"You all may leave," Murong Liu Zhao spoke first. A dozen guards departed, and Qing Yao also waved them away.
"You should all return to your rooms. Moyou, get some rest early. You've had a tiring day."
"Mistress?" Moyou hesitated, but meeting her mistress's cold gaze, she retreated silently. Mochou and Mei Xin dared not say more, following Moyou towards the second floor.
The hall quieted as Qing Yao and Murong Liu Zhao sat opposite each other, both appearing very polite.
Yet, even the simpleminded innkeeper could see that both individuals exuded a powerful aura; they were not to be trifled with. He served a pot of tea and quickly withdrew.
Nan'an Wang Murong Liu Zhao rose and poured a cup of tea for Qing Yao himself before sitting down to pour one for himself.
Without looking at her, he spoke with concern, "Go back. Her Majesty has left the palace, and the Emperor is frantic. If Her Majesty is troubled by anything, just speak your mind, and the Emperor will comply with whatever you wish."
He didn't know when it started, but his cold heart had inexplicably warmed for the woman before him. Perhaps it was the time she visited the prison and mocked him, or perhaps it was even earlier.
It was a pity she was his imperial brother's woman, and a greatly cherished one. Otherwise, he would never let her suffer any harm, even if it cost him his entire life. But could he do so now?
The moment he saw her just now, he had wished to rush forward, to hold her tightly in his arms, and then to scold her fiercely.
Why did she leave the palace? Did she know she wasn't just terrifying the Emperor, but him as well? He had been terrified too. How could such a delicate woman evade the machinations of the six kingdoms?
Nan'an Wang concealed his emotions well with his every move. Once seated, he appeared as cold as ever, his expression blank.
"Her Majesty?"
Qing Yao raised her hand, her brows slightly furrowed, a frosty chill like the wind of a clear morning adorning her eyes.
"I will say this only once, and you will listen carefully. I will not return to the palace. I have divorced that man. While I am not the Emperor and cannot claim to speak with absolute authority, I will not go back on my word. Please tell that man that I have no relationship with him whatsoever."
"Your Majesty, that is impossible. Her Majesty is carrying the imperial heir."
Murong Liu Zhao's voice held a hint of emotion, a mix of joy and sorrow. Though he knew her pregnancy was a normal event, an uncontrollable sourness welled up in his heart.
"He is my child, and has nothing to do with anyone else."
Thinking of her child, Qing Yao's expression softened unusually.
A child would not defeat her. She believed she had the ability to raise this child well. How many women in modern times had given birth out of wedlock and still raised their children successfully?
And she possessed ample wealth. She would create a world of her own for herself and her child.
As for men, she dared not fall in love easily again.
Especially in this era, where would one find a love that lasted a lifetime with only one person?
Qing Yao smiled, viewing it as a joke now, a chilling coldness in her eyes.
Murong Liu Zhao looked at the woman before him. Her brows held a certain heroism, and every smile and frown tugged at his nerves. Yet, she did not belong to him; she belonged to another man.
And that man, of all people, did not cherish her. She was so precious. Let alone Ximen Xinyue, how could any number of other women compare to her? It would be a desecration. Why did his imperial brother not understand this?
"Her Majesty?" Murong Liu Zhao spoke again. She seemed annoyed, suddenly rising and glaring at him coldly.
"Do not call me 'Her Majesty' from now on. I have no further connection with the palace. If you wish to speak with me peacefully, please call me Miss Mu San, or simply my name. Just do not call me 'Her Majesty'."
After speaking, Qing Yao turned to leave, not looking at the usually stoic man behind her, nor the turmoil in his eyes.
"Mother?" Murong Liu Zhao started to speak, then remembered her warning and quickly stopped himself, changing his address, "Qing Yao."
This was the first time he had uttered her name, and it brought a heart-fluttering joy. The name was pleasant, evoking a sense of intimacy from the bottom of his heart.
Qing Yao paused, raising an eyebrow. She hadn't expected the perpetually frosty Nan'an Wang to not intend to offend her. It seemed he understood her a little.
"Give the Emperor a chance. He will cherish you in the future."
Qing Yao had thought he called her for another reason. Upon hearing him mention that man again, she was genuinely angered. She turned and glared at him fiercely, "If you mention him, don't speak to me. Not a single word."
With that, she turned and walked upstairs without looking back.
Nan'an Wang Murong Liu Zhao vaguely wondered why Qing Yao had fallen out so drastically with the Emperor. Weren't they quite good before?
Thinking of her stubborn, wildcat-like gaze, he couldn't help but give a wry smile. The smile held a hint of sweetness. Even if she knew nothing, even if she didn't know he held her in his heart, it was enough to watch her from afar.
He knew that although she appeared cold on the outside, she was kind-hearted. In truth, he didn't wish for her to return to the palace either. But outside the palace was dangerous. He feared she might encounter something, and all he wanted was for her to be safe, to live forever, even if he had to secretly think of her his entire life.
Qing Yao?
Murong Liu Zhao murmured her name silently. But thinking of her resolute departure just now, he feared she wouldn't return easily. What should he do?
Nan'an Wang furrowed his brows, his face cold as he scanned the inn. The innkeeper cautiously inquired.
"Is the guest here to stay, or...?"
"We are staying. Book all the rooms on the second floor, except for their previous rooms. We will take the other half."
As soon as Nan'an Wang finished speaking, the guards who had been waiting outside the inn entered. They all breathed a sigh of relief. For the past three days, they had ridden without rest, from one town to another, and from that town to this one, not even having time to rest, let alone eat. Today, they had finally eaten and had rooms to rest in. How could they not be happy?
"Master."
"We will stay here tonight. Everyone is tired. Follow the innkeeper up to rest."
"What about Master?" a guard asked worriedly. Murong Liu Zhao sat down. He dared not sleep tonight. Firstly, seeing her had made him too excited to sleep. Secondly, he feared she might slip away secretly while they slept, so it was better to guard the hall.
"I will sit for a while. You all go to sleep," Murong Liu Zhao waved his hand, and his subordinates headed upstairs.
Geng Han and Duan Ri led another group of people to search elsewhere. It seemed they would need to send people to inform them tomorrow, Murong Liu Zhao mused in a low voice.
When Qing Yao returned upstairs, Mei Xin and Mochou were waiting in the room. The moment they saw her, they anxiously questioned, "Her Majesty, are you alright? What do we do now?"