"Your Highness Fourth Prince, First prince is in the side hall, he said he is looking for you about some matters. Ask that you follow this servant to make this trip." A eunuch walked to Xiao Ran's side and said in a voice that everyone around them could hear.
Xiao Ran was a little depressed, how come in the blink of an eye Eldest Royal brother and Qing-Yan disappeared? Originally he had wanted to go search for them, now that someone came to tell him this, it simply was like people delivering pillows when one was sleepy. As a result, he asked to be excused by Western Xuan Emperor and Empress, then followed the eunuch and left.
Xiao Ran thought that in a short while he'd see Chu Qing-Yan again and became incomparably happy. His hand tightened on the toy he wanted to give Chu Qing-Yan. He was somewhat excited, this was something he wasn't able to give her just now. If Chu Qing-Yan was by Elder Royal Brother's side, than he'd give it to her.
As a result, his mind was all on the thought of being about to meet them so Xiao Ran was somewhat absent minded. After passing through the long corridor then the lotus flower pond, they had arrived at a remote courtyard before Xiao Ran sensed something was wrong.
If Elder Royal Brother was looking for him to discuss some matters, he wouldn't select such a remote place. Why would this eunuch bring him to this place?
At this moment, that eunuch with his hat lowered had his back to Xiao Ran, don't know what he was thinking.
Xiao Ran took a glance at this uninhibited place and suspicion arose from his heart. "Why would my Elder Royal brother select such a place, did you take the wrong way?"
One could only hear a sinister laugh coming from the person with lowered hat, that eunuch slowly turned around with his hand on his hat as he slowly took it off.
"Fourth Prince it's this place, there is no mistake. Only it's not Xiao Xu that is looking for you, rather Yama, the King of hell has come to take your life!"
Once the words were spoken, that hat left his hand and flew very quickly towards Xiao Ran.
When the opponent was turning around Xiao Ran was already paying close attention. Seeing him make a move, he immediately dodged the hat. Clearly his move wasn't fast enough so eunuch took advantage when he dodged to the side and took out the soft sword at his waist. He flew toward Xiao Ran stabbing with the sword.
All of a sudden, Xiao Ran had to deal with two moves and somewhat couldn't cope. As a result, that soft sword passed through the clothes at his waist but avoided injuring any critical point on his body.
That eunuch didn't get angry, instead he turned and used his other hand to strike, heavily hitting Xiao Ran on the shoulder. Xiao Ran spit out a mouthful of blood, his entire person bounced back and hit the stone wall behind him.
"Who are you? Actually dare to assassinate this prince?" Xiao Ran used both hands to push against the ground and with great difficulty stood up. Although blood was coming out from the corner of his mouth, his whole body gave off the demeanor of a prince. At this moment, he still hadn't lost the lofty and unyielding character of a prince.
Xiao Ran knew this person was a first-rate killer because he was very clear about his own body. His body wouldn't collapse like that with just one blow, moreover, this person ignored his identity and dared to move against him. Then there were only two possibilities. First one was that this person was hired with money to kill people for other people. The other possibility was this person was a death soldier, cultivated by a high official in a secret place. He was sent out at the right time to commit violent crimes and get rid of the thorn in his master's side.
"Fourth prince, you don't need to know who I am, because very soon you will go to the underworld." That eunuch grasping the sword slowly approached.
"What do you want to do? If someone paid you to do this, this prince vows to give you three to ten fold the amount you got." Xiao Ran ignored his action and calmly negotiated with him.
The killer wearing the clothes of a eunuch laughed coldly. "Money has no attraction with regards to me. Fourth Prince, you should just close your eyes and properly enjoy the feeling of being at death's door!" Raising that long sword, he aimed toward his chest and was about to stab down.
Xiao Ran eliminated the first possibility. This person wasn't a hired killer, rather a secret guard dispatched by someone to kill him!
Xiao Ran looked at that sharp sword and bit his teeth, when it was about to land, he gathered his strength and rolled toward the side.
