Eight guards positioned themselves protectively before the carriage, engaging in fierce combat with the bandits.
The clashing of metal echoed incessantly around them, the air thick with the faint scent of blood.
Zhao Yuanxi held Ziying’s trembling form close, her palms damp with cold sweat. These were no ordinary bandits.
The laws of Qin were severe, prescribing harsh punishments for banditry. All participants, whether ringleaders or accomplices, faced execution. In extreme cases, they would suffer dismemberment by carts. Even those who knew of bandit activities but failed to report them would be implicated and punished.
No one would dare become a bandit if they could live peacefully. Even if someone were bold enough to commit robbery, they would target merchants, never daring to attack those accompanied by nobility.
They had come for her deliberately!
Zhao Yuanxi couldn’t understand—why would anyone want to assassinate a deposed empress dowager under house arrest? Or were they trying to kidnap her to use as leverage against the King of Qin?
An involuntary shiver ran down her spine.
“Protect the Lady!”
The carriage door suddenly splintered apart, wood fragments flying everywhere. Zhao Yuanxi swiftly shielded Ziying beneath her.
Ziying’s tears soaked through the front of her robe. “Da Mu, I’m scared.”
Zhao Yuanxi was terrified too.
The sound of blades piercing flesh reached her ears. Looking up, she saw Changjin, who had been guarding the doorway, wrest the bandit’s sword away. Drawing her dagger, she slit the bandit’s throat.
Blood splattered across half her face, giving her a demi-divine, demi-demonic appearance that paradoxically filled Zhao Yuanxi with profound relief.
Gripping the long sword, Changjin stood firm in the doorway like a steadfast pillar, ready to strike down anyone who dared approach.
Zhao Yuanxi’s eyes widened with admiration. Wow—so impressive!
Changjin wasn’t just a physician—she was a female general!
Changjin’s sudden prowess clearly took the assassins by surprise. After several fell to her blade, no one dared advance further.
Time passed indeterminately until silence gradually descended upon their surroundings.
Gao Sheng’s voice called from outside, “My Lady, are you unharmed?”
Changjin stepped aside from the doorway, allowing Zhao Yuanxi to view the scene beyond.
Gao Sheng held a short sword acquired from somewhere, its blade stained with blood. His clothes were disheveled, his ceremonial cap lost—evidently, he too had fought desperately.
“I’m fine,” Zhao Yuanxi replied softly, patting Ziying’s back.
The guard captain approached, clutching his injured arm, and knelt before Zhao Yuanxi. “This humble officer failed in his protective duty. I beg Your Majesty the Empress Dowager for forgiveness!”
Zhao Yuanxi wanted to say they had done well, but surveying the devastating aftermath made her abdomen twinge with pain. Covering Ziying’s eyes, she suppressed her discomfort. “What of our people?”
Grief flickered in the guard captain’s eyes. “One dead, three severely wounded.”
“What was his name?”
“A Yu. His name was A Yu.”
…
“Let us return to the palace.”
The carriage slowly resumed its journey.
Gao Sheng drove the horses upfront while Changjin sat silently beside Zhao Yuanxi. “My Lady, you’re injured!”
“Did Da Mu get hurt?” Ziying asked anxiously, gazing at her.
“Ah?” Only then did Zhao Yuanxi realize her back was throbbing intensely. Turning to examine it, she discovered a sharp wooden shard embedded in her left shoulder, her back soaked with blood.
“Did Da Mu get hurt protecting me?” Ziying sobbed uncontrollably, large tears rolling down his cheeks.
His small hands hovered over Zhao Yuanxi’s bleeding wound, afraid to touch it lest he cause her more pain.
“It’s nothing,” Zhao Yuanxi said through gritted teeth, gingerly moving her shoulder.
The sound of Ziying’s crying could be heard even by those outside.
Zhang Han’s grip on the reins tightened, his face paling slightly as he thought of the temper of the one in Xianyang Palace, letting out a long sigh.
Zhao Yuanxi’s injury wasn’t serious—it looked frightening but was merely a superficial wound. By the time the imperial physician arrived to clean it, the bleeding had already stopped.
