This appears to be a farmhouse, not a base for assassins. The person who brought her here was not an assassin, but someone else entirely. However, she didn't know why those people had captured her.
Mu Qingyao was lost in thought when the door creaked open and someone entered.
Two women, dressed in rough farmer's clothes, approached with joy upon seeing Mu Qingyao awake. "You're awake? Are you hungry?"
Mu Qingyao glared at them, her body radiating coldness, and demanded, "Tell me, who are you? Why am I here?"
The two women were clearly intimidated by Mu Qingyao's chilling demeanor and were speechless for a long time. When they finally reacted, the older one quickly replied, "Miss, it's not our business. Someone left you here and asked us to take care of you. They gave us money."
"What did that person look like?"
Mu Qingyao asked calmly. The woman hesitated, then looked up to see Mu Qingyao staring at her fiercely, daring not to delay further.
"He was a very handsome young man. He said he was leaving you here temporarily and asked us to take good care of you, saying he would pick you up soon. Miss, that person seemed to like you."
The woman recalled the young man gently carrying her in, as if she were his treasure. When he left, he looked back again and again before reluctantly departing.
"A handsome man who likes me?"
Mu Qingyao frowned. She couldn't recall any handsome young man who had ever liked her. A flash of inspiration struck her: could it be Changsun Zhu? That guy had always wanted to take her away from Xianyue.
But why all this secrecy? There was also another person, the charming Young Master Chu. Could it be that coincidental? The night she left him at the Prime Minister's mansion, she was kidnapped.
If Changsun Zhu was the kidnapper, it was possible. But if it was Young Master Chu, then he was definitely not as simple as he appeared. The black-clad assailants who had abducted her were clearly a well-trained organization. Even if they weren't assassins, they were a formidable group.
Mu Qingyao pondered with a cold expression. It seemed many hidden forces were emerging. What were they trying to do? If this force belonged to Changsun Zhu, he wouldn't be foolish enough to scheme against Emperor Xian.
If it was Chu Qianyi, then was he helping the Prince of Beijin obtain the throne?
More and more signs indicated that the Prince of Beijin was the biggest schemer, and his ambition for the throne was becoming increasingly evident.
However, if Chu Qianyi was truly helping the Prince of Beijin, he should have killed her, not imprisoned her here. What was he thinking?
Mu Qingyao remained silent, and the two farm women dared not say another word. The room was very quiet.
It wasn't until Mu Qingyao's icy voice broke the silence: "What is this place?"
Although the two women were afraid of her, finding her formidable, they wouldn't say anything they shouldn't. Shaking their heads vigorously, they indicated their unwillingness to speak.
Mu Qingyao threw off the thin quilt, got out of bed, and put on her shoes to walk out. The two women quickly stopped her. "Miss, where are you going?"
"I'm leaving. You'd best not provoke me, or don't blame me for being impolite," Mu Qingyao warned coldly. She pushed the two women aside forcefully and walked out. To her surprise, the two women did not try to stop her, but simply called out after her.
"Miss, you can't leave, miss."
As Mu Qingyao reached the door, she understood. Two expressionless men stood by the courtyard gate. Hearing the commotion inside, they glanced at her before looking away.
Mu Qingyao's phoenix eyes darkened, her lips tightening. She returned to the side room in frustration.
Very well, it seemed they had stationed guards to watch her, giving her no chance to escape. Now, without any of her martial arts skills, how could she possibly flee?
The Imperial Palace.
The Grand Hall of the Liuli Palace was deathly silent. The Emperor, seated high above, his handsome face flashing with bloodthirsty cruelty, glared at the few people below.
Mo Qiu, Mo You, and Bing Xiao.
"Damn it, how could the Empress be abducted while you were all fine? And you still dare to return to see me."
"Your subordinate (this servant) deserves death."
The few people bowed their heads in fear. They indeed thought about it. Her Highness had been abducted, and they should have gone to rescue her, yet they returned to the palace to report to the Emperor. How could the Emperor not be angry? They dared not even breathe, and the vast Liuli Palace was chillingly cold, with no one daring to speak.
The Emperor suddenly stood up from his throne. His handsome face regained its composure, but his star-like eyes flashed with chilling malice. He issued a stern command.
"Ah Jiu, immediately dispatch the Imperial Guards. I will personally go to rescue the Empress."
"Your Majesty!" Everyone in the hall turned pale. The situation outside was so chaotic, and His Majesty intended to go out.
Perhaps those people were trying to lure the Emperor out. If His Majesty went now, wouldn't he be walking into a trap? Those people were capable of anything.
However, there was no room for negotiation in the Emperor's bloodthirsty star eyes. He had already descended from his throne and cast a chilling glance at Ah Jiu beside him. Although Ah Jiu disagreed, he dared not stop the Emperor and could only accept the order and prepare to leave.
At this moment, a eunuch announced from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, the Prince of Nan'an has arrived."
Many in the hall breathed a sigh of relief. The Prince of Nan'an had arrived; this was truly wonderful. The Prince of Nan'an would surely stop His Majesty.
"Announce him," the Emperor said coldly. The tall figure of the Prince of Nan'an walked in. His resolute face was colder than usual. His eyes swept over everyone in the hall, and he paid his respects to the Emperor. "This subject greets Your Majesty."
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The Prince of Nan'an rose and stood to the side, his brows furrowed, and spoke in a deep voice. "This subject has received news that the Empress was abducted by evildoers today while on her way to Yuejue Temple, so this subject has immediately entered the palace."
"Yes, I am now going out of the palace to search for the Empress's whereabouts," Murong Liuzun said with a heavy voice. The usually restrained and calm person had lost his composure, his heart filled with anxiety. This matter was not originally Yao'er's concern; it was he who had dragged her into it. If anything were to happen to her, he would never forgive himself.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not advisable. This is likely a sinister ploy by the evildoers. Your Majesty should reconsider."
The Prince of Nan'an, Murong Liuzhao, quickly spoke to stop the Emperor. The Emperor was still the foundation of the country and of immense value. Any slight mishap could lead to disaster. It was likely that the people in the shadows had already received news of the Empress's abduction. If he really went out, those people would not miss this opportunity.
"Say no more. If I am a coward, then it is better to find the Empress as soon as possible. If the Empress suffers even the slightest harm, you will all pay with your lives."
The Emperor's deep, unfathomable eyes shone, and his ferocious and decisive words echoed in the hall. Mo Chou, Mo You, and Bing Xiao were all terrified, not out of fear of death, but for fear that His Majesty might truly be harmed this time, in which case their guilt would be unforgivable.