Chapter 54

Chapter 54: When the Wine Cup Struck

Ye Rong’s eyes blazed red as he thrust his blade fiercely through bandit after bandit charging toward him. “Come at me!” he shouted.

“For every one of you that dares, your Young Master will kill one; come two, and I’ll kill a pair!”

This fierce display was clearly seen by the other young masters, leaving Pei Yu An utterly dumbfounded.

Watching Ye Rong and Shang Hang Yu easily wreak havoc among the bandits, he finally couldn’t hold back. “To hell with it! They’re just bandits! Killing one earns praise; two gets your name on the family scroll. The more we slay, the greater the glory!”

“Tonight, we’ll wipe out these villains and show those who scorn us—so what if we’re just pampered brats!”

They might have lived their lives idle and spoiled, but now an opportunity to prove themselves was right before their eyes. If they didn’t seize this moment, when else could they?

Besides, those bandits—they barely had the strength to resist!

One after another, the pampered youths rushed forth as if racing to claim credit. The mountain stronghold soon rang with cries and battle.

They tore through the bandits like wolves among sheep. Drugged, the bandits barely realized who their enemies were, wildly swinging their swords at shadows. Before long, the ground was littered with bodies, blood pooling everywhere.

Eventually, the bandits even began hacking at each other.

“Second Young Master Shang, what…what are they doing? Have they gone mad?” Ye Rong watched in shock, limbs and bodies flying around him. If not for a shred of reason holding him back, he would have charged forward to finish them off.

Were these truly the ruthless bandits they’d faced earlier?

Could mere wine wreak such havoc?

Perhaps they’d lost their minds entirely!

Shang Hang Yu shook his head. “I don’t know. Perhaps they’ve turned on each other. Ignore them for now; weren’t we here to rescue Princess Ning and Han Ming Rui?”

“Yes, right!” Ye Rong replied eagerly. “The Princess saved us before—now it’s our turn to save her!”

Shang Hang Yu’s expression flickered oddly at that.

Guided by their attendants, they skirted the frenzied massacre.

A torch toppled somewhere, sending scattered flames spreading swiftly into a sea of fire. Amidst the chaos, the pampered youths suddenly glimpsed a slender silhouette illuminated atop the hill.

Golden firelight bathed the edges of her gown, casting an ethereal glow around her.

They stared, stunned and speechless.

It was Zhou Yu Zheng who finally broke the silence, his voice cracking in disbelief: “Isn’t that… Princess Ning?!”

Only then did the others regain their senses.

Could it truly be Princess Ning?

But why was she there?

Shouldn’t she be miserable and frightened, waiting for them to rescue her? How had she appeared unharmed?

Moments later, they noticed those behind her. Lady Han had changed clothes, hair slightly tousled, holding little Han Ming Rui in her arms, supported by Ting Lan.

“Isn’t that Lady Han and Han Ming Rui?” Zhou Yu Zheng squinted, recognizing An Zhi, disappointment hitting him hard.

Not only had Princess Ning not needed rescuing, but even Han Ming Rui and his mother had already been saved by her.

The glory they’d thought within their grasp had already slipped away…

Still reeling from disappointment, Zhou Yu Zheng saw a swaying figure suddenly loom behind Sheng Zhi Wan.

“Watch out, there’s someone—”

Before Ye Rong’s warning could finish, a blade flashed past him, piercing the figure’s chest instantly.

The bandit staggered, lowered his gaze to the blade protruding from his heart, unable to comprehend its origin. Without another word, he collapsed toward Sheng Zhi Wan.

Ye Rong gaped at the scene, then turned to stare at Shang Hang Yu, who seemed equally astonished.

“Good heavens! Shang Er, you’re this skilled?”

“I… forgot I took someone’s knife. I threw it like a wine cup,” Shang Hang Yu murmured.

Like a wine cup?

That explained it. Shang Hang Yu had always been excellent at throwing wine cups—who knew knives would follow suit?

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes briefly swept Shang Hang Yu’s face. His fair, handsome features, illuminated by the flickering firelight, held an enigmatic charm. Blood splattered across his cheeks only enhanced his mysterious allure.

Yet, after a mere glance, she turned to the others.

“I knew all of you Young Masters weren’t heartless. Tonight, seeing you risk your lives to save me, Lady Han, and Young Master Han Ming Rui, we of Duke’s Manor and the General’s Mansion will forever remember this life-saving favor. Another day, we shall personally visit to give our thanks!”

Her voice trailed away, and the strength that held her upright suddenly failed.

Before the youths could fully grasp her words, Shang Hang Yu’s eyes widened sharply. As Sheng Zhi Wan swayed forward, he quickly reached out, tightly catching her slender waist.

His hand brushed against sticky blood behind her, his gaze darkening.

His voice came out low and rough: “Princess, you’re wounded?”

Ting Lan, holding Lady Han, lowered her head in shame, unable to meet his gaze.

“It’s nothing, merely a flesh wound.” Sheng Zhi Wan, catching her breath, forced Shang Hang Yu’s hands away and stood as straight as she could.

Watching her determined figure, Shang Hang Yu withdrew his hands, clenching his fingers stained with her blood.

“These men—” they both started simultaneously, and Shang Hang Yu paused.

Sheng Zhi Wan continued firmly, eyes narrowed, voice cold and decisive, “These bandits have robbed commoners, violated women, slaughtered innocents, attacked merchants, and even dared ambush my carriage. Tonight, while they’re drunk and defenseless…”

Her voice sharpened, resolute. “I ask you to kill every single one—leave none alive!”