Love at First Sight Chapter 11: The Assassin (Part Two)

Wen Yueqing was taken by a masked figure in black to a secluded storage room. She struggled all the way, but her efforts were in vain—the intruder was so strong that she couldn't even pry his hand away.

Suddenly abducted, Wen Yueqing was terrified. All she hoped now was that he wouldn't kill her.

"It's me, Qing'er, I'm Shangguan," whispered the assassin in her ear, noticing her relentless struggle.

His voice was deep and resonant, and his words suggested he knew Wen Yueqing. But why had he brought her here? Was there some bitter enmity that compelled him to break into the prince's residence at night?

With such thoughts, Wen Yueqing's face turned ashen, and tears began to fall, droplets slipping onto the assassin's hand.

"Qing'er, don't cry. Just keep quiet and I'll let go," he said, clearly flustered.

Her mouth had been covered, making it hard to breathe. Wen Yueqing stopped struggling and nodded.

He released her, turned her around to face him, and removed the cloth covering his face. Pale moonlight filtered through the window, casting faint shadows on the floor. The room was dim, but they stood close enough for her to see his handsome features, phoenix eyes, and deep, shimmering pupils.

"I—I don't know you, sir. Please let me go, I'm just a maid, I know nothing," Wen Yueqing said, her heart still pounding with fear.

"Say that again? I'm Shangguan Yin Chun! How could you not recognize me?" His voice trembled with confusion.

From his tone, Wen Yueqing realized he wasn't here for revenge. But she had no memory of her former self—how could she explain this?

Seeing her silent, Shangguan Yin Chun grew anxious. "Qing'er, are you angry I took so long to return?"

He paused, then continued, "I came back a few days ago and looked for you, but I never expected..." His words trailed off.

"Sir Shangguan, actually... I've lost my memory," Wen Yueqing said quietly, glancing up at him.

"And now, I'm no longer the Wen Yueqing I once was. If there were misunderstandings between us before, let's just leave them behind, shall we?"

Seeing her cautious demeanor, a wave of bitterness flooded Shangguan Yin Chun's heart. He knew Wen Yueqing had suffered a serious illness recently, and he knew how she'd ended up here. At this moment, guilt overwhelmed him; he blamed himself for not returning sooner to propose, believing that delay had subjected her to so much hardship. Now she claimed to have lost her memory—he didn't know if this was true or simply words of resentment.

For a moment, the two stood facing each other in silence, unsure what to do. Just then, the sound of many footsteps echoed nearby; it seemed someone had discovered their location.

"There's no time to talk. Qing'er, come with me, let's leave," he said, covering his face with the cloth again, swiftly grabbing Wen Yueqing's hand, and pulling her along. They slipped through the window and headed straight for the courtyard wall, but Wen Yueqing struggled to keep up, running with difficulty.

"Over there! An assassin—after them!" Kang Qi, ever alert, spotted their figures. A group of guards and servants quickly followed in pursuit.

Zun You heard the commotion and grew anxious, hurrying after them. As the group chased, Shangguan Yin Chun was already on the rooftop with Wen Yueqing, about to leap over the wall and escape.

"Stop right there, or I'll order the archers to fire!" Zun You shouted, afraid the assassin would escape before he could intervene.

Hearing this, Shangguan Yin Chun slowed his steps. His agility would have allowed him to dodge arrows easily, but Wen Yueqing could not. For a moment, he hesitated, then turned, placing his hands on her shoulders and drawing her closer to his chest.

"Your Highness," Wen Yueqing wanted to call for Zun You to save her, but the words never left her lips.

"Audacious assassin, let Miss Wen go at once. I advise you to surrender," Kang Qi stepped forward beside Zun You, shouting at the intruder.

"To capture me, you lot are not nearly enough," Shangguan Yin Chun replied calmly, betraying no panic.

"Archers, prepare!" Zun You raised a hand. "You dare break into the prince's residence; you must have a death wish."

"I've got a hostage. Even if I die, she'll die with me," Shangguan Yin Chun said, unwilling to reveal his true relationship with Wen Yueqing, fearing it would bring trouble upon her. If she were thought to be complicit with the assassin, it would be a grave crime.

Wen Yueqing understood this as well; she remained silent and perfectly still.

"Ridiculous. Threatening me with a mere insignificant maid? Just watch—I'll order the archers to fire," Zun You narrowed his eyes, his brows full of disdain, his tone icy and angry.

Only Zun You himself knew how anxious he truly was, sweat soaking his palms. He was afraid, but even in his desperation, he could not show it. He knew if he did not stand firm, the assassin would surely take Wen Yueqing away. Though he could not explain why, he would not allow such a thing to happen.

Hearing Zun You's words, Wen Yueqing felt a sharp pang—so this was how little she mattered to him? She forced a bitter smile and turned to look at Shangguan Yin Chun. She believed that if she were truly Wen Yueqing, she would never want this man to come to harm.

"Go quickly. It's not worth it for me—run," she whispered, then suddenly bit Shangguan Yin Chun's arm. He winced in pain and, before he could react, she pushed him away.

Wen Yueqing herself fell onto the rooftop. Shangguan Yin Chun wanted to help her up, but her urgent gaze stopped him. He could no longer resist her wishes; he turned and leapt over the wall, vanishing from sight.

"After him! Don't let the assassin escape—he must be caught!" Kang Qi ordered, and the guards rushed after him.

Zun You hurried forward, eager to see how Wen Yueqing was.

"Your Highness, I'll climb up and bring Miss Wen down," Kang Qi stepped forward, about to ascend.

"Stand down!" Zun You glared at him and sharply rebuked him.

At his words, Kang Qi stood awkwardly to the side, unsure what he'd done wrong. As a bodyguard, his duty was to protect those in the residence.

But Zun You did not want another man to hold Wen Yueqing. The assassin had embraced her moments ago, in a manner that seemed intimate, which irked him greatly. Now, he could not bear it—even his own trusted guard was not permitted.

Yet with so many servants watching, Zun You, a prince, could not climb up himself. So he stood beneath the eaves and called up, "Jump down, I'll catch you!"

Seeing Zun You with open arms, Wen Yueqing hesitated. She was actually afraid of heights; earlier, the urgency of the situation and Shangguan Yin Chun's protection had kept her from noticing. Now, alone atop the high roof, her legs trembled uncontrollably. She managed to sit up, but dared not move.

"I'm scared, I don't want to jump," Wen Yueqing steadied herself and replied.

"Come down, I'll catch you."

"I won't jump. Why don't you come up and rescue me?" she said offhandedly.

"Come down!"

"You come up!"

"Stop fooling around and come down!"

"I'm not fooling around—come up!"

For a moment, time seemed to stand still.