Hai Ling tried hard to think about the Fifth Prince Shou Wang's temperament. She used to think he was very gentle, but that was in front of Feng Zixiao. She didn't know what he was like in private.
Ji Shaocheng walked up the stone steps, stood beside Hailing, and walked with her toward the side hall, talking as they went.
"I heard he was robbed on the road and was killed."
"He was killed. The person who could kill Feng Zixiao must be no ordinary person. Jiang Batian is really good at burying his head in the sand."
He was currently in the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Hai Ling really wanted to go to the Great Zhou Dynasty immediately to avenge her mother, Du Caiyue. However, even Feng Zixiao could not defeat him, so how could she be a match for Jiang Batian? Moreover, he was currently at the height of his power. Not to mention herself, even the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty probably wouldn't dare to complain. Therefore, this was not a good time to take action against Jiang Batian. All she could do was wait.
Hai Ling and Ji Shaocheng entered the side hall. Ji Shaocheng noticed that his sister hadn't spoken and seemed lost in thought, showing no signs of joy. He asked curiously, "Ling'er, what's wrong?"
Hai Ling came to her senses. She absolutely could not let Ji Shaocheng know about her affair. If he found out, he would definitely try to help her. If she harmed him, how could she live with herself?
"It's nothing, I just didn't expect it to turn out like this. Feng Zixiao died so suddenly, it hasn't been that long."
Upon hearing Hai Ling's words of regret, Ji Shaocheng smiled and said, "Sister, don't feel sorry for that man. A man like him was bound to end up like this sooner or later. An emperor who can't even recognize people, what kind of success do you think he can achieve?"
Chapter 86: Love Pledged at the Foot of Black Wind Cliff, Marriage Made [Handwritten Text Version VIP]
Hai Ling smiled and nodded, putting aside her worries, and instructed Fu Yue to serve breakfast. She and her brother ate breakfast while talking, discussing everyday topics, without mentioning Feng Zixiao or the matter of Prince Zhaoyang and Ruan Jingyue.
These things have nothing to do with them.
After the meal, Ji Shaocheng went off to attend to his business, while Hailing returned to Xiangwu Courtyard to read.
On this day, a major event took place in the Ji family.
The Emperor decreed that Ji Cong lead troops to Dengzhou. Dengzhou was still the northernmost part of Beilu, sparsely populated and economically underdeveloped. Plants could not grow there because the land outside Dengzhou was bitterly cold, and a layer of white, snow-like substance always appeared on the ground, preventing anything from growing. Most people here made a living by hunting and also by collecting medicinal herbs. There were several mountains outside Dengzhou with some valuable medicinal herbs, so many people went up the mountains to collect them. There were places in the city that specialized in buying medicinal herbs, and these people used the money from selling the herbs to buy rice and flour. Although they were not rich, they could still support their families.
However, further north outside Dengzhou City, there lived a people called the Green Ant Clan. Most of the Green Ant Clan lived in natural tree holes, carving tall trees into the hollow. They lived in the holes, much like an ant colony, and their temperament was also similar to that of ants. They liked to live in groups, and the clan leader had supreme power, like a king. The Green Ant Clan was not only savage by nature, but also knew witchcraft and liked to raise animals. In short, they were a difficult group to deal with.
These people usually enjoy harassing the people of Dengzhou City, robbing, killing, and plundering without restraint. The prefect of Dengzhou City sent troops to capture them, but failed several times. As a result, Dengzhou suffered greatly and had no choice but to report to the imperial court.
Upon receiving the report, Ye Lingfeng initially intended to send someone else, but the most powerful family at the moment was the Ji family. Ji Cong and his son Ji Shaocheng were both in the capital and neither was in charge. The imperial edict arrived at the General's Mansion.
The people in the mansion busied themselves, because the imperial edict stated that they would depart the next day. With such a short timeframe, they were naturally anxious to prepare Ji Cong's clothes, food, and other necessities.
