Chapter 531 - Beheaded
The arrow gushed through the leaves of the tree before it hit the back of General Wang. The unknown man got the chance and ran away while General Wang grabbed his shoulder tightly. He turned to see but could not see anyone in the dark.
The grip around his sword tightened while his throat got dried. Now, he was injured, so it was more difficult for him to get focused.
"Why is he still standing? These arrows are special. I think I need to use one more to kill him," Yongzheng murmured and pulled the string with an arrow on it. "Oh, Sheng Li! Tomorrow you will get the biggest shock of your life– Two people on their deathbed while your favorite General will end up dying here. How could I forget Lei Wanxi?" An evil grin appeared on Yongzheng's lips.
"Don't even try to lose the string, else this blade will cut your neck. Before General Wang, you will end up dying." Yongzheng heard the voice of a woman. "Put your arrow down," she said.
Yongzheng did what the woman told him. He slightly tilted his head and saw Zhu Lin. "Throw them," she ordered. Yongzheng did so, however, he did not throw the arrow.
"You might get punished for putting the sword on the neck of a Royal Prince," Yongzheng threatened her.
Zhu Lin chuckled. "And you will be beheaded for assassinating the Emperor, the Crown Princess, and General Wang," Zhu Lin reminded him.
"I do not like when a woman orders me around." Yongzheng swiftly turned and pierced the sharp arrow in the stomach of Zhu Lin, who had let her guard down. He glared into her eyes and said, "No one will know that I killed you. Don't worry. I will give you an easy death," Yongzheng whispered as he pushed her away.
Zhu Lin put her hand on her stomach as blood oozed out from it. He attacked her with the same arrow but Zhu Lin defended herself with the sword. Wang Hao, who was on the other side, heard the clanking. He had already taken out the arrow from his back and moved towards the source of sound with the calm yet wavered steps.
Yongzheng grasped her hand tightly to take away the sword from her. Zhu Lin, with her entire strength, kicked him in the stomach, and he fell back. She turned and started to run, holding the wound on her stomach.
Yongzheng swiftly stood up and picked his bow and quiver. He ran after her and put another arrow on the string. He left the string, and the arrow passed from the side of her right arm. The sword in her hand fell, and she hissed in pain. Yongzheng ran a few meters and pulled the second arrow on the string.
"Stop, Yongzheng!" Wang Hao said with austerity as he put his sword on his neck. "Get on your knees. Now!" Wang Hao commanded him.
Zhu Lin stopped as she heard the voice of Wang Hao. She was relieved to see him. But because of the blood loss, she fainted and fell to the ground.
"Wang Hao, let me go," Yongzheng said as he threw the arrow and bow from his hand.
"I cannot do that," Wang Hao asserted.
"Only I know the antidote. Sheng Li adores his wife, and if anything happens to her, then you will also be blamed," Yongzheng tried to manipulate Wang Hao, who hit with the tilt of the sword on the backside of Yongzheng's head. He fainted and fell.
Wang Hao bent on one knee and checked Yongzheng. He took off the headband around his head and tied the hands of Yongzheng with it. He looked at the bowstring and broke the bow. With the string, he tied the legs of Yongzheng.
Once he was done, he rushed to Zhu Lin, dragging Yongzheng's body along with him. Luckily, the moonlight was enough to show her face. He saw the blood on her face and then at her hand. "How could Yongzheng do this?" Wang Hao muttered and checked her pulse.
He tore off the clothes of Zhu Lin, near her stomach as he had to stop bleeding. He pressed the wound and frowns appeared on the face of Zhu Lin. He tore his dress material and wiped the wound from it. He wrapped the cloth around her stomach, and then put her on his back. With his right hand, he grasped the right leg of Yongzheng and dragged him through the rough forest route.
Wang Hao while fighting took care that he would not go deep inside the forest. Soon, he came out of the forest and reached the Western Palace Entrance. The Royal Guards were shocked to see General Wang in that state.
Two of them ran towards him. "Bring the rope stretcher," Wang Hao ordered. He had let go of Yongzheng's leg, who was lying on the ground.
Two soldiers brought it near him. Wang Hao put Zhu Lin gently on it. "Take her to the Royal Physician," he ordered.
"Wang Hao!" Sheng Li shouted his name. He turned his head and saw Sheng Li with a few soldiers.
"Your Highness," Wang Hao said in a low voice and passed a tiny smile to Sheng Li, who tightly hugged him.
"Are you alright?" Sheng Li asked and saw the blood on his hand. He pulled away and went to Wang Hao's backside.
"You are injured," Sheng Li worriedly said.
"I am fine, Your Highness. You shall save the Emperor and the Crown Princess. The dinner--"
"I have taken care of that. Come," Sheng Li grabbed his arm and looked at unconscious Yongzheng with disgust. "Commander Sun, take him to the prison," Sheng Li passed an order and took Wang Hao inside the Palace.
"Princess Zhu Lin had gotten injured too. She saved my life. Prince Yongzheng had almost killed me," Wang Hao informed Sheng Li.
"He has lost his mind.. You should not have gone alone inside the forest," Sheng Li told Wang Hao, who smiled.