Killer Queen + 18

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Qinjian's hand was hurting—really hurting—from how tightly her lady was squeezing it. But she couldn't say anything, so she just stared at Xiao Li with a helpless, confused expression.

A figure in moon-white robes flashed past them. The moment she saw him, Xiao Li felt a powerful urge rise up inside her. After all this time, she'd finally run into him again. Maybe this was fate handing her the perfect opportunity.

She knew acting on impulse was reckless. But watching Huangfu Haotian walk right past her—how could she possibly stay calm?

There's no way she could just let him go that easily.

So, she made up her mind—she was going to follow them.

"Miss, what are you doing…" Qinjian was being dragged along, totally baffled by Xiao Li's actions, and finally couldn't help but whisper.

Xiao Li turned around and saw the confused look on Qinjian's face. Her determination wavered a bit. This matter had nothing to do with anyone else—she couldn't drag Qinjian into it too.

She had to find a way to get rid of her first.

Xiao Li stopped, forced a pitiful little smile, and said, "Qinjian, to be honest, seeing that big crowd up ahead makes me feel a little uneasy. How about this—you go find Brother Wang and the others, and I'll just wait for you here. Then we can go back home together. Sound good?"

Qinjian frowned. "Are you serious, Miss? You really don't want to look around a little longer?"

Xiao Li nodded. "Nah, I'm done. I'm just not in the mood anymore."

Qinjian had no choice but to agree. "Alright then… but if I'm going in to find Brother Wang, where should you wait?"

Xiao Li looked around and spotted a street food stall up ahead. Smiling, she pointed. "There! I'll wait for you over there, okay?"

Qinjian sighed. "Fine, just stay put. I'll be back soon."

Xiao Li waved her off. "Go on, go on. I'll be right here, not going anywhere."

As soon as Qinjian turned and vanished into the crowd, Xiao Li spun around and hurried after the group.

Luckily, they hadn't gone too far yet. She slipped through the crowd and tailed them at a distance.

They'd been walking fast at first, but now they were slowing down. That made it even easier for her to catch up.

Once she was close enough, she realized where they were headed: back to the palace. But the Crown Prince on the sedan chair didn't seem too thrilled about it.

"Big Brother, just this once, okay?" Huangfu Haotian pleaded. "Let me take you back to the palace so the imperial doctor can take care of you. Then I'll leave immediately to find Doctor Mo. Please?"

But the Crown Prince was clearly not backing down. "No. If I go back, I might never get out again. Haotian, I can hold on. Just take me to him—I have to find Doctor Mo myself."

"Big Brother…" Haotian's voice was full of urgency.

"If you really care about me, then stop trying to change my mind," the Crown Prince said, his voice weak but resolute.

Xiao Li heard Haotian sigh softly. After a moment, he gave in.

"…Alright. Since you insist, I'll break the rules this once and take you."

Then he turned to a guard. "You—ride ahead to the city gate and prepare a smooth, fast carriage. Tell them I'm leaving the city tonight."

So they were really heading out of the city.

Xiao Li narrowed her eyes. Judging by Haotian's tone, they were going to seek treatment for the Crown Prince.

Even though she hated Huangfu Haotian with every fiber of her being, he had saved her and the Yuwen sisters on Phoenix Mountain.

And now he was trying to save the Crown Prince's life—a man who had left a deep impression on her.

A man like him, so sincere and devoted—how could she just stand by and do nothing while he suffered?

She knew she couldn't.

But even so, could she really just let Haotian disappear from her sight again?

She couldn't do that either.

Still, it's not like she could just tag along on their trip out of the city… right?

Then again… why not?

At the very least, she'd find out what illness the Crown Prince had. And maybe, just maybe, she could uncover some of Haotian's weaknesses too—give herself a better shot the next time she got a chance.

By the time they reached the gate, the guards had already prepared the carriage. Haotian helped the Crown Prince into it, then got in himself while the rest mounted their horses.

Xiao Li panicked a little when she saw them about to leave.

Sure, she had decent lightness skills, but no matter how fast a person ran, they couldn't outrun horses. She needed a ride.

Luckily, this kind of thing wasn't new to her. Back when she was an assassin, she'd had plenty of experience thinking on her feet.

She quietly slipped behind the line of cavalry, waited for the right moment, and then struck—knocking out a straggler and leaping onto his horse, galloping out of the city after them.

Inside the carriage, Haotian helped the Crown Prince get comfortable before sitting beside him. But he hadn't been seated long when he heard hoofbeats behind them—fast ones.

He frowned.

Sigh… That woman really knows how to cause trouble, he thought. She just had to chase after me at a time like this.

He'd noticed her strange look back in the palace plaza but ignored it—his brother's health was the priority.

But clearly, ignoring her didn't help. She'd followed him all the way to the gate. And now… she was catching up.

He lifted the curtain slightly and peeked out.

Sure enough, under the bright moonlight, a woman in red was racing toward them on a golden horse.

"Who goes there!" The thunder of her hooves had alerted the guards. Four of them broke off and surrounded her. "Who dares ride out of the city in the middle of the night?"

Xiao Li hadn't expected to be stopped. She'd been so focused on catching up to the carriage that she was momentarily speechless.

She didn't say anything, but her eyes kept darting toward the carriage, like she was afraid it would vanish.

The guards noticed.

"Oh, I see. You're here for the Crown Prince, aren't you? Speak! Who are you? Why are you following His Highness? Are you planning something?"

"I'm not!" Xiao Li finally found her voice. "I'm just a commoner. There's an emergency at home—I need to leave the city. Please, let me through."

But the guards weren't buying it. Even though she'd calmed down, her eyes still betrayed her.

"Bold woman! You think just denying it will save you? You dare approach the Crown Prince's carriage without permission?"

"Don't waste time talking—just take her down!"

Before she could say another word, one of the guards charged her.

Whoosh! A spear came flying right at her face.

"Hyah—!" Xiao Li leaned back sharply, lying flat on her horse's back to dodge it.

She avoided the first strike—but the next three guards were already charging in with their weapons.

In a flash, Xiao Li kicked off, launching herself off the horse. Using its momentum to scatter the guards' formation, she flipped midair, unwrapped the smoky veil from her arm, and whipped it at them like a weapon.

Under the moonlight, her movements were like mist—graceful and elusive one moment, swift and deadly the next. If it weren't for the glint of those four spears beneath her feet, Haotian might've thought he was watching a goddess dancing under the moonlight.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and sighed.

Sigh… There she goes again—beautiful and dangerous. No matter how hard he tried to ignore her, she always found a way to pull him back in.

"You know that woman outside, don't you?" a weak voice said beside him.

Startled, Haotian looked up wide-eyed. "Brother, you're awake. Did the noise wake you?"

He reached out to close the curtain, but the Crown Prince shook his head. "Haotian, you usually hide your feelings pretty well. But right now, it's all over your face."

Haotian froze, then gave a bitter laugh. "You really don't miss a thing, do you, Brother?"

The Crown Prince chuckled too, then slowly sat up to peek out the window.

"She's stunning," he said softly. "Especially under the moonlight—she looks like a goddess dancing in the sky."

Haotian followed his gaze and nodded. "You're right. A'Li really is beautiful."

Just then—a sharp whistle tore through the air. An arrow, fierce and fast, streaked straight toward the moonlit dancer.

Her graceful form suddenly faltered.

"A'Li—!" Haotian shouted, alarmed.

At that moment, the Crown Prince's voice rang out behind him:"Stop the carriage!"

"....."