Chapter 10: 第十章:有关身世

By the time Mo Lian and the others arrived at Ningyan Court, everything had already been tidied up. This efficiency was quite impressive.

Standing in the middle of the courtyard, Mo Lian replayed everything that had just happened in her mind. Why did Master do this? And what was her own identity?

Her thoughts began to tangle; the more she thought, the more pronounced the pain in her head became. Looking at the courtyard full of cherry blossoms, Mo Lian felt nothing but discontent. She drew out the Soul Flute and lightly pressed the middle section; the flute immediately transformed into a sword. Holding the Soul Sword, Mo Lian’s face remained calm.

"Jiu Chou, memorize the sword technique I practice today. Once you have mastered your fundamentals, you shall learn it!"

Jiu Chou could only nod. Before she had a chance to respond, Mo Lian had already begun her sword dance.

Beneath the cherry blossom trees, the woman’s slender figure moved, her white robes swirling continuously with the momentum of her turns. Guided by the sword, her waist—supple as if without bone—rotated incessantly, stirring up a flurry of falling petals.

When the martial dance concluded, Jiu Chou was left standing frozen in place. This was the most beautiful martial art she had ever seen, but she knew simultaneously that its lethality would be far from small. From that day on, the image of the woman in white fluttering beneath the cherry blossoms was deeply etched into her mind.

"This is called the Zhongling Sword Technique." Mo Lian retracted the Soul Sword, her fingertip lightly brushing the middle section once more, returning the Soul Sword to its flute form. Mo Lian turned and walked toward her room.

"Your subordinate understands." Watching Mo Lian’s retreating figure, Jiu Chou’s determination to become stronger grew even more resolute. She did not want to stand behind others seeking protection, nor did she wish to become a burden to Mo Lian in battle. She had to become strong.

One night passed just like that. While Mo Lian slept peacefully, the palace was in an uproar. People were discussing everywhere about who this ten-year-old woman in white was, and how she had managed to gain such favor from the Emperor. "Little Shunzi, have you heard? A noble person has arrived in the palace, and the Emperor actually arranged for her to stay in Ningyan Court." Passing eunuchs were once again discussing palace gossip.

"Of course I've heard. Yesterday, the Emperor specifically ordered that no one is to disturb Ningyan Court."

"Exactly, exactly. Sigh, truly different fates!"

"Don't talk nonsense, get back to work. If you're caught, your salary will be docked." After a brief exchange, the eunuchs returned to their routine lives; gossip could be shared, but not too much.

While practicing her swordplay in the courtyard, Mo Lian reviewed the events of the past few days. Her movements were decisive and without hesitation, every strike brimming with killing intent, the sword in her hand as flexible as if it had eyes of its own.

With a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, Mo Lian brought her practice to a perfect close. The residual sword qi stirred up the fallen petals across the ground; the cherry blossoms danced, and the person beneath the tree was clad in white as pure as snow. This was the scene Bei Jiqi saw when he entered—a sight of breathtaking beauty. He suddenly felt a bit fortunate that he hadn't had De'an announce his arrival just now.

Seeing Bei Jiqi enter, Mo Lian’s brow furrowed slightly, yet she remained silent.

This naturally did not escape Bei Jiqi's eyes, though Mo Lian made no deliberate attempt to hide it either.

"This commoner was unaware of the Emperor's arrival and failed to greet you. I hope Your Majesty will grant me forgiveness," Mo Lian spoke slowly, neither humble nor arrogant.

"It was I who was abrupt." The Emperor looked at Mo Lian, his face still partially obscured by the light veil.

"I wouldn't dare," her tone remained as it always was.

"I need to ask you a few things. Answer truthfully." The Emperor deliberately adopted an air of majesty, though it had little effect on Mo Lian.

"This commoner will certainly speak all that she knows and say all that she must." Official Mandarin? Anyone could do that.

How could Bei Jiqi fail to see Mo Lian's perfunctory attitude? However, that was not important. What mattered was that his Yu'er might have returned.