"What are you doing?"
The low voice resembled weeping, blood-soaked vengeful spirits from the underworld, carrying intense murderous aura and profound disappointment. Zhuge Yue stood clad in fiery red fur robes, his hair dusted with snow, followed by a large entourage from Green Mountain Courtyard. His eyes darkened as he stared at the blood-stained child, speaking slowly and deliberately.
Chu Qiao raised her head, her delicate brows gradually furrowing. Why was Zhuge Yue here?
The child gazed at him calmly, coldly curling the corner of her mouth into a faint smile. "As you can see, I've killed this wretched old man who deserved death a thousand times over for his unforgivable crimes."
Zhuge Yue's face turned grim, storm clouds swirling in his eyes. "The previous incidents were also your doing."
"Indeed!" The child beamed with a radiant smile, such a sweet and innocent expression appearing utterly out of place in these surroundings. Holding a severed hand, she said cheerfully, "Unfortunately, you've realized too late. You'd better think about how to face the inquiries from the various clan heads of the Zhuge family when you return. After all, I'm a servant from your courtyard, and with Zhuge Xi dead, the greatest beneficiaries are your direct lineage."
"Guards!" Zhuge Yue commanded sternly. "Seize her!"
"Wishful thinking!" The child sneered, her eyebrows lifting sharply as she waved her hand and shouted, "Hidden weapons!"
The servants of Green Mountain Courtyard immediately panicked. The agile attendants swiftly surrounded Zhuge Yue, forming protective layers around him. Though young, Yue Qi was exceptionally skilled. He spun forward rapidly, suddenly drawing his long blade and whirling it like a storm sweeping through rain. White arcs of light formed an impenetrable barrier before him—not even water could penetrate.
With a thud, something struck Yue Qi's blade, sending a spray of blood into the air. Everyone looked down to see a mangled, bloody severed hand.
From outside the window came the child's cold, sharp cry: "Zhuge Yue, Lin Xi's death will not be in vain!"
Under the eerie moonlight, the petite figure vanished instantly into the boundless night.
The young man stood rooted, his face pale and eyes bloodshot. Zhu Cheng watched him anxiously, urgently shouting at the other attendants, "What are you all standing around for? Chase her!"
Only then did the others snap out of their daze and rush after her in unison.
Amidst the flower bushes of the detached courtyard, the child's nimble body moved like a small wildcat, swiftly darting along the winding paths. Suddenly, chaotic footsteps sounded ahead, as if many people were approaching rapidly. The child's expression turned cold, and she immediately halted.
"Ah! It's you!" Recognizing the newcomers, the child hurried forward. "Did you catch the intruders?"
The leading man, seeing the tearful young slave girl, frowned and said sternly, "Get lost! This is none of your business. Don't block the way!" As he spoke, he moved to shove her shoulder.
"More assassins have come to the house and killed all your men. They claimed to be from the Fourth Young Master of Green Mountain Courtyard. I ran out to report this."
"What?" The man was instantly shocked. "Nonsense! There are intruders outside the estate too, about three hundred of them, acting suspiciously. They're clearly not from our Zhuge family. Our brothers can't hold them off—I came back to call for reinforcements."There are people outside the mansion too? Could they be Zhuge Yue's attendants? Chu Qiao frowned and calmly said, "That way is blocked. They outnumber you. Here's what we'll do—you hide here to catch them off guard while I lure them over."
The man brightened, thinking this young slave girl indeed had some courage: "Good. After this is done, I'll report your deeds truthfully to my superiors."
"Mm," the child beamed, "As long as I can get rid of my slave status."
Moments later, the servants from Green Mountain Courtyard pursued them to this spot. Before a single word could be exchanged, they began fighting with the unidentified servants from the Zhuge branch residence in the darkness. Yue Qi charged forward, angrily shouting, "Who are you people? Are you Lord Zhuge's subordinates? I'm the fourth young master's personal guard!"
"Go to hell!" the burly man spat, "I'm an imperial guard from Shengjin Palace! Brothers, follow me!"
Amid the chaotic sounds of clashing, the child's footsteps gradually faded away from the battlefield.
Finally reaching the outer high wall, the child furrowed their brow and glanced around searching for climbing tools. Just then, a sudden gust of wind came from behind. Chu Qiao, agile and quick to react, immediately turned around and drew her crossbow, ready to shoot.
"Ah!" a soft exclamation escaped as the child was suddenly lifted into someone's arms. With a few deft leaps, they were already atop the high wall.
"Tsk, still so unfriendly. Drawing weapons as soon as we meet."
Yan Xun stood wrapped in a white fur cloak, his dark hair and starry eyes complementing a roguish smile at the corner of his mouth. Throughout the Zhuge residence, blazing torches and noisy crowds were everywhere—fighting raged both inside and outside the mansion, with battle cries continuously echoing. Yan Xun glanced around and sighed, shaking his head: "Look at you, just a small child, yet you've stirred up so much trouble. The Zhuge family must have drawn the short straw when they hired you as a servant."
Chu Qiao snorted coldly, struggling as she said, "Let me go!"
The young man laughed heartily, completely unafraid of being discovered, and leaned in with a grin: "Little girl, not only did you stand me up, but now you owe me another favor. How do you plan to repay me?"
"Who asked for your help? You self-important jerk!"
"Hmph, always the same line. I really did save an ungrateful wolf." Yan Xun snorted, but quickly laughed again: "But no matter, this Crown Prince is in a good mood. Little girl, the show's over. If we don't leave now, we'll get burned. Hold on tight!"
With that, the young man leaped down from the wall. Chu Qiao gasped inwardly, cursing him as an idiot, but her arms and legs immediately clung tightly to Yan Xun's body, hoping that legendary qinggong light-footed martial arts truly existed—otherwise, this fall would surely break bones.
With a thud, the warhorse neighed loudly. Feng Mian grinned cheerfully: "Crown Prince, I've been waiting for you for quite a while."
Seated on horseback, his sharp eyebrows and starry eyes accentuated by jade adornments and snow-white robes, Yan Xun laughed heartily and declared clearly: "Then let's go."
Behind them, battle cries pierced the sky and flames stretched endlessly as the Heir of Yanbei whipped his horse and swiftly disappeared down the street's end.
Almost simultaneously, Wei Shuyou and Zhuge Huai each received a secret letter. Under flickering lamplight, the outstanding young talents of both families wore grave expressions. After giving brief orders, they each stepped out from their respective noble mansions.The horizon was shrouded in layered clouds and swirling snow, with only a cold moon casting its faint glow upon the world.
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