Chapter 9
To share the clouds and rain of Mount Wushan with the Cloud Emperor at the Qinyun Pool is the aspiration of every concubine in the imperial harem
The person still wanted to respond, but suddenly caught sight of their companion's warning gaze, and immediately fell silent
Um ... ...
The water has flooded! The Qingfeng Hall has flooded!
The young man above the palace had sharp eagle-like eyes. Upon seeing the windows and doors tightly shut, he realized that his plans had been completely thwarted by this inconspicuous girl. The imperial palace was not a place to linger, and like a Kunpeng spreading its wings, the man in black swiftly vanished into the vast night.
She shook her head indistinctly, unsteadily getting up from the ground, and with a bright smile, reached out to hook her arm around the neck of the Cloud Emperor, attempting to hang herself on him
Daddy
The wind lifted his long hair that flowed behind him, revealing only a tall and straight silhouette, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, exuding an imposing aura. Amidst this, there was an inexplicable sense of dark and cold pressure that made one involuntarily tremble within.
The magnificent and resplendent palace is surrounded by these squares, resembling a hundred birds flocking to a phoenix, with the stars encircling the moon, all embracing the Hall of Gentle Breeze, which is the royal palace of the Cloud Emperor, its architectural style reflecting the grandeur of its master.
In the misty white vapor, her small face was enveloped in a delicate blush from the heat.
Why have you come to assassinate this king
Du Zitong took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to throw her into the Qingyun Pool.
You still know how to refute, it seems the wine has also sobered you up quite a bit. Since you are awake, why not fulfill your duties as a concubine
Like a rabbit taking flight and a hawk descending, the shadows that flew over the eaves and ran along the walls silently landed behind him, kneeling down quietly.
Among the concubines of the harem, which one is not graceful and charming, tender as water? Which one does not yearn for his noble status and handsome appearance? Yet, this girl, Xiahou Jiang, is neither beautiful nor gentle, and even lacks an understanding of romance
She bit her lower lip and suddenly thought that if the Cloud Emperor were to be assassinated at this moment, with no heir established and the imperial relatives wielding power, it would merely be a struggle among the royal family and nobility, which would bring tremendous disaster to Cangyuan
She shivered all over, the effects of the alcohol slightly fading, and suddenly found herself startled awake by such a bloody scene
I ... ...
"Little Gui Zi did not teach you how to serve this king, what are you dawdling for? Come here and help this king change clothes!" His tone was tinged with displeasure, suppressing the inexplicable desire that surged in his lower abdomen, his deep and melodious male voice slightly hoarse.
The Cloud Emperor spoke sternly, gritting his teeth. Suddenly, Fei Yan stopped smiling; she blinked her eyes, curiously pushed Du Zitang aside, and wobbled as she stepped on her own shadow
A certain girl, intoxicated to the point of losing her composure, patted the Cloud Emperor's shoulder and unabashedly mocked his name
Shoot the arrow! Shoot the arrow and kill her!
Later, a certain young eunuch quietly informed her
She is thin; what does it have to do with him?
Fortunately, she was small, so she stumbled awkwardly while holding up her soaked skirt, rushing towards the corner, and no one paid her any mind
She flailed her arms in terror, splashing water everywhere
This is neither filming nor rehearsal
Who sent you here
She is not very bright and has not learned anything, but she has acquired the skills to save her own life without a teacher. At that moment, she tightly closed her mouth and vowed never to mention the words "stomach ache" again
She stammered as she asked, and when she caught sight of his scrutinizing gaze filled with ill intentions, the young girl's entire face flushed bright red to the roots of her ears
Du Zitong let out a cold snort, neither affirming nor denying.
She clicked her tongue in wonder, unable to resist the temptation to swim ashore, instinctively wanting to touch those eyes that shone like black jewels
The interlaced bluestone slabs divide the ancient and charming palaces into square grids. Standing at the highest point of the city and looking down, one can feel the overwhelming pressure closing in.
Under the influence of alcohol, she decided to indulge in a drunken frenzy
The color of Zhuyeqing is a light, moist azure, resembling clear jade. It has a fragrant aroma and a smooth, refreshing taste, yet it possesses a strong aftertaste
He walked forward with big strides, leaving behind a group of guards who were waiting in the shadows, stunned and speechless for a while. ... They...? ... They are still young, their ears are not yet deaf, so they shouldn't have misheard, right? The King did say Qinyun Pool, didn't he?
