Broken Jade - Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Sheng Zhaoning’s hand tightened unconsciously.

She shifted sideways, discreetly shielding Wei Heng behind her.

“Your Highness the Heir, I trust you’ve been well.”

Sheng Zhaoning’s expression darkened slightly. She deliberately emphasized his title, reminding him of his status in an attempt to bring him back to his senses.

The veins on Wei Yi’s forehead bulged. His hands clenched into fists so tightly that they trembled.

The sight of the two figures pressed close together before him seemed sharper than any blade.

He did not know how much effort it took to hold on to that last shred of clarity when nearly all reason had deserted him.

“Crown Prince… Your Highness,” Wei Yi forced out through gritted teeth, his eyes bloodshot.

The moment he spoke, Sheng Zhaoning knew he had regained his senses.

Wei Yi was not an impulsive man.

He was calculating, shrewd, and ruthless enough to cast aside his feelings when necessary.

Except when he faced her and spared no effort to wound her with the cruelest words imaginable, Wei Yi was always sufficiently composed.

That composure stemmed from his hunger for power, and it gave him the patience to endure.

Countless eyes were watching both him and Wei Chengjun. There was no way news of Wei Yi leaving the capital for Jizhou could have escaped the emperor’s notice.

Now that he had lost his chance to kill Wei Heng, he would not rashly attack him again.

Sheng Zhaoning was absolutely certain of that because she knew him all too well.

“Jin He, let him go,” she said.

Jin He stared at him with tense vigilance before slowly releasing her hands from around his leg.

The weight around Wei Yi’s leg vanished, and his reason began to return with it.

Wei Heng found it hard to believe that Wei Yi had appeared here all by himself.

Judging by his travel-worn appearance and the fact that he had come with only one horse, he had clearly followed the river all the way here alone.

But why would Wei Yi be here?

Wei Heng had always been wary of this cousin of his.

Imperial Father had warned him more than once about Prince Zhenbei’s ambitions, so Wei Heng had never lowered his guard around the father and son.

Yet unexpectedly, Wei Yi was the first person to find them and come to their rescue.

Wei Heng asked, “How did the Heir find this place?”

Now that his identity had been exposed, Wei Heng no longer needed to maintain his disguise.

Besides, after spending so many days together, he had come to understand Jin He’s character well enough that there was no longer any need to hide too much from her.

Wei Yi suppressed the darkness in his eyes and withdrew his gaze. In a deep voice, he replied, “While I was in the capital, I heard the terrible news that the Crown Prince and Lord Sheng had met with danger. Royal Father was deeply concerned, so he ordered me to lead a contingent here to rescue you.”

The explanation was just plausible enough.

Prince Zhenbei might be wildly ambitious, but he still had to keep up appearances.

What Wei Heng had not expected was for Wei Yi to actually spare no effort in searching for them. That truly took him by surprise.

“Thank you for going to such trouble to find us, Heir,” Wei Heng said politely.

Wei Yi’s gaze moved past him and settled once more on Sheng Zhaoning.

“Lord Sheng certainly deserves much of the credit for Your Highness’s safe escape.”

His voice dripped with bitter, gritted-teeth mockery.

Wei Yi had intended to kill Wei Heng.

He refused to believe Sheng Zhaoning had not known those men were sent by him.

Even so, Sheng Zhaoning had chosen to defy his orders. She had fought her way out of the encirclement with Wei Heng and leaped into the river with him, heedless of life or death.

Wei Yi was so furious that his very insides trembled.

Naturally, Wei Heng did not catch the implication behind his words. He merely agreed, “Indeed. I owe my life to Lord Sheng’s rescue.”

“Risk your life?” Wei Yi rolled the words over his tongue, then let out a cold laugh. “Lord Sheng is indeed remarkably loyal to her master.”

Sheng Zhaoning lowered her eyes, and the hand with which she supported him tightened slightly.

How could she fail to hear the reminder beneath Wei Yi’s words? He was making it clear who her true master was.

By the rules of the Shadow Guard, saving Wei Heng could indeed be considered an act of betrayal.

Once, there had been nothing Sheng Zhaoning despised more deeply.

She had killed many who betrayed the Wei Clan. And now, she had become one of them.

At that moment, Sheng Zhaoning was overcome by an indescribable tangle of conflicting emotions.

Wei Heng glanced at the person beside him and said, “Lord Sheng was badly wounded while saving me. She should not be moved for the time being. Besides, the Heir came here alone. With only the three of us, I fear we won’t be able to make it back to Jizhou.”

The wound on her arm had only just begun to heal and could not withstand a rough journey.

Wei Yi had also come alone, with only one man and one horse. Naturally, the three of them could not travel together.

Wei Heng had intended to suggest that Wei Yi ride to the nearest government office and send word so reinforcements could come for them. Before he could speak, however, Wei Yi said, “That’s no trouble. I can send word back to Jizhou and have them dispatch more men. The Crown Prince and Lord Sheng need only focus on recovering over the next few days.”

Without waiting for Wei Heng’s reply, Wei Yi pulled a long whistle from his sleeve, raised it to his lips, and blew.

The shrill note pierced the sky. Moments later, a pitch-black Xuanniao came slicing through the wind. It circled twice overhead before swooping down to land at Wei Yi’s feet.

Sheng Zhaoning could not understand what he was trying to do. Why insist on staying here instead of leaving, and summon a Xuanniao to carry his message instead?

Wei Yi went back inside, wrote a note, and tied it to the Xuanniao’s leg. Another whistle rang out, and the bird took to the air once more, flying purposefully toward Jizhou.

Liangzhou was vast and sparsely populated, so sending messages by bird was commonplace.

Seeing this, Wei Heng could hardly say anything more.

An awkward silence fell over the group.

Wei Heng had no idea why Wei Yi wanted to remain here, but matters had already come to this. After a moment’s hesitation, he could only ask, “Then… does the Heir intend to stay the night as well?”

The question was plainly probing.

He was not certain whether that was truly Wei Yi’s intention, but neither could he allow the stalemate to drag on. He could only wait for Wei Yi’s answer.

Unexpectedly, Wei Yi merely smiled, showing no intention of refusing. “It would be rude of me to decline.”

An even stranger atmosphere settled over them.

Sheng Zhaoning strongly objected to him staying, but given her position, she had no grounds to refuse.

She could only let him remain.

Although she knew Wei Yi could not possibly make another move against Wei Heng, she still could not help remaining somewhat wary of him.

Once Jin He learned their identities, she quickly accepted the truth.

Wei Heng and Sheng Zhaoning had never resembled ordinary commoners. They carried themselves more like scions of a great and distinguished clan, possessing an air and bearing that set them apart.

Jin He had made plenty of guesses before, but she had never presumed to ask.

Now that she had suddenly learned their true identities, she merely marveled at their exalted status and extraordinary backgrounds. Beyond that, she thought little of it.

Wei Yi, however, continued to frighten her.

He looked like someone no one should provoke. Whenever he faced Sheng Zhaoning in particular, his expression would turn so fierce that he seemed ready to devour someone alive.

Yet no matter how reluctant he was, Wei Yi remained for the time being.