“You don’t need someone else to take me away. In three days, find a way to sneak in again, and I’ll tell you exactly what to do!”
Three days—Feng Zihuang would likely come to see her within that time. Once they finalized their plan, having this golden-eyed girl’s inside help during the escape would significantly increase their chances of success!
“You’re not deliberately stalling for time, are you?” The golden-eyed girl suddenly eyed Yun Qingxue with suspicion. “Three days? It may not be long, but plenty could change in that time! What if you change your mind…”
“There is no ‘what if’!” Yun Qingxue cut her off, her tone firm. “I told you—you can’t kill me. If you don’t want me marrying Cang Yan, your only choice is to cooperate with me. Rest assured, even if my current strength is lacking, I still have the pride of a clan ruler.
“Since ancient times, has there ever been a monarch who willingly became a puppet for others to manipulate?”
The golden-eyed girl pondered again. “If I help you, can you really escape? Even if you flee the Beast King’s palace, how will you evade Cang Yan’s pursuit? If you fail and get recaptured, won’t I be at a loss?”
“You’re really tedious,” Yun Qingxue said coolly. “At first, I thought you had remarkable courage to infiltrate the Beast King’s palace alone for an assassination. That’s why I wanted to work with you. But now I see you’re so indecisive. How can someone so hesitant ever achieve anything great?”
“I’ll cooperate with you, but you must promise never to fall back into Cang Yan’s hands. Otherwise, even if I can’t kill you, I’ll come after you again!” The golden-eyed girl scowled, speaking as if in a fit of pique.
Yun Qingxue inwardly rejoiced. Who would’ve thought this cold beauty would respond to provocation? Not only had she defused the assassination crisis tonight, but she’d also gained an ally to help her escape Cang Yan’s control!
“Fine. I promise I won’t fall into Cang Yan’s hands again. And…”
Her eyes gleamed with cunning.
“Though helping me this time benefits you as well, I, Yun Qingxue, still owe you a favor. I’ll remember this debt.”
As for whether she’d repay it—that depended on the situation!
“I’ll come for you in three days!” The golden-eyed girl cast one last glance at Yun Qingxue before a white mist swirled around her.
Moments later, the mist dissipated, and she was gone.
Moonlight shimmered. The wind rustled the willow leaves by the pond, their slender branches swaying gently.
Beside the water, Jin Lin held up a wine cup, gazing at the moon before downing it in one gulp.
Refilling his cup, he turned to the stone-faced man standing nearby. “Shui Liu! Come drink with me!”
Shui Liu rolled his eyes but walked over anyway.
Jin Lin shoved the wine bottle into his hands. “We’re out. Go get more so we can drink properly!”
Shui Liu rolled his eyes again, snatched the bottle, and with a swift motion, hurled it into the pond.
*Splash!* A loud splash followed.
Jin Lin floated on the water, glaring furiously at Shui Liu on the shore.
Xuexue was getting married—he was heartbroken. And instead of comforting him, his first guard and supposed brother Shui Liu had not only thrown away his sorrow-drowning wine but also kicked him into the water!
This… was practically a declaration of war!
“Get down here!” Jin Lin wiped water from his face, glowering.
Shui Liu glared back unapologetically. “No! No! Absolutely not!”
“You bastard!” Jin Lin rolled up his sleeves in the water, planting a hand on his hip as he roared, “I said get down here!”
“Not happening!” Shui Liu raised an eyebrow, looking at Jin Lin with disdain.
A clan ruler, drowning his sorrows over a woman—how pathetic! If he liked her, why not just take her? Who cared if she was willing? Seize her first, figure out the rest later!
Even if he didn’t bring her back, at least reclaim the two treasures of the Water Clan!
That woman was about to marry Cang Yan—why should she keep their clan’s treasures?
A ruthless glint flashed in Shui Liu’s eyes. He would never allow anyone to trample on the Water Clan’s interests!
“Shui Liu…” Jin Lin’s voice suddenly softened, filled with melancholy. “I’m heartbroken. Can’t you at least humor me?”
Shui Liu’s eye twitched. Looking at Jin Lin in the water, he said bitterly, “It’s unrequited love, not a breakup.”
*Splash!* A jet of water shot toward Shui Liu without warning.
He dodged swiftly but tragically failed.
The water struck him squarely, knocking him to the ground.
Jin Lin, still standing in the pond, watched coldly as Shui Liu fell. “Your honesty is downright infuriating.”
Shui Liu sprang up like a carp.
Though the water blast had looked fierce, it hadn’t hurt much.
“I was just telling the truth. That woman is so ungrateful—what’s so great about her…”
“Shui Liu!” Another jet of water slammed into him, sending him sprawling again.
This time, the force was much stronger. Clearly, insulting Yun Qingxue had struck a nerve.
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