"Playing ghost," the voice fell, and the person had vanished, leaving only the vast expanse of the cold, misty night.
Snowflakes swirled past. The night was bleak. Yun Xiao chuckled, warming her hands, and turned to slip into the inner palace along the corridor. Before the revolving floral gate of the inner hall, a figure suddenly emerged, it was Wan Wan. Upon seeing Yun Xiao, she anxiously questioned her.
"Mistress, are you alright? Did that fellow hit you?"
"Hit me?"
Yun Xiao blinked, her willow-leaf-like eyebrows arching, somewhat confused by Wan Wan's words. "Why would he hit me? I didn't provoke him, why would he hit me?"
Seeing Yun Xiao's utterly bewildered expression, Wan Wan felt a sense of exasperation.
"Mistress, didn't I tell you, he is the Palace Lord of the Divine Dragon Palace, Murong Chong. You know him; he is bloodthirsty, cruel, and kills indiscriminately. If anything is not to his liking, blood will splatter within the walls. Why are you still with him? You should keep your distance."
Wan Wan took her hand and led her into the sleeping quarters.
Inside the sleeping quarters, two other people were waiting: Liu Xing in black and Jing Yun in a sepia robe. Both wore grave expressions, standing with their backs to the window. Hearing Wan Wan's words, they slowly turned around and looked at their mistress.
They had witnessed what happened earlier and had been following them in the shadows, afraid that Murong Chong might lay a hand on their mistress. They hadn't expected that fellow to be different from his usual cold and fierce demeanor, showing a hint of exception towards their mistress.
They dared not approach for fear of attracting his attention, so they didn't know what had transpired between them. However, in their hearts, just like Wan Wan, they disapproved of their mistress associating too closely with Murong Chong.
In the past two years, the Divine Dragon Palace had grown increasingly powerful, infiltrating every corner of the Eastern Qin.
This Murong Chong was the king's most troublesome opponent. He had been sending people to investigate covertly and overtly, but had found no trace of them. Although these people were widespread in their activities, they were very secretive, acted swiftly, and retreated after a single strike, making them impossible for ordinary people to deal with.
Who would have thought that Murong Chong would be on friendly terms with their mistress, hiding within the imperial palace?
If this matter reached the Emperor's ears, their mistress would likely be implicated. Moreover, his closeness to their mistress probably hid an unspeakable secret.
"It's best for Mistress to maintain her distance from that person," Liu Xing said calmly. Jing Yun, uncharacteristically, nodded in agreement, standing on the same side as Liu Xing.
After Liu Xing finished speaking, even Wan Wan nodded. The three of them felt that man was very dangerous and would bring harm to their mistress.
They cared nothing for the struggles within the royal family or any grudges; they only wished to protect their mistress from any harm.
Who was this Murong Chong? No one knew.
Since the Divine Dragon Palace first appeared, he had always worn a mask, and no one had ever seen his face. Some said he had a captivatingly demonic appearance, while others said he was terrifyingly ghostly. Regardless, he was mysterious and unfathomable.
"What are you all doing?" Yun Xiao raised her eyebrows, amused by her subordinates' serious demeanor.
Although she was grateful for her subordinates' concern for their mistress, she had her own judgment. Besides, she could discern whether Murong Chong was good or bad.
Perhaps he was fierce and cruel, but as of now, she hadn't seen his excessively ruthless side.
Although he had considered killing her, he had ultimately not acted. This showed that his heart was not entirely devoid of humanity.
As for his actions, she could sense that they hid a shocking secret.
Furthermore, this secret was related to the current Empress Dowager and the Emperor, which was why he had been lingering in the imperial palace. The palace was almost like his home; he came and went freely, unconstrained by anyone. xxs壹贰
This was not something ordinary people could achieve. No matter how strong their martial arts or how great their abilities, the imperial palace was like a labyrinth; ordinary people could not possibly understand it in such detail. Even she, who lived there, often got lost, yet he was as familiar with it as if it were his own home.
As Yun Xiao mused, a bold idea suddenly flashed in her mind.
Could Murong Chong also be a member of the royal family? The thought, once it arose, refused to leave...
However, whoever he was, it was his quarrel with the royal family, and it had nothing to do with her. She only knew that currently, he was in the same country as her. Since she could benefit Shangguan Yao, having sent the first gift, there would be a second gift tomorrow.
Playing ghost, was he? Good, very interesting. It was rare for the great hero Murong Chong to come up with such a cute idea. Then let's play along.
Yun Xiao's face brightened, her dimples appearing on her rosy cheeks, sweet and adorable.
But her eyes held a rare seriousness and solemnity.
"I am grateful for your concern, but I have my own judgment. As for Murong Chong's character, it is not within our purview. What we need to do is: one, cause chaos in the palace; and two, leave the palace. I fear..."
Yun Xiao stopped speaking and turned to look at the window, where a layer of frost had formed on the panes, appearing hazy.
"I fear the Emperor may not let Father and Brother off. I must leave the palace as soon as possible and go to Feng Ya Pass to assist them."
"Yes, Mistress."
The three responded simultaneously, looking at their mistress's body, which was as plump as a little meat bun. They hadn't expected their mistress to be so thoughtful. With such a disposition, she wouldn't easily fall prey to others' schemes. It seemed they had worried unnecessarily.
"You two go down. Do not appear casually without my command. I fear you will reveal yourselves and only spoil things."
Yun Xiao turned back, her voice heavy with meaning, looking at Liu Xing and Jing Yun. The two nodded respectfully, then flashed away.
In the sleeping quarters, Wan Wan walked over, supporting her. She spoke gently, "Go to sleep. It's late."
"Alright, sleep," Yun Xiao nodded. Unknown matters could be left to the future. What was there that she couldn't handle? A confident woman was the most beautiful. She flashed a radiant smile...
Jing Fu Palace.
The glazed lamps emitted a vibrant radiance, the magnificent hall seeming to be veiled in a fine mist.
The person on the elevated seat had a face like a cold pool. His handsome features were etched with the fury of a thunderclap, his expression dark and displeasing. His large hand tightly gripped the armrest of the chair beside him, the bulging veins revealing his anger.
Though his eyes were slightly narrowed, his breathing was rapid, his chest rising and falling.
Below the hall, two figures stood respectfully. Both were tall and imposing. One wore a dark brocade robe with a regal coronet to tie his hair, exuding a cold, dark charm.
This was Shangguan Lin, the current Prince. The other figure wore official robes, a vibrant red, with an eagle embroidered on his chest, indicating his high status. He wore a palace waist token, signifying he was a trusted confidant of the Emperor and the commander of the imperial guards.
The Emperor had summoned them both in the dead of night, and they didn't know what had happened, but they dared not be careless. At this moment, they watched the Emperor on the dais with vigilance.
Shangguan Yao suddenly opened his eyes. Those eyes were wild and bloodthirsty, emanating a chilling, cold glint.
His voice, cold, deep, and thin, rang out.
"I summoned you here because strange occurrences have been happening in the palace one after another.
Tonight, many imperial concubines have been drugged with the aphrodisiac 'He Huan San'. This person is too unpredictable, and I am certain he is hiding within the palace. You must find him as soon as possible. I want to flay him alive."
Thinking that he had the desire but no longer the opportunity to enjoy the warmth and tenderness of women, Shangguan Yao's heart burned with hatred, almost to the point of spitting blood.
If that person were before him now, he would flay him inch by inch, making him regret being born in this era and regretting what he had done.
Shangguan Yao's pupils were covered with a blood-red tinge. He clenched his large hand and heavily struck the table beside him. The table split into two with a crack.
"Drugged?"