Volume 1 Chapter 3: Bandit Ambush

Page 1/3

Shang Yinqiong had agreed with the matriarch that they would leave the Taoist temple three days later and proceed to the Duke of Zhen Guo’s residence.

After leaving the matriarch’s room, the thought of departing soon and not knowing if she would ever return stirred a tinge of reluctance in Shang Yinqiong’s heart.

After all, her time at the temple had been the freest and happiest days of her nearly twenty years of life.

After some consideration, she decided to personally cook a meal with fine wine and dishes as a farewell gesture.

Her culinary skills were excellent, and Consort Yan was notoriously picky. During her three years serving as a palace maid, Shang Yinqiong had learned many special dishes from the imperial chefs to please Consort Yan and avoid harsh punishments.

Eventually, nearly all of Consort Yan’s daily meals were prepared by her.

That evening, in the rear mountain guesthouse, a young Taoist messenger brought in the dishes Shang Yinqiong had personally cooked.

After testing the poison on the leftover food, Can Ren only picked up his chopsticks to eat with scrutiny.

After one bite, he suddenly paused. “Has the temple changed cooks?”

“Your Highness, this meal was made by the third young mistress of the Duke of Zhen Guo’s household. They will be leaving the temple in three days to return to the Duke’s residence,” Can Ren replied.

“The skills are quite good,” Jiang Xuanye said, then continued eating, surprisingly consuming more than usual.

Can Ren observed this with surprise.

His master was infamously discerning; even palace chefs rarely satisfied his palate. The third young mistress of the Duke’s family truly had some talent.

“Your Highness, the matriarch just sent a pair of jade pendants as an apology for the earlier disturbance at noon,” Can Ren said, retrieving the pendants respectfully and presenting them before Jiang Xuanye.

Jiang Xuanye glanced at them indifferently and nodded slightly.

Can Ren understood this as acceptance of the matriarch’s apology and carefully pocketed the pendants.

…

Three days later, the matriarch and her party packed their belongings, left the temple, and boarded a carriage bound for the Duke of Zhen Guo’s residence.

Tang Momo had already relayed the matriarch’s plan to personally escort Shang Yinqiong back, so the Duke’s household was prepared for their arrival.

Halfway along the journey, the carriage suddenly came to a screeching halt.

Quick to react, Shang Yinqiong grasped the matriarch, preventing her from being thrown out of the carriage by inertia.

Page 2/3

“What’s going on?” the matriarch lifted the curtain and asked, only to see the carriage blocked by a group of bandits brandishing machetes, their faces fierce and menacing.

Her expression darkened instantly.

They had only brought a few maids and attendants on this trip.

A group of women and elders skilled in some martial arts would hardly stand a chance against these bandits.

“Matriarch, someone paid for your lives. Don’t blame us if we show no mercy,” the leader shouted, and the bandits surged forward, quickly engaging Tang Momo and the others.

Shang Yinqiong trembled with fear but stood before the matriarch, clutching her hand to comfort her. “Grandmother, don’t be afraid. I will protect you.”

Seeing the young girl’s fragile yet resolute figure reminded the matriarch of her daughter-in-law, filling her heart with a mix of gratitude and guilt.

As Tang Momo and the others began to falter under the onslaught, a group of black-clad covert guards suddenly descended from above and stormed into the fray.

Within moments, the guards had wiped out all the bandits except their leader.

The sudden turn of events stunned everyone.

The matriarch seemed to recognize the guards. “Yinqiong, help me down from the carriage.”

Confused, Shang Yinqiong assisted her.

A sleek, dark carriage approached slowly; the guards parted to let it through, stopping opposite the matriarch’s party.

Mounted atop a towering steed sat Can Ren.

“Thank you, Your Highness, for saving our lives,” the matriarch bowed respectfully toward the carriage, and Shang Yinqiong hurriedly followed suit.

A gust of wind lifted the carriage curtain, revealing Jiang Xuanye’s handsome, icy face. His eyes, sharp as blades, locked onto Shang Yinqiong’s, sending a chill down her spine as if hunted by a fierce wolf.

That was the overwhelming aura of someone who had survived countless battles amidst death.

Under that gaze, Shang Yinqiong involuntarily lowered her head, her legs trembling until Jiang Xuanye looked away. Only then did she feel a release, realizing her back was soaked with cold sweat.

“No need for formalities, matriarch,” Can Ren said. “My master has ordered me to escort you all back to the capital for protection.”

“In that case, I thank Your Highness again,” the matriarch bowed once more, then returned to the carriage with Shang Yinqiong.

Page 3/3

The bandit leader was dragged aside to be interrogated under severe torture.

Occasional screams pierced Shang Yinqiong’s ears.

“Are you frightened?” the matriarch asked.

Shang Yinqiong shook her head. “I’ve seen worse in the palace.”

The concubines in the harem were not to be trifled with; lives were as cheap as grass. During her three years in the palace, she had seen too many corpses. At first, she had been afraid, but later grew numb, only wishing to survive.

The matriarch sighed, her heart aching.

“Grandmother, the bandits said someone paid for our deaths,” Shang Yinqiong said cautiously.

Having just left the palace and with the matriarch long residing at the temple, it was understandable someone wanted to prevent their return. Whether it was Shang Runyu or the Yu family paying for the hit remained unknown.

The matriarch understood her meaning immediately, her face growing grave.

“The man outside is the Crown Prince himself. Rumors say he cares for the people but is moody and ruthless—no one easy to deal with. He stayed quietly in the temple’s rear mountain for some time. I never expected he’d intervene to save us.”

The matriarch shifted the subject. “Nonetheless, don’t let this make you favor him. It’s best to keep your distance if you meet him.”

“Understood, Grandmother. I will be careful,” Shang Yinqiong nodded, though her mind was already turning.

She had heard of the Crown Prince and owed her release from the palace partly to his influence.

But she had never imagined he would reside at the temple’s rear mountain.

To oppose the entire Duke of Zhen Guo’s household, relying on the matriarch alone was insufficient. If the Crown Prince were willing to aid her, things would be different.

Yet, for now, she could not think of any leverage to gain his help.

Unable to come up with a plan, she pushed it aside.

The screams outside gradually faded until silence fell—obviously the interrogation had concluded.

The curtain lifted again. Can Ren announced, “They are from the capital. The bandits do not know the specific identity. His Highness orders us to depart.”