Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

Chapter 79 The God of War Detours a Thousand Miles to See Her! A Dagger as a Pledge of Love: Whoever Bullies You, I Will Kill Them.

The third day of the twelfth lunar month.

Snow has fallen in Jiangnan as well.

The plum blossoms in Qihuang Garden are in bloom.

Bright red against the white snow.

Ye Huang is teaching Bao'er to recognize plum blossoms.

"This is a red plum."

"Red Plum Blossom" Bao'er learned very seriously.

suddenly.

The sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the garden.

Not one.

There are more than a dozen.

They came through the snow.

Ye Huang looked up.

Jinshu rushed in: "Miss! Young Master Xiao is here!"

Ye Huang paused.

Snowflakes fell softly from the plum blossom branches.

She put Bao'er down.

He straightened his sleeves.

"please."

---

Outside the garden gate.

Xiao Jue reined in his horse.

He was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, with a dark cloak over it. He looked travel-worn, with bloodshot eyes and stubble on his chin.

They had clearly been traveling for days.

But when he saw the figure in plain clothes walking out of the garden.

His eyes lit up instantly.

Like a candle suddenly lit in the dark night.

"Night Phoenix." He dismounted.

His voice was a little hoarse.

But it was with a smile on his face.

Ye Huang walked to the door.

Look at him.

It's been half a year since I last saw you.

He has lost weight.

It's turned black too.

There were fine wear marks on the shoulder armor—that was where the arrow wound was.

But his eyes are sharper.

Like a sharpened knife.

"General Xiao," she nodded slightly, "Congratulations on your triumphant return."

Xiao Jue smiled.

"No need to call me General. Just call me Xiao Jue."

He took off his cloak and handed it to the guard behind him.

The tight-fitting clothes underneath were revealed.

He wore a long sword at his waist.

He exudes a commanding presence.

"I was just passing through Jiangnan and thought I'd drop by to see you," he said casually.

But Ye Huang knew.

Returning to the capital from the northern border.

They didn't even "pass by" Jiangnan.

This involved taking a detour of over a thousand miles.

"Come in and talk." She stepped aside.

---

In the warm room.

The charcoal fire was burning brightly.

Jinshu served hot tea.

Xiao Jue picked up the teacup, but didn't drink it.

His gaze fell on Ye Huang's face.

Look closely.

"You've lost weight," he said.

"You too," Ye Huang replied calmly.

Xiao Jue smiled.

Set down the teacup.

He took a long, narrow cloth bag from his pocket.

"This is for you."

Ye Huang accepted it.

turn on.

There was a dagger inside.

The sheath was made of black iron and inlaid with seven rubies, arranged like the Big Dipper.

The hilt of the knife is wrapped with gold thread.

Draw it from its sheath.

The blade gleamed coldly.

It is engraved with the script of the northern deserts—it is an inscription.

"The high priest's personal dagger from the Northern Desert Royal Court," Xiao Jue said softly. "I killed him and seized this blade. It's said to ward off evil spirits."

Ye Huang stroked the hilt of the sword.

It's cold.

But it was inexplicably hot to the touch.

"It's too expensive."

"It's not expensive," Xiao Jue said, looking at her. "It suits you perfectly."

He paused.

The voice was lowered:

"Keep it for self-defense. If anyone bullies you... tell me."

The last three words.

It was said very softly.

Yet it weighs as much as a thousand pounds.

Ye Huang raised her eyes.

I met his eyes.

There is still the lingering smoke of battle.

There is the weariness of traveling thousands of miles.

and also……

The concern was palpable.

"Okay." She accepted the dagger.

---

At this time.

The curtains in the inner room moved slightly.

A little head peeked out.

Bao'er woke up.

The little guy rubbed his eyes and wobbled out. He was stunned when he saw Xiao Jue.

then.

She even stretched out her little hand.

"hug--"

A single word that describes something soft and sweet.

Xiao Jue froze completely.

He looked at Bao'er.

Then look at Ye Huang.

Ye Huang nodded: "Bao'er, this is Uncle Xiao."

Xiao Jue then carefully bent down.

Extend both arms.

Bao'er threw herself into his arms.

Xiao Jue tensed up all his muscles—afraid of hurting the child, and also afraid of not being able to hold him securely.

But Bao'er is very well-behaved.

Her little head rested on his shoulder.

It even rubbed against me.

"Uncle Xiao..." Bao'er said in her childish voice, "He smells good."

Xiao Jue was stunned: "Smells good?"

