Yun Xiao slept soundly, a rare and welcome respite. She seized the opportunity, drifting into a deep slumber without a care in the world.
Wanwan did not disturb her, knowing her mistress was enjoying a rare, peaceful morning.
The summer breeze, cool and refreshing, flowed through the open window into the room. The person on the bed languidly turned over, letting out a contented, cat-like purr before opening her eyes.
Her eyes, refreshed by sleep, were clear and transparent, shimmering with a captivating light. Long, dense lashes fluttered occasionally, adding a touch of alluring charm to her exquisite face.
She possessed the natural frankness of a young girl and the languid grace of a woman. A cascade of fine, dark hair lay spread across the pillow like a breathtaking piece of brocade, contrasting with her snow-white skin, delicate nose, and cherry lips, making her appear stunningly beautiful.
Wanwan entered, pausing for a moment before coming to her senses. She smiled and spoke.
"Mistress, you are awake. Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
Yun Xiao glanced out the window. Birds flew by in the sky, chirping merrily, their songs pleasant to the ear. However, the morning was unusually quiet.
Perhaps the assassination attempt on the Emperor had startled the local officials, and they were now searching the streets.
At a time like this, who would dare speak out?
"Girl, I have slept enough. Are they searching the area today?"
"Yes, they say the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, and the local government offices have all been mobilized, leaving no stone unturned."
Wanwan reported diligently. She had secretly gathered information on the streets that morning. Although people dared not speak loudly, they would still whisper amongst themselves while buying and selling goods.
"They searched our place too," Yun Xiao said, sitting up. She lightly brushed her hair aside, her gaze lowered, exuding an indescribable allure.
"Yes," Wanwan nodded and spoke before her mistress could ask, "Prince Shangguan led the search of our medical hall. He stopped searching after reaching the front of the building and informed his entourage that the young master was the one who saved the Emperor last night. Those people then dared not act presumptuously and all withdrew."
"Mmm," Yun Xiao nodded, realizing she had done the right thing by saving the Emperor. Otherwise, she might not have been able to sleep peacefully this morning. Moreover, for newly established businesses like theirs, without protection, they would likely be the first to be suspected.
However, thinking of the assassins made her think of Murong. She wondered how he was doing, a subtle unease and worry rising in her heart.
The Rouge Pavilion was a den of the Divine Dragon Palace, and it must not be discovered. What about the others?
Yun Xiao's eyes darkened as a dawning realization spread. Why couldn't the Emperor find the whereabouts of the Divine Dragon Palace members? She suspected that the Four Great Protectors and their subordinates all held important identities, which was why they were so difficult to track.
Murong was truly not to be underestimated. But why was he in conflict with the Emperor? For the throne?
The thought made Yun Xiao feel a little heavy. For some reason, she did not want Murong to be someone who contended for fame and fortune.
Wanwan, unaware of her mistress's thoughts, saw her expression turn a little grim, her eyes clouded with a deep, brooding shadow, as if she had recalled something unhappy. She quickly asked, "Mistress, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Yun Xiao shook her head, dismissing the fleeting anxiety from her mind. She got out of bed and sat at the dressing table to tidy herself. Looking at her reflection, she couldn't help but think of her father and brother, Yun Zhen, who were far away at the border.
They must be extremely worried about her. She had asked Liu Xing to send a message last time; she wondered how it had fared.
Yun Xiao let Wanwan attend to her hair and then called out to the window, "Liu Xing."
As soon as she spoke, Liu Xing flashed in from outside the window, landing in front of her. He spoke respectfully.
"Mistress?"
"Did you deliver the letter to my father last time?"
"Yes, Mistress. Rest assured, there should be news coming in the next couple of days. I believe the Prince and the young master will be very happy," Liu Xing said calmly.
Yun Xiao's mood improved slightly. It had been several months since they parted at Fengya Pass. Were her father and brother doing well? With the capital in such chaos now, she couldn't attend to them, which meant they were, in a way, safe.
"Mmm, you may go, Liu Xing. Get some rest during the day. I'm fine."
She knew Liu Xing had always been lurking by her side to protect her, whether on the rooftop or hiding in a nearby tree. He was undeniably responsible.
However, this must be very tiring for him. She did not want to treat them like servants but rather as friends.
"Yes, Mistress. Liu Xing is not tired."
Liu Xing was deeply touched. In truth, following his mistress was not tiring at all; it made him feel warm inside. His mistress truly cared about their lives and routines.
"You may go down."
Yun Xiao waved her hand, and Liu Xing flashed out.
At this moment, Wanwan had finished styling her hair into a man's bun, tying it with a silk ribbon. This made her appearance more handsome and less feminine.
If one were to see her true appearance, it was not as striking as the human-skin mask. If she appeared in her true form, she would merely be considered handsome.
However, the mask gave her an air of peerless beauty, as did Wanwan's mask, which was also indescribably charming and lovely.
As Yun Xiao applied the mask to her face, she gently inquired, "Granny, how are you?"
Wanwan remained silent. Footsteps sounded from behind her, and Granny's voice carried over.
"What could be wrong with this old woman? I am doing perfectly fine. It is you who should be more careful."
Upon hearing Granny's voice, Yun Xiao happily turned her head. "Granny, you are up."
Hearing her mistress's words, Wanwan rolled her eyes. Who would wake up near noon? Her mistress certainly had the nerve to say such a thing. She quickly added, "Granny woke up early this morning and practiced her martial arts in the open space behind this pavilion."
Granny said nothing and walked up to Yun Xiao, reaching out to help her adjust the mask on her face. She then nodded with satisfaction.
Looking at the familiar mask, Yun Xiao couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. It had only been a short time, yet it felt as though just yesterday she was a dashing young man, and today she was an old woman.
"Granny, where did you get such a wonderful mask?"
Yun Xiao touched the mask on her cheek. Truly, though this mask was made of sheepskin, its smooth, soft elasticity was indistinguishable from human skin. Moreover, it was more lustrous and radiant, with a faint rosy hue, giving it a mesmerizing beauty.
"This was my master's treasure, personally crafted by the Divine Physician Li, the foremost physician of his time, as a token of love for my master.
The sheepskin is from a rare breed of sheep from a Western country. It is said that this type of sheep is very difficult to find. The skin is thin and breathable, and the Divine Physician Li spared no effort in finding it to create the human-skin mask for my master.
They could have become a celestial couple, but later the Divine Physician Li was assassinated by a mysterious expert, and my master remained unmarried for life."
Granny recounted the tale, her low voice seeming to pierce through the ages, conjuring images of two ethereal figures, standing aloof from the world, their beauty transcendent, before Yun Xiao and Wanwan.