The window was blown open by the wind.
Chen Guoxing sighed and went to close it. When he turned back, his face showed shock as he stumbled back two steps: "It's you? How did you get in?!"
Qian Xue hooked her lips and scanned the documents on the desk: "Lord Chen doesn't need to know how I got in. You only need to know that I'm here to save you."
Chen Guoxing steadied his nerves: "Presumptuous! What could this official possibly need the Prince of Yu to save me from?"
Qian Xue: "You don't need to deny it so quickly, Lord. I'm just here to have a word with you. As for whether you will eventually beg at the gates of our Prince of Yu's manor, it will only take ten days for the answer."
Chen Guoxing felt a jolt of fear, an inexplicable sense of unease spreading in his chest, as if he were caught in a giant whirlpool, unable to breathe.
After saying these two sentences, Qian Xue truly did not linger, and turned to leave.
Chen Guoxing looked at the empty study, his fingers clenching bit by bit.
Ten days... he hoped so.
That night, it rained heavily, and it wasn't until noon the next day that the sky cleared.
It was already late autumn, and this should be the last rain.
By the end of October, the Emperor hosted a banquet for all officials.
Firstly, the national treasury was abundant due to the autumn harvest this year, and secondly, Ye Jingyu had been performing his duties well recently, hence he was bestowed a title.
When the princes moved out of the palace to establish their own manors, they were legitimate masters and princes.
However, without the Emperor's bestowed title, they would only hold the nominal title of Prince, lacking legitimacy.
Emperor Ye Yao had a total of five princes and one princess. Currently, only Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingyu had titles, which showed their current status in the court.
The Ministry of Rites set up the banquet. With double happiness and the Emperor's approval, it was held very grandly.
From noon onwards, music and ceremonies continued, and it was not until dusk that it ended.
Su Yunmo disliked such occasions. Taking advantage of the Emperor's temporary departure from the banquet, she secretly slipped out to the courtyard for some fresh air.
The garden was deserted now. Su Yunmo sat on the swing, dangling her legs and lost in thought.
The Emperor had set Ye Jingyu's enfeoffment ceremony for early November. When this was announced at the banquet just now, Ye Jingcheng's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.
Judging by his expression, he would definitely not give up easily, but he probably wasn't that foolish.
The Empress was still under house arrest. If anything happened to Ye Jingyu before his enfeoffment ceremony, everyone would instinctively suspect him of being behind it.
Therefore, he couldn't make a move. This would give her some time to investigate her mother's affairs. Lin Ze Qu's words last time always felt off.
"Hiss~" There was a disturbance in the grass.
Su Yunmo suddenly snapped back to attention, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.
A snake slithered out of the grass and lunged at her.
Su Yunmo's hand moved reflexively, and a silver knife appeared in her hand. She slashed fiercely at the snake's seven-inch mark, and the snake was immediately split in two!
This snake was gray and black with triangular markings, and a pointed snout. It was a viper! Highly venomous!
It was impossible for such a venomous snake to appear in the palace.
"Hiss! Hiss!"
The movement in the grass did not stop, and the sound of snake bellies rubbing against the ground grew louder.
Su Yunmo gripped the silver knife, jumped off the swing, and stared at the grass with lowered brows.
One, two, three... densely packed, at least dozens of them.
They coiled together, flicking their tongues and advancing towards Su Yunmo, moving in unison as if controlled by someone.
This reminded Su Yunmo of the scene of ferocious beasts going mad in the dense forest during the autumn hunt.
Suddenly, the snake at the front lunged forward.
A krait! Even more venomous than a viper!
Su Yunmo's left hand also made a grasping motion in the air, and she held the silver knife in both hands.
The snake swarm leaped forward, and Su Yunmo's hands danced rapidly among them. In just a moment, all the snakes were split in half.
And in the middle of the snake swarm, Su Yunmo's figure suddenly disappeared.
In the shadows, Lin Lang was startled. She retracted her abilities and looked around, frowning in confusion.
A cold wind suddenly attacked her from behind.
