Luo Yang’s lips twitched, and he suddenly laughed. His body relaxed, and he was enveloped in a radiant glow. With a powerful grip, he pulled her deeper into his embrace, gazing at her steadily.
"My name is Changsun Zhu, the Crown Prince of Qingluo Kingdom. Tonight, I will take you back to Qingluo Kingdom. Follow me, and I will marry you as my official consort."
Mu Qingyao rolled her eyes, a frost settling on her face. She inwardly gasped, finding these men too presumptuous. She had no intention of marrying anyone at the moment.
Furthermore, the man before her was even more detestable, having restrained her limbs and preparing to forcibly take her away.
A cold smile flickered across Mu Qingyao's lips. Changsun Zhu, was it? She had noted him down. He had better not fall into her hands, or she would certainly not spare him.
"Changsun Zhu, are you sure you can take me away? How about we make a bet?"
At this moment, Mu Qingyao still had the mood to jest, showing no sign of the fear and unease that ordinary people would have.
Changsun Zhu's pupils were bright and clear. It seemed he had found the right person this time. A smile, one that could topple cities, spread across his lips.
"Good," Changsun Zhu responded with arrogant abandon.
"If you can take me away tonight, then all matters between us will be settled. Otherwise, I will not let this matter rest."
Mu Qingyao's clear voice carried no hint of amusement. Her pretty face was solemn, her dark eyes bottomless as she gazed at Changsun Zhu.
He raised an eyebrow, a thoughtful glint illuminating his handsome face. Slowly, he broke into a smile, a smile as vibrant as a blood-red lotus, dazzling beyond words.
"Are you referring to the fact that this incense was mixed with rush pith, or to the person hiding in the shadows, constantly protecting you?"
His words, cool and detached, echoed in the floral hall, yet they carried a distant, spectral quality.
Mu Qingyao blinked, meeting his knowing gaze. The corner of her lip suddenly curled. "Then do you dare to make the wager?"
"Good, I promise you. If I can take you back to Qingluo Kingdom from here, then you will willingly marry me."
Changsun Zhu's eyes lit up, his face beaming. If he could make her marry him willingly, it would be the best outcome.
He, the dignified Crown Prince of Qingluo Kingdom, would not stoop to forcing a woman to marry him. But this woman was an exception; she was the unique phoenix spoken of by the enlightened monk.
With her existence, their Qingluo Kingdom would surely stand out, unifying the seven kingdoms and becoming a generation's overlord, the supreme ruler of the world.
Therefore, no matter what, he had to take her back to Qingluo Kingdom.
"Good, it's a deal," Mu Qingyao nodded, smiling with satisfaction. Her long eyelashes fluttered, casting shadows. Her bright red lips were fragrant and dewy like flower petals.
Changsun Zhu's gaze deepened. With the intertwining light, holding the soft and fragrant jade in his arms, it was truly intoxicating. For a moment, he genuinely wanted to release her, to wait until she willingly went with him to Qingluo Kingdom.
However, he could wait no longer. The fifteenth of July was her wedding day, so he had no choice but to resort to this extreme measure.
"Forgive me," Changsun Zhu nodded. Just as he was about to lead Mu Qingyao away, two people entered from outside. They were Meixin and Mochou. Upon seeing their young lady being held, they immediately cried out, "Who are you?"
Mochou moved swiftly, her footsteps already drifting towards Changsun Zhu. Simultaneously, a soft sword appeared in her hand, its sharp, cold light directly aimed at Changsun Zhu. She roared, "Put my lady down, or you'll regret it."
As Mochou finished speaking, Changsun Zhu actually burst into laughter, as if he had heard a joke. His laughter was filled with disdain and contempt.
How arrogant for a mere maid to be so presumptuous. His eyes suddenly turned dark and menacing. His lips moved, and he uttered, "Yuediao."
"Yes, Master."
Silently, a figure descended at the entrance of the floral hall.
The shadow transformed into several illusory duplicates, momentarily distracting the onlookers. The newcomer flashed behind Mochou, as silent and spectral as a ghost, exuding a chilling aura.
Mochou's foot slipped, and she moved to the side, dodging the attack. Just as she was about to retaliate, Mu Qingyao's cold voice rang out.
"Stop."
Mochou and the other person simultaneously halted their actions and looked over. Mu Qingyao's face was covered in frost as she glared coldly at Changsun Zhu. "Don't hurt my maid."
"Yuediao, stand down."
Changsun Zhu snorted coldly. The figure vanished in an instant. Such skill was indeed formidable, no wonder Changsun Zhu was so confident.
But would Emperor Xian, Murong Liuzun, simply watch him take her away? Such a person was hardly worthy of her marrying into his palace.
Although she was very reluctant to enter the palace and had never intended to stay, having met him only once was enough for her to understand the dark intentions he harbored.
"Mochou, stand down."
"Miss," Mochou's sword-wielding hand paused. Unwillingly, she glared fiercely at Changsun Zhu. She knew her young lady was afraid they would suffer. Although the man before them appeared exceptionally dashing, he was definitely not someone to be trifled with.
Moreover, his subordinates were all top-tier martial artists in the Jianghu. Fighting them would only be inviting trouble. But watching her young lady being taken away, she could not bear it.
"Alright, I'll be fine. You both retreat."
"Miss," Meixin and Mochou cried out in unison.
But a cold glint flashed in Changsun Zhu's dark pupils. He reached out and scooped up Mu Qingyao, walking towards the exit. Mochou seized this opportunity, reaching out to grab him.
Unfortunately, although there was no wind, his dark robe billowed, and he was surrounded by a protective aura. The force of the air made Mochou's fingers numb, and she stumbled back a step, watching helplessly as the man walked out with her young lady. Meixin's disoriented voice sounded, "What do we do?"
"I'll follow them!"
As soon as Mochou finished speaking, she leaped up agilely, closely pursuing the figure ahead. The shadow flickered like a ghost, neither fast nor slow, leaving the Mu Manor.
Outside the mansion gates, it was pitch black. A thin mist enveloped the surroundings. Martial artists, with their extraordinary vision, could navigate in the darkness as if it were daylight, moving with ease.
A luxurious carriage had stopped on the street. The tall, slender figure bent down, placing the young lady onto the carriage, and prepared to board himself.
Mochou's heart was filled with an anxious dread. What was to be done? Would her young lady truly be taken away by this man? Who exactly was he?
Mochou even contemplated suicide. If her young lady was taken away, she would die to atone.
Just as she was lamenting her fate and preparing to carry out her desperate plan, several bright spots appeared in the dark sky, reaching her in the blink of an eye.
It turned out that some people were carrying lanterns and flying through the air. Several nimble and graceful figures, like celestial beings from beyond the heavens, descended gracefully. Their long robes slowly trailed downwards. With a slight shake of their lanterns, they landed.