Yun Xiao's pupils were bloodthirsty and dark as she slowly stood up, speaking to the palace maids outside the door, "I wish to bathe."
"Yes, Young Master Leng."
The palace maids bowed and obeyed, leading the way and guiding Yun Xiao to the bathroom in Qingfeng Pavilion, where a large bathing tub stood.
At this moment, palace maids were pouring water into the tub; it seemed they were prepared. After filling it and adjusting the water temperature, they scattered some fragrant flower petals into it.
The bathroom was soon filled with mist and the scent of flowers.
Upon seeing the warm bathwater, Yun Xiao couldn't help but stretch. The activities of the night had left her body sticky with sweat on her clothes; only a soak would be comfortable.
Yun Xiao turned and waved her hand, "You may all leave."
"Yes," the two palace maids retreated, not daring to speak a word.
Yun Xiao whispered to the clear, cold command outside the window, "You guard outside and do not let anyone in."
Although no sound was made, she knew they had heard.
Since Wanwan was not present, she undressed herself, as well as the mask on her face.
This mask could not be soaked in mist for too long; it would wrinkle easily, making it appear unreal when worn. It had to be thoroughly dried before being worn, so she usually took it off when bathing.
The water in the tub was neither hot nor cold, steaming and quickly creating a layer of mist in the bathroom, also emitting a faint floral fragrance.
In the gentle mist, ink-black hair, like silk, floated on the flower petals. Her jade-like white skin, set against the dark hair, was like a handful of snow on Mount Tian, so crystal clear, sweet, delicate, and beautiful was her face, with a slight upturn of her lips.
Those faint, captivating dimples appeared, filling the room with allure.
As the steaming mist slowly dispersed, Yun Xiao's thoughts became incredibly clear.
What excuse could she use to go to Changxin Palace? If her guess was correct, Shangguan Yao would have also guessed. Murong was likely already being watched by people around Changxin Palace.
Yun Xiao closed her eyes, meditating.
Suddenly, sounds of fighting began to come from outside. Her expression instantly turned cold, her dark pupils radiating a piercing chill.
Who?
With a leap, water splashed from the bathing tub into the air. She, like a soaring mermaid, gracefully extended her jade-like tender arm, took the clothes from the screen, quickly put them on, but did not have time to tie her hair or put on her mask.
A figure leaped in through the window, and a handful of powder was thrown directly at her.
Since Yun Xiao transmigrated to ancient times, she had been dealing with all sorts of medicinal herbs and ingredients. She could be said to be knowledgeable about poisons.
Therefore, the moment this person made a move, she knew it was an aphrodisiac. She stepped back and stood firm, having already inhaled some of the aphrodisiac.
She leaned against the wall, watching the person who had entered through the window. At this moment, their face was filled with coldness, and disbelief flashed in their pupils. They stood stiffly on the other side of the bathing tub.
Without waiting for him to react, Yun Xiao exerted force with her feet. Her Sixteen Steps of Swift Movement were as fast as shooting stars, as graceful as a pink butterfly, sliding across the ground. With a flash of silver light, she fiercely stabbed towards the opponent's acupoints.
Immediately after, she fed him a pill. In a flash, as the person raised their hand to strike, she actually dodged, like a white pink butterfly floating past, and with a cold gleam, stopped their attack.
The person opposite suddenly crouched down, coughing desperately, trying to expel the pill she had forced into him, but to no avail.
The pill had already gone down his throat, filling his mouth with a pungent taste.
He pointed at Yun Xiao in horror, "What did you give me?"
This night attacker was Shangguan Yao. Unable to find Murong Chong's whereabouts and unwilling to lose the Jade Dragon Talisman, he had prepared an aphrodisiac to sneak attack Leng Yue.
He intended to steal back the Jade Dragon Talisman as he had before, but he hadn't expected the aphrodisiac to have no effect on this person. Not only that, but he also ended up being pricked by her and forced to swallow a pill.
"An eye for an eye has always been my specialty. What you've taken is a cultivation-dissolving pill, which I made myself. Combined with the acupoints I targeted, I believe your internal energy will be completely lost if you try to use it."
As Yun Xiao finished speaking, Shangguan Yao stumbled back in horror, his face ashen.
A martial artist who lost their internal energy was equivalent to being crippled, lacking even a shred of security. She hadn't expected this woman to be so ruthless.
His only gain from coming here tonight was seeing her true appearance. He realized this person was not a man at all, but a woman.
Not only was she a woman, but she was also his foolish empress, the daughter of the Yun King's Mansion.
It was truly ironic. The fool everyone disdained was not only extremely intelligent but also talented. She had deceived everyone in the world; it turned out she had been plotting against him from the very beginning.
Shangguan Yao's pupils darkened, becoming unfathomably deep. His thoughts were unreadable, but amidst his paleness, a triumphant smile bloomed, "So it's the Empress. This is truly unexpected."
Yun Xiao retreated slightly, her head feeling a little dizzy. The fighting outside was still ongoing. If this continued, her aphrodisiac might take effect.
This man might do anything. Maintaining a calm facade, she moved her hand, and a silver needle fiercely pierced her own thigh. The pain made her much more sober, and she spoke with a cold, stern face.
"Order your subordinates to stop. If you hurt my people again, believe it or not, I will take your life immediately."
She spoke fiercely, her eyes bloodthirsty, her face covered in frost. Shangguan Yao didn't doubt her. He commanded from outside the morning court, "Stop."
The sounds of fighting outside indeed ceased. Yun Xiao raised her head and smiled faintly, "Your Majesty should return now; I need to get dressed."
"The antidote?"
Shangguan Yao exclaimed. He hadn't expected Leng Yue to be Yun Xiao, the fool from Yun King's Mansion. Now he had to figure out how to deal with her, preferably to obtain the Jade Dragon Talisman. This woman was his empress. If she were willing? Shangguan Yao's thoughts stirred.
Unfortunately, Yun Xiao ignored him, her expression growing colder as she spoke menacingly.
"Do you want me to administer another needle? If there's another one, I believe you'll bleed from all seven orifices. Otherwise, get out. Don't expect the antidote and the Jade Dragon Talisman until you find Murong."
Yun Xiao roared. She was using this outburst to stay awake, as her head was becoming groggy again.
Although she knew how to make and neutralize poisons, each person's poison formula and ingredients were different. Therefore, not all antidotes were effective.
She couldn't let Shangguan Yao see this, which was why she roared.
Shangguan Yao saw the sweat on her face, her bloodthirsty eyes, and her furious intensity. Unaware of her urgency to prevent him from realizing she had been drugged, he truly believed she was enraged. With a shift of his feet, he flashed outside, disappearing through the window to avoid being seen.
Yun Xiao, inside, breathed a sigh of relief, supported herself against the screen, fumbled to put on her clothes, and called out, "Liu Xing."
Liu Xing appeared swiftly, just in time to see his master softly collapsing by the screen. His face changed greatly, and he rushed over, catching Yun Xiao's body. He heard her mumble groggily, "I've been drugged. Take me to the sleeping quarters immediately, and remember to guard me well."
"Yes."
Liu Xing immediately picked up Yun Xiao and flashed out through the window, taking Yun Xiao to the sleeping quarters of Qingfeng Pavilion and settling her down.
However, he understood one thing: his master had resumed her female identity, and that despicable, shameless, insidious, cunning, universally detested, dog-hated Shangguan Yao knew his master was a woman and had likely recognized her.