Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen: Do Not Be Afraid, Miss

After making that decision, even Willow had to wonder if her mind had gone astray, for she had thrown herself forward without a second thought to save Baron Xian. Yet in truth, she had been perfectly clearheaded in that instant; there had been only one thought in her mind—to leap in front of him and block the hidden dart.

Su Yun stared at her in dumbfounded shock. It was not that she had not tried to stop Willow; it was simply that Willow had moved too quickly. By the time Su Yun reacted, Willow had already hurled herself in front of Baron Xian.

The hidden darts roared toward Baron Xian. He was lucky enough to evade the first volley, but this second wave could not be avoided. He could only turn his head and watch helplessly as it flew at him.

Even with his formidable inner strength, if he failed to take that dart, his body would be as good as nothing before its razor-sharp edge.

Just as despair seized him, a fragrance as pure and soothing as spring water drifted into Baron Xian's nose. He suddenly widened his eyes and looked at the stunning woman who had thrown herself before him, his mind thrown into chaos.

Willow's whole body jolted. The dart buried itself in her flesh, and in that instant it felt as though a hammer had smashed hard against her back, a pain that pierced straight through to the heart. She finally understood what it meant to be riddled by a thousand arrows. Blood welled in her throat, and she spat out a mouthful of it.

The blood landed directly on Baron Xian, blooming across his clothes like a bewitching flower.

"Willow!" Baron Xian's expression changed at once. He quickly supported her with one arm, and with the moment of respite gained, he swung his sword twice with a clang, blocking the incoming darts.

Lowering his head, he looked at Willow. Blood still flowed from the corner of her mouth, but it was gradually turning purple, a purple so dark it was nearly black. An ordinary dart would at most have grievously wounded her, but there was poison on the dart. This was a deadly matter.

The touch of the arm holding Willow was slick and sticky. Baron Xian did not need to look to know it was Willow's blood. The seasoned and unshaken Baron Xian was utterly flustered at this moment, and an inexplicable fear rose within him.

Willow's consciousness was growing dim, but upon seeing that Baron Xian was unharmed, she forced out a faint smile through clenched teeth. "A-Xian, remember this: you owe me a life."

"Don't speak. Don't speak!" Baron Xian held her tightly, as though terrified she might vanish before his eyes. In that instant, he finally understood that a woman had long since taken root in his heart, and yet he had failed to protect her.

The thud of hurried footsteps was the last sound Willow heard. Then she sank into a deep darkness. In that darkness, only one road remained, and she walked forward aimlessly.

The assassins still wanted to fire more hidden darts, but the imperial guards had already raised their shields to protect everyone. Chusheng, clutching his wound, knew the tide had turned. He gave a sharp whistle and fled first in one direction; upon hearing the signal, the assassins scattered in every direction.

Outside the Phoenix Rest Palace, Baron Xian no longer had any heart to pursue them. He only shouted loudly, "Someone come! Where is the imperial physician?"

Baron Hai quickly ordered Liu De to fetch the imperial physician Jun. Yet when he looked at Baron Xian, who stood there in confusion and panic, a shadowy glint passed through his eyes. The Empress Dowager and Baron Xian truly were hard to kill; even so, they had survived. Indeed, the beginning had been arranged, but who could have guessed the ending would be like this?

Willow's father also came before Baron Xian. Seeing Willow lying in Baron Xian's arms, his vision darkened and his body nearly swayed. It was Tan Cai'er who steadied him at once. "General, Your Highness, please hurry and remove the dart from Willow. The dart is poisoned."

If Tan Cai'er had not reminded them, Willow might truly have lost her life there. Baron Xian hurriedly turned her over and looked at the dart in her back. Then he lowered his head and spoke gently by her ear, "Willow, bear with it. I am going to pull it out."

Although Willow could not hear him, Baron Xian did not think of it that way. Fearing that he might hurt his princess consort, he used a deft touch, and the hidden dart was cast to the ground.

Just as Baron Xian was reaching into his robes for a hemostatic medicine, an elderly imperial physician ran over from afar and cried, "Your Highness, you must not!"

Jun's arrival made Baron Xian breathe a little easier. He lifted Willow into his arms and seized Jun's sleeve. "Imperial Physician Jun, save her quickly!"

Jun caught his breath, first turning to instruct his disciple to fetch several medicinal ingredients, and only then said to Baron Xian, "Your Highness should first place the princess consort on a bed. This is not the place for treatment."

The Empress Dowager, Chumei, came over. "A-Xian, first take Willow to my Phoenix Rest Palace. Do not panic. I believe the girl will have protection from heaven."

As she spoke, she reached out as if to take Willow into her arms, but Baron Xian held Willow so tightly it was as though he feared Chumei would snatch her away. "Mother, I will do it myself."

Chumei gave an awkward smile and motioned for everyone to clear a path.

The palace was now in utter chaos. Imperial guards and palace defenders moved through the inner grounds, capturing the assassins who had slipped through the net. But these assassins from the New Year's organization were not easy prey. Once caught, they bit through the poison sacs hidden in their mouths, leaving only a cold corpse behind.

In the Cold Palace, Ning Susu sat in her room sewing embroidery when a sound suddenly came from outside the door, nearly frightening her so badly that her needle would have pricked her finger.

She set down her work and opened the door, only to see a man in black covered from head to toe in blood, one hand pressed to his body, the other braced on a sword as he stood there.

Ning Susu was immediately alarmed and was about to scream when Chusheng hurriedly said in a gentle voice, "Please don't be afraid, miss. I mean no harm."