“Go and see,” Nangong Yue turned her head and instructed Lüyī and Yuèhuán. The two maids responded and walked out.
Indeed, Yuèyǐ brought a large group of people to search for someone. Lüyī and Yuèhuán, knowing that their lady was not in the manor, were quite bold. They looked at Yuèyǐ with respectful yet righteous demeanor, neither humble nor overbearing, and asked, "May I ask what business you have visiting Nangong Manor so late at night, Master?"
"I am here on the Emperor's verbal decree to escort the Empress back to the palace," Yuèyǐ stated directly without beating around the bush. Lüyī's delicate eyebrows knitted together, and she replied with displeasure, "Master Yuèyǐ, this is very strange. Our lady just returned from the palace. Why are you looking for her here at Nangong Manor? Shouldn't the Empress be in the palace?"
"How audacious! A mere slave dares to be so insolent! Bring out your mistress immediately," Yuèyǐ extended the treasured sword in her hand, pressing it against Lüyī's neck. Lüyī's pretty face immediately flushed with anger. This Yuèyǐ was truly going too far, thinking she could act so arrogantly just because she was close to the Emperor. Lüyī glared at Yuèyǐ, "Master Yuèyǐ, please."
Yuèyǐ was about to reprimand the young maid when Nangong Yue emerged. She glanced at Lüyī and said, "Go and welcome Master Yuèyǐ in." After speaking, she cupped her fists and bowed to Yuèyǐ, casually saying, "Master Yuèyǐ, please."
Yuèyǐ retracted her sword and strode into Nangong Manor with Nangong Yue. Nangong Manor was a modest residence. Nangong Yue was merely a physician in the palace. Although deeply appreciated by the Emperor, her status was not high, and thus her manor was not as luxurious as those of princes and high officials. It could be seen through at a glance. The environment was elegant, with pavilions and towers, and everything that should be there was present, arranged in an orderly fashion. In the swirling mist, it had a unique artistic conception. Nangong Yue led Yuèyǐ into the flower hall. Yuèhuán brought tea, and the two maids retreated, leaving only Nangong Yue and Yuèyǐ talking in the flower hall. The two maids stood guard outside the tea hall.
Under the lamplight, Nangong Yue was breathtakingly beautiful. Her dark hair was casually draped over her shoulders. She wore a simple white robe, her skin as smooth as congealed fat, her face like a jade coronet, her eyebrows like precisely cut blades, and her eyes like stars. She was like an otherworldly immortal who had fallen to the mortal realm; even men could not help but stare in a daze.
However, Yuèyǐ, accustomed to such sights, only faltered for a moment before quickly regaining his composure. "Master Nangong, the Emperor knows that you have abducted the Empress. Perhaps this was not your idea, but the Empress's. The Empress wishes to leave the palace and asked for your help. Please allow the Empress to return with me."
Nangong Yue's eyes quickly dimmed. It seemed that all these people were intelligent, and each had guessed the other's intentions and moves. However, he and Fēng Xié had miscalculated. Liú Liú was by no means an ordinary person, so she would never allow herself to be manipulated by them.
"Please forgive me, Master Yuèyǐ. Nangong Yue does not understand the meaning of your words. How could the Empress be at Nangong Manor? Is Nangong Yue the type of person who tells lies?" Nangong Yue looked at Yuèyǐ frankly. Although Yuèyǐ knew Nangong Yue was not a despicable person, if he couldn't bring back the Empress tonight, no one would have an easy time.
"Nangong Yue, this is the Emperor's verbal decree. If you do not cooperate, I will have to search Nangong Manor."
Upon hearing Yuèyǐ's words, Nangong Yue's face turned cold and menacing, a clear, aloof smile blooming on his lips.
"I am not afraid of Master Yuèyǐ searching. If you do not search today, I would rather not be accused privately. At that time, you would have no way to explain even if you had mouths. Come!"
Nangong Yue called out from outside the front door. Lǜshuǐ and Yuèhuán both entered. Nangong Yue pointed at Yuèyǐ and instructed the two maids.
"Take Master Yuèyǐ down and search him, so that he doesn't spread rumors about Nangong Manor when he returns to the palace. We have clean hands and fear no shadow."
Yuèyǐ saw Nangong Yue acting as if he truly knew nothing and was stunned. But he had clearly seen the two young maids acting extremely nervous just moments ago. Why were they so composed now, as if he were the villain?
