Chapter 12: Escaping the Prime Minister's Perilous Trap

Blades flashed, and cold light flickered. Xiao Jingyuan moved like a tiger descending from the mountains, his long sword dancing in a whirlwind that left no room for escape, accompanied by a chorus of desperate screams. Scarlet blood splattered across his stern face, heightening his formidable aura of slaughter. With a sharp, piercing gaze, he fought like a god of war, carving a path of blood through the dense encirclement.

"Damn it! That old fox is playing dirty!" Qin Luoli cursed under her breath. These guards were skilled, numerous, and seemed unnaturally formidable, as if they were "cheating." Even with Xiao Jingyuan’s prowess, he could hardly fend off so many enemies at once. Her heart raced, her brow furrowed, and her mind spun rapidly.

"Xiao Jingyuan! You won't escape today!" Prime Minister Wang’s sinister voice echoed from afar. He stood atop the courtyard wall, looking down at them as if victory were already within his grasp.

Qin Luoli’s eyes flashed with a sudden plan. She feigned a retreat, reached into her sleeve for the hidden knockout powder, and, catching them off guard, flung it into the air!

"What is this?!"
"Ah! My eyes!"
"Cough, cough, cough..."

A chaotic chorus of coughing and wailing erupted. White powder filled the air, choking the guards and causing their eyes to stream with tears, leaving them blinded. Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Jingyuan swung his sword to force back the nearest attackers and grabbed Qin Luoli. "Let's go!"

They broke through the chaos, only to find the small courtyard completely surrounded, leaving them with no path out. "What now?" Qin Luoli scanned the surroundings, her heart sinking. Were they really going to die here tonight?

Xiao Jingyuan remained silent, his intense gaze fixed on the courtyard wall as if searching for something. Suddenly, he pushed aside a stone, revealing a dark, narrow fissure.

"This is..." Qin Luoli’s eyes lit up.
"Shh..." Xiao Jingyuan pressed a finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet. He crawled into the secret passage first, then turned back to pull her in. "Follow me!"

The passage was cramped and suffocating, allowing only one person to pass at a time, the air thick with the scent of damp mold. Qin Luoli followed closely, fumbling through the darkness. Behind them, the sounds of clamorous footsteps and shouts grew louder; the Prime Minister’s men had clearly discovered their trail and were in hot pursuit.

"Quick! They went that way!"
"Chase them! Don't let them get away!"

Hearing the pursuers closing in, Qin Luoli felt a surge of panic, and her pace quickened. Suddenly, her foot slipped on a loose stone, and she lost her balance. "Ah!" With a cry, she fell hard to the ground, a sharp, searing pain shooting through her ankle.

"What happened?" Xiao Jingyuan turned back immediately and helped her up. "Did you sprain your ankle?"
Qin Luoli gritted her teeth, cold sweat beading on her forehead. "It's nothing, just a minor injury. Don't worry about it."

"Don't push yourself." Xiao Jingyuan frowned, checking her injury. "I'll get you out of here."

The end of the passage opened into a dense forest; they had finally escaped the Prime Minister’s estate. Looking back, they saw the guards blocked by the mechanism at the entrance, left to hop with rage as they watched their prey disappear.

"Haha, keep chasing! I'm right here!" Qin Luoli couldn't help but tease, her mood lifting, though the pain in her ankle made her smile somewhat forced.

"Let’s rest for a moment." Xiao Jingyuan helped her over to a large tree. Qin Luoli leaned against the trunk, gently rubbing her swollen ankle, her heart heavy with anxiety. The Xiao family had been wronged, and now that they had finally escaped, this wretched injury was wasting precious time...

Xiao Jingyuan watched her pained expression, his gaze deepening, his thin lips pressed into a firm line. Suddenly, he leaned down. Without a word, he hoisted her onto his back. Qin Luoli gasped in surprise, her hands instinctively locking around his neck. Feeling his broad shoulders and steady heartbeat, a wave of warmth washed over her, dispelling both the pain in her ankle and the anxiety in her heart.

