12dz Chapter 36 What kind of man dresses like this? Neither male nor female.
Chapter 36 What kind of man dresses like this? Neither male nor female.
After calming Xiao Ran down, Mu Yan headed back home. Just as she stepped out of the palace gate, she ran into Li Yunxi.
He was dressed in a light green robe, with a green bamboo hairpin in his hair. His face was still handsome, but his expression was somewhat gloomy.
The page behind him was carrying his zither, indicating that he had just returned from playing for the Empress.
Just as Li Yunxi was about to step onto the carriage, the servant boy spotted Mu Yan in the distance and whispered, "Young Master, it's the Third Miss."
He hurriedly pulled his feet back, stepped off the stool, lifted his skirt, and ran to find Mu Yan, with a servant boy following behind him carrying a lantern.
"Yunxi greets the Third Miss."
"No need to be polite."
Li Yunxi got up and looked around, but did not see the Prime Minister's carriage.
"Third Miss, did you come alone?"
"Yes, we should head back now."
“It’s dark and the road is slippery. If you don’t mind, Miss, I’ll give you a ride.”
Mu Yan looked up at him and said, "No need. The Prime Minister's residence is not far from here. I can walk there in just a few steps."
Seeing her refusal, Li Yunxi felt a little sad, but she could only force a smile.
"Then, Miss, take the lantern and go. Yunxi will go back first." Li Yunxi said, taking the lantern from the servant boy and putting it into Muyan's hand, then turned and walked towards the carriage.
The carriage moved slowly, and a cold wind blew.
Li Yunxi quietly lifted the curtain to look at her.
Mu Yan, dressed in an elegant long robe and carrying a lantern, walked along the side of the road. Her clothes fluttered and her steps were light, like a fairy descending to earth.
Her figure gradually disappeared into the night as the car drove further and further away, leaving only the faint light emitted by the lantern.
Li Yunxi gazed at that faint light, her eyes unconsciously reddening.
When will he be able to walk side by side with her?
next day
Mu Yunqing led a group of men and gathered outside the Qing Shi Gang's gate.
"Get ready to go. Remember, this is your last chance. If I find anything amiss, you'll face the consequences!" With that, he mounted his horse and gave Ling Qi a warning look.
Upon receiving the order, Ling Qi and the others mounted their horses.
The sound of horses' hooves rose, and the group set off into the mountains and forests.
Ancient trees tower in the mountains, their branches intertwined, and the grass is so thick that it covers a horse's legs. Sunlight can only filter through the layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows.
Mu Yunqing warily scanned his surroundings, with Ling Qi following closely behind.
As they reached the mountainside, a sudden barrage of arrows came from the side.
"Watch out!" Mu Yunqing shouted, drawing his sword to deflect several arrows.
The horses were startled, their neighing echoing throughout. The attackers, hidden behind trees, fired their arrows and then quickly moved to a different location.
"Chase after them!" Mu Yunqing roared.
The group split into small teams and moved towards the location where the arrows were being fired. However, the forest was like a maze; the deeper they went, the more intricate the paths became.
The surrounding plants seemed to come alive, with vines entwining the horses' hooves and branches blocking their path.
Just then, a thick fog suddenly rose ahead, the white mist spreading out and making it difficult to see anything.
Mu Yunqing sensed something was wrong, but then he heard screams from behind. When he turned around, his men were nowhere to be seen, leaving only empty horsebacks.
"What's going on?" Mu Yunqing placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and turned to look at Ling Qi.
Ling Qi quickly said, "Why are you looking at me? I didn't do it! I'm injured too." Ling Qi pointed to her injured arm.
"Could this also be part of your plan?"
"you……"
Just then, a group of people suddenly appeared in front of them.
The leader rode a black horse, his eyes coldly fixed on Mu Yunqing and Ling Qi.
"You will not escape today."
Mu Yunqing sneered, "Just you guys?" With that, he drew his sword and charged at the other side.
Mu Yunqing moved with the agility of a swallow, his sword wielded with impenetrable skill, each thrust carrying a chilling aura. He deftly dodged enemy weapons as they approached, counterattacking with the momentum.
Despite her injured arm, Ling Qi refused to back down. She drew her soft whip from her waist, swung it forcefully, and the whip wrapped around a person's neck like a long snake. With a gentle tug, the person collapsed to the ground.
At this moment, several more people attacked. Ling Qi nimbly weaved among them, using the surrounding trees to dodge their attacks, and occasionally jabbing the enemy's vital points with the tip of her whip.
Mu Yunqing's side was getting into the swing of things, and his swordsmanship became increasingly fierce. However, the enemy outnumbered them and gradually formed an encirclement.
Mu Yunqing seized the opportunity, leaped up onto a large tree, and used the momentum to rush out of the encirclement.
Seeing this, Ling Qi also swung her whip, tangled it around a tree branch, and swung away.
After the two met up, they stood back to back, watching warily as the enemy closed in again.
"Fight!"
