Prince Vajaza entrusted the antidote to the Imperial Consort’s personal attendant and issued strict orders that it be administered on schedule every day. He also instructed the servants to ensure that the Consort spent time outdoors in the morning sunlight and engaged in gentle daily exercise.
The arrangements had barely been completed when a group of guards from the underground prison rushed in, their faces pale with panic.
“Your Highness! Disaster! The Nantang Kingdom forces have wiped out our stronghold and rescued all of the noble ladies!”
“What? Useless fools!”
Vajaza’s expression darkened instantly, and his fury erupted.
“Your Highness, the two men leading their forces possess terrifying martial arts,” the guard stammered fearfully. “Our men simply couldn’t stop them.”
Before Vajaza could respond, another guard burst through the doorway.
“Report! Third Prince, a large contingent of Nantang Kingdom troops has surrounded the estate. They are demanding entry and intend to search every room!”
“Take the Imperial Consort and Miss Qin to the panic chamber immediately.”
Vajaza’s expression hardened. Leaving his mother and Qin Man in the care of his trusted guards, he led his remaining men toward the front gates.
Outside the estate stood the combined forces of Xiao Ruochen and Mo Xuan.
Following the scent trail left by Qin Man’s medicinal powder, they had traced it directly to this luxurious compound. Since the estate appeared to belong to a high-ranking local official, they had not immediately forced their way in and instead demanded formal access through the gatekeepers.
After a short delay, the gates slowly opened.
A tall, imposing man in his thirties stepped forward.
His sharp eyes carried a chilling authority that immediately revealed his status.
It was Vajaza.
As Vajaza examined the two men standing before him, he could not help but admire them inwardly. One was effortlessly handsome and noble, carrying himself with relaxed confidence. The other stood like an icy jade mountain, cold, elegant, and untouchable.
Even as enemies, they were impressive.
“Sir,” Xiao Ruochen said coldly, dispensing with all unnecessary pleasantries, “a member of the Nantang Kingdom delegation has been abducted. Our investigation has traced her whereabouts to this estate. We require immediate entry to conduct a search.”
“And what evidence do you possess,” Vajaza replied calmly, deliberately stalling for time, “that your missing person is inside my residence?”
A low chuckle escaped Mo Xuan.
The smile on his face looked casual, but the danger hidden beneath it was unmistakable.
“Third Prince Vajaza,” he said leisurely, “when a prince of Yayao enters Nantang Kingdom territory, does he not require official diplomatic authorization?”
His eyes narrowed.
“Two years ago, when you visited our capital as part of a diplomatic delegation, this prince had the pleasure of observing you personally. Your martial bearing is quite distinctive. I have an excellent memory.”
The moment his identity was exposed, Vajaza abandoned all pretense.
With a metallic ring, he drew his sword.
Behind him, the masked guards simultaneously unsheathed their weapons.
Mo Xuan’s smile vanished.
With a single flick of his fingers, he gave the order.
The battle erupted instantly.
Steel clashed against steel.
Blood stained the ground before the estate gates.
At the same moment, Xiao Ruochen and Mo Xuan exchanged a brief glance.
Then both men leaped.
Like streaks of lightning, they vaulted over the towering walls and landed deep inside the estate.
The display left Vajaza stunned.
He knew immediately that he could not stop both of them.
Abandoning the front line, he retreated rapidly toward the underground panic chamber with his two strongest guards, leaving the remaining men behind to delay the invaders.
Meanwhile, inside the hidden chamber, Qin Man calmly observed her surroundings.
The heavy stone door had already sealed shut.
The room was surprisingly luxurious for a refuge bunker, illuminated by expensive oil lamps and furnished with fine decorations. The Imperial Consort rested on a bed nearby.
“Miss Qin,” the Consort said gently, “you need not be afraid. As long as you remain here, I will ensure that no harm comes to you.”
Qin Man smiled faintly.
“Your Highness, I cannot remain with the Yayao faction.”
Her voice was soft, but firm.
“I am a daughter of Nantang Kingdom. My loyalty belongs to my homeland. I respect both you and the Third Prince, but our nations stand on opposite sides. I hope you will persuade him to release me.”
The Consort closed her eyes and sighed.
“Beside my bed is a hidden mechanism.”
She opened her eyes again and looked at Qin Man.
“Press it, and a secret exit will open.”
At that very moment, the sounds of fierce combat echoed from beyond the stone walls.
Qin Man immediately recognized the voices of Xiao Ruochen and Mo Xuan.
She looked gratefully at the Consort.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Then she pressed the concealed switch.
With a rumbling sound, the hidden passage opened.
