Chapter Seventy-Three: She Has Been Shot

“No!”

As soon as the words were spoken, Gu Li and Lie Chang'an both replied in unison.

The Crown Prince understood what they were worried about, but these assailants had come for him and Gu Li. If he and Gu Li were to split up, the attackers would surely divide to pursue them both, but compared to the Princess, his life as the future successor was undeniably more valuable. With Lie Chang'an’s skills, he could easily wipe out those pursuing him and protect Gu Li, helping her escape the ordeal.

But if he and Gu Li both stayed here, there would be nothing left but death.

This was not a moment for pride or sentiment.

The Crown Prince kicked fiercely, severing another assassin’s head, and shouted through gritted teeth, “Lie Chang'an! I command you to escort the Princess away at once! Go!”

“Brother! I won’t go!”

Gu Li, her eyes brimming with tears, watched her brother, the Crown Prince, surrounded and battling the assassins, and she cried out in anguish.

“Listen to me, Gu Li! Go, quickly! Your brother will be fine!”

His jaw clenched, his face pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead as he struggled to hold on.

He knew his strength was nearly spent. If he didn’t force Lie Chang'an to take Gu Li and leave, they would all die here.

Lie Chang'an understood the gravity of the situation: on one side, the Crown Prince, representing the nation, and on the other, the Princess, the woman he loved.

He knew the Crown Prince’s words were reasonable. There was no other way. If he risked everything to break through the encirclement with Gu Li, he could get her to the checkpoint ahead and find the soldiers guarding the city. Then, with reinforcements, he could return to help the Crown Prince. Perhaps there was still a sliver of hope...

Resolute, Lie Chang'an stretched out his long arm, wrapped it around Gu Li’s waist, and prepared to carry her away with his light-footed martial skills.

Gu Li realized this was not the time for stubbornness. She could not burden her brother, the Crown Prince. Seeing this, she cried out to Jasmine, “Jasmine, take Xiao Qiu and Xiao Yan and hide!”

The assassins were here for her and the Crown Prince; they would not waste their efforts on unrelated people. As long as her maids hid well, they would not be harmed.

Jasmine began to weep, shouting into the air, “Princess, don’t worry! Please take care of yourself!”

With that, she tightly grasped the hands of the two frightened maids and hurried behind a large tree.

“Don’t let Princess Danqing escape!”

The assassins’ leader would not let his prey slip away so easily. He shouted fiercely, “Release the arrows!”

The three women were startled.

The Crown Prince looked over and saw some of the assassins swiftly mount their horses, grabbing bows and arrows to shoot at Lie Chang'an and Gu Li as they soared through the air.

His pupils contracted. He cried out, “Watch out!”

With those words, he lifted his sword and charged at the mounted assassins.

Gu Li, curled in Lie Chang'an’s embrace, heard her brother’s urgent cry. Suddenly, she felt a fierce, cold wind and looked up to see a shower of arrows descending upon them like rain.

Lie Chang'an sensed the deadly threat as well. At that moment, as he was carrying Gu Li and trying to protect her, he could only grit his teeth and swing his sword at the incoming arrows.

With his deft swordsmanship, he knocked down many of the arrows, but he could not block them all. Some slipped through, flying straight toward them.

“Gu Li——”

The Crown Prince looked up, his eyes wide as he witnessed the scene.

Lie Chang'an was shaken, barely able to react before the person in his arms suddenly moved, blocking the fatal blow with her own body.

She let out a muffled groan, whispered softly in his ear, then her head fell limply onto his shoulder.

Lie Chang'an’s body froze. The hand around her waist felt the sticky scent of blood spreading.

His dark eyes fell upon the arrow embedded in her back, blood slowly flowing, staining her crimson dress.

Lie Chang'an clenched his fist, raised his head, and let out a roar, veins bulging as he lifted his sword and charged madly at the black-clad attackers.

He was consumed by rage.

All reason had left him.

She had been struck.

She was wounded.

She had saved him.

She had whispered to him: You cannot always be the one to save me. This time, let me save you.