Feng Xie raised his head and put down his chopsticks, signaling to Riying to put the food away. "You two go and eat too. Let them take turns to have their meals."
Riying felt a stir in his heart. Since his master woke up, he had become much more human. Unknowingly, he had been greatly influenced by the Empress. "Yes."
Riying and Yueying carried the food out, and instructed the dozen guards outside to protect their master well. After they had finished their dinner, they would take turns to guard.
Inside the room, Feng Xie sat on the bed. The lamp was lit, flickering from side to side. Thinking that he would be able to see Liu'er tomorrow, his heart was filled with excitement, yet also with a great sense of unease.
He tightly gripped the gauze curtain with his hand. Although he said he wasn't worried, he still hoped that she could remember his existence, remember that at the last moment she had said she would start anew with him, and forget all about the past.
It seemed that tonight he would be utterly sleepless. Feng Xie turned around and walked to the window to feel the breeze, looking up at the dark sky.
The stars twinkled, and those bright stars were like Liu'er's lively and stubborn eyes. As he looked, he couldn't help but smile. There was nothing to worry about. He would see her tomorrow. Even if she forgot him, he would not let go.
Why bother to worry? However, he would never be lenient with the woman who drugged her. He turned back and closed the window.
There were two knocks at the door, and then Riying entered. He cupped his fist and said respectfully, "Master, you should rest. I will guard outside."
"Mmm." Feng Xie nodded his head. He did not go to the bed to rest as Riying wished, but instead leaned casually on a soft couch, appearing languid and nonchalant.
Only a hint of worry lingered in his brows. Riying quietly withdrew. How could he not understand his master's intentions? The Empress was the woman his master loved.
He had thought that the remaining Ying Ba would launch a surprise attack at night, but there was no movement all night. It seemed that those hiding in the dark did not dare to act rashly. These people were not to be trifled with.
The next day, the weather was fine and sunny. Early in the morning, he heard the chirping of birds outside the window. Feng Xie opened the window, his heart filled with joy. This was a good omen. Then Riying came in to attend to him.
When they were ready to go downstairs, the shopkeeper and the waiter had already prepared the best breakfast in the shop. They waited at the bottom of the stairs, and as soon as they saw their figures, they lowered their heads and bowed, speaking cautiously.
"The guests are here for breakfast."
Feng Xie, dressed in black, with his hair tied up in a black crown, his eyes, which shimmered like a thousand-year-old ice, swept over them casually. The two of them trembled with fear and dared not even breathe.
"You all eat something and then set off," Feng Xie said casually, waving his hand and instructing the subordinates behind him. Everyone sat down at the tables in the dining hall, ate breakfast, and set off together.
In front of the wine shop, the shopkeeper and the waiter breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, the god of death had left. This money was not earned by human hands. The shopkeeper slumped to the side, and the waiter helped him into the dining hall.
A day later, they arrived at Xuexiu Peak.
Xuexiu Peak was full of lush greenery. The mountain was steep and towering, with its summit reaching into the clouds and connecting with a wisp of floating cloud in the sky. The sky connected to the mountain, and the mountain connected to the sky. The scenery was beautiful, but unfortunately, this group of people had no intention of sightseeing. They were solely focused on carefully observing the mountain. After a long while, a cold and extremely stern voice was heard.
"This is Xuexiu Peak."
"Yes, Master. The Empress is on the mountain. There are no mountain paths here. One can only climb the mountain by clinging to the cliffs. I did not ascend last time, I only knew that the Empress was on this mountain."
Riying said respectfully. A hint of coldness floated on Feng Xie's lips, and his eyes suddenly deepened. His figure moved, his black robe fluttered, and he flew towards the mountain peak, not forgetting to reach out and pull Riying along.
Bai Han, on the other side, did not fall behind. He lifted his qi and closely followed the figures ahead. Of course, Bai Han did not forget to bring Yueying. Riying and Yueying's skills were not weak.
As long as they could use leverage to support themselves, the four of them ascended to the summit in the blink of an eye, while the others remained at the foot of the mountain to wait.
On the mountain, the peaks were verdant, the mountain ranges overlapping. In the sparse forest, sunlight penetrated through, as if scattering gold all over the ground. Numerous animals played in the forest.
As soon as they saw figures, they fled in all directions. Feng Xie gazed into the distance. All he could see was mountains upon mountains. The branches swayed, and birds chirped from time to time, but where was Liu'er? His handsome, wild face was tinged with anxiety. Riying, standing beside him, spoke softly.
"Master, don't worry. Since we've already reached the mountain, no matter what, we'll see her soon. It's just that I'm afraid for the Empress?"
Riying's words suddenly stopped. The forest fell into a dead silence. Everyone understood implicitly that the Empress might really have amnesia.
She didn't even recognize the Emperor. Most importantly, Nangong Yue had accompanied them to Xuexiu Peak that day.
If she was still on the mountain now, would the Empress like Nangong Yue? Riying thought to himself, but dared not mention Nangong Yue at all.
"Let's go. Standing here is useless. Let's search around and perhaps we can find the Empress."
"Okay," Feng Xie said in a deep voice. He had to find Liu'er first. Even if she didn't recognize him, he would make her remember. She was his Empress, the mother of his son. What was there to be afraid of?
The four of them separated and walked deeper into the forest. They had not gone far when they heard a melodious flute sound echoing and lingering in the forest.
Although it couldn't be said to be soul-stirring, it played with a cheerful and joyful rhythm, like the small animals running in the forest, carefree and happy. As soon as the few of them heard the flute, their expressions changed.
Especially the Emperor, his figure flashed, and he went in the direction of the flute sound.
Pushing aside the layers of mist, the further they walked, the more melodious the flute sound became, sometimes crisp like pearls falling on a jade plate, sometimes tinkling like the sound of a small stream flowing down the mountain.
Feng Xie smiled. This must have been played by Liu'er. That day in the imperial hall, her zither music had carried such magic.
He remembered her once saying that true music was integrated with the five lakes and four seas, not confined to a single school. Therefore, no matter if she played the flute or the zither, her music must originate from her surroundings.
"Master, look quickly." Riying exclaimed in surprise.
They had passed through the dense forest, and in front of them appeared a clearing. The lush green wild grass in the clearing was like a bright carpet. At the end of the clearing was a clear lake.
The trees on the shore were lush and green. A woman in a white long dress was sitting obliquely on a large rock, playing a bamboo flute. The sunlight poured onto her like water, enveloping her in a golden glow.
She was like a fairy lost in the mortal world, pure and untainted. Feng Xie's heart leaped fast and hard. A misty warmth rose in his eyes. It was Liu'er, so quiet, so lively, and in harmony with this world.
Feng Xie strode forward. Closer, closer, he was about to reach Liu'er. Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Ye Nu, your zither music is even more beautiful today?"
A man as beautiful as an immortal emerged from the nearby forest, his gaze gently falling on the beautiful woman playing the flute. The woman put down the flute in her hand, and a few strands of hair by her temples scattered. The man stepped forward and delicately smoothed her dark hair.
"Nangong, really?" A cheerful voice rang out, so happy and excited. Feng Xie's heart sank to the bottom. What was the situation before his eyes? Had she fallen for Nangong Yue?
His heart suddenly ached, a sharp pain. His face turned pale, and he took two steps back before he stabilized himself. Bai Han, who was following closely behind him, stepped forward to support his body and said in a deep voice, "Master, didn't you hear what this man said? He called the Empress Ye Nu, which means the Empress has amnesia."
Bai Han did not recognize Nangong Yue, hence his address.