Killer Queen + 18

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A full moon hung high in the sky, casting its silver light across the boundless autumn night.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Li found herself celebrating her very first Mid-Autumn Festival in this world.

Strangely enough, on a night like this—when people usually miss their loved ones under the moon—she didn't feel any of that poetic longing or emotional turmoil that scholars like Su Dongpo were always going on about. All she felt was a deep sense of gratitude toward the heavens.

She was thankful. Thankful that after everything she'd been through, fate had still given her such a warm, loving family.

The General's residence was lively that night. The family gathered to enjoy lanterns, eat mooncakes, and soak in the warmth of being together. It was a kind of joy that words couldn't quite capture.

But the real fun had only just begun.

Just as Xiao Li was planning to spend the whole night at home with her parents, enjoying the moon until dawn, word came from the front hall: the sisters from the Yuwen family had come to visit—and they were here to invite her out.

Xiao Li was a little puzzled. Mid-Autumn Festival was supposed to be for family reunions, wasn't it? Why would the Yuwen sisters come calling at this hour?

"Li, you haven't spent Mid-Autumn in the capital for years, have you?" Yuwen Ruocai grabbed her hand, her face practically glowing with excitement. "You have no idea how much more exciting the lantern fair is now compared to when we were kids. Come on, tonight my sister and I are taking you out on the town!"

"Uh…" Lantern fair? That didn't sound particularly thrilling. Honestly, Xiao Li just wanted to stay home with her parents.

But of course, Ruocai wasn't having any of that. "Come on, Li! I'm telling you, the crown prince himself is hosting the lantern festival tonight. It's a huge event for the people! And guess what? Li Sai Jun from the famous Liufang Pavilion is performing live!"

Xiao Li had no idea who Li Sai Jun was. Some sort of celebrity, maybe? But the crown prince… well, now that was something.

If Li Sai Jun was the ancient version of a famous singer or actress, then the crown prince had to be the ultimate tall-rich-handsome heartthrob, right?

And let's face it—women are naturally curious creatures. Xiao Li was no exception. Mid-Autumn was supposed to be a joyful holiday, and now the city was throwing what sounded like a royal variety show with beautiful people on stage? Tempting, to say the least.

But she had already promised her parents she'd spend the evening with them.

Xiao Li hesitated, torn between her sense of duty and this very tempting night out.

Luckily—or unluckily—she had the kind of loving parents who wouldn't let her wallow in indecision for long.

Just then, the general himself came over, grinning from ear to ear. "Li, since the Ruoxue and Ruocai girls came all this way to invite you, why not go with them and enjoy yourself for once?"

"But Dad…"

The general's wife stepped in too. "Oh, come on now. Don't think I don't know you. You obviously want to go, but you're just pretending in front of us."

Xiao Li pouted. "Dad, did you hear what Mom just said?"

The general's wife laughed. "I was teasing! I know our Li is a filial girl. But that's exactly why your dad and I don't want to keep you all to ourselves. It's a holiday—go have fun! Go get dressed and head out with Ruoxue and Ruocai, okay?"

Finally, Xiao Li broke into a smile. "Thanks, Mom." Then she turned and gave the general a quick bow. "Thanks, Dad." With that, she grabbed Qin Jian and rushed back to her room to get ready.

When she came downstairs again, she'd changed into a beautiful red outfit, with a matching rose-colored long skirt and a smoky, semi-transparent shawl draped over her shoulders. Her makeup was flawlessly done, highlighting her stunning features in a way that made her look almost dreamlike.

"Wow—Li, you look amazing!" Ruocai gasped in awe the moment she saw her.

"I told you, didn't I? We're going to a festival hosted by the crown prince himself. You better believe there'll be at least a hundred nobles and royals there tonight. Once you show up, you'll totally steal the spotlight. Who knows—you might even meet your Prince Charming!"

Listening to her go on, Xiao Li nearly tripped over her own feet. "Oh, shut up! What are you even talking about? You're dressed like a goddess yourself. What, planning to find your own Prince Charming among those hundred royals?"

Ruoxue giggled behind her hand. "Honestly, you two are something else. One's the daughter of a general, the other of the prime minister—and yet neither of you has a shred of modesty!"

Then she burst out laughing again.

"Oh really? Now even you're making fun of us?" Xiao Li and Ruocai pounced on her playfully, reaching out to tickle her.

