"My Lady, what happened just now?"
"Nothing, it's late. Let's go back." The two figures slowly moved away, returning to the palace of Jinhua Palace.
Not far behind them, on a large tree, stood a man in white robes. His dark pupils held an unfathomable cold glint. The corner of his lips curled as he spoke in a captivating tone.
"Zhuiyue, go investigate this woman's background. Why is it different from the information we gathered?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a man with a blank expression appeared behind him and said respectfully.
"Yes, Palace Master. Your subordinate will attend to it immediately." In the blink of an eye, he vanished. Where he had stood, another person now stood, equally expressionless, and said cautiously.
"Palace Master, we should go back."
"Let's go, Zhuifeng." As the words fell, two light figures disappeared in an instant. The surroundings returned to tranquility, and the night spread silently...
In Jinhua Palace, the night wind blew gently through the half-opened carved lattice windows, bringing wisps of cool air.
Yun Xiao sat on a side couch, her eyebrows raised as she pondered the events that had just transpired.
Murong Chong. Through tonight's encounter, she knew this man was unfathomable, and his martial arts were extraordinary. The reason he intended to attack her was to instigate conflict between the Yun King's Mansion and the imperial family.
So, was he an enemy of the Yun King's Mansion, or an enemy of the imperial family?
Her crystal-clear, bright eyes blinked, emitting a lustrous glow like lake water, fluttering enticingly.
The hall was silent. Xiuxiu and Xiao He dared not say anything, standing quietly by her side. The two eunuchs, Xiaoyuan and Xiaozhao, guarded the palace gates.
Suddenly, Yun Xiao chuckled, her laughter sweet and charming, but a deep, cold aura flickered in her eyes.
Murong Chong, Murong Chong. Although your intentions might have been understandable, since you've provoked me, next time we meet, I won't let you off easily. Just you wait, I'll give you a grand gift.
In the sleeping chambers, Xiuxiu and Xiao He breathed a sigh of relief when they saw their lady smile. They spoke respectfully.
"My Lady, it's late. Please wash and rest."
"Mm, alright." Yun Xiao cast aside the fog in her mind and stood up, stretching lazily. After washing, she rested.
The next day, she slept until the sun was high in the sky. Since there was nothing to do, she was happy to be a lazy person.
Who in the palace would dare to provoke her now? With her past misdeeds of fighting and the Empress Dowager's decree afterward, it was unlikely anyone would dare to trouble her again. She enjoyed the leisure, but it was too boring, so she preferred to sleep.
However, she didn't expect even her sleep to be undisturbed.
Xiuxiu walked in and stood by the bed, calling softly, "My Lady, please get up. A eunuch from Changxin Palace has arrived?"
Yun Xiao was sleeping soundly, her brow furrowed slightly. She let out a displeased hum. Xiuxiu immediately silenced herself carefully.
Looking at her lady who continued to sleep facing inward, she absolutely did not want to wake her, because if her lady's mood soured, they would surely face consequences.
But if she didn't call, people had arrived from Changxin Palace. Who dared disobey the Empress Dowager? Moreover, it was someone from the Yun King's Mansion?
"My Lady, the Yun King has come to see you. He wants you to go to Changxin Palace?"
As soon as she said this, Yun Xiao, who had been sleeping soundly, abruptly sat up, her eyes still groggy. She vaguely asked, "Who did you say has arrived?"
"The Yun King, the Regent King enfeoffed by the late emperor, which is Your Ladyship's father."
Xiuxiu knew that Yun Xiao was unclear about some matters. Although she didn't know where the error lay, as a servant, she was to answer whatever her mistress asked and remain silent about what was not asked.
"Mm," a flicker of light flashed in Yun Xiao's eyes, and she surprisingly smiled.
The Yun King had come to the palace. This was truly good news. She had been wanting to leave the imperial palace, and unexpectedly, he had come.
Now, what could she do to make him take her back to the Yun King's Mansion? Honestly, she didn't want to stay in this imperial palace. Although it was magnificent, it was a cage, and the people inside all had ulterior motives.
"Alright, I'm getting up."
This time, Yun Xiao was exceptionally cheerful. Xiuxiu was stunned for a moment, then relieved. It seemed their lady missed her family. She didn't realize Yun Xiao wanted to leave the imperial palace.
After washing up, she changed into a dark blue long skirt. The skirt was embroidered with a blooming thousand-petaled begonia with gold and silver thread. The hem of the skirt was adorned with hundreds of pearls, exuding an air of nobility.
She wore a white cloak over it, which was surprisingly striking. Her clean face, free of makeup, revealed a tender, sweet loveliness. A smile revealed two charming dimples, making it impossible to look away.
Although it wasn't a breathtaking beauty, it was a kind of loveliness that softened the heart and made one want to embrace and cherish her.
Xiuxiu and Xiao He were stunned and couldn't help but speak.
"My Lady, you're truly beautiful."
"Mm, not worse than Consort De or Consort Xian," Xiao He rarely agreed, saying their lady was indeed very sweet.
She was so gentle and soft that perhaps any man would want to protect her, Xiao He guessed.
If the Emperor knew the Empress was well, would he dote on her? If so, the Empress would surely secure her position in the middle palace, for she was the daughter of the Regent King.
"Just a pretty face," Yun Xiao said with a smile. Today, her mood seemed exceptionally good, and Xiuxiu and Xiao He felt inexplicably more relaxed.
"My Lady, will you go to Changxin Palace now, or have breakfast first?"
Xiuxiu asked for instructions. Yun Xiao touched her face and looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Her cheeks were sweet, her eyebrows were like painted arcs, her beautiful eyes held a hint of spring, her dark hair was styled into a bun, and two wisps of hair on her temples floated naturally.
There was nothing else on her head, only a white jade bead flower inlaid in her hair, subtly revealing her charm and loveliness, like the finishing touch in a painting.
"You two, go out first. We'll go directly to Changxin Palace later."
As soon as she spoke, Xiuxiu and Xiao He exchanged glances. Especially Xiuxiu, who immediately recalled the last time their lady had painted her face in a miserably tragic manner. Would their lady still try that again? Oh no, Xiuxiu said with a苦脸 (bitter face).
"My Lady, please don't paint yourself like that. It's too horrifying. We feel bored just looking at it, let alone the Emperor."
"I'm not painting, you can go out now."
Yun Xiao cast a cold glance at Xiuxiu through the bronze mirror. Xiuxiu no longer dared to say anything and quickly led Xiao He out of the sleeping chambers. Xiao He was now much more low-key and well-behaved.
Outside the sleeping chambers, the two of them speculated about what their lady was up to alone inside. Their scalps tingled, and they always felt it wasn't anything good.
"My Lady, you won't paint yourself like that again, will you?"
Xiuxiu asked worriedly. Xiao He beside her remained silent. She hadn't seen her lady's horrifying appearance last time, so she didn't understand Xiuxiu's current feelings. However, the two eunuchs beside them had faces as pale as paper, and none of them dared to speak.