Chapter 16：Protagonists are Magnets to Ambush

Now that our villainess is caught up with this huge storm, let's look at the main leads' side.

It was rather expected that as Yin Hua Lei faced mentally and emotionally challenging situations alone as the villainess, Xia Yu Heng and Bai Chen Rong with their protagonist halos were given permission by Emperor Du Liang to relax as newlyweds.

It wasn't a secret in the capital that Chang wang was favored slightly more than his other brothers. It wasn't just because of his good reputation but also because of his highly favored birth mother, Imperial Consort Fa.

Now, our two main leads were leisurely journeying towards the imperial family's vacation estate southwest of the capital. His Majesty recommended the place to the two so that they can unwind for a bit before Prince Chang returned to his usual onslaught of duties as an imperial prince.

Xia Yu Heng and anyone for that matter didn't see anything strange by this as he was used to his imperial father's affection.

Only Xia Chun, that old scheming fox knew his own thoughts and true intentions.

As much as Xia Yu Heng would like to snuggle with his wangfei inside the carriage, he held himself and rode his steed. He needed to make sure this journey was safe. Seeing her insistent husband, Bai Chen Rong also wanted to ride her own horse.

So this scene of two royalties, one pair of fine man and woman on horseback was seen by the few travelers on the road.

The husband and wife were enjoying the sights of the lush forest surrounding them, birds chirping among the trees and few hares dithering on the ground before disappearing quickly.

A formation of ten or so imperial guards loosely surrounded them so they could still sight see despite being protected.

"Imperial Father really dotes on Ah'Heng the most. I heard this estate was only used by his Majesty when he was young and no one dared to go there as they pleased. Even the eldest prince doesn't covet." Bai Chen Rong teased her husband.

Such an alluring beauty she was. Small egg-shaped face, large doe eyes framed by thick curling lashes, naturally flushed cheeks, button nose and small pink lips. Even if one got teased to death by her, one would be happy in the afterlife.

Naturally, Xia Yu Heng couldn't escape the same fate.

"Rong'er..." There was only helplessness and indulgence in his tone. He didn't need to say more to his wife. One look and she already knew the meaning.

In a flash, Chen Rong only felt the world spin and she was already sitting in front of Xia Yu Heng, both her legs dangling on one side.

The gentle prince got his hands firmly wrapped around her waist, ensuring she wouldn't fall. Who said the gentle prince was ignorant of martial arts? Even Bai Chen Rong who wasn't so bad could easily be pinned down by this peace-loving prince.

Taking advantage of their close distance, Chen Rong opted for more daring topics.

"What does wang ye think of the newly arrived imperial uncle?"

Xia Yu Heng chuckled under his breath. His wangfei was as curious as a cat. But he still answered her with the same volume she used.

"Imperial uncle was born shortly after Father Emperor ascended the throne. There were talks of his mother who was then the youngest consort dowager, even younger than imperial father himself, had a hand in helping him easily take the reins. But she died giving birth so imperial father took it to himself to act as the child's brother, father and mother at the same time."

"But fate is truly too cruel, ah!" Bai Chen Rong complained with the face of a yatou thoroughly listening to juicy gossip.

Xia Yu Heng hugged his cute wangfei. "Yes, because who would have thought that a child born from the former Emperor and the woman who was called the capital's hidden jewel would turn out to be such an oddity?"

"It's not his fault, you know. Just... people of these times are too close-minded. What's different would automatically be called demonic." The wangfei grumbled and the wang ye couldn't help but ruffle her hair.

Xia Yu Heng only thought her antics cute but Chen Rong was actually thinking that prince Feng's case would probably be called albinism in her old world. It wasn't connected to any demonic shenanigans people of this era thought it to be.

"We should be cautious of him though, no matter how you pity him. Imperial uncle grew up to be a vicious man because the world was even more vicious to him. He's only five years older than me but he has accomplished many great deeds for Da Xia. Third brother probably can't wait to get his hands on imperial uncle. In truth, it's not eldest brother who posed the largest threat on this fight. It's actually our imperial uncle."

"But does that person have such ambitions?"

"...That person is unreadable. He likes doing what he wanted whenever he wanted. Even now, he suddenly brought home a daughter whose mother imperial father doesn't know. Father Emperor already promised him marriage once he returns to the capital after subduing Northern Chu. But he defied imperial father's wishes by having one consort and four concubines before the princess consort even entered his palace. If it was normal, this would be dismissed but the women he brought home were all from Northern Chu. Put bluntly, it appears he forged connections with a vassal state without the Emperor's approval."

"His Majesty is pretty lenient though...?"

At this remark, Xia Yu Heng had a bitter smile. "More like, incompetent and weak."

