Her words fell, and a thin, chill current enveloped the surroundings, pressing down on the branches and leaves.
Among the branches, the man's star-like pupils blazed with bloodthirsty ferocity, as if facing an abyss, wrapping around her layer by layer.
It seemed her guess was correct. This Murong Chong indeed had a deep-seated feud with Shangguan Yao, which was why he wanted to kill her, inciting conflict between the Yun Wang Manor and the royal family, a struggle where two tigers would clash, resulting in mutual destruction.
And he was the mantis stalking the cicada, with the oriole behind.
Good, very good. It seemed this man was not stupid, but he had overlooked destiny. Heaven had allowed her to transmigrate, so she absolutely would not allow him to use the Yun Wang Manor.
"Unseal my acupoints immediately, and I'll give you the antidote."
Yun Xiao smiled sinisterly, a cunning glint on her lips. She could give him the antidote, but not out of his coercion, rather out of his plea for peace.
"Good, very good. I'm getting more and more interested in you. We will meet again."
Murong Chong suddenly laughed. That laugh was like the warm sun in winter, instantly illuminating the heart, making it feel warm. The corners of his lips curved into a beautiful, captivating arc, his chin held high, displaying his stubborn and unrestrained personality, arrogant and domineering.
Even when smiling, he made it impossible to ignore the pressure he exerted. Yun Xiao couldn't help but wonder what he looked like. Was he stunningly beautiful or terrifyingly ugly?
As she was pondering, a ripple of light swept past, and the figure standing on the treetop had vanished. She couldn't help but feel anxious.
"Hey, unseal my acupoints."
Her hands instinctively moved, and she found she could move them. It turned out the airflow just now was from him, unsealing her acupoints from a distance.
He hadn't asked for her antidote but had instead unsealed her acupoints himself. Yun Xiao raised her eyebrows, gazing up at the dark night sky. Not a soul was in sight.
With his unfathomable abilities, the medicinal power would likely not be a problem for him, and she hadn't administered a potent poison anyway.
Below the tree, Wanwan and Xiuxiu's calls sounded again.
"Niangniang, Niangniang, come down quickly. It's getting late, let's go back to rest."
Yun Xiao withdrew her gaze and nimbly slid down the large tree. Wanwan immediately rushed forward to hug her, her voice filled with anxiety, "Niangniang, are you alright, are you alright?"
After speaking, she helped Yun Xiao walk back…
Inside the inner hall of Jinhua Palace.
Yun Xiao sat upright at the table, with Wanwan, Xiuxiu, and two young eunuchs kneeling below. They didn't know why Niangniang was summoning them so late, and why she was so serious and cold.
"You all saw what happened tonight."
"Yes, Niangniang."
The four nodded simultaneously, a flash of anger in their eyes. They hadn't expected Xiao He to be a traitor, selling out her master for personal gain, but they hadn't expected her to end up like this.
The thought of her being unable to even speak at the end sent shivers down Xiuxiu and the two eunuchs' spines. They understood clearly.
This must have been the Empress's doing. They were astonished by their mistress's ruthlessness and felt a touch of fear in their hearts.
"Although on the surface this matter seems to be over, in reality, Defei will definitely seize upon such a handle, and the Emperor will also pay attention. Perhaps the next target they will aim for will be one of you three."
Yun Xiao's gaze fell upon Xiuxiu, then swept down over them one by one.
That gaze was as sharp as a blade, making one's blood run cold.
"If anything like what happened to Xiao He occurs again, I will not allow you any chance to catch your breath."
Her voice was soft, but the ferocity pierced directly into their hearts. Xiuxiu, Xiao Yuan, and Xiao Zhao dared not entertain any thoughts of defiance. Opposing the Empress Niangniang was a path to certain death.
Xiao He was the best proof. She wanted to follow Defei Niangniang, but in the end, Defei Niangniang couldn't protect her and only hastened her doom.
"Niangniang, please rest assured. This servant (this slave) will never betray my master."
Hearing their words, Yun Xiao finally smiled in satisfaction and said gently, "Don't worry, no matter how great the predicament before us, I will not let you be implicated."
"Thank you, Empress Niangniang."
"Go rest," Yun Xiao waved her hand. Xiuxiu, Xiao Yuan, and Xiao Zhao slowly withdrew.
Only Wanwan remained in the sleeping quarters. Yun Xiao reached out and pulled her up, "Get up. I'm truly grateful for your quick thinking today, Wanwan. It seems my previous decision was correct, and you haven't disappointed me."
Upon hearing Yun Xiao's words, Wanwan's heart overflowed with emotion, her eyes becoming slightly moist.
With such words from her mistress, she was even more willing to work for her and follow her.
"Niangniang, please rest assured. Although Wanwan is crude, she grew up mingling in the marketplace and is adept at reading people's expressions. So, I will keep an eye on the palace's movements. Don't worry too much. I know you don't want the Yun Wang Manor to suffer any harm."
"You understand me, Wanwan."
The two of them laughed together, their gazes meeting, filled with intimacy. They were not just master and servant, but more like family…
Jingde Palace. Palace lanterns illuminated the grand hall as if it were daytime. Incense curled from the golden cauldron within the hall, and the imperial yellow gauze curtains fluttered.
Shangguan Yao sat at the head of the table. After returning from the Imperial Garden, he immediately ordered eunuchs to summon Prince Lin to the palace.
At present, he leaned on the dragon throne with his eyes slightly closed, his thick eyebrows furrowed, carrying an unshakeable melancholy.
A light sound of footsteps echoed. The eunuch Xiao Tingzi respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, Prince Lin has arrived."
"Let him in," Shangguan Yao suddenly opened his eyes. They were dark and unfathomable, exceptionally cold. With a wave of his hand, he issued a domineering command. Xiao Tingzi received the order, retreated, and soon led Prince Lin, Shangguan Lin, into the hall.
As Shangguan Lin entered the grand hall, he respectfully paid his respects, "This subject greets Imperial Brother. May I know what business brings Imperial Brother to summon this subject to the palace so late at night?"
"Brother Lin, rise. Be seated," Shangguan Yao said.
Shangguan Lin sat down and looked up at the Emperor on the high seat. The Emperor, usually calm and domineering, showed a hint of worry in his brow and a frosty chill, clearly indicating something had happened.
"Imperial Brother?"
"Something happened tonight that has made me deeply uneasy, so I summoned you here late at night to discuss it."
Shangguan Yao's voice was low and distant, carrying a hidden murderous aura. Shangguan Lin didn't know what had caused his usually unflustered Imperial Brother to change his expression. He raised his eyebrows in curiosity and looked towards him.
"Defei said that the Empress is not foolish at all; she is pretending."
As soon as these words were spoken, they exploded like thunder in the hall. Shangguan Lin was instantly stunned, then burst into hearty laughter, shaking his head as he laughed.
"Nonsense! Everyone in Yan Capital knows the Empress has been a fool since childhood, how could she not be foolish? Why Defei Niangniang would do this, I believe Imperial Brother should know clearly."
As Shangguan Lin finished speaking, he stopped laughing and looked up at the Emperor on the head seat. The Emperor's handsome and charming features were etched with deep confusion, his pupils flickering with the wildness of a prairie fire.