She actually had no intention of calling. Whether her master wanted to see them or not, didn't she know? Moreover, she was sleeping right now, and she was too lazy to wake her.
The Prince of Nan'an raised an eyebrow and looked coldly at Changsun Zhu and Wen Yu.
"Please return, both of you. The Empress has not yet woken up. We can let you know when she wakes up."
Unexpectedly, Changsun Zhu and Wen Yu were determined to see Qing Yao and were unwilling to leave. Changsun Zhu said boldly, "The Empress is too tired, so let her sleep a little longer. I happen to be free, so I will wait here for her."
"Yes, we have something to discuss with her."
Wen Yu glanced sideways at the Prince of Nan'an, Mu Rong Liu Zhao, who was seated above. No wonder this man had been unwilling to associate with them before. Even when the Six Nations joined forces later, he hadn't said much. It turned out that everything was in their hands, and they were the ones who had acted like scoundrels.
Mu Rong Liu Zhao's face was covered in frost. These men were truly shameless. They all looked presentable, and they all held high status, yet they would do such despicable things.
However, if they didn't leave, he couldn't do anything about it. When guests arrived, he couldn't possibly drive them away, could he? He could only accompany them and wait. They waited until the sun was high in the sky.
Inside the inner chambers.
On the carved rosewood incense bed, a languid figure stirred. Her soft body stretched out freely, and finally, she opened her eyes. Although the red spots on half of her cheek were frightening, it did not affect her ethereal temperament, her tranquility, and her peace.
When she looked at people quietly, her dark eyes became a vast vortex, hiding immense charm, drawing people in.
"Mochou."
She called out softly, her voice like a warbler's song, pleasant and moist.
Mochou quickly emerged from behind the screen and said respectfully, "Master, you're finally awake?"
As soon as she spoke, Qing Yao blinked her clear eyes. Her long eyelashes were like delicate fans, and she gazed steadily at Mochou. Mochou sighed. Her master was becoming more and more captivating. She had lost her former indifference and now possessed more peace and tranquility. Of course, this was when she shed her malevolence. If her eyes were filled with cold light, she would be a terrifying weapon.
"What is it?"
"Crown Prince Changsun of the Qing Luo Kingdom and the Third Prince Wen of the Yun Cang Kingdom came early this morning to seek an audience with you. Since you were not awake, they waited in the main hall. The Prince of Nan'an has already accompanied them for several cups of tea."
Poor Prince of Nan'an, Mochou thought inwardly.
Qing Yao frowned slightly and said plainly, "Go out and tell them to return. Just say that I said I'm not seeing anyone."
"Yes, Master." Mochou hesitated. Those two had lingered for so long, she was afraid they wouldn't be easily dismissed. However, since her master had said so, she didn't dare to say anything more. She turned and walked away. As she reached the screen, Qing Yao said lazily.
"Just say that if I want to see them, I will naturally see them."
"Yes, Master." Mochou left. In the room, Qing Yao delicately picked up her fair, tender finger and rubbed her forehead. She knew that Ji Xue wouldn't stay quiet. However, since Changsun Zhu and Wen Yu knew about her, others would definitely know as well, such as Shangguan Hao. That man always harbored ill intentions. If he knew she was hiding among the Xuan Yue envoys, with his intelligence, it wouldn't be difficult for him to guess the whole story. This man would probably want to kill her.
Qing Yao's eyes suddenly opened, her pupils filled with coldness, and a bloodthirsty sneer played on her lips.
In the main hall, the Prince of Nan'an's complexion grew darker. Cold air emanated from him, and his eyes, filled with resentment, glared at the two men below.
Changsun Zhu, dressed in a light yellow brocade robe, his ink-black hair neatly tied with a narrow, slender ribbon, looked noble and refined. At that moment, he was leaning lazily in his chair, showing no intention of leaving. His eyes were slightly narrowed, as if he were about to fall asleep, yet also as if he were not.
Wen Yu on the other side had long eyelashes that concealed his captivating eyes. His long black hair fell down, naturally dividing into two strands, one on the left and one on the right. This fellow had actually fallen asleep.
Mochou walked out from the inner chambers and saw the scene before her. The Prince of Nan'an's expression was as cold as ice. Unfortunately, the two guests seemed oblivious. Not only were they oblivious, but they were also boldly leaning in their chairs, appearing to be asleep. When they heard Mochou's footsteps, they both opened their eyes.
"How is it? Has she woken up?"
It was Wen Yu who asked. Since their parting at Wuchang Valley, he hadn't expected to see her here again. What he had done that day indeed owed her an apology, so he had been wanting to say sorry to her.
Mochou performed a curtsy and said respectfully, "My master said she doesn't wish to see anyone. If she wishes to see you, she will naturally see you both."
As soon as Mochou finished speaking, although Changsun Zhu and Wen Yu were disappointed, they both stood up and said gently.
"Then let her rest well."
The two of them walked out of the main hall in unison. The Prince of Nan'an, who was in the flower hall, almost choked with anger. Had they just endured all this to wait for Qing Yao's word? Now they were finally disheartened. He had accompanied them for such a long time, and they left without even a word of greeting.
That night, there was no moon, and the world was pitch black. Not even a wisp of wind stirred, making the atmosphere incredibly oppressive.
Qing Yao leaned against a soft couch, reading a book, a thin soft blanket draped over her. She appeared naturally languid, but a flash of malice flickered in her eyes.
That person should be here by now.
As soon as this thought arose, a faint sound was heard from outside the window, very subtle and light. If she hadn't been constantly vigilant, she wouldn't have detected this movement at all. This indicated that the person who came was a master. Had he personally taken action? A cold smile played on her lips.
Shangguan Hao, Shangguan Hao, it seems you are truly treacherous. However, I will not sit idly by.
The windowpane shattered, and someone broke in through the window, as fast as lightning. The long sword in his hand carried an incomparably sharp and dominant aura, and with a gust of biting cold air, it struck directly at Qing Yao. The person on the soft couch did not move at all; she merely gazed at him steadily, her deep, dark eyes like a vast ocean, boundless and dim.
The swordsman couldn't help but tremble in his heart. What kind of tranquil and peaceful eyes were these? Pure, exuding a rich fragrance.
But just as he hesitated, several figures suddenly leaped out from inside the room and surrounded him in an instant. The subordinates he brought also flashed in. Several people clashed, their weapons colliding and emitting sharp, piercing sounds, along with cold snorts.
"Who are you, to be so audacious as to openly attempt assassination at the courier station?"
The people who arrived were all covered with black veils and wore black night-attire, revealing only their eyes from head to face, making it impossible to discern their identities.
The woman on the soft couch shifted slightly, as languid as a cat. Her face was not clearly visible, but the amusement and mockery in her eyes were evident as she spoke sarcastically.
"Prince of Nan'an, if they wanted you to know, would they need to cover their faces? They must be some disreputable riffraff, specializing in sneaky and thieving matters. They haven't changed at all from the past to the present."
"You?"
The black-clad assassin was surprised by her words. Disbelief flashed in his eyes. Did she already know who they were? Impossible. Or was she bluffing them?
Qing Yao's cold eyes fixed on him. She snorted lightly, "Shangguan Hao, can't you use any aboveboard methods? You specialize in these shameless acts. If Elder Chi Xia knew about this, I wonder if he would beat his chest and stamp his feet, lamenting how he could have taught such a shameless disciple, who is even inferior to a woman."