"Get out."
Qing Yao stood up, feigning an unfinished gesture, "Doesn't Miss want me to accompany her?"
The little maid behind Yi Shuang'er coldly raised her fist, "Miss wants you to get out immediately, didn't you hear?"
"I heard, I heard," Qing Yao said in a panic. Leading Mo Chou to turn around, she walked out of the tea house with a cold expression, unhurriedly. On the street, Mo Chou, with a scowl, resentfully said, "Master, we should have beaten them until they were in disarray just now. Do we fear them?" She looked up at the sky with disdain.
Qing Yao turned back to look at the maid, her expression thoughtful, making Mo Chou uneasy.
"Master, what's wrong?"
"By doing so, although you showed bravery for a moment, do you know what kind of trouble you've brought upon Mo You?"
"As soon as he appears, those hiding in the dark will likely mobilize. Will he still be able to escape unharmed then?"
"Most importantly, do you know your current mindset? You, who have always been steady and reserved, why are you so angry specifically at Yi Shuang'er? What does this signify, do you truly understand?"
After Qing Yao finished speaking, she turned and walked back, not looking at Mo Chou's face.
Mo Chou froze, her face filled with shock. She had never thought about it this way until Master mentioned it.
Now that she thought about it, it was truly strange. Why did she dislike Yi Shuang'er? It seemed to be from the moment she held Mo You. When did she start considering Mo You as her possession?
This astonishing discovery rendered her speechless. She was entirely numb. To think that she harbored feelings for Mo You, a mere child! Oh heavens, would God punish her for such impure thoughts?
The two returned to the courtyard where Yin Xuan resided, one after the other.
After returning from the street, Mo Chou disappeared, hiding in her room to reflect. She didn't even come out for dinner, which made Mo You worried.
"Is she sick?"
This was quite unusual. Mo Chou rarely got sick. She didn't allow herself to fall ill, so she usually paid great attention to it. She hadn't expected to be sick this time.
Qing Yao said unhurriedly, "Yes, she's sick."
She added in her heart, "She's probably quite sick, otherwise she wouldn't have been so intent on hitting Yi Shuang'er."
Now it seemed that she and Mo You were mutually affectionate. However, there was one thing: Mo Chou would likely not easily let go of her inhibitions and accept Mo You, because he was five years younger than her.
As soon as Qing Yao finished speaking, Mo You had already vanished. Qing Yao calmly drank her tea. Mo You would return in at most fifteen minutes, because Mo Chou wouldn't see him at a time like this.
As expected, after fifteen minutes, Mo You walked over and spoke quickly.
"Master, how is she? I've called for a long time, but she won't respond."
"Forget it. You've had a tiring day, go rest. She's fine."
Qing Yao waved her hand. Mo You's face was filled with conflict, and he finally withdrew.
Qing Yao stood up and walked to the corridor to look at the moon in the sky. Although it wasn't full yet, it was at least half full. Its gentle radiance was like water, sprinkling over the courtyard. The small bridges and flowing water were covered with a layer of silver gauze. She sighed softly, her thoughts drifting to Wu Qing.
Are you doing well? Wu Qing, I'm so worried you're not doing well. You must be well. I'm fine, everything is fine.
As she was looking up, footsteps sounded in the corridor, and a tall, upright figure walked over, as if bringing a gust of wind.
The person was Yin Xuan, clad in a black robe, with a golden embroidered jade belt cinched at his waist. The blackness exuded an aura of dominance, enveloping his strong body. His dark hair was like clouds, casually spread over his shoulders. He was enveloped in a dense, ink-like blackness, yet his face was fair and delicate. The alluring crabapple flowers were made even more bewitching and fragrant by the blackness.
"What's wrong? Are you in a bad mood?"
Yin Xuan's voice was as clear and cool as water, echoing in the night. His eyes reflected the faint light, and he gazed at her intently.
Qing Yao sighed, "I don't know if he's doing well. You don't know his suffering, his unbearable childhood. He's not as bloodthirsty and heartless as outsiders say, nor is he truly without feelings. In fact, he's the one who yearns for family the most."
Yin Xuan quietly listened to her talk about another man, feeling an emptiness and pain in his heart. Her eyes only saw that man. Didn't she see that he also wasn't doing well and yearned for affection?
At this moment, it felt as if a suffocating aura was covering him, making him want to escape, yet he lacked the strength.
After finally calming his mind, he slowly said, "Since you miss him, go find him. Perhaps he wants to see you right now too."
As Yin Xuan spoke these words, he felt extreme bitterness in his mouth, a taste like bitter lotus roots filling his palate.
But some things no longer belonged to him. He looked up at her.
Qing Yao stood motionlessly, looking at the man beside her. After a long while, she slowly spoke:
"Yin Xuan, thank you. Just talking to you helps me relax a lot. In a few more days, I plan to leave Lijing and head to Fengfen City to kill that Changsun Yin, and then return to Wuqing Valley to see him. No matter what, at least to confirm he's alright, so I can truly be at ease."
After Qing Yao finished speaking, Yin Xuan nodded. The two agreed to leave the city in five days. Because their group was too large and would attract attention, they decided to leave in batches. Lijing was not as tense as it was half a month ago, so there was no major issue, but caution was still needed.
Five days later, starting from the morning, they began to leave the city in batches. Everyone who had met Yi Shuang'er disguised themselves.
The first batch was Mo You, leading a few young beggars. This was the most crucial step. Qing Yao dressed Mo You as a woman. This wasn't the first time, and Mo You was much more composed. When Mo You, dressed as a woman, stood before the beggars, none of them recognized him. Qing Yao didn't tell them anything, only instructed Mo You to leave first.
Yin Xuan, fearing unexpected events at the city gate, suggested escorting Mo You out of the city. This was an excellent idea, and Qing Yao agreed.
Their group left the city first. Qing Yao and Mo Chou were both very nervous. They only breathed a sigh of relief when Yin Xuan returned. The second batch was Qing Yao and Mo Chou themselves. This time, they still disguised themselves as men, as they had when they went out to the streets, and they also led a few young beggars in a carriage.
Yin Xuan wanted to accompany her, but Qing Yao refused. If he appeared too frequently, it would arouse suspicion. Moreover, she was capable of handling such minor matters.
The group sat in the carriage, heading towards the city gates. The driver was Yin Xuan's subordinate, who was exceptionally skilled. He quickly drove the carriage to the city gate and underwent inspection. There were no unexpected incidents.
Since it had been over twenty days, everyone was tired and not as nervous as in the previous days.