"Murong Chong, what are you doing? Let go."
Yun Xiao didn't know where this guy was taking her. As they bypassed the screen and walked out, they bumped into Wanwan, who was walking in. Wanwan reached out to block their path and asked with a displeased expression.
"Where are you taking the Empress?"
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, but she still calmly tried to stop Murong Chong's actions.
The sky outside had already darkened. Who knew where the Palace Master of Shenlong Palace was taking their mistress? This person was not only elusive but also ruthless. Although he hadn't harmed their mistress before, who knew when he would become deranged and hurt her.
Therefore, even though Wanwan was scared, she did not back down.
"Get lost," Murong Chong's deep, enchanting voice boomed. He flicked his sleeve, and a gust of wind swept out. Wanwan was sent flying. Fortunately, he hadn't used much internal force, and she only fell. Struggling, she got up again, intending to block Murong Chong's path once more.
Yun Xiao, afraid she would get hurt, quickly stopped her.
"Wanwan, I'm fine. Stay in the palace and wait."
"Yes, Mistress," Wanwan replied, gently touching the screen with one hand. She glared hatefully at Murong Chong, watching him brazenly pull their mistress away. She stamped her foot in anger, "Detestable creature."
As she spoke, a voice of agreement sounded in her ear, "Indeed detestable. This fellow is as arrogant as can be. I really want to flay him and skin him."
Wanwan turned her head to see Liuxing leaning coolly against the side of the screen, glancing at her with a half-smile.
"You're here. Why didn't you stop him?"
"Mistress's orders cannot be disobeyed," Liuxing said, walking over and sitting down with a feigned helplessness. Wanwan brushed the dust off her clothes, curled her lips, and said dismissively, "Perhaps you're not skilled enough. Mistress is afraid you'll get hurt, right? Hurry up and follow him, in case he harms Mistress."
Wanwan's expression changed drastically. She glared at him and shouted angrily.
Liuxing glanced at this woman, realizing for the first time that despite lacking martial arts, she was quite brave. She had actually dared to block that assassin, Murong Chong, just now.
If it weren't for the sake of their Mistress, she would have long been dismembered and scattered. Yet, she could still yell at him. Liuxing returned her gaze, flashed, and followed closely behind their Mistress.
The night was dimly lit by the gentle lamps. Throughout the imperial palace, bursts of laughter and joy could be heard intermittently.
The halls and pavilions were adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, their glazed tile eaves curving upwards like clouds. The moonlight, like a thin layer of silk gauze, cast a hazy, elegant glow.
Murong Chong, holding Yun Xiao, moved as fast as lightning, heading straight for the northern part of the imperial palace. Under the stars and moon, they were like a streak of white light, disappearing in the blink of an eye, passing the Cold Palace and heading towards a secluded area.
At the very back of the Cold Palace, there was a dense forest. Dead branches and fallen leaves rustled intermittently. Starlight spilled onto the ground, creating a dappled, hazy effect.
Murong Chong flicked his long robe and landed on the tallest and most robust tree in the forest, placing Yun Xiao on a thick branch.
Yun Xiao's face was grim, her beautiful pupils filled with fury. Her lips were tightly pursed, and after a long while, she finally spoke, "Murong Chong, if you don't give me a valid reason today, I will never forgive you."
In the dark, abducting someone like this was no different from being a bandit. However, the people of Shenlong Palace were all ruffians from the martial world.
Murong Chong was not angered by Yun Xiao's wrath. Instead, he was calm and at ease. His captivating black eyes twinkled like stars, and the corners of his lips curved into a shimmering smile. His distinct jaw was slightly raised, like a beautiful sculpture.
The exquisite silver mask accentuated his tall, elegant figure and unparalleled handsomeness. Even without seeing his true face, one could imagine a posture of breathtaking beauty.
The moon and stars shone brightly. With a "thump,"
Brilliant fireworks exploded, spreading in a riot of colors across the night sky. Yun Xiao's eyes widened in surprise as she gazed at the falling rain of fireworks.
It was incredibly awe-inspiring. The silver radiance and the dazzling fireworks, shining together, were spectacular and beautiful.
"What beautiful fireworks."
Yun Xiao couldn't help but murmur. Her small, lovely face was illuminated with a captivating radiance, and her dark eyes were filled with the colorful glow.
"For you."
A magnetic, wine-like voice sounded in her ear, like a melodious song in the cold night, rare and delightful.
The frustrations she had endured in recent days finally dissipated.
Yun Xiao had never dreamed that Murong Chong would give her such a surprise.
Indeed, since the New Year, she had been feeling deeply depressed.
The Empress Dowager had issued a decree allowing the consorts of the various palaces to host banquets for the noble ladies of their households.
However, there was no one from the Yun King's manor. Her father and elder brother were fighting against the Xiliang army at Fengya Pass, and the Yun King's Consort had been divorced. Therefore, she had become the most desolate sight in the palace.
Compared to the solitude of Jinhua Palace, other palaces were even more boisterous and lively, with constant laughter and joy, which was a torment to her.
Yun Xiao looked up at the fireworks filling the dark night. The moonlight penetrated the dappled branches and leaves, illuminating her face and causing a radiant glow. A smile played on her lips.
"Thank you, they're truly beautiful."
Murong Chong's deep, clear star-like eyes fell directly upon her. Seeing the radiance on her face, the corners of his lips, for once, formed a graceful curve. The two of them leaned against the branches, gazing together at the dazzling brilliance that occasionally erupted under the starry sky...
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, it was still the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration.
For this birthday banquet, in addition to the court officials and the noble ladies of various households who came to the palace to offer their congratulations, it was heard that the Crown Prince and Princess of Bei Yan had also arrived in Dong Qin to present birthday gifts to the Empress Dowager.
These distinguished guests were currently residing in the Imperial Post Station and would enter the palace that evening to attend the banquet.
Early in the morning, the palace was filled with a joyous atmosphere.
In Changxin Palace, eunuchs and palace maids were busy everywhere, with everything decorated anew. Bright red lanterns were hung everywhere, and red silk ribbons were folded into fiery red flowers, cascading layer by layer under the palace eaves.
The birthday banquet was held in the Qianqiu Hall of Changxin Palace, which was adorned with clusters of flowers and bathed in radiant splendor.
Palace maids and eunuchs in splendid attire bustled about, and the voice of the chief eunuch, Lin An, could be heard from time to time.
"Here, quickly, tidy it up, and over here."
In contrast to the festive busyness of Changxin Palace, Jinhua Palace remained desolate and silent. Yun Xiao was reclining on a soft couch, reading a book.
Xiuxiu and Wanwan, standing beside her, kept glancing at her. Seeing that her face showed no expression, Xiuxiu couldn't help but walk over and ask.
"Your Highness, today is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. The consorts of all palaces have gone to offer their congratulations and gifts. Does Your Highness wish to go?"
Yun Xiao was engrossed in her reading. Upon hearing Xiuxiu's words, she couldn't help but laugh. "Do you think it's appropriate for me to go?"
Today was the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Not to mention the celebration throughout the land, but even the important officials of the court had entered the palace to offer their congratulations, and the Crown Prince and Princess of Bei Yan had also arrived. What was the point of her, a fool, going there? It would only be seeking humiliation. However...
Yun Xiao's expression darkened as she thought of the Yun family members who were currently leading the army on the front lines, fighting desperately to defend Fengya Pass.
Yet, Shangguan Yao had only given them fifty thousand troops. And they, on the other hand, were having a grand feast and singing in the palace, completely disregarding the lives of the soldiers on the front lines. The thought sent a chill through Yun Xiao's eyes, a cold glint.