Mei Xin, standing beside her, nervously reached out and clutched her clothes, her voice trembling, "Miss?"
Mu Qing Yao spoke calmly, "It's nothing, don't be nervous." After comforting Mei Xin, she turned and ordered Xiao Dai, "They mean trouble. Let's deal with them carefully. The airflow from this person is cold and dark, suggesting formidable skills."
"Yes, Miss."
Inside the carriage, the two women intently monitored the surroundings. The coachman, unaware of the danger, continued to drive the luxurious carriage at ease.
Suddenly, a flying dart flashed past. Xiao Dai moved swiftly, her hand shooting out to catch the dart in mid-air.
The coachman, spared from death, turned pale. He loosened his grip on the reins, and the carriage lost control, careening wildly down the street.
Xiao Dai struck the coachman's shoulder, calmly commanding, "Drive the carriage properly!"
"Yes." The coachman snapped back to attention and quickly grabbed the reins.
At that moment, several figures in black leaped from the air, emanating murderous intent. Their gleaming swords thrust directly into the carriage.
Xiao Dai's figure flickered, and she burst out of the carriage. In her hand appeared a soft sword, its blade glinting with cold light. Swift as lightning, she met the attackers, engaging the black-clothed figures.
For a time, only the sharp hiss of clashing swords could be heard. In the Flower Street, everyone felt endangered, and screams erupted continuously. Many rushed into the brothels, watching the spectacle from within.
Mu Qing Yao lifted the silk curtain and looked out. She saw Xiao Dai's slender form amidst the tall, imposing figures of the black-clothed attackers, like a lone boat battling a storm. Due to her agility, the burly men could not immediately overcome her, but a clear victor was not yet apparent.
Mu Qing Yao's gaze turned as sharp as a cold sword. With a slight movement, she glided out, like a graceful butterfly, exceptionally nimble.
Mei Xin inside the carriage cried out in shock, "Miss?"
Her movements were long and graceful, dancing like flowers, slowly descending from the sky. She appeared like an epiphyllum blooming in the night, captivating the heart yet emanating icy killing intent. The patrons and women in the street-side brothels were mesmerized, their gazes fixed.
Even the black-clothed men faltered for a moment, their chests tightening.
In that flash of a moment, one of them was swept up by her graceful movements, thrown into the air, twisted, and sent flying several meters away with a splash.
The black-clothed men abruptly regained their senses, simultaneously stepping back and forming a circle, warily watching the two women in the center.
"Attack," the leader of the black-clothed men calmly ordered.
Receiving the command, they did not dare to hesitate. They swiftly converged from all sides, swords raised, striking at the two women within the circle...
Just then, a cold voice suddenly rang out, "Desist! In broad daylight, to bully weak women, you damnable wretches."
As the voice faded, two figures leaped from the air, one white and one black, arriving gracefully. Their movements were as swift as flying swallows, and they landed before Mu Qing Yao and Xiao Dai.
They pointed sternly at the group of black-clothed men opposite them, their unrestrained demeanor and imposing aura radiating outward.
Mu Qing Yao glanced back at Xiao Dai, seeing that she was unharmed. Only then did she turn to face the newcomers.
Although she couldn't see their faces clearly, their dashing figures felt somewhat familiar.
A faint, ethereal scent reached her, making her realize that the man who had appeared was the one who had helped her rescue Xiao Dai that day. He seemed to be named Luo Yang, though that likely was an alias.
Mu Qing Yao calmly observed their retreating backs.
With a movement, Luo Yang surged towards the black-clothed men. His folding fan carried a sharp, fierce wind, each strike aimed lethally at the attackers.
In the blink of an eye, several men were sent flying, staggering and collapsing. Their faces changed drastically as they realized they had picked a fight with formidable opponents. Daring not to linger, they exchanged a swift glance and rapidly retreated.
The Flower Street calmed, the wind and clouds dispersing, leaving no trace of the earlier commotion.
The crowd surged back, soon becoming lively again. The madam went to the entrance, calling out to customers. Some women, gazing at the handsome man before the entrance, seemed reluctant to leave.
In the sunlight, the man, dressed in brocade white, exuded noble bearing. Holding a silk fan, his suave demeanor was evident as he slowly walked towards Mu Qing Yao and cupped his fists in greeting.
"What a coincidence."
"Whether it's coincidence or deliberate intention remains to be seen," Mu Qing Yao replied calmly.
Regardless, he had saved them. Even without him, they might not have been unable to handle those attackers, but he had intervened. "Thank you for your assistance, Young Master Luo."
"Miss Mu is too polite. It is my honor to be able to assist Miss Mu."
Luo Yang's voice was clear and resonant, carrying a unique magnetism. A flicker of passionate flame danced in his dark, enchanting eyes as he gazed intently at Mu Qing Yao.
The world called the third young lady Mu a lovesick fool. However, though he had only met her twice, he knew she was a hidden gem.
The brilliance she concealed, once revealed, would capture the world's attention. How could such an intelligent woman be a fool? It was utterly laughable.
"I bid farewell for today. May we meet again if fate allows."
Mu Qing Yao spoke clearly, feeling it was not wise to linger here. It was best to leave; they could talk more later.
"Farewell, Miss Mu."
Luo Yang did not stop her from leaving. He cupped his fists and watched her board the carriage. Xiao Dai also leaped aboard. The coachman, having regained his composure during the commotion, quickly drove the carriage away.
Behind them, Luo Yang's gaze shifted with myriad emotions, a hint of possessiveness playing on his lips. Mu Qing Yao, we will meet again!
His subordinate looked at him cautiously, "Master, we are leaving."
The two quickly departed the Flower Street, while the courtesans gazed forlornly at the empty street...
Mu Mansion, Green Courtyard.
Mei Xin anxiously examined Mu Qing Yao, "Miss, are you alright?"
Lü Er and Xiao Lian had already learned of the incident, and their expressions turned grim.
"I didn't expect that girl's family to be in such a place? If it had caused Miss any harm, how would she explain herself?"
The three young maids were both shocked and frightened. The young lady before them was no longer a simple young lady; she was the future Empress, the mother of the nation of Xian Guo. How could anything happen to her?
"Alright, don't you worry. Everything is fine."
Mu Qing Yao lay on the couch, contemplating the events. What had gone wrong? The maids' chatter disturbed her thoughts. She spoke coldly, and Mei Xin and the others immediately fell silent, carefully attending to her.
Mei Xin, recalling the two thousand taels of silver, hesitated to speak. Mu Qing Yao's expression was calm as she inquired.
"What is it?"
"Miss, that two thousand taels of silver?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Qing Yao's thoughts immediately shifted. She lightly slapped her forehead with her hand and murmured, "Look at me, I forgot about something more important." She glanced at the three maids and asked softly, "How much money can the accounting office disburse?"