The sky over the rivers and lakes is very clear

Chapter 278

Liu Yue pulled Zhu Huihui away from her attack, her brows suddenly furrowed, and she floated up to the roof with Zhu Huihui.

Below, Song Xiaobei seemed oblivious, continuing to hack and slash indiscriminately, each strike hitting nothing but air.

Even Zhu Huihui noticed something was wrong. She exclaimed in astonishment, "Has Song Xiaobei gone mad?"

"It's not madness, it's poison!" Liu Yue swooped down and struck Song Xiaobei's pressure points.

Song Xiaobei threw down her sword and collapsed in despair!

Liu Yue quickly took out a small bottle from her bosom, poured out a few pills, stuffed them into Song Xiaobei's mouth, and then pursed her lips and let out a whistle.

Before long, eight figures flashed out like shooting stars. Six of them were Zhu Liuyue's imperial bodyguards, and the other two were the two hall masters of Fengxue City responsible for escorting Zhu Huihui. They had been following at a distance and arrived immediately upon hearing the summons.

"Everyone, spread out and investigate the scene. Look for any survivors! Everyone here died from poisoning, so be careful not to touch them!" Liu Yue ordered in a deep voice.

The six guards and two hall masters agreed and went.

Before long, everyone reported back. It was confirmed that there were no survivors in the Bloodstained Tower; all 181 people in the village, regardless of age, had been killed.

Liu Yue was silent for a moment, then said, "Carry Song Xiaobei down the mountain to see Madam Wan on Hidden Spirit Island, and then send someone up the mountain to dispose of the body!"

The two hall masters of Maple Snow City dismantled a door panel, made a simple stretcher, carried Song Xiaobei on it, and hurriedly went down the mountain.

Zhu Huihui silently took out an earring from her pocket, respectfully placed it under a tree, and said sadly, "I'm sorry, Serpent Envoy! I can't pass on your message to your daughter!"

Liu Yue stood beside her and gently advised, "The Serpent Envoy is a heroine, and her daughter has gone to her side. No one will bully that child anymore..."

Zhu Huihui remained silent, her voice heavy with sadness. Yes! No matter what, the Serpent Envoy's daughter was now with her mother, which was better than her living in a daze, not even knowing who her mother was…

Under the cover of night, Dongting Lake was as smooth and warm as a deep green silk. A small boat moved slowly, breaking through the gently rippling surface, and the water lapped against the sides of the boat, creating layers of waves. The lights on the boat cast shadows that tinted the snow-white waves with a pale yellow hue.

It was already quite late, but Zhu Huihui was still sitting at the bow of the boat, resting her chin on her hand, seemingly lost in thought. Huahua lay beside her, snoring contentedly.

Liu Yue stood on one side of the ship's railing, gazing at her retreating figure with a deep look in his eyes. This child seems to be burdened with worries lately…

After a long while, he walked over and sat down next to her: "Grey, aren't you tired after a long day?"

Zhu Huihui shook her head and said, "I'm not tired. Brother Liuyue, aren't you going to sleep?"

Liu Yue smiled and said, "I'll stay with you for a while."

Zhu Huihui looked at him gratefully and said, "Thank you, Brother Liu Yue!"

Liu Yue turned her head, her gaze incredibly gentle in the night: "Huihui, is something on your mind?"

Zhu Huihui lowered her head: "Actually, it's nothing."

"Nothing?" Liu Yue smiled. "Let me guess! If I guess right, is there any reward?"

"Huh?" Zhu Huihui's eyes widened. He was already so poor, and he was still asking him for a reward? "What kind of reward do you want?"

"I want—" Liu Yue gazed at her, her eyes deep and unfathomable, "something of utmost value!"

Zhu Huihui looked at him suspiciously: "Um...you didn't take a fancy to my Huahua, did you?" This fat guy was the only valuable thing she had.

Liu Yue couldn't help but laugh: "Hua Hua is your best friend, how could I want it!"

"Then what do you want?"

Liu Yue gazed at her with a smile.

When the light leaking from the palace lantern at the bow of the boat shone on her, it revealed a small face with a pointed chin and round, plump cheeks, like two pink dumplings that made one want to take a bite. Her large, clear eyes, like two crystal grapes, darted around, lively and alert.

This child, if dressed up properly, could be incredibly beautiful...

Zhu Huihui nervously tugged at her hair and touched her nose: "What's wrong?"

Liu Yue raised her eyebrows and said with a smile, "You just asked me what I wanted?"

“Yes!” Zhu Huihui said, then quickly added, realizing that such a statement might give others ammunition against him, “However, let me make this clear from the start: I have no money, but I have two lives to give—and I’m not giving them to you!”

Liu Yue couldn't help but smile: "What I want is very simple—"

He reached out and gently pinched her cheek. Although it was dirty, it felt smooth and supple to the touch. Even the finest jade couldn't compare to the softness of her skin.

Zhu Huihui thought he disliked her dark face, so she reached out and touched the other half of her face, feeling a little ashamed: "Um, I'll go wash my face later!" Actually, in this respect, Brother Liuyue was much better than the Great Hero. The Great Hero always forced her to wash her face, hands, and bathe, but Brother Liuyue never complained that she was unclean.

Liu Yue laughed: "Alright! This is the reward I want—if I guess right, you have to dress up beautifully for me!"

"Uh—well, should I take a shower?" Washing my face is bearable, but taking a shower feels like torture...

“If you don’t like it, then don’t wash,” Liu Yue said with a smile. “However, I’d really like to see if you’ll look prettier than…” He paused for a moment, then smiled and continued, “...better than Miss Mu!”

He had intended to provoke her, but Zhu Huihui was rather uncooperative, shaking her head and saying, "She's a young lady, how can I compare to her!"

"So you're agreeing?"

"Well—let's wait until you guess right!" Zhu Huihui left herself an out. A thought flashed through her mind, and she asked, "By the way, if I can't guess, what are you going to give me?"

Liu Yue smiled gently and said, "How about I give myself to you?"

"You?" Zhu Huihui looked him up and down for a moment, then frowned. "What do I need you for?"

Tears welled up in Liu Yue's eyes as she said, seemingly aggrieved, "I can do many things! Like following your orders, fighting for you, and taking you everywhere..."

Zhu Huihui's heart skipped a beat. That's right! Brother Liu Yue's martial arts are very high. With him by her side, no one would dare to bully her. Moreover, he is a prince and a very rich man. If he loses to her, wouldn't that mean he is also very rich?

Thinking about it more deeply, Zhu Huihui couldn't help but burst into laughter: Brother Liu Yue is really silly! They were betting on "guessing what's on her mind"—what's on her mind is up to her to decide, isn't it?