The Crown Princess is busy fishing

At that moment, the setting sun bathed the river in a golden glow, both magnificent and serene.

Xiao Yunqing and Lin Yuge nestled together on the deck, enjoying the scenery, while the crew members performed their duties, and the ship sailed smoothly forward.

Without warning, an underwater current began to surge.

Several dark figures broke through the waves and instantly surrounded the ship's side.

They were dressed in dark, close-fitting clothes, and held sharp blades that gleamed coldly in the afterglow as they thrust straight at the enemy.

Xiao Yunqing reacted quickly, pulling Lin Yuge tightly into his arms and turning around to protect her behind him.

His tenderness instantly transformed into a chilling killing intent as he gestured to Qianxia and the others behind him: "Protect her!"

Qianxia and Heiniu immediately stepped forward and protected Lin Yuge as she retreated to a safe corner.

Xiao Yunqing's bodyguards appeared like ghosts, their blades drawn, and engaged the attackers in a fierce battle.

The soldiers on the ship quickly formed ranks, brandishing their spears, their battle cries shattering the evening glow.

Xiao Yunqing charged into the enemy ranks with his sword, his sword strikes as powerful as a rainbow.

Each swing created a whistling sound, and the assassins who got close were injured by the sword energy and fell to the ground one after another.

Lin Yuge glanced around. She couldn't help Xiao Yunqing, and she didn't know what these people's purpose was.

I'm a little worried about my parents' situation.

After thinking for a moment, she said to Qianxia and Heiniu in front of her, "Let's go and take a look at the cabin."

Upon hearing this, Qianxia and Heiniu immediately stood in front of Lin Yuge to protect him.

The three of them crouched low, using the chaos of the battle on the deck as cover, and hurried toward the cabin.

Along the way, the ships rocked and shouts of battle echoed constantly.

Lin Yuge's heart was clenched tightly, fearing that something unexpected might happen.

As soon as they arrived at the cabin door, they saw Mo Nan standing guard in front of the cabin, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his long knife stained with blood.

Several thugs who had tried to break in were lying scattered at my feet, clearly having gone through a fierce battle.

Seeing Lin Yuge and the other two arrive, Mo Nan nodded slightly and said in a low voice:

"Don't worry, Miss Lin, Lord Lin and Madam Lin are well."

Lin Yuge breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked into the cabin.

Although her parents looked pale, they were unharmed and were tidying up the things scattered on the ground.

Lin Yuge hurried over. "Father, Mother, are you alright?"

Lin Fanghai shook his head.

"It's alright, thanks to Guard Mo's timely arrival. Those thugs had just barged into the cabin, looking fierce and menacing."

Just as they were about to start fighting, he arrived just in time, saving our lives.

Xie Jingwan was relieved to see that her daughter was safe and sound.

She grasped Lin Yuge's hand, patted it reassuringly, and asked with concern, "Daughter, how is it upstairs?"

Lin Yuge tilted her head slightly, calming her emotions somewhat, and softly replied:

"Yun Qing is leading his men to kill those assassins; he is highly skilled in martial arts."

With a group of elite troops, things should be fine soon.

Before long, the shouts of battle outside the cabin gradually subsided, with only the sea breeze carrying a faint smell of blood seeping into the cabin.

Xiao Yunqing, dressed in black robes stained with blood, looked like a war god returning from a battlefield, yet his longsword remained untouched by blood, its blade still gleaming with a chilling light.

He hurried into the cabin.

A quick glance around revealed that everyone was safe and sound, and the anxiety that had been gripping him finally subsided.

Upon seeing Xiao Yunqing enter, Mo Nan quickly stepped forward and said with a solemn expression:

"Your Highness, when I came over just now, I saw that those villains were behaving strangely."

They frantically searched the cabin, rummaging through everything, seemingly desperately looking for something of utmost importance.

Xiao Yunqing's already cold and stern face instantly turned ashen, his narrow eyes narrowed, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Uncle Lin, are your crossbow blueprints and gunpowder formulas still intact?"

Xiao Yunqing's voice was low, but every word struck the hearts of everyone like a heavy hammer.

Lin Fanghai's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly rushed into the hidden compartment inside the house.

My hands trembled slightly as I opened it, and seeing the blueprints lying peacefully inside, I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness, we're still here."

Lin Yuge walked over and asked with concern:

"Yun Qing, do you mean these people are here to find the gunpowder formula?"

Xiao Yunqing's face was solemn, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"After the crossbow was developed, I sent a secret letter to the Emperor informing him of this matter."

The Emperor's urgent edict was probably partly due to this. It's just unexpected that someone would act so quickly.

His brows furrowed, his gaze sharp as he swept quickly across the crowd, his voice low yet undeniably authoritative:

"We cannot stay here any longer; those people will not let this go. The most urgent thing is to get to the capital as soon as possible."

Lin Yuge and the others nodded in agreement.

After Xiao Yunqing made some arrangements, the warships quickly set sail again.

Xiao Yunqing stood at the bow of the boat, the river breeze brushing his face, but it couldn't dispel the gloom that was tightly furrowed between his brows.

He pondered the details of the attack repeatedly, including the assassins' skills and modus operandi.

Everything about it seemed suspicious; they had access to the contents of the secret letter and knew their location with such precision.

The only ones who could quickly send out assassins to intercept him were his cousins ​​in the palace.

It's just unclear who made the first move.

Crown Prince Xiao Zheng'an's maternal family is powerful, with many spies in the court. He has gathered a group of loyal followers and has always acted decisively, ruthlessly, and without restraint.

He had long coveted military power and was determined to establish a reputation in the army and consolidate his own power.

For him, the ballista blueprints and gunpowder formula were simply the perfect tools to pave his way to success.

Xiao Yunqing recalled the undisguised ambition and scrutinizing gaze he had shown her in the past, which made her even more certain that he was a prime suspect.

The Second Prince, Xiao Zhengxuan, is not to be underestimated. He may appear to be a gentle and refined scholar, but he is actually cunning and resourceful.

He held considerable prestige within the civil service and commanded a large following; the veteran officials all praised him highly.

He has always been wary of himself, perhaps because he didn't want everyone to enter the capital smoothly.

As for the fifth prince, Xiao Zhengli, he is still young.

However, because his mother was extremely favored, he was spoiled and pampered, and was impulsive and easily misled and manipulated by others.

Who knows, maybe he was used as a pawn by some scheming imperial brother and got involved without even realizing it.

They sent people to gather intelligence and disrupt the situation.

Although he is still inexperienced, if he really causes trouble, he could create a lot of problems for himself.

As for the other princes who are still minors, they are probably not capable of participating for the time being.

As Xiao Yunqing was deep in thought, Lin Yuge quietly approached, gently draped a cloak over his shoulders, and whispered:

"The river breeze is cool, don't just worry, take care of yourself."

Although this journey was perilous, we arrived safely. Once we reach the capital, we will surely uncover the truth and expose the mastermind behind it all.

Xiao Yunqing nodded slightly, her gaze remaining solemn:

"Yuge, you don't understand. The situation in the capital is far more dangerous and complex than you imagine."

My cousins ​​would use any underhanded trick to achieve their goals.

One wrong move and we'll all be doomed.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuge's heart tightened.

Having spent the last few years in Lingnan, I've almost forgotten the bloody and suspenseful struggles of ancient royal families.

It seems that every step from now on will be taken with extreme caution.

Lin Yuge took a deep breath, suppressing the panic in her heart, and looked up at Xiao Yunqing, her eyes filled with determination:

"Yun Qing, although I am inexperienced and have never experienced such a complex and treacherous struggle, I will never be someone who holds you back."