Mo You stood aside and reminded her elated master, "Miss, it's time to go."
Ming Yue's expression soured, and he grumbled ominously, "Master won't give that Phoenix Tail Zither to you, will he? That's too much, I don't agree."
Qing Yao cast a sideways glance at him, a sinister smile curling at her lips. "Do I need your agreement, or are you just jealous? Because Gongzi is too good to me, you've been jealous all along, you little brat." xxs1
As soon as Qing Yao finished speaking, Ming Yue shrieked.
"Who are you calling a little brat? Who are you calling a little brat? I'm a grown man!"
His body chased closely after the two figures ahead, darting out of the peach blossom forest. On the swamp, a different formation had been set up, but it was not in the shape of the Eight Trigrams. Qing Yao had no idea how to navigate this sudden formation, and Ming Yue beside her began to laugh triumphantly.
"How about that? Still calling me a little brat? You don't know how to proceed, do you? Apologize to me immediately, and I'll lead you out of the valley."
Qing Yao felt both exasperated and amused. Ming Yue was clearly childish at heart, so she didn't quibble over his attitude. She spoke softly, "I apologize, Brother Ming Yue. Please lead us out of the valley."
Her voice, soft, deep, and syrupy, sent goosebumps all over Ming Yue. He shivered and pleaded, "Sister, please stop speaking. I'm afraid of you, alright? Let's go."
Taking the lead, he flicked his body and, stepping on carnivorous flowers, leaped upwards repeatedly. In the blink of an eye, he had flown far ahead. Qing Yao and Mo You followed closely behind, the three of them like three soaring birds, heading straight for the opposite bank.
Inside the tent, a man was engrossed in the diagram in his hand. Cold light flickered from time to time in his deep eyes, which were as profound as an ancient well. Soon, a smile touched his lips. At this moment, Bing Xiao walked in and said respectfully, "Master, someone has come to see you."
The man abruptly looked up, and after a moment of surprise, a look of excitement spread across his handsome face, revealing a wide smile that was incredibly captivating. His voice was loud and powerful.
"She has come."
"Yes, Master. Niang Niang has come to see you," Bing Xiao replied respectfully.
Having not seen Niang Niang for seven or eight months, she seemed more radiant than before. These mountains seemed to nourish people; even Mo You had grown exceptionally handsome.
"Quick, let her in."
Xian Di adjusted his breathing and spoke with restraint. In reality, he truly wished to stride out and welcome her, but he didn't know how she would treat him, so he could only hold back.
"Yes, Master," Bing Xiao went out and respectfully looked at Niang Niang standing outside the tent. Her eyes were charming, and her slender, agile figure showed no signs of pregnancy.
Where was her child? Had she given birth? Bing Xiao felt a surge of excitement and opened her mouth to ask, but dared not presume. She only asked cautiously.
"Niang Niang, Master is waiting for you inside?"
Qing Yao found the address both unfamiliar and amusing. She raised her eyes, swept a glance at Bing Xiao, and said faintly, "Don't call me Niang Niang. I am no longer one." With that, she lifted the tent flap and walked in, Mo You staying guard outside.
Bing Xiao looked utterly stunned. Did Niang Niang's words mean she could never return?
Her heart ached, though she couldn't say for whom. She just felt sad and stood there dazedly.
Inside the tent, the man sat cross-legged on the ground covered with a blanket. A peculiar light flashed in his starry eyes, and he quickly regained his composure, a faint smile curving his lips.
Yet, when he spoke, his unusual state was easily revealed, his voice carrying a slight tremble.
Seeing him like this, Qing Yao felt a pang of sympathy. After all, he was an Emperor.
Some things were not his fault. She had never blamed him. He was born into that position, with that destiny. It was simply that she couldn't accept his beliefs, not out of revenge or hatred for him.
"Why have you come?"
Qing Yao spoke indifferently.
Her gaze swept over him. Although he was disguised as the King of Nan'an, those long, narrow phoenix eyes were exactly like Xiao Yu'er's. There was a deep, profound light in his eyes, mixed with anticipation and greed as he gazed at her, unmoving.
It took him a long time to speak.
"I have come to take you back, Yao'er. Can't you give me a chance? I've thought it through. Upon returning to the palace, I will arrange marriages for Ximen Xinyue and Chu Yuyan. From now on, there will be only one person in the imperial palace of Da Xian, and that is you."
His voice was hoarse. He had done much thinking and suffered much in these past days, and a deep, lasting sentiment had grown in his heart.
Having her was enough for this lifetime. Without her, what was the point of conquering an empire? Life was so short, and was he really going to lose her?
Qing Yao smiled, feeling both relieved and touched. He had done enough. But was this truly his heartfelt intention, or merely a compromise? Sometimes, compromise was terrifying; it had left a shadow in his subconscious.
"Thank you for being willing to do this for me, but I am not suited for the palace, and you are not suited to change. Don't forget that you were born an Emperor. An Emperor should have everything an Emperor has, and I should have everything I have."
Qing Yao clarified everything. Since she didn't want to go back, it was best to cut ties decisively.
Upon hearing her words, Xian Di's expression changed dramatically. His pupils deepened until they were bottomless, and he cried out impatiently, "Yao'er, why can't you give me a chance?"
He moved as if to rush towards her. Mu Qing Yao's expression changed drastically. She shifted her body, and the silver hidden weapon in her hand flew out, striking towards him with sharp dominance.
Xian Di's expression changed. He shifted his body, and some of his black hair fluttered down, gently drifting to the ground in mid-air. The surroundings fell into a deathly silence.
His breathing was so light, as if he was running out of air. He looked up and watched her quietly.
She had attacked with all her might, and after several months apart, her use of hidden weapons was flawless. If someone with even slightly weaker martial arts were here today, they would likely be injured.
"Your hidden weapon skills have improved so much."
"Yes. Don't come near me casually. I'm not here to reminisce about old feelings. I'm here to tell you that you should go back. Even if you force your way into the valley, I won't go back with you. And don't make it so that we end up like enemies. Because Wuqing is not wrong; it's I who insisted on staying in the valley to learn from him."
"I can teach you too."
His voice was hoarse, like a burning fire. Was it true that some things were truly irreversible?
"Yao'er."
"I have said all I need to say. At least in my heart, you have always been free-spirited and domineering. Make yourself perfect. Let the past be the past."
After she spoke, Qing Yao's clear, cold voice echoed in his ears as she lifted the curtain and walked out, the sunlight pouring in from outside, scattering on the ground. He lowered his head.
"Wuqing is my master, and I am here to learn martial arts. Many things are not as you think."