Ah-Ye blew the bamboo whistle, its shrill tone echoing through the valley, piercing the clouds.
Regret gnawed at Qiao Xuan.
Never did she anticipate an assassination attempt on her husband. Her lapse in vigilance was unforgivable!
Had she been more vigilant, she would have detected the lurking assailants and dispatched them without hesitation.
Yet, all was not lost.
Thanks to the vast expanse of the flat valley, Qiao Xuan and her companions stood by the pond, a considerable distance from the hillside.
Even if the attackers mounted a surprise assault, they couldn't materialize before them in an instant.
This granted Qiao Xuan an opportunity to retaliate.
Restrained by the distance and dense foliage, Qiao Xuan couldn't afford bold actions. She had to proceed cautiously.