This time, while attending to her in the Qinyun Pool, he did not believe that she would escape from him again
He narrowed his eyes, and in the blink of an eye, a sudden chill ran through his heart
In the biting wind, one could only see a face that was profoundly cold and stern, as if carved by a knife. A dark scar flashed like lightning from the corner of the right eye down to the cheek, instilling fear and trepidation in those who beheld it, leaving their hands and feet cold.
Such scenery remains in my dreams.
also
Du Ziteng stepped on the Heavenly Gang with his feet. Without the suppression of the formation, he quickly escaped from danger.
Du Ziteng, today is your death date!
Where did this girl get the wine from, it's really... She ruined a good barrel of wine.
In the clear and sparkling water, the reflection of the concubines' skin is as white as snow, as if made of cream. In the slowly rising water vapor, their long hair falls like clouds, scattered on their round shoulders. Their charming eyes and blushing cheeks... softly whispering indescribable longing and endless charm.
Save the king, protect the king!
A loud sound, mingled with the clear sound of a wine jar shattering.
However, they were still struggling and entangled with each other below. The gaze of Yun Huang Du Ziteng turned lightly towards the girl on the windowsill, and the little girl smiled and fell asleep directly as drowsiness struck.
My head hurts so much
哗啦ーー
Damn! Where on earth did that girl come from
A series of black shadows swiftly swept across the eaves and red tiles of the palace, with a faint smell of blood in the air. They came from the Qingfeng Hall all the way to the Xijiao Side Hall of Yunyang Palace.
The cloud emperor's brow has once again been locked away
Ding ding crisp sound, like gold and jade, reverberates in the murmuring water of the Qinyun Palace.
The two of them stared at each other with wide eyes. Suddenly, Fei Yan felt a strong sense of crisis. Following his gaze, she hurriedly covered her chest and blurted out, "Pervert!"
Fei Yan gritted her teeth and endured the dizziness after being drunk, carefully avoiding the chaotic swords.
The screams accompanied by incessant cursing, as wave after wave of Imperial Guards rushed to the Qinyun Palace.
This feeling cannot be described as liking or hating
The night breeze is strong, and a sudden chill rushes in
Xiao Fei Yan staggered as she leaned against the exquisitely carved Nine-Dragon Pillar, her pair of clear black eyes quietly observing everything happening before her. She was unaware of who it was, but hot blood splattered onto her face, and a faint metallic sweetness wafted into her nostrils
In the vast palace, chaos reigned as time seemed to spiral out of control. Some palace attendants rushed to rescue the emperor, while others fetched water from the well, hurrying to the Qingfeng Hall to extinguish the fire. In an instant, flames soared into the sky, illuminating the darkened heavens as if it were broad daylight
Fei Yan wiped her lips, her big, round eyes widening in excitement as she uttered two words. Du Zitong felt a surge of anger rising in his chest, almost to the point of twisting her neck. Hidden weapons came flying towards the two of them in rapid succession.
Unfortunately, before her hand could even touch, Du Zitong had already grasped her wrist with one hand, his warm breath enveloping her face, his tone carrying an indescribable allure
How, do you like this king
The hot spring water steams into a vast white mist, and the chilling hidden weapons swiftly dart through the white mist.
Good, so noisy
I am dreaming, yes! I must be dreaming!
Even though the Qinyun Palace is filled with exotic charm and evokes enchanting thoughts, its uniqueness has now become a crisis for the Cloud Emperor Du Ziteng.
It is an assassination
Qingyun Pool is located in the northwest corner of the imperial palace.
The lavish feasts behind the vermilion gates...
This... This is not the master of Jiangge. Why is he wandering around late at night instead of sleeping?
The Imperial Guards roared loudly, Fei Yan lay in front of the window, feeling drowsy, she watched the Imperial Guards, extremely brave, as they slew the assassins one by one, splattering crimson blood on the Qingyun Pond, unable to help but burp, furrowing her brow.
