Killer Queen + 18

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Looking at the restrained smile on Huangfu Haotian's face, Qingfeng finally couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Master, what's gotten into you? Is it because the second young miss confessed to you? Is that why you're suddenly this happy? But… there's something I've never understood—when exactly did you start having feelings for her?"

"Too much talking," Huangfu Haotian interrupted sharply, scaring Qingfeng into instantly shutting his mouth.

But to his surprise, Huangfu Haotian didn't go on scolding him. Instead, that mysterious smile on his face seemed to grow even brighter.

Qingfeng had been about to ask something else but stopped himself. He knew his master well—if he didn't want to open up, it was best to stay silent.

"Qingfeng—"

Just as he managed to shut up, his master suddenly called him again.

"Yes, Master, I'm here." Qingfeng tugged the reins and lightly urged the horse to pick up speed.

"What kind of woman do you think she is?" Huangfu Haotian's voice rang out from the carriage behind him. It was a totally unexpected question.

"Who? You mean Second Miss? I wouldn't dare speak recklessly. Besides, didn't you two grow up together? Surely you know her better than I do."

But Huangfu Haotian chuckled. "What nonsense are you spouting? I wasn't talking about A'Cai."

"Then who were you talking about?" Qingfeng asked, confused, glancing back.

Just then, Huangfu Haotian lifted the curtain. His ridiculously handsome face flashed into view, and his voice, slightly tinged with wine, carried a rare note of joy.

"I just can't figure it out. That day on Phoenix Mountain, it was me who saved those two cousins. So how did all the credit end up going to her?"

Ah—Qingfeng finally got it.

He was talking about that girl, A'Li.

"You've got a point, Master. Honestly, even I find it strange. She must've known your identity that day—so why did she hide the fact that you were there?"

"I suppose… that was your intention to begin with, wasn't it? If you hadn't told me to stay quiet, I wouldn't have let that little county magistrate get so many perks out of the whole thing."

Huangfu Haotian nodded slightly. "You did the right thing. I never planned to publicize what happened that day. I'm only bringing it up now because I can't figure out what she's really thinking."

They were just arriving at Liufang Street when a thought suddenly struck Qingfeng. He looked back and said, "Why don't we go to Liufang Pavilion and ask A'Li directly? Wouldn't that be better?"

Huangfu Haotian lowered the curtain and, after thinking for a moment, said, "Now that you mention it, not a bad idea."

"You got it, Master. Just sit tight, and I'll let you know when we get there." With a flick of the whip—crack!—the horse picked up speed under Qingfeng's urging.

As soon as the carriage arrived at Liufang Pavilion, Qingfeng turned and said with a smile, "Master, we're here."

Huangfu Haotian lifted the curtain and was just about to step out when, with one glance ahead, he saw someone else getting out of a carriage too.

His second brother?

A wave of irritation hit him out of nowhere. Huangfu Haotian let go of the curtain and muttered, "Qingfeng, I'm suddenly not in the mood anymore. Let's just go back."

Qingfeng blinked, puzzled, about to ask why—when a teasing, melodious voice suddenly rang out nearby.

"Well, well, if it isn't Your Highness… What brings you to grace our humble Liufang Pavilion tonight?"

Following the sound, Qingfeng spotted Huangfu Haobo stepping out of his carriage.

He muttered, "Man, we really can't go anywhere without running into that guy."

Huangfu Haobo, of course, had no idea he was being watched. He strolled toward a flamboyantly dressed woman, swaying with every step. "What? Is Madam Wang not happy to see me here?"

"Oh my, what are you saying, Your Highness? You're our lucky star. I could burn incense every day and still not be worthy of your presence. Not just me—even our Sai Jun girl's been talking about you nonstop these past few days."

Huangfu Haobo smiled. "Is that so? Perfect. I had a few drinks today, and suddenly I was reminded of her 'Butterfly Lovers' dance. Figured I'd drop by for a cup of tea and a show."

"Well, come right in, Your Highness!" Madam Wang ushered him inside while quickly ordering a maid: "Lianxiang, go get Miss Sai Jun right now. Tell her Prince Wu is here and wants to see her dance the 'Butterfly Lovers.' Hurry up and get her dressed!"

Watching Huangfu Haobo being warmly welcomed into Liufang Pavilion, Qingfeng couldn't help letting out a soft sigh.

