Jade legs? Yun Xiao doubted if she had seen correctly. She rubbed her eyes and looked again. It was indeed a pair of alluring, fair, and tender jade legs, wrapped around the man's sturdy waist.
A pair of slender arms were around his neck, and faint panting sounds and low murmurs could be heard.
"Your Majesty..."
Your Majesty? The thought struck Yun Xiao, and an evil smile flickered across her lips. Suddenly, she let out a piercing scream, a scream that shook the heavens.
"Ah, ah..."
In the garden, birds took flight in alarm. The two people who were engaged in their intimate activity were both startled. The birds flying overhead turned back, startled once more.
Under the sunlight, a face that was a complete mess was visible. A layer of white powder was falling off, revealing dark eyes and a gaping, bloody mouth that was now emitting a deafening sound.
At this moment, people began to rush over from all directions.
"What's going on?"
Xiao Yuan, Xiao Zhao, and Xiu Xiu also cried out, "Your Highness, what happened? What happened, Your Highness?"
At this moment, the man whose pleasure had been interrupted abruptly withdrew, tidied his clothes, and without a glance at the woman behind him, he slowly took a few steps. His handsome face was filled with gloom and ugliness, and his peach blossom eyes were like a gathering storm. He suddenly roared.
"Silence."
Yun Xiao was in the midst of her screaming. She scoffed inwardly, "Do you think I'll stop just because you tell me to?"
She continued to scream as if she hadn't heard him. Many who were rushing over had already recognized the man as the Emperor, and their faces turned ashen. They prostrated themselves on the ground.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Xiu Xiu quickly reached out to pull the Empress, whispering, "Your Highness, stop screaming. It's His Majesty. Hurry and kneel."
"Your Majesty?" Yun Xiao rolled her eyes, stopped, and pointed at the man not far in front of her.
Undeniably, this man was incredibly handsome. His brows were like flowing clouds, his peach blossom eyes now clouded over, exuding a chilling aura. His nose was straight and sharp like an eagle's, his lips were sensual and distinctive. He was clad in a white robe, which made him appear even more handsome.
However, within that beauty was a deep gloom, an uncomfortable feeling. He was currently glaring at her coldly. Yun Xiao sneered inwardly, "Do I fear you?" She suddenly opened her mouth and let out another scream.
"Ah, you scoundrel, you scoundrel!" Without waiting for the Emperor to speak, she turned and fled.
In the imperial garden, a gust of wind swept through, bringing with it an icy chill. The young Emperor's handsome, picturesque features were cloaked in dark, heavy clouds. A fleeting dark gleam flashed in his eyes. He gasped for breath, and it took him a long time to calm down.
"All of you, withdraw."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone quickly retreated. Who would dare to stay?
The Emperor's eyes blazed with anger, as if he were about to unleash his fury on someone. It was unclear whether he was angry about his interrupted rendezvous or the foolish Empress.
Xiao Yuan, Xiao Zhao, and Xiu Xiu also quickly followed a group of eunuchs and guards, leaving the imperial garden.
In the imperial garden, only the gloomy and chillingly charming Emperor and the woman who had been caught in adultery remained.
Now that she had put on her clothes, it was clear that she was a coquettish palace maid. The Emperor, Shangguan Yao, did not even look at her. His killing intent rang out, "Little Tingzi, prepare the imperial carriage to return to the palace."
Little Tingzi, the Emperor's personal eunuch, immediately raised his high-pitched, sharp voice upon hearing the Emperor's command and cried out, "Your Majesty is returning to the palace!"
As soon as Little Tingzi's voice fell, several eunuchs rushed out from all directions. They already knew what had happened outside, but without the Emperor's summons, they dared not come out.
The Emperor was naturally amorous, and when he encountered a scheming palace maid, it led to a certain outcome.
Who would have thought that the foolish Empress would interrupt them? Looking at the Emperor's face at this moment, it was impossibly ugly. Who would dare to be even slightly slow?
A grand procession departed from the imperial garden, leaving behind the palace maid, who called out resentfully from behind, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this servant?"
But no one paid any attention to her. The surroundings were filled only with empty air.
Yun Xiao had fled the imperial garden and was now leaning lazily against a white jade railing, catching her breath.
It seemed this body was a bit weak. She would need to exercise more in the future. She turned her head to admire the koi happily playing in the clear pond, whispering to each other and entwining. There were brightly colored koi and expensive three-colored goldfish, all incredibly beautiful.
At this moment, two young eunuchs and the palace maid Xiu Xiu rushed over, stopping behind her. The faces of the three were somewhat pale.
Xiu Xiu said with a lingering fear, "Your Highness, that was so close just now. You didn't see how terrifying His Majesty's face was."
The three of them still shivered at the thought. Yun Xiao withdrew her gaze, turned to look at Xiu Xiu, and said lazily, "That was the intended effect."
"Your Highness?"
Xiu Xiu's face turned even paler. Her Highness's courage was too great. If His Majesty knew that she wasn't actually foolish but was deliberately acting, how would His Majesty punish her?
Xiu Xiu dared not even imagine it. She looked up and saw Yun Xiao leaning against the white jade railing, and her heart filled with anxiety. She reached out and pulled Yun Xiao closer.
"Your Highness, you fell into the pond yesterday. Why are you here again?"
"I fell into the pond yesterday," Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow.
That's right, they had mentioned falling into the pond yesterday. When begging, they had also mentioned Noble Consort De. It seemed this matter was inseparable from that woman. Yun Xiao's pupils flickered.
"How did you fall into the pond? What does it have to do with Noble Consort De?"
Xiu Xiu dared not hide anything. Regarding her current mistress, the more she thought about it, the more fearful she became. If she dared to deceive even the Emperor, how could she possibly dare to provoke her? Wouldn't that be seeking her own doom?
"Yes, Noble Consort De lied to Your Highness, saying that the fish in the pond were calling out to Your Highness. So, Your Highness jumped in herself."
As Xiu Xiu finished speaking, Yun Xiao almost fainted. This fool was truly utterly foolish, believing such a ridiculous story.
However, she should be grateful. If it weren't for her utter foolishness, she wouldn't know where she would be right now. Yun Xiao sighed, but that Noble Consort was truly wicked.
Yun Xiao remained silent. Xiu Xiu dared not say any more. Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao also stood by quietly.
The sunlight, like flowing water, poured down from the clouds, gently illuminating the clear and bright pond. A faint mist rose, and the gentle breeze blew, creating rippling waves on the water surface. The fish happily swayed their tails.
Yun Xiao watched intently. Footsteps sounded in the distance, coming along the crushed stone path behind her, mixed with hushed voices.
"You say that slut seduced His Majesty."
"Yes, Your Highness," someone replied respectfully. It should be a palace maid, so who was speaking?
Yun Xiao's lips curved into a subtle smile. Beside her, Xiu Xiu cried out in alarm, "Your Highness, it's Noble Consort De! Let's hurry and hide. If Noble Consort De sees you, you might run into trouble again."