"The smell of snow," Bao'er said earnestly, "and... the smell of blood."

Ye Huang's heart tightened.

Xiao Jue smiled.

He looked down at the child in his arms.

His eyes were so gentle they could melt ice and snow.

"Bao'er is so clever," he said softly. "Uncle just came back from the North. There's snow there, and... a battlefield."

Bao'er seemed to understand, but not quite.

But she stretched out her little hand.

He touched the stubble on Xiao Jue's chin.

"Zha Zha".

Xiao Jue laughed out loud.

Chest vibration.

That was the first time Ye Huang had seen him smile like that.

Completely unprepared.

No burden at all.

Like an ordinary person.

---

Ye Huang personally cooked dinner.

Four dishes and one soup.

Simple, yet exquisite.

Xiao Jue ate very attentively.

Chew each bite slowly and carefully.

"It's much better than the food in the army," he said.

"Is life in the army... tough?" Jinshu asked softly.

Xiao Jue paused.

"It was tough. But it was worth it."

He looked at Ye Huang: "The food and herbs you sent saved many brothers' lives. They asked me to thank you."

"No need to thank me." Ye Huang placed a piece of fish on his plate. "You helped me before, and I'm repaying you."

Xiao Jue looked at the fish in the bowl.

for a long time.

"But... is it still available?"

Ye Huang paused with her chopsticks.

The warm room suddenly fell silent.

The only sound was the crackling of the charcoal fire.

Bao'er, look at your mother.

Then look at Xiao Jue.

Suddenly he spoke:

"Uncle Xiao, feed me—"

He opened his little mouth.

Xiao Jue smiled.

I picked up a piece of soft tofu.

Be careful not to blow it cold.

Feed it to Bao'er.

Bao'er enjoyed her meal.

Swinging her legs.

That scene.

It felt as warm and cozy as a family gathering.

Ye Huang lowered her eyes.

Eat quietly.

---

After the meal.

Xiao Jue held Bao'er in his arms as they watched the snow fall from the eaves.

Bao'er has already become familiar with him.

Pointing to the plum blossoms with her little finger: "Red plum!"

"Yes, Hongmei," Xiao Jue patiently agreed.

Ye Huang stood inside the door.

Looking at those two figures, one tall and one short, from behind.

The snow fell silently.

"Miss," Jinshu said softly, "Young Master Xiao is so good to Bao'er."

"Um."

"The way he looked at the girl..." Jinshu blushed, "That's fine too."

Ye Huang remained silent.

She watched as Xiao Jue carefully wrapped Bao'er in the cloak.

Watching him lower his head to listen to Bao'er's babbling.

Looking at the newly added scar on his profile.

Somewhere in my heart.

It moved slightly.

---

Late at night.

Xiao Jue should leave now.

He still had to rush back to the capital to report back.

"Here, take this." Before leaving, he took out a small cloth bag.

Inside are dried snow lotus petals.

"We can't bring the fresh ones back. These... we can use them to make tea, it's good for your health."

Ye Huang accepted it.

"Bon Voyage."

Xiao Jue mounted his horse.

Look back at her.

Snowflakes fell on his shoulder.

"Night Phoenix".

"Um?"

"Wait for me to return from the capital."

"……good."

Xiao Jue smiled.

They rode away.

Horse hooves tread on snow.

Lopsided.

Ye Huang stood at the door.

He held the packet of snow lotus petals in his hand.

And that jewel-encrusted dagger.

It's cold.

But it gradually gained warmth.

---

After returning to the house.

Bao'er is still awake.

The little one lay in his crib, blinking his eyes, and said, "Mama."

"Um?"

"Will Uncle Xiao... come again?"

"……meeting."

"Bao'er likes Uncle Xiao."

Ye Huang gently patted her son.

Why?

"Because..." Bao'er thought for a moment, "Uncle Xiao's eyes light up when he looks at Mommy."

Ye Huang paused.

for a long time.

She bent down and kissed her son's forehead.

"Go to sleep."

The candle went out.

in the dark.

Ye Huang gripped the dagger.

That sentence echoed in my ears:

If anyone bullies you... tell me.

outside the window.

The snow is still falling.

This winter.

like……

It's not so cold anymore.

---

[Next Chapter Preview: A Late-Night Talk! Xiao Jue Frankly Discusses the Crisis in the Court, Ye Huang Offers a Plan: Undermine the Military Supervisor! Liu Chengming Secretly Lays Plans, and Danger Approaches...]