The two people rested in Fengluan Palace. The next day, when the Emperor went to the morning court, the Prince of Nan'an reported with a cold and murderous tone: "Your Majesty, something did indeed happen last night. More than ten people from the Tai Pu Si Qing Zhao family were blown to death, and many were injured. The scene was horrific."
As soon as the Prince of Nan'an finished speaking, the entire court erupted in uproar, and the officials began to discuss animatedly.
Everyone turned their gaze to the Emperor's face. A dark and grim aura covered his handsome features. He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and forcefully gripped the dragon-head armrest, his veins bulging.
If he could find this person now, he would have this scum dismembered into ten thousand pieces. Even dying a thousand or ten thousand times would not be enough.
His heart was black, his blood was cold. Why would he harm innocent people? Did human lives truly mean so little in his eyes?
Prime Minister Mu Hen walked out from among the officials and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I fear the villain will continue to be so rampant. We must find him as soon as possible."
Murong Liuzun's mood sank to the bottom. Despite being the ruler of a nation, allowing his subjects to live in such fear, he found it difficult to shirk responsibility. A chilling aura seemed to emanate from the depths of the prison.
The Left Prime Minister's words were naturally reasonable, but that man's schemes were unfathomably deep. Not only was his martial arts skill superb, but he also deeply understood the art of disguise. Ordinary people could not catch him, let alone recognize him.
"Your Majesty, I will lead the troops to search Lin'an City."
Lin'an City was already on high alert. Everyone was trembling with fear. Although they knew that the Emperor's actions a while ago were impersonated by that villain, this villain was still alive and had now killed so many people.
There was no sign of him stopping, and he was even escalating.
Last night, he had blown up the family of the Tai Pu Si Qing. Who knew whose family he would bomb today. Many families had abandoned their homes and were afraid to live in them.
As a result, the inns and restaurants on the streets were packed with business. People who couldn't stay at home were staying at inns.
This was because, so far, he had not attacked inns or restaurants, nor had he attacked ordinary families. All the high officials in the court had fallen victim to his deadly scheme.
Therefore, the officials of the court had all moved to live in ordinary people's homes or stayed in inns and teahouses.
For a time, everyone spoke of the villain with fear, living in constant anxiety. Forget doing business.
The court was unable to come up with any good solutions for a while, and finally, they could only announce the adjournment of the court.
The Prince of Nan'an led troops to search the city, but the effect was minimal. Because that man's martial arts were so powerful, he could completely return to his original location after you had searched.
Fengluan Palace.
Qing Yao was racking her brain, trying to think of a good strategy. She had already heard Shen Yu's report that the entire family of the Tai Pu Si Qing, Zhao, had been blown to death last night, and many others were injured.
This was her sister's in-laws' family. If she knew, she would be extremely sad. Moreover, Shangguan Hao had started his actions, and more families would surely be blown up.
The pressing matter now was to find him and kill this villain to stop the ensuing tragedy. However, a person who hid in the dark like a rat could not be caught simply by wanting to.
Qing Yao was in deep turmoil. Xiao Yu'er, sitting not far away, was reading a book. She knew her mother was troubled. That man Shangguan Hao had vanished without a trace, and her mother was trying to find a way. She also wanted to find a way to locate that man.
The hall was quiet. Bing Xiao walked in from outside the hall and bowed respectfully, "Your Highness, someone from the Cold Palace wishes to see you?"
"The Cold Palace?" Qing Yao raised an eyebrow. Could it be Ximen Xinyue? What did she want to see her for?
Seeing Qing Yao's cold expression and silence, Xiao Yu'er impatiently said, "Who would go to see her at this time? Everything that happened today is related to her. Let her die."
Bing Xiao heard the princess's words and looked up at her Highness, awaiting her command.
"Is she not going to make it?"
Calculating the days, Qing Yao felt a slight softening of her heart, thinking that those few women might not survive. Why would someone who was about to die want to see her? She didn't think she was on good enough terms with her to warrant a meeting.
"I'm afraid she won't make it."
Bing Xiao nodded, her expressionless. She was a hidden guard, akin to a weapon. Although she had gained the favor of her Highness and became a fourth-rank general, she had always followed her Highness and was indifferent to worldly emotions.
Even the deaths of Duánhún, Chángtíng, and Xiāngbō had only caused her a fleeting pang of sorrow.
"Then I'll go over."
Qing Yao stood up and adjusted her slightly creased silk skirt. Mochou followed her out. Xiao Yu'er looked disapprovingly at the three women walking away. Thinking about it, she was really curious why the woman, who was about to die, wanted to see her mother. She immediately shouted, "Wait for me, I'm going too."
Lifting her skirt, she chased after them. The group headed towards the Cold Palace.
The Cold Palace was very far from the Three Palaces, located in the most remote part of the imperial palace. No one usually passed by here. It was overgrown with weeds and in disarray. There were independent walls surrounding it, and eunuchs were guarding the entrance. Upon seeing Qing Yao appear, they bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Your Highness the Empress."
"How are they?"
"Replying to Your Highness, four have already died, and three are still alive. Today, Consort Shu is also close to death, but she kept calling to see you. I didn't intend to pay attention to her, but her cries were too dreadful, so I sent someone to report."
The leading eunuch cautiously reported the situation. Qing Yao nodded and slowly said, "Open the door."
The iron gate was mottled. As the eunuch pulled it, rust flakes rained down. With a clang, the iron gate was opened, and someone immediately rushed forward to lead the way.
"Your Highness, please follow me."
"Is this the Cold Palace?" Qing Yao looked around. It was desolate and bleak. Although it was early summer and the sun was blazing overhead, here, a chilling wind blew intermittently. Strange insects occasionally jumped out from the chaotic grass, adding to the eerie coldness.
The sunlight was warm, but it seemed to have completely bypassed this place. It was neglected and ignored. Wisps of lingering souls seemed to wander aimlessly, making the place even more gloomy.
The Cold Palace had always been the end point for women, a glorious curtain call. Therefore, the women of the harem feared this place the most. Few women emerged from here.
Qing Yao, followed by Xiao Yu'er and Mochou, walked with the eunuch through a dark and lightless corridor, arriving in front of a cold, grey stone building, devoid of any color – grey, dark, and cold.
"Your Highness, we have arrived. Consort Shu lives here."
"Good, you may go."
Mochou pulled open the door. With a creak, the old wooden door brought not nostalgia, but decay.
The room was very small, with no extra clutter, only a bed and a low table beside the head of the bed. There was nothing else.
The noise at the doorway startled the person on the bed. She seemed to have been waiting for this moment. Her eyes suddenly opened, the last flicker of spirit rising in her pupils. Her lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a word for a long time.
Qing Yao stood at her doorway, looking at her faded beauty, now reduced to a withered figure. Her dark hair was streaked with white, and a tear rolled down her eye as she choked back a sob.