed and dragged the assassin out of the courtyard to deal with him.
Just then, two maids came carrying a basket of chopped firewood. When they saw the masked assassin, one of the maids turned pale and trembled all over.
The assassin glanced coldly at the maid, then carried the assassin and disappeared into the night.
He didn't seem afraid of being recognized by the maid, so he didn't kill her to cover it up.
The maid's legs gave way and she collapsed to the ground.
The other maidservant, however, gazed in the direction the assassins had left, then glanced at the Forget-Worry Pavilion with a dark look before hurriedly departing.
-
Prince Yu sat in his study all night, gazing at the sky turning a pale white, his face growing increasingly gloomy.
Nearly half an hour after the city gates were opened, the assassins he had sent out still hadn't returned to report.
The outcome was as expected.
The mission failed.
Otherwise, they would have returned to report long ago.
Prince Yu realized something was wrong; the assassins he had sent were highly skilled in martial arts. Given Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan's status, their guards were no match for them.
But in the end, his assassin was killed there.
"Knock Knock-"
There was a knock on the door, and a servant outside said, "Your Highness, someone from Xishan has arrived."
Prince Yu said in a deep voice, "Let him in."
A moment later, the door opened and a woman dressed as a maid entered.
Prince Yu glanced at Qingque with half-open eyelids; she had been hiding in the Western Hills as a spy.
"Your Highness, the man you sent out has been killed." Qingque was carrying a basket of firewood in front of the Forget-Worry Pavilion last night when she accidentally stumbled upon the assassins disposing of a corpse. She thought they would kill her to silence her, but the assassins let her go. "Zhao Yi is protected by a master. He wears a black mask with silver patterns on his face and a flame on his forehead. I have never seen it before."
A sinister glint flashed in Prince Yu's eyes. Qingque naturally didn't recognize him, because the people protecting Zhao Yi were none other than Emperor Jing'an's elite assassins. These assassins were all top-tier talents, far superior to ordinary killers.
Even these princes never enjoyed such treatment.
However, Emperor Jing'an sent assassins to protect Zhao Yi's safety.
Zhao Yi's existence made Prince Yu feel threatened for the first time.
Emperor Jing'an's favoritism towards Zhao Yi exceeded his expectations.
“Your Highness, I feel something is amiss,” Qingque said. “Last night, I ran into Zhao Yi’s guards, but he didn’t kill me to silence me.”
If they are caught on a mission, they will kill anyone, no matter who it is.
“Why would he kill you to silence you?” Prince Yu said cryptically. “He’s not afraid of you informing on him; he’s only afraid that you won’t reveal his existence.”
The Jing'an Emperor's assassins have nothing to fear from anyone.
He was deliberately announcing that the mastermind behind Zhao Yi's assassination was Emperor Jing'an.
Prince Yu smiled, a smile that was utterly terrifying.
He cannot take action against Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan for the time being, otherwise Emperor Jing'an will find out about him and will not let him off easily.
If the consequences are serious, he will be disliked by Emperor Jing'an.
Prince Yu decided to redefine Zhao Yi.
Thinking of this, Prince Yu decided to go to the palace to see Consort Ling and tell her about the matter, and how they should deal with Zhao Yi.
-
When Marquis Chengen arrived at the government office after the morning court session, a trusted aide reported: "My lord, last night the young master and the eldest daughter were assassinated in the Western Hills. The young master returned to the Duke's mansion alone early this morning, and it seems he has injured his arm."
"Alone?" Marquis Chengen asked thoughtfully, "Didn't Shen Qingtan return to the Duke's mansion?"
The confidant shook his head: "The young lady did not return to the manor with him, but her two trusted maids did return with the young master."
After pondering for a moment, Marquis Chengen instructed, "Go and investigate what exactly happened."
"Yes." The trusted aide acknowledged the order and left.
Marquis Chengen was preoccupied and waited until he returned home after his shift, feeling that something big was about to happen.
Feeling uneasy, he went directly to the main courtyard to find Madam Shen and inquire about the situation.
Madam Shen was selecting jade in the room, intending to give it to Shen Mingzhu so that she could carve a jade pendant for her child. Suddenly, she heard a series of hurried footsteps. Looking up, she saw that Marquis Chengen looked anxious, as if something serious had happened.
Madam Shen quickly put down the jade in her hand and strode towards Marquis Chengen: "My lord, what happened?"
"Have you heard the news from the Duke's mansion?" Marquis Chengen asked anxiously.
"You mean Zhao Yi's injury?" Madam Shen still felt a sense of satisfaction when she brought it up: "They've done too many bad things and are getting their comeuppance. We don't need to lift a finger; someone else will take care of them for us."
Upon hearing this, Marquis Chengen knew that Madam Shen was unaware of the true situation.
Before he could say anything, a maid announced from outside, "My lord, your attendants are waiting outside the courtyard. They have important matters to report to you."
Marquis Chengen turned and went outside the courtyard, asking his trusted aide, "What are the results of the investigation?"
"My lord, my investigation has revealed that the young master secretly sent men to search for the young lady's whereabouts. I suspect that she disappeared when they were attacked last night."
The confidant continued, "In addition, I have also investigated something else: the person who attempted to assassinate the young master and the eldest daughter seems to be His Highness Prince Yu."
"Prince Yu?" Marquis Chengen looked surprised.
The confidant added, "It is said that His Highness Prince Yu intends to take action against the eldest young lady, and it seems to be related to the matter in Qingzhou."
Marquis Chengen's expression changed drastically as he suddenly remembered that his mentor's tomb had been desecrated by grave robbers.
Could it also be related to Shen Qingtan?
Upon realizing this, Marquis Chengen felt a sense of impending doom. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he formed a plan.