Shangguan Wan Ning deliberately left her personal maid, Lu Tong, at home, with many instructions to keep an eye on Mu Jingrui secretly, and never let the servants in the mansion bully him again.
Shangguan Wan Ning's maternal grandfather was Zheng Guoxun, the Marquis of Yiyong, who was one of the surviving figures of founding meritorious service in the DPRK.
Her three uncles were guarding different fortresses, and they were the pillars of the court. The Zheng family controlled almost a quarter of the court's troops, and they were the most attractive candidates for any prince who wanted to compete for the throne.
Object.
The eldest son of the Yiyong Marquis returned victorious from the war. The emperor personally issued a reward and there was an endless stream of people who came to congratulate him.
Even the crown prince Xiao Yujue and the second prince Xiao Zhenting personally brought gifts to express their goodwill.
After the banquet, Xiao Yujue took a carriage back to the palace.
Although he is a prince, due to the low status of his mother and concubine, he has never been valued and treated well by the emperor.
If the ministers in the court had not insisted on establishing the eldest son as the crown prince according to the ancestral system, he would never have the title of prince.
Suddenly, the sound of weapons being exchanged came, calling back Xiao Yujue's thoughts. He was slightly startled when a long sword came out of the carriage.
He pinched it with his fingertips, pulled hard, and kicked the opponent's chest.
Xiao Yujue jumped out of the carriage and found that more than half of his guards were dead or injured.
He didn't even have time to be shocked, as the assassins attacked him one after another.
Seeing a long sword stabbing him, he was unable to dodge, but at that moment he was knocked away by a palm.
A young man of similar age joined the battle.
Xiao Yujue looked at the young man warily.
Mu Jingrui received a message from Lu Tong, and Shangguan Wan Ning asked him to pick her up and take her home.
Although he was dubious, he still came after thinking about what happened last time. But when he arrived at the agreed place, what he saw was a melee.
"Who are you?"
Mu Jingrui fought off the assassin by himself. He looked around, searching for any trace of Shangguan Wan Ning.
It seems... something is wrong.
Mu Jingrui did not answer Xiao Yujue, and looked around with furrowed brows.
Dozens of flaming arrows shot towards the two men like raindrops.
Mu Jingrui dodged freely, but he was worried about Shangguan Wan Ning's safety.
There was a muffled groan from behind, and when he looked back, Xiao Yujue was hit by an arrow in his left shoulder.
He picked up the long sword on the ground and shot down a few sharp arrows. At the same time, he pulled Xiao Yujue out of the battle circle and fled into the crisscrossed alleys.
"Who...are you?"
The two stopped in the corner, Xiao Yujue still didn't let down his guard against Mu Jingrui.
Mu Jingrui clicked on several acupuncture points on his body to temporarily stop the bleeding.
"The slave of the Shangguan family is here to take the eldest lady home, just passing by." Mu Jingrui skillfully pulled out the arrow, tore off a corner of his clothes and bandaged Xiao Yujue.
Xiao Yujue's face turned pale because of the pain, but she still managed to smile. "The Shangguan family is really a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger. Even the slaves in the family have such skills."
"There is blood here, chase!"
The sound of slight and messy footsteps came. Mu Jingrui listened carefully, and at least eight killers with strong martial arts were chasing after him.
He looked at Xiao Yujue's appearance, hesitation flashed between his brows.
"If you can keep me safe this time, I will be rewarded by everyone in the future."
Xiao Yujue grabbed Mu Jingrui's arm. Although he was not sure whether this person was an enemy or a friend, it was his only choice and support at the moment.
Mu Jingrui's thoughts were spinning rapidly.
He is burdened with the important task of revitalizing the family and clearing his father's wrongdoing. This may be an excellent opportunity.
but……
He was not sure that he could defeat eight masters with one person, not to mention that there were other backups.
"Let's go." Mu Jingrui only hesitated briefly.
He helped Xiao Yujue and walked in the direction of the palace.
"Jing Rui, Your Highness, hurry up and get in the car."
A carriage came slowly, the curtain was lifted, and a delicate and small face was revealed.
Xiao Yujue hesitated.
Everyone in the civil and military circles of the dynasty knew that the eldest lady of the Shangguan family was in love with Xiao Zhenting.
But he had no choice, Mu Jingrui had already stuffed him into the carriage.
"Your Highness, the space is small, please forgive Wan Ning for the inconvenience of giving a grand ceremony." Shangguan Wan Ning smiled sweetly.
Xiao Yujue shook her head slightly to show that she didn't care.
Mu Jingrui kept looking behind him warily. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief until the assassins who were following him gradually retreated.
"Don't worry, my uncle sent his own soldiers to take me home. Let's take His Highness back to his palace first. Those assassins will never dare to mess around."
No one spoke anymore until they arrived at the gate of the East Palace.
"It's late at night and it's not convenient for me to enter His Highness's chamber. Jingrui, please send His Highness inside. I'll wait for you outside."
Shangguan Wan Ning could see that Xiao Yujue still had concerns, and said seemingly casually: "Uncle Mu always praised His Highness for his benevolence and virtue when he was alive. He will be deeply relieved to know that you saved His Highness today."
A trace of doubt flashed in Xiao Yujue's eyes.
Mu Jingrui helped him walk into the East Palace, and he couldn't help but ask: "Who is your father?"
"Mu Hongqing."
Xiao Yujue paused, and his mind suddenly became enlightened.
"That's it. About your father... I'm deeply sorry. I've long heard that Mr. Mu's son is a talented poet and I saw him today, and the rumors are true. It's a pity to let you stay in Shangguan's house as a slave."
Xiao Yujue secretly observed the calm and indifferent Mu Jingrui. He believed in his own vision.
Xiao Zhenting framed Mu Hongqing in order to eliminate dissidents, which led to the destruction of the Mu family. Therefore, the Shangguan family did not want to fulfill their engagement.
Mu Jingrui is a talent that can be won over.
"If...you can trust me, come to me at any time." Xiao Yujue patted Mu Jingrui on the shoulder, "I will definitely give justice to the Mu family in the near future."
Mu Jingrui was thinking a lot, showing that he was still calm.
When he walked out of the East Palace, he did not get into the carriage, but followed the carriage slowly like an ordinary guard.
Early the next morning, Mu Jingrui was cleaning fallen leaves in the yard when Shangguan Wan Ning came over with a bundle and gently stuffed it into his arms.
"Here are a few sets of changes of clothes, as well as three hundred taels of silver notes and some scattered silver. You can keep them for emergencies."
"What do you mean?" Mu Jingrui's heart sank.
Shangguan Wan Ning smiled softly. "Go and follow the prince. With your martial arts and intelligence, you shouldn't stay in Shangguan's family as a slave. You can go and break out without worries. I will tell my father."
Mu Jingrui was a little moved.
He didn't say anything, but Shangguan Wan Ning seemed to have read through his thoughts.
"Why help me?"
why?
Many cruel memories flooded into Shangguan Wan Ning's thoughts. There was a layer of hazy tears in her eyes.
"I don't know what will happen to us in the future. I just hope...that no matter when in the future, you don't hate me...don't hate my dad..."