“Female Emperor, just as you said, Chen Fan was indeed targeted by an assassination attempt!”
Xue Ying returned to the tavern. Ji Qianxue was still awake, sitting upright under the dim lamplight, transcribing Chen Fan’s masterpiece from tonight.
“Is he alright?” Ji Qianxue asked softly without looking up.
“He suffered some injuries, but fortunately, the arrow entered his back at an angle and didn’t damage his vital organs,” Xue Ying replied.
Ji Qianxue’s expression suddenly changed, and she put down her brush. “Even with you personally intervening, he still got injured?”
But Xue Ying didn’t answer directly. Instead, she changed the subject. “Female Emperor, Chen Fan is truly intelligent and wise, and his mind is exceptionally sharp!”
“What do you mean?” Ji Qianxue asked.
“From the very beginning, he guessed who was behind the attack on him. After I identified the assassin, he immediately pieced together the entire sequence of events and understood why the assassin wanted him dead. He even grasped his own predicament right away and sought a skilled expert to protect him. The reason he was injured was because he used his own body to shield the assassin from a sword strike,” Xue Ying explained.
“Explain in more detail!” Ji Qianxue urged.
Xue Ying held nothing back and recounted everything that had happened that night. “Later, to persuade Leng Hanshuang to stay and protect him, Chen Fan actually demanded that she marry him. Naturally, Leng Hanshuang refused, but he cleverly retreated to a more reasonable request—asking her to protect him for a year. This left Leng Hanshuang with no grounds to refuse. The entire incident seemed to have been meticulously planned from the moment he was attacked. From saving Leng Hanshuang to treating her wounds, then breaking through her psychological defenses with words, and finally using her unwillingness to marry him as leverage, he retreated only to advance, ultimately winning her over. Every step was flawlessly executed, one link seamlessly connecting to the next.”
Listening to Xue Ying’s account, Ji Qianxue’s brow furrowed slightly. She had originally thought Chen Fan was merely talented in literature and knowledgeable, but she never expected him to possess such cunning. Truly extraordinary.
“However, judging by the direct and aggressive attitude of Chen Guogong and the Lin Family tonight, they will likely continue targeting Chen Fan. And now, Leng Hanshuang is injured and unable to protect him,” Xue Ying added.
“Send a team of Shadow Guards to protect him!” Ji Qianxue ordered.
“Yes, Female Emperor!”
Xue Ying replied respectfully, hesitating for a moment before adding, “But my identity was also exposed tonight. Leng Hanshuang recognized me, so Chen Fan may already be suspicious of your identity.”
“It doesn’t matter. No one in the entire realm knows you are my Shadow Guard. He won’t be able to uncover anything. You may leave,” Ji Qianxue said.
Upon hearing this, Xue Ying didn’t linger any longer and turned to leave.
However, Ji Qianxue closed the book and murmured softly, “A profligate? You’re making me more and more intrigued!”
Time passed, and the next morning arrived.
Although Chen Fan’s injuries weren’t severe, he had still been shot by an arrow, and the wound was deep. Any careless movement would cause intense pain.
As a result, Chen Fan barely slept all night, frequently waking up from the pain.
Now that dawn had broken, Chen Fan gave up on sleep altogether. Instead, he lay nestled in Lian Yue’s gentle embrace, gazing at her delicate and beautiful face.
Lian Yue was truly stunning, and he never tired of looking at her.
Moreover, Lian Yue was Chen Fan’s first woman, and he genuinely adored her.
Especially since she was so gentle and obedient.
“Mmm~”
However, Chen Fan’s hands and feet were far from well-behaved, causing the sleeping Lian Yue to suddenly murmur in her sleep before slowly opening her eyes.
But when Lian Yue saw Chen Fan staring at her, his hands wandering restlessly, she suddenly frowned. Her delicate little face was filled with a mix of resentment and coquettishness.
“Husband, you kept me up all last night. Aren’t you tired? And you still have injuries…”
“Mmm~”
“Husband… don’t!”
Chen Fan, however, wore a light smile. “My wounds hurt too much. I can’t sleep.”
As he spoke, Chen Fan began climbing over Lian Yue.
