Chapter 59 (1/2)

Chapter 59

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

”Help him onto the horse. Let's go!” Chu Qiao remarked coldly, departing on her horse. The four men with her followed swiftly behind. She had realized that they were not the only people present. In the dense, snow-covered forest on both sides, she could hear the sounds of many careful footsteps. She knew something was amiss. The horse carriage seemed isolated but was flanked by close to a hundred able-bodied guards. Once they had clashed, it would not be beneficial for Chu Qiao's party. The only solution was to feign ignorance and strike by surprise.

As expected, in an instant, the thundering sound of horses' hooves echoed from behind. Chu Qiao yelled while controlling her horse with the whip, ”Faster!” The five people started to make their escape with a head start.

At this moment, a flurry of arrows aimed towards their horses flew in their direction. The arrows struck their intended targets, causing the four men to fall from their horses.

”Still not stopping?” an evil voice echoed beside Chu Qiao's ear. A white horse galloped beside her. The man on the horse was dressed in red. His facial features were like that of a woman's. His face looked charmingly evil. He held the reins of the horse in one hand and a fan in the other. He rode beside Chu Qiao with a smile on his face.

Chu Qiao aimed a ferocious kick to the horse's stomach. The horse neighed in agony but did not fall back.

The man, momentarily dazed, spoke with a smile, ”What a fierce lady. It's fine. Since you don't like it, let's not allow it to disturb both of us.” As the man finished his sentence, he leapt onto Chu Qiao's horse in one swift motion. He placed his hand on Chu Qiao's waist, his breath landing on the back of her ear in spurts. He remarked gently, ”How fragrant and fair. There are actually beautiful ladies in Hong Chuan. How ignorant of me.”

Chu Qiao, with a sneer, tried to bump him off the horse. The man, with a laugh, held her tight in his embrace. He stuck out his tongue, licking her earlobe and added, ”Such fairness and fragrance. A ravishing beauty indeed.”

Chu Qiao felt a cold shiver up go up her spine. She saw that she was surrounded. Brimming with anger, she clenched her fist and elbowed the man in his shoulder. Turning her body, she slid below the horse's back. Wrapping her legs around the horse's stomach, she grabbed the man's leg and tugged at it with strength. The man, underestimating her agility, was caught off guard. With a thud, he fell off the horse, landing on the snowy ground pathetically. The young lady leapt off her horse and aimed a single knee at the man's back, causing him to see stars from the impact.

Chu Qiao, like a ferocious tiger, started to execute her Wing Chun martial arts, raining blows on the man's head with lightning speed. The lady's blows packed a punch. The swiftness of her strokes was dazzling. Everyone looked on, dumbfounded, at the young lady sitting on the man's back.

”Ah! You fools, go and save the Prince!”

Upon hearing the lady's words, Chu Qiao's heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself, Prince?

The thunderous sounds of horses' hooves echoed caused the snow to scatter about. Zhao Che had arrived at the scene with his troops from Xiao Qi Camp. However, seeing the events unfolding before their eyes, everyone panicked, and their faces turned pale.

Zhao Che, giving a big frown, yelled while perched atop his horse, ”Chu Qiao! What are you doing?”

Chu Qiao stopped what she was doing. The man, whose face was bruised, giddily looked up. His eyes were swollen and everyone wondered if he could see what was in front of him.

Zhao Che decisively got off his horse, taking big strides forward. He bowed to the man sprawled on the floor, saying, ”Your Royal Highness, I was not strict enough with my subordinates. Sorry for offending you.” Finishing his sentence, he grabbed Chu Qiao's arm, pulling her away from the man and towards himself.

Chu Qiao was dumbfounded. She looked at the Tang envoys who were on the brink of tears, feeling at a loss. Was this the only son of the Tang Emperor, Li Ce? The lecher, the prince who got whatever he want?

She had lost her mind. Chu Qiao knew that she had stirred up trouble, big time.

There were too many things to worry about. Killing the prince of the Tang Empire? Conspiring to destroy diplomatic relations between the two empires? Disobeying orders of the higher-ups? Any charges that proved her guilty was sufficient to get her executed. She had never acted so rashly before, to the point that she did not consider the consequences. What had gone wrong? Why had she behaved like she was possessed?

She did not dare to look at Zhao Che. The chattering of the few ladies on the opposite side was loud enough to break the roofs of the tents. She stood behind Zhao Che, recounting what had happened. However, she could not find any excuses to defend herself. She could only hope that this incident did not implicate Yan Xun, or that he would not have to take the rap on her behalf.

”Are the few of you done?” a cold, deep voice suddenly boomed. The few ladies froze. Zhao Che was wearing a suit of armour from head to toe. His look was steely and he stared sharply at the few of them, articulating clearly, ”If you're done, then scram!”

”You!” a lady dressed in yellow pointed at Zhao Che and exclaimed. However, she was stopped by another lady who was slightly older than her. ”Xiao E, do not be rude towards the Seventh Royal Highness.”

”Sister Fu…”

”As Your Highness is busy, we will not impose. However, we will not let this slide easily. We have sent out a messenger to Zhen Huang in order to discuss this matter. As for this lady,” the lady's eyes lingered on Chu Qiao. ”as Your Highness refuses to hand her over, we cannot do anything about it. Please watch over her on our behalf. We will settle the score some other time. Farewell.” Finishing, she turned around and left the tent. The other ladies, sneering, followed behind.

Zhao Che stood silently in the tent. He looked at the curtains moving in the wind, remaining silent for a long time.

Chu Qiao stood behind him, unable to see his expression, but able to imagine how angry he was. To Zhao Che, the best solution to the problem was to execute this rebellious woman on the spot rather than hand her over to the court. However, he had refused to hand her over to the Tang Empire. Why was this the case? Chu Qiao swore to herself that if he swung his fist at her in that instant, she would not retaliate.