Inside the Fragrant Grass Courtyard, Hai Ling felt very reluctant to see Ji Cong leave the Ji family. She now truly regarded Ji Cong as her father, but she never expected him to leave the capital. She would definitely see him off when he left the city tomorrow.
That evening, the family enjoyed a joyful reunion dinner. Ji Cong finally forgave Ye Shi completely and instructed her and Ji Shaocheng to take good care of Hai Ling and not let anyone bully her.
Ji Shaocheng and Ye Shi readily agreed. Ye Shi had now truly reflected on her actions and realized that having multiple daughters was not a bad thing.
Early the next morning, Hailing got up and, together with Ji Shaocheng, drove Ji Cong out of the city.
Fifty thousand soldiers set off overnight, with Ji Cong leading a few generals behind them, before catching up with the soldiers in front.
Hai Ling and Ji Shaocheng escorted Ji Cong more than twenty miles outside the city gate. Ji Cong pulled his horse back to look at his two outstanding children, and smiled as he told them to go back.
"Alright, that's enough for now. You two take the people back."
"Take care, Father."
Ji Shaocheng and Hailing nodded and watched Ji Cong leave. The brother and sister exchanged a glance, then rode back to the capital together.
However, the brother and sister had not gone far when they sensed a strong killing intent surging from the shadows, spreading all over the place. Ji Shaocheng and Hailing's expressions changed drastically.
Today, when they saw their father off out of the city, they didn't bring many people with them. Hailing only brought her two maids, Shimei and Shilan.
Ji Shaocheng only brought a few men with him. They never expected that someone would come to kill them, or rather, kill Hai Ling, in broad daylight.
"Ling'er, be careful."
Hailing nodded, and Lama instructed his two maids, Shimei and Shilan, behind him: "Be careful."
"Yes, Miss."
As soon as he finished speaking, countless figures flashed out from the forest on both sides of the official road, dark and resembling crows, and carrying the corrosive aura of crows. Before these people even got close, the expressions of Ji Shaocheng and Shi Mei changed simultaneously.
"Death squad".
The two of them cried out in surprise.
Ji Shaocheng quickly turned around and gave the order: "Protect the young lady well."
"yes."
Shi Mei and Shi Lan responded, but they were unsure of themselves. First, there were many of these assassins, numbering in the hundreds at a glance. Second, these so-called assassins were essentially living dead; they had no thoughts or intentions, killing only according to their master's orders. Moreover, they had been taking a drug for years to enhance their physical abilities, bringing them to their peak. Each of these individuals was extremely powerful, while they only had about ten of them. How could they possibly be a match for them?
Who exactly wants to kill them? This assassination attempt will cost a lot of money and effort.
However, they had no time to think about it now, because the assassins had already pounced on them, their palms whistling like wind and rain, striking them head-on, their palms as red as fire.
Shi Mei cried out, "Be careful, there's poison on your palm!"
Unexpectedly, these assassins were not only powerful, but they were also raised on poison, making them all ruthless and bloodthirsty.
Hailin immediately opened the Seven Star Glass Bracelet and summoned Little Lion Ball.
As soon as Qiuqiu appeared, it roared and fought with the assassins. Hailing seemed to be taking no chances and even summoned the poisonous snake from the Seven Star Glazed Bracelet.
This was the first time that Ji Shaocheng and the others had seen Hai Ling's Seven Star Glazed Bracelet possess such powerful functions.
With Little Lion Ball and those venomous snakes, they could hold out for a while, but those assassins were not afraid of poison at all. They were no less than these venomous snakes and beasts. On the contrary, seeing these things aroused their energy, and they became more and more frenzied.
Seeing that Little Lion Ball and the poisonous snakes were no match for those assassins, Hai Ling and the others also flew into the fray. Seeing that none of them were a match for those people, Hai Ling was terrified. Was the heavens going to kill them today?
To prevent Little Lion Ball from losing its life, and to save the remaining venomous snakes—if she didn't retrieve them soon, they would truly be gone.