She couldn't help but wonder if he would really imprison her again. Last time, it almost caused her to miscarry. If he refused this time, it would likely be a repeat of the past.
Wu Qing's long eyelashes fluttered twice, his dark pupils sharp as knives. His initially icy expression finally softened slightly as he spoke indifferently, "Don't forget you have a child in your belly, you're completely incapable of learning those things."
"Just because I'm not learning now doesn't mean I can't after giving birth."
Qing Yao, sensing a softening in Wu Qing's tone, had already tucked the musical score into her embrace.
Qing Feng and Ming Yue gaped, looking at their master and then at the woman with such an entitled expression. Finally, they exchanged glances, a clear understanding passing between them.
Could their master have fallen for someone? Wasn't he always disgusted by women? He had always hated women in the past, so why was this time different?
"Let's go."
Wu Qing gave the command. Qing Feng and Ming Yue were unwilling but realized they could no longer change this unyielding reality.
Mu Qing Yao, that woman, had not only taken the hidden weapon manual but also the Qin Mo.
Good heavens, if she actually mastered it and went down the mountain, who knew what kind of chaos would erupt in the world. However, this woman probably wouldn't just kill people indiscriminately, they mused, before giving up on the thought.
The Qin Mo wasn't something everyone could master, and it required a good zither. Such a zither was incredibly rare. Besides, their master's?
The Phoenix Tail Zither. The thought of it sent a simultaneous wave of unease through Qing Feng and Ming Yue.
Master, please don't give the Phoenix Tail Zither to that woman, otherwise, it truly might lead to chaos across the land.
Compared to Qing Feng and Ming Yue, Qing Yao was overjoyed because she knew the two items she had obtained were treasures: the hidden weapons and the musical score.
From then on, the three of them began practicing martial arts. Mo You and Mo Chou already had strong martial arts foundations, and the secret techniques they chose were ones they were accustomed to.
Thus, they quickly became proficient, leaving Qing Feng and Ming Yue with leisure.
As for Qing Yao, she was personally instructed by Wu Qing. Due to her pregnancy, she couldn't practice the Qin Mo initially. Instead, she only learned some internal cultivation techniques to enhance her inner energy and practiced hidden weapons, all low-energy ones that didn't involve exaggerated movements.
Although Qing Yao's martial arts were guided by Wu Qing, more often than not, she didn't see him. She simply followed the plan he set out, practicing the internal techniques for an hour each day, hidden weapons for an hour, and then soaking in the cold spring behind the mountain for an hour.
It turned out that the cold spring was active water, infused with many medicinal herbs that could increase a person's inner energy. However, it was not advisable to soak for too long; only one hour per day. Exceeding that limit would cause significant harm to the child. Everything was prioritized with the child in mind.
Even so, after half a month, Qing Yao could feel a different flow of energy within her. With every breath, her energy felt more potent, and she was filled with vigor.
The internal cultivation techniques became smoother as she practiced. Her vital energy circulated through her dantian and meridians. Although the hidden weapons hadn't reached their highest level, she could use them with considerable skill. She couldn't pierce stone or nail walls, but she hit her targets with 100% accuracy, hitting many mountain beasts and birds in the forest.
She had grasped much of the art of hidden weapons, memorized the musical score, and practiced the internal techniques to a considerable extent. Now, she only needed to focus on diligent practice, and she could truly begin learning the musical score after the child was born.
It had been over five months since Qing Yao left the imperial palace of Xian Yue.
The Emperor in the palace had also calmed down from his initial anxiety. He recalled Qing Yao's personality and knew that if he wanted her to return, it wouldn't be easy.
Even sending the King of Nan'an or the secret guards might not be enough to change her mind. However, letting her go completely was something he couldn't do.
It was not easy to like someone, especially for an emperor. Losing her, he doubted he would ever encounter someone like her again.
Therefore, when Emperor Xian received a report from the secret guards stating that the Empress had been located in Qing Luo, and that she had killed Crown Prince Changsun, making her a wanted criminal in Qing Luo,
Mu Rong Liu Zun was consumed by anxiety and simultaneously made a bold decision. He immediately ordered Ah Jiu to summon the King of Nan'an to the palace.
The King of Nan'an, Mu Rong Liu Zhao, had just returned to the capital. Upon receiving the imperial decree, he rushed into the palace without delay.
As soon as he heard his imperial brother's plan, his face turned ashen. He immediately and repeatedly objected, "Imperial Brother, this is absolutely not possible. This subordinate is willing to go to Qing Luo on your behalf."
"No, my mind is made up. This is a mess I created, and I must personally go. Otherwise, even if you find her, she may not be willing to return with you. That would be a waste of time. Therefore?"
Emperor Xian's eyes were as dark and unfathomable as a bottomless ancient well, gleaming with a faint, chilling light.
The King of Nan'an looked at his imperial brother in such a state and knew his decision was final. But to ask him to do something like this, what if something went wrong? His expression shifted between worry and indecision. Emperor Xian spoke with restraint:
"Currently, the Seven Kingdoms are at peace, and with the assassination of the Crown Prince of Qing Luo, they are unlikely to launch an offensive. Therefore, we will not have any problems in the short term. As for the court, with Chancellor Zuo and the Censor-in-Chief, you don't need to worry too much. Just stay at ease."
"Imperial Brother?" The King of Nan'an's face turned pale, unsure how to stop his imperial brother's actions.
Disregarding the King of Nan'an's objections, Emperor Xian secretly left the capital with a group of his secret guards. Meanwhile, within the imperial palace of the capital, the Emperor remained inside, while the true Emperor Xian had disguised himself, becoming the King of Nan'an, Mu Rong Liu Zhao.
It turned out that Emperor Xian had learned the art of disguise from Elder Chi Xia, so he easily altered the appearances of the King of Nan'an and himself.
The real Emperor Xian had left the capital and was secretly heading to Qing Luo, while the King of Nan'an had assumed the role of Emperor Xian, remaining in the capital to oversee affairs...
In Wu Qing Valley, time flowed by like water.
On the slope behind the mountain, figures crisscrossed, though unseen. Only two shadows could be glimpsed drifting past. With a precise strike, the treetops let out a loud sound. Mo Chou's swordsmanship had reached the pinnacle. Despite only a few months passing, her martial arts were already formidable, and now she had ascended to an even higher level.
Mo You was even more formidable, with profound inner energy, capable of controlling weapons with sheer force. The crescent-shaped shovels moved freely in the air, precisely aimed. The sounds of rumbling frequently echoed from the back of the mountain.
Qing Feng and Ming Yue watched from a distance, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
These two were indeed intelligent and had improved greatly. With such skills, even if they weren't top-tier in the martial world, they would be extremely formidable.
As for Qing Yao, she had learned the internal techniques and hidden weapons well, but her belly had grown large, making movement inconvenient. She could no longer practice martial arts and could only lean against a tree, listening to Wu Qing play the zither.
His music was truly beautiful, ethereal and misty, like celestial music from the heavens. It transported one to a realm of tranquility, as if strolling through green mountains and clear waters, lifting one's mood inexplicably.
But why did her stomach begin to ache? And why was she experiencing intermittent pain in her lower body? Could it be time for the birth?