Song Yuan led a group of guards on horseback along the path of Jinhua Palace, directly chasing towards the palace gate, hoping to intercept and kill that fool in a sparsely populated area.
The imperial carriage traveled towards the Yun Wang Manor and was caught up by Song Yuan after passing through two streets.
The eunuch driving the carriage falteringly pulled the reins, staring in panic at the team of plainclothes guards before him, unsure of what they wanted.
“Lord Song, what is going on?”
Song Yuan gave a look to the guards behind him, and one guard, with a blank expression, spoke: “Let me escort the Empress back to the Yun Wang Manor.”
“Yes,” the young eunuch said, utterly surprised, and quickly got off the carriage. Another eunuch followed him out. The guard then leaped from his horse, soaring into the air, and landed directly on the carriage, causing it to jolt.
However, there was not a sound from within the carriage. Song Yuan raised his eyebrows in surprise, a sense of unease settling in his heart. He swiftly spurred his horse forward, used his sword sheath to lift the carriage curtain, and found the carriage empty, with no one inside.
Song Yuan’s face changed drastically, his expression suddenly turning grim, and he coldly demanded.
“Where are they? Why is there no one here? Did two frail women vanish into thin air?”
The two young eunuchs driving the carriage listened to Lord Song’s words, finding it hard to believe. Their hearts trembled, and they quickly rushed to the back of the carriage. There was no one inside. The young eunuch’s face turned deathly pale, and he fell to the ground with a thud, repeatedly kowtowing.
“Lord Song, it’s not our fault. We were diligently driving the carriage, escorting the Empress back to the Yun Wang Manor. Who knew something like this would happen.”
Song Yuan raised his eyebrows, gazing thoughtfully at the young eunuch. He eventually smiled, raised his head to look at the azure sky, perhaps it was all fate, Heaven didn’t want that fool to die, so why should he dwell on it? He waved his hand decisively, commanding: “Return to the palace.”
“Yes, sir.”
Song Yuan led his men back to the palace to report. The two pale-faced young eunuchs, supporting each other, got back into the carriage.
Driving behind Lord Song back to the imperial palace, they never expected that escorting someone would result in their disappearance. Now, whether entering the palace would bring fortune or disaster was unknown.
The grand procession soon disappeared into the twilight. The sky was getting late.
On the streets, figures bustled about. Rows of ornate lamps were lit, their lights intersecting, like a brilliant scenic line. Carriages and fine horses flowed endlessly, the aroma of fine wine and the scent of cosmetics mingled together.
From an inconspicuous street corner, several people suddenly emerged.
A richly dressed youth, with a dark complexion and eyes as bright as grapes, shone brilliantly. His dark eyebrows accentuated his masculine and chiseled features.
The rosy lips curved into a captivating smile. With a snap, he opened a silk fan and gently fanned himself, exuding an air of dashing charm. Truly, it is a waste of youth not to be romantic.
Beside him were two equally outstanding men. One was expressionless, the other was playfully mischievous. The two followed the youth, one on each side, walking through streets and alleys, heading straight for the city gates.
And behind them was a woman, awkward and unnatural. This woman wore a breathtakingly beautiful and resplendent gown.
The finest Yun Ni fabric, expertly tailored, fit her shapely figure perfectly. Paired with hair as black as ink, with tassels hanging lightly, she was indescribably alluring.
Her eyebrows, like wisps of clouds, her eyes were charming and clear. A light dusting of powder graced her cheeks, and the captivating blush accentuated her red gown, making her as beautiful as a flame, a cloud.
Yet, this woman was inexplicably uneasy, stumbling along the way, which was a pity for the exquisite silk attire.
Yun Xiao couldn't help but stop and walk back. With a leisurely air, he raised his fan and tapped her chin. His clear and melodious voice rang out.
“Head up, chest out, take small steps. Yes, just like that. What are you afraid of? This is the splendid attire you’ve always wanted.”
“Master, can I wear my old clothes again?”
Wan Wan raised her eyebrows uncomfortably. To be honest, when she saw her reflection in the bronze mirror, she was completely stunned. She, who had been meticulously groomed, was actually as beautiful as those beauties.
In that instant, she felt she had no regrets in this life, and she could die without resentment. However, after wearing it for a while, she realized that this attire did not suit her.
Because she had never worn such fine clothes before, she worried about staining here, damaging there. Constantly fussing, she found it exhausting, and it would be better not to wear them at all.
However, frankly speaking, she liked these clothes, but they were too precious. She was reluctant to wear them, wanting to keep them as treasures to be worn only when necessary.
The information revealed in Wan Wan’s eyes, Yun Xiao sighed and shook his head.
“From now on, you only need to wear beautiful clothes and serve me well. Don’t think about those clothes. I will make many more for you, so many that you won’t be able to wear them all. So there’s no need to cherish them.”
“Miss.”
Wan Wan’s eyes welled up with mist. Yun Xiao lightly rapped her forehead and said sternly: “Remember, from now on, I am a young master. Young Master, do you understand? If you make this mistake again, you will be punished by not being allowed to speak for a month.”
This time, all three kept it firmly in mind. Who could endure not speaking for a month?
“Young Master,” Wan Wan called out. Yun Xiao nodded with satisfaction. “From now on, you are my beautiful maid, Xiao Wan, Su Xiaowan. Just serve me, and don’t worry about anything else.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
This time, Wan Wan nodded. Yun Xiao once again lifted her face with his fan, a charming smile on his lips. “This is my good maid. Follow me and enjoy a life of ease from now on.”
With a completely roguish air, Liu Xing behind him looked up at the sky speechlessly, while Jing Yun lifted his long robe, his face full of anticipation, and said: “Young Master, you should tease me. Why are you teasing her?”
With a snap, amidst the twilight, this voice was exceptionally pleasant. Jing Yun obediently closed his mouth.
The night was deep, the sky was densely studded with stars, and the crescent moon was bright.
Yun Xiao looked up at the glowing white firmament, the faint dark blue, as beautiful as a canvas. Thinking of the situation at Fengya Pass, her heart suddenly sank. She had no mood to bother with anything else.
“Liu Xing, Jing Yun, let’s go out of the city. We’ll travel through the night. Once we’re out of the city, we’ll buy a carriage and rush to Fengya Pass without stopping day or night. We must not let Father and Brother have any accidents.”
“Yes,” Liu Xing and Jing Yun’s eyes were filled with gravity as they responded simultaneously. Even Wan Wan remained silent. The group headed straight for the city gates. The city gates were already closed, and the guards were patrolling all around.
The four found a sparsely populated place. Liu Xing and Jing Yun, one on each side, slipped out of the city.
The moonlight was perfect. The four, like little birds released from a cage, felt incredibly buoyant. They talked freely all the way, heading towards Fengya Pass under the cover of night…
Meanwhile, in the palace, Shangguan Yao received the news, glaring at Song Yuan with a grim and suspicious expression. He remained silent for a long time, his eyes scrutinizing.
Song Yuan knelt motionlessly, his back straight, and spoke calmly: “Your Majesty, when I arrived, the carriage was empty. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you can dismiss me from my post, or you can summon my subordinates.”
“Enough.”
Shangguan Yao gave a cold reprimand.
Everyone was gone, so what was there to ask? However, he understood that Song Yuan was not the one who did this. Song Yuan had always been upright. If he had done it, his eyes would have flickered, unable to meet his gaze.
But as he stared intently at him just now, he only saw clarity in his eyes, without a trace of panic. Therefore, this time, he was not lying.