The man's words made Song Yihuan realize that since the start of this autumn hunting, it was inevitable that she and her eldest sister would turn against each other.
"I've always been obedient to my sister. I've never dared to go against her wishes and have hidden everything for her, just hoping for a peaceful life. Why does she still want to kill me?" Without showing any emotion on her face, Song Yihuan pretended to look dejected.
"Of course, it's because you know too much," the man said with a smile. "You're too smart, so smart that you pose a threat. If she doesn't get rid of you, your sister won't be able to become the princess consort of the Prince of Ningqin. Only by eliminating you can she eliminate all future troubles."
"Of course, if Miss Song the Fourth is willing to submit to me, to writhe and pleasure me under my body, and be a thought - less puppet doll, I might consider sparing Miss Song the Fourth."
Song Yihuan got goosebumps all over and gritted her teeth. "You're dreaming!"
The man said coldly, "Since Miss Song the Fourth is not willing, then I'm afraid I have no choice. Miss Song the Fourth, remember not to be so smart in your next life."
After saying that, the man took out a dagger from his sleeve and was about to swing it at Song Yihuan.
Song Yihuan had been stalling the man for so long, waiting for this very moment. She suddenly grabbed the dust on the ground and flung it into the man's eyes. The sand instantly blinded his eyes, making him let out an impatient groan.
Taking advantage of this gap, Song Yihuan rolled to the side twice, pulled out a bird whistle from her neck, and put it to her lips, blowing hard.
The bird whistle emitted a sharp and unique sound. It was a whistle that Ji Lingchuan had given her when she, Ji Lingchuan, and Gu Yunzheng were investigating the dwarf murder case.
The man, with sand in his eyes, closed them uncomfortably. Suddenly hearing Song Yihuan blow the bird whistle, he guessed that she had a backup plan. He felt even more that she must be eliminated. His killing intent soared, and he tightened his grip on the dagger and lunged in Song Yihuan's direction.
The man's eyes were red from the sand, and the killing intent in them was terrifying. His movements became even more ruthless.
This place was close to a cliff. Song Yihuan had nowhere to hide. If she advanced, she would be killed; if she retreated, she would fall off the cliff. With a hint of gambling mentality, she gritted her teeth, turned around, and jumped off the cliff.
"Song Yihuan!" A shocked cry echoed through the forest.
Just as Song Yihuan was jumping off the cliff, Ji Lingchuan, who had rushed over upon hearing the bird whistle, saw her falling off the cliff.
Watching the corner of the dress embroidered with apricot blossoms disappear before his eyes, Ji Lingchuan felt as if his heart was about to stop. He shot an arrow at the black - clothed man on the cliff edge who had intended to harm her, and then without hesitation, he jumped off the cliff too!
After jumping off the cliff, Song Yihuan closed her eyes tightly.
The feeling of weightlessness from the high - altitude fall enveloped her, making her mind go blank. The only sound she could hear in her ears was the howling wind.
The next moment, she felt something wrap around her waist, and the downward trend suddenly stopped. The inertia made her let out a pained grunt.
She suddenly opened her eyes and turned to look behind her. She saw Ji Lingchuan clinging to the rock wall, one hand grasping the vine on the cliff, and the other using the other end of the vine to wrap around her waist, saving her.
At the moment she saw Ji Lingchuan, the anxiety in Song Yihuan's heart suddenly dissipated, and her eyes welled up with tears.
She had gambled right. He really came to save her!
Seeing that she was caught by him, Ji Lingchuan also let out a sigh of relief. Calming himself down, he said, "Grab the vine. Hold on tight. I'll pull you up."
Song Yihuan nodded and, following his instructions, tried to turn around and tightly grasped the vine in his hand.
This cliff was thirty zhang high. There were many vines growing on the cliff edge, and there was a layer of mist below the cliff, making it impossible to see the situation below. If one fell, they would surely be smashed to pieces.
Neither of them dared to act rashly. Ji Lingchuan carefully climbed to a platform and then slowly pulled Song Yihuan up bit by bit. As Song Yihuan got closer, Ji Lingchuan reached out his hand to her. Just as Song Yihuan was about to give him her hand, she saw something move behind him.
It was a snake as thick as an adult man's arm, with complex patterns on its body. It was spitting out its forked tongue and approaching Ji Lingchuan. Song Yihuan's pupils shrank, and she exclaimed in shock, "My lord, be careful!"
Ji Lingchuan also noticed the movement behind him, but at this moment, he couldn't let go. He gritted his teeth and grabbed Song Yihuan's wrist, pulling her up. Then he whipped the big snake that was attacking from behind with the vine in his hand.
The big snake sensed danger from Ji Lingchuan. It made a "hissing" sound and opened its mouth wide, lunging at Ji Lingchuan and Song Yihuan.
There were many wild animals in the mountains. This big snake originally lived on the cliff edge. Ji Lingchuan and Song Yihuan's arrival had disturbed its peace. In its eyes, Ji Lingchuan and Song Yihuan were fat food for hibernation. It was not afraid of Ji Lingchuan at all, and each of its attacks was extremely fierce.
But Ji Lingchuan was no easy prey either. With just the vine in his hand, he managed to fight the big snake to a draw on this protruding rock wall. Realizing that these two "preys" were extremely difficult to deal with, the big snake got angry and lashed its huge tail at the rock where the two were standing.
Ji Lingchuan thought something was wrong and no longer wanted to engage in a prolonged fight. Instead, he intended to take Song Yihuan away from the rock.
However, it was already too late. This rock had weathered after years of exposure to the sun and rain. It had reached its limit carrying the two of them. After being hit by the snake's tail, it instantly cracked in many places and split apart.
At the moment of falling, Ji Lingchuan only had time to tightly hold Song Yihuan in his arms to protect her, and with his other hand, he tried his best to grab the vines on the cliff wall to slow down their falling speed.
Although Ji Lingchuan was protecting her, the cliff was too high. Song Yihuan couldn't bear the sudden weightlessness and fainted. The two of them fell to the bottom of the cliff like this.
I don't know how much time had passed before Song Yihuan gradually regained consciousness.
When she woke up, her head still felt a bit dizzy. She shook her head and opened her eyes. The first things she saw were large patches of green vines and Ji Lingchuan's face with his eyes closed.
Only then did she realize that she was lying on Ji Lingchuan's body, and his hand was still tightly wrapped around her waist. Even at the moment of falling, he still didn't let go.
Recalling what had happened before, Song Yihuan was greatly shocked. Regardless of their intimate posture at the moment, she reached out her trembling hand to feel Ji Lingchuan's breath.
Feeling the warm breath on her fingers, she was overjoyed.
He was still alive!
She patted his face and called out, "My lord? My lord? Ji Lingchuan? Are you okay?"
However, no matter how much she called, the man kept his eyes closed and didn't move. She felt panicked. Suddenly, she thought of something and reached out her hand to touch the back of Ji Lingchuan. Sure enough, she felt a warm liquid.
It was blood! He was injured!