"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Wanwan stood up and said neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "Reporting to Your Highness, the Consort is having tea and admiring chrysanthemums in the pavilion and requests Your Highness to avoid it."
She had been very cautious with this last sentence, but it still angered Shangguan Lin. His pupils flashed with malevolence, and he let out a cold roar, "Get lost! How dare a mere palace servant be so audacious? You're seeking death."
With his roar, his movements were like a golden spear piercing the dry horse. The treasured sword in his hand flashed a cold light, dazzling Wanwan and Xiuxiu's eyes. The two were so frightened that their faces turned ashen, but they did not move an inch. They were about to bleed on the spot, and the atmosphere was tense and murderous.
Suddenly, a pleasant voice floated from the pavilion.
"Sister, I want to eat this too."
Upon hearing this, Wanwan understood her mistress's intention, which was clearly to have them leave. She breathed a sigh of relief, cold sweat trickling down her spine.
So close. Her mistress had just saved their lives. The two responded, and Wanwan immediately said gently, "Alright, this servant will go get it. Consort, please wait."
After speaking, Wanwan curtsied to Shangguan Lin, "Your Highness, please, do not frighten our Consort."
With that, she led Xiuxiu out of the small pavilion. She turned to get pastries herself, while Xiuxiu guarded the pavilion, determined to stop Prince Lin if he dared to disrespect her mistress.
In the pavilion.
Shangguan Lin penetrated the thin veil, his steps filled with doubt, as he slowly approached the woman who was eating with her head down. Her face was unclear, only her black hair tied into a phoenix bun, adorned with a vibrant small daisy at her temple, making her look incredibly lovely...
Shangguan Lin respectfully cupped his fist, "This subject greets Imperial Sister-in-law."
After speaking, he stared intently at the woman. She hesitated for a moment, then quickly turned her head to look at Shangguan Lin, her large eyes blinking, her long eyelashes fluttering twice, and then she grinned.
Her mouth was full of pastries, and she held a piece of pastry in her hand, her entire hand covered in crumbs. Her appearance was quite pitiful.
Shangguan Lin's first instinct upon seeing her was to turn and leave.
However, thinking of the task bestowed upon him by the Emperor, he could only suppress his disgust and look at her, wondering if this woman was truly foolish or merely pretending to be.
"Imperial Sister-in-law?"
He called out again, this time boldly stepping forward, closing in on Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao felt a wave of disgust, an overwhelming sense of nausea. She had already eaten too much cake, and with Shangguan Lin's pretense, all she wanted now was to vomit. And she did not disappoint herself, opening her mouth and letting out a "Wow!" directly at Shangguan Lin.
His brocade robe was instantly covered in a foul stench.
Shangguan Lin was utterly petrified.
Yun Xiao, however, seemed much more comfortable, wiping her mouth and smiling at Shangguan Lin.
"Brother, shall I wash your robe for you?"
She extended her sticky, unsightly jade-like hands, reaching out to tug at Shangguan Lin's brocade sleeve.
Shangguan Lin finally snapped out of his extreme shock. He waved his long sleeve, unleashing a surge of force that pushed Yun Xiao's hand away. Simultaneously, the long sword in his hand shot out, pointing at Yun Xiao in extreme anger.
"You foolish woman, I'm going to kill you."
As he spoke, his body moved with his shadow, swiftly drifting towards Yun Xiao's side.
If this woman was feigning foolishness, he did not believe she could remain composed in the face of life and death. Moreover, the stench on his body made him feel nauseous and resentful, and filled him with the urge to kill.
He completely forgot his imperial brother's instruction to test the woman's intelligence and directly intended to kill her. Only by killing her could he vent his rage.
He could already see that after her repulsive act, he would not be able to eat a single meal for the next month.
The thought of eating made his stomach churn again, his pupils flashing with the glint of blades and the clash of cold air.
In a flash...
Yun Xiao was still contemplating whether to save herself. If she didn't, she would die; if she did, her disguise would be revealed.
But before her self-rescue plan could be implemented, she saw a pebble, accompanied by the fierce onslaught of wind and rain, cleave through the thin veil, carrying a powerful gust of wind, aimed directly at Shangguan Lin's treasured sword.
With a clang, sparks flew. Time seemed to freeze. Shangguan Lin's sword was deflected, and the tiger's mouth on his hand tingled numbly. It was evident how powerful the person in the shadows was, capable of projecting an object through the air and engaging him in a direct confrontation.
One move decided the victor. This person's skill was likely superior to his.
Who was hidden within the palace, protecting the foolish empress? Shangguan Lin's eyes flickered. Outside the pavilion, Mu Li and others were already shouting.
"Catch the assassin! Catch the assassin!"
The sound of hurried footsteps rushed towards one side. Shangguan Lin raised an eyebrow and looked at the culprit, who was now smiling charmingly, as if completely unaware of the recent danger. Her delicate voice, like silver bells, rang out, "So fun, so fun."
Shangguan Lin angrily withdrew his hand, decisively turned, and walked out of the pavilion. In his haste, a thought suddenly struck him: her smiling face was exceptionally radiant. He strode out.
For now, it was more important to find out who was hidden in the palace, capable of moving with such freedom. If this person was from Prince Yun's manor, it would be truly astonishing.
Although today's test did not confirm whether the foolish empress was indeed foolish, it had revealed another hidden individual...
Within the pavilion, Yun Xiao elegantly wiped her fingers, her face still wearing a bright smile, but her pupils held a chilling coldness.
Shangguan Yao, oh Shangguan Yao, I did not provoke you, yet you dared to provoke me and even sent Shangguan Lin to deal with me. If I hadn't struck first today, what would he have done to test me? Are all of you from the Shangguan family so despicable and shameless?
Very well, if that is the case, then let us have a bout.
Yun Xiao let out a cold laugh, her bones rattling.
Wanwan and Xiuxiu walked in, both looking Yun Xiao up and down nervously. Seeing that she was unharmed, they respectfully inquired.
"Consort, why were there assassins?"
Assassins? Not necessarily. Yun Xiao's eyebrows curved upward. Who was that person? Who was the one who helped her? Such immense internal energy, she had only seen it in one person: Murong Chong. Then why would he help her? Hadn't he wanted to kill her before? Why was he helping her now?
"Alright, let's go back."
Yun Xiao stood up, her face and hands covered in pastries, appearing disheveled. However, it was precisely these pastries that had helped her evade the danger.
The group left the pavilion.
In the distance, someone leaned against a large tree, exuding an air of elegance. The wind blew gently, making their movements seem ethereal.
"Master, why did you intervene to help her? Did you not intend to kill her?"
The subordinate, who was usually taciturn, could not help but ask. The master's previous plan was to kill that woman, yet now he had saved her. He wondered what his master's intentions were.
"Is she not my ally? Is our common enemy not that person who is high and mighty? Moreover, she will give me a surprise."
As he finished speaking, he vanished, along with his subordinate who spoke behind him, disappearing instantly, truly like ghosts and phantoms...