In that instant, thousands of thoughts flashed through Chu Qiao’s mind. She knew she could take advantage of their contempt and carelessness, quickly strike out to injure someone, and then escape. But if she did so, it would certainly arouse suspicion, especially from the one-handed Zhu Shun. Even if she managed to escape by luck, it would implicate Little Eight who was still in the manor.

Yet if she didn’t escape, she would fall into the clutches of this lecherous old wolf. At that point, with her ability as an eight-year-old child, how could she possibly resist the entire security force of the Zhuge villa?

Escape, or not escape?

The child’s body tensed, but her mind was racing. Perhaps she should go along with their plan and take this opportunity to eliminate this lecherous old man?

In a flash, a powerful man had already approached her, about to disarm her of the tightly gripped dagger.

“Wait!”

A clear, cold shout suddenly rang out. Everyone immediately turned to look. They saw snow splashing from the ground, white mist churning, and more than twenty riders on jet-black warhorses rapidly approaching. The youth on horseback wore a blue robe with white fur, his face handsome as he galloped forward.

Suddenly, the steeds neighed loudly and reared up on their hind legs. Their warm breath formed a hazy mist in the cold air. The young man, surrounded by his guards, looked at everyone with cold eyes and spoke in a calm voice, displaying wisdom and composure beyond his years: “Mr. Zhuge, it’s been a long time.”

The elderly Zhuge Master narrowed his rat-like eyes, looking the youth up and down. He chuckled, revealing yellowed teeth: “So it’s the Crown Prince Yan Xun of Yan Bei. The night is dark and the dew heavy—why is the Crown Prince out in the wind and snow rather than enjoying himself in the hostage residence?”

Yan Xun maintained his composure, neither servile nor overbearing, and slowly said: “Thank you for Mr. Zhuge’s concern. But since you, at your advanced age, are still so vigorous as to appreciate lanterns in the deep night, how could I merely sleep with my head covered in the residence? The Lantern Festival is a national celebration; I merely came out to join in the festivities.”

“Oh?” The elderly Zhuge Master raised his long eyebrows and said: “If that’s the case, Crown Prince Yan may continue his sightseeing. This old man won’t accompany you.” Having said that, he turned to his subordinates and said: “Return to the manor.”

“Wait!” Yan Xun quickly rode forward, blocking the elderly Zhuge Master’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’s eyebrows raised slightly: “What does the Crown Prince mean by this?”

“This child just startled my horse and frightened away Jifeng. I want to take her back for questioning.”

Hearing this, the old master smiled slightly and said: “If that’s the case, this old man will compensate the Crown Prince with a good horse.”

“My Crown Prince’s horse is a fine steed from the western desert, recently hunted by the old King. Can you afford to compensate for that?”

“Fengmian, be quiet!” Yan Xun frowned slightly, scolding his young page, and said in a deep voice: “The Zhuge family is an imperial aristocratic clan, and General Zhuge is one of the seven elders of the council. They are wealthy and powerful, even our royal family can hardly compare. Naturally, there is nothing they cannot afford to compensate. However, there is deep affection between father and son. Jifeng was personally tamed by my royal father and sent a great distance to Zhenhang. It is not an ordinary warhorse, so this matter cannot be settled so casually. If the warhorse cannot be found, I must take this child away.”

“Crown Prince Yan…”

“Mr. Zhuge, there’s no need for further words,” Yan Xun immediately interrupted the old master, raising his head and saying: “Given Mr. Zhuge’s status, it’s not worth pleading for a slave. I will explain this matter to the Zhuge family’s Fourth Young Master myself. Come, take this child away.”

The personal guards of the Yan King’s residence immediately stepped forward. A large man pushed the Zhuge master’s attendant, making him stagger, then picked up Chu Qiao with one hand and was about to mount his horse and leave.

Seeing the Zhuge old master’s face turning purple, Zhu Shun immediately stepped forward, smiling ingratiatingly as he grabbed Yan Xun’s horse’s reins: “Crown Prince Yan, let’s talk this over…”

A whip cracked sharply, followed by Yan Xun’s swift kick to Zhu Shun’s chin, knocking the fat man to the ground. Zhu Shun screamed in pain as he fell, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood along with two yellowish front teeth.

“Who do you think you are, daring to meddle in my affairs? You truly don’t know your place!”

Yan Xun’s gaze was sharp as he spoke in a cold, hard voice.

Zhu Shun was greatly shocked, quickly kneeling on the ground and kowtowing in panic. It was well known that in Great Xia, the royal family could kill a commoner without needing any reason.