Ruoxue surrendered immediately. "Okay, okay! I was wrong! I was wrong! You two merciful ladies, spare me!"

Even the general's wife couldn't help laughing. "Alright, enough. You girls should get going. The longer you wait, the bigger the crowd will get, and then you won't even be able to squeeze to the front!"

The streets of Lingjiang were bustling that Mid-Autumn night.

Because of the crowds, no one could ride horses or take carriages, so they all walked. Xiao Li and the Yuwen sisters each had their own maids, plus several highly skilled guards following behind. Wherever they went, they drew attention.

The streets were lit with lanterns, bright as day. Every home—rich or poor—had hung Mid-Autumn lanterns at their doors. It wasn't just for luck or tradition; it also added to the cheerful, festive vibe.

As the crowds thickened, they finally arrived at the base of the Imperial City.

This was Xiao Li's first time experiencing a traditional Mid-Autumn celebration in ancient times—and wow, the whole "celebrate with the people" thing wasn't just a rumor.

The area beneath the Imperial City, usually a heavily guarded zone, had been turned into a massive open-air square with a grand stage set up in the center.

The stage was surrounded by dozens of lanterns, like a forest of glowing blossoms. Between four towering trees, all kinds of colorful lanterns were arranged in a dazzling display.

Bright candles lit up the entire platform, making it easy for even those far in the crowd to see what was happening onstage.

Too bad the general's wife had been right—by the time they arrived, the place was packed. A sea of people!

They barely managed to squeeze into a decent spot. When Xiao Li looked up, she saw an elderly man in a golden robe walking onto the stage.

"Miss, look—his robe has a dragon embroidered on it, right?" Qin Jian whispered. She had sharp eyes, catching the significance immediately.

Xiao Li got it at once. "Duh, that's the emperor!"

No sooner had she whispered it than a blue-robed official stepped forward, holding a whisk. "People of the Great Ling Kingdom, His Majesty has come to greet you tonight—"

That announcement did the trick. Xiao Li looked around and realized she was now the tallest person in sight—everyone around her had already dropped to their knees!

Startled, she quickly bowed and knelt with the crowd.

"Long live the Emperor!" came the thunderous cry from all around. A slogan as timeless and unchanging as the moon itself. Xiao Li, of course, joined in the shouting with full enthusiasm.

"My beloved citizens," the emperor said warmly, "You may rise."

He sounded quite spry for his age, Xiao Li noticed.

"It's a full moon tonight, and once again, the Mid-Autumn Festival is upon us. I'm overjoyed. I've missed all of you, so I've come here personally to celebrate this night of reunion together. What do you think?"

Xiao Li was genuinely moved. The emperor was surprisingly down-to-earth.

"Your Majesty is most gracious! We are eternally grateful!" The crowd echoed back in unison, full of gratitude.

Xiao Li didn't remember much of what the emperor said after that. She got lost in her own daydreams until one particular word pulled her back: "Crown Prince."

She looked up just in time to see the emperor leaving the stage. In his place stood a young man, likely in his thirties, who looked scholarly but a little frail.

"That's the crown prince!" Ruocai leaned in and whispered in her ear. "See him? That's His Highness."

"Oh…" Xiao Li squinted. "So that's the crown prince? Definitely good-looking—but he looks kinda sickly, doesn't he?"

Ruocai sighed. "Yeah… His Highness used to be brilliant—smart, strong, everything. But after Sister Youlan passed, he was never the same."

"Sister Youlan?" Xiao Li asked, confused.

Ruocai's eyes shimmered with tears. "She was supposed to be his crown princess. But years ago, she came down with an incurable illness and never recovered."

She gazed back up at the prince onstage. "After she passed, he fell ill too. It's been seven or eight years now, and he's still not better. I think… he must still miss her."

A hopeless romantic, huh?

Xiao Li found herself turning to look at the prince again. The more she looked, the more she felt something stir in her heart.

The crown prince gave a short speech too, though he coughed frequently as he spoke. By the end, his voice was even starting to tremble. Xiao Li could tell—it wasn't nerves. He was simply too weak.

Thankfully, a steward came to help him off to the row of chairs behind the stage.

Then, something caught Xiao Li's eye.

A group of well-dressed men walked onto the stage, one after another, and sat down beside the prince.

And, as luck would have it—Xiao Li recognized every single one of them.

"....."