Today is the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, and in ten days it will be the New Year. After this year, it will be a new year. Time passes so quickly, Yun Xiao mused.
She had transmigrated to ancient times over a year ago and had slowly adapted. The memories in her mind were of her current family, and her past family seemed to have faded.
Although she still thought of them occasionally, it was mostly in the dead of night, tossing and turning, her heart still aching a little.
“It’s our Qiao’er who knows how to be considerate,” Yun Xiao said with a smile, praising Qiao’er. The little maid’s eyes immediately narrowed with joy. The pigtails styled like an upright chili pepper on her head swayed left and right, making her even more adorable.
“Let’s go, you two can have something to eat.”
The two maids were accustomed to their mistress’s eccentric behavior and talking. Eating together was also normal, so they didn’t decline. The three of them chatted and laughed as they left the sleeping quarters and headed to the flower hall for their meal.
After the meal, Yun Xiao signaled Qiao’er to tidy up and leave. By then, Liu Xing and Jing Yun had finished their meals. They were wearing black night-traveling clothes, their faces covered with black square cloths, leaving only their eyes exposed. This startled Wanwan, who pointed at Liu Xing and Jing Yun, unable to speak for a long time.
“Miss, what is this for?”
“We’re going out to do something. You stay in the room and wait for me.”
After Yun Xiao finished speaking, she led Liu Xing and Jing Yun and darted out, leaving a bewildered Wanwan alone in the flower hall.
Outside, the night was pitch black, but because of the accumulated snow, the white moonlight emitted a faint glow, making it exceptionally clear. Yun Xiao led Liu Xing and Jing Yun, using their lightness skills, towards the imperial palace of Dong Qin.
Tonight, she was going to find Murong Yingxue. She was one hundred percent sure that this woman was hiding something.
She wanted her to explain why Shangguan Yin had fallen into a coma and where exactly things had gone wrong.
The night was cold and bleak, the chilly wind whistling past her ears. Due to the speed of their travel, the wind brushing against her cheeks brought a slight sting.
The streets were filled with luxurious carriages and bustling crowds, not much different from during the day. In the distance, colorful fireworks were occasionally set off, momentarily appearing exceptionally brilliant and dazzling.
Although the New Year had not yet arrived, merchants would set off fireworks from time to time to advertise and attract business.
Everyone was busy preparing for the New Year’s goods, and no one noticed someone flashing swiftly across the eaves.
Although the night was cold, Yun Xiao did not wear a heavy cloak, as it would hinder her movement. Tonight, she wore a thin silk brocade jacket of ice lake blue, a white pleated skirt, and her long hair was tied into a ponytail. There was nothing else, just neatness and freedom, her body exuding vitality.
Her lightness skill was excellent, and her speed was far greater than Liu Xing and Jing Yun’s. However, they were not far behind, so the three of them chased each other from time to time, maintaining a consistent pace towards the imperial palace.
Liu Xing and Jing Yun behind her looked at their energetic mistress and couldn't help but think that perhaps their mistress entering the palace might not be a good thing.
If she were to marry the Emperor, could she spend her days confined to the inner palace, tending to flowers and plants like ordinary women?
She would likely not be able to tolerate it. It would be better to live freely and seek revenge in the martial world. Although she had lost love, she would eventually meet someone who shared her aspirations.
After a brief discussion, their bodies flashed past the towering palace walls. The palace walls were several dozen feet high and smooth and flawless all around, comparable to the city wall of Yan Capital.
However, having lived in the palace for a long time, Yun Xiao had already found a specific location within the palace that allowed her to come and go freely, which was the Cold Palace. Behind the Cold Palace, there was a plum tree.
Because its branches were lush, they extended beyond the palace walls. However, as the Cold Palace was located in a secluded area, most people could not find its exact location, whereas they knew it like the back of their hand.
