The night breeze was cool, with a cold moon hanging on the horizon and a few scattered stars dotting the sky.
After dismissing the attentive maids who had gathered around her due to Cangyan’s words, Yun Qingxue lay alone on the soft, comfortable bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
Now that Jinlin had come to the Beast Clan for some unknown reason, seeking his help to escape seemed like the best option.
Yet… deep down, she didn’t want to ask Jinlin.
Not because she didn’t trust him, but because she truly didn’t want to owe him any more favors. Back when they first met, he had helped her selflessly, and she already owed him too much…
This time, whoever helped her would inevitably earn Cangyan’s enmity.
But if Feng Zihuang refused to assist…
Yun Qingxue sighed softly, her gaze still fixed on the ceiling.
Whether or not she sought Jinlin’s help, she really ought to find a way to meet him—if only for the sake of A’dai, who was now in grave danger.
Sweet, adorable A’dai. Jinlin had personally raised the little creature and entrusted him to her care, yet she had failed him. She owed Jinlin an explanation for this.
The night breeze whispered.
The tightly shut window suddenly opened and closed again in a flash. A figure clad in brilliant red slipped into the room like a fleeting shadow.
“Who’s there?!”
Yun Qingxue bolted upright from the bed, turning sharply toward the window.
“My apologies for disturbing the Flower Queen at such a late hour,” Feng Zihuang said with a gentle smile, cupping his hands in a respectful salute.
“King Feng?”
His sudden visit left Yun Qingxue puzzled.
If she thought about it, their only real interaction had been during yesterday’s perilous encounter.
Strictly speaking, they weren’t familiar with each other, making Feng Zihuang’s midnight visit all the more unexpected.
Even if it was about the favor she had asked Liuying to convey, a simple reply through her would have sufficed. There was no need for him to come in person, was there?
As if sensing her confusion, Feng Zihuang smiled, his voice as serene as a song. “Cangyan has taken great care in arranging the defenses of the Beast King’s palace, and Liuying’s cultivation is still shallow. Thus, I had no choice but to come myself. I hope the Flower Queen will forgive my intrusion.”
Yun Qingxue returned his smile. “You flatter me, King Feng. If anyone should apologize, it’s me for troubling you with my request through Liuying the other day.”
Feng Zihuang’s smile deepened, his narrow phoenix eyes shimmering with an innate allure.
Truly befitting of the divine phoenix lineage! Yun Qingxue couldn’t help but admire inwardly.
Regardless of the Phoenix Clan’s strength, just this radiant, ethereal grace alone was something few could ever hope to match!
“The Flower Queen is too courteous,” Feng Zihuang replied. “The Avian and Flora Clans have always been close allies. Now that the Flower Queen is being coerced by vile schemers, it is only right for me to lend a hand.”
“You’re willing to help me?” Yun Qingxue was surprised by his appearance—and even more so by his immediate agreement.
“Out there, danger lurks everywhere. Your Majesty must remember: trust others three parts, but guard yourself seven!” The final warning from Qiandai before her escape from the Flora Clan suddenly echoed in Yun Qingxue’s mind.
The hardships she had endured along the way made it impossible for her to accept Feng Zihuang’s help without reservation—even though it was exactly what she had hoped for.
But wasn’t there a saying? There’s no such thing as a free lunch!
Cangyan wanted to marry her and help her reclaim the Flora Clan’s power, all for the sake of openly annexing her people under her name.
Then what about Feng Zihuang?
The warm, bright smile on his face made it hard to suspect him of any ill intent.
Yet sometimes, the more beautiful something appeared, the more dangerous it could be…
Without any benefit, why would Feng Zihuang risk antagonizing the Beast Clan to help a Flower Queen with no real power?
Unless… he harbored the same ambitions as Cangyan?
It wasn’t impossible. After all, Feng Zihuang stood at the same height as Cangyan. With royal authority in hand, the greatest desire of any ruler was to unify the Nine Provinces and reign supreme!
Feng Zihuang had been quietly observing Yun Qingxue, keenly sensing her inner turmoil. Though she tried to suppress it, he could still detect her guarded wariness.
Had his immediate agreement made her suspicious?
Keeping his smile unchanged, he replied, “Naturally, I will help you.”
Yun Qingxue hesitated, her clear eyes fixed on him. “Why? I want to know—why are you helping me?”
Feng Zihuang met her gaze unflinchingly but answered obliquely, “Does the Flower Queen know why I suddenly came to the Beast Clan?”
“No,” she admitted frankly.
He smiled. “Because I received a message from a mysterious informant, claiming the Flower Queen had fallen into the Beast King’s hands. That’s why I rushed here!”
“For me?” Yun Qingxue found it hard to believe, startled by his blunt honesty. Sometimes, such directness only made his intentions harder to decipher.
Feng Zihuang nodded. “Of course, for you. To be frank, I don’t want you to marry the Beast King, nor do I wish to see the Flora Clan fall into Cangyan’s hands. That is the entirety of my reason for helping you.”
“Then, once I leave the Beast Clan, how does King Feng intend to… accommodate me?” Since he chose to speak plainly, Yun Qingxue decided to match his candor. The underlying meaning of her words was unmistakable to Feng Zihuang.
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