As Qin Jiujiu had expected, Yue Nansang's maneuver was merely a ploy of self-inflicted injury. Under her veiled threat, the Moon King spared Su Mu's life.
He even agreed to escort Su Mu out of An Zhou in two days. However, Yue Nansang herself was forbidden to leave Lan Dian for the time being.
This was the best possible resolution, but Yue Nansang wouldn't stop there.
As expected, that evening, Qin Jiujiu was preparing for bed in her palace when she heard a faint knocking at her door, so soft she could barely make it out.
It was late, and Ade had already retired. Qin Jiujiu was alone in the main hall.
She approached the door, and the sound became clearer.
Everything was as she had foreseen. It was someone sent by Yue Nansang, asking her to meet at Lan Dian the next day. This was clearly a prelude to Yue Nansang asking for her release.
According to Yue Nansang's plan, after Su Mu was sent away tomorrow, Xing Ru, who would later visit Lan Dian, had changed her clothes. In An Zhou, where witchcraft was prevalent, it was not difficult for Yue Nansang to find a disguise. Thus, she even altered her appearance and left the Moon Palace disguised as Xing Ru!
Yue Nansang bravely pursued her love, while Xing Ru, for the sake of friendship, incurred punishment. Although she was not severely punished due to Xing Zhan, how could Yue Beiyang let her off easily?
Until Yue Nansang's return, Xing Ru lived in hell, witnessing Yue Beiyang's devilish side…
"Tell Sangsang I know what she intends to do, but Xing Ru is powerless and incapable of helping her. I will visit her after tomorrow…"
After speaking, Qin Jiujiu closed the door without regard for the messenger's expression or reaction, extinguished the candles, and went to bed.
She wouldn't bother with such matters!
To her surprise, however, Yue Nansang managed to escape the next day.
"Ade, what time is it?"
But when she opened her eyes, Ade was not there to wake her. Puzzled, she looked around. This was clearly not the Second Prince's residence, but Lan Dian!
She quickly got up, intending to leave.
But the moment her feet touched the ground, before she could open the door, she heard Wu Han's voice.
"Master, the Princess Consort is not in the Second Prince's residence!"
It was clear this was Wu Han reporting to Yue Beiyang, but there was no reply for a long time. Then, footsteps sounded, as if someone had walked to the door.
Qin Jiujiu's alarm bells rang. She had not helped Yue Nansang escape, yet here she was in Lan Dian. Someone was clearly framing her!
Yue Nansang shouldn't have the means for this, and she had refused her. She wouldn't force herself like this, so who could it be?
Xing Ru couldn't figure it out, but there was no time for contemplation. The door was flung open forcefully.
Yue Beiyang appeared in the doorway.
His cold eyes swept over her, filled with intense killing intent. Qin Jiujiu instinctively took a step back.
Wu Han did not enter. Only Yue Beiyang walked towards her, as if darkness was about to engulf her. Qin Jiujiu shivered.
"You..." Before Qin Jiujiu could finish her words, Yue Beiyang was already in front of her, extremely close. He stared at her, his eyes full of murderous intent.
"Why are you here?" His tone was icy, sending a chill through her skin. Her body trembled even more violently.
"I don't know… I've always been here…"
She was much clearer-headed now, her expression appearing genuinely sincere. Yue Beiyang scrutinized her face, as if trying to discern the truth.
Just as Qin Jiujiu thought she was about to experience what Xing Ru had, a miracle occurred. The turning point arrived—Yue Beiyang suddenly took a step back, his scrutinizing gaze receding from her. He abruptly turned to leave.
Before Qin Jiujiu could react, Yue Beiyang's oppressive presence vanished. She watched his retreating back, disbelieving. Soon, she heard him say, "The Princess Consort should return to her own palace as soon as possible!"
Was he warning her?
Qin Jiujiu didn't dally. Once Yue Beiyang was out of sight, she quickly put on her shoes and left Lan Dian.
Yue Beiyang was the first in the Moon Palace to receive news of Yue Nansang's departure, so he had already left Lan Dian before the Moon King and Queen were informed.
Seeing her return from outside, Ade was naturally shocked.
"Princess Consort…"
Qin Jiujiu made a gesture for her to silence her, and Ade immediately stopped speaking. She walked to the table, sat down heavily, and poured herself a glass of water.
Qin Jiujiu then asked, "Have you heard any news?"
She tentatively asked Ade.
Ade thought for a moment and said, "This morning, I heard that the Princess Consort left the palace early this morning…"
Ade's gaze towards her was filled with deep confusion, as if wondering why she was here now.
Qin Jiujiu had no time to explain. She said sternly, "Ade, remember, I was in the Second Prince's residence all night and did not leave the palace!"
Although Ade didn't understand the meaning of Qin Jiujiu's words, seeing her master's seriousness, she agreed.
Qin Jiujiu emphasized it a few more times before finally feeling at ease.
Since Yue Beiyang didn't pursue her and even warned her, he must have his own considerations. This matter shouldn't be blamed on her!
Indeed, she truly hadn't done anything this time!
"Wu Han, did the National Preceptor make any moves last night?"
Yue Beiyang's expression was grim. They had reached the edge of the barrier. Looking at the calm surface of the lake, Yue Beiyang's gaze was intense.
Wu Han honestly replied, "My subordinates reported that the National Preceptor made no moves last night, but that woman was not idle…"
The woman referred to was a concubine of the Moon King in the harem—Consort Rou.
Consort Rou had close ties with the National Preceptor. It was the affair between these two that Xing Ru had stumbled upon in the mountains previously.
"Consort Rou had visited Princess Lan Dian."
Yue Beiyang narrowed his eyes, looking at the lake. The shimmering water reflected the deepening intensity of his gaze.
"Go to the National Preceptor's residence!"
The National Preceptor's residence.
It was a mysterious mansion, with an eerie ambiance. Almost no one moved about the place, as if afraid of being tainted by its malevolent aura.
In the main hall sat a man with black hair. He wore a black robe, his long black hair unbound, cascading to his waist, giving him a relaxed and indolent appearance.
"What business brings Your Highness here?"
The man was sipping tea. As if sensing Yue Beiyang's approach, he spoke before seeing him.
Yue Beiyang did not beat around the bush. He asked directly, "Where is Yue Nansang now?"
The hand holding the teacup paused. The man suddenly lost interest in his tea, casually put down the cup, and looked at the person before him.
Both had black hair, and their fair faces bore a slight resemblance if one looked closely.