The next instant, the assassins collapsed one after another before Lin Youyou’s eyes.
Behind them stood a man dressed entirely in black.
His ink-black hair was bound high with a crown. He had sharp brows, star-like eyes, and a tall, straight figure. In his well-defined hand he held a bloodstained sword. Cold light flowed along the blade, making the man’s already icy and ruthless expression appear even colder.
At the same time, the remaining assassins also fell to the ground. More than a dozen guards dressed in identical uniforms withdrew their bloodied swords and silently stepped aside.
The life-and-death situation from moments ago had been reversed in the blink of an eye.
A guard stepped forward respectfully and reported, “Master, they all took poison and killed themselves. Not a single one was left alive.”
“Mm.” The man nodded.
He sheathed his sword before finally turning his gaze toward the young girl standing before him.
She looked only fourteen or fifteen years old. Even now, she still gripped her sword tightly. Her lively eyes, which reflected his figure, were filled entirely with vigilance.
Mm. Like a little kitten—cute yet fierce.
The man merely gave her a slight nod before coldly saying toward the carriage, “Come out.”
Lin Youyou’s guarded expression instantly darkened further.
A man in his twenties telling her mother to “come out” like this—what kind of shameless rogue was he?
Before Lin Youyou could get angry, a timid little voice suddenly sounded.
“Coming…”
The childish, soft voice completely stunned Lin Youyou.
Since when was there another person inside their carriage?
Stiffly, Lin Youyou turned around.
What she saw was a filthy little girl around five years old. Her hair was messy, and her face was so dirty she looked like a little mud-covered kitten. Aside from her large round black eyes, none of her features could be clearly seen.
The little girl crawled out from beneath the carriage seat.
It was obvious that she had been hiding underneath the carriage the entire time.
At that moment, Lin Youyou finally understood everything.
The assassins had been after this little girl, and these people who had rescued them were also here because of her.
She and her mother had simply been dragged into disaster for no reason.
Lin Youyou’s face darkened.
Just a little more, and she and her mother would have died at the hands of those assassins. What an undeserved calamity.
The little girl softly called out to the man, “Father.”
The man glared at her before somewhat awkwardly cupping his hands toward Lin Youyou and Madam Xu, who had lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.
“Thank you, Madam and Miss, for saving my daughter. I deeply apologize for bringing danger upon you. My surname is He, given name San. Please accept this small token of gratitude.”
Lin Youyou’s eyes immediately locked onto the thick stack of thousand-tael banknotes in his hand.
She was extremely tempted.
But she forcibly restrained herself.
“May I ask if Master He San could lend us two guards instead?”
He San’s handsome brows lifted slightly, surprise flashing through his eyes.
Lin Youyou spoke directly, “To be honest, my mother and I were previously targeted by assassins as well. We are heading to the capital to reunite with family, but the journey is full of danger. Your guards are clearly highly skilled. Could you lend us two of them? Once we safely reach the capital, we’ll return them, and afterward we will owe each other nothing.”
Hearing this, surprise flickered through He San’s eyes before turning into understanding.
“If that’s the case, there’s no need to borrow my guards. We’re heading to the capital as well. You may travel together with us so we can look after one another on the road. However, we still have some matters to handle first, so we may depart a day later.”
Instead of being unhappy, Lin Youyou brightened immediately.
“Then we’ll trouble Master He San. We’re not in a hurry.”
Just delaying one day was no issue. Following them would at least be far safer than traveling alone with only her mother.
Seeing the matter settled, He San said no more. After cupping his hands briefly, he said, “Let’s rest ahead for a while before continuing. You’ve also suffered quite a fright. Go back into the carriage and rest with Madam Xu. Jiang San will drive the carriage.”
“Thank you, Master He San.”
It was obvious this Master He San was usually someone accustomed to having absolute authority.
Lin Youyou did not refuse. She truly was exhausted. During the entire journey she had barely dared relax properly. Now that someone else would handle the carriage, she could finally rest.
After speaking, He San turned and walked toward his own carriage, which had just arrived with another guard. It seemed specially prepared so the young miss could rest comfortably once found.
Lin Youyou also turned and climbed back into her carriage. Jiang San took the driver’s seat, and as the carriage began moving again, Lin Youyou collapsed weakly onto the blankets.
“You’ve suffered greatly on this journey. Rest well now.” Madam Xu understood that this was not the time to discuss other matters. There were outsiders beyond the carriage walls, so she merely urged her daughter to rest.
“Mm, Mother.”
Lin Youyou did not stand on ceremony. She lay down, closed her eyes, and within moments fell asleep.
Two hours later, the carriage slowly came to a halt.
It was already noon.
The instant the carriage stopped moving beneath her, Lin Youyou’s eyes snapped open.
Seeing her awake, Madam Xu immediately asked, “Did you sleep well?”
“Mm, Mother. I feel much better now.”
Indeed, after sleeping throughout the journey, she had finally recovered some energy.
Jiang San’s voice came from outside.
“Madam, Miss Lin, we’ll rest here briefly before continuing. You should come out and get some fresh air as well.”
“Alright.”
Supported by Lin Youyou, Madam Xu climbed down from the carriage.
Lin Youyou looked around and saw guards standing vigil in small groups nearby. In the center sat Master He San and the little girl, now changed into clean clothes.
The two women walked over to greet them.
“Master He San.”
He San looked up and nodded.
“Sit. The guards went hunting. They should return shortly.”
“Alright.”
After everyone sat down, a fire had already been lit.
Lin Youyou turned to look at the little girl sitting quietly beside He San.
The child had been cleaned up thoroughly. She wore an exquisitely tailored pink dress. Her eyes were large, bright, and sparkling, while her fair little face was soft and chubby. Her messy hair had been tied into two tiny buns.
The little girl appeared lively and innocent, clearly someone who had been lovingly protected and well raised.
When she noticed Lin Youyou looking at her, she immediately flashed a huge smile.
“Hello, big sister!”
“I’m Lin Youyou, and this is my mother. What’s your name?” Lin Youyou tilted her head slightly, mimicking the little girl’s adorable manner as she asked with a smile.
What Lin Youyou did not realize was that in other people’s eyes, her own appearance at that moment was equally lively and lovable.
The little girl, who had absolutely no resistance to beautiful things, giggled happily.
“Okay, Sister Lin! Thank you for saving me.”
The corner of Lin Youyou’s mouth twitched.
Did she intentionally save the girl?
Not at all. She had been dragged into it unknowingly.
As a result, Lin Youyou had no idea how to respond.
Fortunately, at that moment, He San handed a cup of tea to both Lin Youyou and Madam Xu.
Lin Youyou accepted the tea with eyes full of gratitude, passed one cup to her mother, and said, “Thank you, Master He San.”
“Mm.”
Rarely speaking more than necessary, He San simply responded in a deep voice.
His attitude remained distant, indifferent, and reserved.