Chapter Seventy-Five: Assassination

Jiang Lan rose and surveyed the surroundings. “We’ve only stayed here a few hours. What a waste. Why not linger a bit longer before leaving?”

“No, no, no… How could the heir remain in such a squalid place? Please forgive what happened earlier. I beg your magnanimity, and hope you won’t hold it against us.”

Jiang Lan patted Qin Shu’s arm, her strength several times greater than usual.

“I wouldn’t dare trouble you. I did strike Xue Dafu, but since he’s no longer a servant of my family, handle it impartially. Tell me how much compensation is needed. And for Xue Dafu’s case, I hope you’ll conclude it soon and return justice to those families, so that I can thoroughly cleanse what he embezzled.”

“I will do my utmost,” Qin Shu replied.

“Xue Dafu only registered his residency a few days ago. His previous crimes stem from my lax management. For those women and victims, I’ll find them decent livelihoods, so their lives have stability.

As for the women, I intend to build a Quiet Heart Shrine behind the manor, dedicate altars for them, and pray for the repose of their souls.”

“You truly have a compassionate heart,” Qin Shu said.

Jiang Lan shook her head. “I’m not familiar with compassion.”

Looking at Jiang Lan’s earnest expression, Qin Shu found himself at a loss. Mortal folk honor ghosts and gods, but the heir seemed entirely unconcerned with such superstitions—indeed, even divine beings elicited no reverence from her. It was odd, but not in any obvious way.

“Leave this cell for me,” Jiang Lan said suddenly.

“Very well,” Qin Shu agreed without hesitation, then realized something was amiss and quickly explained, “Heir, I didn’t mean it like that, I just…”

“I foresee a streak of ill luck for myself, and who knows when I’ll end up here again. Leave it for me, and don’t touch anything in the room.”

Qin Shu was utterly bewildered. Who would reserve a place in a prison cell? Even if she returned, it might not be this cell—who could say what crime she’d commit next, or whether the Empress Dowager would remain so indulgent?

Of course, Qin Shu kept such thoughts to himself. He naturally hoped the heir would always enjoy the Empress Dowager’s favor; that would benefit the county princess…

Before leaving, Jiang Lan greeted Shen Duo beside her. The boy merely stared, dazed.

Looking out at the scenery beyond the carriage, Jiang Lan felt her spirits lift. When Jiang Si boarded, she smiled and took her hand. “All settled?”

Jiang Si nodded. “Everything is handled, as you instructed.” Then, remembering how many poorly dressed families had gathered before the magistrate’s office, she felt a pang of pity. “If you wish to help them, I can assist.”

Jiang Lan gently ruffled Jiang Si’s hair. “You’re so young, yet always fussing like a housekeeper. In a few days it’ll be grandmother’s grand birthday. Tomorrow, I’ll take you shopping for jewelry and clothes, all right?”

Jiang Si wasn’t greedy for her brother’s gifts, but any chance to go out was welcome. Even with her status as county princess, it wasn’t proper for her to roam alone, even with many servants. If her brother accompanied her, it would be much better.

Just as Jiang Si was about to agree, the carriage suddenly shuddered with a strange rustling sound. The horses seemed possessed, tearing down the broad avenue at a wild gallop.

A surge of force threw everyone in the carriage backward, including Jiang Lan. In the chaos, Jiang Lan pushed Jiang Si toward Xi Chi.

“Protect her!”

Grabbing the window frame herself, Jiang Lan slowly edged forward. With effort, she lifted the curtain and saw the coachman lying dead, felled by an arrow, and four or five arrows lodged in the horse’s flanks.

Her clear eyes flashed with murderous intent.

Jiang Lan seized the carriage shaft, struggling to stabilize herself as she moved forward, reaching for the reins.

At the end of the avenue was a sharp bend. If she couldn’t control the horses in time, the carriage would surely crash against the wall and be smashed to pieces.

“Brother, don’t go!”

“Let me, young master,” someone offered.

The carriage rocked violently. The wounded coachman was thrown out by the jolting. Though Jiang Si was protected by Chun Ming and Xi Chi, she was still badly shaken, her hair disheveled and her eyes red with pain.

“You two, guard the lady, understand?” Jiang Lan commanded.

“Yes, young master.”

Outside, several factions converged. The magistrate’s staff, alerted first, sent Qin Shu’s best horsemen, led by Cai Xiao, to rescue them. The city’s military patrols also mobilized, alarmed by the street attack.

Knowing the carriage belonged to the Duke of Wei’s household, many bystanders hesitated, while others seized the chance for fortune.

“Heir, don’t be afraid. Hold on, leave the rest to us,” someone called.

Jiang Lan glanced at the mounting number of horses around her and frowned. The avenue couldn’t handle so many charging steeds, and the increasingly confined space made it impossible to safely halt the carriage.

Jiang Lan crawled to the saddle, hooking her feet around the shaft. She managed to sit upright, but another violent jolt sent her crashing onto the floorboards, her hands gripping the reins with all her might.

“Hold tight!” she shouted to those behind, then began tightening the reins, hooking her feet, and arching her body backward with every ounce of strength.

Clenching her teeth, she pulled until deep crimson marks scored her hands.

When the horses finally began to slow, Jiang Lan switched to one hand, the other gripping the door, blocking the three maids from being flung out.

Once everything settled, she lifted the curtain’s corner and saw the carriage’s occupants battered and bruised, but none seriously injured. She exhaled in relief.

“Take good care of the lady—no one leaves,” she ordered.

“Yes, young master.”

“Brother, your hands!”

Seeing Jiang Si’s eyes reddened, Jiang Lan reached out and gently smoothed her tangled hair.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry—I won’t let you suffer.”

“Brother…”

Jiang Lan let the curtain fall, then took a handkerchief from her bosom, tore it in two, and wrapped each hand.

The imperial capital was filled with extraordinary people. The old man from Maple Leaf Manor had unsettled her before, and she dared not act rashly now.

She couldn’t let Chifeng or Qingli help. Chifeng had been to the Imperial Observatory and returned with lingering demonic energy. Qingli had appeared at Xue Dafu’s residence—same problem.

Now, as long as she wore this face and held this identity by daylight, she couldn’t use talismans. Especially with a crowd chasing behind, some coming to rescue, some perhaps delighting in the spectacle—who could tell sincerity from opportunism?

She’d thought those people would at least fear the Empress Dowager’s authority and her favor, but it seemed she’d underestimated their ruthlessness—they dared so much the moment she appeared.

Very well. Very well.

Qin Shu had returned to the magistrate’s office and could handle her case, suggesting the young emperor had made no move. Did that give those people confidence, or were they cornered and desperate?