When the wooden splinter was pulled out, blood gushed forth again, terrifying Ziying, who cried and begged, “Da Mu, don’t die!”
After the wound was bandaged, he carefully patted Zhao Yuanxi’s back and asked, “Does it still hurt, Da Mu? Let Ziying blow on it for you!”
Zhao Yuanxi smiled and ruffled Ziying’s head. “I’m fine now.”
She then turned to the imperial physician and said, “I trouble Sun Taiyi to check on my guards. Please do everything you can to save their lives.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Only Changjin and You remained in the room.
Zhao Yuanxi actually had many questions for Changjin, but seeing her covered in blood and unsure if she was injured, she said, “Let You attend to me today. Changjin, you should go back and rest.”
Changjin was taken aback. She had prepared herself for the Empress Dowager’s questioning, but now she felt as if the words she was about to speak were forced back down her throat.
You tucked Zhao Yuanxi into bed and, noticing the little prince had already fallen asleep beside the Empress Dowager, whispered, “Your Majesty, Guard Zhang and the others are kneeling outside the gate.”
“Kneeling? What are they kneeling for?”
“They failed to protect you adequately and must be punished. Since Your Majesty hasn’t specified their punishment, they can only kneel outside for now.”
Zhao Yuanxi threw off the covers, slipped on her shoes, and hurried outside, with You quickly catching up to drape a coat over her shoulders.
At the palace gate, five men knelt in a neat row. One of them had a broken arm, and blood was still seeping through the bandages.
“All of you, rise! I’m fine. You did well today. Without you, I might truly be dead.”
The lead guard kowtowed deeply to the Empress Dowager. “We beg for Your Majesty’s punishment.”
Zhao Yuanxi’s heart skipped a beat, and she said helplessly, “I truly don’t blame you. All of you, return. Aren’t there two others injured? Go take care of them. I don’t want to see any more harm come to any of you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” The five men’s eyes reddened instantly, yet they remained kneeling.
The sound of orderly footsteps echoed from outside. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled only with despair and resignation.
Zhao Yuanxi looked toward the source of the footsteps and saw a group of armored soldiers, led by a captain holding a long halberd.
“By the King’s order, you have failed in your duty to protect the Empress Dowager. You are to be taken to the prison to await punishment.”
“Who are you?” Zhao Yuanxi stepped in front of the guards.
The captain’s face was cold as he struck the ground with his halberd, the metallic glint reflecting on Zhao Yuanxi’s face. “Your Majesty, this is the King’s command.”
Zhao Yuanxi replied calmly, “So, how does the King intend to punish them?”
“Naturally, we will first investigate whether they have any connection to the assassins. If they do, it will be a crime punishable by extermination of their clans. If not, they will still be executed for failing to protect you.”
Seven lives—he spoke of them as if they were merely chickens to be slaughtered.
Zhao Yuanxi felt deeply distressed. “I am unharmed, and there’s no way they could be connected to those assassins.”
“Whether they are connected or not is not for you to decide, Your Majesty. Men, take them all away!”
“Who dares!” Zhao Yuanxi drew the saber from the guard’s waist beside her. The blade was too heavy, making her hands tremble slightly as she held it, yet she stood there gripping the weapon, blocking the guards’ path.
The black-armored soldiers hesitated, wary of Zhao Yuanxi’s status, and dared not advance.
The captain, however, showed no fear and stepped closer to Zhao Yuanxi, one pace at a time.
Zhao Yuanxi stood about 1.7 meters tall—considered quite tall for this era—but the officer before her towered over her by a full head, his entire frame nearing two meters in height. A single one of his legs was thicker than her waist.
There was no chance of winning in a fight. Zhao Yuanxi twisted the blade, hoisted it onto her shoulder, and pressed it against her own neck. “Take one more step, and I’ll kill myself right here!”
The captain immediately halted, his face darkening several shades as he snapped, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager!”
“Don’t shout so loudly—what if you startle me?” Zhao Yuanxi’s hand shook, nearly cutting herself.