“Man’er!”
“Muxi!”
The moment Qin Man stepped through the opening, two anxious voices called out simultaneously.
Xiao Ruochen and Mo Xuan had finally found her.
Unfortunately, Vajaza arrived at the same instant.
Seeing Qin Man about to leave, he lunged forward.
His hand seized her shoulder, pulling her back against his chest.
The cold edge of his sword pressed against her throat.
“Miss Qin,” he said hoarsely near her ear, “I never intended to hurt you. Come back to Yayao with me.”
“Your Highness,” Qin Man replied calmly despite the blade at her neck, “I have already given you the treatment plan and antidote. Your mother’s life is no longer in danger.”
Hidden within her sleeve, her fingers had already slipped into her medical kit.
Two silver needles rested between them.
If Vajaza truly lost control, she was prepared to strike.
“You promised to withdraw your forces. Are you now planning to break your word?”
Ten paces away stood Xiao Ruochen and Mo Xuan.
Both of Vajaza’s elite bodyguards had already been eliminated.
“Release her immediately,” Xiao Ruochen said.
His voice was terrifyingly cold.
The murderous aura pouring from him was so intense that even Mo Xuan, who had known him for years, had never witnessed anything like it.
“If a single drop of her blood is spilled, I guarantee you will never leave Chaozhou alive.”
Vajaza laughed bitterly.
“Yes, I promised to withdraw my troops.”
His eyes burned with a strange obsession.
“But I never promised to let her leave my life.”
His grip tightened.
“The more I see how desperately you value her, the more certain I become that I must take her with me.”
“Do you really think,” Qin Man said lightly, “that you can successfully take me away?”
Before the last word finished leaving her lips, she moved.
A silver flash streaked through the air.
Years of medical training had given her perfect knowledge of the human body.
The needles pierced directly into a critical nerve point in Vajaza’s neck.
The strike was so fast that he never even realized what had happened.
His sword slipped from his fingers.
The next moment, his body collapsed heavily onto the floor.
Xiao Ruochen and Mo Xuan immediately rushed forward.
Both reached her at the same time.
“Were you injured?”
“Did the blade cut you?”
Qin Man shook her head.
“I’m fine.”
She glanced down at the unconscious prince.
“I only temporarily blocked his nerves. He’ll wake up in about half an hour.”
“My son! Vajaza!”
The Imperial Consort emerged from the panic chamber with the support of her attendants.
The moment she saw Vajaza lying unconscious on the ground, panic filled her face.
“Please don’t worry, Your Highness,” Qin Man reassured her quickly. “His condition is completely stable.”
The Consort finally relaxed.
Turning to Xiao Ruochen and Mo Xuan, Qin Man explained everything.
“This lady is an Imperial Consort of the Yayao Kingdom. She was poisoned over many years and became severely ill. Vajaza was manipulated by his father and elder brother into launching this operation because he desperately needed someone capable of saving her.”
The attendants carefully carried Vajaza away.
Then the Imperial Consort stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“Honored gentlemen, Miss Qin.”
Her voice trembled with sincerity.
“My son has committed grave offenses against your nation, and for that I offer my deepest apologies.”
“He is not inherently cruel. Everything he has done was for my sake.”
She lowered her head further.
“I beg you to show mercy. Once he awakens, I will personally ensure that he withdraws every remaining soldier and returns to Yayao. He will never cross into Nantang Kingdom territory again.”
Silence filled the room.
Finally, Mo Xuan turned toward Qin Man.
“Muxi, the decision is yours.”
Qin Man met the Consort’s eyes.
“I trust her.”
Mo Xuan nodded.
“Very well.”
He turned toward his men.
“We are withdrawing.”
Then he issued a final order.
“When filing the official report, state that the Yayao infiltration force was completely destroyed during the operation.”
Every soldier present was one of his personal shadow guards.
Their loyalty belonged solely to him.
Not a single word of the truth would leak.
By the time they returned to the official courier station, night had already fallen.
The rescued noble ladies had all been examined by physicians and were resting in their rooms.
The moment Princess Mo Yueyao saw Qin Man return safely, relief flooded her face.
She rushed forward and grabbed Qin Man’s hands.
For several moments, she refused to let go.
Seeing the exhaustion on Qin Man’s face, however, the princess finally suppressed her questions and ordered the maids to escort her back to her room for immediate rest.
Only after Qin Man had been settled did Princess Mo Yueyao turn toward Xiao Ruochen and Mo Xuan.
With a sharp look, she summoned both men to the war council chamber.
She intended to hear every detail of the rescue operation from beginning to end.