Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 559 - 559 560 Who Takes the Knife_1

Chapter 559: Chapter 560: Who Takes the Knife_1 Chapter 559: Chapter 560: Who Takes the Knife_1 “Muniang, what are you thinking about?” He Fangfei looked at Muniang, who was lost in thought, and couldn’t help but ask.

“Hmm?” Muniang lifted her head, “Nothing, what’s up?”

He Fangfei handed a small plate of pastries to Muniang, “This crab roe pastry is really delicious; it was made by the imperial chef from the palace. Try some.”

Muniang smiled and picked up a piece, feeding it to her mouth. The taste was indeed much better than the pastries in Qinghua City.

“Why do you look so deep in thought? Just pretend you’re out for a trip. Although it was Lady Rong who specifically asked you to come along, you don’t need to worry too much. She wouldn’t dare to do anything to you. Aren’t I accompanying you? If something happened to you, we’d both be in it together, and she wouldn’t benefit from it if it were investigated later.”

Muniang replied with a smile, “Why have you left the emperor’s side and come here to bother me instead?”

He Fangfei glared, “I’m doing this for your sake, and now you’re saying I’m bothering you?”

“I’m afraid you’re giving Lady Rong an opportunity by doing this. She is accompanying the emperor in the carriage ahead—be careful she doesn’t steal his favor.”

He Fangfei huffed lightly, “If I could be bested by such an unworthy opponent, I wouldn’t have made it this far. Even without me, His Majesty is still thinking of me now.”

Muniang laughed, “You’re so confident. It seems you’ve put a lot of effort into this on regular days.”

“Of course, three years ago when my brother became a Jinshi, my mother started to focus on grooming me. I know a thing or two about the little tricks that capture a man’s heart.”

Muniang and He Fangfei chatted and laughed along the way, which was not boring at all. However, Muniang still kept a careful eye out—after all, she didn’t trust Lady Rong completely.

The conversation halted when Qingya drew the curtains back and said, “1st Attendant, Lady, we’re about to arrive.”

As soon as her words ended, the carriage slowly came to a stop. The group got off, right in front of the best teahouse in Chatu Town. After traveling for nearly an hour, it was only natural to rest for a bit.

They didn’t rest for long before Long Yi became restless and wanted to explore. Such a small place best reflected the state of the common folk, and he was eager to see the prosperity under his reign.

Wandering around, Long Yi often asked questions, and Muniang answered them all—one by one—as this place was indeed familiar to her.

As the group was strolling along the bustling street, suddenly a group of men clad in black descended from the sky, brandishing gleaming knives and rushed towards Long Yi.

Long Yi was struck dumb on the spot, while Eunuch Li shrieked at the top of his voice, “Protect His Majesty!”

Immediately, a host of plain-clothed guards drew the swords they carried and charged forward.

Because Muniang was walking behind with He Fangfei, and Lady Rong and Long Yi were in front, the two groups were naturally separated by the assassins and the guards rushing in. The assassin, holding a sword, was pointing directly at Long Yi, but nobody paid any attention to Muniang and He Fangfei!

Muniang looked on in astonishment at everything happening before her. When she turned to look at Lady Rong, she saw her flashing a derisive, light laugh, as if she were watching a good show unfold. Yet, despite the clear target of the group of assassins, they did not take a step towards her; instead, they headed straight for Long Yi.

Muniang’s brain whirled rapidly. Lady Rong had indeed made a move—no, it was Nangong Qian! What was he trying to do? Kill the emperor? Impossible!

All his actions in the Daqian Dynasty were so conspicuous, all targeting Yu Ze. Why would he suddenly change his target?

The sudden assassination on the street caused chaos as people were knocked down, running for their lives, or dying in the commotion.

Long Yi had only brought Lady Rong and He Fangfei with him on this outing in addition to Eunuch Li and other disguised individuals. Long Yi’s guards were also brave and skilled, being the emperor’s personal bodyguards, their martial arts could match those of the assassins sent against them.

Yu Ze’s Hidden Guards followed Muniang’s orders, so since she had not given any commands, none of them took action. Moreover, it was clear to any observer that the group of assassins posed no threat to her. Yu Ze’s Hidden Guards had a clear mission: to ensure the safety of the Lady. They would not act on unrelated people unless the Lady commanded it—not even if it was the emperor himself.

The balance of power between the enemies seemed even, with Long Yi not at a disadvantage; in fact, the situation looked like it was about to turn in favor of the guards he brought with him.

Muniang’s eyes suddenly darkened. Would Nangong Qian send such useless people? And with Lady Rong working from the inside, how could he not know what kind of people the emperor had with him? To attempt such a pointless assassination? Although Lady Rong appeared terrified, Muniang could see in her eyes a lack of any real disturbance, as if she was waiting for a play to begin.

Muniang looked up sharply, understanding a third of the situation as she eyed the ferocious group of assassins.

Their target was not Long Yi!

Muniang immediately attempted to rush into the melee, but He Fangfei quickly grabbed her, “Muniang, have you lost your mind? Where are you going? It’s too dangerous!”

Muniang’s gaze was icy as she said in a deep voice, “Help me.”

The circle of combatants was already a gruesome sight, with many dead or injured. Long Yi had brought just twenty carefully chosen plain-clothed guards, a number matched by the assassins; now, fewer than ten remained on each side.

Long Yi was originally shielded by a guard leader and, seeing that the enemies weren’t overly formidable, had felt somewhat at ease. But for some unknown reason, he was suddenly shoved from behind with a strong force and stumbled out of the protective circle of guards. An assassin’s gleaming knife aimed right at him, and Long Yi turned completely pale, waiting for death as if he were already a corpse.

Lady Rong, not understanding why Long Yi had suddenly left the protection circle, didn’t have time to wonder about the mystery. Long Yi could not afford to have an accident; if the incompetent emperor died, it would mean trouble for her—the master wouldn’t spare her!

Lady Rong immediately leaped into action, ready to “sacrifice herself to save the emperor” and thereby earn herself commendation and an even more affectionate emperor in the future. However, she saw that Qiao Muniang had darted out at some point, swiftly paralyzing her with a pressure point technique. Lady Rong collapsed to the ground, and Muniang charged straight towards the gleaming blade, shielding Long Yi.

The assassin had never intended to kill Long Yi, let alone Qiao Muniang. But to keep up appearances, he had to make his thrust look convincing. Just as Long Yi had, unfortunately, tumbled in front of him, the assassin had to steel himself and aim for a non-lethal spot. He had seen Huamei rushing in to block the blade, but he was surprised when another person intervened and it turned out to be Qiao Muniang. Thinking about the cold face of his master, the assassin’s legs went weak with fear.

Lady Rong, with eyes wide open, watched everything that unfolded before her, her eyes bloodshot with rage. She would have crumbled Qiao Muniang into dust if she could have moved her hand hidden in her sleeve.