"Incoming!" An arrow tore through the air, its deadly intent aimed for the unsuspecting prince among the crowd.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYdqykmI9S
———
Golden Lotus Square was alive with the chatter of merchants, the rhythmic clatter of wooden wheels over stone, and the sizzling of street food in iron woks. The warm breeze carried the mixed scents of spiced pork buns and fresh-cut fabric, blending with the metallic tang of ink from a nearby calligrapher's stall.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwAX9EwytZ
Prince Cheng wandered through the marketplace crowds with Yìzé behind him, both enjoying the lively atmosphere in their simple cotton robes.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2TDWSgCus
He had loved the idea of sneaking out here as a child, fascinated by this world so separate but integral to life within the palace. But now, worry ate at him of whispered conspiracies and lurking threats that seemed to follow him even to his chambers.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEZlZgezL3
Up ahead, a cloth seller's booth caught his eye. Cheng strolled over, examining the fine embroidering in silk.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUArjhFdRa
While the vendor was extolling its virtues, and his fingers trailed over the cool, smooth embroidery of a silk robe, something pricked the hair on his neck, a subtle shift in his surroundings.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyggRfq1F4R
A sharp twang cut through the noise, the distinct snap of a bowstring releasing its deadly payload.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hi5X3KOfq
The whistle of an arrow slicing the air followed a heartbeat later, fast and precise. Cheng's instincts screamed at him, but before he could react, a rush of wind brushed his cheek as a figure materialized from nowhere.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKodULCXae
Their firm grip seized his shoulders and yanked him backward mere moments before impact.
Cheng fell back but instantly regained balance, he heard the faint swish of silk, the quick scuff of boots against stone, and the sharp crack as the arrow embedded itself in wood instead of flesh.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrupduK2QAs
Gasps rose from the onlookers, their eyes going wide in shock.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYrumhCmlB
The metallic tang of fear coated his tongue as he stared at the arrow lodged deep in the wooden post beside him.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIpAnGd3RK
Cheng's POV:
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtDJpl0OER
I stood there, frozen, as her hand gripped my shoulders firmly. My breath came fast, my chest rising and falling in tune with my racing pulse. The crowd had receded into background noise, their voices blending into a distant hum.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9891HtjGH
My rescuer stood before me, silent and composed.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaJkSFAviy
The world seemed to slow down as she yanked the arrow free fiercely.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBZhcVOuQp
Our eyes met, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words. She had the most captivating eyes, almost hypnotic.. like a trap waiting to spring on anyone who stared too long, yet, strangely, it made me feel at ease.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnPwfSlxBR
Just as I was getting drawn in, something happened. An unearthly glint flashed in her eye. I blinked, thinking it was just a trick of the light, but there it was again, a faint, eerie spark.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt4FmKiLBt
A chill ran down my spine, and it had nothing to do with the wind.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQtrEkY6lH
Who was she?
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAszYgsnyG
I should have said something, asked her name, thanked her, anything, but the words stuck in my throat.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpqRHH6IrZ
She stepped back slowly, her face remaining hidden beneath the veil that shielded her features.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYmfWGPRes
"Are you well, mister?" she finally spoke, her voice was calm and unhurried, as if death had not just passed inches from us.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ35oyxCsgZ
All I could do was nod, still bewildered by the events that had just transpired.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39g79Siy4z
I diverted my gaze, scanning the rooftops, trying to spot the assassin, my thoughts were still a chaotic mess.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4FDSNyRVI
Yìzé, my head guard, came running towards me, visibly concerned. "Your Highness, are you hurt?" he asked urgently, his eyes scanning my torn clothing for any sign of injury. "This wo..." I started to say, but the words died in my throat as I realized she was gone.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWUHkkFEOA
My eyes darted around the market square, searching for any sign of the woman who had just saved my life. But there was nothing. No trace of her, as if she had never been there at all.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYeYg57puM
"A woman saved me," I finally managed to say, the words sounding strange even to my own ears. "She must have incredible reflexes and skills."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU8yBmM477
Yìzé's expression darkened as he listened to my account. "Did you catch the assassin?" I asked, a sinking feeling growing in my stomach.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPVt6REK2x
He shook his head grimly. "He fell from the roof and broke his neck before we could reach him," he said in frustration. "Though I suspect he was already dead before the fall."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNhh7cKels
A bitter taste filled my mouth as the reality of what had just happened began to sink in. Someone had tried to kill me today, in broad daylight, in the middle of a crowded marketplace. And yet, more troubling than the attempt on my life was the mysterious woman who had appeared out of nowhere to save me and now nowhere to be found.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V6jYDcKeG
Why would she risk her life for mine? And why would she disappear without receiving appreciation? Did she know whose life she had saved?