Yan Xun raised his whip toward Zhu Shun and said coldly: “Today, I’ll spare you for the sake of the elderly Mr. Zhuge. However, if you are so disrespectful again, even if General Zhuge personally arrives, I will still take your dog’s head.”

Having said this, without even glancing at the old Zhuge, he commanded his subordinates in a deep voice: “Let’s go!”

The team of horsemen immediately spurred their horses forward, and after a flurry of snow splashes, they disappeared at the end of the long street.

The old Zhuge’s face turned crimson, his left hand trembling with anger. Zhu Shun crawled forward on his knees, grabbing the old Zhuge’s foot, saying: “Old Master, please calm down, this servant…”

“Get lost!” The old man shouted in anger, kicking Zhu Shun in the chest: “Useless waste!”

Then, he got into his carriage and left.

Snow continued to fall abundantly, the desolate long street was completely silent, making the bustling main street seem even more lively and prosperous by contrast. The seeds of darkness were buried under the accumulated snow. Zhu Shun looked venomously toward the end of the long street, in the direction where Chu Qiao and the others had disappeared.

The warhorses stopped by the shores of Chishui Lake. The young man, who had maintained a solemn expression earlier, now turned his head with a smile. He playfully punched Chu Qiao’s small shoulder, saying: “Little girl, you owe me another favor.”

The child slightly raised her eyebrows. Though she didn’t speak, her meaning was clear: I didn’t ask you to come.

Yan Xun snorted in disapproval, muttering: “Would it kill you to say something nice?”

Chu Qiao glared at him, then turned to leave.

Yan Xun was startled and quickly blocked her path: “Where are you going?”

The child raised an eyebrow: “Back to the manor, of course.”

“You still want to go back?” The young man frowned and exclaimed: “That dog servant won’t let you off, and that old man from the Zhuge family is notorious throughout Zhenhang City. Do you want to go back to die?”

Chu Qiao pushed him aside: “That’s none of your business.”

Yan Xun wouldn’t let go, still holding onto her tightly, shouting: “What are you doing? The Crown Prince kindly saved you, yet you respond with such cold words. What’s so good about that strange Zhuge Yue that makes you so determined to rush back?”

Chu Qiao raised her head. Her plan to eliminate the lecherous old Zhuge had been disrupted, which annoyed her somewhat. She impatiently shook off Yan Xun’s hand, looking up coldly: “Did I cry and beg you to save me? Keep your compassion to yourself; I don’t need it.”

Yan Xun’s eyes reddened with anger as he watched Chu Qiao’s small figure walking further and further away. Suddenly, childishly, he shouted: “How absurd! You deserve to be bullied! If I ever help you again, I’m not a Yan!”

The child didn’t even look back and soon disappeared into the surging crowd. Fengmian cautiously approached and carefully looked at his young master, seeing the Crown Prince’s reddened eyes, looking as if he might cry from anger.

Fengmian was slightly surprised. The empire dispatched vassal kings to guard the imperial frontiers and protect the Zhenhang imperial capital. But to limit their power, they took the heirs of various regional kings as hostages in the capital. His own Crown Prince, young Prince Jing, and others were in this situation. These children had grown up at the center of power struggles, mature beyond their years, always maintaining an adult demeanor. This was the first time Fengmian had seen his master display such emotion toward someone, just like… just like an ordinary child.

“Crown Prince, shall we return to the residence?”

“Hmph!” Yan Xun let out a cold snort, his voice still filled with anger. He mounted his horse and led his many attendants toward the Yan hostage residence.

“Fengmian,” after just a few steps, Yan Xun turned back to his young page and said: “Go to the Zhuge manor and tell them that my Jifeng has been found. Tell them not to make things difficult for that girl.”

“Huh?” Fengmian was stunned, staring wide-eyed in confusion: “Crown Prince, didn’t you say that if you helped her again, you wouldn’t be a Yan?”

Yan Xun was furious and kicked Fengmian’s leg from atop his horse, shouting: “You little monkey, try saying that again!”

Fengmian yelped in pain, turned his horse around, and rode toward the Zhuge manor, no longer daring to repeat himself.

Yan Xun huffed and puffed angrily for a while. Seeing his subordinates all looking at him, he suddenly shouted: “The Crown Prince will do as he pleases!”

Everyone quickly turned away, no longer daring to look at Yan Xun. Each silently sighed in their hearts: After all, the Crown Prince is only thirteen years old. It’s not unusual for him to be childish occasionally.

Today’s first update and, the second update coming soon.