Chapter 67: Assassination Attempt

"You want money as well?" Qin Hao could scarcely believe it; his very first action upon arriving had managed to offend Qiao Qingyun. Properly speaking, Qiao Qingyun would not ask for money—since it was a partnership, there was no need to make things so hostile. Yet reality proved that some people simply refused to take a hint, so it was best to let things play out.

"How much is the hospital stay?"

"One tael of silver per day. With your condition, you'll likely need half a month." Qiao Qingyun spoke without even looking up. Qin Hao considered it, then nodded, "Alright."

He reached into his purse and pulled out a ten-tael silver ingot and another five-tael ingot, placing them before Qiao Qingyun. Then his eyes flashed with anger. "If after half a month I have not improved, I shall give you twenty taels of gold for burial expenses."

"Then bring it on," Qiao Qingyun replied, utterly unconcerned. People like him were only sharp-tongued; if he really had any skill, how could he have been drugged in the first place?

The woman rose, pushed open the door, and glanced outside. "Qingluo, fetch a set of men's patient clothes."

"Yes." Qingluo quickly ran upstairs, fetched the clothes, and personally escorted him up.

Qiao Qingyun watched the scene calmly, then returned to her position behind the counter. She was busy for several days straight, until...

"You two go ahead, I'll leave on my own shortly."

Qiao Qingyun still had some herbs to process, so she needed to take care of them first, telling Qingluo and Zhong Shi to leave. The poison in Qin Hao was not particularly complex, but uprooting it entirely would not be easy; everything depended on Lin Yanxi.

"Your Highness, perhaps I should stay with you?" Qingluo hesitated. The events of the past days had frightened them enough; if Qiao Qingyun went back alone now and something happened, what would they do?

"It's fine, I'm not so frail. Don't worry." Qiao Qingyun smiled. Qingluo, though reluctant, had to go back and instruct the guards not to close the gates.

Only then did she leave.

Late at night, Qiao Qingyun and Zhong Shi headed to the Crown Prince's residence.

"How has your health been these past few days, Your Highness?" Zhong Shi was deeply concerned about Qiao Qingyun's health. Though she had been busy, it seemed she was not struggling as much as before.

"I'm alright." Qiao Qingyun smiled. "Just a minor injury; it's long since healed."

"Your Highness must still take care—at the least, avoid getting hurt." Qiao Qingyun nodded, looking at Zhong Shi with certainty and saying nothing more.

"Your Highness," Zhong Shi suddenly stopped, a hundred meters from the Crown Prince's residence, the feeling of being followed growing ever stronger.

"What is it?" Qiao Qingyun turned, puzzled.

Zhong Shi's left hand moved to his sword at his waist, his murderous aura unleashed. "Your Highness, hurry! Only a hundred meters—I'll cover the rear."

At those words, Qiao Qingyun instantly understood: something was happening. She dashed toward the Crown Prince's residence. Behind her rang the clashing sounds of blades.

A muffled grunt broke through the night. Qiao Qingyun stopped and looked back—Zhong Shi had been struck, a gash opened in his chest.

"Go! Your Highness!" Zhong Shi saw Qiao Qingyun pause and urged her onward; the black-clad figures were rushing straight for her.

Qiao Qingyun accelerated, slipping into the Crown Prince's residence just in time.

"Guards!" At her shout, a troop of guards rushed out. "Hurry! Save Zhong Shi!"

The guards looked where she pointed; sure enough, Zhong Shi was battered and bloodied, still fighting the assailants.

"Charge!" The guards surged forward, joined by several shadow guards. Qiao Qingyun was startled. "Who are you?"

"His Highness sent us to protect you, Your Highness."

"I don't need protection! Go save Zhong Shi!"

At her command, the shadow guards followed, and after a fierce struggle, the black-clad attackers were finally vanquished. One of their leaders, unnoticed, pocketed a jade token.

"Zhong Shi." Qiao Qingyun rushed to him, seeing his wounds of varying depth, and hurriedly helped him up.

"Your Highness, I'm covered in blood..."

"It's alright, let's go back first." Qiao Qingyun did not want anyone else to assist Zhong Shi; who knew if they understood how to protect a wound?

Thanks to Qingluo's earlier instructions not to close the gates, their lives had been spared.

"Master, Your Highness was just attacked, Zhong Shi was gravely wounded, and I found this on one of the assassins." Yuan Zaichun, who had been discussing plans with Liu Fu, frowned at the news.

He looked down at the jade token and his expression grew grim.

"No one saw?"

"No one did."

"Go on." Yuan Zaichun took the token and waved the messenger away.

Without hesitation, the man left.

"Master, this..." Liu Fu looked at Yuan Zaichun uncertainly, but the man simply gestured for Liu Fu to leave as well.

His thumb idly rubbed the smooth white jade.

It was from the Empress's people...

"What happened?" In the Bamboo Pavilion, as soon as Qiao Qingyun returned with Zhong Shi, Hong Ying hurried forward, and Qingluo was stunned by the scene.

"Don't ask—fetch wine and bandages." Qiao Qingyun helped Zhong Shi straight to his room.

"Your Highness, I'm fine, really..."

"Enough, don't speak. Rest now. I told you, tonight no other talk. Let me check your wounds."

Qiao Qingyun frowned deeply, clearly worried.

Zhong Shi, moved by her words, felt his eyes grow hot; yet his gaze never left her.

He watched as she carefully cut open his clothes, his heart beating ever faster.

"How is it? Does it hurt?"

Qingluo and Hong Ying stood aside, unable to help, watching as Qiao Qingyun dressed his wounds.

"It doesn't hurt anymore."

"You know, once I reached the Crown Prince's residence, you could have run. Why did you keep fighting?"

Qiao Qingyun asked, genuinely confused.

"Because I feared if I let them go, Your Highness would be in danger again."

At this, Qiao Qingyun burst out laughing. "Those who want me dead don't care if it's them or someone else. No matter who it is, I'll always be their target. As long as I live, assassins will keep coming, endlessly."

Zhong Shi was stunned, then lowered his head.