With a loud shout, Mu Yunqing charged into the enemy ranks once more, engaging in fierce combat with them. He brandished his longsword and slashed at the enemies with all his might.
"Find a chance to break out! Retreat into the mountains and use the terrain to shake them off!"
"Yes." Everyone did as instructed, except for Ling Qi, who stood there blankly waiting for Mu Yunqing.
"What are you standing there for!" Mu Yunqing shouted at Ling Qi as he desperately blocked the enemy's attack, "Stay close to me if you don't want to die!"
Seeing that Ling Qi was still in a daze, he was both angry and anxious. He pulled her onto the horse and led her into the mountains.
After several twists and turns, they finally escaped the enemy and stopped by a stream.
Mu Yunqing said, "We can't stay here any longer. We must leave as soon as possible. Do you know any other routes leading to Swallowtail Mountain?"
“I know. But your injury…” Ling Qi looked at the injury on Mu Yunqing’s shoulder with a worried expression.
"It's alright, this injury won't kill you. Go ahead and lead the way."
"Oh," Ling Qi replied and walked forward.
The group followed Ling Qi.
Everyone remained vigilant throughout the journey, fearing another ambush.
"Are we almost there?" The pain from his wound made Mu Yunqing's tone even more unfriendly. "If you dare to lie to me, I will cut you into a thousand pieces!"
"I really wouldn't dare lie to you again," Ling Qi said helplessly.
This person is really something, so suspicious.
I've already said I won't lie anymore, but she still won't believe me.
Looking at Yanwei Mountain not far away, Mu Yunqing felt somewhat at ease.
"Is that Swallowtail Mountain ahead? You better not be lying to me, or you'll know the consequences." After saying this, Mu Yunqing looked around, observing the terrain of Swallowtail Mountain and secretly analyzing defensive methods.
"Yes, it's just a few more steps away."
"Wait a minute," Mu Yunqing drew his sword and stopped Ling Qi. "Let's check if there's anything unusual. With so many people here, why is there no movement at all?" He then scanned the surroundings warily.
Ling Qi now knows.
Mu Yunqing was truly terrified of being deceived.
"The people in Yanwei Mountain are all mountain dwellers, no different from ordinary people. They are all my people, and they will not harm you."
"Even so, we must not let our guard down. Send your men out; I want to see if this Swallowtail Mountain is really as you say."
Lingqi blew her whistle to summon the mountain people.
Upon hearing the whistle, the mountain villagers emerged from all corners; some carried vegetables, some played ball, some carried hoes, and some ate their meals.
There were men, women, young and old, and they did different things, but the only thing they had in common was that they all looked at the person in front of them with curiosity.
Some people were even whispering (in dialect).
A woman in the crowd, munching on sunflower seeds, remarked, "Why is the mountain lord following behind a man?"
"I don't know, but this man is actually quite good-looking," another woman said, swooning.
"What's so appealing about him? He looks neither male nor female, what kind of man dresses like that!"
"They're from the city, you've probably never seen them before."
"Tch, huh? He's from the city, huh? I think he's all the same. A man should act like a man. What's he doing carrying a sword? Doesn't he worry about not being able to get married?"
Mu Yunqing frowned, unable to understand what they were saying. He turned to Ling Qi and asked, "Are you sure they'll all obey your orders? Won't they turn against you at the last minute?"
"No, they're all very kind and easy to get along with!"
This person is genuinely kind and easy to get along with; they make personal attacks right in front of the person in question, without any attempt to hide it from others.
Mu Yunqing responded and stepped forward.
The eyes of the mountain people behind him followed Mu Yunqing's movements.
Ling Qi clapped her hands and said to the mountain people, "Don't be afraid, everyone. They've just come to take a look and will go back after they're done. Then, you can all go home."
"Okay, okay," the mountain people replied, and then dispersed.
What did you say to them?
“I told them to go back.”
"Oh, lead the way!" Mu Yunqing beckoned to Ling Qi to lead the way.
He followed behind Ling Qi, surveying Yanwei Mountain, remaining vigilant throughout. "The terrain here is easy to defend and difficult to attack; if utilized properly, it could be a good place."
"It's pretty good now, isn't it?"
"Hmm, why are there signs of military presence here?" Mu Yunqing said, looking down to examine the area.
“It’s not that there are troops stationed here; it’s a trap set by the mountain people to catch prey,” Ling Qi explained.
"Really? Your people know quite a lot." Mu Yunqing replied casually and continued walking forward.
"Of course. Living in the mountains, things are inconvenient, so you need to have more skills to rely on."
"Can you do that? Oh, you can't, you only know how to use Gu poison." Mu Yunqing teased her deliberately.
Ling Qi: "..."
"This matter can't be let go, right?"
"What do you think?" Mu Yunqing asked her in return.
"I do not know."
"Then you can?"
"Of course I know a little bit too, otherwise how do you think I became the mountain lord?"
"Hmm, it's good to know a little bit, then I'll have more ways to kill you in the future."
"How could I dare to kill you? You'd be lucky if you didn't kill me."
