Was he injured? Yun Xiao felt a flicker of doubt. She couldn't imagine someone with such unfathomable, profound strength getting hurt.
She looked up at the open window. Outside, it was pitch black. Liuxing had already given chase to him.
Seeing the blood in Yun Xiao's hand, Wanwan, not knowing whose it was, turned pale with fright and rushed over, screaming, "Your Highness, what happened? Did he do this?"
"No, he was injured."
Yun Xiao shook her head, calmly walked to the side to wash her hands, and thought about things while doing so.
How could Mu Rong Chong be injured? She knew his skills. Within these imperial palace walls, no one should be able to harm him. Was this blood his, or someone else's?
Wanwan held a piece of white cotton cloth, waiting nearby. Seeing her mistress finish washing her hands, she quickly handed it over. At the same time, her heart relaxed. So, this blood wasn't her mistress's?
Yun Xiao wiped her hands dry, thinking coldly. Originally, this matter had nothing to do with her, and her relationship with that man wasn't so close that she needed to worry about him.
But when she thought of the profound despair in his words just now, and the bone-chilling cold emanating from his body, Yun Xiao found she couldn't remain indifferent.
Moreover, there was this blood. If it were someone else's, it would be fine. But if it were his, and he was injured and fell into Shangguan Yao's hands, would he survive?
"Let's go out for a bit."
"Ah, why go out now?"
Wanwan exclaimed, staring at her mistress with wide eyes. The palace was incredibly strange and unpredictable tonight. It was better for them to be cautious. They were almost in trouble even staying in the sleeping quarters, and now they were going out?
"The person from before seemed injured. If he falls into Shangguan Yao's hands, it's a dead end. So, I want to look around."
"Your Highness, what does that person have to do with you? We don't need to bother with him. Let the Emperor capture him. Neither of them are good people anyway."
Wanwan rolled her eyes, firm in her stance. But Yun Xiao's delicate brows furrowed, and her expression turned displeased.
She believed that in this world, anyone was far better than Shangguan Yao. He was simply a despicable, shameless, vulgar, and cold-hearted man.
Besides, she and Mu Rong Chong were on the same side. Therefore, she couldn't just stand by and watch him fall into Shangguan Yao's hands.
"Are you coming or not? If not, I'll go alone."
As Yun Xiao spoke, she walked towards the exit. Under the palace lantern light, her ink-black hair, lifted by the wind, danced like spilled ink, exuding an enchanting, radiant allure.
Her slender figure walked outwards with determination. Seeing this, Wanwan didn't dare to say anything more and quickly followed the figure ahead, muttering as she walked.
"Your Highness, I really can't do anything about you. Fine, I'll accompany you to look for him. But should we wait for Liuxing to come back?"
Yun Xiao's clear voice immediately rang out, "Let's not wait for him. I'm afraid they'll start fighting."
If it were before, she wouldn't have had to think twice, because Liuxing couldn't catch up to that man. But now that he was injured, what if Liuxing caught up to him, and the two started fighting?
This was the deep palace. If they were discovered, both of them would be in trouble. And she didn't want either of them to fall into Shangguan Yao's hands.
"Hurry up."
As Yun Xiao spoke, she broke into a light run along the corridor towards the north. Several times before, they had slipped out from here, and now they were quite familiar with the route. Even the little directionally challenged Yun Xiao remembered it well.
Two slender figures slipped out of Jinhua Palace soundlessly, while all the eunuchs and palace maids on duty inside the palace still thought their mistress was sleeping in her chambers.
The night deepened. Those who should have rested had long since gone to bed. The occasional eunuchs and palace maids on duty dozed at the foot of the stone steps. Vigilant guards occasionally walked by, their hands resting on their swords.
Yun Xiao and Wanwan moved cautiously and lightly, wandering aimlessly, trying to stick to less crowded areas.
Unknowingly, they had arrived at Changxin Palace. Along the way, they had seen neither Mu Rong Chong nor Liuxing. Where had these two men gone?
The cold night was very chilly. Dressed thinly, their hands and feet were frozen stiff. Wanwan panted, hiding behind a rockery, and whispered, "Your Highness, it's too cold. Let's go back. It's already past the first watch of the Rat Hour. If we stay any longer, it'll be dawn. We'll freeze to death."
Yun Xiao poked her head out, scanning the surroundings. There was no movement at all. The dark, vast sky seemed like a huge curtain, pressing down heavily.
The stars had vanished. It was dark and eerie. The night was already very deep, and she had already come out to look for him. She had done her best. If anything really happened to him, she would have a clear conscience.
Yun Xiao nodded, "Okay, let's go back."
Upon hearing that her mistress agreed to return, Wanwan was overjoyed. She turned to conceal herself, preparing to circle out from behind the rockery. Just then, a soft voice came.
"Quick, come in."
Yun Xiao and Wanwan were startled, looking at each other. The two of them quickly looked up.
The palace lanterns swayed, their shadows flickering hazily. A small door on the northwest side of Changxin Palace was faintly seen opening gently. A tall, slender figure flashed inside, and the small door was locked with a clang.
Yun Xiao stood behind the rockery, her face full of surprise. How could a man enter the deep palace? And it seemed he knew his way around. Who exactly was this person? He dared to enter Changxin Palace so brazenly.
The Empress Dowager was such a shrewd and powerful woman. How could she allow someone to have an illicit affair right under her nose?
Moreover, who in Changxin Palace would dare to do such a thing? After much thought, Yun Xiao's pupils widened suddenly, and she let out a soft gasp. Could that person be the Empress Dowager herself?
Such a charming and beautiful woman. Seeing her appearance, how could she be without the nourishment of a man?
As Yun Xiao thought this, she didn't know what to do, standing there blankly. Wanwan, beside her, nervously said, "Your Highness, let's go back. If this matter gets out, I'm afraid we'll be in trouble."
"What are you afraid of?"
In just a moment, Yun Xiao had a plan. She quickly pulled Wanwan and coldly ordered, "You go back to Jinhua Palace immediately. Liuxing must have returned by now. Have him come over right away. I have something for him to do."
"What about Your Highness?"
Wanwan asked nervously. If she left, what would happen to her mistress?
Yun Xiao smiled cunningly and said darkly, "I'll stay here and watch to see if he leaves. We don't want to come back empty-handed."
"Ah, this is too dangerous. This servant is worried. Besides, why should we bother with her affairs?"
"Go. This is a good opportunity to deal with that old hag. Thinking about how she once drugged me, I should return the favor."
Yun Xiao said decisively, waving her hand and sternly ordering Wanwan.
As soon as she wore this expression, it meant her mind was made up. Wanwan dared not say anything more. Even if she did, her mistress would hardly listen to her. So, she quickly straightened up, preparing to go to Jinhua Palace to find someone. However, she didn't forget to caution Yun Xiao.
"Be extremely careful, don't go out, just hide here."
"Mhm, little bossy-boots, I know," Yun Xiao waved, not forgetting to mumble.
After Wanwan left, she quickly concealed herself, blending into the darkness, motionless. She thought to herself that she wasn't that foolish to walk into death willingly. Only that little girl Wanwan would worry like this.