Chapter 103: A Ray of Hope (2)

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Kong Sheng’s lips curled sharply, and he suddenly turned to Wu Xian and Wu Jie, speaking each word deliberately: “What, are you two scared now?!”

“Being scared is useless. We told you before to leave, but you didn’t. Now we are all grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If you think you can escape unscathed, that’s just a fool’s dream, isn’t it, Your Highness the Princess?” Kong Sheng suddenly burst into laughter. “Your Highness, we warned you beforehand—if you dare threaten me again, I will strip you naked and throw you out!”

My heavens!

Kong Sheng’s reckless words made Mu Changfeng stifle a laugh, almost bursting out loud. He found Kong Sheng utterly amusing, verging on lawlessness. No matter that she was a princess of the imperial clan, even if she were an ordinary girl, you can’t just strip her bare and toss her out like that… It was sheer madness!

Wu Xian and Wu Jie listened, their faces draining of color, mouths agape. They thought Kong Sheng was mad, daring to say such things openly and so profanely disrespect the princess. This… this… this was truly insanity!

Li Xuan was overwhelmed by shame and anger, lowering her head and collapsing to the ground, fainting on the spot.

Kong Sheng glanced at the unconscious Li Xuan, then smiled and bent down, lifting her in his arms. He signaled Zhong Wuniang and Zhong Ma to bring a soft couch, placing Li Xuan on it, then fetched a blanket to cover her.

No matter if she was a princess or not, she was still a woman. Even if she was under duress, there were limits to how far they could go.

Mu Changfeng sighed deeply. “Young master, we can use her as cover to break out under the cover of night. But… offending this imperial princess means you’ll likely never be able to take up your post in Suiyang again.”

Prince Guo Li Ju currently commanded and coordinated anti-rebel efforts in the Henan region, with Suiyang under his jurisdiction. If he learned that a mere eighth-rank county magistrate like Kong Sheng dared offend his daughter, Princess Fengyang, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Wu Xian stomped angrily. “County Magistrate Kong, you’re recklessly foolhardy. Who is she? An imperial princess, noble and royal blood! How dare you offend her so! This is not filial behavior. Now you’re doomed—not only you, but the three of us will not escape punishment!”

Kong Sheng sneered coldly, his gaze fierce and commanding. “So what if she’s royal? Would we just meekly await execution? If you want to move against me, not only this princess but even her father, Prince Guo Li Ju himself, wouldn’t be able to stop me!”

Wu Xian’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

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“Wu Xian, I’ve always acted on my own convictions. If I dare do this, I can surely bear the consequences. For you two, you can either leave or stay—but if you stay, you must obey me without question. If you dare doubt or disobey again… the consequences will be yours alone!”

Kong Sheng’s voice was low and ruthless, a flash of murderous intent flickering in his eyes. He stepped forward slightly, exuding an aura forged from both killing intent and authority. When life and death were at stake, his usual patience and refinement were gone. If Wu Xian and Wu Jie proved unreliable, he would show no mercy.

He dared to touch a princess, let alone two palace guards.

As for offending Prince Guo or whether it would affect his appointment in Suiyang, he didn’t care at all. He knew better than anyone that the Yan army was about to launch a massive offensive on Henan, with Suiyang as the main battleground, engulfed in flames. Prince Guo Li Ju’s influence and authority were all but gone.

If he could hold Suiyang, he would win great merit for the court and establish an enduring legacy, gaining his own land and troops. What was a mere prince to fear? If he couldn’t hold Suiyang and it was destroyed, he would quietly disappear and vanish into the horizon, caring little for Prince Guo’s revenge.

Wu Xian looked at Kong Sheng with growing fear, lowering his head and stepping back two paces.

Kong Sheng turned to the unconscious Li Xuan lying on the couch, his heart unusually calm.

By some twist of fate, they had crossed paths with the Guo prince’s princess. At this point, even if he released Li Xuan and apologized repeatedly, given her nature, she would never let them go. Since that was the case, it was a fight to the finish.

If it came to the worst, it would be a battle to the death.

A trace of determination and coldness flickered across Kong Sheng’s lips. “Brother Mu, we’re exhausted from the past two days. Let’s rest here tonight. You all go upstairs—sleep if you can. What’s done is done; fear won’t help. I’ll stay here and keep the honorable princess company.”

Mu Changfeng was stunned. He hadn’t expected Kong Sheng to refuse a nighttime escape and instead rest in the inn surrounded by enemies. Even Mu Changfeng thought Kong Sheng’s courage was extraordinary.

But Mu Changfeng said nothing more, silently nodding and ascending the stairs.

Wu Xian and Wu Jie exchanged glances, their faces pale, sighing deeply before following upstairs. The situation was urgent; lingering any longer only increased danger. They couldn’t understand whether Kong Sheng was fearless or simply dazed.

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Kong Sheng ordered the doorman to lock the inn’s main door, then turned to Li Xuan lying unconscious on the couch, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips. “Your Highness, do you intend to keep up the act?”

Li Xuan slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with venomous hatred.

“I know Your Highness despises me to the core, wishing to tear me limb from limb, do you not?” Kong Sheng suddenly laughed. “Offending a princess in the current dynasty looks like a death sentence on the surface. But in truth, these chaotic times have made human life as cheap as grass. Though you are a noble princess, if you die among the chaos, the court would have no time to care.”

“The Tang royal family spreads across the land, but countless have been slain by rebels. One more or one less princess won’t make a difference. What say you, princess?”

Li Xuan’s face changed. “You thief, do you intend to kill me to silence me?”

“If it comes to the worst, what harm is there in silencing you?!” Kong Sheng said calmly. “Your Highness is ruthless. Even if I let you go, I doubt you would spare me. Since death is inevitable either way, why not take you down with me? To be accompanied by such a noble and beautiful woman in the afterlife would be a rare fortune indeed.”

Li Xuan sneered. “Thief, I don’t believe you aren’t afraid of death.”

“Ridiculous! What is there to fear? Kong Sheng has only a worthless life, alone and joyless. Why fear death?” Kong Sheng took up the challenge. “Moreover, if I take the risk and go all in, I might still have a chance at survival. But Your Highness will certainly die without fail. Worse, it could drag down your father, Prince Guo Li Ju, and doom your entire lineage to eternal ruin!”

Li Xuan’s eyes narrowed. “Thief, what exactly do you mean?”