Liu Xing and Jing Yun waited outside the door, and the two fell silent for a moment. Jing Yun, who was naturally talkative, couldn't help but say, "Why is Prince Shangguan here again, and with such ferocity?"
Inside the room, Yun Xiao had finished tidying up and inspected herself thoroughly, not missing even the smallest detail. To be honest, this disguise was too troublesome.
If only there were a piece of disguise leather, worn on the face, and no one could see through it, saving unnecessary trouble. Yun Xiao thought to herself as she used a medicinal solution to wipe her hands.
With everything ready, she looked up and instructed Wanwan, who was standing to the side.
"You stay here. Liu Xing, Jing Yun, and I will go. Shangguan Lin already suspected you last time. If he recognizes you again this time, there will surely be trouble."
"Yes," Wanwan nodded, truly afraid of meeting Shangguan Lin. She remembered stealing his jade pendant. If this Prince Shangguan were to find out, she might be crushed even if she had two lives.
In the main hall of the Yun Mansion.
Shangguan Lin and Yun Mo sat facing each other, waiting while drinking tea. The atmosphere was icy cold.
The servants attending in the hall shivered. Although neither the Prince nor Prince Shangguan spoke and seemed to be in harmony, the faint cold air emanating from them was unbearable.
Several servants cautiously observed the changes in the situation.
Shangguan Lin finally finished his cup of tea. He glanced towards the door several times but did not see the person who was supposed to appear, and his anger began to rise.
This Feng Guan was too arrogant. He was a dignified prince, and he had been ordered by the Emperor to bring him back to the capital. Yet, he was so presumptuous.
Just as Prince Shangguan was harboring resentment and wishing to chop and execute the damnable Officer Feng, someone appeared, exuding an air of leisurely grace and a captivating smile. His large eyes seemed to be filled with water, and wherever he went, all resistance crumbled.
The three people in the hall, with their tense gazes, immediately stood up, all wearing smiles.
Even the cold and stern Shangguan Lin softened by three points, his previous anger completely forgotten. A faint pain arose within him. Was he truly going to take Officer Feng back to the capital?
He couldn't fathom why his Imperial Brother wanted him back. If he intended to harm him, would he truly turn a blind eye and let him do so?
This Officer Feng was a talent, not only possessing exceptional medical skills but also a kind heart. He had heard that he had treated many citizens of Fengya Pass in the past few days. If the Emperor's intention to harm Officer Feng were to spread, what would happen?
Shangguan Lin dared not even imagine. At this moment, Yun Xiao had approached Prince Shangguan and offered a polite fist salute.
"Officer Feng greets Prince Shangguan. I hope Your Highness has been well."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Lin's face darkened. "Been well?" He had been refused entry several times when he came to find him, and he still had the audacity to say he had been well.
His unfathomable pupils were filled with ice, ready to erupt. The person had already walked past and paid respects to Prince Yun and Yun Zhen.
"Prince Yun, Young Master Yun."
"Come, sit," Yun Mo immediately gestured for him to sit. He then looked towards Shangguan Lin, who was standing by blankly, and spoke calmly.
"Since Prince Shangguan is determined to see Officer Feng, and Officer Feng is here, what business do you have, Your Highness? Please state it," Prince Yun said, then waved for the servants in the hall to withdraw.
Shangguan Lin, hearing this, finally came back to his senses. He had almost forgotten the main purpose. Regardless, he would first assess the intentions of Prince Yun and Officer Feng. He then sat down with a stern expression.
"The Emperor's secret decree orders me to bring Officer Feng to the palace."
As expected, everyone understood simultaneously. Yun Xiao lowered her head, gazing at her own slender, dark fingers, playing with them. For a long time, she remained still, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
Yun Mo had been anxious. How could he let Shangguan Lin take his daughter away? He wouldn't allow it even if it cost him his old life. He stood up with a whoosh.
Yun Zhen, fearing his father might reveal a flaw, quickly reached out and pressed his father's large hand, signaling him to remain calm.
This was something Xiao'er would surely handle on her own. She was not the same person she used to be.
At this moment, Yun Xiao stood up and walked up to Shangguan Lin. She raised her head, her bright eyes flashing with a determined light, and spoke word by word.
"Your Highness, if Officer Feng does not agree, what do you intend to do?"
"I have a bounden duty, and I must bring Young Master Feng to the capital."
Shangguan Lin's heart trembled. He hadn't expected Officer Feng to be so calm and unmoved. Yun Xiao slowly walked to the side and suddenly reached out to draw Mu Li's sword from his waist, swiftly pointing it at Shangguan Lin, smiling with blinding brilliance.
"Prince Shangguan, come, take my corpse to the palace to meet the Emperor. I believe people all over the world will know how despicable and shameless your royal family is. Other countries will have justifiable cause. Such a cruel and ruthless emperor can actually be a ruler."
Yun Mo and Yun Zhen were taken aback by Xiao'er's actions and became anxious. They quickly stood up, "Officer Feng?"
Officer Feng raised a hand to stop Yun Mo and Yun Zhen's words, her eyes fixed on Shangguan Lin. She knew that although Shangguan Lin was cold and indifferent, he was always upright. Most importantly, he didn't want the Emperor to bear a bad reputation.
"If you lay hands on me, with my abilities, you will only be able to take a corpse back."
Yun Xiao's expression was calm, a faint smile on her lips, as if discussing the weather, she spoke of her own life and death without any fear. The ones who were fearful were the people around her, all watching her carefully, and finally looking at Shangguan Lin.
Yun Mo couldn't help but shout.
"Prince Shangguan, Officer Feng is my benefactor. If she suffers any harm today, I will accompany her in death. Let the world see the cold-blooded heartlessness of your royal family."
"And me."
Yun Zhen spoke up. At this moment, Liu Xing, Jing Yun, Mu Qing, and Mu Bai simultaneously knelt on both knees, saying in a deep voice, "And us."
Shangguan Lin and Mu Li and the others were stunned. They hadn't expected Officer Feng to have gained such popularity. If Officer Feng and the people of Prince Yun's mansion were all forced to death by the royal family, chaos would surely ensue in the world. Fengya Pass, which had just regained peace, would likely be unsettled, even with the Xiliang army having retreated.
Facing these circumstances, Shangguan Lin suddenly stood up, sighed, and a dark current flashed across his solemn face.
"Enough, enough. Let today's matter be put aside. When I received the news, Officer Feng had already left Fengya Pass."
"Thank you, Your Highness,"
Yun Xiao sheathed her sword and cupped her fists, thanking Shangguan Lin. She turned back and inserted the sword into Mu Li's waist. Everything was done so naturally, with no indication that she had just pointed a sword at the Prince and threatened him with a straight face.
Now she was as calm as ever, as if nothing had happened.
"I also thank Prince Shangguan."
Yun Mo said slowly, relieved. However, at the same time, a sense of heaviness arose in his heart. It seemed that Xiao'er could no longer stay in Fengya Pass. Even without Officer Feng, just Xiao'er alone was already cause for suspicion. Therefore, the safest course of action was for her to leave.