Yun Qingxue’s clear, mountain-spring-like eyes gazed at the pitch-black night outside. It had only just darkened, and the golden-eyed girl wouldn’t arrive for a while yet.
Since that golden-eyed girl didn’t want her to marry Cang Yan, and she wanted to use the girl’s help to escape from the cage Cang Yan had set for her—this mutual exploitation…
Yun Qingxue stared at the night outside, her bright eyes tinged with exhaustion. She wondered when these days of scheming and deception would ever end. In this lifetime, would she ever have the fortune to live a peaceful, stable life?
She had never intended to scheme against anyone, but fate had forced her to grow up quickly.
A cool breeze swept through, and suddenly, another figure appeared in the palace where there had been only her.
“You’re here,” Yun Qingxue said, her voice as calm as drifting clouds.
The golden-eyed girl stood by the window, frowning at her. “How did you know I could find you?”
“Even if Cang Yan moved me for safety, you have spies in the palace,” Yun Qingxue replied with a faint smile.
The girl studied her thoughtfully. “How do you want me to help you?”
“You’re the daughter of the former Beast King, Bai Lan, aren’t you?” Yun Qingxue countered casually, as if making small talk.
The girl’s eyes turned icy, and a sharp killing intent radiated from her. She neither confirmed nor denied, simply staring coldly at Yun Qingxue.
“Seems I guessed right,” Yun Qingxue smiled again, as if oblivious to the chilling aura around the girl.
Her clear eyes met the golden-eyed girl’s. “You want revenge on Cang Yan. You want to reclaim the beast tribes he stole.”
The girl’s gaze grew even colder. “So what if I do? What if I don’t? Are you trying to back out now?”
As she spoke, she warily scanned the entire chamber.
“Ha.” Yun Qingxue instantly understood her thoughts and chuckled. “Relax, there are no ambushes here, and I’ve never thought of backing out. Like I told you before, I refuse to be a pawn manipulated at will. No matter what, I *will* leave this Beast King’s Palace.”
“Then why all the nonsense? If you want to leave, I’ll help you. Just tell me your plan—no more wasted words!” the girl snapped impatiently.
Yun Qingxue regarded her calmly before smiling again. “It’s not nonsense. Since we’re cooperating, I need to know your capabilities.”
The girl glared at her and huffed. “If you don’t trust me, I’ll leave right now. Don’t expect my help!”
Yun Qingxue raised a brow. So she was being threatened. What a fiery temper.
“Fine, go ahead. If I can’t escape, I’ll just marry Cang Yan. With the entire Flora Tribe as my dowry, his power will multiply, and his reign as Beast King will become unshakable!”
“You *dare* marry that traitor?!” the girl snarled.
“If you won’t help me, I have no choice,” Yun Qingxue sighed.
“Who said I wouldn’t help?!” the girl snapped. If she could kill this Flower Queen, she wouldn’t be wasting time here!
“Good!” Yun Qingxue suddenly turned serious. “No matter what my plan is, you’ll cooperate?”
The girl hesitated. “As long as my people and I escape safely, I’ll do whatever it takes!”
“With so many guards, *you’ll* escape easily. As for your spies… that depends on their disguises and luck. So, are you still willing to help?”
Hearing that her allies might not make it out, the girl wavered. Those were comrades who had risked their lives for her time and again…
“Can you guarantee your escape plan is foolproof?” Just then, a young man in guard attire leaped through the window into the chamber.
His complexion was sallow, his features unremarkable, but his eyes shone like the luminous pearls lighting the room. He stepped in and stood slightly behind the golden-eyed girl.
Yun Qingxue studied the disguised man—clearly one of the girl’s spies—while he scrutinized her in return.
“If you cooperate, my chances of escaping are high,” Yun Qingxue said, careful not to overpromise. In such danger, too many things could go wrong.
“How high?” the man pressed.
“Ninety percent.”
After a brief pause, he nodded. “We’ll help you.”
“Bai Mang, you—” The girl looked at her guard with conflicted eyes.
He smiled warmly. “Young Mistress, for the Tiger Tribe, what does our lives matter?”
Tears glistened in the girl’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
“Young Mistress, the entire Tiger Tribe awaits your return to this grand Beast King’s Palace!”
A single tear slipped free. “A general’s glory is built on ten thousand bones…”
She murmured the words, then lifted her gaze, golden eyes now resolute. “Tell me what to do!”
Instead of answering, Yun Qingxue stepped closer.
The guard tensed but didn’t move.
“Cang Yan forced me to swear—as the Flower Queen—that I love him. You know what that means. Right now, the Dragon and Phoenix Kings have joined forces to delay him. This is our best chance.”
“*Now*?” The girl was startled—she’d expected more planning.
“Forgive me.” Yun Qingxue suddenly seized the girl’s hand, her eyes apologetic. Before either could react, she screamed, “*Help!!!*”
The piercing cry echoed through the night.
“You—!” The girl’s eyes widened in betrayal.
“Take me with you, *now*!” Yun Qingxue hissed after her fake cry.
Utterly confused but with no time to think, the girl grabbed Yun Qingxue and leaped out the window—just as the chamber doors burst open.
“Flower Queen!” Xiao Yao and Xiao Ling rushed in.
PS: Thank you for the safety talisman rewards from the account password list, and heartfelt gratitude for everyone’s recommendations and support. Truly, thank you all for your encouragement! (◕‿◕)
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