Chapter 130: Danger in the Valley

Chapter 130 Peril in the Valley

"Alright!"

A-Man, unaware of her father's scheme, happily agreed and immediately pestered A-Yuan to go out with them.

"A trip to Qingming Mountain?"

A-Yuan didn’t suspect Wei Xun was hiding anything—at worst, he was just scheming to win her over again.

Seeing her daughter’s hopeful expression, A-Yuan finally nodded. "Alright."

Just this once.

After this, she’d avoid Wei Xun for good.

By late March, the capital was fully thawed.

A-Man changed into a pink pleated dress with a front clasp, sewn by her mother, and paired it with butterfly-embroidered shoes of the same color. She skipped excitedly into the marquis’s carriage.

A-Yuan had originally planned to take the general’s carriage, but Chang Yuan was already waiting outside early in the morning.

"Lady Xie, the snow has melted on Qingming Mountain, and the roads are treacherous. The carriage I’ve prepared has cushioned springs. You and Young Mistress should ride in this one."

After that, A-Yuan couldn’t refuse.

She might refuse Wei Xun, but she seldom gave his men trouble.

Wei Xun had anticipated this and sent Chang Yuan to fetch her.

"Mm."

As the two boarded the carriage, Chang Yuan exchanged a glance with Zhang Feng, who was hidden in the shadows. Zhang Feng promptly relayed the message to Wei Xun.

While the family headed toward Qingming Mountain, the prime minister’s assassins were on the move too.

"After them!"

Wei Xun waited for them at the city gate. Zhang Feng reported the assassins’ movements, and Wei Xun’s eyes turned icy.

"Get Young Mistress out of there."

A-Man was too young to witness bloodshed.

"Yes, sir."

"Daddy!"

A-Man lifted the carriage curtain and spotted Wei Xun on horseback at once.

Leaning out the window, she called out excitedly.

Wei Xun smirked and stretched out his hand to her. "Want to ride with me, A-Man?"

"Yes!"

The restless girl could hardly sit still. She couldn’t pass up a horse ride.

But would Mom allow it?

"Mom?"

The little girl tugged at her mother's sleeve, her eyes wide and pleading.

A Yuan pressed her lips together. The carriage curtain was half-open, and she could feel the man's gaze.

A Man sat inside the carriage, probably wanting the curtain open to talk to him.

A Yuan didn’t want to see him, so sending her daughter over was the right move.

"Go ahead."

"Okay!"

The little girl happily jumped off the carriage, her excitement making A Yuan’s heart leap with worry.

She called out urgently, "Be careful!"

The man bent down to pick up his daughter, and when he looked up, his eyes met the woman’s.

Wei Xun’s usually cool gaze burned with intensity, forcing A Yuan to look away. She quickly dropped the curtain.

Inside the dim carriage, she leaned against the wall, her heart hammering.

"Let’s go."

Wei Xun withdrew his gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Maybe A Yuan didn’t completely hate him.

Once they entered the Qingming Mountain area, the road got bumpy.

Birds chirped from the dense forest around them, leaving A Man equal parts curious and scared.

"Daddy, are there wolves in the mountains?"

She had heard from her brother that in spring, wild animals would come out looking for food, and they loved the tender meat of children—wolves especially liked to carry kids off.

"A Man is afraid of wolves?"

Wei Xun ruffled her hair and laughed.

The little girl nodded vigorously. "Yes! Wolves eat children."

"How about I have Zhang Feng take you a different way, alright? There’s a valley full of flowers and butterflies. You love flowers, don’t you?"

Wei Xun coaxed her, and A Man nodded. "I do."

"But what about you and Mom? Are you coming too?"

"Daddy and Mom have some things to take care of. A Man can wait for us there for a few days, alright? Once Daddy wins Mom over, we can all be together for good."

Though she had never said it aloud, A Man had always hoped her parents would reconcile. Hearing Wei Xun’s words, she paused, then finally nodded.

"Okay, but Daddy can’t be mean to Mom."

"Promise."

Wei Xun linked pinkies with her, swearing he’d never hurt A Yuan.

"Daddy, you have to come get me soon. I’ll miss Mommy."

The little girl followed Zhang Feng onto the horse, still fretting as they left.

Wei Xun had to reassure her repeatedly before finally convincing the little girl.

A Yuan, still inside the carriage, had no idea that A Man had already been taken away.

Once Zhang Feng and A Man were far enough, Wei Xun gave Chang Yuan, who was driving the carriage behind, a signal before riding into the valley himself.

"Swish!"

The moment the horse charged into the valley, arrows rained down from the cliffs.

"Assassins!"

Someone outside shouted in alarm, and A Yuan’s hands balled into fists.

Assassins?

With shaking hands, she pulled back the curtain—all hell had broken loose outside.

Wei Xun was struck in the shoulder by an arrow, his white robe soaked red with blood. A Yuan nearly blacked out.

Where was A Man?

Panicked, she craned out the window, scanning the area desperately but couldn’t find her daughter anywhere.

"A Man!"

A Yuan tumbled out of the carriage before Chang Yuan could react.

The assassins had originally only wanted Wei Xun's life, but upon seeing A Yuan in the carriage, they nodded to each other and immediately turned their swords toward her.

Everyone in the capital knew how deeply Wei Xun cared for the young Miss Xie. Taking her hostage would break Wei Xun.

Wei Xun had been waiting for this moment.

He lunged forward, shielding A Yuan tightly beneath him. Blades slashed across his shoulders and back, the metallic tang of blood thick in the air. A Yuan went ghostly white.

"Wei Xun... don’t you dare scare me!"

Though she had resolved to stay away from him, the moment the man collapsed beside her, A Yuan felt nothing but boundless terror.

"Who gave you the right to save me? I don’t need your saving!"

She refused to be in his debt—not for anything.

Her tears fell onto his face. Though Wei Xun had feigned some of it, his chest clenched with real pain now.

"A Yuan... don’t cry. It doesn’t hurt."

Gritting his teeth, he lifted a hand to wipe her tears, but his bloody fingers streaked her cheeks.

"Dirty..." His expression was full of remorse, his raised hand hovering uncertainly.

A Yuan preferred his cold glares to seeing him like this.

"Wei Xun, let me go."

"I won't!" Wei Xun held her tightly beneath him. He wouldn't let go again, never again.

More assailants swarmed in, and Wei Xun grunted, his strength fading fast.

A Yuan, protected in his arms, couldn't see the chaos outside—only the smell of blood coming from him getting stronger.

"Wei Xun... don't die..."

"I don't hold it against you anymore, just stay alive."

She forgave him.

Her tears fell onto the back of his hand, burning.

Wei Xun had never hated his own trickery more—using his death to win her over. Even now, he regretted it.

"A Yuan, I'm sorry."

In the past, he had failed to protect her. Now, he had frightened her.

His trembling hand brushed her face, his eyes filled with remorse.

A Yuan's heart ached instinctively, and she reached out to grasp his hand.

"I forgive you, Wei Xun, I forgive you... just don't die..."

Memories of their time together played through her mind. She couldn't stand the thought of him dying.

"If you live... I promise... I'll never turn away from you again. Wei Xun, please... just stay alive."