maidservant

Chapter 118 The Assassin from Back Then

When they returned to the Li residence, the sky had already begun to darken, as if gently veiled by a thin layer of gauze. The last rays of sunlight struggled to pierce through the clouds, but could only cast a few faint streaks of light.

On the ground of the side courtyard, remnants of firecrackers and red paper scraps remained, like withered petals trembling slightly in the cold wind. The festive atmosphere of this grand Spring Festival was still lingering, yet some people couldn't resist the urge to go out.

Yunshan's hair fluttered gently in the wind as she hurried into the hall with Zhanqian in tow.

"Who is that person?" Yun Shan asked anxiously, her brows furrowed and her eyes filled with unease and doubt.

Zhan Qian paused slightly, then raised his hand and waved, gently closing the door. A hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he decided to tell the truth:

"It can't be explained in a few words. You are not a rash person, so I will explain it to you clearly today."

"Do you remember that day when you went to the Marquis's residence to apply medicine to the general?" Zhan Qian raised his eyes, looking directly at Yun Shan with a questioning look in his eyes.

Yun Shan narrowed her eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and the scene from that day flashed through her mind. She nodded and said:
"Was it the time he was injured in his match with Yan Lie? I remember he was badly injured."

It was after that incident that Yun Shan felt the cruelty of swords and blades, and her heart was filled with worry. That's why she specially prepared a "life-saving talisman" for Lin Xiao, hoping to protect him in critical moments.

"It was that time, but the wound wasn't because of Yan Lie," Zhan Qian said slowly, his voice tinged with seriousness.

Upon hearing this, Yun Shan involuntarily tensed up, abruptly standing up and instinctively clenching the hem of her clothes with both hands: "Who hurt him?"

"The general has served the emperor since he was young, and after His Majesty ascended the throne, he has become even more prominent and has repeatedly made military achievements. Therefore, he has aroused the envy of others."

"The assassins that time were the Blood Droplets that the deposed crown prince had been training. We thought that all the guards had been captured, but someone secretly rescued one of them."

"The Flying Guillotine?"

Yun Shan murmured softly. She had learned from military books about death soldiers who had signed blood pacts. They were trained to be devoid of emotions and desires, and only knew how to obey orders. They were extremely terrifying beings. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine.

“Yes, those people have been selected through layers of fierce battles since childhood. They are all highly talented with strong bones, but only one in a hundred can ultimately become Blood Droplets.” Zhan Qian’s expression grew increasingly solemn, revealing his fear of those assassins.

"Those assassins were extremely skilled. On that day, Gu Hou and I were ambushed. Unexpectedly, the assassins used a feint to attack the general. The general had just sparred with Yan Lie that day and was exhausted. He had also been drinking and was seriously injured by the assassins with a poisoned sword, almost losing his life."

Zhan Qian slowly described the thrilling scene of that day.

"Have all those assassins been eliminated?" Yun Shan's voice trembled slightly.

Zhanqian slowly shook his head:

"It cannot be guaranteed that once you become a Blood Droplet, your face will be burned. Even if the bodies of those assassins are examined several times, no clues can be found, let alone the person who ordered them."

"So, young lady, the general has been sending me to protect you in secret."

Yun Shan nodded thoughtfully and said softly, "No wonder, that day he said that Kyoto was far more dangerous than I imagined."

The image of Lin Xiao's face when he said those words flashed through her mind, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart, mixed with a touch of bitterness. He must have been afraid that she would worry unnecessarily! He had silently endured those hidden dangers alone, never telling her about them in detail.

"What about this time?"

“That man took out a short blade hidden in his shoe when the young lady turned into the crooked alley. The young lady rode her horse fast, so he didn’t find a suitable opportunity to strike,” Zhanqian continued. “However, I have never seen this man before, and I don’t know who he is. The mountain demon tattoo on his arm looks familiar, though. I will have someone investigate him secretly.” Zhanqian’s voice was very calm, as if he were recounting something very ordinary.

"But if he just dies in the alley, won't that cause trouble for you and Lin Xiao?"

Yunshan suddenly realized that although the alley was secluded, the corpse lying in the middle would soon be discovered, and a sense of unease welled up in her heart again.

"He's not dead."

"The general instructed me before he left that I should not cause trouble while he was away."

"Then didn't he see you?" Yun Shan asked, her face full of doubt and her brows furrowed.

"I intentionally let him see through me." Zhan Qian said calmly.

Yun Shan frowned, her eyes filled with confusion, and shook her head; she really couldn't understand it.

"The general's trip was known only to a few close confidants; even the Imperial Concubine in the palace didn't inform him. If I were seen in the capital, it would be advantageous for his clandestine operation," Zhan Qian explained.

Yes, Zhanqian has always been Lin Xiao's bodyguard, always dressed in black, with a broad and muscular build, making him very easy to recognize. Those who are secretly watching Lin Xiao must know what Zhanqian looks like.

He had been consistently seen in Kyoto, so people naturally assumed that Lin Xiao was also there. Even if they noticed that Lin Xiao hadn't been seen recently, they would only guess that he wasn't far from Kyoto.

If Zhanqian wasn't by Lin Xiao's side, who else was? This thought kept swirling in Yun Shan's mind, making her increasingly uneasy.

Just then, a gust of cold wind blew in through the crack in the door, howling like the low growl of a ferocious beast, making Yun Shan's unease even stronger.

"How many people did he bring this time?" Yun Shan asked, her voice trembling slightly as she suppressed her inner panic.

"This mission is a covert investigation."

Zhanqian's answer was meaningful, implying that Lin Xiao's trip was fraught with danger and peril.

"Then you're not here, is he?" Yun Shan's heart clenched, her face filled with worry and concern, and her low voice unconsciously choked with sobs.

"Empress Gu and Yan Lie, along with assassins, are with them." Zhan Qian's words did not bring Yun Shan much comfort.

The wind grew stronger, blasting against the door repeatedly. After shaking violently several times, the door was suddenly blown open with a loud "bang".

"The wind is picking up; this time the frost and snow are coming on strong." Zhanqian looked at the branches of trees outside the door swaying in the strong wind. "Miss, please don't go out tomorrow. Where you need to go, I will go and find out for you."

Yun Shan's thoughts drifted far away, landing beside Lin Xiao.

Although the temperature in the southern barbarian lands is not as cold as in Dali, it is still winter. She couldn't help but worry about whether Lin Xiao was dressed warmly enough and whether he had brought enough medicine if he was injured.
If he has a wound, will the poisonous and hallucinogenic wild animals and illusions in the deep mountains make it difficult for his body to recover?

As she thought about it, her eyes reddened slightly, her heart filled with worry and concern for Lin Xiao.

In the silent hall, she could almost hear her own heartbeat, each beat telling of her longing and care for him.

She prayed silently in her heart, hoping for his safe return and that all dangers would stay away from him. This longing grew stronger in the howling wind of the night, burning like a raging flame in her heart.