He looked back. The curtain was still swaying gently. After hesitating for a moment, he asked again, "Master, you're really not going in?"

"Mm," came Haotian's faint, slightly sulky reply. "I'm tired. Let's go."

Later that night, long after the city had quieted down, Huangfu Haotian realized he might've developed insomnia.

He tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

There was a single figure he couldn't get out of his mind.

"A'Li." As her name escaped his lips, even he couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.

Who would've thought? He, the dignified Fourth Prince, couldn't stop thinking about a little servant girl from Liufang Pavilion. What kind of spell had that woman cast on him?

All night long, every time he closed his eyes, her face would appear in front of him.

That startled look when they first met… that subtle sadness when love began to bloom… those tears of shame at Liufang Pavilion… that stubborn expression on Phoenix Mountain… and that night—the passion and fire when she was beneath him, the feeling that had consumed his soul…

But maybe those weren't even the things that disturbed him most.

What he truly couldn't forget… was the way she looked at sunset. That stunning profile bathed in golden light, the calm, graceful air about her—it had shaken him to his core.

Later, after hearing what Seventh Brother said and seeing his expression, Haotian knew—A'Li did have that kind of allure. The kind that could make even his brothers fall for her at first sight.

Still, realizing that brought a surge of jealousy he'd never felt before.

On the way back, he kept asking himself—what's wrong with me?

He'd told himself from the start: she was just a beautiful girl who made him feel good. She wasn't supposed to mean more than that. No deep feelings. No strings.

But then, after seeing her again at the Prime Minister's mansion, this chaotic mess of emotions… what was happening to him?

Seventh Brother already said he would ask Father to make her his consort. And Second Brother had already beaten him to Liufang Pavilion. Officially, Prince Wu was there for Sai Jun's "Butterfly Lovers" dance—but the way he stared at A'Li's back that day, the way he reacted to Seventh Brother's comments during the banquet…

How could he not be upset?

A'Li… she was his woman.

From the first time she bloomed beneath him, trying so hard to endure the pain, everything had already been decided—she could only ever be Huangfu Haotian's woman.

There was no helping it.

Right now, he just couldn't calm himself down.

Unless… unless she appeared in front of him right now. But this wasn't Liufang Pavilion. He couldn't just see her whenever he wanted.

Liufang Pavilion… right. Second Brother is there now…

He shot to his feet.

Huangfu Haotian suddenly couldn't stay still anymore.

Even though it was the dead of night, he had to see her.

Even just one glance—just to make sure she was still quietly staying in the back courtyard of Liufang Pavilion, doing her job as a lowly maid.

Without alerting anyone, Haotian put on a light moon-white cloak and left. Leaping over the high wall under the moonlight, he moved like a streak of silver light through the night.

Liufang Pavilion wasn't exactly nearby, but with his unmatched light-footed skill, it took him no time at all.

He'd only been there once, but that little room in the back courtyard was burned into his memory.

Just as he reached out his hand, he hesitated. Would she still be here?

Maybe she was fast asleep right now.

Heh… maybe he was just overthinking it.

But since he was already here, could he really just walk away?

No—he had to go in. Just one look. Just one.

The door creaked open quietly.

What surprised him was—on a night like this, she hadn't even bolted the door.

Moving like moonlight, Haotian stepped inside. Hesitating a moment in front of the pink curtain, he slowly lifted the gauzy fabric and looked down at the bed—

Empty?

What?

The bed was actually… empty.

Beneath the pink canopy, the quilt was neatly folded. There wasn't a trace of her—not even a lingering breath of her presence.

She wasn't here. A'Li was gone.

It felt like someone had scooped out his heart.

He almost collapsed right there under the curtain—but he didn't.

He simply turned and walked away.

This… this place, he should never have come.

Maybe imagination was scarier than reality. But the truth—truth was always more painful.

Was this pain? Yeah, maybe just a little.

The night wind rose.

Moonlight danced.

And the figure slicing across the rooftops of Lingjiang City like a streak of moonlight… was more chaotic than ever—because wrapped inside that light was a heart in complete disarray.

Huangfu Haotian didn't want to admit it—but his actions made it undeniably clear:

His heart was in chaos.

Chasing shadows in the midnight breeze, Huangfu Haotian knew—

Tonight, there was no way he could calm down again.

"....."