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墨書 Inktalez
Although the door opened with only a slight sound, to everyone in the underground chamber, it resonated like a thunderous bell.
Everyone involuntarily turned to look, quietly watching as faint light streamed through the passage into the room. At first, they were in disbelief, but then joy began to swell in their hearts, ultimately transforming into ecstasy.
"Someone is here!" Azalea exclaimed, forgetting all decorum as she grabbed Qing Wu's hand, laughing and jumping. "Your Highness, we can go out now!"
Qing Wu looked at the steps of the passage with some disbelief, slowly rising to her feet as she gazed hopefully at the glimmer of light.
Mu Hai hurried down a couple of steps and called out loudly a few times. Someone answered him from above.
Mu Hai stepped back and stood behind Qing Wu. Soon after, hurried footsteps could be heard descending the stairs.
"Your Highness, we can leave now," Mu Hai said softly from behind her.
We can leave.
This was already the second time someone had said this to her.
Qing Wu's fingertips moved slightly, brushing against the edge of her garment, which felt cold and made her retract her fingers. She raised her hand to smooth her hair and looked up to see a group of people rushing down in an orderly fashion. Her eyes warmed at the sight; she truly understood the meaning of those words.
We can go out.
After waiting for so long, when it was finally confirmed, her emotions were surprisingly much calmer than she had initially imagined.
Qing Wu stepped forward slowly, quietly watching as everyone knelt before her and bowed, calling out for long life. Yet her eyes couldn't help but scan the crowd, trying to find that most familiar figure.
...But there was none.
Huo Yun'ai did not come.
He was not among the crowd.
Qing Wu actually did not hope that he would drop everything to come find her. What she feared were the things that had been troubling her the most these past few days.
Was he targeted by those people? Was he injured? Was he still safe?
Even though Mu Hai had already confirmed that the visitor was indeed a subordinate of Huo Yun'ai, she could not feel at ease until she saw him with her own eyes.
Leading the welcoming party for Qing Wu was Uncle Yu.
Upon recognizing him, Qing Wu felt slightly reassured and signaled for everyone to rise. She then slowly walked down the path where everyone stood respectfully aside.
The maids who came to greet her knelt on either side of the path. Except for the narrow stairs leading from below, this was the case from the underground room to the Queen's palace and out to the courtyard.
Wherever Qing Wu went, the maids knelt on the ground, shouting "Long live the Empress!"
In stark contrast to this lively scene was the cold, intimidating palace.
Bloodstains, either thick or dried, were visible everywhere along the path, with debris scattered about. Only a narrow path cleared in the middle could be considered intact, but it was far from clean. Occasionally, she would catch sight of blood-stained fragments; just a glance was enough to make her dare not look back. It was impossible to tell whether it was blood staining wood shavings or if it was originally pieces of flesh…
Looking at the palace that had been smashed beyond recognition, Qing Wu couldn't help but feel a chill run through her body.
"Where is His Majesty now?" Qing Wu glanced at Uncle Yu, who was leading the way ahead, and casually asked, her tone surprisingly calm.
Uncle Yu replied softly, "You will know soon, Your Majesty."
Qing Wu's heart suddenly panicked.
If he were unharmed, why would Uncle Yu be so evasive and not tell her directly?
As she spoke again, her voice trembled slightly, "If he gets hurt, Eunuch Yu need not hide it from me."
Uncle Yu then realized that his earlier remark, "The Empress will know soon," had frightened Qing Wu. Upon reflection, he understood that he had not handled the situation properly. He quickly mentioned a location, "His Majesty intended to come personally to welcome the Empress, but unfortunately, the Rebel insisted on seeing His Majesty. I thought that place was too filthy, so I did not inform the Empress." He added, "I was muddled in my head; please forgive me, Your Highness!" He stopped and was about to kneel.
Qing Wu then understood that Huo Yun'ai had gone to the torture chamber. No wonder Uncle Yu had concealed it from her. She hurried forward to support Uncle Yu, saying, "Eunuch Yu is being too harsh on himself. It was just a few words."
Qing Wu treated him with such courtesy because he was one of Huo Yun'ai's most capable aides and because during these bloody days, he had faithfully protected Huo Yun'ai.
She had always felt that loyalty was rare. After experiencing Granny Lu's betrayal, this feeling became even more poignant.
Uncle Yu expressed his gratitude and stood up, glancing into the distance behind Qing Wu, his eyes flashing with anger.
Li Zi was his own disciple whom he had raised. For someone without descendants like him, Li Zi was almost like family. He had nurtured him with care and loved him as if he were his own child. Yet in the end, it was that very person who betrayed him.
Thinking about how his years of affection had ultimately turned to nothing felt like a cruel joke; Uncle Yu's smile turned somewhat bleak. "I misjudged people and nearly harmed His Majesty; I cannot escape blame even if I die a thousand times." This was an explanation for his earlier excessive caution.
In just a short time, the once cheerful chief eunuch dared not speak another word.
He hunched his back and continued to lead the way. After taking two steps forward, he swayed slightly and quickly paused for a moment before continuing onward.
Qing Wu observed Uncle Yu's condition and felt something was off. It seemed as if this loyal servant was about to collapse at any moment.
After a moment, seeing Uncle Yu's steps becoming increasingly unsteady, she felt alarmed and quickly called for Mu Hai. "You take care of Uncle Yu's matters for now." Then she said to Uncle Yu, "You should rest for a while."