However, he couldn't afford to dwell on it. Finding the Empress was the most important thing.
As a result, Yuèyǐ led a large group of people and searched the Nangong Manor thoroughly but found no trace of the Empress. They almost dug up the ground three feet deep. Finally, he had to admit that the Nangong Manor had no sign of the Empress.
Unexpectedly, this was the outcome. Yuèyǐ's face was extremely grim. How would he explain this to the Emperor later? He probably imagined the Emperor still waiting for news in the Imperial Study. But if she wasn't there, she wasn't there. No amount of regret could change that.
Fēng Xié received the news and became enraged again. Lingering cold permeated the air, and he roared in the darkness. If Nangong Yue hadn't kidnapped Liú'er, then who could it be?
Fēng Xié's heart churned like oil being poured onto a fire, but he was helpless. He paced anxiously in the Imperial Study, sleepless throughout the night.
Meanwhile, after Liú Liú left Nangong Manor, she immediately washed off the birthmark on her face, revealing her originally stunning beauty. She then exchanged her attire for men's clothing. After a slight disguise, she transformed into a delicate and handsome young gentleman and blended into the bustling streets.
She had originally intended to head towards Yuèchéng, but she saw squadrons of iron cavalry patrolling the streets, making it impossible for her to leave the capital. She surmised that Fēng Xié had sent people to search for her everywhere.
Liú Liú pursed her lips and smiled triumphantly. Not to mention Fēng Xié, even her parents would not dare to recognize her if they met her face-to-face. Who would have thought that the ugly Empress of the present dynasty had become a refined and elegant young gentleman?
Since Fēng Xié and the others liked to make a fuss, let them fuss. Liú Liú stayed in an inn for the night with the remaining silver.
As the eastern sky began to whiten, a group of people rushed out of the city. The gatekeepers held portraits and checked each person one by one. Anyone with even a slight scar or birthmark on their face was scrutinized carefully.
When it was Liú Liú's turn, although those men were stunned by her appearance, they glanced at the portrait without even looking at it and waved her to pass quickly. How could such a handsome young gentleman be the same person as the one in the portrait?
After leaving the city, Liú Liú leaped onto her horse and rode directly towards Shílǐ Pō.
The mountain leaves were desolate, and the branches and leaves were withered. The wind blew fallen leaves everywhere, tumbling about. Wisps of smoke rose from the nunnery on Shílǐ Pō, indicating that the nuns practicing morning lessons had already risen.
Liú Liú quickly rode her horse up the mountain. She wanted to bid farewell to her master. Who knew when they would meet again after this departure? She hoped that her master and the others would no longer think of revenge. These people entering the palace for revenge would only lead to death.
The morning wind was very cold, the chill was biting, and it lingered over the mountains. The white frost that clung to the withered leaves seemed like a layer of white silk, covering the ground and exuding the residual beauty of autumn. Liú Liú tied her horse to a large tree and walked up the mountain empty-handed.
A young nun from the nunnery happened to open the gate. Upon seeing a handsome young gentleman standing at the entrance, she immediately moved to close the gate. Liú Liú quickly stepped forward and braced the door: "I am looking for Master Mínghuì. It is urgent. Please help me, little master."
The young nun was neither able to let her in nor refuse her. The two stood stiffly at the nunnery entrance, one wanting to enter, the other blocking. Fortunately, Master Mínghuì had risen early. Seeing the young nun standing at the gate without leaving, she said faintly, "Why aren't you cleaning?"
Upon hearing Master Mínghuì's voice, Liú Liú called out coldly, "Master, it's me."
When Master Mínghuì heard it was Liú Liú's voice, she was surprised and quickly walked out. Seeing Liú Liú at the nunnery entrance, she was stunned and remained unresponsive for a long time. Tears of emotion welled up in her eyes. She quickly rushed forward and grabbed Liú Liú's hand, examining her from head to toe.
After a long while, she pulled her into the nunnery and led her directly into her rear room, seating her by the bed. She held her hand tightly, and tears finally streamed down.
"Liú'er, what happened to your face? Has your Cold-Hearted Pill been neutralized?" Her choked and concerned voice was unmistakable. Liú Liú's face flushed slightly upon hearing her master's words.
When Mínghuì thought that the Emperor might have neutralized Liú Liú's Cold-Hearted Pill, a look of pain flashed in her eyes, and she remained silent for a long time. Liú Liú squeezed her master's hand and said softly.