She paused for a moment. Previously, he had been bloodthirsty and domineering, but now there was something gentle as water about him. What had changed him to be so outstanding, and on top of that, possess such a heart-stirring gentleness?
"Thank you, Your Majesty. However, Yu Yan's heart is like still water, with no further desires. I only seek a place of refuge in a nunnery."
Murong Liu Zun gazed at the woman below. From her eyes, he could discern her resolve. She had truly decided to become a nun. If that was the case, he could not force her. However, he felt he had failed her. He wondered if it was because he had wronged someone that Heaven was now punishing him.
The thought pained him. He waved his hand, and his deep, resonant voice rang out.
"Ah Jiu, send someone to escort Miss Yu Yan to the nunnery."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ah Jiu received the order, respectfully approached the Imperial Consort, and extended his hand to help her up and lead her out.
In front of the great hall, the dazzling light was almost blinding. Chu Yu Yan slowly turned her head, a brilliant smile gracing her cheeks. She felt an immense sense of relief, for she was finally leaving this luxurious confinement.
A woman's lifelong desire is to find someone to love. Unfortunately, she only understood this truth at the very end. If she hadn't been so insistent back then, perhaps she would have met a better man. A single thought could lead to a lifetime of difference.
Jianyang Palace.
Consort Shu, Ximen Xinyue, was lazily lounging on a soft couch. The palace was so lonely.
In the vast imperial harem, there wasn't a single person to talk to. The palace maids and eunuchs feared her as if she were something monstrous, making it impossible for her to converse with them. As for the Imperial Consort, Chu Yu Yan, she had become indifferent. Even if Ximen Xinyue taunted or mocked her, she wouldn't react in the slightest.
As Ximen Xinyue was feeling bored, her personal maid, Lian Yan, entered the hall with an excited expression.
"Your Ladyship, I have good news."
"Oh? What good news?" Ximen Xinyue sat up excitedly.
Could it be that His Majesty had summoned her?
Since that night of passionate entanglement, she hadn't forgotten His Majesty. She never expected him to be so fierce, to have taken her in that dark pavilion, almost to the point of her passing out from exhaustion.
But she was overjoyed. His Majesty had finally favored her. Although it was because he missed another woman and mistook her for her, she was, after all, his woman.
"Is it His Majesty?"
As soon as Ximen Xinyue finished speaking, Lian Yan shook her head. Seeing the disappointment in her mistress's eyes, she lazily slumped back down and spoke slowly.
"Then what is it?"
"Reporting to Your Ladyship, it's the Imperial Consort. She requested His Majesty's permission to become a nun. I heard His Majesty approved. This means only Your Ladyship will remain in the palace, won't she?"
Ximen Xinyue did not move. Truthfully, even if Chu Yu Yan were still here, it would make no difference.
Now, she felt that she and Chu Yu Yan were both pitiable. His Majesty didn't truly love either of them; his affections were directed towards the Empress who had left the palace.
Most importantly, His Majesty was a devoted man. If he were promiscuous, or fickle, perhaps the women here would feel better. At least then there would be a more equitable distribution of his favors, rather than the current state of neglect.
"Freedom is also a blessing."
Ximen Xinyue sighed. She couldn't achieve such freedom because His Majesty had favored her, giving her a glimmer of hope. Perhaps one day, when His Majesty forgot that woman, he would turn around and realize she was still by his side.
With this thought, Ximen Xinyue felt a little happier.
"Hmm, let her go..."
In Ruthless Valley, there was great joy.
Because the young master was in a good mood, everyone in the valley was happy.
The young master spent his days accompanying Miss Qing Yao in practicing the zither and hidden weapons. Sometimes, he also taught her various medicinal herbs and personally prepared elixirs to enhance her inner strength, which she took one daily, greatly increasing her power.
These were the happiest days for Qing Yao since she transmigrated from modern times to ancient times. She had never imagined meeting someone who was both a teacher and a friend, who cared for her so much and treated her exceptionally well. This made her feel so delighted that she could almost fly.
Sometimes, she secretly wondered if Wuqing liked her, in the romantic sense.
But when she looked closely, his eyes were always as clear as lake water, devoid of any entanglement, causing her to scold herself for being fanciful. Perhaps he was just too lonely, and she happened to fill that void, which was why he treated her so well.
In any case, their days together were joyful and happy. The subtle, elusive ambiguity only made the heart flutter more.
Her zither skills had improved with the enhancement of her inner strength, allowing her to control the music freely. Although the power hadn't reached Wuqing's standards yet, she had reached a certain level. Unless one possessed profound inner strength, others would likely not escape the enchanting melodies that could sway the heart. To break through the most powerful stages would require slow practice; it couldn't be achieved instantly.
Early one morning, Ming Yue reported.
"Young Master, there seems to be a group of people of unknown origin outside the valley, who have been inquiring about the swamp pool. I fear they intend to enter the valley."
Wuqing raised an eyebrow, his beautiful black eyes flickered, and a coldness shot through them. Suddenly, his lips curved into a smile, and he waved his hand.
"Go tell Qing Yao to come over. I will take her out of the valley to test her zither."
Ming Yue's mouth gaped. Did the Young Master mean to go out of the valley to kill people? He had said it so casually. However, he dared not say anything and quickly hurried out to inform Miss Mu.
He never expected that woman to master the demonic zither in just three to four months. Now, he dared not provoke her. The zither was inherently designed to ensnare the mind, and if she were to target him, he feared he wouldn't have the willpower to escape.
Upon receiving Ming Yue's report, Qing Yao happily took her zither. She had long wanted to test the zither's power and see if it was sufficient to kill.
"Okay."
"Miss?" Mochou called out. Why was Miss so happy? She was going to kill people, not pick vegetables or tofu. Why was she so cheerful?
"Mochou, take care of Xiao Yu'er. I'm going out to practice the zither."
Qing Yao ignored Mochou and looked down at Xiao Yu'er. Xiao Yu'er was already over four months old and looked more and more like her father. Although she couldn't speak yet, her movements were much more agile than other children, far surpassing them.
Because she had an adult soul inside, she consciously practiced her arm and hand strength daily. She even stood up holding the wall to strengthen her legs. She believed that she would be able to walk within ten months at the latest.
"Alright, Miss."
Mochou accepted the instruction and watched her mistress walk away. In these past few days, she had seen clearly that her mistress was very happy, slowly recovering from the shadows of leaving the imperial palace and the grief of Mei Xin's death. All of this was thanks to Young Master Wuqing.
Sometimes, she truly wished her mistress would never leave the valley, never have to deal with worldly affairs, but simply stay in the valley with Young Master Wuqing, growing old together. That would indeed be a lifetime of happiness.
However, life is unpredictable. Who knew what the future held? Mochou sighed, turned back to care for Xiao Yu'er, and found the little one standing up again, holding onto the wall, which startled her. This little girl, why was she so different from others?