After the Affectionate Second Male Lead Reincarnated

15

Court Lady Cui didn’t have many subordinates, so Song Yan Yu and I seized the opportunity during a guard shift change to escape from the small house where we were held.

The Prince Zhao residence had been abandoned for years, and neither of us knew the way out.

Song Yan Yu, skilled in light footwork, carried me to the rooftop to observe the residence's layout.

However, we were both injured, and the roof tiles of the residence were loose. As we moved, we inadvertently triggered the sound of breaking tiles, exposing us in the dark night.

In our panic, we fled haphazardly.

Court Lady Cui and the other remnants from the previous dynasty were as skilled as Song Yan Yu. I handed her a smoke bomb hidden in my shoe.

I had suggested to Pei Du to have the Ministry of Works create these, and I had concealed it inside my clothes today.

Fortunately, Court Lady Cui had only changed my complicated outer robe, leaving my inner garments untouched.

"We should split up. Set this off once you’re far enough away. Xiao Yan and Pei Du are likely searching for us. Pei Du will understand when he sees it."

"What about you?" Song Yan Yu grabbed my sleeve.

"I’ll wait here for you to bring them back to rescue me." I pried her fingers away, smiling calmly.

After we separated, as expected, Court Lady Cui mistook me for Song Yan Yu and sent most of her men after me.

At first, I managed to delay them.

But due to excessive blood loss, I gradually grew weaker and slower.

A burst of light shot up into the sky, exploding into brilliant fireworks in the dark night.

I sighed in relief; Song Yan Yu should be safe now.

But Court Lady Cui and her men were still pursuing me relentlessly, and I felt my strength ebbing away with each passing moment.

I could hear the whistle of arrows flying towards me, but I couldn’t outrun them.

As an arrow pierced through my chest, I felt myself being caught by strong arms, falling into a warm embrace.

Familiar, yet unfamiliar.

I looked up and saw Pei Du.

I had rarely seen Pei Du cry. His emotions were always steady, but now tears were streaming from his eyes, dripping onto the back of my hand.

"Your Majesty," I choked out through the blood rising in my throat, my voice barely audible, "Is Yan Yu... is she safe?"

"She’s safe. What about you?"

I swallowed the blood and forced a smile. "I’m so tired... I just... want to sleep..."

Pei Du’s guards surged past us, attacking Court Lady Cui and her men. Amidst the clash of swords, I saw Pei Du’s eyes, bloodshot with my blood.