Lin Lang instinctively turned her head. A cold gleam flashed before her eyes, and the silver knife was slicing towards her neck.
A snake leaped from the ground, blocking the silver knife, and was split in two.
Lin Lang, seeing that Su Yunmo, who had been opposite her moments ago, was now in front of her, was stunned and shocked. She immediately dodged away.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" Zi Yuan rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
Su Yunmo looked in the direction Lin Lang had left, a murderous intent flashing in her eyes: "Dispose of the venomous snakes."
After giving the order, she strode after them. Zi Yuan couldn't stop her even if she wanted to.
Under the pavilion, Lin Yu Ning was waiting for a report.
Lin Lang approached from a distance, her face filled with guilt: "Your Highness, please forgive me. Your subordinate is incompetent."
"You failed? How is that possible!" Lin Yu Ning clenched her fists tightly.
She knew Su Yunmo. Even if her abilities were fully restored, she wouldn't use them frequently in such a short time. Now was the perfect opportunity to kill her!
"Lin Lang, you didn't go soft when you made your move, did you?" Lin Yu Ning narrowed her eyes, full of suspicion.
Lin Lang suddenly knelt on one knee: "Lin Lang would not dare. Lin Lang is ordered to protect the young master. Lin Lang's life belongs to the master, how could I disobey your orders."
"That's good then." Lin Yu Ning smoothed her sleeves and said in a deep voice, "From now on, all my affairs will be entrusted to you. You must not disappoint me."
"Unfortunately, she already has disappointed you." Su Yunmo approached from a distance.
Lin Yu Ning's heart sank.
Lin Lang was even more taken aback.
With her speed, it was impossible for ordinary people to catch up, let alone a mere child?
What was this little girl's background?
"Su Yunmo!" Lin Yu Ning gritted her teeth, the killing intent in her eyes uncontrollable.
After being attacked in the forest, she had been confined to bed for several days. If it weren't for her, how could she have suffered so much!
Su Yunmo leaped onto the pavilion: "What's the saying? Evildoers live a thousand years. You truly have a thick skin."
Lin Lang stepped forward, drew the short knife from her waist, and stood in front of Su Yunmo: "Stay away from the Princess of Lin!"
Su Yunmo narrowed her eyes and appraised her: "Your skills are good, it's a pity you followed the wrong master."
Lin Yu Ning's body stiffened, and a chill ran down her spine. She nervously clenched her fists.
Then she heard Su Yunmo continue, "If you were under me, after what just happened, I would have already skinned you alive!"
Lin Yu Ning's breath eased.
Lin Lang drew her sword and attacked: "I am acting under orders. Anyone who harms my master must die."
"Clang!" The sound of blades colliding echoed.
Lin Lang looked at the person opposite her in shock.
Zi Yuan held her sword, her eyes sharp, and flicked her wrist upwards.
Lin Lang felt a powerful force and retreated two steps, her expression solemn.
This woman was not to be underestimated!
Su Yunmo, taking advantage of their fight, leaped in front of Lin Yu Ning.
Lin Yu Ning, startled, retreated two steps: "What are you doing?"
"Since you can't recognize the situation, I don't mind helping you regain your senses." Su Yunmo grabbed her by the waist, injected her abilities, and threw her.
Lin Lang sensed the fluctuation of abilities and turned to see Lin Yu Ning being hurled towards the lake: "Master!"
She was shocked and leaped into the lake. Just as she was about to pull the person up, a stone flew and hit her ankle.
"Oof!" She let out a muffled groan, turned her head, and met Zi Yuan's dark eyes. Her whole body then plunged into the water.
Su Yunmo crossed her arms and watched the two struggling in the lake with amusement.
Lin Yu Ning couldn't swim and was screaming frantically in the water. When Lin Lang went to save her, she was pulled down by her.
The screams attracted palace attendants.
A group of people approached from a distance.
Zi Yuan frowned: "Master, it's General Su, and the Emperor is also here."
Lin Yu Ning was now a proper Princess of Lin, so this was troublesome.