Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack-Chapter 1320 - 1300: Newcomers to the Nine Heavens Pavilion
"Let’s go find a safer place to talk." After roughly treating the wounds of the two, Yan set their discarded clothes on fire.
In just a few days, who could have imagined that the initial enthusiasm would turn into the current situation.
"Strange, then why tell Yann Yao that you were in trouble?" Qhianqhian was holding a bottle of water, occasionally destroying footprints behind them. As for the injury on her hand, after Yan’s treatment, it no longer hurt.
"It must be because they were afraid I would mess things up." Yann Yao was quite calm. After he returned, he often wandered around the Imperial Palace, talking about his journey in front of the Empress. It must have affected the major plans of the Southern Li Emperor, which is why they sent news to lure him away.
"But now... I suppose I’ll no longer be a Prince in the future." Huangfu Yihui felt unexpectedly relieved. Fortunately, he had gone to the Star Path; otherwise, he might have been captured by now. Those brothers and friends of his, which one of them isn’t under the orders of the Southern Li Emperor?
Only his brother and Qhianqhian’s group didn’t care at all.
Being non-Southern Li People, naturally, they weren’t subject to Southern Li’s control and didn’t heed the Southern Li Emperor’s orders.
"I suspect I’m a Prince-killer..." Qhianqhian joked, rubbing her nose: "Look, Haan Yun was also a Prince back then, and when he met me, he was a fugitive about to be executed. Now you all are in trouble..." It’s like winning a lottery.
Yan raised his eyebrows: "No worries, I’m not a Prince either."
"What’s that got to do with you? Actually, it does... If you had gone with them to the Imperial City, perhaps both of you would have vanished from this world by now." Yann Yao suddenly frowned and said, "The restrictions within the Imperial Palace weren’t even activated."
"Brother, are you saying that our father... the Southern Li Emperor intended to use me as bait to lure Shiqi to rescue me?" Huangfu Yihui was stunned, and then he revealed a bitter smile: "Truly, the most heartless are the royal family, just as Shiqi said."
Qhianqhian’s talent was something Yann Yao had heard of. Compared to Huangfu Yihui, Qhianqhian was evidently more attractive.
Besides, this was due to Yan not being exposed. Back then, there were only the three of them together, and Qhianqhian was exposed only because of the Star Path’s Qingshi List, an absolutely fair list made public to everyone.
"You should feel lucky that I’m here, otherwise who knows if you would even be yourself now." Qhianqhian lightly sighed in relief and motioned with her finger for Huangfu Yihui to draw closer.
When he did, Qhianqhian mischievously looked at him: "Remember to pay me. My appearance fee is quite high."
"Hmm, I did sweep up quite a lot. I’ll give you some later." Huangfu Yihui showed indifference. The main reason he took these things was hoping to offer them as a gift to the Nine Heavens Pavilion for their hospitality.
"Hehe, that’s great." Qhianqhian excitedly rubbed her hands but then suddenly changed her expression: "No, something’s wrong."
"What is it?" Huangfu Yihui was startled and instinctively looked behind, where being pursued had become a reflex.
Yann Yao also drew his weapon, eyes wary of the surroundings, as if on guard for something.
Only Yan furrowed his brows at Qhianqhian, noticing her face indeed looked quite grim, so he frowned as well.
"If they were afraid you’d be a hindrance and sent you away, why would they tell you the real location? And how did they know you wouldn’t contact Huangfu Yihui?" Qhianqhian tightly knit her brows: "Some of those around Huangfu Yihui were sincerely protecting him, afraid I approached him with ulterior motives, wishing to build a wall between us. How could they be traitors? Or, were the people around you sent by different parties?"
"Hmm." Unexpectedly, Huangfu Yihui nodded calmly, as if already aware of this matter.
"You knew?" Qhianqhian was taken aback.
"Those who protected me should no longer be around, they were dealt with." Huangfu Yihui maintained a calm demeanor: "They must have dealt with them before we left Pucheng City."
"Then why..." Qhianqhian furrowed her brows tightly, unable to comprehend why Huangfu Yihui displayed a coldness she didn’t understand.
"Because I’m the main figure. Even if they are loyal, I can’t place my safety in jeopardy. Even if they were rescued, they’d face the same treatment." Huangfu Yihui spoke with an even tone.
Qhianqhian knitted her eyebrows even more tightly, finding it hard to accept: "But I..."
"You are a friend." Huangfu Yihui looked calmly at Qhianqhian: "If something happened to you, I wouldn’t abandon you either, but others accepted compensation. Life and death are their fate."
Those words, cold and detached, left Qhianqhian speechless. After a long silence, she dazedly looked at Huangfu Yihui: "Are you saying this to avoid paying me?"
Huangfu Yihui’s face showed slight awkwardness, and then he nodded: "Yes, you figured it out."
Friends, naturally, are different from subordinates. On one hand, it’s out of friendship, providing unconditional help no matter how difficult. On the other hand, being paid means business, incomparable to friendship.
Qhianqhian remained silent for a while before pulling up the corners of her mouth: "If I need help in the future, remember to rescue me."
For some reason, she always felt like she was caught in the middle of something.
Huangfu Yihui chuckled: "Actually, after training, my brother and I should... But now, we are considering joining the Nine Heavens Pavilion. What do you think, Miss Pavilion Leader?"
"Come, join! I’ve been worried I wouldn’t have anyone to join the Sect Conference with me." Qhianqhian’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Huangfu Yihui.
Yann Yao also nodded in agreement: "I’m fine with it, but I definitely won’t go back to Southern Li."
In fact, he wanted Southern Li to decline!
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have looted alongside Huangfu Yihui, even taking vases despite knowing the treasury held crucial items.
"Wow, I’m so happy! Yan, do you want to join too?" Qhianqhian’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
Yan glanced at Qhianqhian: "I can help, but I can’t join the Nine Heavens Pavilion."
Qhianqhian pursed her lips. Though she knew this would be his answer, she couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
The old man looked so formidable yet got scared pale by Yan’s poison.
Yan was evidently more formidable, but recruiting him was impossible, and it was clear he had his own forces.
His experience was unmatched by the others, even though Huangfu Yihui and Yann Yao were Princes.
"Oh well, you can just be my private physician." She shrugged her shoulders, not dwelling on it: "On behalf of the Nine Heavens Pavilion, I welcome you both." With squinted eyes, Qhianqhian smiled cheerfully.
