“What are you doing?”

The deep voice sounded like a grieving soul from hell, carrying intense killing intent and profound disappointment. Zhuge Yue wore a fire-red fur coat, his head covered with snow, followed by a large group of Qing Shan Courtyard attendants. His eyes dark, he looked at the blood-covered child and spoke slowly, enunciating each word.

Chu Qiao raised her head, her delicate brows gradually furrowing. Why was Zhuge Yue here?

The child gazed at him calmly, coldly curling her lips into a faint smile: “As you can see, I killed this old beast whose crimes could not be absolved by a thousand deaths.”

Zhuge Yue’s face was gloomy, his eyes churning with dark clouds: “Those previous incidents were also your doing.”

“Indeed!” The child smiled brightly. Such a sweet and innocent smile seemed so out of place in this environment. Holding a severed hand, she said with a beaming face: “Too bad you found out too late. You should first think about how to face the questioning from the various heads of the Zhuge clan when you return. After all, I am a servant from your courtyard, and after Zhuge Si’s death, the biggest beneficiaries are the members of your main branch.”

“Guards!” Zhuge Yue commanded in a deep voice: “Seize her!”

“How wishful!” The child sneered, raising an eyebrow and waving her hand as she shouted: “Hidden weapons!”

The servants from Qing Shan Courtyard immediately panicked. The agile servants quickly surrounded Zhuge Yue in protective layers. Though young, Yue Qi was exceptionally skilled. He spun forward rapidly, suddenly drawing his long sword, and wielding it with swift, powerful movements like storm winds sweeping rain. Streaks of white light crossed before him, creating a barrier that even water could not penetrate.

With a thud, something struck Yue Qi’s long sword, causing blood to shoot skyward. Looking down, everyone saw it was a mangled severed hand.

From outside the window came the child’s cold and fierce shout: “Zhuge Yue, Lin Xi’s death will not be in vain!”

Under the cold moonlight, the small, delicate body instantly vanished into the boundless night.

The young man stood in place, his face turning green and eyes red. Zhu Cheng looked at him carefully and anxiously shouted at the other attendants: “What are you all standing there for? Chase after her!”

Everyone finally snapped out of their daze and pursued together.

In the garden of the villa, the child’s nimble body moved like a small civet cat, swiftly running along the winding paths. Just then, chaotic footsteps sounded ahead, as if many people were rapidly approaching. The child’s expression turned cold, and she immediately stopped.

“Ah! It’s you!” Recognizing who was coming, the child hurried forward: “Have you caught the thief?”

The leading man, seeing it was the sobbing little slave girl, frowned and said sternly: “Get out of the way! This is none of your business. Don’t block the path!” As he spoke, he pushed against the child’s shoulder.

“More assassins came to the room and killed all your men. They claimed to be the Fourth Young Master of Qing Shan Courtyard’s people. I ran out to report this.”

“What?” The man was shocked and said: “Absolute nonsense! There are also intruders outside the mansion, about three hundred people, skulking about. They’re not from our Zhuge family. Our brothers couldn’t hold them off, so I came back for reinforcements.”

People outside too? Could they be Zhuge Yue’s followers? Chu Qiao frowned, calmly saying: “That way is blocked. They outnumber you. Let’s do this: hide here and launch a surprise attack when they’re unprepared. I’ll lure them over.”

The man was delighted, thinking this little slave girl had some courage after all: “Good. If this succeeds, I’ll report truthfully to our superiors.”

“Mm,” the child smiled brightly: “As long as I can be freed from slavery.”

Moments later, the servants from Qing Shan Courtyard pursued this spot and, without exchanging a word, began fighting with the Zhuge villa servants who couldn’t identify them in the darkness. Yue Qi took the lead, shouting angrily: “Who are you people? Are you Master Zhuge’s subordinates? I am the Fourth Young Master’s guard!”

“To hell with you!” The burly man spat: “And I’m an armed guard from Sheng Jin Palace! Brothers, follow me and attack!”

Amidst the sounds of fierce combat, the child’s footsteps gradually moved away from the battlefield.

Finally reaching the outer wall, the child frowned, looking left and right for something to climb with. Just then, a gust of force suddenly came from behind. Chu Qiao, nimble and quick to react, immediately turned around, pulling out her crossbow, ready to fire.

“Ah!” came a soft exclamation as the child was suddenly lifted. With a few nimble jumps, they were already atop the high wall.

“Well, you’re truly not adorable, drawing weapons as soon as we meet.”

Yan Xun wore a white fur coat, with black hair and star-like eyes, the corner of his mouth carrying a somewhat cynical smile. Looking down at the Zhuge mansion, lit torches, and chaotic crowds could be seen everywhere. Inside and outside the compound, people were fighting, with constant battle cries carrying over. Yan Xun looked around and shook his head with a sigh: “Look at you, such a small child, yet causing so much trouble. The Zhuge family had eight generations of bad luck to take you as a servant.”

Chu Qiao snorted coldly, struggling: “Let me go!”

The young man laughed heartily, not afraid of being discovered, smiling as he moved closer: “Little girl, it’s one thing that you didn’t keep our appointment, but now you owe me another favor. How do you plan to repay it?”

“Who asked for your help? Self-important fellow!”

“Hmph, always the same words. I’ve truly rescued an ungrateful wolf.” Yan Xun snorted but immediately smiled again: “But it doesn’t matter, this young master is in a good mood. Little girl, you’ve seen enough excitement. If we don’t leave now, we’ll get burned ourselves. Hold on tight!”

With that, the young man leaped down from the wall. Chu Qiao was startled, silently cursing him as a fool, but immediately wrapped her arms and legs tightly around Yan Xun’s body, hoping that the legendary superior lightness skill truly existed. Otherwise, this fall would surely end in injury.

With a thud, the warhorse neighed loudly. Feng Mian grinned: “Young Master, I’ve been waiting for you for ages.”

Sitting on horseback, with handsome features, a jade-like appearance, and a snow-white robe, Yan Xun laughed heartily and said in a resonant voice: “Then let’s go.”

Behind them, battle cries reached the heavens, and fires spread continuously. The Northern Prince of Yan spurred his horse and rapidly disappeared at the end of the long street.

Almost simultaneously, Wei Shouyou and Zhuge Huai both received a secret letter. Under the flickering lights, these outstanding young representatives of their families wore solemn expressions. After brief instructions, they each stepped out of their family mansions.

At the edge of the sky, layers of clouds accumulated, and heavy snow spread everywhere. Only a cold moon shone faintly upon the world of heaven and earth.