Chapter 4: Shadows of Assassination

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Chapter 4: Shadows of Assassination

Morning mist lay low in the woods, a gray pall over silent underbrush. Feng Xiaoxiao ran quickly, taking the familiar path back toward the main road. She had done her duty-saved a stranger's life-and felt no obligation to linger. She was already thinking of her next step, of how best to get back to her family estate, when a soft but ominous rustle broke the silence.

A sudden, darting shadow passed between the trees, barely seen. Her instincts were sharper now, and she froze, her hand instinctively reaching for a nearby branch. It was too quiet-the trees, the birds, the insects utterly still in that deadliness.

Just as she could sense the danger, a streak of silver flew towards her—a knife, directly aimed at her head. Feng Xiaoxiao moved in a flash and sidestepped the knife, snatching it from the air as it flew past her. Her eyes narrowed as she saw masked figures emerge from the dark shadows, surrounding her and the stranger with life-threatening injuries that she had just saved.

The young man's face tensed with recognition. Weakened yet trying, he reached for the sword beside him.

"Stay still," she whispered, her eyes flicking down at him. "I can handle this."

He began to protest, but something in her steady, confident gaze made him stop. She stepped between him and the assassins, standing firm.

Hand over the man," one of the assassins sneered, his voice muffled beneath his mask. "If you do, we might consider sparing your life."

Feng Xiaoxiao's lips curled in a cold smile. "Afraid that's not happening.

The first assassin charged, his blade flashing in the faint morning light. She leapt forward to meet him and found her fluid, almost instinctive motions, her battle skills honed from countless hours of practice in her previous life. With ease born of skill, she dodged his blow and returned a sharp strike that sent him into the trunk of a tree. Thrown off by her skill, the rest faltered, but then recovered and launched a renewed attack en masse.

She moved like a whirlwind, dodging and blocking with an almost superhuman elegance, striking back with deadly efficiency in twisting motions. The blades of all of them were deflected with much ease as she nimbly parried; she twisted and struck until they began falling back one by one, some falling from pains while others struggled desperately to be able to get on their feet again against the unrelenting attack. Quick, strong, and powerful was she that even the Crown Prince, who sat behind her, found his own gaze transfixed upon her.

This, Xiaoxiao saw her chance. With her momentum, she spun and disarmed one and, in a fluid motion, knocked him unconscious. The remaining assassin hung back, eyes darting to his fallen comrades in growing fear. Turning to flee, in a swift motion Xiaoxiao hurled the caught dagger at the ground just before him.

"Leave," she ordered, her tone cold. "Or the next one won't miss."

The assassin stumbled, nodded in terrified silence, and ran back into the shadows, disappearing to the depths of the forest.

The danger now gone, Xiaoxiao turned back to the young man, who was struggling to sit up, with a look that combined amazement and admiration.

You… fought like no one I've ever seen," he muttered, his dark eyes fixed on her. As far as he'd known, she was the Prime Minister's daughter, but her abilities were way beyond anything he'd expect of any lady noble.

Feng Xiaoxiao deflected praise and glanced around, checking if there were still other assassins lurking around nearby. "Rest easy. They're gone for now, but you shouldn't stay here.

Before she could say more, the clatter of horses and clink of armor filtered through the forest. In one second, a group of soldiers-at-arms with the royal crest on their chests rode into the clearing. They jerked hard at their reins upon finding the Prince, whereupon their eyes went wide with alarm and relief.

"Your Highness!" exclaimed one of the soldiers who, forthwith dismounting and running to his side, dropped upon a knee and bowed. "Thank heavens you are safe!"

The Crown Prince nodded slightly, his eyes darting briefly once from the guards to Feng Xiaoxiao. His eyes shone with gratefulness and curiosity, but then he masked them fast behind a stern expression. "I am not injured, thanks to her," he said, his head nodding towards Xiaoxiao.

The guard shot a surprised glance at her before hastily returning his attention to the Prince. "Shall we escort you back to the capital immediately, Your Highness?"

The Crown Prince looked at Xiaoxiao and softened. "You saved my life," he said quietly. "I will not forget this."

But Feng Xiaoxiao inclined her head only slightly, and a flicker of understanding crossed her face. "You owe me nothing. Just survive the next time."

Not waiting for his reply, she turned and began to walk away as her figure disappeared into the forest. And she would not wish to stay longer near royalty and all that came with it.

END

By the time Feng Xiaoxiao reached her family estate, the evening sun was dipping into the horizon and painting it a warm, golden color. As she approached the gate of the estate, a flurry of activity seemed to be going on within the courtyard; servants were scurrying back and forth, trays in hand, as if some sort of preparation was getting underway.

The deep, familiar sounds reached her a moment before she came inside. Her father, the Prime Minister, and her older brother, Feng Tianyu, were finally back after years away, following his long diplomatic mission to the western kingdoms. She could hardly believe it; they had gone for almost a decade. Rather than feeling excited, a pang of concern stirred in her heart.

As she approached the courtyard, she could see the Prime Minister and Feng Tianyu standing in the entrance hall, their faces contorted with concern, questioning one of the guards.

"Are you sure?" her father's voice, laced with an unusual edge of urgency, echoed across the grounds. "Xiaoxiao was seen to leave the estate yesterday but has yet to return?"

He nodded, his eyes cast down. "Yes, sir. The servants reported her missing late last night, but we thought she might be… out exploring again."

Her brother clenched his fists, his voice shrill with concern. "Did anyone check the nearby forests? With so many rumors of dangers lurking, I cannot believe none of you have searched!"

Stepping out into the courtyard, Xiaoxiao calmly called out, "Father, Brother, it's me, right here."

Her father and brother turned around. Surprise was quickly replaced with relief on their faces. Feng Tianyu strode forward to clasp her shoulders. "Xiaoxiao! You had us all worried.

The Prime Minister's face relaxed at the sight of his daughter, uninjured and tranquil. "You disappeared for almost a whole day without a word," he reproached her, but his voice was mild. "Where have you been?"

Xiaoxiao was hesitant as she smiled slightly. "I met with someone who needed a little… help," she tried to say vaguely. "A lost voyager in the woods.

Her brother's eyes narrowed; he knew there was more to the story, but he didn't press. "Next time, just don't vanish without telling someone, okay?" he said then, his tone softening. "After all, we've only just got back, and we don't want to be losing you so soon."

The Prime Minister nodded in agreement. "There are threats and intrigues beyond even what you may expect, Xiaoxiao. Be careful.

She inclined her head, acknowledgement of his words masking the slight smile that tugged at her lips. "I will, Father."

As she made her way back to her quarters that evening, Feng Xiaoxiao couldn't shake the feeling that this chance meeting with the Crown Prince was only the opening salvo to a chain reaction of unexpected events. She knew it with as much certainty as the morning sun rising in the east: her life was going to get even more embroiled with the affairs of the empire-and maybe even with the Prince himself.

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