By intuition, she felt he was far purer than most people in the world. Although he would kill when enraged and save when happy, a peculiar habit, he was still better than those who hid daggers behind smiles.
"Where does he live? Do you know?"
What Mu Qingyao wanted to know most now was where he lived. If she knew his residence, she would definitely go to him to become his disciple.
Ying Feng, seeing Mu Qingyao incessantly interrogating about Wuqing's whereabouts, found it peculiar but still told her.
"Wuqing lives in Wuqing Valley, which is within the territory of Huangyuan Kingdom. It's surrounded by continuous mountains. Beyond the mountains is the territory of Xian Yue, and on this side is Huangyuan Kingdom. However, Wuqing Valley is encircled by a vast swamp. It's said that the swamp has man-eating fish. Inside, there is a peach forest permeated with poisonous gas, along with intricate formations. Everyone who has entered has never returned, hence it is a forbidden zone, and no one dares to go there."
Ying Feng finished speaking and looked at Mu Qingyao.
"Miss Mu, you're not thinking of going to find him, are you?"
Mu Qingyao smiled faintly. Now that she knew where he was, how could she let others know her intentions? Her expression turned serious, and she spoke sternly, "Since it's so dangerous, how would I dare to go? But if I see him again, I must thank him for saving my life."
Seeing this, Ying Feng stood up and muttered to himself as he walked away. How strange, since when was Wuqing so kind as to save women? He had never heard of such a thing.
In the room, Mu Qingyao felt as if the gloom of the past few days had lifted. She now had only one goal: to go to Wuqing Valley to learn.
"Miss?" Mei Xin, seeing her mistress beaming with joy, inquired with concern, "What makes you so happy?"
"I finally know what I should do next! Once Mo Chou's injuries heal, I've decided to go to Wuqing Valley to become his disciple," Mu Qingyao's demeanor was serious and earnest, leaving no room for doubt that she was joking.
However, upon hearing about entering Wuqing Valley, everyone in the room widened their eyes. Their mistress had likely only heard the first half and missed the latter.
"Mistress, didn't you hear what Ying Feng said? Wuqing Valley is treacherous, with a swamp outside, man-eating fish inside, and peach formations. Furthermore, there's poisonous gas within the formations, and it's a place where all who enter never return. Also, that ghost doctor Wuqing dislikes women, so how would he let us in?"
"Then you don't understand," Mu Qingyao rolled her eyes, a determined smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Ying Feng must have exaggerated a bit. But even if it's really that formidable, have you forgotten that I'm carrying a child? Doesn't the ghost doctor Wuqing save children and the elderly? I count as a child too. Don't forget that he saved us precisely because of the child in my womb."
Mo Chou and Mo You exchanged glances. It seemed their mistress was resolute about going to Wuqing Valley. Alright, since she was going, they would all go together once their injuries healed.
As if remembering something, Mu Qingyao turned and asked Mo Chou with concern, "Is your injury getting better?"
"Yes, much better. It's nothing serious, Miss, please don't worry."
"That's good. We'll stay here for two more days, then leave and head to Wuqing Valley to become disciples."
"Okay," Mo Chou and Mo You replied simultaneously, a hint of worry surfacing in their hearts.
Would Changsun Zhu really let them leave? It was unlikely to be an easy matter. Having stayed in the Crown Prince's mansion for so long, they had overheard some rumors.
It was rumored that this Mingyue Residence was still where the future Crown Princess resided, and Crown Prince Changsun had given this place to their mistress to live in, implying its significance.
At night, Changsun Zhu appeared at Mingyue.
Qingyao dismissed the servants, and in the main hall, only the two of them remained. The atmosphere was somewhat awkward for a moment, but it quickly returned to normal because Mu Qingyao said something that caused Changsun Zhu to lose control.
She said, "I'm leaving, Changsun Zhu. Thank you for your care during this time."
Changsun Zhu's face immediately changed. He rushed forward and grabbed her hand. In his ink-black pupils, a dazzling light emanated, and he spoke with deep affection.
"Qingyao, can't you see? I want you to stay. This Crown Prince's mansion has no mistress."
Mu Qingyao stared at him for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. She knew what he was planning. She abruptly pulled her hand away and spoke with a stern, icy tone.
"Changsun Zhu, I don't like you, and I certainly don't like being a Crown Princess. I don't even like being an Empress, so why would I want to be a Crown Princess? Are you overestimating yourself? You have so many women in your Crown Prince's mansion; surely you can pick any one of them who wishes to be Crown Princess. Why must you drag me into this mess? Are you trying to kill me?"
Qingyao refused him directly. She disliked indecisiveness that harmed herself and others. Although Changsun Zhu was a good person, handsome, and had an impeccable family background, being the Crown Prince of a kingdom, she simply didn't like him.
Her words seemed to strike Changsun Zhu. He staggered back two steps, pain surfacing in his dark eyes. He stared at her intently, then slumped into the chair behind him, murmuring softly.
"Why? Is it because someone hurt you that you hate me, is that it?"
Finally, his pupils began to redden, and he seemed to become somewhat hysterical. He stood up abruptly, and a murderous aura enveloped him. He paced wildly in the main hall.
Qingyao watched him coldly. As the Crown Prince of Qingluo Kingdom, Changsun Zhu had been complacent and aloof his entire life, basking in everyone's adoration. His understanding of "liking" was probably just a desire for conquest. It was because she was different from other women; she didn't admire or love him.
Therefore, he wanted to conquer her. People in the royal family were unlikely to genuinely like someone easily; such affection carried too much baggage.
"Changsun Zhu, I don't hate you, nor do I like you. If you still consider me a friend, please let me leave peacefully. If we meet again, we will still be friends. Otherwise?"
Mistiness welled up in Qingyao's eyes, a cold frostiness, her expression grim and unpleasant.
To be honest, she didn't want to antagonize Changsun Zhu. She was currently in Qingluo Kingdom, and Changsun Zhu's capabilities were evident. Having an extra friend was better than having an enemy. However, if he continued to pester her, then things might change.
"Qingyao, please stay. Accompany me to the palace banquet tomorrow night, and I will have my father and mother propose to marry you as the Crown Princess."
Changsun Zhu did not allow Mu Qingyao to refuse. He spun around and lunged in front of Qingyao, his dark pupils flashing with possessiveness. At this moment, he had completely lost his composure.
Mu Qingyao was dumbfounded. Was this man insane?
She had rejected him; hadn't he heard her?
"Changsun Zhu, you're crazy. I won't marry you. Don't make it so that we can't even be friends. I will not go to that so-called palace banquet with you."
She forcefully pulled her hand away and retreated, maintaining a distance from him. Why was this man so insistent on having her? She truly didn't believe he loved her to the point of obsession; that would be a colossal joke.