Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

Chapter 94 Invitations from all sides poured in like snowflakes! Xiao Jue visited late at night: Don

Chapter 94 Invitations from all sides poured in like snowflakes! Xiao Jue visited late at night: Don't be afraid, I'm here.

The threshold of Phoenix Perch Courtyard is almost worn down by visiting cards.

From that fleeting glimpse on the Imperial Street, within just three days, Jinshu received so many invitations that her hands were sore from receiving them.

"Miss, this is the twenty-seventh serving today."

Jinshu carried a thick stack of gold-embossed invitations into the study and placed them on the large rosewood desk.

"The residences of the Prime Minister Liu, the Minister of Revenue, the Vice Minister of Rites, the Prince of Jing, and the Duke of Anguo..."

Almost everyone of importance in the capital sent a visiting card.

Ye Huang was sitting at her desk looking at the account books.

Without even looking up, he replied, "They've all been sent back. They said they were tired from the journey, weren't feeling well, and couldn't see guests."

"And what about these other companies?"

Jinshu pulled out three copies from the bottom.

"The Shen family, the Li family, and... the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion."

Ye Huang paused for a moment.

"Grand Secretary Shen and Imperial Censor Li politely declined, saying they would visit another day."

She put down her pen.

"The Prince of Zhenbei's mansion... please accept it."

"Yes." Jin wrote down the note, then seemed to remember something else.

"By the way, the Prince Jing's mansion sent someone with gifts this morning, saying they were congratulating the young lady on her housewarming."

"As you instructed, I returned it intact."

"Prince Jing..." Ye Huang's lips curled into a cold smile, "You've moved quickly."

She got up and walked to the window.

Outside the window in the courtyard, Bao'er was chasing a butterfly, her little face flushed and her laughter clear and crisp.

"Bao'er didn't go out today, did she?"

"no."

Jinshu said,

"Since returning from Jinxiufang that day, I haven't dared to take the young master out to the street again."

Eunuch Li has increased the number of men; there are more people watching outside the villa than we have guards.

Ye Huang nodded.

His gaze, however, fell on a corner of the courtyard.

There, under an old plum tree, several shallow footprints appeared at some point.

They are not from the government office.

"It seems some people can't wait any longer," she said softly.

---

Night falls.

As dusk settles, the city lights begin to twinkle.

The back door of Phoenix Perch Villa opened and closed silently.

A dark figure flashed in, skillfully avoiding the patrolling Nightblade, and headed straight for the main courtyard study.

Knock three times, twice lightly and once heavily.

"Come in," Ye Huang's voice came from inside.

The door opened.

Xiao Jue was dressed in a dark, close-fitting outfit, looking travel-worn.

"Why are you dressed like this?" Ye Huang raised an eyebrow.

"Using the main entrance is too conspicuous."

Xiao Jue removed his hood, revealing a handsome but slightly tired face.

"Liu Chengming's men are keeping a close watch, and the Jingwang Mansion also has many spies. They climbed over the back wall."

He spoke naturally.

It was as if climbing over the wall of a first-rank female marquis of the current dynasty was the most ordinary thing in the world.

Ye Huang chuckled: "Sit down. Jinshu, bring tea."

Jinshu withdrew immediately.

Xiao Jue sat down in the chair, his gaze first falling on Ye Huang's face. After looking at her carefully, he said, "You've lost weight."

"The journey must have been tiring," Ye Huang said casually. "How is the Northern Border?"

"It's safe for now." Xiao Jue took the tea Jinshu offered and sipped it.

"The Northern Desert Royal Court suffered a defeat, so it should be quiet for at least a year or two. But there's been some unusual activity over in the Western Ridge."

"Xiling?"

"Hmm." Xiao Jue's expression was solemn.

"I received news from my mother's former subordinates that Liu Chengming had secretly visited Xiling half a year ago and met with several tribal leaders."

The specifics of the discussion are unknown, but afterwards, three more channels were added between Xiling and Jiangnan to transport "Zhu Yanmo" (a type of medicinal ingredient).

Ye Huang's eyes turned cold.

"He was indeed colluding with Xiling."

"Not only that." Xiao Jue lowered his voice, "You received the invitation to the palace banquet, didn't you?"

"Received yesterday."

"The Liu family will not let this opportunity slip by."