Little Nizi opened her drowsy drunken eyes. Her round eyes were as shiny as lacquer. Du Ziteng took a cold breath, and her red and plump little mouth, which appeared flushed due to excessive drinking, unexpectedly collided heavily with his lips, attempting to silence him.
Bamboo Leaf Green
Xiao Feiyan lay drunkenly in Du Zitang's embrace, cutely burping, unaware that her fate would be completely rewritten from serving in the Qinyun Pool.
From childhood to adulthood, her name has always been ridiculed. What does it mean for fortune to turn? What does it mean for a daughter-in-law to become a mother-in-law? Haha, she has finally turned the tables! Now she can laugh loudly at others' names! It is worth noting that when she first heard the name of the Cloud Emperor, she felt a surge of joy in her heart and immediately burst into laughter while slapping the table.
However, classmate Feiyan has the ability to completely dispel the good impression he just had of her with a single sentence
The hot spring water splashed up several large droplets, and the little girl was completely thrown into the magnificent Cloud Pool. The steam rose, creating a series of bubbling sounds, as the young girl floundered in the water that was less than one meter deep.
On that night, a small, unsteady ball, clutching a large wine jar, with long hair cascading down, stumbled and swayed across the intricately paved bluestone floor of the palace, mumbling incantations as it went
Dressed in a sleek black outfit, his gaze was as piercing as a sword striking metal, and the cramped space became suddenly cold in his presence
At that moment, a sharp and piercing sound of a flute suddenly rose straight into the sky
In the Hall of Cloud and Wind, swords and spears clash, causing sparks to fly like gold and stone.
Obligation? What obligation?
The swiftly shot golden lotus seed pierced through the thick fog, brushing past her shoulder and barely grazing her forehead, while Du Zitong, lost in his own thoughts, could only watch with a single glance, his heart ablaze with anger
A deep voice interrupted the words of the man in black, falling lightly like a whisper. The backs of the few kneeling on the ground stiffened, a chilling sense of dread rising in their hearts, and they hurriedly picked up the trailing tone, responding respectfully.
In the early spring scenery, when the cold ice has yet to break, being granted a bath in the Cloud Pool is the greatest honor for all the concubines
She is the concubine of Du Zitang. If he were to die, she would only be fifteen years old and would have to live in widowhood, which is a trivial matter. If she were to be selected for burial with him, then her life would be in jeopardy, and she would lose the last glimmer of hope to return home
He raised his hand, and the beautiful palace maid understood his intention, promptly gathering her garments and retreating silently
Recalling how the Cloud Emperor would later bathe with his consorts in such a pool of blood, she could not help but let out a sneer
Take an unfavored concubine to the Qingyun Pool
She wanted to retort, but when she saw those pitch-black eyes, all her words choked in her throat, suddenly drawn into the dark vortex by those profoundly captivating eyes
Help, someone! Quickly come to assist!
The Qinyun Pool, compared to the thin curtains of a spring night, adds even more charm
The latter let out a drunken hiccup, intoxicated to the point of confusion, completely unaware of the crisis surrounding him
whoosh
The Imperial Guard reached the entrance but did not enter; only a small number of individuals managed to fight their way in
Undoubtedly, Xiahou Wen touched his dragon whiskers, yet the one who bore the brunt of the anger was the most innocent classmate, Fei Yan
Alcohol indeed harms people
Like? Not at all, I don't like someone as petty as Du Zitong! Du Zitong, bellyache, what a funny name, bellyache! Hahaha, this is killing me with laughter...
Everything in this palace, whether luxurious or bloody, she cannot manage, nor does she wish to manage it
It is uncertain how Yun Huang will deal with her when he reflects on tonight's events tomorrow
The Cloud Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, suddenly experiencing a chill.
Not to speak of the grand, let us speak of the small
Her smile was as satisfying as a kitten that had successfully stolen a fish, and her whole body was almost lying on the ground
I absolutely do not want to, I am only 15 years old
Xiahou Jiang, you actually dare to look down upon this king
The white mist rises, pleasant in its density, at times light like a soft veil, wanting to conceal yet shy, at other times thick like a curtain of fog, lingering endlessly, the continuous heat emanates from the rolling hot spring water.
