Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

Chapter 71 Bao'er's Superpower Awakens! Mother, the little bird says bad guys are hiding salt.

In Qihuang Garden, the osmanthus flowers have bloomed for the second time.

Bao'er is one and a half years old.

The little one is growing fast and can already walk steadily. His speech has also become much more fluent. Although he still speaks in short sentences, he can clearly say "Mommy hugs," "Birds fly," and "Fish swims." He loves to chase after the sparrows in the garden and the koi in the pond, babbling away.

Ye Huang didn't pay much attention at first, just thinking it was a child's curiosity about living things.

Until that afternoon.

She was looking at the account books in the pavilion, with a plate of lotus flower pastries beside her.

Bao'er lay on her lap, pointing to a few sparrows hopping around the stone table: "Birds, hungry."

Ye Huang casually broke off a piece of pastry and placed it in her palm.

A sparrow tilted its head, looked over, flapped its wings, and flew over, actually snatching the pastry from her palm.

That's not surprising—the birds in the park are so unafraid of people.

What's surprising is what happened next.

The sparrow didn't fly away; instead, it turned and flew to Bao'er's chubby little hand, placed the pastry in his palm, and then gently pecked his fingers, as if... it was saying thank you.

Bao'er giggled and said to the sparrow, "Thank you, bird."

The sparrow chirped twice and then fluttered away.

Ye Huang's account book fell to the ground.

"Bao'er," she slowly crouched down, looking into her son's eyes, "you were... talking to a sparrow just now?"

Bao'er nodded, her little face full of pride: "Bird said it's delicious."

Ye Huang's heart trembled violently.

As a highly trained assassin, her sensitivity to anomalies far surpasses that of ordinary people.

Bao'er could foresee danger even in the fetal stage, and had a special affinity for animals in infancy—she had noticed these things long ago and had been quietly observing them.

But she never expected that this ability would develop so quickly and so... specifically.

"Jinshu," she said calmly, without a trace of emotion, "go and bring over the cats and dogs in the garden, as well as the rabbits kept in the kitchen."

Although Jinshu didn't understand, she did as instructed.

Fifteen minutes later, the pavilion became lively.

A tabby cat lay lazily on the stone bench; it was the garden's "hero" at catching mice. A yellow guard dog squatted beside it, panting. Two white rabbits sat in a basket, their ears perked up.

Bao'er's eyes lit up when she saw them.

Ye Huang placed her son on the ground, took two steps back, and quietly observed him.

Bao'er first walked up to the tabby cat and stretched out her little hand: "Kitty."

The tabby cat had been warily arching its back, but when Bao'er touched its head, it suddenly relaxed and even rubbed against Bao'er's palm, purring softly.

Next up is the yellow dog.

As soon as Bao'er approached, the yellow dog lay down and exposed its belly—a gesture that shows absolute trust and obedience in dogs.

The rabbit was more docile, letting Bao'er stroke its long ears, its ruby-like eyes staring at him without blinking.

Jinshu covered her mouth, her eyes wide open.

Ye Huang, however, remained unusually calm.

She walked over to Bao'er, squatted down, and asked, "Bao'er, can you understand what they're saying?"

Bao'er tilted her head and thought for a moment, then pointed at the tabby cat: "The cat says it's hungry and wants fish."

Then, pointing to the yellow dog, he said, "The dog says, 'My feet hurt.'"

Ye Huang immediately looked at the yellow dog's right front paw—sure enough, there was a faint scratch on the paw pad, probably from when it chased a stray cat yesterday.

"What about the rabbit?"

Bao'er touched the rabbit's ears: "The rabbit says it's scared and wants to go home."

Ye Huang understood.

This is not simply "animal affinity".

This is two-way communication.

"Jinshu," she stood up, "go and invite Eunuch Li over. Don't make a fuss."

"Yes, yes!" Jinshu was still in shock and stumbled away.

---

When Eunuch Li arrived, Bao'er was squatting by the pond, cooing at the koi carp.

Several of the largest koi fish gathered on the bank in front of him, their mouths opening and closing as if in response.

Eunuch Li's expression changed after just one glance.

He walked quickly over, squatted down, and looked carefully into Bao'er's eyes.

When Bao'er saw him, she sweetly called out, "Grandpa."

Eunuch Li didn't respond, but instead extended his withered fingers and gently pressed them against Bao'er's forehead.

A moment later, he withdrew his hand and let out a long breath.

"Your Majesty," his voice was deep, "this old servant knew long ago that the young master was exceptionally gifted, able to foresee events even in the womb, and displaying remarkable intelligence during his first birthday celebration. But what I see today... this is no longer a simple 'talent'."

Ye Huang gestured for Jin Shu to take Bao'er away, and only when the two of them were left in the pavilion did she ask, "What did Master see?"

"A being with a spiritual body." Eunuch Li said, enunciating each word clearly, "Ancient texts record that such beings are one in ten thousand. They are born with the ability to communicate with all things, befriending birds and beasts, plants and insects, and empathizing with all of them."

He looked at Ye Huang: "Young Master could sense danger even in the womb; it was an instinct of this body. Now that you can speak and walk, and your spiritual senses are gradually opening, this ability has manifested."

