At this moment, a group of people rushed in from outside the sleeping chambers, led by the Emperor, with Hua Ligge and others following behind. The Emperor, witnessing this scene, had a dark expression and spoke with chilling authority.
"Take them down."
Hua Ligge waved his hand, and over a dozen guards simultaneously surged forward, surrounding Prince Beijin and his subordinates.
Mu Rong Liu Zun quickly moved to Mu Qingyao's side, pulling her up and examining her thoroughly. He breathed a sigh of relief, "Fortunately, there's no serious harm." As he spoke, he remembered Xi Men Xin Yue and immediately pulled Mu Qingyao around to look at Xi Men Xin Yue.
Xi Men Xin Yue, her usually charming and amorous face, was now completely devoid of color, as pale as paper. Blood seeped from the corner of her lips, staining the light pink thin jacket she wore.
Her gaze, filled with tender admiration, was fixed upon the Emperor. A smile graced her lips, but then her eyes glazed over, slowly losing their luster. Her head tilted, and she fainted.
Mu Rong Liu Zun was deeply moved and called out, "Xi Men Xin Yue, Xi Men Xin Yue?"
Mu Qingyao quietly watched it all unfold. Facing a woman who deeply admired him, the Emperor surely couldn't remain indifferent.
This was precisely Xi Men Xin Yue's intention. She was truly calculating, yet why did Mu Qingyao still feel indebted to her? Because she had saved her; that was an undeniable fact.
The Emperor suddenly stood up, his gaze sweeping coldly over those still fighting within the sleeping chambers.
Only Prince Beijin remained in the fight. The others had all been killed, lying scattered within the chambers.
Hua Ligge, already skilled in martial arts, along with over a dozen guards, had Mo Chou and Mo You retreat.
Even Prince Beijin, with his formidable martial prowess, couldn't withstand the dozen guards. He was defeated in an instant. However, this time was different from the last. He consolidated his palm wind, redirected his strike towards his own forehead, and struck himself with all his might. Before he could even cry out, he fell within the sleeping chambers.
Mu Rong Liu Zun's sharp eyes regarded the deceased Prince Beijin with confusion. He hadn't heard him speak a single word from beginning to end.
"Check if he was in disguise."
The Emperor ordered. Hua Ligge acknowledged the command and quickly approached, turning over Prince Beijin's face and examining him thoroughly. He even used his hands to forcefully pull at his chin and hair. Finally, confirming it was genuine skin, he reported in a deep voice, "Reporting to the Emperor, he is Prince Beijin."
Mu Rong Liu Zun relaxed and coldly commanded, "Drag everyone out, and clean this place up."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hua Ligge and the guards carried out the bodies of Prince Beijin and the others. Silence fell upon the sleeping chambers.
Mu Qingyao remained crouched beside Xi Men Xin Yue, her expression troubled. The Emperor walked over, and for once, he uncharacteristically picked up Xi Men Xin Yue's body directly, looking up to comfort Mu Qingyao.
"Yao'er, don't worry. I will have the imperial physicians attend to her."
"Okay," Mu Qingyao nodded, her expression unchanged. Only after his tall figure had left did her heart feel a sting, a sense of discomfort, as if she couldn't breathe properly, a feeling of suffocation.
Outside, the snow fell in torrents. Snowflakes drifted in through the window, dancing within the sleeping chambers. One or two brushed past her cheeks, yet she felt no cold.
Mo You silently walked over and closed the window. Mo Chou reached out to support her mistress, settling her beside the large bed.
Mei Xin entered from outside, her face pale, a hint of tears in her eyes. She had likely witnessed the scene as well. Everyone felt a sense of suffocation. Although some things were prepared from the beginning, they now felt a chilling emptiness.
The three of them silently tidied the scattered belongings within the sleeping chambers, as well as the bloodstains on the floor. They didn't summon any palace maids, choosing to do it themselves, as if only this could bring a little relief.
An hour later, everything was cleaned up. Mo You and Mo Chou carried out the dirty items and the water with bloodstains.
Mei Xin walked over. Her mistress sat there blankly, her expression a mixture of confusion and coldness.
"Your Ladyship, it is late. Please rest."
Mu Qingyao finally came back to her senses and smiled unnaturally, looking up at Mei Xin, "What's wrong, little maid?"
Her voice was laced with a sob. How could Mei Xin, her maid, not understand her mistress's heartache? Tears immediately flowed down her cheeks. "Your Ladyship, if you feel unwell, please say it. Hit me, scold me, anything, as long as it makes you feel better. Please don't bottle it up. It pains me to see you like this, Your Ladyship."
As Mei Xin finished speaking, she began to cry. Mo Chou and Mo You entered from outside the sleeping chambers, standing silently behind Mei Xin.
Mu Qingyao sighed, stood up, and pulled Mei Xin over to wipe away her tears. "You little maid are timid and easily frightened, and you like to cry. How can your mistress take you out with her?"
"Your Ladyship?"
The three of them cried out simultaneously. Mu Qingyao took a deep breath, seemingly having made up her mind, and slowly spoke, "Alright, regardless, I was already preparing to leave, so don't you all overthink it. I should be grateful that someone was willing to accompany the Emperor before I left. Because she likes the Emperor, she saved me out of affection, didn't she? No matter what her ulterior motives were, she did save me. When she wakes up, I will leave. You all prepare."
"Yes, Your Ladyship."
The three of them responded in unison. If they had hoped their mistress would stay the first time, this time they were utterly resolute. They would leave the palace with their mistress and venture into the martial world.
Weiyang Palace.
Feiyang Hall, this was where Xi Men Xin Yue resided. On the exquisite large bed in the side hall, Xi Men Xin Yue was laid out. The handsome, cold Emperor sat by her side.
The imperial physician was taking Xi Men Xin Yue's pulse, his expression somewhat grave. After a while, he released her hand. The little maid, Lian Yan, immediately stepped forward to tend to her mistress.
"Reporting to the Emperor, Miss Xi Men was injured by internal force, affecting the meridians in her left chest. Fortunately, it did not injure her heart, or even a divine immortal could not have saved her. However, even so, Miss will likely need to recuperate and regulate her breathing slowly; recovering quickly is impossible."
"Go and prescribe the medicine."
Upon hearing the imperial physician's report and knowing there was no serious harm, Mu Rong Liu Zun felt relieved. His understanding of Xi Men Xin Yue was that, besides being intelligent and ruthless, she possessed some rare noble qualities. Moreover, this woman seemed to love him dearly.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the imperial physician acknowledged and withdrew. Another little maid followed him out to fetch the medicine.
Mu Rong Liu Zun stood up and glanced at Xi Men Xin Yue, who lay on the bed with her eyes closed. Her small, delicate face was as pale as paper, a sight that evoked pity. He was grateful that she had saved Yao'er, and thus a trace of compassion bloomed for her.
"Take good care of your mistress."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lian Yan replied with her head bowed, not expecting her mistress's severe injury to earn this man some pity. She wondered if it was all worth it.