The place was teeming with experts, her amateurish skills were utterly inadequate. If she wanted to leave, she would have to rely on outside help.
Outside help? She suddenly thought of someone.
The next day, Ming Yu heard news that the assassins from yesterday had been captured.
However, what caught her attention was that someone mentioned the assassin hailed from the capital.
"Miss Ming, Lord Shi Lang wishes to see you," a young maidservant approached Ming Yu, who was lost in thought.
Ming Yu came back to her senses and nodded, "Alright, I understand."
Upon arriving at the imperial study, she curtsied and paid her respects, "Greetings, my lord."
Shi Lang nodded, "Do you know why I summoned you today?"
Ming Yu shook her head, "No."
Shi Lang looked at her and said coldly, "There were assassins in the imperial palace last night, do you know about that?"
"I heard the palace servants discussing it," Ming Yu replied.
Seeing that Ming Yu wasn't lying, Shi Lang waved his hand, "Good, you may go."
Ming Yu was taken aback. Didn't he summon her? Why didn't he need her anymore? However, she didn't want to dwell on it, as she had more important matters to attend to.
As she was leaving, she happened to run into Shen Yunxuan. Having stolen Shen Yunxuan's personal clothing the night before and his possessions, she felt a pang of shame and, uncharacteristically, curtsied, "My lord."
Shen Yunxuan was slightly surprised. For some reason, she was bowing to him today.
Shen Yunxuan found it strange, but he didn't have time to ponder it. After nodding, he walked in, "Shi Lang, any news?"
"Miss Ming," someone suddenly spoke into Ming Yu's ear.
Ming Yu froze and stopped. She saw a young maidservant whose appearance was unfamiliar, at least she seemed to be seeing her for the first time. "Do… you need something?" Ming Yu asked.
"My master wishes to see you," the young maidservant said.
"Who is your master?" Ming Yu raised her guard.
The young maidservant replied, "Who is Miss Ming working for?"
Ming Yu was stunned. She knew the master the maidservant spoke of couldn't be Shen Yunxuan. So, who could it be?
The young maidservant led her to a secluded courtyard. After entering a room, the maidservant left.
The room was very dark, and even during the day, a chilling aura could be felt.
Ming Yu couldn't help but step back. She knew her whole body was resisting this place.
She turned to leave, but a cold voice suddenly came from behind her, "Have you finished your task?"
"You… who are you?" Ming Yu turned around, staring intently at the newcomer.
A man in black, who seemed to blend with the darkness, emerged from the corner. He was wrapped in a large cloak that concealed his face, making him impossible to discern. The only thing that could be felt was the malevolent aura emanating from him.
"You… who exactly are you?"
The man chuckled softly, his laughter cold and sinister, "My lady is truly forgetful. Did you think you could rest easy by clinging to Shen Yunxuan, such a big fish? Don't forget what you promised me."
Ming Yu frowned and bit her lower lip, "I haven't forgotten."
"Where is the imperial seal?" the man asked coldly.
"I… I haven't stolen it," Ming Yu spoke the truth.
A chilling aura emanated from the man in black. Ming Yu instinctively took a step back.
The man in black sneered, "You haven't stolen it?"
Ming Yu could only brace herself and nod.
She heard the man in black's sinister laughter, a sound that made her scalp tingle.
After a long pause, the man in black said coldly, "Ming Yu, Ming Yu, you truly have the audacity. Not only did you fail my task, but you dare to stand before me so openly. Do you think my threats are mere jokes?"
Sensing the man in black's anger, Ming Yu said quickly, "I… I absolutely didn't mean that, I…"
"Heh, then tell me, what else do you intend? If I am satisfied, I won't mind your deception this time. If not, Ming Yu, you will learn the consequences of deceiving me," the man in black said coldly.
"I, I would never dare to deceive you. I… I discovered a clue more useful than stealing the imperial seal," Ming Yu said.
The man in black raised an eyebrow, "Then tell me, what could be more important than the imperial seal?"
"The Empress is in Jingzhou, and Wen Yuxi has also gone to Jingzhou," Ming Yu said, cautiously lifting her head.
She clearly felt the man in black's gaze falter for a moment, but it quickly returned to normal.
The man in black thought of Wen Yuxi, who could manipulate everything, and after a pause, said, "Alright, I'll believe you this time."
"Thank you," Ming Yu said.
The man in black suddenly took something from his sleeve and tossed it towards her. She quickly caught it – it was a jade pendant.
She looked at the man in black. He said, "Go back and wear the jade pendant at your waist. My people will contact you when they see it."
"Alright," Ming Yu said.
The man in black waved his hand, "You may withdraw!"
Ming Yu exited the room, led by the maidservant who had brought her, taking turns to the left and right until they were out.
When they reached the imperial garden, the maidservant whispered, "We're here."
Ming Yu nodded. When she looked up, the maidservant had already disappeared.
Ming Yu let out a sigh of relief. A gust of wind blew, and she realized her back was soaked with sweat.
Who was this man in black? And what did he want?
However, this was no longer within her purview. She only wanted to know who had entered the palace. Wearing the jade pendant, she walked through the mansion.
"Why are you here?" a voice called out. Ming Yu turned and saw Shen Lan, Shen Yunxuan's bodyguard.
"Lord Shen Lan."
Shen Lan nodded, "Lord Shen was just asking about you. Hurry to Lord Shen's study."
Ming Yu nodded. Suddenly, she noticed Shen Lan glance at the jade pendant she was wearing at her waist.
Her heart skipped a beat. Could Shen Lan be one of the man in black's people?
However, Shen Lan showed no further reaction until she arrived at the study.
Shen Yunxuan was inside, looking at a painting. She walked in and curtsied, "Greetings, Lord Shen. May I ask why you summoned me?"
Shen Yunxuan beckoned, "Come and take a look."
Ming Yu stepped forward. On the table was a painting of a young girl with a delicate face and clear eyes.
Her heart leaped, but she maintained her composure, "Your Highness, who is this?"
Shen Yunxuan said slowly, "It is said that this maiden is destined for the throne."
Ming Yu was startled, "Destined… destined for the throne."
"Yes," Shen Yunxuan nodded.
"Lord Shen, why are you showing me this?" Ming Yu asked him, puzzled.
Shen Yunxuan chuckled softly, "Miss Ming, doesn't this maiden resemble you?"
Ming Yu trembled and suddenly opened her eyes, finding herself in her room. She instinctively wiped her forehead, which was drenched in sweat.