"If I refuse, I don't think a little girl like you can stop us."
Qingyao deliberately tested them. Since they sincerely wanted to bring them to see their master, they would surely have made preparations.
Indeed, as Qingyao's words fell, Ying Feng pursed his lips and smiled, elegantly lifting the carriage curtain. Behind the carriage, seven or eight tall horses followed, each carrying a stern-faced individual. Their eyes were sharp and bright, clearly indicating they were men of great skill.
Seeing this arrangement, Qingyao realized she had fallen from the wolf's den into the tiger's lair. Without a doubt, she knew the person behind Ying Feng must be from one of the other six kingdoms. But who could it be? Her beautiful face grew cold, and a chill emanated from her.
"Are you perhaps trying to kidnap us?"
Upon hearing their mistress's words, Moyou, Mochou, and Meixin immediately glared, and the carriage became tense with hostility.
Ying Feng, however, was unfazed and spoke calmly, "Young Master need not worry. We are not kidnapping you. It's just that our master said you are his friend and insisted that you be invited as a guest. Otherwise, our lives would be forfeit. So please rest assured, this is not a kidnapping at all."
A chilling glint flashed in Qingyao's sharp eyes as she calculated their chances of winning if they fought the people before them. After considering all possibilities, it seemed there was little hope of victory. She abandoned the thought, her pretty face remaining cold.
"Where are you taking us now?"
"Fengwu Villa," Ying Feng replied without concealment, his tone respectful. After speaking, he leaned against the carriage wall and closed his eyes to rest.
Question marks flashed in Qingyao's eyes. Fengwu Villa? She turned to look at Mochou and Moyou. Her two subordinates wore equally bewildered expressions. None of them had any experience navigating the martial world, so they had no idea what Fengwu Villa was.
However, she decided to accept the situation as it was. She wanted to see who was behind this. They likely wouldn't make things excessively difficult for them, which could be inferred from Ying Feng's attitude. The master behind him must not be entirely wicked, otherwise, Ying Feng wouldn't be so amiable and respectful.
Silence fell upon them. Qingyao leaned back on the soft couch inside, closing her eyes lazily to rest. The night was deep, and the carriage sped like the wind.
Mochou and Moyou said nothing more, sitting on one side of the carriage and closing their eyes to rest. Since they didn't know where Fengwu Villa was, they would simply relax in the carriage and see where these people took them.
Suddenly, a startled cry rang out.
The sound made everyone jump. They all opened their eyes and looked at the person who had screamed – Meixin. The girl's large, clear eyes darted with anxiety.
"Master, we forgot all our baggage at the inn."
As these words were spoken, everyone in the carriage looked exasperated. Qingyao glanced at her and continued to close her eyes. Mochou and Moyou also pretended not to hear. Ying Feng, surprisingly helpful, spoke up, "Don't worry. We have everything at Fengwu Villa. If you lack anything, you can tell me."
"Oh," Meixin said with an embarrassed smile and then scratched her head. Seeing that her master ignored her, she quickly closed her eyes to rest, as she too was very tired.
At dawn, the carriage drove into a luxurious manor.
In the misty morning light, a manor with carved beams and painted pillars, ancient and elegant, seemed like a divine stroke from beyond the heavens. A path paved with bluestone extended inwards, and the carriage sped along it.
At this moment, the people inside the carriage were all awake. Meixin lifted the brocade curtain and looked out. On both sides of the path…
There were small bridges and flowing water, rockeries and screens. Although it was the cold winter, the place was surprisingly lush and green. Thin mist shrouded the misty pavilions, creating a dreamlike illusion. The flowers and plants were fresh, and withered trees hinted at spring.
Passing through the verdant banks that resembled celestial realms, they reached a jade-green lake. The wide lake surface was as clear as a mirror, reflecting the willow trees on the shore. As the wind blew, the willows gently swayed, creating an indescribable poetic and picturesque scene. The soft branches, gently brushing the lake's surface, stirred ripples.
A white jade stone bridge arched over the center of the lake. The railings by the bridge were carved with tiger heads and lion bodies, exuding a powerful aura. The carriage crossed the white jade bridge and stopped.
Ying Feng was the first to dismount, speaking respectfully, "Young Master, please alight. Our master requests your presence."
Qingyao hugged Mao Xueqiu and lazily did not move. Mochou and Moyou alighted first, then extended their hands to assist their master.
As soon as Meixin got out of the carriage, she couldn't help but exclaim, "How beautiful!"
On both sides of the white jade stone path stood maids dressed in splendid attire. These richly clad maids were respectful and dared not breathe loudly, all of them bending their waists in curtseys.
Qingyao scanned them with a cold gaze. From these maids alone, she could tell that their master was a meticulous and mysterious person. But who could it be? Doubt arose in her heart. Ying Feng walked over and respectfully made a gesture of invitation.
"Young Master, please. The master is awaiting you."
The group followed Ying Feng forward. Not far away, they saw a main house with carved beams and painted pillars and jade balustrades. The vivid carvings and painted corridors, every detail was meticulously crafted.
Outside the long corridor, beneath the white jade steps, countless maids and older women stood in attendance. As they walked past, clear and pleasant voices rang out, "Welcome esteemed guests to Fengwu Villa."
So this was Fengwu Villa. Indeed, like a dancing phoenix, it possessed elegance amidst grandeur, different from the magnificence of the imperial palace, but carrying more of a misty, ethereal quality.
"Young Master, please,"
Ying Feng respectfully led them, ascending the stone steps, passing through the long corridor, and straight to the entrance of the main house.
Standing outside the main house, Ying Feng spoke cautiously, "Master, the guests have arrived."
"Enter," a low, magnetic voice replied. Mu Qingyao found the voice somewhat familiar, yet she couldn't recall who it was for a moment. However, since they were invited in, there was no need for politeness. She stepped inside first.
The living room was filled with a pleasant musk scent. From a small, exquisite golden cauldron, wisps of smoke curled upwards.
On shelves inlaid with gold and jade, precious antiques were displayed, arranged in a corner of the living room.
Beside a carved table were two chairs with brocade cushions. Below, several chairs were arranged on both sides.
The white walls were adorned with tasteful landscape paintings and a playful depiction of shrimp playing, very amusing.
At this moment, a man dressed in a purple brocade robe stood with his back to them, admiring the painting on the wall. His posture was proud, his black hair like clouds, simply tied up with a bright yellow silk ribbon, yet exuding extreme wildness.
Although his face could not be seen, his back alone suggested his peerless elegance. Hearing the movement by the door, he slowly turned around.
His face was like flawless jade, his brows like carefully cut frost, his eyes like stars, shining with a captivating brilliance. A slight curve of his lips turned into a soul-stirring smile, and a watery radiance flowed around him.