Ping An and Lin An led their men away. Lan Ji stood respectfully, awaiting the Empress Dowager's command. The Empress Dowager glanced at Lan Ji and spoke slowly.
"Lan Ji, go see Minister Ye and have him prepare some experts for me. I need to do something."
"Yes, Your Ladyship."
Lan Ji took the order, not questioning the matter. As subordinates, they understood their place and knew that their masters' affairs were not for them to pry into.
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and Lan Ji withdrew, leaving the palace.
In the evening, Shangguan Yao finally received a message from Chang Xin Palace. It was a personal letter from his mother, containing only two words.
Upon reading those two words, Shangguan Yao felt a surge of energy, his eyes gleaming as if he had just captured Murong Chong. "Excellent! Murong Chong, Murong Chong, I can finally subdue you myself. I refuse to believe I cannot capture you..."
At Yunshui Villa, the sky was a deep blue, the clouds pure white, and warmth permeated the air.
Yun Xiao and Murong Chong had returned, bringing back the Jade Dragon Talisman. Everyone was ecstatic. Now, all preparations were complete, and they only awaited the opportune moment.
This included everyone except Miss Murong. She was always angered by the sight of Yun Xiao. However, having learned her lesson, she dared not act rashly, knowing that if she angered her brother Murong, he would abandon her completely.
The injuries on her face had mostly healed, but her backside still ached. Since her brother Murong and that woman returned, she hadn't even left her room.
Though she missed her brother Murong dearly, that woman was always with him. She couldn't bear to see them together, nor could she stand the sight of their intimacy.
Just thinking about it made her want to go mad. Moreover, her brother Murong only saw her as a sister, and everything was the fault of that wicked woman.
Murong Yingxue thought fiercely, spending her days in her room, pricking a straw effigy with needles. Naturally, the effigy bore the name Yun Xiao.
Yun Xiao was unaware of this. As soon as she returned, she went to Xin Lan Yuan and collapsed into sleep, waking up a full day later.
Wanwan felt both distressed and delighted. As she attended to Yun Xiao, she happily said, "Mistress, this is wonderful! I never expected you to return so soon." She had only a vague idea of what Yun Xiao was doing in the capital and didn't wish to inquire further, only caring about her mistress's safety.
"Mm, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. His Highness's leg is almost healed. While he can't walk as swiftly as before, his mobility is normal."
"Mm, that's truly excellent."
Hearing that her father's leg was out of danger, Yun Xiao was overjoyed. Now that everything was progressing so smoothly, it seemed she would soon reclaim the throne. This was truly wonderful.
At dinner, everyone wore joyful expressions. The table was filled with warmth. The way everyone looked at Yun Xiao made them see her as a great contributor. Yun Mo even kept placing food on her plate, not forgetting to boast.
"She is my daughter, after all. She's different. Whatever she sets her mind to, she succeeds immediately. Nothing is impossible for her."
Everyone in the hall burst into laughter. King Yun truly had everything he could wish for in his daughter, as if nothing else mattered.
This joy extended to the study, where they began discussing when to enter the capital. They finally decided to depart in three days, allowing everyone to rest well beforehand. This time, they were determined to succeed.
For the next three days, Murong Chong began deploying troops. He ordered the members of the Divine Dragon Palace to infiltrate the capital in small, covert groups.
As for those within the capital, they were to remain vigilant, awaiting orders. Their task would be to monitor the actions of the capital's guards and the imperial army. If they made any moves, they were to be suppressed immediately to prevent public panic.
Yun Xiao understood the importance of Murong Chong's mission and tried to minimize their time together. This was because Miss Murong would frequently appear before her, acting like a guard. Therefore, she wished to avoid unnecessary trouble, especially since they were heading to the capital in three days.
Time passed quickly, and the three days were nearing their end. On the eve of their departure, a banquet was held at Yunshui Villa. Everyone raised their cups in celebration, feeling exceptionally happy.
Murong Yingxue also attended. This time, she was wise enough to remain silent, coexisting peacefully with Yun Xiao. Although her expression remained cold, she said nothing and didn't even glance at Yun Xiao, instead gazing dotingly at Murong Chong.
After dinner, everyone returned to their quarters. They would depart at the designated hour, arriving around the same time the following evening. They needed to rest and prepare for the long journey ahead.
Yun Xiao led Wanwan back to Xin Lan Yuan.
The moonlight tonight was somewhat cold. The weather was growing colder. Although Yunshui Villa appeared vibrant with flowers and birdsong, the season's chill was palpable, especially at night when the cool night breeze rustled the green branches, casting silver light everywhere.
Yun Xiao stood in a small pavilion not far from Xin Lan Yuan, admiring the moon. The night breeze was a little chilly, seeping into her skin, causing her to shiver involuntarily.
Despite everything being perfect, she couldn't shake a sense of unease from the bottom of her heart. The closer the time got, the more pronounced it became.
Could it be that she cared too much for Murong, worrying about him excessively, leading to this feeling of apprehension?
Wanwan brought an outer garment from outside the pavilion and gently draped it over her shoulders. "Mistress, you should go back and rest. We depart at the designated hour. Please take care of yourself."
Wanwan felt a pang of reluctance. Fearing it might disrupt their plans, her mistress had asked her to stay behind at the villa. The thought of frequently seeing Miss Murong made Wanwan unhappy. Unfortunately, she couldn't practice martial arts, and accompanying them would only be a hindrance.
Yun Xiao sighed. It seemed her worry was indeed unfounded.
"Mm," she said, rising to leave. As she reached the pavilion entrance, she saw someone walking in. His tall, straight figure in the moonlight was as elegant as bamboo, like an immortal descended to earth. He had removed his mask, revealing a dazzling, radiant face.
His long, narrow eyebrows, eyes so deep they seemed bottomless, and a luster like black pearls. The usual cold, bloodthirsty demeanor had softened, and his eyes held a deep tenderness, temptation, and allure.
Everything about him bloomed for her. This man's devotion to her was unexplainable.
He had, bit by bit, occupied her heart, drawing her into the tender web he had woven.
Yun Xiao smiled faintly, looking at the slender hand reaching out towards her. The back of his hand was fair, with well-defined knuckles, but his palm was slightly rough, with thick calluses, indicating years of martial arts practice.
He carried a faint, elusive floral scent, uniquely his own, lingering in the air.
Yun Xiao placed her hand into his. His large hand enveloped hers, and he gently pulled her in, walking towards a corner of the pavilion.
Wanwan, seeing this, curved her lips into a smile and quietly withdrew.
In the serene space, the two of them embraced quietly, sitting on the long platform by the pavilion, gazing up at the stars.
The only sound was the beating of their hearts, passionate and heavy, each throb resonating in the other's chest. These burning, pulsating hearts were reserved for each other.