In the harem, only these two concubines held any real influence. As for the Ye and Mu Rong families, they lacked the power to be dealt with at present.
Meteor received the order, took the two packets of medicine, and turned to leave.
Yun Xiao called out, "Remember, you must see them drink it with your own eyes, and then go to Chang Xin Palace."
"Yes, Master."
Meteor flashed away. Yun Xiao raised her head to look at the others, her eyes filled with a chilling cold.
Whether she was called cruel or vicious, if they dared to provoke her, she would leave them with no retreat. As for Lü Yinghan and Liu Binglian, they could only blame their misfortune, and it was unlikely they would survive the fall of Shangguan Yao.
"There are the Emperor's men outside Chang Xin Palace. These people are very skilled in martial arts, and there are likely also Ye Qingtian's people. We must act with extreme caution, or we might not be able to leave tonight. We must succeed in one go."
Upon hearing her words, everyone's expression turned grave. Although they were skilled in martial arts,
this imperial palace was different from other places. Moreover, Ye Qingtian had a contingent of men. If things were handled improperly, failure was highly possible. If they failed, Mu Rong's hiding place would be exposed.
"Shangguan Lin is guarding the front with three men, and Zhui Feng is leading men in the rear. As for Yi Yuxuan and I, we will enter the sleeping quarters together to rescue the person. If there is any movement in the palace, you must act simultaneously to create chaos. If I succeed, I will send you a signal, and you will each exit the palace."
Shangguan Lin and Zhui Feng were very familiar with the palace, while Yi Yuxuan was not. This was why Yun Xiao had assigned them roles in this manner.
"Alright."
The few people in the bedroom responded in unison. Yun Xiao turned and walked out, the others following, flashing outside together.
The night was very dark, with a low-hanging sky, pregnant with an impending gloom.
Dozens of figures moved silently towards Chang Xin Palace.
Within the palace, except for Chang Xin Palace, other areas were relatively less guarded.
With their skills, it would not be easy for those people to discover them, so they reached Chang Xin Palace smoothly.
However, Chang Xin Palace was heavily guarded, with countless figures constantly moving in the shadows around its perimeter. Even the eunuchs standing on the steps outside the palace doors had upright postures and sharp eyes, clearly indicating they were trained fighters.
Yun Xiao signaled to Shangguan Lin, then to Zhui Feng, and with a wave of her hand, silently issued the command. The two nodded simultaneously, turned, waved, and led a few people behind them, vanishing into the darkness.
Yun Xiao, leading Yi Yuxuan, entered Chang Xin Palace through a side gate.
There were eunuchs guarding the side gate as well. As their figures landed, a shout was heard: "Who is it?"
Almost at the same instant, Yi Yuxuan moved. His hand extended, fingers like golden hooks, gripping the guard's neck, preventing him from uttering a sound.
With a simultaneous surge of strength, he snapped the man's neck. As others approached, Yun Xiao suddenly moved forward, scattering some powder.
These individuals collapsed with thuds. Yun Xiao waved her hand, and those behind her, Zhui Yue and two others, swiftly dispatched the fallen guards.
Yun Xiao waved her hand, commanding, "Move."
The group followed Yun Xiao, flashing towards a side hall of Chang Xin Palace. They moved along a secluded path, past verdant trees, all the way towards the sleeping quarters of Chang Xin Palace.
At this moment, Ping An would surely be attending to the Empress Dowager in the sleeping quarters. Only by seeing that woman could they ascertain Mu Rong's whereabouts.
Within the sleeping quarters, Ping An's gentle voice echoed, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince forcefully channeled his energy again today. If this continues, his life might truly be in danger. Why not give him the antidote? We can keep him confined and not let him out."
As Ping An finished speaking, the Empress Dowager looked up and glared at her coldly, then spoke slowly.
"Ping An, I know you wish to release him, and I do too. But if he does not hand over the Jade Dragon Talisman, I cannot give him the antidote. Otherwise, it won't just be me who dies. If you truly care for him, then persuade him to hand over the Jade Dragon Talisman."
"But the Jade Dragon Talisman might not be with the Crown Prince. What if it's with the Empress? Didn't they say she stole the talisman? Perhaps Your Majesty could speak with her."
Ping An patiently persuaded her, but the Empress Dowager paid no heed, lowering her eyes to rest.
Outside the palace doors, Yun Xiao exuded an aura of chilling menace. She had already heard the voices from within the sleeping quarters, and at her feet lay several individuals, all rendered unconscious by the soporific powder she had used.
Yun Xiao raised her hand and signaled Zhui Yue and the others to guard the door. She and Yi Yuxuan then flashed into the sleeping quarters.
Despite their light footsteps, the chilling aura surrounding them was easily perceived. The Empress Dowager, lying on the bed, suddenly opened her eyes and spoke in panic, "Who?"
"It's me."
Yun Xiao appeared, her movements swift. She lunged forward, her jade-like hand seizing the Empress Dowager's throat. Her eyes, like those of a ghost, were filled with extreme coldness, glaring menacingly at the Empress Dowager as she tightened her grip.
Watching this woman's pain and death throes, Yun Xiao felt a slight sense of relief.
This damned woman, go to hell.
The Empress Dowager could initially struggle and resist, but gradually, she became unable to move. Ping An, on the side, finally reacted and knelt with a thud, pleading, "Please spare Her Majesty! This servant knows who you are looking for. Follow me."
Hearing Ping An's words, Yun Xiao had no time to attend to the near-lifeless figure on the bed, who was barely breathing. They needed to take Mu Rong away as quickly as possible; any longer and there might be complications.
"Alright."
Yun Xiao and Yi Yuxuan followed Ping An towards the back of the sleeping quarters. After passing two walls, they reached a hall dedicated to the worship of a divine statue. Ping An skillfully walked over.
She moved the divine statue, and with a loud rumbling sound, half of a stone door slid open. Ping An stepped inside.
Yun Xiao followed her, her heart filled with excitement, joy, and a multitude of emotions. Tears began to flow unconsciously. Only at this moment did she realize how terrified she had been, how afraid something might have happened to him.
The sound of the hidden door alerted the person inside. Mu Rong Chong abruptly sat up, his clear pupils reflecting a delicate woman in the dark depths of his eyes. She now gazed at him with tear-filled eyes. He excitedly rose and softly called out, "Xiao'er."
This soft call felt like an eternity, as if carrying three lifetimes of love, falling heavily upon this summons.
"Mu Rong."
Crystalline tears fell, a thousand words condensed into a single, deep call.
All words were stuck in their throats; they could not say anything, could not utter a word.
Yun Xiao rushed forward swiftly. Mu Rong Chong opened his arms, welcoming her petite, delicate form, holding her tightly in his embrace. She was his lucky star, his star of fortune, and his star of love. Heaven was fair to people; at least it allowed him to still possess her.
"Xiao'er."
The deep affection between the two brought tears to the eyes, but this was not the time for weeping with joy. They needed to escape as quickly as possible, so Ping An hurried them, "Crown Prince, you should leave quickly. It will be troublesome if someone discovers you."
"Mm."
Mu Rong Chong responded, his large hand pulling Yun Xiao's as they flashed outwards. As he grasped Yun Xiao's hand, she sensed his internal weakness, emptiness, and lack of strength, and was greatly shocked, "Mu Rong, how could your cultivation be so..."