Xiao Jue looked at her,

"I've looked into Liu Chengming. He appears gentle and refined, but he's actually ruthless."

If he were to launch an attack at the palace banquet, it would undoubtedly be a series of elaborate schemes, one after another, giving you no chance to breathe.

Ye Huang smiled.

His smile was somewhat cold.

"They are the ones who should be afraid."

She walked to the desk, opened the drawer, took out a thin book, and handed it to Xiao Jue.

"have a look."

Xiao Jue accepted it.

Turn it over.

The more he looked, the more astonished he became.

The booklet was filled with evidence of the Liu family's crimes in Jiangnan: the time and place of private salt transactions, accounts of bribes to officials, and even copies of several secret letters between Liu Chengming and pirate leaders.

"Where did you get these...?"

"The Listening Wind Pavilion wasn't built for nothing."

Ye Huang retrieved the booklet.

"Liu Chengming thought he had absolute power in Jiangnan, but he didn't know that from the moment he stepped into Hangzhou, his every move was under my watchful eye."

Xiao Jue remained silent for a moment.

Even so, he's the local bigwig at the palace banquet. You need to be careful in everything you do.

He took a token from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"This is the secret guard order of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion."

On the day of the palace banquet, I will arrange for twenty secret guards to infiltrate the palace; they are all top-notch.

If anything happens, use this command as your signal, and they will protect you and Bao'er.

The token was cold.

It is engraved with a soaring eagle.

Ye Huang looked at the token but didn't take it.

"Xiao Jue," she suddenly said, "you don't have to go to this lengths for me."

Xiao Jue smiled.

There was a hint of bitterness in his smile, but more so, a sense of acceptance.

I owe you.

You owe me nothing.

"I owe you," Xiao Jue insisted.

"If it weren't for Uncle Shen's secret help back then, my mother wouldn't be alive today."

"If it weren't for your advice, the battle in the North wouldn't have been won so decisively. I remember all of this."

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"Besides... I'm doing it willingly."

There was a moment of silence in the study.

Bao'er's giggles drifted in from outside the window.

Ye Huang looked away and walked to the window.

In the courtyard, Bao'er was playing a "war" game with Jinshu, holding a small wooden sword.

"Oh, right." She turned around, her tone more relaxed, "Bao'er wants to see you."

Xiao Jue was taken aback.

"He kept talking about it after we came back from the street that day."

He said the rocking horse Uncle Xiao gave him was fun, and asked when Uncle Xiao would come to visit him.

A slight smile played on Ye Huang's lips. "Would you like to... go see him?"

Xiao Jue's eyes lit up.

"Now?"

"Um."

---

In the courtyard.

As soon as Bao'er saw Xiao Jue, her eyes curved into crescent moons.

"Uncle Xiao!"

He threw down his little wooden sword and pounced over with his short legs.

Xiao Jue crouched down, opened his arms, and caught him steadily.

"Bao'er has gained weight," he said with a smile, lifting her in his arms. "She's also grown taller."

"Baby, let's eat!" Bao'er proudly puffed out her little chest. "Mommy says that eating will help you grow tall and strong, and protect Mommy!"

Xiao Jue's heart softened.

"Baby is so good."

He picked up Bao'er and sat down next to the stone bench.

Jinshu cleverly withdrew to prepare some snacks.

"Uncle Xiao, look!" Bao'er proudly held up the little wooden sword, "Aunt Jinshu made it for me! It's amazing!"

"Really?" Xiao Jue feigned surprise. "Then, Bao'er, can you demonstrate for your uncle?"

"good!"

Bao'er jumped down from his arms, picked up the wooden sword, and started gesturing with it in a very professional manner.

Actually, he was just waving his arms around randomly.

But Xiao Jue watched it very carefully.

He would occasionally offer a few pointers: "Raise your hand a little higher... Yes, that's it."

Ye Huang stood under the eaves, watching this scene unfold.

The moonlight spilled into the courtyard, casting long shadows of the two people.

One big and one small.

It was strangely harmonious.

"Mommy!" Bao'er ran over and jumped into Ye Huang's arms after finishing her "sword technique," her little face flushed. "Was Bao'er good?"

"Amazing." Ye Huang wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Bao'er is the best."

Bao'er smiled contentedly.

He then turned to look at Xiao Jue.

