"Very well, come back later. Once Mother is rested, we shall begin the feast."
Murong Ruoyin offered a rare, gentle smile, her eyes revealing a churning undercurrent. Chu Yuyan and Ximen Xinyue curtsied and withdrew.
In the great hall, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang immediately grew restless. They had already been filled with trepidation at the Empress Dowager's invitation to a banquet.
Now that the Empress Dowager was tired and needed to rest, and the feast was postponed, with the Imperial Concubine and Miss Xinyue gone, it was awkward for them to be left alone with the princess.
Therefore, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang stood and curtsied.
"Qingzhu and Qingxiang would not dare to trouble Your Highness. We shall return to the Chu Xiu Palace to await the Empress Dowager's awakening."
A fleeting trace of ferocity crossed Murong Ruoyin's radiant face, her lips curving into a gentle smile.
"How can that be? The Imperial Concubine and Miss Xinyue were unwell, which is why I permitted them to rest. You two should understand that at tonight's banquet, they are secondary. You are the main guests. Therefore, allow me to accompany you for a stroll outside. I believe Mother will awaken soon."
"This?" The sisters exchanged glances. Mu Qingxiang furrowed her brow, sensing something amiss, yet unable to pinpoint the issue.
Ah, it was the princess's demeanor. The princess had always been arrogant and impolite, yet now she was unexpectedly gentle and courteous. It was exceedingly strange. However, since she had spoken, they had no reason to disobey. If they truly angered her, they would likely suffer dire consequences.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
The two sisters rose, and Murong Ruoyin descended from her phoenix couch. The three, accompanied by their personal maids, exited the great hall.
The night was dark, with only a few stars visible in the distance. The darkness was eerie, filling their hearts with unease. A thin, hazy mist enveloped everything. Occasionally, a gust of wind rustled, sending shivers down their spines and causing cold sweat to break out.
What a night for a stroll! Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang grew increasingly uneasy. However, the group had already passed through the long corridor and was heading towards the back garden of Guangyang Palace.
Eunuchs held lanterns ahead, their flames flickering erratically, like ghostly spectral fires, casting an unspeakable creepiness.
Mu Qingxiang and Mu Qingzhu held hands tightly, trailing behind Princess Ruoyin, daring not to utter a word. They felt as though they were being watched in the darkness, sending chills down their spines and filling them with fear.
The autumn night was cool and thin, the dew heavy. Everyone appeared preoccupied.
Amidst the winding corridors and dense groves, it was pitch black. The group moved lightly, their figures illuminated by the lingering glow of the lanterns.
Princess Ruoyin's voice suddenly broke the silence. "I heard from Mother that you two intend to leave the palace?"
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang were somewhat flattered. The princess seemed to be in a good mood tonight. They had seen her several times since arriving, but tonight was the first she had spoken so amiably.
"Yes, we miss our parents dearly. Furthermore, His Majesty does not favor us at all, so we plan to leave the palace. We will report to Her Highness the Empress tomorrow."
Mu Qingxiang replied gently. In truth, they had come to a realization: if the Emperor did not like them, what reason did they have to stay?
With the Empress Dowager and the Empress at odds, if they remained, they would likely become targets, and their lives would be in danger.
"Hmm, it must have been difficult for you," Princess Ruoyin sighed. Suddenly, footsteps echoed from afar and soon reached them. It was a young eunuch, who spoke in alarm, "Your Highness, bad news! The rear hall of Jiuhua Palace is on fire!"
"What? Such a thing has happened! You useless servants, how dare you cause me such great trouble!" Princess Ruoyin roared, kicking the young eunuch. Without further regard for Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang, she turned and commanded her personal maid, Jin Qin, "Accompany me back immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness," Jin Qin led two young eunuchs, accompanying the furious princess as she departed the rear garden.
In an instant, only a few people remained in the garden: the two Mu sisters, two young maids, and two eunuchs holding lanterns.
The wind picked up, making the lanterns sway. The group huddled together fearfully. The two young eunuchs' voices trembled, "What should we do? Let's go back too."
"Alright," Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang were eager to return. They no longer dared to stroll. If not for the princess's suggestion earlier, they would not have wanted to come out for a walk. Without moonlight, even the stars were few and far between. Walking in the darkness was unbearable.
Upon receiving their assent, the eunuchs quickly turned and hurried back.
Just then, the air turned suddenly cold. A strange, fierce wind blew past, and a strong, dark shadow flashed by. Before anyone could react to what had happened, one person was abducted. The rest stared at the sudden events, dumbfounded. In the blink of an eye, everyone was gone. The few who regained their senses suspected they had merely hallucinated.
But Mu Qingxiang was gone.
Mu Qingzhu immediately cried out in alarm, followed by the sobs of the young maids. The eunuchs also cried out, "Bad! Bad! Miss Mu is missing! Someone, help!"
In the silent night, the cries drifted, sometimes near, sometimes far, and soon the entire Guangyang Palace was alerted.
The Empress Dowager arrived, leading a large group of eunuchs and palace maids. Upon hearing the account from Mu Qingzhu and the two maids, her expression immediately turned cold, and she issued an order.
"Everyone search thoroughly in all directions. I believe she hasn't gone far. I never expected anyone to dare abduct someone within Guangyang Palace. How audacious!"
Immediately, eunuchs and palace maids dispersed, and Guangyang Palace was ablaze with lights.
Behind large, jagged rocks folded into a stylized rockery, lay a small cave. Within the cave, leaning against the rock wall, were two figures: a tall, sturdy masked man in black, and the abducted Mu Qingxiang.
Now, large beads of sweat trickled down her delicate face, her eyes filled with terror, her lips trembling, and her teeth chattering.
What did this man intend to do? She wanted to shout, to scream, but she was helpless. The man had sealed her pressure points, rendering her body immobile and her voice silent.
What would happen next? No, Mu Qingxiang pleaded with her eyes, hoping he possessed a shred of conscience and would not ruin her purity.
Alas, the man seemed not to see her plea, or perhaps he saw it but ignored it. Although his face was masked, she could sense a smile of pleasure on his face. His hot breath sprayed onto her face, carrying a burning sensation. Without a word, he reached out. With a rustle, Mu Qingxiang felt a chill as her long skirt was torn.
She desperately tried to shake her head, but she could do nothing. Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes. In despair, she wished she could bite her tongue and end it all.
But at this moment, she could not even do that. She endured as the man's devilish claws roamed her body, wantonly teasing her.