She slept for a full half-day, only waking in the late afternoon. The setting sun painted the entire courtyard with a rosy glow, casting a halo on the green bamboos that swayed gently by the gate. Their fresh fragrance perfumed the air.
It was the ninth day of the lunar month. The crescent moon, like a hooked bow, hung in the sky, shedding a soft light that seemed to be veiled by a thin silk, elegant and graceful.
Mu Qingyao sipped the chilled plum tea sent by Mu Qingzhu via a young maid. It was cool and refreshing. She also ate two pastries, delicate and delicious. She hadn't expected the second young lady's culinary skills to be so good. It seemed they weren't entirely useless. If only they hadn't insisted on entering the palace, perhaps they could have found happiness in ordinary marriages.
After dinner, Mo Chou and Mei Xin accompanied their young lady for a stroll in the garden.
The Mu family was indeed a wealthy and noble one. Their mansion boasted numerous courtyards, separated by small gardens. Blue flagstone paths wound through the grounds, arranged in a crisscrossing pattern.
Viewed as a whole, it formed a semicircle with a large garden in the center. The garden was a riot of color, with various flowers blooming profusely, their fragrance filling the air with the slightest breeze, enveloping the entire back courtyard of the Mu mansion in a sweet scent.
Beside the garden were rockeries, fountains, and a small fish pond teeming with beautiful koi carp, their heads and tails swishing as they played, creating a lively scene.
Mu Qingyao wandered to the edge of the fish pond and sprinkled some bait for the fish, amusing herself for a while.
Mei Xin and Mo Chou followed closely behind her, fearful of any mishap to their young lady. So many things had happened recently; they had to be extra careful.
Today was the ninth day of the seventh month. In six days, it would be the wedding day. The vast back courtyard was adorned with red lanterns everywhere, and colorful streamers hung from the corridors. All of this served as a reminder that in a few more days, she would enter the palace.
What unknown future awaited her?
Mu Qingyao leaned on the white jade railing, lost in thought, when she heard footsteps behind her. It was Uncle Zhong, leading a few servants who stood respectfully at a distance.
"Young Lady, the Master wishes to see Mo Chou."
"See Mo Chou?" Mu Qingyao raised an eyebrow and waved dismissively, "Mo Chou, go see what the Master wants you for."
"Yes, Young Lady," Mo Chou replied after a moment's hesitation, and followed the steward towards the central courtyard. Not far from the central courtyard was the Master's main residence.
In the garden, Mei Xin looked curiously at the spot where Mo Chou had disappeared and murmured, "Young Lady, why would the Master want to see Mo Chou at this time? He has never spoken to Mo Chou before."
Mu Qingyao's heart skipped a beat, a sense of unease creeping in. She looked up at the exceptionally clear moonlight, which seemed to carry a hint of mystery.
A strong conspiracy seemed to be brewing in the dark night. Could this be a diversion tactic? Was the Uncle Zhong from earlier a fake?
The thought sent a shiver down Mu Qingyao's spine. Her pupils suddenly glinted with killing intent, and a chill permeated her body. What was that person's motive? What did they want to do? Was it to harm Mo Chou? Or herself?
She cautiously scanned her surroundings. It felt as if a pair of sinister eyes were fixed on her from a corner. It seemed this person was targeting her.
Since Mo Chou was skilled in martial arts and might not be easily subdued, they had drawn her away. What was their plan then?
That person was incredibly capable to be able to impersonate Uncle Zhong. Their disguise skills were truly masterful.
Mei Xin sensed the change in her young lady and the disturbance in the night, as if a murderous intent lingered. Her body trembled, and her lips quivered.
"Young Lady, let's go back."
"Alright."
Mu Qingyao nodded and subtly took out the silver needles she carried with her, her hidden weapons for emergencies.
If the opponent was skilled, they might incapacitate her. In that case, she could only keep the silver needle in her mouth. It was the only part of her body that could move freely, and with proper exertion, she could strike with precision.
With this thought, Mu Qingyao feigned a yawn. The silver needle, as thin as a silver hair, slid into her mouth and lay hidden under her tongue. It was completely undetectable, and she had practiced to prepare for such unforeseen circumstances.
"Let's go."
The two of them ambled back to Qing Yuan, their shadows stretching long on the ground. Behind them, faint rustling sounds seemed to echo, striking a chord of unease in their hearts.
Thump, thump. Mei Xin's palms were slick with cold sweat. Even though she didn't know martial arts, she could feel the intense murderous intent, as if someone was following them.
Mo Chou had gone to the front courtyard. Now, it was just her and her young lady. Although her young lady knew martial arts, who knew how skilled the person lurking in the shadows was?
A gust of wind blew, and suddenly a dark cloud obscured the crescent moon. The surroundings turned pitch black, so dark that one couldn't see their hand in front of their face. Mei Xin let out a startled scream, turning to pull her young lady. But she felt a sharp pain at the back of her head, and then everything went black.
Mu Qingyao acted at the same instant.
But the attacker was too fast, like a fleeting phantom. With a palm strike, Mei Xin was knocked unconscious. The assailant instantly shifted behind Mu Qingyao. Despite her swift action, she was still a step behind. She felt her body go numb, losing all control, frozen in place.
At this moment, all she could do was glare fiercely at the person in black.
In a flash of lightning, countless thoughts raced through her mind. Was this man after her wealth or her person? As she pondered, her body suddenly moved. The person in black lifted her up, slung her over his shoulder, and walked towards the center of the flower garden.
Her body bounced up and down on the man's shoulder, churning her stomach. She felt extremely uncomfortable and wished she could bite through his neck.
But now was not the best time to strike. She had to make a decisive move, or she would be at his mercy.
The man was tall and slender, with a steady and powerful gait. His breath was contained and deep. Carrying a person on his shoulder, he moved as if she were weightless. In just a few steps, he crossed the path through the rockery and headed straight for the middle of the flower garden.
With a thud, he tossed Mu Qingyao into the flower garden like a sack of rags, crushing a trail of flower stems.
It was only then that Mu Qingyao understood his intentions. Shame and anger surged within her.
This man actually wanted to ruin her chastity! Why would he want to do that? He clearly didn't want her to enter the palace. Although it was a clever plan, her chastity, which she had protected from her past life to this one, was about to be ruined by a flower thief.
Vile creature! Her eyes fixed fiercely on the man. In the dark night, his entire being was shrouded in black.
Only a pair of bloodthirsty eyes were visible. They were almond-shaped, with distinct black and white, flashing with a fervent dark gleam, both enchanting and eerie.
He was now staring intently at Mu Qingyao, his usually contained aura becoming somewhat rapid.
Mu Qingyao furrowed her brows, mentally cursing his ancestors. Seeing the man's tall body approaching, she dared not be careless, her icy gaze fixed on his every move.
In the darkness, the clouds receded, and the moon reappeared, its brilliance suddenly dazzling. Mu Qingyao seized this crucial moment and spat out the silver needle from her mouth with all her might.