Yun Xiao heard the man's soft call from above. Even though he couldn't remember, the name he called was still so gentle. For the sake of that gentleness, she decided not to quarrel with him for now.
However, she was still unwilling to stand out in front of so many people, dawdling and refusing to move.
Yun Mo turned his head to look at Yun Xiao. Fate truly could not be avoided. He couldn't help but speak gently, "Xiao'er."
Yun Xiao looked at her father's gaze and slowly stood up.
The great hall was as silent as water. A petite and delicate figure in white, elegant and serene, her brows lowered as she turned her head, as if a lotus had just bloomed, emitting a faint, rich fragrance. Her slightly tipsy gaze penetrated the crowd and looked directly at the man high above.
He was gazing intently at this suddenly standing, petite figure, her image frozen in his dark pupils. The surroundings were so quiet that not a single sound could be heard, as if there was only her in the entire world, standing radiant under the light.
And his heart, at this moment, collapsed and crumbled. His breath quickened, his eyes misted over, and his heart pounded so fast, so urgently. With just one glance, he knew this was the person he liked. Could this be love at first sight across millennia?
In the great hall, the splendor of the entire hall was present, but in their eyes, it was all like mist and smoke, with only each other remaining.
On one side, there was palpitations and confusion. Firelight leaped in the dark, deep pupils, crackling and splashing everywhere, followed by infinite sorrow. If he liked her, why had he forgotten her?
On the other side, there was excitement and understanding, but her eyes mercilessly gouged him. In her heart, she had punched and kicked him a thousand times, a thousand times, telling him to forget, to forget.
After a period of mental beating and thrashing, she indeed felt much better. Yun Xiao slowly bowed, her expression much more indifferent, looking at Emperor Yin with a politeness and unfamiliarity as if they were mere strangers.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Shangguan Yin, seated high above, took a deep breath. Seeing her polite, distant, and overly respectful demeanor, he felt an indescribable vexation.
Although he knew that the woman he liked was Yun Xiao, he couldn't recall the profound details of their time together. Now, seeing her indifferent gaze, the more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. As he grew more anxious, his mind became hazy, and his large hand involuntarily pressed towards his chest.
A flush of red spread across his ethereal features, and finally, his body softly slid onto the dragon throne.
The sudden turn of events shocked everyone in the hall. Yun Mo and Shangguan Lin leaped up at the same time, rushing to Shangguan Yin's side, and simultaneously shouted orders: "Quick, summon the imperial physicians!"
At the same time, a graceful figure drifted past like a light cloud, soaring swiftly over the heads of the crowd, leaving only a trail of fragrant wind in the air.
Yun Xiao had already landed beside Shangguan Yin and sternly commanded, "Make way."
As soon as she spoke, Shangguan Lin trembled. Knowing that this woman was angry, and knowing her considerable medical skills, he quickly stepped aside, allowing Yun Xiao to examine the Emperor's pulse.
In the great hall, the envoys from the three kingdoms exchanged bewildered glances at the sudden development. The Emperor had been fine all along, so why had he fainted upon seeing the daughter of the Yun King's mansion?
Everyone remained seated in the hall, afraid to move lest they bring trouble upon themselves. If there was poisoning involved, they wouldn't be able to explain it even with a thousand mouths.
Not only the envoys from the three kingdoms, but even the ministers of Dong Qin dared not move rashly. They simply sat in their places, observing the situation. The commander of the palace guards, Jin Jian, led his guards into the hall and stationed them in every corner, maintaining strict vigilance.
Upon seeing her brother Shangguan Yin faint, Murong Yingxue had already rushed over in a panic, standing beside him. Seeing Yun Xiao examining the Emperor, her heart was filled with anxiety.
Others might not know, but she did know that Yun Xiao's medical skills were even more formidable than those of the imperial physicians. Would she be able to diagnose something?
Yun Xiao was examining the Emperor's pulse, her slender brows slightly furrowed. She slowly relaxed them and said in a deep voice, "His Majesty is merely overcome by anger and stress. His body is not seriously harmed. Send someone to escort him back to his chambers."
