The Princess Cannot Escape: The Cunning Prince Is Not to Be Messed With

Chapter 292 The Road Back to the Capital

Yin Quan thought that with the Ancient Spirit Pearl, everything would be ready, but to her surprise, the very next morning she heard bad news: although the recipe for the Ancient Spirit Pearl had been successfully refined, it still could not completely remove the toxins from Xiahou Ying's body.

Xuan Qingzi returned the Ancient Spirit Pearl to Yin Quan intact. For some reason, Yin Quan felt a pang of sadness. She had tried so hard, so why did it still end like this?

"Didn't you say that as long as we find the Ancient Spirit Pearl, it will be fine? Why is this happening? Why can't we solve this problem?" Xiahou Ying looked at the aggrieved Yin Quan and reached out his finger to smooth her furrowed brows.

"Look, neither of us is necessarily going to die. Master also said that although the Ancient Spirit Pearl can cure all poisons, my constitution is special. Moreover, every time I circulate my energy during this period, the toxins in my body are aggravated. Now they have penetrated deep into my internal organs, making it more difficult to cure completely. However, Master said that if we can gather the four divine artifacts, we can definitely cure it."

Yin Quan pouted, "He said the same thing last time, but finding the Ancient Spirit Pearl was still useless, wasn't it?" Xiahou Ying patted her back reassuringly, "Now is not the time to look for the Four Divine Artifacts. I must return to the capital immediately to stabilize the situation there. Once we have gathered the Four Divine Artifacts, it won't be a problem. At that time, my poison will be cured. So we can't waste any more time. I plan to set off for the capital tomorrow."

"What? Why the rush? Are all the military officers ready?" Xiahou Ying nodded. "They have been sending messages by carrier pigeon one after another. We must go to the capital immediately while the Crown Prince is still establishing himself. I also want to return during the mourning period for my father."

Yin Quan had always known that the news of the Emperor's death was a thorn in Xiahou Ying's heart, and that he would not be able to sleep at night unless it was removed. Yin Quan nodded.

“I support your decision. I’m just worried about your health. How long can you hold on if we can’t find an antidote?” Xiahou Ying’s eyes darted around. “You’ve been saying you want to eat the roast chicken in front of the Prince’s Mansion. This time when we go back, I’ll let you eat your fill.”

"Xiahou Ying, don't think you can fool me like this. If you don't tell me, I'll go ask Xuan Qingzi." Xiahou Ying grabbed Yin Quan, who was about to turn and leave, and said in a conciliatory manner.

"Alright, stop fooling around. That old stubborn guy said that a year should be fine, barring any unforeseen circumstances." Yin Quan was finally a little relieved. Given Xiahou Ying's usual ruthless methods, a year would be enough for the two of them.

"This trip back to the capital is no small matter. Will Junior Sister Zhiyun and the others come down the mountain with them?"

"Now is not the time. If the situation really gets out of control, then we can let them go down the mountain with us. After all, although they are all skilled in martial arts, they are still inexperienced in the ways of the world. Moreover, after hearing that Qin Nian was in trouble, Zhiyun secretly went there. I'm afraid she won't come back until she finds her senior brother."

Thinking of the special status of the disciples of the Tianji Sect, Yin Quan suddenly felt a little sorry for Zhiyun. If the two of them could really be together, they would surely be a perfect couple.

Seeing Yin Quan staring blankly, Xiahou Ying waved his hand in front of her and asked, "What are you daydreaming about?" Yin Quan shook her head.

The next morning, Gu Lounan was waiting at the foot of Tianjimen Mountain. Since his injury, Gu Lounan had been moving around with his arm in a sling, which made it quite inconvenient for him. Xiahou Ying had Jing Yu take care of Gu Lounan's daily life, ostensibly to take care of him, but in reality to monitor him.

"Little Quan Quan, why do you look so haggard after just a few days? Are you worried too much about my injury? Don't worry, I'm much better now." Xiahou Ying didn't even glance at him, and said directly to Jing Yu, "I told you that the Grand Preceptor's injury requires rest. Go find another carriage." Gu Lou Nan was so anxious that he was almost jumping up and down.

"No need for Your Highness to trouble yourself. This humble subject cannot be without Your Highness for a moment. Besides, we still have many things to plan along the way, so it would be more convenient for us to squeeze into one carriage." Under Gu Lounan's persistent insistence, the group eventually squeezed into one carriage. These past few days, Xiahou Ying had kept a copy of his documents with him at all times, constantly frowning as he looked at them.

Occasionally, Xiahou Ying would analyze the situation in the court with Gu Lounan. This time, Xiahou Ying no longer concealed his identity and made a big show of himself after leaving Tianji Mountain.

After several days of travel, the group settled in a small town near the capital. Yin Quan vaguely remembered that this town had once been extremely prosperous, but for some reason, she felt uncomfortable as soon as she entered.

She nudged Xiahou Ying, "Don't you think this town is a bit strange today?" Xiahou Ying lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside; the streets were still bustling with activity. "There's nothing strange about it," he said, suddenly realizing something as he looked around.

"Wei Jun turned the carriage into the alley." Gu Lounan also lifted the curtain and glanced over. "What happened, Your Highness?" Xiahou Ying frowned. "Nothing, it's probably just my imagination. I don't think he would openly make a move right under the walls of the capital. But just to be safe, let's wait here and rejoin the main force before entering the capital."

