"Yes."
Zhui Feng responded, his duty to save his master unquestionable.
"Alright, that's settled. Go change your clothes and head down the mountain immediately."
Yun Xiao glanced at Yi Yuxuan and Zhui Feng. Both were injured, and their clothes bore bloodstains, which would cause trouble if seen by others.
Yi Yuxuan and Zhui Feng accepted the order and went to change. Yun Xiao bid farewell to her father and Chancellor Sima, leaving Wanwan behind. This trip into the palace was fraught with danger. While she could escape alone, Wanwan could not, which would be problematic. Wanwan's eyes were red with worry for her.
"Master, you must take care."
"Mm, don't worry, I will return safely. And Murong, we will definitely win."
Yun Xiao nodded firmly. Yun Mo and Sima Qingyun behind her felt a heavy weight in their hearts. Victory had seemed assured, but then this incident occurred. All they could do was wait.
Yun Xiao led her retinue on a relentless journey, arriving at the capital two days later.
They split into two groups at the city gates. She, still in the disguise of Leng Yue, headed towards the imperial palace.
Liu Xing, Zhui Yue, Zhui Feng, and the others remained hidden, forbidden to appear without her command.
The carriage stopped at the outer palace gate as before. The moment Yun Xiao appeared, the guards automatically dispatched someone to report her arrival.
In the study of Jingfu Palace, Shangguan Yao, upon hearing Xiao Ting Zi's report, thought his ears had betrayed him. He asked twice: "You say who has entered the palace?"
"Reporting to His Majesty, it is Prince Leng Yue who has entered the palace."
"She actually dares to come."
Shangguan Yao finally confirmed that it was indeed that person who had entered the palace. He knew very well why she was here. His expression suddenly turned exceptionally cold. He hadn't even settled accounts with her yet.
This Jade Dragon Talisman was stolen by her, and now she dared to show up. Very good, very good. Did she think he wouldn't dare to kill her?
"Your Majesty?"
Xiao Ting Zi awaited the Emperor's command, whether to announce her or not. The Emperor seemed different from before, his expression as grim as a sky about to rain, with a look of teeth-grinding ferocity, as if he wished to kill Leng Yue.
He wondered what Prince Leng Yue had done to incur his wrath.
"Announce her in immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao Ting Zi breathed a sigh of relief and retreated. He found himself increasingly unable to understand the Emperor recently; His Majesty seemed more and more unfathomable.
Yun Xiao entered the palace in a carriage, following Xiao Ting Zi into Jingfu Palace.
Shangguan Yao was already seated on the dragon throne with imposing majesty, clad in a purple-gold dragon robe, his sleeves rolled up to the elbows, adorned with white jade beads on his chest. His black hair was tied high, crowned with a small golden coronet.
The purple and gold accentuated his regal presence. His handsome face, however, was veiled with a chilling coldness. He stared grimly at the person ascending the hall, remaining silent for a long time.
The two, one above and one below, remained locked in a stalemate.
The grand hall was deathly silent...
Suddenly, Shangguan Yao moved. His figure flashed like a great roc, swooping down from his throne, swift as a shooting star. He leaped to Yun Xiao's side, his five fingers forming hooks, aiming directly for her throat.
Yun Xiao's face was cold and fierce. She retreated, dodging his grasp. Silver needles blazed in her hand, pointing directly at Shangguan Yao's vital acupoints. Shangguan Yao's hand was at her throat, and both stared at each other with fierce intensity.
Yun Xiao chuckled softly, her gaze bloodthirsty and fatal: "Come, Shangguan Yao, let's see. Are your hands faster, or are my silver needles faster?"
Her dark eyes were more alluring than ever before, like a demon come for revenge.
"Why are you willing to die for him? If you are willing to follow me, hand over the Jade Dragon Talisman, and I will give you anything you desire."
Shangguan Yao's pupils were deep, his voice low as he spoke each word. Yun Xiao glanced at him with mockery.
"I am here only to see him. If you can release him, I will give you the Jade Dragon Talisman."
Now, as long as she could confirm Murong's location and that he was indeed within Jingfu Palace, she was not afraid. As for herself, she believed this man wouldn't kill her anytime soon, and besides, she might not let him have his way.
"You?"
"This is a worthwhile trade. One Murong is worth a hundred thousand soldiers."
Yun Xiao's arrogant demeanor, looking down on all beings, made her words impossible to dismiss.
Shangguan Yao's eyes flickered, his expression slightly darkening. If Murong Chong were truly in his hands, he would definitely trade with her, because a hundred thousand soldiers were certainly worth more than one person. He just needed to release him first, and then recapture him?
However, the person was not in his hands. But he couldn't let the person before him see that. He could only resort to a delaying tactic: "Alright."
"Take me to see him," Yun Xiao said sternly.
"There is no need to be so impatient. I will let you see him."
Shangguan Yao abruptly withdrew his hand, and Yun Xiao slowly retracted her silver needles. A hidden, sly smile flickered in her eyes. She stood steady in the grand hall, watching the man turn and walk back towards his throne. She would not let him off, Shangguan Yao.
How dare you capture Murong? I will let you know the consequences of provoking me. As long as I rescue him, I will make your life worse than death.
Yun Xiao's pupils flared with bloodlust as she glared sinisterly at the man above.
"You go and wait. I will send someone to bring you to see him."
"You'd better not play any tricks, or don't blame me for washing this palace with blood. You know I can do anything. Moreover, the Shangguan family isn't just Murong; there's also Shangguan Lin. If anything happens to me, you can expect to fall from your high seat."
In the grand hall, it was quiet. The sound of grinding teeth could be heard clearly. A chilling aura enveloped the space as Shangguan Yao, his face dark and grim, glared at Leng Yue standing below, breathing heavily.
"You?"
Yun Xiao lowered her head, no longer looking at him, and gracefully straightened her clothes.
Xiao Ting Zi, standing to the side, watched the scene with trepidation, unable to understand why the Emperor was at odds with Prince Leng Yue.
Furthermore, he didn't understand a single word of their conversation. Although he didn't understand, he could tell that these were crucial matters of state, and a single mistake could cost him his head.
At this moment, a young eunuch entered through the hall doors and knelt cautiously, reporting from the ground: "Your Majesty, the imperial physicians from Jiaofang Palace have arrived."
"Announce them."
Shangguan Yao regained his composure and turned to look at Yun Xiao, who was standing in the hall. He commanded sternly: "Xiao Ting Zi, escort Prince Leng Yue to Qingfeng Pavilion to wait. I have matters to attend to and will arrange this later."
Yun Xiao remained noncommittal. She would give him time to consider. She followed Xiao Ting Zi out.
At this moment, the imperial physicians, attended by palace maids from Jiaofang Palace, walked in and passed by the two of them. Yun Xiao glanced up and easily saw the imperial physician's face flushed with joy and beaming with a smile.
It seemed like good news. What kind of joyous event could occur in a consort's palace?