The young master was so beautiful, she had never seen him like this before. The usual coldness was gone, replaced by a sense of ease, as if something had happened to make him happy, completely lost in his own thoughts.
In the morning, dense fog enveloped the entire forest, making it impossible to see anyone across.
Inside a small tent, a man's face was cold and solemn, his black eyes as dark as ancient black iron, flashing with a chilling, enchanting coldness. He leaned lazily against the tent wall.
"Master, the fog outside is so thick, we can't see anyone across. Moreover, the marsh pond seems to have changed its formation, it's different from yesterday."
The speaker was Duan Hun, one of the Four Dark Guards. He was a man of few words, known for his cold demeanor.
"Draw it out," the man commanded decisively, his sharpness flashing briefly.
"Yes." Duan Hun retreated and immediately directed his subordinates to start drawing.
No one could decipher this formation except for their master. However, it had taken their master a full day to break the previous formation, and this one was likely even more difficult. He hadn't expected the "ruthlessness" of Wuching Valley to be so proficient in Xuanmen arts.
Inside the tent, the man's face was dark and brooding. Having not slept all night, he appeared slightly haggard.
Knowing she was in the valley opposite, yet unable to see her, how could he possibly sleep? Furthermore, according to the timeline, she should be giving birth. He wondered how the child was.
A wave of intense longing flashed through his eyes, accompanied by a pang of pain. He knew he had made mistakes, but he couldn't comprehend why heaven had burdened him with such trials.
At least, he should have been given a chance. After seeing her this time, he couldn't afford to delay any longer.
He hadn't forgotten that besides being a man, he was also an emperor. How could he abandon a country and revolve around a woman all day?
If she truly didn't want to return with him, then let her stay in the valley. But this would likely be an indelible pain in his heart.
Just thinking about it now felt like a thorn piercing his chest.
Qingyao, have I committed any unforgivable sins? Why must you punish me like this, preventing me from even seeing you and our child?
Duan Hun soon returned with the drawing and presented it to the tent. They all retreated, leaving the small space silent. As long as he had something to do, his pain wouldn't be so unbearable.
The sun rose from the east, piercing through the leaves and slowly melting into the mountains. The mist, like gentle smoke from a warm land, curled upwards and slowly dispersed.
Light enveloped the entire mountain. The dark guards, as if having bathed in water, were wet all over. They quickly changed their clothes, awaiting their master's command.
In the valley.
It was unusually quiet. Everyone felt the excessive tranquility, as if something was missing. Finally, they realized it was the absence of the mother and daughter's usual bickering.
What was going on?
Mo Chou entered the room and saw her master and Xiao Yuer staring at each other, both lost in their own worlds. A fluffy mouse lay discarded to the side. Xiao Yuer seemed to have forgotten her fear.
Naturally, after a month of training, one would become accustomed to anything that scared them. But what about her master?
"Miss, what happened?"
"Mo Chou, I have a bad feeling. The person who came is definitely not the King of Nan'an," Qingyao raised her eyes, her gaze as cold as frost, and spoke indifferently.
Mo Chou's eyebrows twitched, and her mouth gaped open, unable to close for a long time. "You don't mean to say… he is, he is?"
She couldn't bring herself to say the rest. Her master had already nodded. Mo Chou took a deep breath. Everyone had gone mad. He had abandoned such a status to come to this place.
"Miss, what do we do now? If he came personally, will you still not go back?"
Any other woman would have returned joyfully. But her master was an anomaly. If she went back, she probably wouldn't have left in the first place.
Moreover, Mei Xin had died in the interim, making it even less likely for her to return.
"Go back? Mo Chou, don't you understand me? If there was any room for maneuver, I wouldn't have left. Since I left, I won't go back, because he and I are ultimately people from two different worlds. This isn't a question of who is right or wrong, but rather meeting the wrong person at the wrong time?"
"Miss," Mo Chou sighed softly. In truth, they didn't want to go back either.
Such places were always filled with scheming and infighting; how could there be peace?
"But Miss, you should still go see him. Otherwise, I'm afraid he won't leave. If he forces his way in again, no matter who gets hurt, it's not something we want to see."
Qingyao listened to Mo Chou's words, remaining motionless, her face etched with a cold contemplation. She slowly moved and spoke calmly, "Alright, I will go see him."
Mo Chou immediately attended to her, helping her dress in a simple plain outfit. Her dark hair was loosely tied up, and she wore no jewelry. Only a silver hidden weapon on her arm served as a finishing touch, accentuating her elegant, spirited, and delicate beauty.
"You take care of Xiao Yuer. I'll have Mo You accompany me out."
"Yes, Master," Mo Chou nodded and called out, "Mo You, accompany the Master out of the valley."
Mo You responded. Qingyao had already walked out. The sky was filled with brilliant sunset hues, casting thousands of golden rays that enveloped the entire valley. Verdant mountains, pale pink peach blossoms, and vibrant, competing flowers of various colors filled the air with a rich fragrance.
Qingyao took a deep breath, the sweet scent flowing through her chest. This place was truly comfortable.
She started walking outwards, down the white jade steps, with Mo You following behind.
The peach grove suddenly began to move. Wuqing appeared. His face, as fair and clear as jade, was as cold as ice. A fleeting glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke faintly, "You are going to see him."
"Yes, I fear he will force his way in again and disturb everyone."
Qingyao was somewhat surprised. Wuqing rarely cared about such trivial matters, and now he had come out to say such a thing, which felt very strange. She looked at him intently, hoping to discern something, but his eyes were as clear as ever, revealing no emotion.
"Mingyue, escort her out. Be careful," he said, and then Qingfeng pushed him away.
The young master had truly fallen for this woman. He had been restless all night and sat waiting in the forest in the morning. It was unclear whether he feared she would leave quietly or feared she would go to see him; in any case, he was preoccupied.
"I'll be back soon."
Qingyao stood at the edge of the peach grove, waving goodbye with a radiant smile and a pleasant voice. The melodious and moving words caused Wuqing's body to tremble, and a faint joy spread throughout him. He then faintly said:
"You are to start learning the zither. I have prepared a zither for you."
After speaking, he had already walked far away. Qingyao stood by the edge of the forest, unmoving for a long time. He had prepared a zither for her.
The zither he prepared must be a very powerful one. This was truly wonderful. Qingyao joyfully called out, "Thank you, Wuqing."