Chapter 7: Su Ying, May You Die a Horrible Death

The man closed his eyes in resignation, but he did not feel the pain of the stone falling as he had expected.

He slowly cracked his eyes open and saw Su Ying standing against the light.

Half of her face was submerged in the shadows of the night, with only a faint moonlight spilling onto her lean features.

Yet, even so, the man recognized her.

"Su Ying, it really was Xiao Jue who sent you. Do whatever you want, kill me or carve me up, I won't let you go even if I become a ghost!"

Su Ying saw his appearance clearly, and a memory flashed through her mind. She recognized him as Xiao Jin’s trusted aide, the former commander of the South City Gate of the Imperial Guard, "Jiang Yang."

Jiang Yang glared at her with eyes full of hatred, "Su Ying, you colluded with Xiao Jue to plot against the Prince. You will meet a miserable end."

Su Ying glanced at the two men she had shot with her tranquilizer gun, "Are they the people Xiao Jue sent?"

Hatred burned even brighter in Jiang Yang's eyes, "Don't bother putting on an act here. Who else could it be but him?"

Su Ying raised an eyebrow at him, "You're injured?"

Jiang Yang snorted coldly, "If you want to kill me, then do it. Why so much nonsense?"

Su Ying noticed that although his breathing was weak as he spoke, there wasn't much pain on his face. He was likely just exhausted from hunger and lacked the strength to resist. She tossed some dry rations in front of him, "If you're not dead, get up. Your Prince is as heavy as an ox, and I don't want to carry him again."

Jiang Yang looked up abruptly, "How is the Prince?" There were too many people in the group, and they had been deliberately separated from Xiao Jin by others. With people making things difficult for them at every turn, he had no idea what Xiao Jin's condition was.

"If you want to know, follow me and see for yourself." After saying this, Su Ying didn't waste any more words and turned to walk toward their resting spot.

Jiang Yang looked at the rations on the ground, reached out, grabbed them, and wolfed them down. Only after his strength had recovered slightly did he scramble up and stagger after Su Ying.

Su Ying had already returned to the grass and sat down. After confirming that the two precious children were fine, she lay down beside them to catch some sleep.

When Jiang Yang caught up, he saw Xiao Jin lying on the ground.

After Su Ying left, Xiao Jin had woken up. Hearing the commotion, he opened his eyes and saw Jiang Yang running over.

"Your Highness."

A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Jin's eyes, "Jiang Yang, you're still alive." He knew that someone had been targeting the people of the Prince Qi estate. He was severely injured and had to look after the two children, leaving him no time to worry about others; he had assumed Jiang Yang had also met a tragic end.

"Someone was trying to kill me tonight." As he spoke, he glanced at Su Ying, "Then that poisonous woman suddenly appeared and took care of them, so I escaped death. I don't know what that poisonous woman is planning."

Xiao Jin’s dark eyes swept toward Su Ying. He believed in Jiang Yang’s loyalty and knew he wouldn't lie to him, but Su Ying’s actions were indeed strange. It was baffling that she would kindly save his men.

"Your Highness, are your injuries alright?"

Xiao Jin’s deep eyes were indifferent, "I'm not dead yet."

"Even if I have to give my life, I will protect Your Highness, the young Prince, and the young Princess."

Xiao Jin’s expression darkened, "How many people from the estate are left in the group?"

Jiang Yang clenched his fists, "Less than thirty. It’s unclear if there are any traitors among them."

Xiao Jin’s brows were cold and stern, his eyes devoid of any fluctuation, "Find an opportunity to contact those you can trust. Don't worry about the rest for now."

"This subordinate understands."

With Jiang Yang there, Xiao Jin fell asleep in the latter half of the night.

A ray of golden light pierced through the clouds and landed on Su Ying’s eyelids.

She opened them abruptly, her eyes devoid of any post-sleep haze.

She sat up and reached out to touch Da Bao beside her. The little baby still had a low fever, so she had to continue administering anti-inflammatory injections.

Little Er Bao also slowly opened her large, misty eyes. She rubbed them and looked toward Su Ying with a dazed, adorable expression.

Su Ying had never known that human cubs could be this cute. She reached out, picked her up, and fed her water and dry rations.

Er Bao was no longer as afraid of Su Ying and leaned obediently in her arms, eating quietly.

After she was full, she walked over to Xiao Jin, her big eyes filled with concern, "Daddy, does it still hurt? Ling'er will blow on it for you, and it won't hurt anymore."

The daughter's softness made Xiao Jin’s cold, hard face soften, "Daddy doesn't hurt anymore. I'll be better soon."

Er Bao believed him and laughed happily, "Good! Daddy will be better soon. This is the medicine and rations Daddy needs to eat." She placed the medicine and rations Su Ying had given her into Xiao Jin’s hands.

Seeing this, Jiang Yang wanted to say that one shouldn't eat things given by that poisonous woman.

But then he remembered that he had only had the strength to follow them because he had eaten the rations she gave him last night, so he kept his mouth shut.

Xiao Jin did not refuse. He just gave Su Ying a cold, piercing look before eating the rations and taking the medicine.

Su Ying strapped Da Bao to her back just like the day before and beckoned to Er Bao, "Ling'er, come here. I'll carry you."

Er Bao looked at Xiao Jin, and after seeing him nod, she trotted over to Su Ying.

Seeing Su Ying carry both children, Jiang Yang helped Xiao Jin up, "Let this subordinate carry Your Highness."

Xiao Jin saw that he had no injuries and gave a faint nod.

The group began their journey. They had to cross this mountain today, and the road would not be easy.

The guards began to organize the formation, and the group of several hundred people prepared to head up the mountain.

Su Ying looked at the lush mountain, her phoenix eyes flashing with a bright, sharp light. She had caught a bear last night; she wondered what she would harvest today.

Carrying the two little babies, Su Ying’s movements remained light. However, she did not walk too fast, instead keeping a certain distance from Xiao Jin and his men, ensuring he wasn't too far away so she could step in immediately if any accidents occurred.

On the way, Su Ying casually picked any mushrooms she saw. She would put them into her space later and run them through an instrument to see if they were edible, so she didn't have to worry about eating anything poisonous.

Because the group was so large, their progress was slow. It was nearly noon by the time they reached the mountainside. At this rate, they wouldn't be able to get off the mountain before dark.

"Everyone stop! Rest where you are!" the guard at the front shouted.

Su Ying, carrying the two little babies, found a large tree and set them down.

Er Bao had eaten her fill in the morning and hadn't had to walk, so she looked quite spirited.

Su Ying took out the rations she had on her and placed them in her small hands, "You must be hungry, eat up."

Er Bao looked longingly at the rations in her hand but couldn't bear to eat them. Instead, she carefully tucked them into her small pocket, "I'm not hungry. Brother is hurt, so I'll save them for him."

Su Ying looked at her face, which appeared exceptionally bright despite being thin, and her cold, hard heart nearly melted, "Brother hasn't woken up yet, and I've already saved his portion for him. You go ahead and eat."

Hearing this, Er Bao happily took out the rations and took a bite.

Taking advantage of this moment, Su Ying took out the medicine she had on her and injected it into Da Bao. She touched his forehead again; although it wasn't as hot as before, he still had a low fever.

"How is Ji'er?"

Su Ying turned around and nearly bumped into Xiao Jin’s face.