Good, it's so hot
Having never eaten pork, she has also seen pigs run, and the current situation is unexpectedly urgent for her
Suddenly, a person on the ground frowned with a small, round face, angrily tapped their head, then pouted and spat out the clear liquor they had just taken a small sip of
How beautiful!
The shadows of the lanterns flickered, and not far away, a palace maid was calling out in a sharp voice.
The little girl smiled proudly with her mouth wide open
Bestowing a bath can almost be equated to sharing a bed
She pursed her lips, and a sudden, indescribable fatigue surged within her
In the narrow gates and perilous paths, the assassins in black have meticulously planned their strategy. Each one possesses formidable skills, even being well-versed in Du Zitong's defensive techniques. They wield their swords with precision, forming a formation that leaves Du Zitong overwhelmed and unable to defend against all fronts, his narrowed eyes suddenly emitting a sharp glint.
"Xiahou Jiang, could you please behave yourself?"
Student Fei Yan has long hair cascading down her back, reclining drunkenly in the Cloud Palace. As she taps on the oil-smooth, mirror-like floor tiles, she reveals a hazy and dreamy smile
Who lent you the courage, Xiahou Jiang
"Give the order, maintain the course of action, and proceed swiftly to the Qingyun Pool"
In the darkness, a tall and extraordinary figure stands with a commanding presence
Go to the Qingyun Pool
My lord, no target has been found in the Qingfeng Hall
What is meant by "to shoot the horse before shooting the person, to capture the king before capturing the thief"
Your Majesty, please think carefully. This is merely the gossip of the palace maids, and its truth cannot be discerned. If it turns out to be false, I fear that another operation may be planned, and we may not know when we will be able to stealthily enter the palace again
Such a situation made her shiver involuntarily, the effects of the alcohol fading from her mind, leaving only an overwhelming sense of fear
Upon hearing her name, he would feel disgust, for she was the trouble cast by that old fox Xiahou Wen, an unremarkable and talentless second daughter of the Xiahou family. He detested being manipulated by others, and even more so, he loathed the idea of taking a consort under such circumstances
Now, having consumed a few cups of yellow liquor, I have found a splendid opportunity to vent all the grievances that have been brewing inside me.
The black-clad assassins were in a state of panic; all their formations relied on the guidance of the black-clad leader above the other palace. Without his direction, they would be utterly unable to maintain the formation that trapped the Cloud Emperor and resisted the Imperial Guard.
Through the layers of the gauzy curtains, the moonlight is cold and clear. A tall young man in black stands at the pinnacle of a separate palace. His long hair flows freely, and his garments flutter in the breeze. His solitary shadow is desolate and melancholic, carrying an indescribable sense of chilling oppression.
"Oh, gold!"
In the biting night wind, Fei Yan's dazed mind suddenly became a bit clearer. She gritted her teeth and unexpectedly caught sight of the furious gaze of the man in black darting above the other palace, causing her heart to shudder instantly, and she hurriedly quickened her pace
The heavy wooden window was forcefully closed by Fei Yan, tearing through the air with a dull sound, as if dust had settled, and like the beginning of a disillusionment. When the last ray of light was completely shut out, the formation, which had lost the control of its master, became chaotic.
Deng deng deng—
Qingyun Palace is situated at the foothills of the Falling Cang Plain, featuring green tiles and red eaves. Unlike the grandeur and magnificence of Qingfeng Hall and the solemnity of Yunyang Palace, this place is nestled by the mountains and water, with its eaves curving downwards and narrow doors that still exude elegance.
With a series of clashing sounds resembling the striking of gold and jade, Du Zitong moved like a roc, deflecting waves of hidden weapons. Upon turning his head, he saw Fei Yan's radiant smile, and as he glanced at the incoming projectiles, he immediately roared in anger
At this moment, the two individuals were still unaware that danger was gradually closing in.
