Opening her eyes, she could see so many red colors all around in blood and death. ‘Who is shooting the arrows?’ She thought, looking around more, but Xia Ling had held Lin Ning back to duck down. Shutting her eyes, she could only wait for all of the assassins to be handled. ‘Everything is so disastrous.’

“Ning!” Hearing her name being called by that familiar voice, she listened to the sound of footsteps that were running towards the wagon. “Are you alright?!” Finally, she was able to get up from where she ducked and recalled the wolf.

“We need a physician! Please! We have to save this wolf!” Lin Ning then felt herself wrapped into a hug, feeling a beating heart against her. She did not know if it was her heartbeat or Cao Peizhi’s.

“I’m glad that you are okay.” He said, continuing to hug her with his only arm. ‘I don’t know what I would have done if you were gone from my life.’ He kept the words to himself.

“I’ll take care of the wolf.” Hearing Hun Cuifen, she had been carried out of the wagon by Cao Peizhi, who felt that she was lighter than usual.

‘She seems lighter than before. What has she been up to for the past few days?’ Cao Peizhi felt worried and concerned for Lin Ning when he took a look all around to ensure that she did not have any injuries or arrows in her. ‘She will have to be fed and taken care of once we make it back to the main camp.’

“Brother Pei, you do not need to carry me.” She was placed onto the ground after on her feet, facing his chest as she remained close to him. ‘W-We are too close.’ Still unsure about the heartbeat that was from either her or Cao Peizhi.

“You feel lighter.” He said, hugging her once more with his face dug into her shoulder. “Don’t ever try to risk your life again. There is just too much that can happen if I am not at your side.” Cao Peizhi wanted to remain like that a bit longer to let things be clear that Lin Ning was not ‘dead’ in front of him.

Hearing the wagon being taken away with Xia Ling leaving with them, Lin Ning knew she could trust them all to help the wolf. Her focus now was on Cao Peizhi; she felt lost and confused about how he was acting towards her. “Brother Pei, thank you for coming all this way to save me. I do not know what could have happened if you did not find me.” Hugging him back, she did not know what else to say or include. ‘I’m.. at a loss.’

“I do not mean to ruin your moment, but this is not the best place to start talking about your next step in your marriage.” Yi Changpu suddenly came out from where they stood when they shot the arrows.

“Eh?!” Hearing that, Lin Ning recalled that they were not alone. Giving her and Cao Peizhi some space as she turned to face Yi Changpu after. “How did you know where we were at???” She decided to quickly try and change the entire conversation. ‘Let’s focus on something else!’

“We will talk about all of that after we get to the camp. It’s best to talk when there are no other assassins that could be lurking in the shadows.” Yi Changpu had horses brought towards them all to ride on. “Are you able to ride a horse by yourself?” He then asked Lin Ning.

“I’m not too great at riding a horse. I only managed to learn the basics.” Lin Ning confessed to Yi Changpu, who only had two horses anyway.

“She will ride with me.” Cao Peizhi said as he had Lin Ning get on his horse. Yi Changpu had gotten on top of his horse while Cao Peizhi had gotten on his after Lin Ning did. Getting back to the camp, Lin Ning tried to get down from the horse independently. Being lifted down by Cao Peizhi, she opened her eyes behind the blindfold that she managed to put back on along the way.

“Br-”

“Don’t refuse it. It has been a long day, and I do not want to get any more upset than I already am.” He said to her.

‘Ohhh… he is trying to… stay calm.’ She simply nodded her head, leaving him to do as he pleased for the time being. ‘I better not get on his bad side.’ She gulped, being sure to remain silent in the meantime.

“Hey, let’s talk in here.” Yi Changpu went forth towards the main tent where they would discuss the current situation in regards to the two states and so on. Entering the tent, Lin Ning took a look around to see that there was another figure inside waiting for the three of them.

“Lin Ning, why did you come out here?” Feeling a pair of woman’s hands grab onto hers, she knew the voice very well.

“Xu Meili, why are you here?” Asking back, she already knew the reason for her being there, but it would be best to ask to make her seem like she did not know why Xu Meili was there.

“I have my reasons. I heard from your physician that you personally sent them to save Cao Peizhi. I would have never thought that you knew about his condition.” Xu Meili looked at Lin Ning, who faced down.

“I… I…”

“The young miss has not slept well since that day.” Entering into the tent was Xia Ling, who had been the one who stood by Lin Ning’s side throughout the entire time. “The young miss has had countless nightmares and visions that she grew worried all the time and refused to eat since she was worried about Cao Peizhi.” Xia Ling pointed out that no one knew a single thing about this.

“Ling, it’s enough.” Lin Ning said to Xia Ling. “I’m fine.” Sighing, she did not want to start talking about herself. “Please, let’s just focus back on those assassins. They told me that the empress had sent them to kill me, but…” Knowing that the empress could have, there were still some doubts.

“But…” Yi Changpu looked to Lin Ning and waited as he stood there.

“Something just does not add up. I feel like the empress would not need to send so many assassins after me. She could have easily sent more skillful men since she is the empress.” Thinking back once more, she recalled what was written in the novel. 'The Zhao Emperor and Empress have a secret group or organization that they can easily send out to take care of those they do not like. I’m amazed that the crown prince is still alive.’ She thought, knowing fully well that someone else could be trying to frame the Zhao Empress.

“That is indeed true. It does not add up. This person may actually be a lower official. As you said, the empress could have sent more skillful men.” Yi Changpu started to ponder at the same time