They swiftly entered the imperial palace from behind the Cold Palace, cleverly avoiding the palace guards along the way. The current inner palace was different from before. Previously, there were many concubines in the inner palace, and the guards were naturally strict.
But now, besides Princess Anle, there was no one else in the inner palace, so the number of guards was relatively smaller. Many guards were patrolling the areas around Qingmang Palace, ensuring the Emperor’s safety.
The Hall of Ten Thousand Flowers was still within the Western Palace area, and slightly closer to the Cold Palace, so the group arrived in the blink of an eye. Figures of guards could be seen moving about in front of the palace gates.
Yun Xiao, Liu Xing, and Jing Yun lay low, motionless. When the guards had passed, Yun Xiao waved her hand and flipped over the carved courtyard railing of the Hall of Ten Thousand Flowers, heading straight for the bedroom window, quietly crouching beneath it.
Outside the window, there was a tall tree. Although it was not lush with greenery, it was covered in white snow, effectively concealing the figures of Yun Xiao and the two others.
Inside the bedroom, voices could be heard.
Murong Yingxue was sighing intermittently, while the young maid, Hua Zhi, was comforting her mistress.
“Princess, why are you sighing again?”
“It’s so boring being alone in this palace. Hua Zhi, I really miss Yunshui Villa. If it weren’t for Murong Gege, I’d really want to go back to Yunshui Villa. There isn’t a single good person in the capital.”
Murong Yingxue reached out and pinched the satin cotton quilt behind her, venting her pent-up frustration.
Her beautiful young face was clouded with a gloomy and unpleasant expression. Thinking of that woman Yun Xiao, her face darkened by another two points.
“Princess, you are a princess now, why do you still say such things? Everyone envies you immensely.”
“What’s the use? Murong Gege is very cold towards me and ignores me. You say that in this vast palace, there are only him and me, but he still ignores me. Am I not bored?”
Murong Yingxue spoke glumly, and Hua Zhi didn’t know what to say. Suddenly, she remembered something.
“That’s right, didn’t Princess say that Sima Bingxin would marry into the palace? Wouldn’t it be good to have her accompany Princess then?”
“Don’t mention that woman, she’s truly a stupid donkey.” As soon as Murong Yingxue heard Sima Bingxin’s name, her anger flared up.
If Yun Xiao really discovered any clues, it would be because that woman Sima Bingxin caused it. This woman was a complete idiot, a lovesick fool.
She disdained playing with such a woman.
Yun Xiao, who had been listening intently outside the bedroom, suddenly heard the two people inside mention Sima Bingxin and even wanting Sima Bingxin to enter the palace. Her face immediately darkened. With a cold gleam in her eyes, she waved her hand with a chilling aura.
Liu Xing bowed down, picked up a pebble, and suddenly opened the window, flashing inside. She shot the pebble towards Hua Zhi, who was beside Murong Yingxue, hitting her. Hua Zhi fell to the ground. Murong Yingxue was startled and immediately leaped up, attacking in this direction, opening her mouth to shout.
“Guards!”
However, Yun Xiao was faster. She moved swiftly and accurately, her figure like a light cloud. In a flash, she floated over, reached out, and pressed Murong Yingxue’s acupoints. She said in a deep voice, “Speak, if you cry out, I will kill you.”
Her face was fierce, her pupils sinister, and her body was enveloped in a bloodthirsty killing aura, leaving Murong Yingxue with no choice. Moreover, Yun Xiao was not wearing a mask or anything, so Murong Yingxue recognized the woman at first glance and her expression changed. She spoke harshly.
“Yun Xiao, how dare you! You dare to capture me! I am a princess, and you, a mere daughter of the Yun King’s mansion, are so disloyal.”
Yun Xiao waved her hand, looking indifferent. She turned and sat on a nearby chair, her face full of disdain.
“I don’t care if you are a princess or whatever. Even if you were a real princess, I wouldn’t pay attention to you, let alone a fake one. Speak, what is this Six Meridians Divine Heart all about?”