The ultimate goal is the Cloud Emperor
He stood with his arms crossed, looking down at the girl shrouded in mist from a high vantage point, a hint of a mocking smile playing at the corners of his lips
The assassin in black suddenly saw a figure at the skylight who should not have been there, and only then did he understand her intentions; they were taken aback in shock
The former glared at Zhang Junyan, and without waiting for her to finish speaking, directly picked her up and tossed her into the steaming hot spring water
The latter shook his head vigorously, splashing water all around, immersing his entire body into the pool, cautiously swimming to the corner, warily glancing at Du Zitong, with his pouted lips almost capable of hanging an oil bottle
A cold snort escaped from his nostrils as he turned to leave
The voices of the two individuals grew fainter, and a figure in white swept by, revealing a tall and elegant young man standing behind the tree. It was none other than the recently returned Emperor Yun, Du Ziten.
The shadow darted away like an arrow released from a bow, scattering in all directions. A few rabbits sprang up and fell, and then no trace of a person was seen.
The voice was cold and piercing, and as the words landed, the Qingyun Palace seemed to come alive in an instant
"Come quickly, protect the carriage!"
The young girl stretched out her arms, like a child, mumbling that she wanted to embrace Du Zitong
"Oh, it's bitter!"
The golden lotus seed burst forth, shooting towards the face of the Cloud Emperor with a speed that was faster than the sound of thunder, leaving no time to cover one's ears
A piercing scream echoed outside the palace gates, climbing to the clouds. Amidst the chaos of blades, the one who screamed was silenced, yet the alarm had already sounded. In the midst of a flurry of disordered footsteps, a large number of guards rushed from all directions to Qingyun Palace
Creak!
What are you dazed for? Can't you even hide?
Du Zitong has always harbored complex feelings towards Feiyan
It is widely rumored in the palace that the target, Yun Fei, is favored by the emperor, yet I, following the path of the Huiyuan Pool, infiltrated Yun Fei's sleeping quarters and still have not discovered any trace of the target
Why hide? Where do we come from, and where are we going? I want to go home
"Hmm, assassination?"
Quick, stop her! Do not let her close the window
Du Zitong must not die
When she grabbed the corner of his clothing, he caught a whiff of the alcohol on her
However, they discovered it far too late
Why bother with so much? The matters of the harem are beyond our control. Whatever the master wishes is how it shall be. It is only reasonable for us to serve our own master well
Bang
Today's incident was merely an attempt to prevent chaos in the world, which is why I intervened to help the Cloud Emperor escape danger. However, this has completely disrupted her plan to feign ignorance and escape from the palace
Du Zitang stretched out his arms, and immediately a beautiful palace maid in light gauze quietly stepped forward to help him remove his garments. His sharp, narrow eyes locked onto the little girl in the pool, who was bewildered and unaware of the situation, her eyes dark and deep.
The eunuch, rubbing his sleepy eyes, curiously inquired.
I absolutely detest having a stomachache, said Pang Pang, it is only after eating something unclean that one gets a stomachache! I, I haven't eaten anything out of the ordinary, so why should I be associated with a stomachache? I refuse to accept that...
She pushed Du Ziten aside, furrowed her brows, tilted her head and spat, rudely wiping the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, causing Du Ziten's face to darken immediately
"Xiahou Jiang, Miss Jiang Er, are you still not awake from your drunkenness?"
Capture the assassin
That should be the leader of this group of assassins
She patted her rosy little face, making an effort to awaken herself a little more.
In the enchanting mist of the Qinyun Pool, Feiyan, with her intoxicated and hazy eyes, exclaimed loudly
He sneered at his own reaction, yet inexplicably, at a certain moment after leaving, he suddenly turned back and horizontally picked up the drunken girl who had collapsed on the ground
Why does it feel as if someone has sharply stabbed my heart with a needle
She looked at herself in confusion, then gazed at the gently flowing water of the Qingyun Pool, where the Wenyao Mishi and the jade lotus floated slowly in the center of the water. The hot spring flowed continuously, and the bottom of the pool was adorned with strings of pearls and precious ornaments, shimmering brilliantly in the rippling water
The more he is unable to obtain, the more it stimulates his desire to challenge.
Even in such a perilous situation, the demeanor of the Cloud Emperor remained unchanged. His lightness of foot was exceptional, moving with the grace of the heavens. The black-clad men, unable to breach the defenses after prolonged attacks, saw the Imperial Guard poised to storm the inner palace in waves, and their hearts began to waver.
In the vast Qinyun Palace, only Du Ziten and Fei Yan remained.
