Chapter Seventy-Four: Seeing Through the Heart

"Princess!"

Gu Li was laid gently on the ground by Lie Chang'an, her head resting against the trunk of a tree. Her eyes were shut tight, her face pale as death, and she showed no sign of consciousness.

"Princess!"

Jasmine rushed over, her cries echoing through the woods. "Princess, please wake up! Princess!"

Never before had Jasmine seen her mistress so lifeless. The princess had always been like a vibrant blossom, a bud on the verge of bloom, lively and cheerful, radiating the energy of life at every moment. But now, she lay motionless, eyes closed, like a puppet devoid of breath, filling Jasmine's heart with dread.

Were they truly doomed to die here?

Jasmine lifted her tearful gaze to the Crown Prince and General Chang'an, still locked in desperate combat, weeping helplessly.

"Hyah! Hyah! Whoa!"

"Kill them!"

Just as Jasmine's hope faded, the thunder of hooves sounded in her ears, followed by a familiar voice. She looked up and, overwhelmed with joy, burst into tears.

It was Miss Yu!

She had come to rescue them!

The Crown Prince and Lie Chang'an, too, had believed their fate sealed, fighting on with nothing but vengeance for Gu Li to sustain them, bloodlust clouding their vision. When they saw who had arrived to support them, they exchanged a glance with Yu Yang—no words were needed, only a nod of silent understanding—then threw themselves into the renewed battle with all the strength they could muster.

In that moment, the tide of the brutal fight turned dramatically.

Those Yu Yang had brought were seasoned warriors, many skilled in the use of hidden weapons, unmistakably veterans of the martial world. It was not long before they slaughtered the assassins to the last man.

The Crown Prince surveyed the carnage; corpses littered the ground, and only seven or eight of their soldiers remained. The rest had perished.

He was running on sheer willpower alone. Now, as the battle ceased, he could scarcely believe they had won. His vision swam, and he leaned on his sword, his body wavering, barely able to stand.

"Are you alright? Are you wounded?"

Yu Yang hurried to support him.

Wei Chu shook his head weakly, his voice barely audible. "I'm fine."

Yu Yang saw his pale face, the sweat on his brow, his bloodstained clothes—though the stains were clearly from their enemies. He must simply be utterly exhausted, not actually wounded.

Quickly, Yu Yang helped him to sit by the tree.

"Thank you."

Wei Chu forced a faint smile, his lips bloodless. "Why did you return so suddenly?"

"I hadn't gone far," Yu Yang replied. "I heard the commotion, saw how outnumbered you were, and knew you couldn't last. So I immediately sought out some friends from the martial world nearby to help."

Luckily, her father had arranged for these spies, embedded in martial sects throughout the capital, to keep watch for news of the treasure map. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to arrive so swiftly.

"Thank you," he said again.

"No need."

Yu Yang, who always wore a veil to conceal her expression and emotions, now took it off and could no longer hide the turmoil within her heart.

She did not wish to linger. Seeing her mission accomplished, she prepared to leave.

"Yu Yang."

He caught her hand.

Yu Yang turned to face him.

Wei Chu gazed at her intently, a probing light in his eyes. "Who are you, really? How could you bring so many to save us?"

He truly was the Crown Prince; not so easily deceived.

Yu Yang's heart clenched, but she replied calmly, "I told you, I am just an ordinary woman of the martial world. These are brothers who have fought beside me through life and death."

Wei Chu narrowed his eyes, studying her for a long moment, as if searching for a hidden truth. Yet she remained composed and unflinching, so he could only release her hand.

Suddenly, he smiled.

Yu Yang watched him as he smiled.

In that moment, his hidden sharpness faded, and he seemed simply a young man, clean and innocent, full of satisfaction and secret delight.

Yu Yang's face flushed. She knew his keen insight had guessed her reluctance to leave him, that she had secretly followed them, and called help when they were in danger.

The shame of having her feelings so easily uncovered made her furious; she stood abruptly and shot him a fierce glare.

"Since you're unharmed, we'll take our leave now."

Her move was indeed a gamble; staying any longer risked exposing her identity.

On one side, her brothers had no idea that those they rescued were the Crown Prince and Princess.

On the other, the royal siblings did not know that their savior was, in fact, the fugitive remnant of the previous dynasty whom the court pursued.

If the truth came out, all would be lost.

Wei Chu did not try to detain her further, knowing it would be pointless. For now, he had to attend to Gu Li's injuries. He merely nodded in response.

Yu Yang gathered her companions and departed.