CHAPTER 456: CHAPTER 406: A BOLD MOVE

In the alley.

Meng Qianqian and Shangguan Ling’s hearts were in their throats.

The two had weathered many storms and had long mastered the art of maintaining composure even if Mount Tai were to collapse right in front of them, but Lu Yuan’s actions were simply too bold, full of unknown dangers.

"What’s... going on? Is something happening or not? Why isn’t anyone making a move? Just say the word if it’s going to be a matter of life and death, so we can figure out how to rescue him."

Shangguan Ling muttered whilst scratching his head.

Meng Qianqian watched the suddenly halted carriage.

Because they were too far away, she and Shangguan Ling couldn’t hear if there had been any conversation between them; she could only hope this Crown Prince wasn’t a bloodthirsty person.

"What kind of person is the Crown Prince?"

She asked.

Shangguan Ling thought for a moment and said, "Before he was made Crown Prince, he could only be described with four characters—’anonymous and unremarkable’, the least favored son of the Prince Qin Mansion, no one in the public ever discussed him."

Meng Qianqian said, "Nothing worth people talking about, which at least means he isn’t someone with brutal means."

Shangguan Ling suddenly understood, "That does make sense."

An unaffectionate noble’s son, if he did anything out of line, would have been notorious long ago.

"Young Madam."

"What is it?"

"Do you really..." Shangguan Ling hesitated, "Forget it, it’s nothing."

Just a moment ago, he was too worried, seeing a girl much younger than him remain calm and composed in such a critical situation.

What he wanted to ask her was, are you really just a teenage girl?

How do you seem like an old soul who’s lived two lives?

What a joke, where in the world is there someone who’s lived two lives?

"Lu Yuan went in."

Meng Qianqian said.

He wasn’t being escorted inside, the two Imperial Guards who held him let go, and he walked into the mansion himself.

All she could see was his back, but she noticed the steward’s expression on the side was one of shock.

The eight Imperial Guards split into two groups, four escorted the carriage, and four surrounded Lu Yuan.

For the time being, Lu Yuan wouldn’t die; whatever he said to the Crown Prince granted him access to the mansion.

But he was still a suspicious person.

At any misstep, the Imperial Guards could take his life at any moment.

It was hard to tell if this was a good or bad thing.

The good thing was getting into the Crown Prince Mansion, completing the first step of the plan.

The bad was if the Crown Prince finally confirmed he was an imposter, the chance of escaping from the heavily guarded Crown Prince Mansion would significantly decrease.

Meng Qianqian took out the bone whistle from her pouch and blew it towards the sky.

Humans couldn’t hear the sound of the bone whistle, only eagles could.

The hunting eagle circled twice in the air, then dove downwards, landing on Meng Qianqian’s gloved arm.

Shangguan Ling was startled by the sudden arrival of the large bird and nearly drew his Brocade Spring Saber to kill it.

The hunting eagle flapped its wings at him in a show of dominion as the master of the skies.

Shangguan Ling leaned back and grabbed its throat, "Get any fiercer, tonight you’ll be eagle stew."

The eagle let out a sharp "chirp~"

Meng Qianqian took out two pieces of jerky, "Keep an eye on Lu Yuan, and know where to find me in case of danger, got it?"

The stingy man was only worth two pieces of jerky; the eagle reluctantly ate it, complaining.

It wanted more.

Meng Qianqian said, "No more."

The eagle indicated, then your man is as good as gone.

Meng Qianqian drew Shangguan Ling’s Brocade Spring Saber, "Eagle stew for tonight, I reckon that’ll do."

The eagle obediently nuzzled Meng Qianqian, then flew off into the Crown Prince Mansion.

Shangguan Ling was dumbfounded.

I actually saw a look of flattery on an eagle’s face; this is absurd!

"Let’s head back too."

Meng Qianqian said.

"Can you trust that eagle?"

Shangguan Ling asked.

Meng Qianqian said, "More trustworthy than you."

Shangguan Ling said, "No need to put others down to feel better."

Lai Fu’s carriage was parked at the tavern.

The two of them went to the tavern to rendezvous with him and Yu Zichuan.

The onlookers had long dispersed, and business on the street had resumed as usual.

The carriage was parked in the adjacent alley, Lai Fu occasionally looked towards the street, checking if Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan had returned.

Yu Zichuan calmly sat on top of the carriage, polishing his bow.

Suddenly, a fierce blade strike cut through the air, bringing with it endless murderous intent, aiming directly at Yu Zichuan’s vital points.

Yu Zichuan didn’t hesitate for a moment, smoothly nocking an arrow and drawing the bow.

He didn’t even take aim but instantly shot a lightning-fast arrow towards the attacker.

"Holy crap!"

Shangguan Ling was almost hit by the shot and had to switch from offense to defense, spinning the Brocade Spring Saber in his palm and backhand slashing to cut the arrow shot by Yu Zichuan.

He landed steadily on the ground, exhaling a few long breaths.

"Kid, your archery is something alright."

More than just alright?

Almost hit him, you know?