Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 413 Assassination

Vermilion Bird unwillingly walked toward Xue Lingling and carried her on his back.

Xiao Tao closely followed the two.

Xue Lingling suddenly felt her body slightly suspended in the air. She pinched Vermilion Bird’s ear and asked, "Why am I flying!"

Her body tilted uncontrollably backward, and Xiao Tao quickly supported her.

Worn out by Xue Lingling’s antics, Vermilion Bird set her down, passed his arms under her legs, and carried her in his arms.

Xue Lingling comfortably nestled in Vermilion Bird’s embrace, her arms looping around his neck.

"I’m flying..." Xue Lingling said happily, nuzzling against Vermilion Bird’s neck.

Vermilion Bird sighed and said coldly, "Stop squirming, or I’ll toss you down from the sky!"

"Oh, a commander... so you’re Little Vermilion Bird, huh? No wonder you’re called Vermilion Bird; you can fly!" Xue Lingling chuckled, pinching Vermilion Bird’s cheek.

Vermilion Bird strategically leaned his face away, reprimanding her, "Xue Lingling, don’t push your luck!"

"Push food? ... I didn’t overeat, and I’m not drunk. Little Vermilion Bird, are you forgiving me and moving back in? Little Vermilion Bird..." Xue Lingling’s cheeks were flushed, and she looked at Vermilion Bird with dazed eyes.

Vermilion Bird stopped talking and quickened his pace.

Xiao Tao followed them from behind, suddenly recalling the flirtatious banter between male and female protagonists in the storybooks.

To her, Vermilion Bird Commander and Xue Lingling’s interaction seemed very much like playful banter.

Xiao Tao chuckled quietly and snuck away, knowing she must absolutely avoid disturbing them now—she didn’t want to be the proverbial third wheel.

Vermilion Bird carried Xue Lingling with a cold expression all the way to a courtyard he had once used. He pushed open the door and entered Xue Lingling’s room.

As soon as he placed Xue Lingling on the bed, she cried out in panic, "Ah, I’m going to fall from the sky!"

She wrapped her arms tightly around Vermilion Bird’s neck like a clinging ornament and hooked her legs around his waist.

The intimate gesture made Vermilion Bird’s face flush instantly. His hands braced on either side of Xue Lingling’s body while she pulled him down, causing him to fall onto her soft frame. His cheeks burned, and his heartbeat raced.

"Xue Lingling, let go!" Vermilion Bird’s tone carried a hint of anger. This girl was way too clingy, practically glued to him like stubborn adhesive.

Xue Lingling patted Vermilion Bird’s back while holding onto him and said, "Be good, go to sleep, my stuffed doll."

The position made Vermilion Bird’s entire body feel tense and flushed. He forcefully pushed Xue Lingling away and shoved a pillow into her arms.

Xue Lingling hugged the pillow with a grin, patting it gently as she said, "Go on and sleep, stuffed doll..."

Vermilion Bird gazed at her flushed cheeks, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows over her eyelids. Her red lips parted slightly as she breathed evenly.

He couldn’t deny that Xue Lingling was a beautiful young lady.

However, Xue Lingling clearly didn’t understand the concept of boundaries between men and women!

If another man had escorted her back today, would she have clung to him just as tightly?

With a cold expression, Vermilion Bird closed the door and strode off decisively.

...

Once everyone had left Mulan Pavilion, Mu Yan took Zhan Lan’s hand, and the two departed together.

"You little glutton, are you craving wine again tonight?" Mu Yan teased Zhan Lan with a half-smile.

Zhan Lan swallowed nervously and replied, "No, not at all."

Mu Yan gently tapped Zhan Lan’s brow with his fingertip and said, "You’re all stubbornness—right down to your lips."

Zhan Lan snorted, "This Princess does as she says. Just wait and see—you’ll lose!"

As the two walked side by side, suddenly, Mu Yan and Zhan Lan’s gazes simultaneously darted to a direction.

