"Let him be called Mo You. These are Mo Chou and Mei Xin."
"Yes, Your Highness," the young man, no, he was called Mo You now, breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally left his past behind. From now on, he would be his simple self, Mo You, the Mo You who protected Her Highness.
"Alright, rest well. If your martial arts are subpar, I won't keep you," Mu Qingyao said coldly, hugging the little fox and turning to leave.
Mei Xin and Mo Chou looked at Mo You with joy. They hadn't expected another protector for Her Highness to join them, and they were both very happy.
That fellow named Mo You, at first glance, was clearly an upright person. Although he was only twelve or thirteen years old, his brows held a reserved and steady demeanor. This child seemed very mature. What hardships had he experienced in the past, Mei Xin and Mo Chou mused.
Outside the door, Mu Qingyao stopped and turned to Mei Xin, "Take Mao Xueqiu down, and give some blood to Mo You. Also, never leak that Mao Xueqiu can neutralize all poisons. I hope as few people as possible know about this matter, as it will hurt him."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Mei Xin reached out and took Mao Xueqiu. None of the three wanted to harm this adorable creature.
Because Mu Qingyao had been assassinated, the Emperor originally wanted to inquire about the details. However, he waited for her for two hours, only to find that she had gotten drunk. In the end, nothing he wanted to ask was answered. So, as soon as the Emperor finished his affairs, he brought Ah Jiu to Fengluan Palace.
As soon as the two met, the atmosphere felt different. The Emperor's gaze was fervent and ambiguous, as if something was quietly growing between them. His beautiful eyes were filled with deep affection, making Mu Qingyao's scalp tingle. She tried hard, desperately trying to recall what she had done the previous night that made the Emperor seem like a different person overnight.
Ah Jiu, Mei Xin, and the others, seeing that the Emperor and Empress were not speaking but their gazes were full of love and affection, cleverly took their leave.
"Why has Your Majesty come?"
"Yao'er, when there's no one around, you can call me by my name," Murong Liu Zun's deep, charming voice sounded.
Mu Qingyao's eyes widened like copper bells, her jaw nearly dropping. She was certain something had happened last night, otherwise, why would this man be so different?
Qingyao cautiously probed, "Could it be that when I was drunk yesterday, I did something I shouldn't have to His Majesty, and that's why he's completely changed?"
"Your Majesty, I was a bit drunk yesterday. Was it very strange?"
Mu Qingyao gave an awkward, forced smile, looking at the Emperor sitting beside her, her clear eyes full of doubt.
The Emperor's gaze flickered, a smile of deep meaning on his lips. He spoke in a low, gentle voice, "I didn't know the Empress was so passionate?"
"Ah?" Mu Qingyao was startled. What did his words mean? Losing his usual composure, she stammered, covering her mouth before finally saying, "Did I do something to you?"
"What do you think?" Emperor Xian's face held an ambiguous smile, his eyes growing deeper, a fire flickering within them.
This expression completely frightened Mu Qingyao. Her face turned pale, and she wailed inwardly, "My heavens, it turns out I have poor drunken behavior. I was truly careless yesterday. Even if I wanted to get intimate, why choose the Emperor?"
How unlucky. And what was with this man's smug expression, as if he had won the lottery?
"Your Majesty, I was actually drunk yesterday and remember nothing."
She truly remembered nothing. She tried her best to think, but couldn't recall any fragments from last night. She was extremely frustrated and her face was sullen.
What had she done to this man to make him smile so strangely, so triumphant as if he had won a grand prize?
A spark of realization flashed in Mu Qingyao's mind. Could it be that she had kissed this man yesterday? Could that dream be real? This was more terrifying than the end of the world.
"You've remembered."
Emperor Xian, Murong Liu Zun, watched the woman beside him, her startled and flustered expressions and changing face, finding it exceptionally amusing. He offered no explanation.
They had indeed shared more intimate moments yesterday. He had stolen a kiss from her, not that she had violated him, but he wouldn't reveal that.
"No," Mu Qingyao shook her head furiously, finally deciding not to think about it.
Forget it, whatever happened, happened. When she woke up, her inner garments were still properly on. At most, she had kissed him. She would play dumb now. "Your Majesty, the past is the past. Why has Your Majesty come? Is everything alright?"
Actually, what she really wanted to say was, is Xian Yue going to be destroyed? Thinking about it, there was no benefit in its destruction. She decided to hold her tongue and quickly changed the subject.
Murong Liu Zun's dark pupils held a knowing glint. The corner of his lips curved into a smile. "Yes, I came to ask Yao'er about the situation with those assassins yesterday. Hua Li Ge said they were death warriors, and you recognized one of them. Who was it?"
As soon as Mu Qingyao heard his question, her eyes turned sharply cold, and killing intent emanated from her.
"Qin Hao, the man who insulted Mu Qingxiang in the palace. He is the Empress Dowager's man. Chun Han said this before he died. Also, Chun Han mentioned the words Yue Jue Temple before he died. I don't know what he meant by that."
Mu Qingyao spoke calmly, her delicate brows furrowed. She gazed steadily at the Emperor, unsure of his thoughts. She had promised her father, the Prime Minister, that she would help him to the best of her ability, and thus she would help him eradicate the dark forces.
"Yue Jue Temple?"
Murong Liu Zun's narrow eyes shot up, his gaze sharp as blades, and gloomy. He hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to harbor people within the palace. If Chun Han were still alive and willing to identify her, he would never let her off. But now that the person was dead, there was no direct evidence.
"Then I must send people to investigate what secrets Yue Jue Temple holds, and where those death warriors came from. Since there was one group, it means there are others in the shadows. Where are they hiding?"
"Your Majesty? Qing Yao has a suggestion. Does Your Majesty agree?"
"Speak?" Murong Liu Zun looked up at her, the darkness in his eyes flashing away, replaced by a gentle radiance. Yao'er was clearly different after returning to the Prime Minister's manor, seemingly willing to help him. It seemed the Prime Minister had helped him.
"I want to leave the palace and go to Yue Jue Temple."
"No, how can this be?" Murong Liu Zun's first reaction was disapproval. How could he let her put herself in danger? Before, he had only suspected that someone might be targeting her.
But now it was confirmed, how could he still let her step forward?
Now he knew she was very important to him. Yesterday, when he heard she had been assassinated, he had almost rushed to her directly. How could he let her step forward now?