She said this to Shangguan Lin, who immediately personally helped his imperial brother and headed towards Qingxiao Palace. A large group of imperial physicians and eunuchs followed, and everyone filed out of Luyang Hall.
Murong Yingxue also quickly followed. On the steps of the hall, Yun Xiao narrowed her eyes, a dangerous aura filling the air, a cold smile playing on her lips.
Murong Yingxue, oh Murong Yingxue, it seems you've employed some scheme. Although I cannot be certain why Shangguan Yin has temporarily forgotten me, I am at least sure that his blood flow is not reversed, only that he was agitated, his heart rate accelerated, leading to his fainting.
However, the exact reason has yet to be discovered. But at least I can be sure that this man will not die easily. But what could be the reason?
Yun Xiao looked bewildered. This accelerated heartbeat could actually cause a person to faint; what a strange symptom.
In the great hall, the Emperor had already left, and everyone felt that the event was uninteresting. Moreover, it was already late. Yun Mo walked to the head of the hall and said in a deep voice, "There were some unexpected developments tonight. It is already late. Guards, escort the three envoys back to the guesthouse to rest."
The officials who had previously led the envoys, as well as the assistant ministers, were still responsible for escorting them back.
Fortunately, Emperor Yin was not in critical condition, which put everyone at ease. However, they remained perplexed as to why a perfectly fine person had fainted. It seemed to be related to the daughter of the Yun King's mansion standing up; was there a connection?
Except for Ji Qingge, the Prince of Xi Liang, others were not entirely clear. As guests were sent away in batches, only the people of Xi Liang and Yun Mo and his party remained.
The envoys from Xi Liang were already waiting outside the hall. Ji Qingge walked over from the opposite side, looking respectfully at Yun Mo and cupping his fist in greeting.
"Qingge pays respects to Uncle-in-law."
Yun Mo looked Ji Qingge up and down, finally reaching out to pat the Prince Li's shoulder and said lightly, "It was you who picked up Xiao'er, wasn't it?"
"Yes, please forgive Qingge's presumptuous actions, Uncle-in-law."
Although Ji Qingge was gentle and courteous, he was inherently cold-blooded. His humility towards Yun Mo stemmed from his guilt towards his aunt, and on the other hand, from Yun Xiao's fearsome reputation. This woman was not to be offended; to provoke her was to walk sideways.
Yun Mo saw deeper, patting Ji Qingge's shoulder, "Actually, in a way, I should thank you. You saved her, preventing her from being harmed by that scoundrel. Come visit the Yun King's mansion another day."
"Yes, Uncle-in-law."
Ji Qingge, having received the assurance he was waiting for, finally nodded with satisfaction and bid farewell to Yun Xiao and the others before returning to the guesthouse.
Yun Xiao and Yun Zhen followed their father's carriage back to the Yun King's mansion.
Inside the spacious and grand carriage, there was a silent stillness, only the sound of the carriage wheels rolling.
It was already very late, and the streetlights were hazy, yet there was not a single figure in sight. Fine wisps of snow began to fall from the sky, swirling and descending outside the carriage window.
Soon, the eaves, the bare branches, and the fallen leaves were covered with a layer of white snow, untrodden, like a layer of goose down, occasionally fanning transparent wings in the night wind.
The carriage passed by places of pleasure houses, and faint shouts could be heard: "It's snowing, it's snowing!"
Yun Xiao lifted the curtain and looked out, her eyes deep and unfathomable, immersed in the night. She whispered softly.
"This snow is truly beautiful. Pure, elegant, and it brings hope. Even though the New Year has not yet bloomed with beauty, and grass shoots are seen in early February, the white snow grudgingly feels that spring is late, so it penetrates the courtyard trees to become flying flowers. Tomorrow, the plum blossoms will bloom, truly a scene of pure fragrance and beauty, a tree of exquisite color."