Xiao Feiyan leaned behind the Nine Dragon Pillar, peeking out with her head, her small hand trembling almost imperceptibly
I saw a slender girl with an ordinary yet delicate appearance tremblingly extend her small hand
Oh ... ... Daddy ... ... I miss you so much ... ...
The voice fell silent, and the figure suddenly turned around
Dynasties replaced, the common people displaced, and bones litter the city.
After laughing, all the palace maids looked at her in shock, as if she had committed some unforgivable crime
It is truly ... ... disheartening!
"General? Absolutely not, I... I do not play chess! I only play Go, um... I only play Go when I have pneumonia! Uh, no, that's not right, it's Feiyan! In ancient times... there was no pneumonia..."
There is none at Yunyang Palace either
Your Majesty
"Jiang Zhuzi, the name of the king, is his greatest taboo. You must not violate his major taboo. In that case, being in the cold palace is a minor issue; losing one's head is the real concern"
She pouted her lips in sadness, her pair of watery black eyes glistening with tears, and Du Ziten suddenly felt a tightness throughout his body, as a fire suddenly ignited from his lower abdomen
A sudden shiver ran through her, and her hands and feet grew increasingly cold
He has made up his mind to cut off this little flower, Xiahou Jiang, and then completely abandon this girl who has lost her virtue and has nothing left, in order to regain the male dignity he has lost in her.
What can relieve sorrow, but only Du Kang? She is merely a little girl raised in a jar of sugar and a pool of honey, who does not even know how to write the two characters for sorrow, yet has learned to drink and compose poetry, feigning distress
Such a radiant smile, even Du Zitang, who is accustomed to beautiful women, could not help but be momentarily distracted
There lies the remote imperial palace, at the northern foot of Mount Cang. The hot springs consist of three spring outlets, with crystal-clear water visible to the bottom, steam rising gently. The hot spring water flows in harmony with the sun and moon, never running dry, and is not illusory.
He wishes to equate her with his other concubines, yet she can easily overturn such an equation
The two factions clashed fiercely, the sound of swords clanging and blades singing resonated powerfully
By the time everyone saw her, the little girl had already wobbled her way up the steps
As Du Zitong turned around, he saw Fei Yan almost completely soaked in alcohol, her originally soft and delicate little face had surprisingly thinned considerably after just a few days of absence. For some reason, his heart suddenly tightened.
Xiahou Jiang, can you still move on your own? Do not force me to throw you in there. Just look at you, you are truly filthy...
He grasped her shoulder tightly, cold words bursting forth from his teeth one by one, shaking her shoulder desperately. She, with a charming innocence, raised her round, dark eyes and smiled brightly at him
The hot air rushes towards me, causing the aroma of the fine wine to slightly fade away.
Xiahou Jiang, what do you call me
When he truly saw such a girl, what was more terrifying than his disdain was that he actually developed an interest in her. Even though he rejected such feelings, every move she made was so remarkably different.
At this moment, a shadow-like guard silently appeared behind him and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness is drenched; it is now late at night and the dew is cold. Please take care of your health."
It is surprising that such an inconspicuous little fellow has seen through their fatal weakness
I obey your command
"To sing while drinking, how brief is life... Like morning dew, the days gone by are filled with sorrow. One should express their feelings with generosity, yet the lingering thoughts are hard to forget. What can relieve worries? Only Du Kang! Ah, fine wine..."
Go to the Qingyun Pool
The thin garment clung to the body, barely visible, as Du Zitong's dark, narrow eyes deepened in intensity, and a sudden flame ignited in his lower abdomen
Is it still possible to take a shower here
Du Zitong followed her gaze and looked over. Behind the layers of gauze curtains, shadows intertwined, and a line of dark, thick blood seeped out from behind the curtain, staining the fabric red
Damn it
Amidst the tearing sounds and roaring cries, the Imperial Guard surged forward in waves, yet they could not find their way in.
The vast palace is arranged in a format resembling a game of Go
In the dark night, the flames flicker and dance in the wind
A palace maid said, "The target will return to the palace tonight, heading directly to the Qingyun Pool..."
Your Majesty, do you require a servant to assist you with your back?
But now, Yun Huang is actually going to take the Jiangcai people there
Isn't he tired of the talented people?