The group checked into an inconspicuous little inn. Yin Quan touched her eyelids, which had been twitching ever since she entered the inn. Looking at the enthusiastic waiter, she shook her head and said, "Waiter, please prepare hot water for me in a bit."

"Alright, please wait a moment, or you can have something to eat first. Our dishes are all very good. If you're interested, young lady, you might as well try them. We'll prepare hot water for you right away."

She glanced at Xiahou Ying and touched her stomach; she was indeed a little hungry after traveling all day. Xiahou Ying noticed her expression, put down the documents in his hand, and went downstairs with her.

Just as she reached the stairs, a thin man passed by Yin Quan, stumbled, and bumped into her shoulder, nearly knocking her down the stairs. "I'm so sorry, miss, I was in a bit of a rush." ​​Yin Quan shook her head dismissively. "It's alright, I'm not hurt."

Xiahou Ying kept staring at the man until he walked away. Xiahou Ying still frowned and looked at his back. Yin Quan tugged at his sleeve.

"What are you looking at? Let's go, I'm starving."

Xiahou Ying casually leaned close to Yin Quan's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Something's not right in this town. Don't show it yet. Have them bring the food upstairs." Yin Quan looked up at Xiahou Ying with surprise. Seeing that Xiahou Ying's tense expression meant he wasn't joking, Yin Quan nodded gently.

Xiahou Ying walked up to the shopkeeper and said, "Bring out all your best wine and dishes, and you'll be well rewarded." He then tossed a gold ingot onto the table. The shopkeeper smiled and pocketed the ingot, nodding repeatedly. "Don't worry, sir. Our wine and dishes are renowned far and wide. Please go to your seats and wait a moment while someone attends to you."

Yin Quan, clutching her forehead, staggered and fell into Xiahou Ying's arms. "Husband... I suddenly feel a little dizzy. Perhaps my old ailment has flared up again. I need to go upstairs to rest for a while. Please have the food and wine delivered to my room." Xiahou Ying looked at Yin Quan with concern.

"Are you alright? You're much better today, boss. Please bring the food to your room." The boss nodded hurriedly. "Don't worry, gentlemen, the food and drink will be here soon." Xiahou Ying helped Yin Quan back to her room. As soon as the door closed, Yin Quan jumped up.

"What did you find?" Xiahou Ying closed the doors and windows, listened to the wall for a moment, and said, "I felt something was wrong as soon as I arrived here. Although it is still a bustling town, there are suddenly many martial arts masters on the streets. Although they are dressed in ordinary people's clothes, you can tell from their walking posture and eyes."

Yin Quan stared in shock. Although she had always felt awkward, she never expected that Xiahou Jue would have so many martial arts masters lying in ambush here.

"Moreover, the person who bumped into you just now was definitely not unintentional. If he was not testing your identity, he was intentionally trying to get close to you and me. But no matter the reason, it is not a good thing. Besides, the shopkeeper was so calm when he saw a gold ingot. And when he took the gold, I noticed that his hands were covered with calluses. No one who has practiced martial arts for many years would have that."

Yin Quan felt a chill run down her spine. According to Xiahou Ying, the group had already stepped into an ambush the moment they entered the town, and it seemed that danger lurked everywhere right here in the inn.

"Should we tell Gu Lounan and the others?" Xiahou Ying shook his head. "We can't. Every move we make now could alert them. We should hold back for now and wait for Chu Hou to arrive."

As night fell, Yin Quan nestled close to Xiahou Ying, but for some reason, even though it was past midnight, Yin Quan was still wide awake. Listening to Xiahou Ying's shallow breathing, Yin Quan knew that Xiahou Ying was also awake.

Just as she was about to speak to him, Xiahou Ying suddenly pressed down with his index finger. He gently shook his head, listened to the soft footsteps at the door, and Yin Quan's heart jumped into her throat.

The footsteps stopped in front of their room. A sharp knife slipped through the crack in the door and gently slid the bolt. Yin Quan looked at Xiahou Ying and asked him what to do. Xiahou Ying got up and tiptoed to the door like a cat. After the bolt was slid open, a man in black crept in.

Yin Quan closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. A chill ran down her face in the night. When she opened her eyes, she saw the dagger stopped half an inch from the tip of her nose. Before she could shout, she saw the man fall limply to the ground. Xiahou Ying was behind the man, his eyes filled with a chilling killing intent. With a single move, he snapped the man's neck.

Yin Quan stood up and patted his chest. "It seems that Crown Prince Xiahou Ying is truly determined to kill you this time. We shouldn't stay here any longer. Perhaps we should retreat to a safe place first and then discuss countermeasures."

"Now we probably can't leave even if we wanted to." Suddenly, dozens of torches lit up outside the window, illuminating the night as if it were daytime. Candles outside the door were lit, and a wicked laugh echoed through the air.

"Uncle, I bet you two couldn't possibly be killed like this, right? Well, a bet's a bet, and that courtyard in the east of the city is mine." Xiahou Jue, dressed in a dark brocade robe, entered from outside the door with a group of guards behind him. Yin Quan felt as if someone had grabbed her throat, and for a moment she had difficulty breathing.

As the saying goes, "enemies meet on a narrow road," and this is probably the best example of such a situation. In contrast, Xiahou Ying remained calm and respectfully bowed to Xiahou Jue before speaking indifferently.

"Big brother, how have you been?" His expression was as if he were truly meeting his long-lost brother, so intimate that no one could tell that there was a tense atmosphere between them.