Qingyao’s expression was indifferent as she gazed earnestly at the man seated above. Her gentle smile made it impossible to discern any of her emotions.
The Emperor’s pupils darkened. This woman was truly remarkable. No wonder she had unified the seven kingdoms in such a short time. It seemed the matter her master had mentioned was true – the Phoenix Descends upon the Prime Minister’s Estate, capable of unifying the seven kingdoms.
He had found it amusing then, merely using that matter to deal with his junior. He had never considered scheming against her. The thought of eliminating this woman brought a pang of reluctance.
All his life, he had encountered only infatuated women. It was truly rare to find someone both intelligent and beautiful. Yet, he had to kill her.
“As long as the princess marries willingly, I will release him.”
The Emperor stood up, quite satisfied with the current state of affairs. Looking at the Empress now, perhaps she had resigned herself to fate. Even the most intelligent woman ultimately depended on a man.
However, he dared not be careless in the slightest.
Qingyao, leading Xingzhu, stood up and said respectfully, “I’ll see Your Majesty out.”
“Hmm, Yao’er, accompany the princess. Help her feel more at ease. If she continues to make trouble, then Hua Lige?”
He uttered the chilling threat and strode out of Changle Palace.
Princess Murong Xingzhu was so enraged she jumped up, pointing at the empty palace entrance, unable to utter a single word. Her chest heaved up and down. After a long while, she finally spoke.
“Is such a despicable and shameless person really my imperial brother? My imperial brother always acted with integrity. Although he was cold, he was a straightforward gentleman. When did he become like this?”
Little Yu’er, standing nearby, couldn’t hold back and said drily, “He became a petty man long ago.”
“Imperial sister-in-law, I don’t want to marry. I don’t want to marry, and I don’t want anything to happen to Lige either!”
Xingzhu choked up again at the end. She neither wanted to marry nor wanted anything to happen to Lige, yet it seemed there was no room for maneuver.
Life’s matters are rarely perfect. One cannot have both fish and bear’s paw; she understood this principle.
But she truly did not want to marry that man. A maiden’s heart was as fragile as a lone lamp in the wind, exuding endless desolation and misery…
Qingyao stood up, her eyes gazing outside the hall. In the emptiness of her pupils lay a deep, lingering melancholy.
“Don’t be sad. I told you I am here. You can rest assured and be a bride. Just make sure you marry the one you love. For now, stay calm and wait.”
After speaking, she also stood up and walked out. Her slender yet straight back was like a mountain standing in Xingzhu’s heart. Without reason, she believed her, and hope surged within her. She murmured softly.
“Lan Yi, Imperial sister-in-law, what does that mean?”
“The Empress surely has a way to rescue Imperial Guard Hua and then let you marry him. Princess, it is most important that you behave yourself during these coming days. Absolutely do not cause any trouble. Since the Empress has promised you, she must have a solution.”
A little maid always possessed more spirit than her mistress. Otherwise, how could she navigate the inner palace so freely?
As Lan Yi finished speaking, Xingzhu felt as if her worries had been allayed. She was immensely relieved. Having cried for half the day, she was almost exhausted. Extending her hand to support herself on Lan Yi, she felt a wave of dizziness and said slowly, “Help me inside to rest, Lan Yi. I’m a little tired.”
“Yes, Princess. Go inside and rest.”
Lan Yi supported her mistress and led her into the inner chambers.
Qingyao, leading Mo Chou and Little Yu’er, along with a procession of eunuchs and maids, returned to Fengluan Palace.
Along the way, Little Yu’er several times wanted to ask her mother what good plan she had to help her aunt.
But seeing her stern expression, and with a crowd of eunuchs and maids behind them, they had no idea how many of these people were their own. Therefore, caution was truly the wiser course.
Upon entering Fengluan Palace, the eunuchs and maids remained outside the hall.
Little Yu’er immediately asked with anxious urgency, “Mother, how are you planning to help Auntie?”
“There’s no hurry with this matter. Isn’t the grand wedding still seven days away? I suddenly had an idea. We must find the Emperor’s whereabouts within these seven days. While the palace is busy during the wedding, we can escort the Emperor out of the palace, and that will ensure everything goes smoothly.”
As Qingyao’s words fell, Mo Chou and Little Yu’er exchanged glances. Although the idea was good, they had no idea where the Emperor was right now.
They had searched every possible place in the palace. Bing Xiao had checked every single palace, but not a single trace had been found…
“If there’s no movement outside the palace, then he must be within the palace. Xi Men Xin Yue must have hidden him in the most secluded corner, a place no one would ever think of. What place in this palace have we never even considered?”
Qingyao paced the hall, murmuring to herself. Little Yu’er’s pupils flashed, “Could it be the Cold Palace?”
“The Cold Palace?”
They hadn’t searched the Cold Palace. Qingyao’s interest was immediately piqued. She looked at Mo Chou, “Quietly instruct Bing Xiao to search the area of the Cold Palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As Mo Chou was about to leave to carry out the order, Yi Yun ran in from outside the hall, her face filled with panic. “Your Majesty, Mao Xue Qiu is missing?”
“What?”
The loudest exclamation this time wasn’t from Qingyao, but from Little Yu’er.
Mao Xue Qiu had the closest bond with her. Since she was born, that little fox had been by her side. Little Yu’er rushed to Yi Yun’s side and said sternly.
“Didn’t I assign dedicated people to care for them? How could it be missing?”
“Yes, those two animals were personally cared for by this servant. They were always fine, but today, one of them is actually missing?”
“What about Xiao Bai? What about Xiao Bai?”
Little Yu’er’s beautiful eyes widened, a fierce flame rising within their depths. She cried out anxiously. Yi Yun respectfully replied, “Xiao Bai is still here. Only Mao Xue Qiu is missing?”
“That’s impossible,” Little Yu’er shook her head and immediately thought of something. Someone had deliberately captured Mao Xue Qiu, and that person was quite skilled.
Because Xiao Bai did not allow anyone to approach them, how could Mao Xue Qiu have gone missing carelessly? That person must have martial arts skills to have taken Mao Xue Qiu away.
“Is Xiao Bai injured?”
At Little Yu’er’s question, Yi Yun froze. She hadn’t intended to say anything. Losing Mao Xue Qiu had already made the princess extremely sad. If she learned that Xiao Bai was also injured, she would be even more distressed.
However, since the princess had guessed it, she couldn’t conceal it any longer and quickly nodded, “Yes, Xiao Bai was injured.”
As Yi Yun finished speaking, Little Yu’er dashed out like a whirlwind. Qingyao stood up from her high seat, her gaze profound, a cold smile playing on her lips. It seemed some people in this palace could no longer stay put and were ready to make a move?
Qingyao mused as she gracefully descended from her seat, supporting herself on Mo Chou’s hand as they walked towards the hall’s exit.
Xiao Bai and Mao Xue Qiu had dedicated attendants. In the past, Little Yu’er had cared for them herself. Recently, due to everyone being busy, palace servants had been assigned to care for them. Who knew that in just a few days, something had happened.
The thought of Mao Xue Qiu possibly falling victim to foul play made Qingyao’s heart heavy. That was a gift from her Aunt Su Ge, and it had been with her for several years.
Not only was it close to her, but it also had a good relationship with Little Yu’er. She never expected it to suffer such a cruel fate within the deep palace.