"From now on, you are only allowed to stay by my side. Don't wander off, you always get into trouble when you leave."
Although it sounded like a complaint, she found the words sweet and comforting, her heart warming as she nodded vigorously, "Mm, okay."
As for what would happen in the future, they could deal with it then.
However, as soon as she entertained such a thought, a cold, piercing gaze shot down from above.
"Don't get any strange ideas."
"I know, Mu Rong," Yun Xiao was utterly speechless. This man was like a worm in her stomach; how was it that he knew her every thought the moment it occurred?
Yun Xiao thought dejectedly. Mu Rong Chong pursed his lips into a smile, his features instantly becoming picturesque. He was as radiant as freshly fallen snow, his skin like cold jade, and his lips were glistening and moist.
Such peerless beauty made even women sigh in admiration, yet he possessed not a hint of feminine affectation. Instead, a cold, aloof demeanor enveloped him, marked by an innate dominance.
A casual glance from his black eyes carried a bloodthirsty, stern ferocity that could captivate the soul, daring no one to speak excessively.
But when he lowered his head, a different charm emerged. His face was bathed in soft light, his dark eyes shimmering like pools of water, and a clear, faint smile graced his lips, making one momentarily lost, as if catching the faint fragrance of blooming flowers.
Like wine, like a song.
"Mu Rong is truly a captivating demon."
Yun Xiao smiled, reaching out to touch his face. Such an exceptional man, and he loved her so deeply. It made her feel as if this were all a dream.
"I wonder who is the more captivating one," Mu Rong murmured with a low laugh, the carriage filled with a soft, intoxicating haze.
When he had received the news earlier, he had been with Ye Wu Yun and Yan Yu. Upon hearing that this girl was in danger, those two men had unhesitatingly accompanied him.
Thinking of those two, one so cold and aloof, the other so arrogant and untamable, both equally outstanding men, yet they had rushed to her side without a second thought when they heard she was in danger. Their wounds hadn't even healed yet.
It was clear how charming their Xiao'er was. Mu Rong marveled, and this only deepened his resolve. From this moment on, he would guard her tightly and stay by her side.
He would leave no room for others; this had been his way of life for a long time.
The two spoke in hushed tones as the carriage sped towards the capital.
Due to her concern for Yun Mo's condition, Yun Xiao insisted on pushing forward without rest. Fortunately, Mu Rong's meticulous care along the way ensured that Yun Xiao's injuries healed remarkably quickly, not worsening despite the continuous travel.
Two days later, they arrived at a manor on the outskirts of the capital and ascended the winding, serpentine mountain road.
Many had gathered at the entrance, and news of Yun Xiao and Mu Rong Chong's arrival reached them.
Mu Qing and Mu Bai had awakened and confirmed that Prince Yun had indeed been captured by those people. It had happened without any warning, and the three of them had been apprehended by surprise.
Although many had prepared to rescue them, the Prince had stopped them. If the two factions clashed, it would create an opening for the Xiliang army.
They would surely seize the opportunity to infiltrate. Before he was captured, his only request was to keep his capture a secret, ensuring that the Xiliang army remained unaware of the matter.
Because of his request, the operation had been kept strictly confidential, and no one knew that the Prince had been captured.
The news that Liu Xing received was secretly sent by someone he maintained regular contact with within Fengya Pass; otherwise, everyone would still be in the dark.
In the manor's grand hall, Mu Rong Chong and Yun Xiao sat at the head, while Yun Zhen, Shangguan Lin, Ye Wu Yun, and the Northern Crown Prince Yan Yu, along with the Divine Dragon Palace's Protector Lue Hua and Protector Luori, were seated on either side below.
When the mask of Protector Luori was removed, Yun Xiao realized that this person was the elderly man she had rescued at the inn. She hadn't expected him to be a member of the Divine Dragon Palace.
No wonder Mu Rong could so easily impersonate him to enter the palace. She wondered why he had been in such a sorry state back then.
However, Yun Xiao was too lazy to inquire about past matters; the priority now was to rescue her father.
Mu Rong Chong was shrouded in a cold aura, his deep pupils, illuminated by the silver mask, appearing even darker, like magnets in a deep pool, drawing anyone who glanced at them in.
His gaze swept across the room, and his deep voice resonated.
Cold and piercing.
"Since the person has fallen into their hands, we must launch a prison break. No one is to act rashly until the plan is fully developed."
Mu Rong Chong's words were directed at Yun Zhen. After speaking, he glanced sideways. This time, Yun Zhen remained silent. After these few days, he seemed to have settled considerably, retaining his former calm and serene demeanor, listening motionlessly.
The rest of the group naturally had no objections to his words.
"Young Master Ye and Young Master Yan should focus on recovering from your injuries."
Within the manor, Mu Rong Chong did not reveal Yan Yu's identity, referring to him only as "Young Master."
Ye Wu Yun and Yan Yu nodded slightly. At this juncture, unity was paramount. Acting rashly would jeopardize the mission, a fact any sensible person would understand, thus they did not object.
Mu Rong Chong then looked at Yun Zhen and Shangguan Lin at the side.
"You two go and gather information. Remember, under no circumstances are you to reveal your identities."
Yun Zhen and Shangguan Lin nodded calmly in acknowledgment. Shangguan Lin, however, was worried about Yun Mo and spoke slowly, "Where do you think Prince Shangguan will be imprisoned?"
Yun Xiao thought for a moment. There were only two possible locations.
"I believe, one, it might be the Ministry of Justice's prison. Such cases must be jointly reviewed by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Punishments. Two, it might be the Ministry of War, or within the Ministry of Punishments, as these places are heavily guarded."
"Mm, Xiao'er is right. It's highly likely to be one of these three places. Therefore, we will focus our investigation on these three locations. I and Xiao'er will go to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice. You two will investigate the Ministry of Punishments. If there are serious offenders, manpower will undoubtedly be increased."
"Yes."
Yun Zhen's eyes were deep. He seemed to understand Mu Rong even more profoundly. Who was this person, always masked, acting so shrewdly and intelligently, with an unwavering grasp of the overall strategy? He possessed the aura of an emperor and the composure of a seasoned general.
Shangguan Lin and Yun Zhen received their orders and swiftly departed with their men.
Mu Rong Chong instructed the others to rest or attend to their injuries and then dismissed them.
Yun Xiao then instructed her mother-in-law and Jing Yun to return to the restaurant, lest Mo Chen become uneasy and make mistakes, revealing any clues. The two acknowledged and were escorted away.
Mu Rong Chong and Yun Xiao, with a few subordinates, prepared to head to the capital to investigate Yun Mo's whereabouts.
Once his exact location was confirmed, they would proceed with the prison break. As they prepared to leave the mountain manor, Yun Xiao went to see Wanwan. Wanwan had already recovered considerably and became visibly emotional upon seeing her.
"Master, are you alright?"
Yun Xiao shook her head, reaching out to stroke Wanwan's head. At that moment, she had been truly terrified that Wanwan might suffer any harm.
In her heart, Wanwan was like a sister to her. She did not wish for even the slightest mishap to befall her; she was still looking forward to marrying her off.