In that instant, a thousand thoughts flashed through Chu Qiao's mind. She knew she could exploit her opponent's underestimation and carelessness to suddenly attack and escape. But if she did so, it would inevitably arouse suspicion—especially from Zhu Shun, who had lost a hand. Even if she managed to flee by chance, she would implicate Little Eight, who was still in the residence.
Yet if she didn't escape, she would fall into the clutches of this lecherous old man. With the abilities of an eight-year-old child, how could she possibly resist the entire guard force of the Zhuge family's secondary estate?
To flee or not to flee?
The child's body tensed, but her mind raced rapidly. Why not seize the opportunity and turn the tables by eliminating this lustful old man?
In the blink of an eye, the burly guard approached, ready to disarm her of the dagger she tightly gripped.
"Wait!"
A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out. Everyone immediately turned to look. Snowflakes scattered across the ground as white mist billowed, and over twenty dark warhorses swiftly closed in. The youth riding at the forefront wore a blue robe and white fur, his handsome face composed as he galloped forward.
Abruptly, the horses neighed in unison, rearing up on their hind legs. Their warm breath condensed into hazy fog in the chilly air. Surrounded by his guards, the youth gazed coolly at the crowd and spoke with a calmness and wisdom beyond his years: "Master Zhuge, it has been a long time."
The old Master Zhuge narrowed his beady eyes, scrutinizing the youth from head to toe. He chuckled, revealing a set of yellowed teeth. "So it is Young Master Yan Xun of Yanbei. On such a cold, snowy night, instead of enjoying yourself in the Proton Mansion, what brings you out in this weather?"
Yan Xun maintained his composure, neither subservient nor arrogant, and replied slowly, "I appreciate your concern, Master Zhuge. But since a gentleman of your advanced age is still so vigorous, enjoying the lanterns late at night, how could I, the Crown Prince, simply sleep soundly in my residence? On this Lantern Festival, the entire nation celebrates together. I merely came out to join the festivities."
"Oh?" Master Zhuge's long eyebrows relaxed slightly. "In that case, Young Master Yan, please continue your stroll. I shall not keep you company." With that, he turned to his subordinates and said, "Let's return to the estate."
"Wait!" Yan Xun swiftly urged his horse forward, blocking Master Zhuge's path. With a faint smile, he pointed at Chu Qiao and said, "You may leave, sir, but you must leave this child behind."
The old man raised an eyebrow lightly. "What do you mean by that, Young Master Yan?"
"This child startled my horse and scared away Jifeng. I must take her back for questioning."
The old master smiled faintly and said, "In that case, I shall compensate you with a fine horse."
"Our Young Master's horse was a thousand-li steed recently hunted by the old prince from the western deserts. Can you afford to compensate for that?"
"Feng Mian, silence!" Yan Xun frowned slightly, scolding the young page behind him. His voice deepened as he said, "The Zhuge family is an influential clan of the empire, and General Zhuge is one of the seven elders of the Elder Council. With their immense wealth and power, even our royal family can hardly compare. Naturally, there is nothing they cannot afford to compensate. However, the bond between father and son runs deep. Jifeng was personally tamed by my father and sent to Zhenhuang from thousands of miles away—it is no ordinary warhorse. Thus, this matter cannot be dismissed so lightly. Until the horse is found, I must take this child with me."
"Young Master Yan...""There is no need for further words, Lord Zhuge," Yan Xun immediately interrupted the old master, raising his head as he declared, "With your status, it is truly beneath you to plead for a mere slave. I will personally explain this matter to the fourth young master of the Zhuge family. Men, take this child away."
The attendants of Prince Yan's manor immediately stepped forward. A burly man shoved one of Lord Zhuge's followers, causing him to stumble, then scooped Chu Qiao up with one arm and prepared to mount his horse and leave.
Seeing Lord Zhuge's face turn purple with rage, Zhu Shun hurried forward, smiling obsequiously as he grabbed the reins of Yan Xun's horse. "Young Master Yan," he said with a flattering grin, "Let's discuss this calmly..."
A sharp crack of a whip rang out instantly. Following the lash, Yan Xun delivered a swift kick to Zhu Shun's chin, sending the obese man tumbling to the ground. Zhu Shun let out a pained cry as he sprawled on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood along with two yellowish front teeth.
"Who do you think you are, daring to wag your tongue in front of me? You clearly don't know your place!"
Yan Xun's gaze was sharp, his voice cold and unyielding.
