The night was as cool as water. Outside the small building, light clouds drifted, the crescent moon like a silver hook, and the stars resembled the eyes of beauties, twinkling and captivating against the vast, washed-clean blue sky.
A melodious zither tune began, distant and ethereal, conjuring images of faraway green mountains and the tinkling sound of clear streams.
Yun Xiao closed her eyes slightly, swaying gently, immersed in the music.
Wanwan’s zither skills had indeed improved. Her music now held less of the desolate chill and more of an airy, pure quality.
This might be related to her state of mind, for she only wished to play the most beautiful melodies in the world.
Yun Xiao’s music, however, carried a cold, grim murderous intent. Even if it captivated the heart, those with keen senses could still detect a hint of hidden malevolence.
Perhaps this was the hidden killing intent within her personality; even in an atmosphere of pure elevation, storms could brew in an instant.
As the piece ended, Yun Xiao couldn't help but applaud, her praise rising, "Wanwan’s zither playing is truly unique, beautiful and moving."
Wanwan stood up, her long skirt flowing elegantly. Her countenance was delicate and radiant, bathed in the moonlight. Her natural beauty, though fresh and moving, had gained depth with time. Yun Xiao wondered when she would meet a man who truly cherished her.
If that day came, Yun Xiao would personally arrange everything, ensuring she had a glorious wedding.
"Mistress, may I play another song?"
Yun Xiao could see that Wanwan genuinely loved this guqin. Just like herself, although Yun Xiao wished to gift it to her, she couldn't, as it was a gift from Murong. One day, she would gift Wanwan a zither.
"Wanwan, although I cannot give you this zither, you are welcome to play it whenever you wish."
"Thank you, Mistress."
Wanwan brightened and immediately sat down again, completely absorbed in the beautiful melody.
The night breeze rippled through the verdant grass, swirling into waves.
As the clear, distant zither music faintly intertwined, Yun Xiao, listening intently, suddenly heard a "thump" outside the building. Startled, she quickly rose and rushed to the window.
She saw a dark shadow fall onto the open ground in front of the small building. Wanwan’s music abruptly stopped, and she asked nervously,
"Mistress, what is that?"
"Go down and see."
The two of them rushed down the stairs, one after the other, towards the clearing in front of the building. They saw a person struggling on the ground.
Yun Xiao and Wanwan hesitated to approach. The person, hearing footsteps, suddenly opened their eyes, their pupils bloodthirsty and fierce. Looking up, they met Yun Xiao's gaze. In that instant, both were stunned, then recognized each other.
"You?"
"You?"
The person who had fallen onto the small building's grounds was none other than Crown Prince Yan Yu of the Northern Kingdom, dressed in a black night-blooming outfit that could not conceal his extraordinary radiance.
Even injured, his features still held a sharp, murderous aura. The moment he met Yun Xiao's eyes, he was startled and dazed, taking a long moment to recover. He then raised a hand, pointing at her, and laughed.
"Good, very good. This is most interesting."
The foolish Empress of the Eastern Qin Kingdom was not foolish at all. This was truly fascinating. He wondered what Shangguan Yao would think if he knew. Moreover, knowing this was a medical clinic, and seeing this woman within its walls, what could it signify? Was she a physician?
Yun Xiao glared at him coldly and suddenly turned to leave. She found this man utterly annoying; even if he was injured, she had no right to save him. Turning back, she instructed, "Wanwan, have this person thrown out."
"How cruel! A pity?"
As his words fell, his posture, which had been kneeling on the ground, abruptly changed. He sprang into the air, lunging towards Yun Xiao's side.
Yun Xiao felt a chill at the back of her neck as a suffocating killing intent enveloped her. She swiftly turned her head, dodging him. His palm grazed her cheek.
However, immediately following was his other hand, which grabbed her arm. It was a feint; the real attack was the subsequent grab.
"You refuse to save a life, proclaiming 'the most venomous heart is a woman's'."
Yun Xiao snorted coldly, raising her hand to strike. Although this man was handsome, his words were utterly irritating. Before she could unleash her palm,
Yan Yu slid directly to her feet, his hands tightly clinging to her legs, preventing her from leaving. A cough erupted, growing louder and louder. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes widened, staring intently at Yun Xiao as he spoke each word deliberately.
"Save me. I owe you a favor, and I will repay it someday."
"Hmph."
Yun Xiao forcefully tried to pull her feet free. She had never seen anyone ask for help with such arrogance. This man was just like that fellow Ye Wuyun, carrying an air of aloofness. Moreover, he was from the Northern Kingdom, and was it necessary for her, from the Eastern Qin, to save the Crown Prince of the Northern Kingdom?
Unfortunately, Yan Yu held on with all his might. Though his consciousness was beginning to dim, the strength in his hands was immense. For Yun Xiao to escape, she would have to knock him unconscious with a palm strike.
If she could refuse to save him, she could do it, but she truly couldn't bring herself to add insult to injury.
As she struggled with indecision, Wanwan, standing behind her, could no longer hold back and spoke,
"Mistress, please save his life. Look at his pale face, he has been stabbed multiple times in the chest. If not for his strong will, he would surely be dead by now."
Yun Xiao looked up at the sky. The clear moonlight enveloped the earth, the night breeze blew gently, carrying petals and foliage...
The sky of pale blue was like a beautiful piece of glazed glass, and the moon shone with brilliant radiance, pure and clean.
Yun Xiao lowered her gaze, looking at Yan Yu, who was still clinging to her thigh. His face was as pale as paper, and his breathing grew shallower.
As Wanwan had said, if not treated quickly, this man would likely not survive. Thinking of herself as a physician, there was only the principle of saving lives, not of letting someone die.
Even though she had no good feelings towards this man, the Eastern Qin and the Northern Yan were not at odds.
"Wanwan, help him inside."
"Yes, Mistress."
Wanwan immediately responded and rushed over, reaching out to help Yan Yu. However, even in his unconscious state, he instinctively held onto Yun Xiao with force. Yun Xiao had no choice but to bend down and say to him helplessly, "Alright, I will save you. Let go."
Unexpectedly, Yan Yu, as if possessing some awareness in his unconscious state, slowly loosened his grip.
Yun Xiao and Wanwan together helped Yan Yu towards the small building.
Under the dim lamplight, Yan Yu’s eyes were closed. His chest, thigh, and arm were all marked with multiple stab wounds, his body covered in injuries. Earlier, due to his black attire, Yun Xiao hadn't noticed, but now, he looked truly tragic.
Who could harbor such hatred for the Northern Crown Prince to unleash such a brutal attack?
Furthermore, why was the Northern Crown Prince wearing black night-blooming attire and secretly infiltrating the Eastern Qin Kingdom? What was his purpose?
Could it be for his sister, Yan Ling? It was said that Yan Ling had been demoted to a consort and was forbidden from leaving the Cold Palace for eternity.
This was street gossip, and she hadn't believed it initially. But now, seeing Yan Yu, she believed it somewhat. Yan Ling must have secretly sent a message back to the Northern Yan, and as the princess's full brother, Yan Yu would surely come to the Eastern Qin Kingdom.
But why did he come secretly instead of openly, and why was he so heavily injured?
Could it be that he was injured while trespassing in the Imperial Palace?