Yi Dao respectfully accepted the order, carried Yun Xiao and Wan Wan, and with a wave of his hand, the two women landed accurately on the backs of the horses.
He then kicked the horse's flank. The horse, in pain, galloped away. Yun Xiao and Wan Wan were greatly alarmed. They held onto each other tightly. The horse was also strange; it didn't charge wildly, as if it were being ridden. It sped along the street against the wind.
Above their heads, a gray figure swiftly glided past, keeping pace with the horse, escorting them back to the palace.
People on the street pointed and gestured from time to time. Yun Xiao and Wan Wan were so angry they almost spat blood. Fortunately, it was early morning and there was a slight mist. The horses were also fast, so before anyone could get a clear look, the horses had already thundered past.
Yi Dao, following his master's wishes, delivered Yun Xiao and Wan Wan into the palace without alarming anyone.
Thus, they entered through the rear palace gate. Holding one woman in each hand, he moved with ease, traversing eaves and walking on palace walls. In a blink, he had delivered the two women to the outer rear gate of Jinhua Palace. He scanned Wan Wan with a blank expression and said in a low voice,
"Go in."
In a blink, he had vanished. Wan Wan helplessly turned to look at her mistress. The two of them had gone through all that for nothing, and now they were both tired and sleepy.
However, the only fortunate thing was that their mistress had saved a life by going out. Perhaps that was a blessing for that person?
Yun Xiao glared in the direction Yi Dao had disappeared, grinding her teeth in anger. "Good, Ye Wu Yun, we've made an enemy of each other. I will remember everything I've suffered today, and I will repay you someday."
Just now, she had intended to attack Yi Dao, but firstly, she wasn't confident, and secondly, she didn't have any potent poisons. All the poisons she had were of ordinary potency, effective against common people but useless against experts. If she made even a slight mistake, wouldn't she expose herself?
The only fortunate thing was that Ye Wu Yun had sent his subordinate to secretly send them back without alerting anyone. Otherwise, even if it cost her life, she would have fought with Yi Dao. For now, it was best to return and think of a way to leave. Next time.
Yun Xiao looked up at the sky, a calm smile curving her lips.
"I want to have the Emperor divorce me, so that there will be no worries."
Wan Wan's eyes widened as if hearing a fairy tale. They rolled up and down, looking very amusing.
"Your Highness, are you talking in your sleep?"
"You wait and see," Yun Xiao turned and walked ahead. Early rising eunuchs and palace maids were moving about. Fortunately, Jinhua Palace had no other concubines, so there weren't too many eunuchs and palace maids.
However, after the two of them bypassed others and entered the inner chamber, they were met with a small panic.
Xiu Xiu rushed out from inside, crashing into Yun Xiao. Without looking up, she hugged Yun Xiao and cried heartbrokenly, interspersed with sobs.
"It's bad, Your Highness is gone, Your Highness has been abducted! What should we do? What should we do?"
Yun Xiao was speechless. She pushed the girl and said with a smile,
"What nonsense are you talking about? Aren't I fine?"
When Xiu Xiu heard this, she realized it was indeed her mistress. She looked up and saw her mistress standing before her, perfectly fine. Seeing that she was hugging her mistress tightly, with tears and snot all over her, she quickly let go and knelt down.
"Your Highness, this servant deserves death."
"Get up," Yun Xiao waved her hand. She was very sleepy now, having stayed up all night and been tormented by Ye Wu Yun. She didn't want to say anything, only wanting to rest.
Wan Wan and Xiu Xiu followed her inside, helped her wash up, and then went to bed.
Before going to sleep, she did not forget to instruct, "Xiu Xiu is on duty today, Wan Wan, you go rest."
"Yes, Your Highness," both maids replied simultaneously. Yun Xiao paid them no further attention and fell asleep soundly. Wan Wan also obeyed and went to rest; she was truly tired, her eyelids sticking together.
Xiu Xiu retreated behind the screen to keep watch. With the hall in silence, her thoughts began to clear.
Her Highness and Wan Wan came from outside. Both of them looked like they hadn't slept all night. Where did they go?
Thinking about it from left to right, she felt something was not right, but she dared not ask. She could only keep it to herself.
Inside the Imperial Study.
The Emperor, Shangguan Yao, clad in bright yellow brocade robes with black hair and a golden crown, exuded an imposing aura.
At this moment, his handsome features were etched with a restrained smile as he looked at the man seated on one side of the study, elegantly sipping tea with slow, smooth movements like flowing water.
He put down the tea bowl, and his long, slender fingers lightly brushed aside the strands of dark hair falling on his temples, naturally and casually, without any sense of constraint, like a bamboo shoot swaying freely in the forest, unaffected by anything.
"May I know why Your Majesty has summoned Xi Men Yao?"
A calm, gentle voice rang out as his clear eyes looked towards the man behind the imperial desk, a man with a deep and unfathomable gaze.
Shangguan Yao's pupils suddenly darkened, unfathomably deep. The corners of his lips curved with a hidden cold glint.
"I have been gradually accepting court affairs recently, but how should the Yun Royal Residence be dealt with?"
"Xi Liang and Nan Jin will inevitably invade the eastern Qin border. Your Majesty can appoint Yun Mo as the commander. Just say that the troop strength is insufficient and give him thirty thousand soldiers to fight Xi Liang. If he wins, it is his ability. If he loses, Your Majesty can punish him. Regardless of victory or defeat, it will be beneficial and harmless to Your Majesty."
Xi Men Yao spoke directly and without beating around the bush, stating his plan.
Shangguan Yao's eyes flashed with brilliance. A brilliant plan.
Whether he won or lost, it was most beneficial to him. He was the biggest beneficiary.
If he truly won, he would let him lead thirty thousand soldiers to guard the border, far from Yan Jing.
If he lost, he would not be blamed for being ruthless. Moreover, the border was a vital area, and if anything happened, it would be easy. Shangguan Yao revealed a bloodthirsty smile.
Xi Men Yao had already stood up and said calmly, "Xi Men Yao requests to take his leave."
"Please be seated, sir."
Shangguan Yao quickly called out. Xi Men Yao sat down again. Although he was indifferent to fame and fortune, and disliked constraints, he was not foolish enough to directly clash with the Emperor. As long as his principles were not violated, he would not fall out with him.
"Your Majesty, please speak."
Shangguan Yao's gaze flickered, his eyes clear. Finally, he smiled. It would be wonderful if he could keep Xi Men Yao. He would definitely become his capable assistant, his right-hand man. xxs
"Do you know about the Divine Dragon Palace? I want to eliminate it."
As soon as Shangguan Yao spoke, Xi Men Yao's expression darkened, showing clear impatience, and his pupils flashed with coldness.
"Your Majesty, Xi Men Yao has said that he will only help Your Majesty once, and there will not be a second time."
After speaking, he truly stood up this time, without even looking at the Emperor's gloomy and inscrutable face. He turned and walked towards the exit. When he reached the door of the Imperial Study, he stopped. Without turning back, he said faintly,
"Your Majesty's appetite is truly not small."
With that, he strode out.
Shangguan Yao watched him leave, two sparks of anger dancing in his peach blossom eyes, burning into a blaze, carrying a heavy killing intent.
Xi Men Yao, if you cannot be used by me, I cannot keep you. Can I let a person like you leave the palace safely?
The corners of his lips suddenly lifted into a bloodthirsty smile.