"You seem awfully familiar with this."
Yun Shu glanced sideways at him.
Yun Chuhuan rubbed the back of his neck. He said nothing.
In truth, the sound was indeed familiar. Back when he used to deal with unruly palace servants, that exact muffled noise had often accompanied their struggles.
But admitting that would probably earn him a beating from his Fifth Sister. So Yun Chuhuan gave an awkward chuckle and quickly changed the subject.
"Fifth Sister, should we go take a look?"
"Let's."
Yun Shu sighed. "What if it's some poor palace maid being bullied?"
In a place like the Imperial Palace, power and privilege often gave way to cruelty. If someone was being punished for wrongdoing, she would have no grounds to interfere. Even as a princess, she could not reach her hand into every inner court affair.
But if this wasn't a matter of discipline…
They followed the sound of the muffled cries around a side path. Sure enough, they spotted a young palace maid, dressed in standard uniform, being dragged by two guards toward a secluded corner of the palace.
The young maid had already sunk into despair as the surroundings grew quieter and more desolate. But then she spotted Yun Shu and Yun Chuhuan. Desperation flared into sheer survival instinct.
"Mmm! Mmm!"
"Isn't that—wait, I know her!"
Yun Chuhuan smacked his forehead. "We saw her earlier today, walking beside the bridal sedan. She's the Crown Princess's personal maid!"
He stared in disbelief. "But her mistress was just elevated from Side Consort to Crown Princess. Why would—"
"What are you doing?"
The moment Yun Shu recognized the maid's face, her expression turned cold.
The Crown Princess's personal maid, at such a critical time? Even Yun Chuhuan wouldn't believe this was merely a case of two guards taking liberties.
If this wasn't the guards acting of their own accord, then it was likely an order from the Crown Princess—or the Crown Prince.
But why? Why would they want to silence the maid?
Yun Shu narrowed her eyes. The two guards turned at the sound of her voice, clearly startled. They immediately dropped to one knee in greeting.
Strangely, the one holding his hand over Cui He's mouth didn't loosen his grip.
"This humble servant greets Princess Sheng An, Sixth Prince."
"What is the meaning of this?"
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow when they didn't respond. She repeated the question. "What offense has this palace maid committed?"
"Replying to Her Highness, this maid was caught stealing—she even dared touch items bestowed upon the Eastern Palace—argh!"
Cui He had sunk her teeth deep into the guard's hand. The man yelped and instinctively recoiled.
She seized the moment, mustering every ounce of strength to break free and dash toward Yun Shu.
"Princess Sheng An, save me! I know—"
Her plea was cut off.
The second guard had drawn his blade and flung it with all his might. It struck with chilling precision.
Cui He lowered her gaze, stunned to see the bloodied tip of a blade protruding from her chest. She collapsed with a heavy thud.
Blood splattered across the ground. Yun Shu reached up with trembling fingers to her cheek—sure enough, warm droplets clung to her skin.
Cui He had fallen just two steps away.
The flash of steel, the sudden bloom of crimson—it sent a piercing cold from her heels to her scalp.
Yun Shu stumbled back. Yun Chuhuan clutched his head and let out a horrified shriek.
"An assassin! Someone help—"
It had taken mere seconds.
Before Yun Chuhuan could finish his cry for help, the first guard had already grabbed his companion's sword and turned it on him.
Thwack.
The wet crunch of steel slicing into flesh echoed in the narrow alley.
The second guard's eyes bulged in disbelief. He had no idea what madness had suddenly overtaken his comrade.
He opened his mouth to speak, but the blade was yanked from his chest before the words could form.
Splurt.
A fresh wave of blood erupted. His eyes widened in fury and confusion before his body crumpled to the ground.
"Seize him!"
Everything had happened too fast. Even Yun Shu, whose reflexes were sharp, had been caught a beat too slow.
Ah ku appeared in a blur, but just as he moved to act, the assassin guard spun the blade around and buried it in his own throat.
It was over.
Yun Chuhuan stood frozen. "What... just happened? What did he mean by all this?"
"To silence her."
Ah ku, rarely one to speak, answered flatly. Before vanishing again, he pointed toward Cui He and said quietly,
"That one is still alive."
Alive?
Yun Shu's thoughts raced. She rushed to Cui He's side. Sure enough, the maid's blood-soaked fingers gave a faint tremble. Her lips moved, struggling to form words.
Yun Shu crouched down and motioned for Yun Chuhuan to stay quiet. She leaned close to listen.
"Crown... Crown Princess... today, she meant to... miscarry, frame... frame...
Crown Prince... said... he had another way... to make Her Highness... make Her Highness..."
Cui He's final words never came. The light in her eyes flickered and went out.
Yun Shu slowly stood, stunned.
Just then, the guards summoned by Yun Chuhuan's earlier shout arrived. They took one look at the three bodies strewn across the ground and fell to their knees in alarm.
"We arrived too late to protect Their Highnesses. We beg forgiveness!"
"You only just realize you're late now?"
Yun Chuhuan had finally snapped out of his daze. The wave of delayed fear rushed through him.
"If that man had truly come to assassinate me, by the time you useless lot showed up, I'd already be dead! You—"
"That's enough."
Yun Shu's voice was calm now, eerily so. She let her right hand, still faintly trembling, show just enough to be noticed. With her left, she covered it gently.
When she spoke, her voice carried the slightest quiver, as though trying hard to steady herself.
"You are guards of the Eastern Palace, yes?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Very well."
Yun Shu gestured toward the fallen bodies.
"Just now, This Princess witnessed these two dragging a young maid toward a deserted area. I questioned their actions. The maid seized the chance to escape, as if seeking help. But after only two steps, she was struck down.
The other guard, and even the killer himself, were all slain by that same man.
You would be wise to report this to the Crown Prince. This man's identity may not be so simple. There may be secrets yet uncovered."
"Understood!"
The captain of the guards cupped his fists in acknowledgment, then cautiously asked,
"Shall we escort Your Highnesses back to your palace quarters?"