Ji Qingge remained a Xiliang person, with Xiliang customs. Inside, he wore a magnificent brocade robe, but outside, he was draped in a layer of shallow yellow, misty, cloud-like smoke-haze silk.
As he strolled with light steps, elegant and refined, he seemed like a banished immortal fallen to the mortal world. The female relatives in the great hall couldn't help but let out soft gasps of blushing hearts, many unable to avert their gaze.
Yun Xiao pursed her lips and smiled. This man was truly a show-off, she thought to herself, and followed her elder brother into the hall, one behind the other.
After a stir in the great hall, someone stepped forward. It was Yun Mo and Shangguan Lin. The two, one after the other, came forward and respectfully said, "His Highness the Prince of Li has arrived. Please take the honored seat."
Shangguan Lin led the way, and Yun Mo followed a step behind. He then saw several ministers behind Ji Qingge, as well as Yun Xiao and Yun Zhen.
Yun Mo thought he was mistaken and couldn't help but wipe his eyes with the sleeve of his robe. Finally, he confirmed that the two stunning figures before him were his son and daughter. Overjoyed, he reached out and pulled Yun Xiao and Yun Zhen, saying, "You're back."
Yun Xiao nodded and, taking the opportunity, nestled into her father's embrace. She had truly been afraid that he might encounter something bad, but now it seemed everything was well.
Many people in the great hall noticed the situation here. At first, they were a bit puzzled, but soon some people noticed and began to whisper. Voices were raised from time to time.
"Aren't those the young master and young lady from Prince Yun's manor?"
"That fool seems to be not foolish at all anymore."
"Yes, yes, what's going on?"
The movement here had already alerted a corner of the great hall. Murong Yingxue, who had been happily chatting with Sima Bingxin, widened her eyes in disbelief, staring intently at the woman leaning in Yun Mo's embrace. Who else could it be but Yun Xiao?
She prayed every day and burned incense every day, hoping that this woman would never return, or perhaps that she would be killed or something. But now she had returned alive and well. What would happen if Murong Gege saw her?
Murong Yingxue's eyes darted rapidly, and she was already walking towards them. Sima Bingxin was still speaking behind her, but seeing Murong Yingxue ignoring her and walking directly towards them, her face was full of bewilderment.
However, she couldn't be bothered. At this time, other women had already surrounded her, flattering and currying favor.
Murong Yingxue's mood was heavy, her steps feeling as if they weighed a thousand pounds. She walked all the way to Yun Mo and his daughter, staring at Yun Xiao, and slowly curved her lips into a smile, her complexion deathly pale.
"Can I talk to you?"
As soon as Murong Yingxue finished speaking, Yun Mo reached out to stop her. Thinking that his daughter would suffer immense pain when she knew the truth, Yun Mo did not want Murong Yingxue to tell her about it.
"Princess, we can talk another time."
Yun Xiao, being naturally sensitive, strangely moved away from Yun Mo's embrace, stood up straight, tidied her clothes, and said lightly, "What's wrong?"
"I have something to tell you."
Murong Yingxue said firmly. She did not feel any pity or tenderness because of Yun Mo's obstruction. On the contrary, she was only anxious, fearing that if Murong Gege came over, all of this would become irrecoverable.
Yun Xiao's cheeks were cold. She knew that whatever Murong Yingxue wanted to say to her would not be good, which was why her father was stopping her.
At this moment, Shangguan Lin also noticed Yun Xiao's figure in the great hall. His tall frame walked over, and he glared sternly at Murong Yingxue, "What do you want to do?"
Yun Xiao had just returned. If she knew that her Imperial Brother didn't remember her, how sad would she be? He still remembered her resolute expression when she saved her Imperial Brother, willing to take him out even at the cost of her life. But now, her Imperial Brother had forgotten her.
"Alright, let's go."
Yun Xiao's pupils were deep. The more these people tried to stop her, the more she wanted to know what had happened. A chilling smile played on her lips, and she nodded slightly at Murong Yingxue.
Looking at her expression, Murong Yingxue remembered her ruthlessness and cruelty. If she knew certain things, she might not let herself off.
But she did not give up. Murong Yingxue's pupils suddenly sank, and she turned away and walked towards the back hall. To avoid meeting Murong Gege, she went towards the side hall.
Yun Xiao followed her silently. Behind them, Yun Mo and Shangguan Lin exchanged glances, their hearts heavy, wondering what kind of rebound psychological reaction Yun Xiao's personality might cause.
Outside the hall, the night wind was very cold, and the sky was overcast, as if it were about to snow. Dry branches snapped in the wind, and the palace lanterns under the eaves swayed back and forth, their light flickering. Murong Yingxue turned to look at Yun Xiao. Her face was hidden in the darkness, indistinct, but one could feel the unfathomable fierceness in her eyes.
"I have something to tell you. Murong Gege, he has forgotten you."
"Forgotten me."
Yun Xiao repeated, a little confused. Only when Murong Yingxue nodded heavily did she react. Then she grabbed Murong Yingxue's collar and asked loudly, "You said Murong forgot me?! What happened?"
"After he returned to the manor that day, he practiced the Six Meridians Divine Heart, which is a set of mind techniques that severs love and affection. It has the effect of repairing martial arts and increasing internal energy. However, Murong Gege did not know that ordinary people cannot practice it. He practiced that mind technique in order to enter the palace to save you. Later, when he emerged from seclusion, we all discovered that he had forgotten you."
Murong Yingxue stared intently at Yun Xiao's face, wanting to see her heartbroken and in extreme pain. She wanted Yun Xiao to endure all the pain she herself had suffered.
But this woman was different from ordinary people. Her brows were furrowed, and her entire being exuded a frost and ice, no different from the biting wind of the cold night. Yet, she did not cry, nor did she show any sadness.
However, if one looked closely, one could still see her clenched fists, standing motionless.
After a long while, so long that Murong Yingxue thought she was about to explode, she actually took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Why didn't anyone tell him about this?"
"He cannot know. If he were to know, his blood would reverse, and he would die without a cure."
Murong Yingxue said calmly. Yun Xiao was stunned. There was pain in her heart, but it did not hurt intensely, because this was not ordinary fickleness, but rather something that suppressed the body.
This was different from being heartless. At least she should have asked him when he was lucid, what kind of brain did this scoundrel have?
After hearing this, Yun Xiao ignored Murong Yingxue, who was waiting under the corridor for her to wail and cry, and turned to walk back into the hall. Murong Yingxue was almost unable to accept the situation before her.
Was this it? Was this it? Shouldn't this woman be crying to the heavens and seeking death? At least she should have shed some tears, but she saw nothing. What did this mean? Did she not love him enough, or was this woman cold-blooded?
Murong Yingxue couldn't help but call out angrily from behind, "Aren't you sad?"
"What's the use of being sad? Besides, you can't see my sadness."
Yes, she was not without sadness, not without grief, not without tears. It was just that this was not ordinary fickleness. She could neither shed tears nor show her sadness.
Yun Xiao walked into the great hall. The envoys from the Southern Jin Kingdom and the Northern Yan Kingdom had all arrived. This time, the three countries had sent heavyweight figures.
The Eastern Jin was represented by His Highness the Prince of Li, the Southern Jin also by a prince, and most astonishingly, the Northern Dynasty's newly enthroned Emperor Yudi had personally come.
Everyone knew the reason for his visit this time.