Chapter 18
An Shi stood in front of the carriage. The guards had all rushed out to face the enemy, but Kongchan Pavilion was Kongchan Pavilion, after all. Its assassins killed without mercy, taking lives in the blink of an eye. Before long, more than half the guards had fallen.
An Shi’s sharp gaze swept around them. Without hesitation, An Shi leapt onto the carriage.
“Your Majesty, we have to go!”
Sheng Yanhuan pressed her lips together and looked up at the black-clad figure.
Her outfit was almost indistinguishable from those of the assassins outside...
[Host, she’s one of the Prince Regent’s people.]
Sheng Yanhuan’s expression turned complicated. Qi Mohan...
“Chunwan, let’s go.”
“Your Majesty, hurry and go.” Chunwan huddled in a corner, tears in her eyes.
Sheng Yanhuan’s eyes held unmistakable urgency. “Chunwan! This is no time to refuse...”
Chunwan’s expression turned solemn, her voice resolute. “Your Majesty, taking this servant along would only slow you down. Don’t worry. This servant will stay alive and keep serving you!”
She looked determined to die rather than leave.
An Shi was frantic. “Your Majesty, if we don’t leave now, they’ll come for us. Don’t worry. Once we’re gone, they won’t keep after this carriage.”
Sheng Yanhuan briefly closed her eyes, then pulled the dagger she had kept hidden in her sleeve and pressed it into Chunwan’s hand.
“Chunwan, you must stay alive!”
Chunwan’s eyes reddened as she gripped the dagger tightly.
“Yes!”
An Shi was exceptionally skilled in lightness kung fu. Carrying Sheng Yanhuan made little difference.
Since they were fleeing for their lives, An Shi paid little heed to propriety and simply pulled Sheng Yanhuan along as they flew.
Leaves and branches quickly scratched thin, bloody lines across Sheng Yanhuan’s cheeks. Blood seeped from the cuts, but she paid it no mind, keeping her attention on what was happening behind them.
“They’re following us!”
“I’m taking you back to the capital. I hope the Prince can send help in time.” An Shi sighed. Even with her profound internal energy, she couldn’t keep flying while carrying someone. She could only hope they’d hold out if she gave it everything she had.
Sheng Yanhuan briefly closed her eyes. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed her mind.
[System, don’t you have a Good Luck Talisman? Give all three of us a boost.]
[All right, Host. Each Good Luck Talisman lasts only an hour.]
[Give each of us ten.]
[...All right.]
＊＊
Red Lotus Brothel.
The place was packed. Many men had their arms around beautiful women, laughing and making merry.
A figure dressed in dark gray appeared alone at the entrance, standing out from the crowd.
A half-mask covered his face. His jawline was sharply defined, and his prominent Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
“Sir, would you like me to keep you company?~~” Xiao Qing’s eyes lit up, and she immediately rushed over to hug his arm.
She’d seen plenty of customers and knew how to tell who had money and who didn’t. This man looked simply dressed, but the fabric of his robe was rare, and it was embroidered with silver. It was obviously worth a fortune.
Qi Mohan’s lips pressed into a straight line as he sidestepped her.
“Get lost.”
The heavy scent of cosmetics reached him from far away. It made him want to throw up.
Xiao Qing’s face darkened. “You really don’t know how to take a hint... What else do people come to a brothel for but to have fun?”
He looked as if she were the one forcing herself on him.
However, before she could finish, someone cut her off.
“Shut up. Get out!”
Xiao Qing’s eyes widened. Had the madam herself come to greet him?
Working in a brothel, she knew better than to make trouble. Xiao Qing immediately lowered her head and stood silently to one side.
The madam smiled as she showed him the way. “Young Master, Miss Xue’er is in the Yingchun Room.”
“Mm.” Qi Mohan turned and went up to the second floor, entirely unconcerned about being seen. Anyone who spotted him would simply assume he was there to see Miss Xue’er.
After all, in the capital, Miss Xue’er was so famous that even princes and nobles had to wait in line to see her.
Qi Mohan pushed open the door to the Yingchun Room. Everyone inside brightened at the sight of him and rose to their feet.
“Your Highness!”
Qi Mohan’s expression relaxed, and he gave a rare smile.
Tonight was Qimen’s quarterly gathering, their first since establishing themselves in the capital. It was extremely important to him: they would establish their network in the capital and adjust the distribution of their forces.
“Everyone, sit. We’ll discuss it at length.”
“Your Highness, when can we kill that damned Emperor?”
“No rush. I have a plan...”
The window stood wide open, and the beautiful sound of a zither drifted into everyone’s ears.
“Miss Xue’er is in a good mood today. She’s actually willing to play.”
“Exactly. We’re lucky to hear her.”
Only after Qi Mohan finished laying out the capital’s network of spies did the knot of worry in his heart slowly loosen.
He had control over most of the palace, but the military power was not in his hands, and the Meng family controlled the court. If the Empress Dowager made trouble, he could be caught unprepared, so he needed to make arrangements as soon as possible.
“Your Highness, I heard the Empress is pregnant. Could that affect our plans?”
Qi Mohan narrowed his eyes slightly, about to answer.
“Knock, knock, knock—”
He picked up his teacup and took a sip. “Who is it?”
“An Yi.”
Qi Mohan frowned. “Come in.” His guards wouldn’t show themselves without a good reason.
An Yi walked up beside Qi Mohan, lowered his head, and quickly whispered a few words in his ear.
The beautiful teacup slipped from Qi Mohan’s hand.
“Crash—”
It shattered across the floor.