The journey back to the Li Mansion is quite long, giving XiaoRue plenty of time to explain the situation there.
Prince Li ZhouWei is the seventh son among the eight princes of the current King. Compared with his brothers, Prince Li is the most humble and holds the least political authority.
Rather than involving himself in the kingdom's internal power struggles, he prefers to focus on public education and managing his own territory.
This makes him appear like a harmless sheep in the eyes of his brothers and even the King.
However, ever since Hua MuTan, the granddaughter of Lord General Hua, had taken an interest in him, things had changed. Lord General Hua controls half of the kingdom's military forces, making his family one of the most influential in the country.
Because of this, the King eventually issued a royal decree ordering Hua MuTan to marry Prince Li. As a wedding gift, the King bestowed the Li Mansion upon the newlyweds.
So Hua MuTan's family background is more influential than I thought. No wonder Prince Li was so respectful toward Madam Hua earlier. From the beginning, this prince was forced into an unwanted marriage that he couldn't refuse.
Somehow, TanTan begins to feel sorry for the prince.
However, that doesn't mean she can forgive his previous attitude toward her.
TanTan continues listening as XiaoRue explains the situation at the Li Mansion.
There are four people she needs to know about.
The first two are Uncle Tong, who manages all the household finances, and his wife, Aunt Tong, who is responsible for overseeing the household chores.
Both are loyal servants who once served Prince Li's deceased mother. They watched over the prince as he grew up, and since they never had children of their own, they have always regarded him as their own son.
They are willing to do anything for Prince Li's happiness.
"How do they usually treat me in that house?" TanTan asks, curious about XiaoRue's answer.
"Umm... They perform their duties very well, XiaoJie... They treat you as their master's wife..."
Once again, TanTan hears an uncertain tone in XiaoRue's voice.
This girl really isn't good at lying.
"Ah... Is that so?"
TanTan doesn't pursue the matter further. She can already guess the situation.
If these two elderly servants care so deeply about Prince Li, they must naturally resent the woman who has taken away their master's happiness.
"Then, who are the other two?"
XiaoRue continues her explanation.
The third person is Young Miss Li FangFang, Prince Li's adopted daughter.
Her biological father was Prince Li's closest friend, who died in battle. After FangFang's mother passed away from an illness, Prince Li took the little girl into his care to fulfill the promise he had made to his deceased friend.
Young Miss Li FangFang is only seven years old and is a very active little girl.
XiaoRue warns TanTan not to get too close to her.
When TanTan asks why, XiaoRue struggles to explain the situation using as many gentle words as possible.
But the truth is simple.
In the past, Hua MuTan had once nearly burned Li FangFang alive out of jealousy. Ever since that incident, Prince Li had forbidden Hua MuTan from speaking to or doing anything to the little girl.
Jealous of such a little girl? How crazy is this Hua MuTan?!
The more TanTan hears about Hua MuTan's past, the more she understands the negative comments she heard during the funeral.
She simply cannot believe that she is now living in the body of such a wicked woman.
The last person XiaoRue introduces is the bodyguard currently sitting beside Prince Li outside the carriage.
His name is ManQi, also known as Prince Li's shadow.
His martial arts skills are exceptionally high, and he has been following Prince Li since the prince was a teenager.
He is a very quiet man, almost like a cold statue most of the time.
No one knows anything about his family background or his past. But one thing is certain: he is extremely loyal to Prince Li.
He is willing to do anything for the prince, even the most terrible things.
TanTan can easily imagine that ManQi wouldn't hesitate to kill her if Prince Li ordered him to.
Suddenly...
A sharp whoosh cuts through the air.
TanTan sees an arrow sticking into the inner wall of the carriage, followed by several more arrows piercing through its outer walls.
"XiaoRue, get down!"
TanTan immediately pulls herself and XiaoRue down to avoid the incoming arrows.
Someone is attacking us!
ManQi is forced to bring the carriage to an abrupt stop as several black-clothed men appear in front of them.