The sword came up empty, that killer immediately became somewhat impatient. They had already come out for some time, if he didn't complete the mission at the earliest time, maybe those people would become suspicious.
As a result, he began to speed up his actions, with one move, he appeared in front of Xiao Ran and ruthlessly hacked toward Xiao Ran.
Because it was Mid-autumn festival night, every household hung up red lanterns, to welcome the days that came after. Red fire gave off circle after circle of light.
There were even people who arranged colored lantern exhibits and wrote all kinds of riddles on them, asking people to guess at the riddle. As long as you guess it correctly, he'll give you that lantern.
When Chu Qing-Yan's horse carriage passed by this, Chu Qing-Yan's attention was already attracted by those strangely shaped multi-colored lanterns.
"Big Block of Ice, I want to stroll among the colored lanterns." First time being so close to ancient people's customs, Chu Qing-Yan's curiosity was aroused.
Xiao Xu had always been a do as he wishes person, but just had never run into a suitable partner.
Now with the little guy's suggestion, he asked people to stop the horse carriage.
Chu Qing-Yan who had gotten off the horse carriage, urged Xiao Xu wearing an official's hat. Afterwards, she drilled in among the crowd.
And Fire Spirit who saw this immediately followed behind, protecting little consort so she doesn't get lost.
By the time Xiao Xu had walked to her side, she had already started to guess at the riddles.
With no personal opinions, guess one word.
Looking at the riddle on the paper, Chu Qing-Yan thought a bit, and guessed what it was. "The character present in current moment."
"Congratulations to the Miss, you guessed correctly! This rabbit lantern is for you." the vendor's boss enthusiastically handed the lantern to her.
Chu Qing-Yan accepted the rabbit lantern and hugged it, filling her arm and smilingly said. "This is for my daddy, he really likes rabbits."
The vendor boss took a glance at Xiao Xu standing at Chu Qing-Yan's side. He really couldn't imagine this full of icy air person liking such a cute animal as a rabbit. But he still cheerfully said. "Looks like your daughter is very filial to you ah. This master is really fortunate ah!"
Once the vendor said these words, Fire Spirit turned his head and spurt out a laugh. And Earth Spirit also painfully choked back a laugh.
"Big Block of Ice, do you appear very old?" Chu Qing-Yan said, making fun of him.
Xiao Xu suppressed his moodiness silently, and said to Chu Qing-Yan with her cheeks puffed up not daring to laugh. "Prepared to leave?"
Chu Qing-Yan immediately stood straight and seriously, shaking her head to say. "Big Block of Ice, I haven't given you one, you wait a bit."
Looking for quite a while, Chu Qing-Yan selected a carousel lantern. Afterwards, she asked for the riddle from the vendor.
This flower since ancient times no one would pick. Every winter it would open. Without roots, without leaves, it was really strange. Spring wind would blow it to reverse directions.
Chu Qing-Yan felt this riddle wasn't hard, immediately said the answer.
The vendor handed the carousel lantern to her, and didn't forget to praise her to Xiao Xu. "Your family's daughter is very smart!"
Xiao Xu's face blackened, he pulled Chu Qing-Yan to walk out.
Earth Spirit and Fire Spirit were somewhat at a loss. Didn't master want to raise the little consort like a daughter? How come having this said by others he suddenly wasn't happy?
When they arrived in front of the carriage, Chu Qing-Yan wanted to gift the lantern in her hand to Big Block of Ice. Suddenly, a police squadron ran over and surrounded them.
Chu Qing-Yan took back her hand and stood by Xiao Xu's side, somewhat at a loss.
The head of these people was highest ranked imperial bodyguard Liu Nuo. One only saw him walk out and cup his hands toward Xiao Xu. "Your Highness Prince Ying, just now Fourth Prince was attacked by an assassin. You are the most suspicious person of interest. His Majesty has given an order, please follow this subordinate and make a trip to the palace."