"I am fine. I still..."
"This is an order!" Qing Wu's voice turned cold and left no room for doubt.
If he did not rest in this state, it would likely lead to exhaustion and harm his health!
Uncle Yu naturally knew that Qing Wu was doing it for his own good. He just didn't expect that despite believing he had concealed it well, the Empress would still notice him.
After a moment of shock, Uncle Yu suddenly knelt on the ground and shouted loudly, "This servant humbly obeys the Empress's decree! Long live the Empress!"
This sudden elevation in Uncle Yu's voice made every Maid's heart race.
Everyone turned to look in his direction.
Having been in the palace for many years, Uncle Yu had a formidable reputation, and few Maids were not afraid of him.
As they watched Uncle Yu kneeling on the ground in the most respectful manner, they suddenly realized something.
The frail-looking girl before them, with her straightened back, was no longer the familiar Lord Liu, but rather the current Empress!
Unlike the previous occasion when everyone shouted long live together, at this moment, there was an inexplicable fear and respect growing in their hearts. Without needing anyone to signal them, they all bowed again and followed Uncle Yu in shouting loudly, "Long live the Empress!"
The shout was deafening, reaching the heavens.
The Rebel, in search of Qing Wu to use as leverage against the emperor, turned the Queen's palace upside down, destroying everything that could be smashed or overturned.
In contrast, Ningxin Pavilion, since Qing Wu had not set foot there after the Grand Wedding, remained relatively intact. Although some items in a few rooms were damaged, there were no bloodstains or filth inside; after cleaning, it could be used again. Thus, Qing Wu returned to Ningxin Pavilion to rest for a while.
Dou Mama had long been waiting there. Originally, Uncle Yu had asked her if she wanted to go welcome Qing Wu, but after some thought, she decided it was better to first have someone clean up Ningxin Pavilion, so she insisted on staying behind to direct the maids in tidying up every room.
Even while instructing others to work, she kept glancing towards the courtyard gate. Upon seeing Qing Wu, her long-held anxiety immediately eased. She burst into tears and fell to the ground.
Seeing Dou Mama's state made tears well up in Qing Wu's eyes as well.
Noticing that Qing Wu was upset, Dou Mama quickly stopped her tears. Wiping her eyes, she shouted loudly for the maids to get back to work. "What are you all standing around for? Hurry up!"
Azalea boiled hot water and served Qing Wu, thoroughly cleaning her from head to toe.
The clothes that Qing Wu had prepared, aside from what she was wearing, were all in tatters. Fortunately, Huo Yun'ai had some new garments made that had not yet been delivered and were left in Zhaoning Palace, which could still be used.
Dou Mama saw that Qing Wu was safe and finally felt relieved. She personally went to fetch the clothes and new bedding, instructing Azalea to help Qing Wu change while she spread the bedding.
Once everything was tidied up, Azalea and Dou Mama were ready to assist Qing Wu in going to sleep.
However, Qing Wu refused.
"I'll read here for a while," Qing Wu said, rubbing her eyes as she picked up a book and walked over to the table. After sitting down, she glanced at the courtyard gate.
Dou Mama had just been anxiously watching that direction, waiting for Qing Wu's return. Seeing Qing Wu's actions, what else could she not understand?
The princess was worried about the Emperor.
Thinking about how His Majesty had just captured the Rebel and sent someone to fetch the princess, and now that she was back, she wanted to see him right away, Dou Mama felt both heartache and joy.
Just as Azalea stepped forward to persuade her, Dou Mama hurriedly stopped her. "You go brew a strong cup of tea." After giving her instructions, she turned to Qing Wu and said, "I'll go get some snacks."
Dou Mama was afraid that Qing Wu hadn't eaten well in the past few days, so she had prepared many fresh dishes before returning to the room. But when she pushed the door open, she found the girl asleep at the table with a book in hand.
Dou Mama quickly retreated and closed the door. Just as she hesitated whether to help the princess back to bed with Azalea, a tall figure turned at the courtyard gate and walked toward them.
It was Huo Yun'ai.
The Young Emperor wore Xuan Yi and strode forward with large steps. His clothing shimmered with a dark light. At first glance, it looked like dark patterns. Upon closer inspection, one could see it was speckled with bloodstains.
He approached with an air of bloodlust, his expression grave. As he scanned his surroundings, an aura of menace caused everyone present to feel terrified; their legs weakened, and they all knelt on the ground.
"Qingwu?" Huo Yun'ai looked at Dou Mama and asked.
"Your Highness is inside the room," Dou Mama said, trembling slightly from the smell of blood on the Emperor. "She just fell asleep."
Upon hearing that Qing Wu had returned, Huo Yun'ai felt a sense of relief.
He wanted to let her sleep peacefully, but the worries that had been weighing on his mind could not be calmed. After standing in the courtyard for a while, he ultimately could not hold back and walked toward the closed Door.
Just one glance. Just one glance would do.
After all, she was his girl, his newlywed wife.
Carefully pushing the door open, the Young Emperor tried to tread lightly as he approached the girl. He suppressed the urge to pull her into his arms, keeping his body still while his gaze lingered on her, unabashedly admiring her.
He thought he was being gentle enough. To his surprise, the girl stirred and woke up. She opened her sleepy eyes and looked over in confusion.
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