"Yes!"
Eight Imperial Guards surged forward, surrounding Lu Yuan completely.
In a nearby alley, Meng Qianqian witnessed this perilous scene and held her breath alongside Shangguan Ling.
"If it really comes to a fight, I'll go. You stay here and wait for me."
"That won't do."
Shangguan Ling said, "The Grand Commander has ordered me to protect the Young Madam. Even without that order, there's no logic in sending a woman to die."
Meng Qianqian replied, "I have the amulet from Witch Mountain. You're a fugitive of the court."
Shangguan Ling was left speechless.
He gritted his teeth. "It's my fault. I even got the movements of the Crown Prince and Prince Ming completely wrong."
"The Crown Prince sent his trusted aides to meet Prince Ming outside the city. Anyone could have made a mistake."
Meng Qianqian wasn't excusing Shangguan Ling, just stating the facts.
Still, Shangguan Ling deeply blamed himself.
How could he have messed up so badly?