"Watch out!"

With a sharp swoosh, an arrow shot out from a crossbow. Mu Yan shielded Zhan Lan and turned to dodge.

A second arrow immediately followed. Yun He yelled, "Protect the master!"

Hidden Guards poured in from all directions. Mu Yan hurled throwing darts into the shadows, while Zhan Lan’s dagger shot poison needles.

The dark figure lurking in the shadows was subdued by the approaching Hidden Guards.

A masked black-clad assassin was brought forward by two guards.

Mu Yan’s eyes narrowed abruptly, protectively pulling Zhan Lan behind him.

In the blink of an eye, the guards beside the assassin all collapsed to the ground.

The assassin had purposefully been caught, just to release poison up close.

"Poison!"

Mu Yan swiftly pushed Zhan Lan out of the poisoned area.

The assassin laughed sinisterly as Mu Yan’s consciousness began to blur.

"Mu Yan!" Zhan Lan cried out, her dagger firing poison needles at the assassin once again.

The assassin sneered maliciously, "Pathetic—just such a small dose of poison? How stingy..."

Suddenly, his figure ghosted behind Zhan Lan, gripping her neck tightly. In a low, invasive tone, he whispered in her ear, "Come with me..."

His gaze burned with aggression as he stared at Zhan Lan, only to find his arm gradually losing its strength.

Zhan Lan curled her lips and said, "Can you?"

In an instant, Mu Yan, who had seemed weakened moments ago, shot a cold glare and kicked the assassin flying.

The assassin’s strength drained away as he knelt on one knee, watching the guards rise back to their feet.

Mu Yan looked at the marks on Zhan Lan’s neck discontentedly as he said, "Lan’er, may I cut off his hand first?"

Zhan Lan replied indifferently, "Be my guest!"

The assassin’s red eyes locked onto Mu Yan and Zhan Lan. He had underestimated them.

With a thunderous explosion, a burst of green smoke spread out in front of the assassin.

The air became acrid, stinging their eyes. Within moments, everyone’s vision succumbed to darkness.

Mu Yan and Zhan Lan shut their eyes and shielded their noses and mouths. When the smoke cleared, the assassin had vanished.

"Master, shall we pursue him?" Yun He asked.

Mu Yan said deeply, "No need."

Mu Yan and Zhan Lan returned to the house together.

Mu Yan looked at Zhan Lan and said, "You were right—Si Jun has indeed come for revenge!"

Zhan Lan clenched her fist and said, "Too bad we let the assassin escape!"

"Having Xue Lingling’s antidote pills on the guards proved useful," Mu Yan commented.

Zhan Lan nodded. Fortunately, she and Mu Yan had prepared in advance. Xue Lingling had provided a small amount of powder capable of instantly rendering someone powerless.

"Xue Lingling’s poison is truly remarkable, but she only managed to refine this small batch within two days, and it’s already expended. We must exercise greater caution moving forward."

Mu Yan nodded solemnly and said, "This assassin is an expert in both assassination and poison. Does anyone come to mind?"

"You mean Xue Lingling?" Zhan Lan’s pupils widened.

Mu Yan nodded, "Xue Lingling seems to have a brother—though I don’t know if it’s him."

Zhan Lan’s eyes darkened. This matter undoubtedly involved Si Jun. Unable to locate Hei Yu, he had turned desperate.

If Xue Lingling’s brother had been enlisted by Si Jun, he’d surely be a formidable opponent.

The Poisonous Insect Clan placed paramount importance on contracts; once a pact was made, they would stop at nothing to fulfill it.

Whether this person was Xue Lingling’s brother, and whether Si Jun had bound him under contract, remained uncertain!

Zhan Lan looked at Mu Yan and declared, "I’ll deliver a grand gift to Si Jun!"

Mu Yan’s eyes darkened, a smirk playing on his lips as he said, "How fitting—this king also plans to give him a substantial present!"