"Is my father doing well?"
"Thanks to the Empress, he is doing well."
Mu Hen, as a model official, always conducted himself with propriety. Qing Yao had tried to influence him many times without success, so she eventually gave up. However, she gained a new understanding of the rigid thinking of the ancients.
"Is the Emperor alright?" As soon as Mu Hen finished speaking, Qing Yao's lips twitched involuntarily. Her gaze casually swept over the eunuch trailing closely behind her.
If her father knew the Emperor was disguised as a young eunuch, she wondered what his reaction would be. Would he remain so calm? However, she didn't want to ruin tonight's plan.
"The Emperor is doing well. Father, you don't need to worry."
Mu Hen led the way, quickly bringing Qing Yao into the main hall of the Mu family residence.
Outside the hall, moonlight cascaded onto the stone steps. Below the steps, rows of eunuchs and palace maids stood in silence, the air still and quiet. Although it was nearing early summer, everyone could feel a lingering chill.
In front of the main hall's entrance stood a flowerbed bordered by a low, white jade balustrade. Untended, it was overgrown with weeds, obscuring the intended flowerbeds. A faint, lingering fragrance wafted through the air.
The main hall was silent. At this moment, no one felt like speaking. They were all waiting for a certain person to arrive. Perhaps he had already arrived but was not making his presence known?
Qing Yao frowned, her heart filled with apprehension, fearing that he might not come. If he didn't, all this effort would be in vain. But her worry lasted only a quarter of an hour before a eunuch's startled cry echoed from outside: "He's here?"
Qing Yao was the first to rush out, her movements swift. The weight of her heart lifted as the sound reached her. Mo Chou followed closely behind, while Bing Xiao had been left behind in the palace to protect Little Fish, and thus had not come.
In addition to the flowerbed, there was an open space paved with bluestone in front of the Mu residence's main hall. Standing in this open space were over a dozen men in black. Their faces were expressionless, their movements mechanical and stiff.
Yet, their eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty ferocity as they stared fixedly at the people surrounding them, standing motionless.
Qing Yao looked over and saw that the man leading them was Duan Hun, whom she had met twice. He was a capable subordinate of Liu Zun, his personal shadow guard.
She hadn't expected him to be manipulated by Shangguan Hao. Seeing his current cold, lifeless eyes, devoid of any self-awareness, and unable to even recognize the Prince of Nan'an, was shocking.
The Prince of Nan'an led his men to surround these dozen individuals but did not make a move. He was waiting for the Emperor's command. These were men the Emperor had painstakingly nurtured, and today he had to destroy them himself. The Emperor must have been heartbroken.
However, if they were not destroyed, it would be their own people who would be harmed. Moreover, Shangguan Hao had not appeared. Was he hiding in the shadows, or had he not come at all?
The two groups remained in a standoff when a magnetic, cold voice rang out.
"Kill."
As the word fell, the Prince of Nan'an took the lead. He raised his treasured sword, and a sharp sword qi erupted from the ground, soaring forward. Those who had surrounded them rushed forward as well.
These men were all formidable opponents, not much inferior to Duan Hun and his group. Thus, a chaotic and fierce battle began. Amidst flashing blades and flickering swords, people were soon injured.
The eunuchs and palace maids Qing Yao had brought were actually palace guards. All of them surged forward, surrounding the dozen individuals and quickly eliminating them.
A thick scent of blood permeated the air above the Mu residence, the night sky dyed a棠 red, a mesmerizing hue.
Shangguan Hao did not appear. Murong Liu Zun looked at the scene before him, his heart filled with sorrow.
These were his painstakingly cultivated talents: Duan Hun, Chang Ting, and Xiang Bo. Although he was their master, he had developed feelings for them. How could he not feel pained to kill them with his own hands?
But he and Shangguan Hao both originated from Tianshan. He knew that through drugs, a person's thoughts could be controlled, and they could not be awakened in a short period. If they were not killed, they would only kill more people, becoming sharp weapons in Shangguan Hao's hands.
Qing Yao gazed intently at Murong Liu Zun and slowly walked over, extending her hand to grasp his: "Your Majesty, don't be sad. They won't blame you."
"Mm, let's return to the palace."
Murong Liu Zun spoke abruptly. He hadn't expected Shangguan Hao to not appear. Why hadn't he appeared?
His eyes flickered with extreme bloodlust. Holding Qing Yao's hand tightly, he walked away. Qing Yao glanced back and then sternly ordered the Prince of Nan'an.
"These people were harmed by us, and I fear he will hold a grudge. He will surely make another move. Liu Zhao, immediately go to the Ministry of War and deploy patrols throughout Lin'an City, day and night. Pay close attention to any developments."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The Prince of Nan'an accepted the order. At this moment, the Emperor stopped. Qing Yao looked towards the Prime Minister, Mu Hen, and spoke gravely, "Father, please return to the palace with us. Staying at the Mu residence is too unsafe."
"Alright." Mu Hen did not object. He had initially intended to use himself as bait to lure Shangguan Hao out, but Shangguan Hao hadn't appeared, only his dozen subordinates.
With his left and right arms removed, Shangguan Hao must be extremely furious. She wondered if he would counterattack.
If they didn't return, he would have waited in vain. If he did return, and they had left, he would have lost his life for nothing. It was better to enter the palace first and then make plans.
The Emperor and Empress, along with a group of people, left the Mu residence, including Mu Hen. The Prince of Nan'an, Murong Liu Zhao, led his dozen subordinates to escort the Emperor and Empress back to the palace. He would then head to the Ministry of War to mobilize troops. Tonight, the entire Lin'an City must be extremely cautious. That man must be hiding somewhere.
After everyone had left the Mu residence, the world quieted down. Suddenly, a silhouette appeared in the open space in front of the main hall.
The shadow quietly landed beside Duan Hun and Chang Ting. He bowed his head and touched their faces, murmuring words.
The world says I am ruthless, but is he not ruthless? He watched without batting an eye as they killed you. Following him, was it fortunate or unfortunate?
After speaking, he leaped up and melted into the night, leaving no trace, as if nothing had happened, only the willow leaves swaying gently.
Murong Liu Zun and Qing Yao returned to the palace. Nothing had happened in the palace. It seemed that man's influence had not extended into the palace. Then, what did he intend to do next?
A heavy gloom pressed down on both their hearts. The presence of that man was like a bomb waiting to explode. And they had initially thought he would use a hand grenade, but instead, nothing had happened. It was as if he had merely sent those dozen people to their deaths?
The night was already very deep. Murong Liu Zun looked at Qing Yao with reluctance. Her pupils were filled with weariness. Perhaps the physical exhaustion was far less than the mental exhaustion.
This man's existence was a constant torment because no one knew what bloodthirsty act he would commit next. He seemed to live only to kill, to kill relentlessly, and they were unable to apprehend him.
"Yao'er, go to sleep early. The Prince of Nan'an is on the streets of the capital. Whatever that man intends to do, we will know immediately."
"Mm," Qing Yao nodded. Although she was very anxious, there was nothing she could do against such a person. She could only wait for news.