Zhu Shun was terrified, quickly kneeling on the ground and kowtowing in panic. After all, in Daxia, the imperial family needed no justification to execute a commoner.
Yan Xun raised his horsewhip toward Zhu Shun and said coldly, "Today, out of respect for Lord Zhuge, I'll spare you. But if you ever forget your place again, even if General Zhuge himself were here, I would still take your wretched head."
With that, he didn't even glance at the old Zhuge master, instead barking at his subordinates behind him, "Let's go!"
The group of men immediately spurred their horses, sending plumes of snow flying as they vanished into the far end of the long street.
The old Zhuge master's face was flushed red, his left hand trembling slightly with anger. Zhu Shun crawled forward on his knees, clutching at the old master's feet. "Please calm your anger, my lord," he pleaded, "This servant..."
"Get lost!" the old man roared furiously, kicking Zhu Shun in the chest. "Useless trash!"
He then boarded his carriage and departed.
The snow continued to fall thick and fast, the silence of the desolate long street starkly contrasting with the bustle and liveliness of the main thoroughfare. Seeds of darkness were buried beneath the accumulating snow. Zhu Shun gazed venomously toward the end of the long street—precisely where Chu Qiao and the others had disappeared.
The warhorses halted by Chishui Lake. The previously stern-faced young man now turned around with a grin, playfully punching Chu Qiao's small shoulder. "Little girl," he chuckled, "you owe me another favor."
The child barely lifted her eyes, her silence speaking volumes: I never asked you to come.
Yan Xun snorted discontentedly, muttering under his breath, "Would it kill you to say something nice?"
Chu Qiao shot him a glare and turned to leave.
Yan Xun was taken aback, quickly stepping in front of her. "Where are you going?"
The child raised an eyebrow. "Back to the manor, of course."
"You still want to go back?" the young man exclaimed, frowning. "That despicable lackey won't let you off, and that old man from the Zhuge family is notorious throughout Zhenhuang City. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Chu Qiao pushed him aside. "None of your business."
Yan Xun didn't release her, gripping her tightly as he cried out, "What's wrong with you? I went out of my way to save you, and this is the thanks I get? What's so great about that eccentric Zhuge Yue that you'd recklessly rush back to him without a second thought?"Chu Qiao lifted her head, frustrated that her desperate plan to eliminate the old lecher Zhuge had been disrupted. Impatiently, she shook off Yan Xun's hand and said coldly, "Did I beg you with tears to save me? Keep your pity—I can't bear it."
Yan Xun's eyes reddened with anger as he watched Chu Qiao's small figure recede into the distance. Suddenly, with childish petulance, he shouted, "You're being unreasonable! You deserve to be bullied! If I help you again, I won't bear the Yan surname!"
The child didn't even glance back, soon vanishing into the bustling crowd. Feng Mian cautiously approached, carefully observing his young master. The Crown Prince's eyes were red, as if on the verge of tears from fury.
Feng Mian was slightly taken aback. The empire stationed feudal lords along the borders to guard Zhenhuang Capital, but to control them, it took their heirs—like his own Crown Prince and young Prince Jing—as hostages in the capital. These children, raised at the heart of power struggles, matured early and always maintained a composed demeanor. This was the first time Feng Mian had seen his master so openly express emotions toward someone—acting just like an ordinary child.
"Crown Prince, shall we return to the residence?"
"Hmph!" Yan Xun snorted coldly, his voice still laced with anger. He mounted his horse and led his retinue toward the Yan Hostage Residence.
"Feng Mian," Yan Xun called out after just a few steps, turning to his young attendant. "Go to the Zhuge residence and tell them my swift wind has been found. They shouldn't trouble that girl."
"Ah?" Feng Mian stared blankly, his eyes wide with confusion. "Crown Prince, didn't you say you wouldn't bear the Yan surname if you helped her again?"
Enraged, Yan Xun kicked Feng Mian's leg from his horse, shouting, "You little rascal! Say that again and see what happens!"
Feng Mian groaned in pain, quickly turning his horse toward the Zhuge residence, not daring to repeat another word.
Yan Xun huffed angrily for a moment, then noticed his subordinates watching him. He immediately yelled, "This Crown Prince does as he pleases!"
Everyone hastily averted their gazes, not daring to look at him again, each silently sighing to themselves: The Crown Prince is only thirteen, after all. It's nothing if he acts childishly once in a while.
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