Chapter Sixty-Four: What It Means to Be Ostentatious

Yinyao had been rather idle lately, with nothing much to do, while Li Suo had become her shadow, following her everywhere like a devoted attendant! Having such a handsome man by her side—one whose martial skills were unfathomable and whose status was weighty—Yinyao truly didn’t know whether she ought to feel delighted or dismayed…

Was she enjoying herself too much? Would heaven take offense at her good fortune? She fervently hoped the gods wouldn’t punish her!

Li Suo watched the myriad expressions flit across Yinyao’s face, finally settling into one of helpless resignation. He instantly guessed her thoughts. Still, he delighted in staying close to Yinyao, unwilling to leave her side even for a moment.

The two of them sat leisurely in an elegant chamber by the window, savoring fine tea with graceful poise.

Just then, a servant boy knocked and entered, placed a slip of paper on the table, and quickly withdrew. Li Suo picked up the note and read it carefully.

“Yao’er, Ji Muyu has begun to act. Just this morning, he started reorganizing the court, and the commotion is not insignificant!”

“Oh? Is that so? It’s about time he made a move.” Yinyao sipped her tea elegantly, her tone calm and unconcerned.

Li Suo was long accustomed to Yinyao’s composure and her almost prophetic insight. Though curious, he never pressed her with questions. He knew that if Yinyao did not wish to tell him something, asking would be pointless; if she did, she’d speak of it in her own time.

Of course, it was out of the question for Yinyao to confess she was a psychologist. In truth, her judgments were based on studying others’ mental states—some matters simply could not be spoken aloud.

“Yao’er, what should we do next?” Li Suo had entrusted everything to her guidance, content to follow her lead.

“Have you found Ji Muyu’s weakness or his sore spot?” Yinyao’s eyes flickered with thought, her fingers absently playing with her teacup.

“I’m not entirely sure. I only discovered that a woman recently took up residence in the palace, and Ji Muyu treats her with particular favor,” Li Suo replied, tasting his tea with equal ease.

“Oh? It seems heroes since ancient times have all been undone by beautiful women. I must pay this lady a proper visit.” Yinyao’s laugh was light, but her smile hinted at deeper meaning.

“I was thinking the very same thing,” Li Suo replied, shooting Yinyao a glance and smiling wickedly.

Catching the significance of his smile and words, Yinyao’s heart skipped a beat. Of course she understood what he meant! Yet, her heart was not ready to open fully to another. No—not to anyone, not even to him.

“Heh. Li Suo, give me a little more time,” Yinyao said softly, her smile gentle now, stripped of the arrogance and boldness she’d shown moments before. A trace of sadness appeared in her eyes, making it hard to tell whether she was the same person at all.

Li Suo was not surprised by her words, but his heart warmed. Yao’er was trying, wasn’t she? She was attempting to move forward and accept him.

…

That night, Yinyao donned a crimson dress—a striking contrast to her usual attire, making her stand out. Yet, the boldness of that scarlet robe only served to highlight her wild, untamable spirit. Tonight, she did not fear drawing attention; her only concern was failing to attract enough.

She moved swiftly through the palace—it was her second time visiting under cover of darkness. A red silhouette glided by. Guided by intelligence, Yinyao soon reached her destination: Xuan Yu Palace.

The palace was ablaze with lights. Attentive maids and eunuchs stood guard outside, and Yinyao knew there must be hidden guards stationed out of sight. Ji Muyu clearly attached great importance to the woman within these walls.

Even in the dimness, the surroundings were exquisite and tranquil. The ponds brimmed with clear water, lotuses in full bloom, emerald leaves unfurling—a truly picturesque scene. A stone bridge arched over the water, leading to a pavilion: Xuan Yu Pavilion.

Yinyao couldn’t help but marvel—Ji Muyu certainly spared no effort for this woman.

A man in black trailed Ji Muyu as they exited the palace and hurried away. The man’s calm bearing marked him as no ordinary person; if she guessed correctly, he belonged to the Tower of Twilight Shadows, and likely held a high rank. Ji Muyu was not one to allow just anyone close.

Once they departed, Yinyao leapt down from a nearby tree and strode openly toward Xuan Yu Palace. The guards, alarmed by her approach, drew their swords. “Who goes there?!”

Yinyao did not answer, but smiled quietly. Soon, the palace maids and eunuchs began to panic, shouting that they would report to the emperor. Yinyao’s keen eyes noticed movement on the roof—hidden guards had arrived.

With a graceful flick of her right hand, white powder drifted from her sleeve. The assembled crowd had no chance to cover their mouths before collapsing one after another. At the same time, the hidden guards surrounded Yinyao.

“Come at me, all of you,” Yinyao said coolly, having assessed their strength.

Her words only stoked their fury—when had anyone dared look down on them so? They exchanged glances and charged, swords bared, ready to cut her down.

With a sudden sweep of her left hand, a rainbow-hued chain extended and met their weapons with a ringing clash. Yinyao wielded the chain as if at play, swinging it with ease. The hidden guards, angered by her nonchalance, fought with desperate ferocity.

Yet she remained nonchalant. Before long, a few guards, recognizing her strength, exchanged subtle signals; one slipped away from the circle to summon reinforcements.

A cold glint flashed in Yinyao’s eyes. She was willing to toy with them, but reinforcements? No—she would not permit it.

Her long-idle right hand shot out with force, sending a blast toward the fleeing guard. He halted abruptly, turned slowly, blood at his lips, and collapsed.

His comrades, seeing him fall, were seized by terror and hatred. But Yinyao had tired of this game. Her left hand set the rainbow chain whirling in precise arcs; the fine silken threads shimmered under moonlight, reaping lives as they moved.

When the last hidden guard fell, Yinyao turned to face the palace’s great doors, which now stood open.

There, at the entrance to Xuan Yu Palace, stood Wan Youxue, drawn out by the commotion. She wore a pale pink gown; her face, though delicate and lovely, was somewhat wan. She had likely witnessed everything.

But that was precisely Yinyao’s intent—why else permit the maids to make a scene, if not to lure her out? This was what it meant to make a grand entrance.

Wan Youxue steadied herself against the door, remaining conscious. Though her eyes flickered with alarm, it soon vanished, replaced by a strange, burning excitement.

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Alas, this fickle weather makes it easy to catch a cold—like me, for instance! Everyone, take care of your health!