Without any hesitation, Yang Xian hoped on the horse's back and rushed through the forest to the north. His eyes were looking forward, making sure that he could pass by the forest. As long as he could get into the forest, he would be safe…

Dzing! Jleb!

"Gah!"

Yang Xian looked at the arrow that was sticking from his back shoulder and looked to the wall. Standing on top of the city's wall was Prince Ji Shu, who was holding a bow and currently docked another arrow to his bow. From this distance, his expression was unclear, but Yang Xian could guess that Prince Ji Shu was sneering.

'So, it's your plan, huh?'

By having Yang Xian stayed in the capital city, there was only two outcomes. No matter whether Yang Xian alive or death, it would serve as a method to weaken or even eliminated Prince Ji Sheng.

If Yang Xian ended up dead in the capital city, Prince Ji Sheng would have lost a very valuable asset. It meant that his battle prowess was already reduced since Yang Xian was also an important military soldier, who usually stayed by Prince Ji Sheng's side. But if Yang Xian escaped alive, he would be dubbed as a traitor who planned rebellion and wished to take the throne.

He might even spread news that Prince Ji Sheng was the one who planned to have Prince Ji Tian killed with the way Yang Xian escaped in a hurry.

Smart officials would know that it was nothing more than a lie. But dumber and easier to manipulate officials would never realize it no matter what, including the citizen who only heard half of the truth. They would pin down everything on Prince Ji Sheng.

'How treacherous.'

From the very moment the imperial edict to have Yang Xian came to the capital city, their fate was already sealed.

Drao! Drap! Drap!

Rushing into the forest, Yang Xian ignored the pain from the arrow. He had already made some precaution in case that the people were doubtful about Prince Ji Sheng, but it might not be enough if Prince Ji Shu proclaimed it loudly.

'A battle is inevitable, huh?'

A glint appeared on Yang Xian's eyes. It was if he was saying, 'Bring it on. No matter what you take out, I'll win the last battle.'

Slowly, Yang Xian's figure disappeared into the distance.

…

"How unfortunate," Prince Ji Shu remarked as he stood on the wall. He could guess that Yang Xian would try to escape and his little wife told him that it was possible for him to leave through the north gate. There was nothing wrong in this place aside from some nobles trying to escape until Yang Xian slipped away.

He didn't know how this strategist managed to prepare horse and everything. It was covered in trees and bushes, so ordinary people wouldn't be able to see it unless they were searching carefully.

"Your Highness, that's Strategist Yang!" a soldier blurted out in panic.

Prince Ji Shu passed a sidelong glance to the soldier. His cold gaze prevented the soldier from speaking any further in fear that he would lose his life just from a sentence.

"Strategist Yang is a traitor who deserved death," Prince Ji Shu said unhurriedly. "He's the one plotting for the assassination of my brother."

The soldiers could feel chills running down their spine. For whatever reason, they felt as if the prince was so scary. There was no investigation whatsoever and only Prince Ji Shu suddenly claimed that because Yang Xian ran away from the capital city.

However…

"Your Highness is wise!"

"Your Highness is correct."

All they could do was to praise Prince Ji Shu and said that he was the one who knew the best. If they didn't agree with him, they knew that their heads would be sent flying this instant. No one dared to say no to the powerful prince.

Prince Ji Shu nodded in satisfaction and looked to the forest that covered Yang Xian's track. There was a sneer on his face. 'You won't be able to get away, Yang Xian. Sooner or later, you'll die along with your master in my hand.'

Turning around, Prince Ji Shu made his way to the palace. By now, the entire place was in chaos because of the assassination attempts. He purposely didn't attend the ceremony before because he knew that it would be very messy. All the officials that he targeted would be killed.

From a distance away, he could see a young girl standing in the midst of the chaos. Her long black hair fluttered along with the wind as her eyes were looking to the brutal killings around her without any emotion in her face.

"Xiao Hua, why are you here?" Prince Ji Shu asked in worry.

Wei Xiao Hua turned her head around and looked at Prince Ji Shu. There was a faint smile on her face. "I want to know the result of your work. It's quite unexpected."

Prince Ji Shu furrowed his brows and pulled Wei Xiao Hua to his embrace. He could sense that her skin felt cold to the touch. There was no apparent emotion on her face, but it seemed that she actually didn't like this brutality.

"It's fine. You should just wait for me in the residence."

"Aunt Baili Lin told me that I should watch and understand you more," Wei Xiao Hua replied.

Prince Ji Shu furrowed his brows when he heard that. Baili was the name of Wei Xiao Hua's maternal family's surname. Her mother died since she was young and Wei Xiao Hua got close with her other family members after some meeting. This Aunt Baili Lin was one of the few who Wei Xiao Hua treasured so much.

He patted Wei Xiao Hua's head. "Still, I don't want to put you in difficult position like this."

"I'll get used to it."

"Don't force yourself. I like you for who you are and not because I want you to match mine."

Wei Xiao Hua raised her head and smiled lightly. "En."