Qingyao returned to her room and rested for the afternoon. Xiaoyuer instructed Xiaotao to guard the door and not allow anyone to disturb them.
While Qingyao slept in her room, Xiaoyuer sat at the table, sketching designs for hand grenades, smoke bombs, and mist bombs. Most of them were completed. These were simpler because ancient materials were not as refined as modern ones.
Qingyao slept until evening. When she woke, it was already dark. Lamps were lit in the bedroom. Xiaoyuer, resting her chin on one hand, was dozing, her small head nodding intermittently. On the other side of the room, Mochou paced back and forth with a worried expression. Despite her anxiety, her footsteps were light, so she didn't wake Qingyao.
Qingyao stirred and sat up, looking at Mochou curiously.
"Mochou, what happened?"
She couldn't help but wonder if Wuqing was in trouble. The thought made her heart race. She asked anxiously, "Is it Wuqing?"
Seeing Qingyao's worried look, Mochou quickly shook her head, but her expression remained grim. Their voices startled Xiaoyuer, who quickly looked up, blinking. "Mother, you're awake?"
"Why didn't you go back to your room to rest when you were tired?" Qingyao chided. Xiaoyuer smiled and replied, "I'm accompanying you."
Qingyao was touched and said no more, turning her attention back to Mochou. Mochou's face was grim, her dark eyes unreadable. "Miss, has someone else come to the valley?"
"Who?"
Qingyao asked softly. Wuying Valley had not been peaceful lately, with people entering frequently. This was not unusual. If that person could enter, it must have been with Wuqing's consent. Thus, they were his guests. This was his home, and she had no right to prevent others from entering.
"If someone has come, then so be it. Why are you so anxious? Could it be?" Qingyao's eyes suddenly blazed with a sharp, cold light. "Could it be someone who looks like Wuqing has entered the valley?"
If that were the case, she would immediately kill the person and force them to hand over the antidote.
With this thought, Qingyao skillfully got out of bed. Mochou quickly said, "Miss, it's not that person, it's someone else?"
"Someone else," Qingyao's previous energy vanished upon hearing this. She slumped, speaking slowly, "Then who cares who it is?"
"But she is someone we know," Mochou finished. Qingyao blinked. Mochou's displeased expression indicated that the newcomer was not welcome, and they knew her. Who could it be?
"Who?"
"Miss, why don't you go and see for yourself? That person is in the flower hall now. When I came in, Young Master had just gone in."
Mochou went to assist her mistress. Her mysterious demeanor attracted even Xiaoyuer, who leaped from her chair and stood beside Qingyao. "Mother, I want to see who this person is! Auntie Mo looks so upset."
In the room, Mochou efficiently styled Qingyao's hair into a bun, adding a silver hairpin. She wore a cross-collared blouse embroidered with plum blossoms and a pleated skirt, making her look elegant and graceful. Xiaoyuer exclaimed, "Mother is so amazing! A natural beauty who can't hide her charm."
"You, always so glib."
As Qingyao stood up, Moyou entered from outside. Seeing Mochou's displeased expression, he asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
He had been staying at Fengchen Palace and was unaware of the arrival of guests in the valley, hence his question. Mochou, with a dark expression and a bad mood, ignored him and turned to help her mistress out. "Let's go, Miss."
"Let's go, let's go see who made Auntie Mo angry!"
Xiaoyuer led the way, occasionally calling out. Qingyao and Mochou shot the little girl helpless glances, truly possessing the potential to stir up trouble.
The group left the bedroom and proceeded along the corridor towards the flower hall on the other side. Lanterns hung at the edges of the corridor, swaying gently in the wind. The lantern light was soft, shrouded in mist that rose with the humidity, dampening the flowers and plants beneath the eaves, making them all the more fresh.
From a distance, they saw Qingfeng and Mingyue standing respectfully outside the flower hall. They looked very tense. Qingyao and her group approached them quickly but they didn't notice until Qingyao's voice broke the silence.
"What's wrong?"
Qingfeng and Mingyue came to their senses simultaneously and turned to look at Miss Mu, respectfully calling out, "Miss Mu."
"What's wrong? Do we have guests today?"
"Yes," Qingfeng nodded. Seeing Miss Mu arrive, he seemed relieved. Qingyao became even more puzzled. Everyone's behavior today was very strange. They were all so mysterious, as if the arrival was some unsettling catalyst. Who could it be?
Stepping inside, they saw the flower hall brightly lit. At the head of the table sat Wuqing, his face expressionless, a frost covering his refined features.
Seated below was a person holding a cup of tea, taking a light sip. Their aura was elegant and captivating, their features delicate, and their every movement exuded nobility. Beside them stood a maidservant in red, serving with respectful caution. Qingyao narrowed her eyes, a dangerous glint in her black pupils. This woman was none other than...
Ji Xue, the princess who had framed Prince Nan'an for her sister's murder. She was alive! And judging by her attire, she seemed even more favored. The sparkling golden crown on her head denoted her noble status. She not only survived but appeared to have become the Crown Princess of Danfeng Kingdom.
Ji Xue, who had been sitting at the lower seat with a wild demeanor, slowly turned her head upon hearing the footsteps at the door.
Under the bright light, a woman dressed in an elegant blouse and long skirt walked in leisurely. Her features were picturesque, as if veiled in the mist of rain, exuding a cold and clear beauty as she walked with composure. Her black eyes were as deep as a well, making it impossible to discern the profound depths within. This person was none other than the Empress of Xian Yue.
As the saying goes, when enemies meet, their eyes burn with hatred. Ji Xue, after returning to Danfeng Kingdom, was supposed to be executed, but at the very last moment, the Empress Dowager had spared her.
In times of chaos, ruthless individuals were needed to rule. She possessed the schemes and courage, and in a way, was more suited to be the Crown Princess of Danfeng Kingdom than Ji Feng.
Therefore, at the last moment, she was released. The Empress secretly found a female prisoner from the death row and had her disguised as Ji Xue to be executed. Thus, she survived.
For over a year, she had diligently practiced martial arts, hoping that one day she would see this woman and kill her with her own hands.
If it hadn't been for her involvement in everything that happened that day, she would never have suffered such a great humiliation.
As the thought arose, Ji Xue's body moved instantly, flashing like lightning towards Qingyao. Her five fingers formed claws, striking fiercely and venomously towards Qingyao's throat.