Seeing this, Lian Yue looked even more helpless. “Husband, you’re still injured…”
Before Lian Yue could finish her sentence, Chen Fan’s kiss descended upon her, leaving her no chance to speak.
Lian Yue felt utterly helpless. She couldn’t understand—if his wounds hurt so much that he couldn’t sleep, why was he still…?
But there was nothing she could do. She could only respond gently to Chen Fan. After a while, she turned her head aside and said softly, “Husband, can we wait until your wounds are healed?”
But Chen Fan buried his face in Lian Yue’s neck. “No!”
“Then can we take it slow? Don’t strain your wounds,” Lian Yue said helplessly.
“Alright!”
Hearing this, Chen Fan looked delighted and continued moving downward.
Just then, Xiao Ke and Xiao Ai’s voices suddenly came from outside the door.
“Young Master! Young Master!”
“Xue Ying has brought a handsome nobleman!”
Hearing this, Chen Fan frowned slightly.
A handsome nobleman—Hua Qiancheng?
What was he doing here at this time?
“Husband, we have a guest!” Lian Yue hurriedly said.
“It’s fine! Let him wait!” Chen Fan replied.
“Husband! He’s already here. How can we make him wait? Let’s get up first, okay? After the guest leaves, I’ll do whatever you want, alright?” Lian Yue pleaded.
“Really? Whatever I want?” Chen Fan’s expression shifted slightly as he playfully pinched Lian Yue in an intimate spot.
“Really!” Lian Yue shot him a coquettish glare.
“Fine!”
Only then did Chen Fan move away from Lian Yue, get up, and climb out of bed.
Lian Yue didn’t dare delay either. She quickly got up, dressed herself, and then gently and dutifully helped Chen Fan get dressed and freshen up.
However, Chen Fan’s hands remained restless. But Lian Yue was used to it and could only let him have his way.
When Chen Fan finally left the courtyard and arrived at the main hall, they exchanged pleasantries and greetings.
It was only then that Chen Fan learned that Ji Qianxue, worried about his safety, had personally brought a team of shadow guards to protect him.
“Brother Hua, I won’t stand on ceremony. I truly need these guards right now.”
Chen Fan spoke respectfully and added, “But rest assured, Brother Hua, I won’t use your people for free. I’ll pay ten thousand taels per person per month. How does that sound?”
Hearing this, Ji Qianxue frowned slightly. “Brother Chen, what do you mean? Do you think I, Hua, am that kind of person?”
“Not at all. It’s just that I don’t like owing favors,” Chen Fan explained.
“Then what about the life-saving debt you owe me? How do you…”
Xue Ying, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke up, but before she could finish, a single glance from Ji Qianxue silenced her.
Seeing this, Chen Fan frowned slightly.
He could guess that Ji Qianxue’s status was extraordinary—otherwise, he wouldn’t have someone like Xue Ying, one of the Ten Great Masters, serving as his guard.
But he hadn’t expected Xue Ying to be so afraid of Ji Qianxue. With just a single glance, Xue Ying didn’t dare speak another word.
He even put on a guilty expression, lowered his head, and took a step back.
Why?
What exactly was Hua Qiancheng’s identity?
“In that case, we’ll follow Young Master Chen’s wishes. It’s just that these guards are straightforward in temperament and not fond of conversation. I hope Brother Chen will be understanding,” Ji Qianxue said with a smile.
“Brother Hua, you’re too kind. Given my current situation, I have no right to be picky!” Chen Fan replied.
“I heard from Xue Ying that you already know who the mastermind is. What do you plan to do next? Do you need my help?” Hua Qiancheng asked.
Chen Fan knew that Hua Qiancheng’s status and position must be extraordinary.
If Hua Qiancheng were to help, he couldn’t say for sure about the Guogong Mansion, but the Lin Family would be of little concern.
However, after some thought, Chen Fan still declined. “I’m already immensely grateful for Brother Hua’s help in resolving my safety issues. As for further assistance, there’s no need. A small family like the Lin Family isn’t even worth my attention. From the moment they chose to hire assassins to kill me, the Lin Family’s fate was already sealed!”