Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Inn Catches Fire

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At night, the inn closed its doors and extinguished its lanterns, plunging into a deep silence.

Because he had spent the past few years entrenched in the military, Lie Chang’an was used to staying up late. On top of that, he had somehow managed to offend the little princess that day without knowing how; now, lying on his bed and staring at the beams above, he turned the matter over and over in his mind, unable to make sense of it or to fall asleep.

A woman’s heart truly is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

He had no idea what had caused her sudden change of mood. He wanted to ask her but felt he had no right to pry. Yet when she left in anger, sleeves flicked in disdain, he was filled with worry and a sense of loss, afraid she might remain cold and ignore him for days on end.

Sigh.

Unable to sleep from the headache, Lie Chang’an simply sat up in bed.

The room was pitch-dark; he had already put out the lamp, and now only the faint glow from the lanterns in the corridor outside seeped in.

Suddenly, he heard a faint sound, like someone gently blowing on something.

Lie Chang’an was startled. He squinted toward the window and saw a shadowy figure creeping about. The figure quietly poked a hole through the window paper and slipped a bamboo tube inside—a wisp of intoxicating smoke drifted in.

Sleep-inducing incense!

Lie Chang’an immediately grabbed the handkerchief from his bedside and covered his mouth and nose. He moved silently to hide in a dark corner, intending to catch the intruder in the act after they finished releasing the incense.

However, once the smoke was released, the shadowy figure turned and left. The next moment, a burst of flames erupted outside, accompanied by the panicked shouts of the inn’s servant, “Help! Fire! Fire!”

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This is bad!

Lie Chang’an leapt out of bed, kicked open the door, and rushed out. Sure enough, flames were already raging outside, clearly set on the second floor. The fire spread rapidly, crackling and devouring everything in its path.

“Your Highness!”

Lie Chang’an strode over and kicked open the door to the next room.

The Crown Prince was struggling to stand and make his way out. He had not been fully asleep when the trouble started, and as soon as he sensed something was wrong, he tried to escape. But he had already inhaled a great deal of sleep-incense; his body was weak and limp, and he could only use his sword for support as he staggered toward the exit.

“Your Highness!”

Lie Chang’an hurried over to support the Crown Prince, helping him out of the room. Yet at the top of the stairs, the Crown Prince shoved him away, shouting, “Quick! Go save my sister! Save the princess! Go! Now!”

Lie Chang’an froze, gazing at the prince, who was barely able to stand. The stairs were engulfed in flames. His hands clenched into fists as he was torn by intense pain and inner struggle.

This was the future emperor—he could not abandon him...

“I know what you’re thinking!” the Crown Prince roared, his bloodshot eyes burning with fury as he gripped Lie Chang’an’s arm. “But you must save the princess! Save my sister! Go to her first—I’ll get out on my own! Don’t worry about me, hurry!”

Looking into the prince’s determined, bloodshot eyes, Lie Chang’an clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He said no more, turned, and ran back, plunging into the corridor where the flames raged higher with every step.

The Crown Prince used the hilt of his sword to support himself and struggled toward the stairs. But the incense was too powerful; after only a few steps, his head grew dizzy, and he swayed unsteadily.

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Bang!

A charred beam crashed down before him, flames leaping upward. Instinctively, he staggered back, his body weakening as he crumpled to the floor.

Wei Chu gritted his teeth. Though surrounded by fire as if in a furnace, cold sweat beaded on his brow. The flames crept ever closer—if he didn’t crawl out soon, he would be burned alive.

He clenched his fists, forcing himself up once more. Swaying on his feet, above him came a loud creak—another scorched beam, about to fall.

He looked up. Bright, searing flames filled his vision, burning fiercely.

There was no time to dodge, and he was too weak to move; he could only watch as death drew near.

Bang!

Suddenly, a loud crash. A veiled woman descended from above, sweeping aside the falling beam with her sword. She shot him a cold glance, and without a moment’s hesitation, grabbed his arm, slung him over her shoulder, and rushed down the stairs.

Though a woman, her martial arts were formidable and her inner strength deep; dragging a grown man to safety was no challenge for her at all.

Even through the haze of sleep-incense, Wei Chu could clearly smell the delicate fragrance about her—a clean, cool scent of mint orchid, as clear and distant as the woman herself, refreshing yet unapproachable.

Lifting his heavy eyelids amid the dancing firelight, he saw the wind catch her veil. From his angle, he caught a glimpse of her face—peerlessly beautiful, as radiant as a flower.