Chapter 9: Palace Night Banquet 1

Three days later, Qingyun lay half-reclined on a chaise longue in the courtyard, examining the "Flower Soul" she had modified and coated with poison. She curled her lips in triumph; it was truly seamless!

Qingyun narrowed her eyes, then suddenly, her brows furrowed.

With a creak, the door was pushed open by a maid. Qingyun lazily glanced at Bi'er, the personal maid of the Prime Minister's wife, Madam Shen, who was staring in shock. She spoke coldly: "What are you here for?"

Bi'er looked at Qingyun with disdain: "The Master and the Madam want to see you. They are in the main hall now." Having said that, she slammed the door and walked out. Hmph! Just an unfavored concubine-born daughter, what right did she have to put on airs?

A flash of killing intent crossed Qingyun’s lazy eyes, vanishing as quickly as it appeared. She stood up and walked out; after all, she had been here for three days and had snatched their prized treasure—it was only right to pay them a visit, wasn't it?

As Qingyun walked through the Prime Minister's estate, observing the rockeries, flowing water, pavilions, and gardens, she had to admit it was indeed a decent place. Though it didn't compare to one of her own retreats, it had its own unique charm. She strolled along, stopping to admire the scenery, and finally arrived at the main hall.

"What is the matter?" Her voice arrived before she did.

Everyone looked toward the sound. Qingyun appeared with a languid expression, dressed in a pale purple gown. Her long, ink-black hair was simply pinned up with a single hairpin. With every step, she seemed to bloom like a lotus, her temperament noble and elegant. As she walked in bathed in sunlight, she looked like someone who shouldn't belong in the mortal world.

Seeing the dazed expressions of those present, Qingyun’s voice turned cold: "Is. There. Something?" The three words were enough to drop everyone from a warm, blooming spring garden into a frozen valley filled with icy currents.

Mu Qingxin snapped out of her trance and bit her full lips hard. Damn it! She had actually been mesmerized by this woman!

Mu Qinglan’s hands, hidden beneath her sleeves, were already pierced by her nails, though she didn't feel it.

Madam Shen glared at Qingyun, her expression as if Qingyun were her father’s murderer.

Mu Yueling laughed awkwardly: "Haha, Qingyun, the palace is hosting a banquet tonight for the envoys of the three kingdoms. The Emperor has specifically requested your presence, and while we're at it, he will bestow a marriage between you and the fool... no, no, between you and Prince Xuan!"

"Is that all?" Qingyun put her hands behind her back, her long eyelashes casting shadows on her face, looking incredibly innocent. However, no one noticed the mockery that flashed in her eyes.

"That's right." Mu Yueling looked at Qingyun with the appearance of a benevolent father: "Oh, Qingyun, make sure to dress up well tonight, you hear?"

Qingyun merely raised an eyebrow, said nothing, and turned to leave.

The moment Qingyun stepped out the door, Madam Shen began to clamor: "Master! This wretched girl is too arrogant!" That damn brat! How dare she ignore her!

Mu Yueling glanced at her and gave a cold huff: "Hmph! Even if she is arrogant, you have to endure it! Or would you rather have Qinglan or Qingxin marry into that family?"

It hit the nail on the head! Madam Shen suppressed her inner rage. If it weren't for that fool, would she have to suffer such indignity?

"Isn't he just a fool? What's the big deal?" Mu Qingxin, being blunt, blurted out what she was thinking.

"A fool?" Mu Yueling flicked his sleeves in anger, glaring at Mu Qingxin with a look of disappointment: "Even if he is a fool, he is still the Emperor’s most favored son! If someone with ulterior motives heard what you just said, you wouldn't have enough heads for the Emperor to chop off!"

Mu Qingxin was startled and immediately knelt down: "Father, daughter knows she was wrong."

Mu Yueling rubbed his temples in irritation: "Enough, watch your tongue in the future. You may leave."

"Yes."

"Yes."

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The sunlight scattered across the window, casting shadows through the curtains. Qingyun stood by the window with her hands behind her back, her voice faint: "Did you find it?"

Ming Feng knelt on the ground and replied: "Reporting to Master, we only found out that eight years ago, Prince Xuan was poisoned to make him a fool!"

"And what about his mother, Consort Xue?" Qingyun closed her eyes, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Master... we found nothing."

Qingyun turned around and looked at Ming Feng: "Nothing?" The Piaomiao Pavilion was the world's largest and most dense intelligence organization; there shouldn't be anything they couldn't uncover!

"Yes," Ming Feng replied, feeling uneasy. In six years, this was the first time they had failed a task assigned by their Master!

"Everything that has happened must leave a trace. Keep investigating. Extend the deadline; take your time, it doesn't matter when you find it." Qingyun tapped her fingers on the windowsill, squinting at the sunlight outside. "Bring me the 'Purple Underworld Eastern Qi' from the 'Silhouette Neon Garments'."

"Yes!"

After Ming Feng left, Qingyun sat on the bed to meditate. Finally, she slowly curled her lips into an exceptionally arrogant smile. Her immunity to all poisons had finally fully integrated! Her strength had reached a new level!