Ye Huang was silent for a moment: "Will it harm him?"

"Not for now," Eunuch Li shook his head. "It's an innate ability of his, as natural as breathing. But..."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his cloudy eyes: "Your Majesty, this matter must be kept secret. In historical records, the 'spiritual body' is either revered as an auspicious omen or regarded as a demonic entity. Either way, it will attract endless covetousness."

Ye Huang understood, of course.

In the era of imperial power, what would a child who could communicate with all things be considered?

Auspicious omen? Then it will be enshrined and become a political symbol.

Evil spirits? Then they should be burned at the stake to appease the people.

Either way, Bao'er will lose her freedom.

"Jinshu," she turned, "from today onwards, Bao'er will have two more bodyguards by her side. All servants in the garden are strictly forbidden from discussing the young master's interactions with animals. Anyone who violates this rule will be—"

She didn't finish speaking, but the coldness in her eyes sent a chill down Jinshu's spine.

"This servant understands!"

---

That night, Ye Huang carried Bao'er to the study.

She lit a small lamp, placed her son on her lap, and whispered, "Sweetie, Mommy wants to ask you, can you understand what all the little animals are saying?"

Bao'er nodded, then shook her head: "Some things I understand, some I don't. Birds understand, fish... I'm confused."

Ye Huang understood—the clarity of communication is related to the intelligence of animals.

"Then," she asked tentatively, "could you let the little bird help Mommy with some chores?"

Bao'er's eyes lit up: "Help Mommy!"

Ye Huang picked up a small piece of salt from the table—this was a sample that Mo Shisan had just delivered today, taken from near the Liu family's private salt warehouse.

She placed the salt block in Bao'er's palm: "Ask the little birds if they know where there are lots and lots of these 'white stones'?"

Bao'er held the salt block, walked to the window, and murmured a few words to the night sky.

A moment later, an owl fluttered down onto the window frame.

Bao'er handed over the salt block, and the owl sniffed it and crowed twice.

"Mother!" Bao'er turned around, "The bird said it knows! It's...it's by the river, big houses, lots and lots of them!"

Ye Huang's heart pounded wildly.

By the river, there's a big building—it's a warehouse!

"What kind of riverbank? What kind of houses?" she pressed.

Bao'er tilted her head, trying her best to repeat the owl's description: "A big river, with boats. The houses are dark, without windows, guarded by people, their knives gleaming."

A hidden warehouse by the canal, guarded by armed men.

All of them are correct.

Ye Huang hugged her son tightly, her voice trembling slightly: "Bao'er is so great."

Bao'er rubbed her face proudly: "I helped Mommy!"

"Mmm," Ye Huang kissed his forehead, "You've been a great help."

She handed Bao'er to Jinshu to lull her to sleep, then sat down at her desk and spread out a map of Hangzhou.

Based on the clues relayed by Bao'er, and combined with the previous information from Tingfeng Tower, she quickly identified three possible locations.

"Mo Shisan," she said into the darkness.

Mo Shisan emerged from the shadows: "Miss."

"Take some people to these three places to investigate tomorrow." She pushed the map over. "Focus on checking the warehouse structure, the number of guards, and the shift change times. Remember, just look and don't move."

"Yes." Mo Shisan paused, "Miss, the young master's ability..."

"I know," Ye Huang interrupted him, "which is why we need to be even faster. We need to finish what needs to be done before anyone else finds out."

Mo Shisan nodded emphatically, put away the map, and left.

The study returned to silence.

Ye Huang walked to the window and looked at the moonlight outside.

Bao'er's superpower is a powerful tool bestowed by heaven, but also a sword hanging over her head.

If used well, it can give her the upper hand in this game.

If used improperly... it could lead to utter disaster.

"Nangong Ye," she whispered to the northern night sky, "you probably can't imagine what kind of person your son is."

Yeah.

It's best if you can't think of anything.

In this way, she could protect Bao'er and walk step by step to him.

Then, ask him to die.

---

The next morning, the first thing Bao'er said when she woke up was, "Mommy, the bird is here again."

Ye Huang opened the window and, sure enough, saw the same night owl from yesterday perched on a branch, clutching something in its claws.

Bao'er stretched out his little hand, and the owl flew down and placed a small piece of cloth from its claws into his palm.

It was a dark blue coarse cloth, with torn edges and stained with salt.

"Bird said," Bao'er relayed earnestly, "that the people in the White Stone House wear this."

Ye Huang took the piece of cloth, her eyes narrowing.

This is the clothing of the lower-level members of the Canal Gang.

Liu Chengming's smuggled salt business was indeed in cahoots with the Grand Canal Gang.

"Bao'er," she knelt down, looking into her son's clear eyes, "this secret, besides Mommy, Jinshu, and Grandpa Li, cannot be told to anyone. Not even Uncle Qian or Uncle Mo, understand?"

Bao'er seemed to understand but didn't quite, yet she still nodded: "Bao'er won't say."

"Good boy." Ye Huang hugged him tightly.

Outside the window, the morning light was just beginning to break.

A new day, a new game.

But she now holds an ace in her hand that no one knows about.