When they were alone, she couldn't help but complain to Wanwan.
"Wanwan, let's leave the palace. It's too boring here."
"How can we leave?" Wanwan raised an eyebrow. Once one entered the palace, it was like entering a deep sea. Her mistress was the Empress, how could she possibly get past these tall palace walls? Moreover, they didn't have the skills of those martial arts experts who could fly about and leave the imperial palace in the blink of an eye.
"Sigh," Yun Xiao propped her head up and blinked her large eyes. Her dark pupils, clear and defined, were filled with distress. She didn't like this place at all, with all the schemes and endless machinations.
"That's right, Your Highness, I received some news today?"
Wanwan suddenly remembered something and looked up at Yun Xiao, hesitating as if reluctant to speak. Yun Xiao urged her curiously, "What is it?"
"I heard that Prince Yun is ill and is currently recuperating at his manor."
"What? My father is ill?" Yun Xiao leaped up from the bed. Due to her excitement, she pulled at her freshly healed wound, wincing in pain. Wanwan looked on with concern and pulled her back, "Your Highness, please be careful. You've just recovered."
"What exactly is going on? He's ill? Wasn't he fine not long ago?"
Yun Xiao asked a string of questions. In her heart, Yun Mo was her own father. He was the one who had given her the most sincere care in her transmigration.
"This servant does not know. This servant heard it from a young eunuch from Jingfu Palace. It seems that during this morning's court session, a servant from Prince Yun's manor delivered the agenda, stating that His Highness was ill. The Emperor even sent imperial physicians to examine him. When the physician returned, he confirmed that His Highness was indeed ill."
"He's ill, I want to leave the palace."
Yun Xiao became anxious. Disregarding the faint pain from her leg, she wished she could immediately return to Prince Yun's manor to see him. But how could she leave?
"But how can we leave?"
Wanwan turned to look out the window. The north wind howled, withered branches swayed, rustling and kicking up dead leaves. The chilling wind blew into the sleeping quarters, the palace lamps swayed gently, window shadows blurred, and a stream of cold air swept through the air.
A silent shadow was cast upon the window lattice, ethereal like a lingering soul.
A silver light flashed, and half a mask covered a face. The lower part of his face was obscured by darkness, making it impossible to discern any expression. Only his eyes glowed with a cold, clear light, like a sheathed sword, or more like the bloodthirsty eyes of a wolf on the prairie.
Wanwan couldn't help but jump and take a step back, pointing at the window.
"A ghost."
Yun Xiao, lost in her own thoughts, heard Wanwan's words and quickly looked up.
The moonlight was hazy, the wind blew his ink-black hair, flowing and soft. The silver mask glinted with a cold light, and his deep, mysterious eyes were dark and bottomless, like a fathomless lake, reflecting rippling waves under the lamplight.
A white robe swayed with the wind. Despite it being winter, he held a jade-bone fan and leaned against the windowsill, exuding a powerful aura of coldness, even colder than the wind outside.
But with just one glance, Yun Xiao knew who he was.
"Murong Chong, what are you doing here?"
"Murong Chong?" Wanwan's eyes widened, and then widened further, her breathing becoming erratic. She covered her mouth with her hand, preventing herself from screaming. If she screamed, this man would likely kill her without batting an eye. But, was he truly Murong Chong from the Divine Dragon Palace? Or someone else?
"Are you that, that person?"
Wanwan's strained voice, as if she were constipated, caused both people inside and outside the window to look at her...
Murong Chong withdrew his gaze from Wanwan and looked at Yun Xiao, his lips twitching slightly. His magnetic and cold voice rang out.
"Aren't you going to Prince Yun's manor?"
"How did you know?"
Yun Xiao eyed him vigilantly. Was this man a mind-reader? Why did he always know what she was thinking whenever she was in danger? This feeling was not good at all, not good at all.
"Prince Yun is ill."
His words were concise and clear. His sharp lips uttered a few words. Seeing that she was unmoved, he suddenly turned his elegant and tall figure, preparing to leave.
Yun Xiao was furious. Not only was this man imposing, but he was also always so cold. Didn't he know she was a girl? She always needed time to think, not to be given no room to breathe.
"Wait for me."
"You owe me two favors."
In the dark night, the resonant words sounded again. He turned back abruptly, his gaze filled with ice, his tone clear and decisive, as if it were a matter of course.
Yun Xiao really wanted to rush up and punch him, that hateful man, he really knew how to kick someone when they were down.
He calculated this debt clearly. Why did he need to owe him so many times? She could see that his martial arts were unfathomable, his demeanor cold, and his mind sharp. What else could he possibly need her help with?
"You, you?"
Yun Xiao gritted her teeth. Finally, thinking of seeing her father, she had to endure it. She glared at him fiercely, but unfortunately, that fellow had already turned his head, leaving her only with a handsome back of his head.
His dark hair cascaded like silk over his shoulders. His back was tall and sturdy. Though his demeanor was refined and elegant, he carried an air of powerful dominance and nobility.
"Let's go."
He tapped his jade-bone fan, a gust of wind lifted his cloak, and a pair of long, slender hands reached out, pulling her close to his chest. He had already taken to the air.
Yun Xiao was startled and instinctively reached out to grab his collar. A faint scent drifted into her nostrils.
The scent of half-bloomed lotus, faint and pure.
Behind them, Wanwan cried out in alarm, "Mistress, Mistress!"
Yun Xiao quickly instructed her, "It's alright, I'll be back soon."
The night wind whistled past her ears. Yun Xiao couldn't help but shiver, her fingertips ice-cold. The person above her head seemed to sense her chill and tightened his arm. She leaned even closer to his chest, his breathing audible.
The masculine aura filled her mind. Yun Xiao had never been so close to a man before and couldn't help but feel a little flustered. She reached out, intending to push him away slightly.
Murong Chong's deep, enchanting voice sounded, "Don't move."
His body descended, finding a landing point, and with a light push, he soared into the air again, whistling past.
Yun Xiao dared not look down. The grand and majestic imperial palace receded into the darkness below. With a few leaps, they had already flown far away from Jinhua Palace.
Her initial resistance slowly gave way to peace. He was helping her with good intentions, and she realized she was overthinking things.
How could someone living in the twenty-first century be so uptight? She reflected on herself, calmed her mind, and leaned peacefully against his chest.
His chest was broad and secure. His cloak wrapped around her like a wide net, shielding her from any cold.