Bai Chen Rong knew she hit the wrong note so she steered the topic again. "But what are Feng wang shu's chances if he seriously fought for the throne?"

Xia Yu Heng sighed deeply, thankful for his thoughtful wife. "Third brother is not that weak. He has stable foundation in the capital. The officials admire his heroic bearing and leadership qualities. When it comes to connections, imperial uncle can't win. When it comes to reputation, he also loses. It will only take some time before third brother completely gobbles him up. If imperial uncle announced his arrival earlier, I'm sure third brother would have done the deed already."

Around them, the imperial guards and the following servants especially the maids all admired their masters. Such harmonious relationship, ah! What girl didn't dream of being the only one in their husband's rear court?

Looking at them from afar, didn't it look like they were both whispering sweet nothings to each other?

The scenery was pretty, the masters were matching and in tune with each other, the people soon began to relax and just enjoy this journey.

But it was also the situation that some malicious people wanted the most.

In a blink, the warm atmosphere turned a few degrees colder. The forest seemed to quiet down in response.

Men in dark clothing came from all directions. Their weapons gleaming and their dead glass-like eyes seemed to promise the end.

Without a word, the men whose number seemed to be more or less fifty, attacked the formation and broke it like it was mere child's play.

Clang! Crash! Clang!

The sounds of numerous weapons clashing were loud as Xia Yu Heng and Bai Chen Rong had no choice but to join the fray.

Chang wang and wangfei's expression were not good. Merely minutes passed but almost all the imperial guards were heavily wounded from one hit or two. It wasn't because they were slacking in their job but the opponents were just too strong. These men seemed to be specialized soldiers only meant to kill. For fifty of them to be sent here at the same time, it seemed the person behind really wanted them dead.

Bai Chen Rong immediately pulled a whistle hidden in her lapel and blew on it. As if answering her call, ten red clothed men appeared.

This new group was faring better than the imperial soldiers but ten people plus the husband and wife, no matter what, wouldn't match well with fifty.

Xia Yu Heng's face dimmed. As a prince, he was always vigilant of ambushes. That's why, he brought guards wherever he went. But his neutral position at court made him the least target so he would never expect to encounter such elites and in a large number too.

He had no time to think who was behind the attack as he needed to make sure that his wife was safe. One by one, his imperial guards fell. Blood was shed but they couldn't stop. Even breaking away proved to be a daunting task.

The specialized soldiers were like a perfectly casted net while they were the fish ready for the taking.

Even if his wife's Red Panther brothers and sisters were here, they too were having difficulties dealing with people who were literally ready to die anytime. Even if you cut down one hand, the black clothed person will fight with his other. If you cut down two, they would use their teeth to hold the sword. If one was weak minded, they would surely just succumb to the fate of dying.

Xia Yu Heng had hidden guards too. Today, he brought three of them. And they were all ordered to surround Bai Chen Rong and protect her.

"Ah'Heng!" He only heard his wangfei shout before he felt a sharp object ramming his left side.

Hiss!

He violently inhaled because of the pain but he didn't forget to swing his sword towards the assailant. Only, it was futile because his strength was greatly diminished.

But he didn't care for his safety at all as he ordered his hidden guards, "Take wangfei away! NOW!"

He roared. It was an odd sight looking at the esteemed placid prince's ferocious state. He was like a wild animal cornered and had nowhere to go so this was his last attempt to free himself.

The situation was desperate. One minute, everything was peaceful. The other, they were suddenly plunged into a dire strait.

But at that moment, it was as though the gates of the heavens opened.

Another dozen black-clothed people appeared. Each member of the group was wearing a mask of the same color. The lower half of their faces were hidden.

As if having one mind, the group joined the battle. And no matter how impossible it looked, the fifty people who appeared calm earlier while brandishing their weapons and unafraid of killing themselves in the process, suddenly took the fight more seriously.

The newcomers were truly not simple people. Each one of them took three or four people at once. Their movements were fast, efficient but still managed to look fluid and effortless. It was as though they were cutting silk and not human flesh.

The specialized soldiers' techniques earlier were swift, deadly and wanted to kill in a single strike but the new group's method was the opposite. Playing with the specialized soldiers on the palms of their hands. It was as though they got all the time in the world and wouldn't mind using it to entertain themselves.

Yes, this group seemed to be only sparring when it was a life and death struggle for Xia Yu Heng and the rest earlier.

Their lithe and willowy movements made it seem like it was easy fighting with death soldiers.

The surviving imperial guards and Red Panthers could only watch in bewilderment, awe and some fear at the group who arrived. After all, they were left with nothing to do except tend to the wounded and gape at the fight.