Prince Li and ManQi immediately draw their swords and assume defensive positions.
"Is this a robbery? Then I'm afraid you've chosen the wrong people to mess with. You won't get anything from us!"
Prince Li attempts to intimidate the attackers.
However, he soon realizes that these enemies aren't interested in their wealth.
One after another, the attackers attempt to enter the carriage and attack TanTan.
They're targeting Hua MuTan? Why?
"ManQi, protect her!"
ManQi nods, but before he can do so, three attackers launch a simultaneous assault against him.
Inside the carriage, XiaoRue is screaming in terror as more men try to force their way inside.
Meanwhile, TanTan fights back with everything she has.
She punches, bites, and pushes away anyone who tries to grab her. She even uses the arrows stuck in the carriage walls to injure the attackers' hands.
However, one of the enemies finally manages to draw his sword and attempts to stab her.
Reacting instinctively, TanTan throws herself out of the carriage.
The attacker doesn't waste any time and immediately tries to stab her again.
But TanTan uses her karate training to dodge the attack.
Another enemy approaches from behind, preparing to strike her once more.
Fortunately, Prince Li manages to kill that attacker just in time.
Afterward, he looks at TanTan strangely.
Since when has this wicked woman known how to fight?
Unbeknownst to them, another attacker approaches Prince Li from behind, raising his sword to strike.
"YOUR BACK! WATCH OUT!"
TanTan, who is standing closer to the prince, immediately reacts.
She pulls him aside and turns her own body to shield him.
The attacker successfully slashes her back with his sword.
TanTan loses her balance and falls against Prince Li's chest.
Meanwhile, ManQi manages to kill the man who has just attacked TanTan.
It turns out that he is the last remaining enemy.
The battle is finally over.
XiaoRue, realizing that it is safe to come out, rushes toward them. She is horrified when she sees TanTan's injury.
Her young mistress's back is now stained with bright red blood.
"XiaoJie...!"
XiaoRue bursts into tears.
"I'm okay... Ugh..."
TanTan tries to reassure her, although the pain in her back is almost unbearable. Nevertheless, she struggles to stand upright.
"You're not okay!"
Prince Li suddenly scoops TanTan into his arms and carries her toward one of the horses pulling the carriage.
He quickly unhitches the horse and mounts it, positioning himself behind TanTan so that he can support her.
"ManQi, XiaoRue! Take care of everything here and return to the Li Mansion immediately. I'll take Hua MuTan back now to have her wound treated!"
Without waiting for their responses, Prince Li urges the horse forward and rides away as fast as he can.
"Ugh..."
The violent movements of the horse make TanTan's wound hurt even more.
"Hold on... We're almost there."
TanTan doesn't respond.
She only manages to look at Prince Li's face.
He looks so worried...
Unable to fight off the pain and exhaustion any longer, TanTan finally loses consciousness against his chest.
Meanwhile, Prince Li's mind is filled with questions about everything that has just happened.
Why would someone want to kill Hua MuTan?
Why has Hua MuTan suddenly become brave enough to fight her enemies? And why would she willingly take a sword wound for me?
She has never done anything like this before. In the past, no matter what happened, she would always hide behind others like a helpless woman and care only about herself.
There are too many mysteries surrounding Hua MuTan's sudden change.
But before he can find the answers, he must save her first.
Prince Li focuses on controlling the horse as he rides toward the city, heading straight for the Li Mansion.
Not far away, several people witness a horse rushing past them at an incredible speed.
Among them is a beautiful young maiden who recognizes the rider.
She looks surprised.
"Is that Prince Li ZhouWei? Li Ge?"
Her eyes then fall on the woman sitting in front of him.
"But... who is the woman with him? Could that be... Hua MuTan?"
Her expression suddenly turns worried.
Without wasting another moment, she quickly rushes away toward another destination.
Notes:
Ge = An affectionate form of address for an older brother or an older male figure, commonly used by younger people.