Chapter 914: The Young Empress (51)

“Your Majesty, why don't you let go of me? Have the Chief Eunuch and the others cover your retreat and escape first.”

A quarter of an hour later, even the experts were beginning to struggle. The Chief Eunuch had suffered a minor injury, but thanks to her superb martial arts and careful defense, her life was not in danger.

A distress signal had already been sent, but they were far from the imperial city, and no one knew whether the enemy had reinforcements.

Even without reinforcements, they couldn't hold out much longer.

And if reinforcements arrived…

Then this would truly become a dead end.

Hearing Su Qing's words, the Chief Eunuch quickly agreed.

“Master, Young Master Su is right. We'll cover you. You must leave first.”

The other four experts all nodded, willing to exchange their lives for Tang Guo's escape.

Tang Guo tightened her grip on Su Qing's wrist, a faint smile curving her lips.

“How could I leave you behind? If I can't even protect the people around me, how could I govern the world?”

Su Qing had never imagined that even now, the Empress would refuse to abandon him.

He was only an insignificant member of the harem.

From the standpoint of the Empress's interests, she should have cast him aside immediately.

If she took those experts with her, she might still be able to break through.

“Your Majesty, let go of me. I know no martial arts. I'll only drag you down.”

But Tang Guo refused to release him. Instead, she tightened her hold on his wrist and commanded the others,

“We can't sit here and wait to die. Break through!”

The Chief Eunuch and the four experts immediately understood.

Together, they charged toward the edge of the encirclement.

Through everyone's desperate efforts, they finally managed to open a gap.

With a backhand slash, Tang Guo severed the reins connecting the carriage and leapt onto a horse with Su Qing.

The others followed close behind, mounting their horses and galloping in a certain direction.

Su Qing had never expected the people around the Empress to be this formidable.

What shocked him even more was that the Empress herself was equally terrifying.

He had thought these assassins would be enough to deal with them, so he had arranged no backup plan.

If the Empress really escaped, all of today's efforts would have been wasted.

Thus, after mounting the horse, he hurriedly glanced back and looked toward one of the black-clad assassins, silently mouthing a command.

The man saw Su Qing's lips move and gave a slight nod before immediately chasing after them.

“Loose the arrows!”

The Chief Eunuch's expression changed drastically.

“Your Majesty, be careful! They're firing arrows!”

Together with the four experts, she rode behind Tang Guo, intercepting the incoming arrows.

With their skills, dodging the arrows of twenty-some men posed no real problem.

But inevitably, a few slipped through and flew toward Tang Guo.

Fortunately, Tang Guo's martial prowess was excellent. Every time, she narrowly and precisely evaded them.

Seeing this, Su Qing became anxious.

He still hadn't found a chance to block an arrow for her.

Yes.

Today's elaborate scheme had been designed solely for that purpose.

He intended to take an arrow for the Empress and leave an unforgettable impression upon her heart.

Afterward, he would no longer have to spend so much effort currying favor with her.

To win the trust of an emperor, one naturally had to invest a little sincerity in return. Otherwise, suspicions would remain.

To an emperor, life itself was the most precious thing.

If he was willing to sacrifice his life for her, then she would never forget him for the rest of her days.

And what he desired was only one thing—

The Empress's unconditional trust.

With that, he could eventually make use of it to carry out his plans.

Su Qing waited patiently for his opportunity.

And finally, it came.

Tang Guo had just knocked aside one incoming arrow when another shot toward her from behind.

Seeing the arrow streaking toward them, Su Qing's lips curved into a smile.

Gently wrapping an arm around Tang Guo's waist, he prepared to use his own back to block the deadly projectile.
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