The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 155
Translated by Pure (ko-fi)
Chapter 155 A Failed Assassination (2)
In the heat of the battle, Fu Zixian bore several gashes on his arms and back. The assailant fared no better, her face marred by a deep wound, blood cascading over half of her visage.
These wounds were inflicted within the short exchange, it didn't take long before the guards rushed over. As the guards quickly approached, Fu Zixian seized the chance to step back, positioning himself beside Cheng Yanchuan. Despite the chaotic scene, he maintained a vigilant gaze on the wounded assassin. His priority was to safeguard the crown prince, prepared to act swiftly if the assailant managed to evade the guards' grasp.
In that critical moment, a feathered arrow whizzed from the booth on the second floor, finding its mark in the assassin's back. A pained grunt escaped her lips before she crumpled to the ground, a pool of blood forming around her.
Amidst the chaos, Wen Yantong's gaze rose, locking onto Chi Jingxi perched on the booth. He remained poised, bow in hand, his countenance shrouded in the dim light. Yet, even in the obscurity, Wen Yantong sensed the familiar calmness emanating from his eyes.
A significant number of people had already fled the building. The guards formed a protective circle around Cheng Yanchuan and the others. It wasn't long before Chi Jingxi descended from the second floor.
"None of them survived," he reported. "The entire troupe has perished. There were no casualties on our side. It would be wise to take the injured to the clinic for treatment."
Cheng Yanchuan nodded, instructing the guards, "Retrieve all the bodies."
Mu Yang stood beside Fu Zixian, addressing the crown prince, "Brother Shezhao, I'll take Fu Zixian to have his wounds tended to."
Cheng Yanchuan nodded, issuing several rapid commands to the guards around him. Finally, he turned to Chi Jingxi, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you for your hard work, Danli. Once this incident is resolved, I will reward you generously."
Chi Jingxi smiled, "There's no need to be so formal, Brother Shezhao."
Cheng Yanchuan let out a sigh, "That concubine-born son of the Fu Residence is quite compassionate. I was just about to summon my hidden guards, but he acted preemptively."
Chi Jingxi chuckled, "Then Brother Shezhao must think of an appropriate gift in return."
The two continued to engage in light conversation for a while. Shortly after, Cheng Yanchuan had to take his leave, and he departed with the guards. With them gone, Chi Jingxi turned his attention to Wen Yantong, who was standing by the pillar. He approached her and inquired, "Why are you still hiding here?"
Wen Yantong sniffled, "Little Marquis, my leg cramped up and I can't move."
Chi Jingxi lowered his gaze to her leg. "You consume more than anyone else but contribute the least, truly a knucklehead."
Wasn’t this the usual phrase she would scold Mu Yang with?
***
Wen Yantong had witnessed the assassination attempt up close, an experience that defied easy description. The moments were a blur, especially when she saw the assassin's blade dangerously close to Mu Yang's neck. In that instant, it felt as though her heart had been squeezed into a tiny space.
Indeed, in today's age, people had become desensitized to death through excessive exposure to TV and novels. But the harsh reality remained that human life was incredibly fragile.
Had it not been for Fu Zixian's timely intervention, the assassin's blade could have effortlessly claimed Mu Yang's life. The incident concluded swiftly, leaving Wen Yantong to realize, only once she tried to move, that her leg had cramped from the prolonged tension.
After Chi Jingxi reached her side, she instinctively reached out and grabbed his arm. "Little Marquis, are you alright?"
He made a soft sound of acknowledgment. "Which foot is cramping?"
"I don't know either, my legs feel numb and I can't stand up," Wen Yantong replied.
Chi Jingxi sighed, squatting down and extending his hand to hold her foot. Using his thumb, he applied pressure to her ankle through the boot.
"OWW—" Wen Yantong couldn't help but shout.
"Try stomping," Chi Jingxi advised.
Wen Yantong followed his instruction, but unexpectedly, the area where Chi Jingxi was pressing throbbed with pain. Her knees buckled, and she fell forward.
Chi Jingxi quickly caught her, steadying her in his embrace. Wen Yantong instinctively lifted her head, and her nose almost brushed against Chi Jingxi's lips. When she met his calm, dark eyes, her heart raced unexpectedly, causing her cheeks to flush.
Her ears were now burning, but she couldn't bring herself to step out of his embrace. Instead, she murmured, "Little Marquis, are you jealous of my agile legs?"
Chi Jingxi gently helped her stand. "Jealous of a spry pair of legs like yours? Hardly."
"I'm not crippled anymore!" Wen Yantong retorted with a touch of irritation.
Chi Jingxi gazed at her, a smile playing on his lips. "Then allow me to carry you out."
Wen Yantong was touched by Chi Jingxi's offer, but with the bustling crowd around them, she hesitated and shook her head. "It’s okay, I don't want to trouble the Little Marquis."
She knew that it wouldn't be right to impose on him, especially in such a public setting. After a while, she moved her feet and found that the cramp had subsided. With a sigh of relief, she left the theater alongside Chi Jingxi.
The banquet had ended in chaos, with over a dozen bodies being carried out, and the surviving noble attendees hastening back to their homes in carriages and on horseback.
The news spread like wildfire, and the assassination sent shockwaves throughout Chaoge. The Emperor swiftly ordered a thorough investigation, and every entrance to the city was heavily guarded. Anyone entering or exiting was subjected to rigorous scrutiny and body searches.
Wen Yantong had once asked Chi Jingxi why they didn't leave a survivor to interrogate for clues. He had indifferently answered, "Such people rarely reveal any valuable information; a corpse can often tell us more."
While Wen Yantong didn't quite comprehend the intricacies, she did observe that after the assassination, Chi Jingxi remained in the palace for three full days before departing. Strangely, that very afternoon he arrived at Wen Yantong's courtyard.
Regrettably, Chi Jingxi overlooked the fact that Wen Yantong had a penchant for taking afternoon naps. As a result, he sat there patiently, waiting until she finally awoke.
Since his previous reprimand of the household servants, they had become incredibly deferential. Filled with trepidation, they attended to him with great care while he waited.
When Wen Yantong finally stirred, a servant hastened to relay the news.
After donning her attire, she let out a hearty yawn before making her way to the main hall. Upon entering, she queried aloud, "Is everything settled, Little Marquis?"
Chi Jingxi turned towards her, his calm eyes holding a hint of a smile. "All is in order. I came to find you once I had some free time."
Seating herself beside him, Wen Yantong surmised that Chi Jingxi had likely returned to seek further information. She waited for him to initiate the conversation.
Although she hadn't ventured out in the past few days, she caught wind of the bustling activity beyond her walls. In the wake of the assassination, a thorough investigation had been launched, sparing none from scrutiny. As a result, many faced repercussions, both guilty and innocent.
Chi Jingxi must have been incredibly busy handling this matter. However, what Wen Yantong was most concerned about was whether he had managed to identify the mastermind behind the attempt on Cheng Yanchuan's life among those people.
Amidst her contemplations, Wen Yantong was drawn back to reality by Chi Jingxi's voice. "Your piece of paper..."
Her nerves instantly tightened. Which piece of paper was he referring to? It couldn't be that piece of paper, could it?
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