But this woman seemed to see Murong for the first time, her eyes filled with unadulterated shock, greedily staring at the person in the study.
A slight flush appeared on her charming face due to excitement. Yun Xiao watched the woman's expression and felt a pang of displeasure, as if her own possessions were being coveted by someone else.
As Yun Xiao was thinking, Murong Chong's cold voice rang out, "Someone, escort the Eldest Young Lady back to her room to rest."
"Yes."
Mo Ruyan responded and walked over, her charming and gentle eyes fixed on the man at the head of the table. He was truly a man of unparalleled beauty.
She had not expected her master to be so handsome, capable of making one lose their senses with just one glance. She knew then that he was different.
It was at this moment that everyone else noticed the presence of another person in the room.
This woman was quite attractive, but her affectionate gaze revealed her intentions at a glance. One couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Yun Mo, in particular, looked at his daughter and thought that with this man being so outstanding, Xiao'er would have trouble in the future.
Murong Chong, surprised by Mo Ruyan's appearance at Cloud Water Villa, couldn't help but coldly inquire, "What are you doing here?"
"Reporting to the Palace Master, this subordinate is escorting the Eldest Young Lady back."
In truth, she had received news that the Palace Master was at Cloud Water Villa, so she had set a trap to frame the Eldest Young Lady and then ordered her to escort her back.
Not only had she successfully seen the Palace Master, but she had also seen his true appearance. He was truly a man rarely seen in the world. She had known long ago that he was no ordinary person.
"Send her back."
Murong Chong narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing within them, cold as a serpent's gaze. Mo Ruyan was so startled that she didn't dare to utter a word and walked up to Murong Yingxue.
"Eldest Young Lady, let's go back."
"Mm," Murong Yingxue, seeing her brother Murong angry, dared not say anything more and followed Mo Ruyan out.
As they passed by Yun Xiao, both women looked up simultaneously, their pupils flashing with disbelief. How could this woman be at Cloud Water Villa?
Mo Ruyan shot Yun Xiao a cold glare, while Murong Yingxue pointed directly at Yun Xiao's nose and asked.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
"Yun Xiao, why can't I be here?" Yun Xiao replied with a graceful and unhurried demeanor.
Hearing her words, Murong Yingxue jumped up in anger, "This is my home! I hate you, get out of Cloud Water Villa immediately!"
Yun Xiao's expression faltered, and she met the woman's gaze coldly.
Just as she was about to speak, the man sitting behind the desk suddenly changed his expression. His narrow eyebrows rose, and his dark eyes, deep and unfathomable like a millennia-old frozen abyss, flashed as he moved.
All that could be heard was a loud 'smack' from the study. Before everyone could even see what had happened, Murong Yingxue had already received a slap. Five bright red finger marks appeared on her cheek, indicating that Murong Chong had struck her with considerable force.
Murong Yingxue was stunned by the blow and only recovered after a long moment. She let out a loud cry and then ran out without looking back.
"Brother Murong, you're bullying me! I'm going to tell Father! You promised him you'd protect me forever, and yet you hit me!"
Murong Yingxue ran out, and a fleeting cold glint flashed in Mo Ruyan's eyes behind her. She followed closely after her.
Silence fell upon the room. Yun Xiao reached up and rubbed her temples. She had never anticipated such a situation. It seemed she needed to leave Cloud Water Villa as soon as possible. Otherwise, dealing with such a spoiled and willful young lady would exhaust her to death.
"Xiao'er."
Murong Chong's deep voice held a suppressed tension. Yun Xiao knew what he was thinking and waved her hand.
"Alright, let's focus on the main business. Let's finish all the tasks quickly and leave. I can't stand being here any longer."
Everyone shared this sentiment. Being with this Eldest Miss Murong in the future would be unbearable. It was better to finish the business and leave early.
Murong Chong said nothing more, but cast a deep look at Yun Xiao before signaling everyone to sit down. He then ordered Zhui Feng to close the door and not allow anyone to approach.
"I want to reclaim the throne as soon as possible. The Tiger Tally is now in my hands."
As soon as Murong Chong spoke, Yun Mo and Si Men Qingyun nodded in agreement. The thought of a fake emperor sitting on the throne, acting all high and mighty, made them feel stifled, wishing they could have the man dethroned by tomorrow.
"However, there is still one matter that the Crown Prince has not handled properly."
Yun Mo reminded Murong Chong, and Sima Qingyun on the side also nodded, emphasizing the importance of this matter.
"Crown Prince, although you have the Tiger Tally, you have not yet obtained the Dragon Tally. The Dragon Tally can mobilize the capital's garrison and the imperial guards protecting the capital, numbering about a hundred thousand. If you do not obtain the Dragon Tally, there is a risk of future troubles if someone incites rebellion."
Sima Qingyun spoke gravely.
If Shangguan Yao escaped with the Dragon Tally and used its power to mobilize the hundred thousand imperial guards to turn against them, even with the Tiger Tally, it would only lead to mutual slaughter. Therefore, it was imperative to obtain the Dragon Tally.
"Dragon Tally?"
Murong Chong frowned. He had indeed considered taking that man's Dragon Tally.
However, after extensive investigation, he learned that the Dragon Tally was carried by Shangguan Yao personally, worn as a jade pendant on his waist, and ordinary people could not get close to him. This was why he had abandoned the idea.
He had initially believed that possessing the Tiger Tally and an army of hundreds of thousands would be enough to contend with Shangguan Yao. Even if Shangguan Yao had the Dragon Tally, it would be useless. He had forgotten the most practical reason.
If Shangguan Yao lost the throne, he would inevitably become like a stray dog, driven to madness, and would turn his blade against all the citizens of Yan Jing. Their sins would then be grave.
"But Shangguan Yao carries that Dragon Tally with him. His martial arts are not weak, and he is inherently suspicious. Ordinary people cannot get close to him, making the Dragon Tally impossible to obtain. Must we wait indefinitely?"
Waiting was also not a solution. To prevent the Ye family from having further suspicions, they should reclaim the throne as soon as possible.
Silence descended upon the study, and everyone fell into a contemplative mood, unsure of how to resolve the current predicament. Even the wise and astute Murong Chong could not think of a way to acquire the Dragon Tally at that moment.
"I'll go."
A sudden, soft voice broke the silence. Yun Xiao spoke coldly. Since she had promised to help Murong, she would not shirk her responsibility.
She was the only one who could approach Shangguan Yao, so obtaining the Dragon Tally was not impossible. However, another task would need to be undertaken to deceive the heavens and cross the sea.
But as soon as Yun Xiao spoke, everyone rejected her proposal outright.
"No, that's too dangerous."
Murong, in particular, had a grim expression, and a chilling aura emanated from him. His eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a boundless sea.
"Xiao'er, you are not allowed to get involved in this. We will find a way ourselves."
As soon as Murong Chong finished speaking, Yun Mo and Yun Zhen nodded in agreement. Even Shangguan Lin did not approve of her taking such a risk.
Did he not know what kind of person the emperor was? He was simply a wolf. How could they send Yun Xiao to risk her life? If that man sensed anything, she would likely meet a fate worse than death.