Chapter 35: That’s My Prey
Although Rong Qing was a cripple, he handled matters with a speed that surpassed her imagination.
She had given the order late last night, and by the time she finished breakfast the next day, news that the Liu Family was summoning a doctor had already reached her.
The discomfort from her poor night’s sleep vanished in an instant. Xiao Li even let out a laugh.
She casually snagged Hong Yue. "Come on, let’s go shopping."
Xiao Li had no interest in shopping herself. She gave Hong Yue some silver and told her to buy whatever she wanted, leading her on a stroll to the street next to the Liu Family’s estate.
There was a small stall on the street selling fish skin wontons. The aroma whetted Xiao Li’s appetite, so she quickly ordered a bowl. One bite filled her with savory satisfaction.
"Make way! Make way!"
A sedan chair hurried past, stopping directly before the Liu Family’s gate. A figure in white quickly emerged and, in the blink of an eye, ran through the Liu Family’s main entrance.
The surrounding commoners saw this as well and immediately began to gossip.
"Who was that just now? Could it be Princess Chen?"
"Looked like her."
"Then what’s she doing here in such a rush?"
"Haven’t you heard? The Liu Family’s young master provoked some street thugs and was dragged into an alley where they broke both his legs."
"Who doesn’t know that? I even saw it when the Liu Family carried him back. It was a bloody mess, a terrifying sight."
"I have no idea how he managed to provoke such a vicious group."
"They’ve already called several doctors, but they all said it was hopeless. I think the Liu Family went to request the Divine Doctor."
"Then it should be fine. The Divine Doctor managed to save the Prince Consort when he was on the brink of death, so this should be a piece of cake for him."
Xiao Li drank the last mouthful of soup and set down her bowl. "Time to go back."
Liu Xueyin didn’t stay at the Liu Family estate for long. She had cried until she fainted, leaving her very weak, but she was more worried about her younger brother.
She had to return to the Prince Mansion. She had to beg the Prince to seek justice for her, no matter the cost.
Her eyes resolute, she boarded the sedan chair and urged the carriers to take her back quickly.
However, the sky had already grown dim, a breeding ground for evil.
And so... Liu Xueyin was kidnapped.
Xiao Li, who had been lying in wait for the right moment, had her gun already in position. But then a group of men in black appeared and snatched her target right before her eyes.
Xiao Li was dumbfounded. ???!!!
’Excuse me?!’
’That’s my prey!’
’Where did this gang of kidnappers come from? Don’t they understand the principle of first come, first served?’
Xiao Li was instantly filled with rage. Chasing after them would increase the risk, but she was unwilling to give up just like that.
’That was the fish she had worked so hard to lure onto her hook.’
’Hijacking my target mid-operation... It’s a heinous crime!’
Xiao Li slung the gun over her back, took out a newly made crossbow, and followed them.
These men in black had chosen a dim corner for the abduction, never imagining that someone had been lying in wait there even earlier, had witnessed the whole thing, and still dared to pursue them.
They dragged their captive into an alley. When they reemerged, they were dressed as ordinary commoners. One of them, a burly man in a vest, looked simple and honest. He even greeted a passing old man before heading out.
If she hadn’t seen them drag Liu Xueyin into that house with her own eyes, Xiao Li would never have suspected this man was a kidnapper.
Xiao Li’s gaze fell upon the house. Liu Xueyin was inside.
There had been six of them, and each appeared to be skilled in martial arts. She hadn’t dared to make a move rashly. This was clearly their hideout, which was likely even more dangerous.
But she couldn’t back down. She might not get such a perfect opportunity again.
’If she killed Liu Xueyin, these six men would be the perfect scapegoats.’
’This move would decide her fate.’
The sky grew darker. There were few lights here, and soon it would be so dark she wouldn’t be able to see her hand in front of her face. Moreover, the man who had just left was clearly going to contact others. She had to hurry.
Her eyes locked onto the small window of the attic. She first climbed onto the neighboring roof, then leaped across, clinging tightly to the windowsill. Only after confirming no one was there did she climb inside.
The attic was a small, dark room. The things piled inside were covered in a thick layer of dust; clearly, no one lived here regularly.
Carefully, she pushed open the door. From the attic entrance, she could faintly see light coming from downstairs.
Xiao Li slowly felt her way downstairs, not daring to make the slightest sound.
When she finally reached the corner, she saw a kidnapper standing not far from her, his back to her as he leaned against the wall.
Perhaps because they knew they had kidnapped a Princess Consort, the kidnappers were all on high alert. Aside from a few occasional whispered words, there was no other movement.
Xiao Li risked being discovered and peeked out. She saw Liu Xueyin tied up and tossed onto a chair. They had drugged her; she was completely unconscious.
Liu Xueyin’s beauty was, of course, outstanding. Dressed in a cool white gown, her current unconscious state made her seem utterly vulnerable, as if anyone could do as they pleased with her.
A kidnapper standing near her glanced at her several times. Unable to resist, he secretly reached a hand toward her. Just as he was about to touch Liu Xueyin’s face, a sharp rebuke came from the direction of the door.
"What are you doing?"
The lecherous kidnapper quickly pulled his hand back and stood properly. But soon, the uneasy leader called him out. "Is that someone you can get handsy with? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"Hehe, Boss, I wasn’t. I’ve just never seen such a beautiful woman. She’s like a fairy."
The leader snapped impatiently, "Isn’t that obvious? Could she have become a Princess Consort if she wasn’t beautiful? All right, just stand guard properly and don’t mess things up."
The man who had been leaning against the wall was feeling uncomfortable. He casually pulled over a chair, sat down, and propped his feet up on a stool.
’Six people in total. Minus the one who left, that leaves five here. Three are in this room, so the other two must be outside.’
’One against five, and they all know martial arts.’
Xiao Li took a deep breath as large beads of sweat dripped from her forehead.
’Can’t rush this!’
She crept back to the attic, opened the window, and moved a box to the windowsill. She propped it up with a stick, then tied her rope to the stick.
Holding her breath, she descended again. She aimed her crossbow at the kidnapper lounging in the chair and counted down in her head.
’Three... two... one!’
CRASH! THWIP!
The sound of the falling chair masked the sound of the crossbow bolt firing.
A single bolt hit the kidnapper’s temple. He died without even a chance to scream.
"What was that noise?"
Someone at the door immediately opened it and went out to check. Xiao Li had already scrambled back upstairs. She peered out the window, her shotgun aimed. When the man came out, saw the box, and looked up, she pulled the trigger.
BANG!
A headshot. The sound was deafening.
As the man fell, a random thought flashed through her mind: ’Why hadn’t she aimed for Lu Yanzhi’s head when she shot him?’
’This gun wasn’t very accurate from a distance, but what if?’
’If that had been a direct hit, Lu Yanzhi would be long dead by now!’
After the shot, Xiao Li immediately closed the window and used the cover of the commotion outside to sneak downstairs again.
The kidnappers’ attention was drawn outside. They glanced back into the room, saw the first man still sitting there on guard, and immediately followed the others out to see what was happening.
Xiao Li quickly moved to Liu Xueyin’s side. Without hesitation, she drew her dagger and sliced at her neck.
Her killing intent was palpable, her hand merciless.
But in that very instant, something incredible happened.
Her dagger wouldn’t cut.