ASTRP -Chapter 8 Jinge Exposes Another Hidden Identity

The so-called clanging sounds weren’t from blacksmithing—it was the clash of blades.

Ning An had brought the mansion’s guards and was locked in fierce combat with a group of black-clad assassins.

Her awakening instantly made her the primary target of their attack.

Several dark figures darted forward, their cold, gleaming swords striking toward her.

Feng Jinge: “…”

If she had known it would be like this, she might as well have kept pretending to sleep!

“Your Highness, be careful!”

Ning An shouted sharply, trying to break free to protect the still-drowsy Feng Jinge. But he was tightly surrounded by several assassins—he could barely protect himself, let alone reach her.

That cry of “Your Highness” reminded Feng Jinge that she was currently playing the role of the Regent Prince.

Which meant she no longer had to hide her “secret identity.”

Her lips curved slightly as she spoke coldly, “You insects dare attempt to assassinate me? You overestimate yourselves.”

The moment her words fell, she leapt into the air, moving like a ghost as she weaved through the assassins.

Wherever she passed, the crisp sound of bones snapping echoed.

One after another, the black-clad men collapsed.

In the blink of an eye, every attacker who had charged at her was dead.

Feng Jinge stood calmly, her gaze sweeping coldly over the remaining fighters in the room. “The rest of you—why not come at me together?”

Everyone froze, then turned to look at her.

Shock surged through Ning An’s heart—wasn’t she supposed to be a useless noble lady? Since when could she fight like this?

And the assassins were equally stunned. Hadn’t they been told Xiao Jinghan was gravely injured and unconscious, on the brink of death?

But the person before them looked nothing like someone severely wounded!

Something was wrong.

They had fallen into a trap!

Realizing this, the remaining assassins exchanged glances, their expressions changing beneath their masks.

Retreat!

Feng Jinge sneered. “Trying to leave? Too late.”

With a flick of her foot, a fallen sword sprang into the air and landed in her hand.

She dashed forward.

With a single swing, sword light flashed—blood sprayed everywhere.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Several figures fell from midair, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Feng Jinge landed lightly. The sword in her hand was stained red, blood trickling along its edge before dripping to the floor.

Ning An stared at her coldly. How could a sheltered noble lady possess such decisive and lethal skills?

Just as Feng Jinge steadied herself, she suddenly felt a chill down her back. Turning her head, she met Ning An’s icy gaze.

At that very moment, a shadow silently appeared behind her.

Meanwhile, Qing Shan dragged Imperial Physician Liu to the doorway. The bloody scene inside—and the suffocating scent of blood—froze them both in place.

Suddenly, Qing Shan’s pupils shrank. “Your Highness, watch out!”

Feng Jinge felt a cold sensation at the back of her neck—danger!

The next instant—

A sharp pain struck the back of her head. Darkness engulfed her vision as Qing Shan’s furious roar rang in her ears.

“Clang!”

Something heavy hit the ground. Chaotic footsteps followed.

Ning An rushed off in pursuit of the attacker, while Qing Shan darted forward and caught Feng Jinge as she collapsed.

“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

“Wake up!”

Qing Shan called out urgently. Then a shocking sight—bright red blood—filled his vision, and his expression froze.

He turned toward the door and shouted at Imperial Physician Liu, who had collapsed to the ground in terror.

“Get over here! His Highness is injured and bleeding!”

Imperial Physician Liu sat there, stunned and lifeless.

Seeing this, Qing Shan grew both anxious and furious. He first laid the prince on the bed, then rushed over, grabbed Liu, and dragged him to the bedside.

“Treat him!”

Liu jolted back to his senses. Looking at the pale-faced Regent Prince with a cracked skull, he felt utterly miserable.

If he had known he’d run into such trouble, he would never have come to the Regent Prince’s residence!

Complain as he might, he still had to treat him.

If anything happened to the Regent Prince, his own life would be forfeit.

—

Ning An chased the attacker all the way to Qin Xin Residence.

The assassin slipped inside and knelt before Xiao Jinghan, who was seated at a desk painting. “Master.”

Ning An followed in. “Your Highness.”

Xiao Jinghan didn’t stop what he was doing. “How did it go?”

The assassin replied, “Everything went according to plan. The people from the palace saw me strike at the right moment.”

Xiao Jinghan gave a faint acknowledgment. “Good. You may leave.”

The man vanished.

Only Xiao Jinghan and Ning An remained in the room.

Ning An stood quietly, head slightly lowered, saying nothing.

Xiao Jinghan also remained silent.

The room was still, broken only by the soft scratch of brush against paper.

After a while, Xiao Jinghan set down his brush, glanced at Ning An, and said slowly,

“Isn’t it uncomfortable, holding those words in?”

Ning An’s body trembled slightly. He thought he had hidden his thoughts well.

Yet with just one glance, the prince had seen through him.

“Your Highness, I am worried that if the Empress Dowager uses your injury as leverage…”

Concern—rare for him—appeared on Ning An’s usually cold face.

“From now on, keep at least three steps away from Qing Shan.”

Xiao Jinghan’s irrelevant response made Ning An frown.

“He’ll lower your intelligence.”

Ning An: “…”

Since following the prince, every move Xiao Jinghan made had been meticulously planned, without flaw.

His earlier words, though sounding like concern, were in truth a doubt about the plan.

Xiao Jinghan asked, “Who came this time?”

“Imperial Physician Liu.”

Xiao Jinghan rose from his chair, brows slightly furrowed. “Liu?”

“Yes.”

“Return first.”

Seeing Xiao Jinghan heading out, Ning An hesitated. “Your Highness, you—”

“You go ahead. I’ll come later.”

Ning An understood immediately and left.

—

When Xiao Jinghan stepped outside, night had already fallen.

He instinctively tried to call Ning An and Qing Shan—but stopped himself.

At this moment, he was Feng Jinge.

There were no attendants by his side.

Having just moved to Qin Xin Residence in haste, no lanterns had been hung along the paths.

Ahead was pitch black.

He pressed his lips together, turned back inside, found a lantern, and only then set out.

To reach his quarters, he had to pass by the estate’s pond.

Just as he stepped onto the path—

Liu Qingqing, whom he had disciplined earlier that afternoon, suddenly appeared from a side path with her maid.

Startled by the lantern-bearing figure, she screamed sharply, stumbled, and nearly fell backward.

Fortunately, her maid caught her in time.

Only then did she steady herself.

And then—she suddenly looked up.