Mu Yunqing chuckled softly but did not reply.
The two walked one after the other, chatting casually.
Looking out over the mountain villages, they resemble a paradise, but unfortunately, the other half of the mountain was burned down.
Wildflowers bloom all over the mountains, as colorful and vibrant as brocade. A gentle breeze blows, and the petals fall like snow, creating a breathtaking scene.
The grass was lush and green, and the trees were verdant.
As you walk along the winding path, the clear chirping of birds fills your ears, telling of the tranquility and beauty of the mountains.
A stream flows gently by the roadside, its water crystal clear, where fish frolic and play contentedly.
In the village, the simple and rustic houses are scattered in an orderly manner, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.
The mountain people each perform their duties, busy yet enjoying themselves.
"This is where the grain is stored," Ling Qi explained to Mu Yunqing.
"Take me inside and have a look."
Ling Qi hesitated for a moment, but still pushed open the door.
It was filled with various grains, emitting a faint fragrance.
"You are quite wealthy," Mu Yunqing said, looking them over.
At this moment, an old woman hurried over, bowed respectfully to Ling Qi, but looked at Mu Yunqing warily.
Ling Qi quickly explained, "Grandma, he meant no harm and won't hurt us."
Hearing this, the old woman slowly lowered her guard.
Mu Yunqing chuckled inwardly. In his more than twenty years of life, he had never been so guarded against.
Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.
The two went outside and saw that several children had accidentally knocked over the drying herbs while chasing and playing.
Ling Qi hurried over to help tidy up, while Mu Yunqing stood by watching, a strange warmth welling up in his heart. This simple and unpretentious scene of life was something he had never experienced before.
"What are you looking at? Come and help!" Ling Qi called out to him.
Mu Yunqing snapped out of her daze, a slight smile playing on her lips, and stepped forward to help her.
After tidying up the medicinal herbs, the two continued walking forward, with Ling Qi introducing the scenery along the way to him.
"What's this place for?" Mu Yunqing asked her, pointing to the various shaped villages in front of them.
"Inside is an ancestral hall."
"Since it's an ancestral hall, there's no need to go inside. Let's stop here; I've seen enough."
"Okay." Ling Qi responded and took a box out of her bosom, handing it to Mu Yunqing.
"For me?"
"Yes, open it and take a look."
Mu Yunqing raised her hand and opened the box, inside which was an exquisite wooden pendant.
“This wood carving has been soaked in a medicinal solution; it has miraculous effects,” Ling Qi said mysteriously.
Actually, it didn't have any miraculous effect; she made it specifically because she was afraid that Mu Yunqing's Gu poison would suddenly flare up.
Mu Yunqing was skeptical. "You'd really be that kind?" She then picked up the wooden carving and examined it closely, indeed smelling a medicinal scent. "Does this stuff really have the miraculous effects you describe? Or is it some kind of poison?"
“If it were poison, I would have been poisoned to death long ago. I carry this box with me all day long.”
"Alright, I'll accept it then. But if anything happens to me, I'll drag you down with me even if it kills me!"
"I understand." Ling Qi was overjoyed to see him accept it, and her tone was filled with pleasure.
Mu Yunqing put the wooden carving in his arms, then mounted his horse, said "Let's go!", and rode away.
Royal Palace
Inside the dark dungeon
Xiao Yu'an returned from negotiations and learned that the Empress had bestowed a marriage upon Li Yunxi and Mu Yan, which filled him with resentment.
Even if the man Xiao Yu'an couldn't have is dead, no other woman can touch him.
And then there's Pei Xuan, that good-for-nothing, utterly useless servant.
Thinking of this, her originally beautiful face was now twisted with anger, and her eyes flashed with a fierce light.
Her lips curled slightly upward, revealing a cruel smile. She wore a magnificent brocade robe, but it could not conceal the darkness and evil within her heart.
Xiao Yu'an gently stroked the whip in his hand, which was as venomous as a snake and inspired fear.
She glared fiercely at Pei Xuan, her eyes blazing with anger.
Pei Xuan was unimpressed; his handsome face was full of disgust.
In the past, he would have pretended to be pitiful and begged her for forgiveness.
Now that things are like this, what is there to fear about life and death?
His face was as pale as paper, his forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his body trembled uncontrollably from the pain.
I knew this day would come; I should have let Xiao Ran stab him to death back then.
They were also spared from Xiao Yu'an's inhuman torture.
Xiao Yu'an slowly walked up to Pei Xuan, raised the whip in his hand high, and then lashed it down sharply.
The whip drew a sharp arc in the air, whistling as it struck Pei Xuan hard.
Pei Xuan let out a shrill scream as his body was whipped until his skin was torn open and blood splattered everywhere.
Xiao Yu'an didn't stop; the more pitiful the screams, the more excited she became.
She continued to lash the whip, striking Pei Xuan again and again, as if she wanted to vent all the resentment in her heart.
Pei Xuan's screams echoed in the air, sending chills down everyone's spines.
Xiao Yu'an, however, did not care at all, as if he had not heard it.