Another black-clad assailant shouted, “What are you waiting for? Kill her! Only then will the mission be complete!”
He lunged forward, but the sword wouldn’t advance an inch. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
“Useless!” another sneered.
“I’m not refusing… but it just won’t move!” the first muttered in fear.
“Stop lying! You’re trying to betray us!”
“If I wanted to betray you, I wouldn’t have come here!”
“Useless. Step aside, I’ll do it!”
He raised his sword and aimed at Yu Hua.
Even though the system’s protection shielded her, Yu Hua was terrified. She’d finally lived a few good years as an elite daughter of an official and a rich family—if anything happened now, it would be wasted.
“System, is your protection really reliable?”
“Yes, Host. Our systems are premium. Rest assured.”
Just then, another black-clad assailant’s sword appeared before her.
Huamei and Dujuan instinctively tried to pull Yu Hua away. She stumbled, and the three fell to the ground.
The remaining attacker refused to give up, pressing forward with his sword.
“Someone help me! Who will save me?!” Yu Hua cried.
Far away at the Shangshu Mansion, Shen Chuyan suddenly felt a sharp pain in her heart. Her face turned pale.
“Madam, weren’t you fine just now? What’s wrong?”
“I feel… Yu Hua is in danger. Hurry and send someone to find her!”
“Madam, perhaps you’re overthinking? Yu Hua should still be sleeping in the courtyard.”
“No… I felt the same when that old woman tried to harm her before. This feeling is real.”
Yu Jinghong, loving and trusting his wife, acted immediately.
“Send people! Check all rooms—hurry!”
“Dispatch men outside too! She won’t stay in the courtyard after waking. I feel she’s in real danger,” Shen Chuyan urged.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go myself,” Yu Jinghong said, gathering his guards.
He instructed them: “Check the tea houses, the Fuju Inn, the Treasure Pavilion, and especially any dark alleys.”
“If she sneaks back to the mansion, it will be through a shadowed alley,” he thought.
After inspecting two alleys with nothing found, a servant reported:
“Master, we hear noises in one alley… it sounds like the young lady!”
“Move! Hurry! If anything happens to her, there’ll be consequences!” Yu Jinghong barked.
They rushed to the alley, just in time to see another attacker strike at Yu Hua.
Yu Jinghong’s reflexes were unmatched. With his bow, he shot an arrow straight into the attacker’s forehead.
The sword, inches from Yu Hua, froze and clattered to the ground, the assailant unable to cry out.
Other guards quickly surrounded the previous attacker.
“Capture him alive!” Yu Jinghong commanded.
Yu Hua, eyes closed, heard the familiar voice and felt a wave of relief.
“Daddy! Daddy!” she cried, wanting to dive into his arms, but her legs were weak.
Huamei and Dujuan helped her stand.
The remaining attacker, seeing defeat, committed suicide with his sword.
Yu Jinghong approached Yu Hua. She collapsed into his arms, crying uncontrollably.
“Yu Hua, you’re safe… it’s okay now,” he comforted.
“Daddy, I thought I’d never see you or Mommy again!” she sobbed.
“You silly child… you’re lucky to survive. You’ll live to a hundred,” he said softly.
After a while, she still clung to him.
“Let’s go home. Your mother must be worried sick,” Yu Jinghong said.
Yu Hua nodded. Supported by Huamei and Dujuan, she slowly walked back to the Shangshu Mansion.
“Leave two guards to handle the scene. The rest, escort the young lady safely inside,” Yu Jinghong instructed.
At the mansion gate, Shen Chuyan anxiously awaited. Seeing Yu Hua safe, she rushed forward, embracing her tightly.
“Mom! I’m fine… thanks to Daddy arriving in time,” Yu Hua sniffled and cried.
“Stop crying at the gate! Come inside,” Yu Jinghong urged.
Shen Chuyan stayed with Yu Hua, comforting her while Yu Jinghong questioned Huamei and Dujuan about the attackers. They worked late into the night investigating.
Finally, Shen Chuyan got Yu Hua to sleep.
When she returned to her room, she asked Yu Jinghong, “Did you find out who tried to harm our Yu Hua?”
“Madam, it was someone loyal to King Jing who escaped capture,” he replied.
“Tomorrow, select two skilled bodyguards to protect Yu Hua,” she ordered.
“Yes, madam. I failed as a father today for letting her be in danger,” Yu Jinghong admitted.
“Yu Hua is spoiled, she must have been terrified. Tomorrow, arrange a day off for her; I’ve told Huamei and Dujuan not to wake her.”
Yu Jinghong nodded.
The next day, during court, Yu Jinghong recounted Yu Hua’s near-attack and requested her leave.
The Emperor An Yi was furious. Other officials immediately knelt in shock.
“Where is the Shuntian Prefect? Do you know your crime? Such an incident in the capital under the Emperor’s nose!”
The prefect knelt, sweating profusely.
“Six months’ salary withheld. If this happens again, I’ll take your head!”
“All thanks to Your Majesty’s mercy,” the prefect said.
Yu Hua’s life was once again secured, thanks to her father’s swift action and loyal guards.