I'm competing with the male lead for a woman[GL]

Chapter 162: She knew she was safe now.

Counterfeit?

The candlelight illuminated the side of Lu Wanchen's face, allowing Xiao Jin to clearly see the veins winding along her neck and the trembling earrings on the edge of her earlobes.

Only her eyes remained calm, devoid of any emotions.

Xiao Jin instantly realized that the Empress was intentionally provoking her, perhaps to expose her weaknesses or even to seek death. Regardless of the motive, Xiao Jin released her grip.

At that very moment, a palace maid hiding behind the curtain suddenly drew a dagger and lunged at Xiao Jin.

Her footsteps were swift, and the sound of the wind passing through was audible.

However, Xiao Jin made no attempt to dodge, merely reaching for the armrest of her wheelchair. She had an intuition that danger was approaching from behind.

Since the imperial decree was issued by her aunt Zhao Yang, Changle Palace should not pose a threat. Even if there was danger, it should be within manageable limits.

The palace maid's footwork was incredibly elusive as she flew towards Xiao Jin, the blade in her hand poised to pierce Xiao Jin's chest.

Swish!

A gust of wind swept by. Immediately afterward, a dull sound of an arrow piercing flesh was heard. The arrow flew with such speed and stealth that it pierced through the palace maid's wrist, leaving behind a delicate bloodstain resembling a plum blossom.

The swift arrow caused the palace maid to groan in pain. Unable to hold onto the weapon in her hand due to the bleeding right wrist, she could only raise her left hand to catch it.

In the next moment, however, a second golden feather arrow pierced through her knee, causing her legs to give way as she fell to the ground, and the blade dropped to the floor as well. Now, the palace maid lay motionless on the ground, completely incapacitated.

Seeing that the crisis had been resolved, Xiao Jin turned her head to look. The palace doors were wide open, and a figure dressed in dark archer's attire stood there. Their eyes were dark and piercing, radiating a sharp intelligence. The person slowly lowered the carved bow in their hand, along with the third arrow that had been nocked.

It was only today, without the presence of Tang Ling, that Xiao Jin finally saw Tang Yu's face clearly.

Normally, since Tang Ling often overshadowed Tang Yu, Xiao Jin had only paid attention to Tang Ling's brilliance and had not paid much attention to Tang Yu as an individual. But now, Tang Yu's elegant demeanor and formidable martial arts skills were impossible to ignore.

As for why Tang Yu chose to intervene and save her at this moment, Xiao Jin was not surprised at all. Since Tang Ling was hiding in Yanyu Building, the only one authorized to act on her behalf would be her sister, Tang Yu.

Xiao Jin knew that Tang Yu hadn't shot to kill the palace maid on the spot; she wanted to leave her alive for interrogation. However, Xiao Jin still asked, "With your accuracy, two arrows were enough. Why prepare a third one?"

"Your Highness, because there is one more person," Tang Yu replied, pointing to the empress, who was sitting on the ground, dazed and watching the scene before her.

This arrogant statement undoubtedly angered the palace maid. She covered her blood-soaked wrist with her hand and coldly retorted, "Tang Yu, even if the Empress is confined to Changle Palace, she is still the Empress, the mother of Qi Country. She won't tolerate a lackey like you running wild here."

Tang Yu seemed unfazed by the maid's insult. Not only did she not get angry, but after hearing her voice, she even glanced at her and said with certainty, "You don't seem like someone from the palace."