Chapter 298: Encountering Qian Fanji Being Hunted

Ye Qianning casually picked up a rock and tossed it down. The stone clattered against the sides as it fell, until the sound disappeared completely.

With her ability, she could hear for miles, yet even she couldn’t hear it land. This place was truly bottomless.

Narrow, deep, and hidden in the mountains. A place like this was exceedingly rare, and there were three of them. It was definitely worth investigating.

She was quite fond of archaeology, after all.

"Young Miss, the sun is setting," Luo Wen reminded her.

"Let’s head back." If she didn’t have to treat Sang Zhi’s eyes in two days, she would have absolutely insisted on exploring further.

Luo Wen bent down, scooped her up, and soared through the forest.

They had only seen one of the three chasms. After the emperor’s birthday banquet, she would definitely return to investigate it herself.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, the sky was already growing dark. Luo Wen urged the horse and carriage onward at a gallop.

The gates of the Capital City had been closing early lately, and no one was allowed entry after they were shut. By her calculations, they should be able to make it back just before closing.

The night grew heavy. Dark clouds crept across the moon, plunging the world into pitch-black darkness.

Insects chirped, but the stillness felt strangely eerie.

Dozing lightly, Ye Qianning’s eyes snapped open. ’Something’s not right. Someone’s here.’

"Young Miss!" Luo Wen shouted. At that exact moment, a figure crashed into Ye Qianning’s carriage, with black-clad men in hot pursuit.

Luo Xuan appeared in a flash, blocking the pursuers and immediately falling into a brawl with them.

"Go," the man inside the carriage ordered, swiftly grabbing Ye Qianning and pressing a blade to her neck.

A murderous glint flashed in Ye Qianning’s eyes, but she held back when she caught a familiar scent. Hearing his voice, she couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Her soft laugh made her captor frown.

Luo Wen anxiously threw open the carriage curtain. When his eyes fell on the scene inside, his face darkened. "Minister Qian! If you dare harm my Young Miss, the General will never spare you!"

Qian Fanji held the hilt of his sword, its gleaming blade pressed to Ye Qianning’s neck. He looked up at the sound of the voice, and his hand on the blade froze.

He recognized the Hidden Guard before him. ’That means the person I’m holding hostage is...’

"Is Minister Qian planning on silencing a witness?" Ye Qianning’s expression was calm, but her tone was laced with sarcasm.

Qian Fanji never would have imagined the occupant of the carriage was her. In the pitch-black night, he hadn’t been able to see whose carriage it was, only that it was heading toward the Capital City.

"What are you doing here?" He withdrew the blade, his expression strange.

"I was out having some fun and am just heading back late. I never expected to find Minister Qian lying in wait to ambush me." Ye Qianning touched her small hand to her neck, and it came away stained with blood.

A child’s skin was delicate. Even though Qian Fanji hadn’t applied any pressure, the sharp edge of the blade had still broken the skin, drawing blood.

"I’m sorry."

Qian Fanji’s face went pale at the sight. His grip on the sword loosened, and in the dim light of the carriage lamp, the streak of red was incredibly jarring.

"Young Miss." Luo Xuan returned to the front of the carriage.

"Is he dealt with?"

"I let him get away," Luo Xuan said, frustrated.

"Never pursue a desperate foe. Let’s go. Back to the city." Ye Qianning’s eyes were dark. ’The ones hiding ahead and behind weren’t a single person. It’s a whole group.’

"Yes, Miss."

The carriage started moving again.

"You should get back to the city as quickly as possible. If you encounter anyone else, pay them no mind," Qian Fanji said, preparing to get out. He couldn’t involve her in his troubles.

"That man just now saw you force your way into my carriage. Even if you leave, they won’t leave us alone. If Minister Qian has any conscience, he’ll protect me properly and see me safely back to the city." Ye Qianning leaned her small frame back, looking completely at ease.

At her words, Qian Fanji turned to look at her, only to see that the small girl had already closed her eyes.