Suddenly remembering something, her little face scrunched up.

"Uncle Xiao."

"Um?"

"Daddy is bad," Bao'er said seriously. "He bullies Mommy."

Xiao Jue's smile froze.

Ye Huang was also stunned.

"Baby, who told you that Daddy is bad?" she asked softly.

"Aunt Jinshu didn't say," Bao'er shook her head, "but Bao'er knows. When Mother is unhappy, it's always because of Father."

The child's voice was soft and sweet.

But it's like a dull knife, cutting deeply into people's hearts.

Xiao Jue looked into Bao'er's clear eyes, and his throat tightened.

He reached out and ruffled Bao'er's hair.

"Bao'er, remember this," his voice was a little hoarse, "No matter what your father has done, he is still your father. And what you need to do is grow up quickly and protect your mother, understand?"

Bao'er nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"Will Uncle Xiao help Bao'er protect her mother?"

"Yes." Xiao Jue replied without hesitation. "Uncle Xiao swears, I definitely will."

Bao'er smiled.

That smile was pure and radiant.

He held up his little finger: "Pinky promise!"

Xiao Jue also extended his little finger and hooked it with his.

"Pinky promise, a hundred years from now."

---

It was already midnight when they saw Xiao Jue off.

Outside the back door is a quiet alley.

Xiao Jue put his hood back on and mounted his horse.

"Be careful on the day of the palace banquet," he concluded. "Liu Chengming is treacherous, and Prince Jing is no pushover either. If anything goes wrong... prioritize your own safety and Bao'er's."

"I know," Ye Huang nodded. "You too. Although the Northern Border is stable, there are disturbances in the Western Ridge, so we must be on guard."

Xiao Jue gave her a deep look.

Under the moonlight, her face was as white as jade, but her eyes were as firm as iron.

Such a woman...

"Let's go." He turned his horse around.

The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance, disappearing into the night.

Ye Huang stood outside the door for a moment before turning back into the mansion.

Jinshu followed behind her and whispered, "Miss, General Xiao... he is really good to you."

Ye Huang did not stop.

"I know."

"Then you..."

"Jinshu," Ye Huang interrupted her, "some things can't be simply described as 'good'."

She pushed open the door and entered the study.

On the table, the black iron token lay quietly.

The eagle spreads its wings, ready to soar into the sky.

Ye Huang picked up the token and held it in her palm.

The cool temperature seeped into the skin little by little.

She recalled the way Xiao Jue looked at Bao'er.

A gentle heart hides a deep sorrow.

I recall the tone in his voice when he said, "I'm willing."

I also remembered...

Bao'er's words, "Daddy's bad."

The moonlight outside the window was cold and clear.

Ye Huang closed her eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, all that remained was clarity.

She tucked the token into the closest place to her body.

Then spread out the paper, pick up the brush and dip it in ink.

She began writing the design for the dress she would wear on the day of the palace banquet.

Each stroke, one character at a time.

They are all sharp and piercing.

---

At this time.

Deep within the palace.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation was brightly lit.

Nangong Ye sat behind the dragon desk, with the secret report that Xuan Ying had just delivered spread out in front of him.

There is only one line of text above:

"The son of Ye Huang, born on the third day of the twelfth lunar month in the seventh year of Jinghe. His biological father is unknown."

The third day of the twelfth lunar month.

He traced the four characters with his fingers.

Shen Qingci died in September of the seventh year of Jinghe.

If the child is born in the twelfth lunar month...

That was three months after her "death".

The timing is wrong.

unless……

She didn't die at all.

Those three months of blank space were the time she used to "fake her death"!

Nangong Ye suddenly clenched the newspaper.

The paper crumpled into a ball in his hand.

"Mysterious Shadow".

"Your subject is here."

"Go check the records of all the clinics and midwives in Jiangnan on the third day of the twelfth lunar month," he said hoarsely. "I need to know... exactly how many children were born that day."

"Yes."

Xuan Ying withdrew.

The hall returned to silence.

Nangong Ye got up and walked to the window.

Looking towards the direction of Phoenix Perch Courtyard.

His eyes were as complex as an overturned palette.

I have high expectations.

There is fear.

There is regret.

There was also a sliver of hope... a hope that even he himself was unwilling to admit.

I desperately hope she's still alive.

Hoping for that child...