ASTRP -Chapter 66 A Narrow Escape

A strong night wind swept through, lifting the hems of their robes.

Feng Jingge swayed slightly and moved quickly to Xiao Jinghan’s side.

With a few swift sword strikes, she dealt with two attackers.

The remaining three were all cut down by Xiao Jinghan in a single decisive slash.

After eliminating all the assassins in front of them, the two exchanged a glance—each clearly seeing the word “leave” in the other’s eyes.

But just as they took a step forward—

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”

That familiar sound of air being pierced returned.

Dozens of arrows shot in from all directions.

It seemed they wouldn’t be able to leave anytime soon.

Without needing words, the two immediately pressed back-to-back, retreating while swinging their swords to deflect the incoming arrows.

The rain of arrows did not stop.

The hidden archers couldn’t be located either. If this continued, both of them would be injured sooner or later.

“Such a big commotion… the hidden guards couldn’t have missed it, right?” Feng Jingge lowered her voice.

Xiao Jinghan replied coldly, “They’re being held up.”

“Then what do we do now…”

Before she could finish, Feng Jingge suddenly saw an arrow shooting from the side straight toward Xiao Jinghan.

Her mind blanked for a moment. Instead of striking it down with her sword, she instinctively grabbed him and used her own body to shield him.

Puchi—

The arrow pierced flesh.

Her body trembled violently as she staggered forward uncontrollably.

Xiao Jinghan sensed something was wrong, but before he could react, Feng Jingge had already pulled him down into a pool.

Both of them crashed into the hot spring water. Waves splashed everywhere as their bodies sank uncontrollably.

The hidden archers lost their target and immediately rushed out, standing around the edge of the pool. They exchanged glances, drew their bows again, and aimed at the water surface.

Just as they were about to release—

Qing Shan and Ning An arrived, both covered in blood, bringing reinforcements.

In the next instant, sword light flashed.

All the archers were killed on the spot.

Underwater, Feng Jingge gradually lost strength. Her vision darkened repeatedly, and she could no longer hold her breath.

Suddenly, warmth touched her lips.

She struggled to look up and saw a figure right in front of her. Her thoughts became hazy, her eyelids heavy.

She faintly heard Xiao Jinghan’s voice… and then—

Splash!

Ning An and Qing Shan pulled Feng Jingge out of the water.

Xiao Jinghan stepped forward and saw an arrow embedded in her back, her clothes already soaked in blood.

His gaze locked onto the arrow, storm clouds gathering in his eyes, his entire body radiating terrifying cold intent.

“Your Highness…” Qing Shan began.

“Go back,” Xiao Jinghan cut him off coldly.

“Yes.”

Back at the residence, the imperial physician—whom Xiao Jinghan had specially brought along in case of emergencies—was dragged out of bed.

Half-asleep, the physician opened his eyes and saw several disheveled, blood-covered figures standing by his bedside.

He nearly fainted from fright.

Once he recognized them, he quickly regained his senses.

Hearing that Feng Jingge was injured, he scrambled to treat her.

He cut open her back clothing—her wound had already turned purple.

Poison.

The arrowhead was poisoned.

The physician’s expression darkened. “Miss Feng must stay. Everyone else, leave.”

They obeyed.

He prepared his tools: medicinal powder and a dagger. After disinfecting it with wine and fire, he handed the powder to Xiao Jinghan.

“Sprinkle this around the wound.”

Then he began preparing to remove the arrow.

Xiao Jinghan stood nearby, watching as the blade cut into her flesh.

His heart clenched violently, as if gripped by an invisible hand. His face turned pale in an instant.

Without a word, he turned and left the room.

Outside, Qing Shan and Ning An waited.

“Any survivors?” Xiao Jinghan asked coldly.

“One captured, but he bit a hidden poison and died before interrogation,” Ning An replied.

“Also… we discovered the arrows used this time are the same as the ones from the Yihong Pavilion incident.”

He handed over two arrowheads.

Xiao Jinghan took one, turning it slightly between his fingers.

“Triangular arrowhead with reverse hooks. Rare.”

“Burn Yihong Pavilion.”

Ning An froze.

That place belonged to that person. Xiao Jinghan had never touched it all these years.

But now, because Feng Jingge was injured…

He was going to act.

Xiao Jinghan returned to the room. The arrow had already been removed, and the physician was bandaging the wound.

“Miss Feng, you’re back just in time. That packet of medicine on the table is the antidote. Go brew it.”

“Five bowls of cold water, boil down to one bowl over strong fire.”

“Understood.”

Xiao Jinghan took the medicine and left.

Qing Shan hesitated. “My Lord, let me brew it—”

Xiao Jinghan glanced at him. Qing Shan was still covered in blood, his clothes not changed.

“Go clean yourself.”

Qing Shan froze.

By the time he came to his senses, Xiao Jinghan was already gone.

Half an hour later, Xiao Jinghan returned with the medicine.

The physician tried to take it, but he avoided him.

“I’ll do it.”

He sat by the bedside and blew on the medicine to cool it.

Feng Jingge remained unconscious. But each time the medicine entered her mouth, it spilled out.

Again and again.

Xiao Jinghan frowned.

“This won’t work,” the physician said anxiously. “If he can’t take it, the poison won’t be cured. His life will be in danger.”

Xiao Jinghan stared at her silently, then said coldly:

“Get out.”

“??”

“I have a way. Leave.”

“…Alright, alright.”

The physician retreated.

The door closed.

Xiao Jinghan took a sip of the medicine himself and leaned down toward Feng Jingge—

Feng Jingge woke up the next day.

She slowly opened her eyes and realized she was in her own room. Xiao Jinghan was asleep beside her bed.

She tried to sit up but immediately pulled at her wound.

“Ugh!”

The pain made her face twist.

Xiao Jinghan jolted awake.

Seeing her awake, he quickly sat up. Their eyes met.

Feng Jingge noticed his bloodshot eyes and dark circles—utter exhaustion.

She paused, then blurted out: “Did you go rob a grave?”

Xiao Jinghan: “……”

“Mm,” he nodded lightly. “I was guarding one.”

“……”