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURpsGw8UvD
~ As Yìzé escorted him back to the palace, his mind continued pondering countless thoughts and questions; how did the person, who hired the assassin, recognized him from outside the palace? How did they know that he would be outside the palace even? He never informs anyone whenever he leaves the palace for personal reasons, well anyone but yizé, whoever sent the assassin knew well enough that he was going to be out of the palace today.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpCCHMNqxJ
Forceful attempts on a prince's life were no trifling matters, it must have been the reflection of heavy power centers within his father's court considering him a threat.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a1Aq6Ek6y
That night, Cheng could not be restrained, he paced the chambers with his mind still turning, deep in thought. He swept into his study, Yìzé following silently. Cheng shed his commoner robe and lowered himself into a chair beside the massive mahogany table.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOWuoidSJN
"Summon the guard who found the assassin's body," he told a guard. "And have the royal physicians examine it immediately, learning all they can."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lCUTGfWSu
Soon a guard entered and kneeled. "Your highness, the man carried no identifying marks, nothing to trace the perpetrator."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQm6wzDJq4
Another guard quickly ran into the room and bowed accordingly. "Your highness, We searched but found no trace of your rescuer but found this," Yìzé received the parcel and handed Cheng a slender dagger encrusted with exquisite carvings.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMnxMysjGB
Cheng studied the fine blade, brandishing the item with apparent admiration for the craftsmanship. "This truly belongs to her?"
The guard nodded.
"We may have a lead on the woman who saved you." Said Yìzé.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRpuidkl2d
"I've sent word to the other quarters to be on alert for anyone matching her description."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBkSDT0h96
Cheng sighed in relief and gratitude. "You have done well."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPbJCheW1G
"Your highness, Army General Xao requests an audience." Another guard bowed low.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmkNz5cMwd
Cheng frowned. The general's sudden appearance seemed thinly veiled, but dismissal might arouse suspicion so he followed the guard to his study room.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ij4NfhMgq
Army General Xao rubbed his beard and lamented the recent attack on Cheng's life. "These scoundrelly ones wish to destroy all we've built your highness. You must accept extra protection until the threat is ended."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AtwwlpMOS
"I appreciate your concern, General. Though today's assassin took his own life."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Xwm5wD6H
"What leads have you found your highness?" General Xiao inquired.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3gOPQjOsF
Cheng sighed. "Nothing yet."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJcGEnY3nk
"Take heart, My Lord, My men are indomitable. I am sure that, with the passage of time, we will get to the truth." His eyes, however, blazed with no sense of justice, but cold calculation.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWmQteIj34
Cheng doubted Xao's loyalty now more than ever as he took his leave. Xao was an ambitious man with ambitions that extended beyond certain boundaries.
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtCi2DajVm
"Have the doctors found anything?"
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkPqiCcxAr
"Poison, sire," said a physician, breathless from running. "A fast-acting concoction, meant to ensure his silence. The assassin likely planned to get away, rather than be caught."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGJe0ueIqe
Cheng clasped his hands as he reviewed this information, not only his death, but to the covering of the traces, how wide was the conspiracy?
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzpKZXmjHa
"Now go rest, your duty is fulfilled for the day. I must see to this myself."
14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunU453pHNg
Cheng retired into his chambers, the dagger clutched tight in his hand. "It seems I have more intimate enemies who wish my life taken before I even come to the throne," he said in a dull tone. "I must continue further investigation on these failed plots, no matter the forces behind them."
ns216.73.216.45da2
