Chapter 142 – Mo Lingyun Returns with His Men

Chapter 142 - Mo Lingyun Returns with His Men

Consort Li: "How do we escape? The palace gates are now swarming with that man's minions."

Upon this mention, Feng Xiyao frowned and pondered for a moment. With the palace surrounded, there was indeed no way out.

"..."

Just as the two were at a loss, Feng Xiyao suddenly recalled a possible escape route.

The last time she had gotten lost, she had stumbled upon a hidden tunnel. Now, they could use it to flee the palace.

Her eyes brightened with the realization.

"Come on, I know a place where we can escape!"

Although Consort Li was skeptical, she obediently followed Feng Xiyao.

...

Feng Xiyao, guided by her memory, led Consort Li to the small hole they had once crawled out of.

Consort Li took a step back in disdain at the sight of the low, doghole-like opening.

"Eh, how filthy!"

With concern that their pursuers might discover their escape and catch up, Feng Xiyao pushed Consort Li inside.

"Hurry up, or they'll be on us soon!"

Consort Li, her face filled with disdain, was forced inside.

Seeing her reluctance, Feng Xiyao gave her a kick, propelling her out, before crawling in herself...

Angry from being kicked in the rear, Consort Li glared at her. "Feng Xiyao, I saved you, and this is how you repay your savior?"

"Shut up! They'll be here any moment!"

Feng Xiyao didn't have time for arguments now. She grabbed Consort Li and pulled her away from the hole.

"I wouldn't have saved you if not for Cousin!" Consort Li scolded her as they ran.

Both of them trudged through knee-deep snow, step by step.

Consort Li had been pampered since childhood and was experiencing such adversity for the first time.

"Ahh!"

She lost her footing and tumbled down.

Feng Xiyao heard the sound and hurriedly turned back. Seeing Consort Li buried in the snow, unable to get up, she sighed helplessly and turned around to pull her out.

"How clumsy can you be?!"

Consort Li felt wronged. "Who knew the path would be so treacherous?"

Feng Xiyao didn't want to engage in a pointless argument. She pulled Consort Li to her feet and tied their sleeves together.

"I'll lead the way. Walk faster, don't slow me down!"

"..."

Consort Li dared to be angry but not to speak, softly acknowledging with an oh, and hastily followed her.

...

Having rescued Lin Ling, Murong unceremoniously threw her onto the ground.

"I warn you, don't play any tricks on me. Otherwise, you won't have to set yourself on fire to die – I'll kill you myself!"

Seeing the killing intent in Murong's eyes and hearing his icy tone, Lin Ling was momentarily stunned. However, she quickly regained her composure and scrambled to her feet, ready to strike him.

"Murong, you heartless scoundrel! You played with my feelings and yet you treat me this way!"

Before she could make a move, Murong swiftly slapped her across the face...

"There will be more than just this slap if you misbehave again!"

All Murong could think about at that moment was rushing back to Feng Xiyao; he had no patience for Lin Ling's irrational behavior.

"..."

Observing the silence that ensued after his slap, he warned sternly, "If you behave obediently, I might show you some leniency. But if you dare to defy me again, I'll end your life without hesitation!"

With his warning issued, Murong lifted his foot and departed.

Lin Ling clutched her stinging face, her eyes burning with fury as she glared at the man's retreating figure...

...

Upon arriving at Shoukang Palace, Murong's spirits lifted at the thought of Feng Xiyao's alluring face. He hurriedly strode towards her quarters.

However, upon entering the courtyard, he saw two guards lying on the ground. His heart sank as he rushed over, flinging open the door. Feng Xiyao was nowhere to be found inside.

"Where is she?!"

Murong called out, then stepped outside to kick the unconscious guards awake.

"Where's the person inside? How could they vanish?"

The two guards, upon regaining consciousness, met Murong's terrifying gaze and promptly recounted the incident.

"..."

After listening, Murong delivered a resounding slap to each of them.

"Useless! You couldn't even stop a woman!"

There was no time to chase after Feng Xiyao now. Glancing at the time, Murong knew Mo Lingyun would soon return. He hastily assembled the palace personnel.

Originally, his plan was to seduce Feng Xiyao and plunder the royal treasury before fleeing.

With Feng Xiyao gone, his mission was reduced to looting the treasures alone.

...

They walked for an indeterminate amount of time until their legs turned numb from the cold.

Consort Li could barely move; she slumped to the ground, "I can't do it, I can't walk anymore. I'm freezing and starving, completely drained of strength!"

Feng Xiyao gazed at the seemingly endless road ahead. Tugging on Consort Li, she urged, "Hurry up and get up, or they'll catch up to us soon!"

Consort Li shook her head, steadfast in her refusal to move.

Just as the two were engaged in their tug-of-war, Feng Xiyao's sharp eyes caught sight of an approaching army in the distance.

Spotting Mo Lingyun at the forefront, she excitedly patted Consort Li on the back. "They're back! The Emperor and his men have returned!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Consort Li hastily looked forward and indeed saw a vast, imposing group of soldiers drawing near.

She immediately scrambled to her feet, fatigue forgotten, and shouted towards the distant figures, "Cousin, we're over here!"

"..."

Mo Lingyun followed the sound and saw Consort Li and Feng Xiyao, both disheveled, waving at them.

As the troops approached, Consort Li rushed to the carriage, trembling as she clutched onto the woolen blanket inside.

Feng Xiyao observed the newcomers, spotting Mo Lingyun, Qin Fang, and Xiao Feng. After a moment of searching, she asked curiously, "Where's His Majesty? Didn't he come back with you?"

"..."

Mo Lingyun averted his eyes, looking slightly uncomfortable.

Qin Fang, filled with guilt, dismounted his horse. "Your Majesty fell off a cliff with Lin Youquan, Empress."

Feng Xiyao's heart tightened. "Did you send anyone to search for them?"

Qin Fang nodded. "We did, but we haven't found them yet. Due to the situation in Shang Jing, we had to rush back, leaving some people behind to continue the search."

"How could this be..."

Feng Xiyao swayed, almost losing her balance.

Qin Fang quickly caught her, preventing her from falling.

Inside the carriage, Consort Li had also overheard Qin Fang's words. Her heart ached for her father's actions and she was deeply concerned about her cousin's safety.

Peering out of the carriage with tears streaming down her face, she exclaimed, "How did you protect my cousin? How could you let him fall?!"

"..."

Qin Fang hesitated to speak, as at that time, Lin Youquan had rushed towards the Emperor with a determination to die, and was pulled down before anyone could react.

Feng Xiyao, at a loss for words, turned to Mo Lingyun, "Give me a carriage, I need to find Mo Cangyan!"

"Your Highness, it's freezing out there with snow and ice..." Qin Fang attempted to dissuade her.

But Feng Xiyao was resolute, pulling on the carriage beside her and departing.

"I believe that Mo Cangyan is still alive, and I must find him!"

Feng Xiyao knew that in this icy and snowy landscape, if she didn't locate Mo Cangyan soon, he might freeze to death even if he hadn't succumbed to the fall.

Qin Fang attempted to intervene, but Mo Lingyun stopped him.

"Let her go!"

Consort Li had initially intended to accompany Feng Xiyao, but then decided against it; she realized that her presence would only be a hindrance.

Watching Feng Xiyao's determined figure fade away, Mo Lingyun didn't dare linger. He led the troops onwards towards Shang Jing.