She felt equally uneasy at the thought that she might have misunderstood Yin Xuan. Caught between a rock and a hard place, the situation was more exhausting than fighting a war. She stayed up until the third watch, her mind finally becoming hazy with fatigue before she drifted into sleep.
Mo Chou, who had been keeping vigil by her side, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The current situation was most difficult for their mistress. Between the Emperor and Wu Qing, she now believed the Emperor. This time, the young master seemed truly different, his disposition far more selfish than before.
Did he not know that his actions would only make their mistress distressed and suffer? The former him would never bear to harm their mistress even a little.
Mo Chou tossed and turned, her heart heavy, and finally succumbed to sleep. In her semi-conscious state, she suddenly heard sounds of a fight and cold whistling, which seemed to be coming from the next room. Startled, Mo Chou quickly sat up. Even their mistress, who had just fallen asleep, was awakened by the commotion. She spoke in a low, stern voice.
"What is happening?"
"It seems to be coming from the next room."
As Mo Chou spoke, she quickly put on her clothes and got out of bed. Qing Yao also rose with agility, donned her clothes, and threw on a cloak. She quickly led Mo Chou out.
Under the moonlight, several agile figures were engaged in a fierce battle. Among them were Wu Qing and Qing Feng. The other attackers were ruthless, their every move aimed at killing Wu Qing. They fought with desperation, as if determined to end Wu Qing's life, no matter the cost. Who harbored such deep animosity towards him?
Mo Chou flicked her body forward and shouted, "How dare you! Who dares to be so arrogant here?"
Her sword flew from her hand, piercing directly towards the assassins.
Qing Yao, standing nearby, flashed to Wu Qing's side and asked softly, "Are you alright?"
Wu Qing shook his head and replied calmly, "I am fine. She is not capable of harming me yet."
His tone was arrogant and dismissive. At this moment, his demeanor and voice were increasingly like Wu Qing's. Perhaps he truly was Wu Qing.
Qing Yao looked up at the assassins. In the dark night, several assassins were clad in night-blooming outfits, their faces covered with black cloth.
As Qing Yao looked at him, the leading assassin’s gaze flickered, seemingly afraid to meet her eyes directly.
Even so, Qing Yao recognized the leading assassin. It was Bing Xiao. Her face immediately darkened, and she coldly ordered, "Bing Xiao, withdraw immediately."
Mo Chou was startled. She quickly retracted her hand, and Qing Feng also ceased fighting, glaring at the assassins.
The leader was indeed Bing Xiao. Seeing that the Marshal had recognized her, she raised her hand and signaled her followers to stop their actions.
These were all hidden guards, rarely seen by ordinary people. Bing Xiao, having been recognized by the Marshal, no longer concealed herself. What she had done was her choice, and she was prepared to accept whatever punishment her master deemed fit. She slowly pulled off the black cloth from her face, revealing a beautiful and charming face. It was indeed Bing Xiao.
She slowly sheathed her sword, looked at Qing Yao, said nothing, and slowly knelt down.
"Please punish me, Marshal," she said without begging, her expression calm. Seeing the Emperor in distress, she, as a subordinate, felt unbearable pain and always thought of doing something for her master. Therefore, she did not regret her actions, not even if the Marshal were to kill her. She only regretted her insufficient skill, which prevented her from helping her master.
"You are exceedingly bold."
Qing Yao said coldly. Just as she was about to reprimand Bing Xiao, Qing Feng suddenly spoke, "Could she have been instructed by someone to assassinate our young master?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the hidden implication was clear.
Qing Yao was stunned. Qing Feng's words implied that Yin Xuan had instigated Bing Xiao. However, she refused to believe this. She knew Yin Xuan's character well.
Although he was overbearing and ruthless, he was also a person of integrity. In contrast, Qing Feng seemed different from his usual self. In the past, although he was cold, he was not a person with ulterior motives.
This was unlike his current self, whose words cast suspicion.
Qing Yao’s pupils narrowed, a dangerous glint in her eyes, directed at Qing Feng.
She had been testing Wu Qing all this time, but she had forgotten to test Qing Feng.
Wu Qing, standing beside her, saw Qing Yao's narrowed gaze and immediately shouted, "Qing Feng, stand down! What nonsense are you spouting?"
Qing Feng also realized his folly and quickly stepped back, stopping behind Wu Qing. Wu Qing looked up and smiled at Qing Yao, saying, "He is just too anxious. Ever since I woke up, he has been very concerned about me and cannot remain as calm as he used to be."
These words were plausible, but Qing Yao was not easily fooled. She merely remained impassive, a faint smile playing on her lips. She nodded calmly and turned to look at Bing Xiao and her subordinates kneeling on the moonlit ground, coldly commanding.
"Immediately go to the military camp and receive thirty strokes of the military cane. If such an incident occurs again, I will not be so lenient."
Qing Yao's words were astounding. Thirty strokes of the military cane were considered a light punishment, demonstrating her rigorous discipline.
"Yes," Bing Xiao dared not say another word. She rose and led her subordinates, preparing to depart. Qing Yao spoke coldly, "And these men, accompanying your master, will each receive thirty strokes of the military cane. Any further offense, and not one will be spared."
There was no room for negotiation. The hidden guards dared not utter another word. They had long known how severe the Marshal was.
"Yes," the men replied, quickly flashing away.
Under the moonlight, only Qing Yao and Mo Chou remained, along with Wu Qing and Qing Feng.
Qing Yao looked at Wu Qing gently and said calmly, "Everything is fine now. You should rest early."
"Good, you should also rest early." Wu Qing's face was soft, his pupils reflecting a tenderness as deep as the sea. He looked so much like his former self that it was impossible to distinguish who he was.
However, Qing Yao smiled at the corner of her lips and, with a wave, led Mo Chou back into the bamboo house.
On the other side, Wu Qing's expression turned icy. He wheeled his chair back into the room, the only sound in the dark night being the turning of the wheels.
As Wu Qing and Qing Feng entered the room, a chilling aura permeated the small dwelling. He glared menacingly at Qing Feng. "You almost ruined everything tonight. Is this what you should be doing?"
Qing Feng remained silent. He had been too hasty. He had forgotten how agile she was and had almost revealed a flaw.
"I understand."
"From now on, you should speak less. She is no ordinary person," Wu Qing said, a spark igniting in his eyes. His tone was filled with immense pride, as if Qing Yao's capabilities were something to be immensely proud of. Qing Feng, standing erect, his eyes deep, coldly warned, "Don't forget what you need to do."
"I know."
Wu Qing’s demeanor immediately turned somber, losing its previous ease.
Because of the commotion throughout the night, Qing Yao was too exhausted. She fell into a deep sleep as soon as she lay down and woke up late the next day. However, something had happened at the camp. An Ding Feng, leading several capable subordinates, rushed over in a panic. As the Marshal had not yet woken up, they paced restlessly outside the bamboo house.
Mo Chou, unaware of what had happened, quickly inquired, "General An, what is the matter?"
An Ding Feng looked up, glanced at Mo Chou, and then approached her, speaking in a low voice, "It's not good. Dozens of people in the camp were poisoned early this morning. However, it doesn't look like poisoning. We don't know what's going on."