"Hold on tight," his deep voice resonated beside her ear. Qin Luoli obediently rested her face against his back, feeling the steady rhythm of his stride and a newfound sense of security.

They traveled swiftly toward the outskirts of the city. The night wind whistled, the trees cast dancing shadows, and moonlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the ground in shifting light.

"Shouldn't we go straight to the Censor's office?" Qin Luoli asked.
"No," Xiao Jingyuan replied firmly. "We need to see someone first."

They arrived at a secluded courtyard outside the city. Upon knocking, a burly, bearded man appeared. "Oh, rare visitors! General Xiao, what wind blows you here?" the man laughed heartily.

Xiao Jingyuan briefly explained the situation and handed a copy of the evidence to the man. "Old Xiong, keep this safe. Your life is on the line."
"Don't worry, General. You saved my life; this small matter is as good as done!" Old Xiong promised, patting his chest.

After leaving, Xiao Jingyuan continued to carry Qin Luoli. "Where are we going now?" she asked.
A mysterious smile touched the corners of Xiao Jingyuan’s mouth. "Now, we go meet Censor Li."

Dawn broke, the sky tinged with the pale white of early morning. They arrived at the Censor's estate, and Xiao Jingyuan gently set her down. Qin Luoli took a deep breath and looked up at the closed doors. Xiao Jingyuan held her hand, about to knock, when he suddenly stopped.

He scanned the surroundings with sharp, alert eyes. "Wait..."

The air outside the Censor's estate was thick with tension. Qin Luoli gripped the package of evidence, feeling both nervous and expectant. Xiao Jingyuan squeezed her hand, offering an encouraging look, as if to say, "With me here, you have nothing to fear." They exchanged a look of firm resolve, feeling as though the world was finally within their grasp.

"It's time, let's go!" Qin Luoli whispered, her eyes shining with determination.

Xiao Jingyuan knocked. Moments later, the doors creaked open, revealing the weary face of Censor Li. "General, Madam, you’ve come at just the right time!" Seeing the evidence, the Censor’s eyes lit up, and a long-absent smile appeared on his face. He took the documents, scanned them quickly, and felt his heart race with excitement. "This evidence is flawless! I will head to court immediately to expose the Prime Minister’s crimes!"

Censor Li hurried off, and they followed close behind. They navigated the streets until they reached the palace gates. As the gates groaned open, the Censor strode into the court while Xiao Jingyuan and Qin Luoli waited in the shadows, tense with anticipation.

Inside the court, the Emperor sat high upon the dragon throne, surrounded by his ministers. The hall was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

"Your Majesty," Censor Li announced loudly, "I have a matter of great importance to report!"
The Emperor nodded slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone. "Speak."

Censor Li took a deep breath and presented the evidence. A clamor erupted in the hall; the ministers whispered frantically, their eyes wide with shock. "Prime Minister Wang has framed the Xiao family," the Censor declared, his voice trembling with emotion. "The evidence is irrefutable. I implore Your Majesty to investigate!"

The Emperor’s expression darkened, fury gathering in his brow. He slammed a hand onto the arm of his throne. "Prime Minister Wang, what do you have to say for yourself?"

The Prime Minister’s face turned pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead, yet he forced a look of composure. "This... this evidence is forged!"

"Forged?" the Censor sneered. "The handwriting is clearly your own, Prime Minister. Have you forgotten your own hand?"

The Prime Minister was left speechless, bowing his head in silence. The Emperor’s anger flared further. "Guards! Take the Prime Minister to the dungeons and interrogate him thoroughly!"

A wave of cheers erupted in the hall—justice had finally been served. When the news reached the Xiao family, they rejoiced. Qin Luoli was hailed as a hero, and her bond with Xiao Jingyuan had finally blossomed. Yet, in this moment of joy, Qin Luoli felt an inexplicable unease, as if a new crisis were brewing in the shadows.

Xiao Jingyuan held her hand, his brow slightly furrowed. "Li'er," he murmured, "we are not truly safe yet. New challenges may already be on the horizon."