C16

The black shadow nodded slightly, and then shook his head, "It would be best if it was at night. I'm afraid that Lord Sixth's men are watching the Fourth Master's movements. Also, it's best not to expose this inn, lest it causes unnecessary harm to this inn."

Hearing that the shadow was so considerate, Yue Ziyue couldn't help but admire him from the bottom of her heart. It seemed that there was something clever about the shadow for it to be able to live to this day.

"Okay, then I'll go see Lord Fourth again tonight. Anyway, I don't want to see Xue Chao, that idiot." Yue Ziyue thought back to the day when Xue Chao didn't save her, and she was extremely disgusted. Since they were both with Fourth Master, the difference between the black shadow and Xue Chao was like heaven and earth.

The black shadow smiled slightly, "Don't blame Xue Chao, he did his best to protect Master Si. Speaking of which, he is a truly loyal guard, even if one day, everyone betrayed Master Si, he wouldn't."

As he said this, the black shadow gave Yue Ziyue a meaningful glance. Sensing his gaze, Yue Ziyue immediately shifted her gaze outside the window, sighing in her heart. Could it be that from the very beginning, this was a mistake?

"Tell Fourth Master that he'll know when we meet at the same place." The black shadow saw that Yue Ziyue's mind was in a state of confusion and doubt, as if it was worrying about something.

Yue Ziyue asked subconsciously, "Where is the usual place?"

"Master Four knows!" The black shadow didn't seem to want to say anything more. Yue Ziyue understood his concerns and didn't ask any further questions.

What she wanted, she didn't need anyone to tell her the clues. She could easily find that piece of jade by relying on her own ability, because whenever something was important, there would always be someone who could find it.

With a purpose in mind, the black shadow pointed at the torn clothes on his body, "Could I trouble Yue Ziyue to go out and buy some clothes for this old one? I can't wear them like this to see Fourth Master!"

"Oh!" Yue Ziyue numbly turned around, absent-mindedly thinking about how to obtain the whereabouts of the jade.

The black shadow sighed helplessly again, pointing towards the curtain on Yue Ziyue's body. "I say, you should also arrange for a set of clothes. If Fourth Master sees you like this, I'm afraid he won't be happy."

"What does his unhappiness have to do with me!" Yue Ziyue pulled up her collar and sniffed. Apart from the smell of blood and sweat, there was also the smell of dust. She frowned and said to the shadow on the bed, "Fine, I'll be right back!"

In the evening, not only did Yue Ziyue purchase the items she needed, she also found out that Yan Muqing had brought back the coffin from Jingfei's mansion. This was her special rule: she wanted it to be absolutely safe.

In the bronze mirror was a pretty face. It was a little haggard, but it did not affect her youthful vigor. Coupled with her agate eyes, she was as pure as a dewdrop on a lotus leaf at dawn.

Yue Ziyue also had no way to get rid of her shoulder-length hair, so she simply tied a ponytail. Since it was night time anyway, there was no need for decorations.

When he turned around, the shadow had already put on his clothes. The gray robe made him look more steady. The black and white boots made him look like a newborn.

"That's right!" Yue Ziyue nodded in praise, only to see the black shadow look at her hair critically and shake his head. "Miss Yue should still redo her hair bun …"

"There's no need, it's not a blind date." Yue Ziyue blurted out her thoughts. Seeing the shadow's confusion, she quickly concealed it and said, "I don't know how to comb myself. When I return to Fourth Master's residence, I'll let those girls think of something."

The night was hazy, and Yan Muqing was riding along with Yue Ziyue. It was still early, so in order to prevent anyone from following her, she intentionally rode around Lijing a few times.

"How did Master Four meet Sai Yao?" Yue Ziyue looked at the dark night, breaking the silence on the way. As she turned her head to look at Yan Muqing, she saw a faint pained expression slip across his previously calm face.

Yue Ziyue had speculated that Yan Muqing had rescued Sai Yao from the Grand Preceptor's estate, but how did he know?

After thinking for a while, he still couldn't understand. He could only wait for Yan Muqing's reply. After walking another five miles, he saw that it was the west gate of Li Jing City. Yan Muqing suddenly turned around and entered a forest with no signs of human life.

Yue Ziyue followed closely behind, becoming more curious about the old place that the black shadow mentioned. The sound of tree branches being stepped on was heard again and again. It was at this moment that Yan Muqing spoke in a very soft voice, "It was Imperial Father's order for me to protect Princess Sai Yao until she returns!"

"But you are mourning!" Yue Ziyue cried out in alarm and frowned slightly. Even if he gave her this, she wouldn't be able to be happy about it. She had seen the Emperor twice, but she had not realized that he was such an unromantic and ruthless man.

Yan Muqing reached out her hand to brush away the tree branches in front of her as she smiled bitterly, "So what? The other princes are probably busy eating Seventh Brother's banquet!"

"Are you jealous?" Yue Ziyue heard the helplessness in Yan Muqing's voice and quickly stepped forward. "I feel that the Seventh Prince isn't such a person. He won't forget how good Imperial Concubine Jing is to him!"

"It was Sixth Brother who volunteered to help Seventh Brother prepare the wedding banquet. Royal Father agreed. After three days, all the ministers above the Third Stage of Li Jing would be celebrating in Seventh Brother's residence!" Yan Muqing reined in the reins and turned to look at Yue Ziyue. Although the sky was very dark, his eyes were still sparkling. "Okay, wait for me here. I'll be right back!"

Yue Ziyue nodded obediently and also held onto the reins, standing at the same place. She allowed Yan Muqing to ride her horse into the woods, and in a short while, she disappeared from sight.

According to her estimation, Yan Muqing and Shadow's meeting place was close by. She gently slipped off the horse, tied the reins to the tree, and then followed Yan Muqing's direction with light footsteps like a cat.

At the end of the forest was an open area. The moonlight would occasionally pierce through the clouds, casting half of the light onto the land. The land was covered by a veil of white, and the occasional howling of wolves made it seem even more like a paradise.

On the other side was a half-collapsed wall of earth, upon which stood a dark figure like a statue.

Not long after, another figure leapt onto the city wall. When the two met, Yan Muqing immediately bowed to Shadow and said, "Yan'er greets Master. Yan'er deserves to die, I should have been prepared for this long ago."

"This is not your fault …" What about Yue Ziyue? " The black shadow looked around, but Yue Ziyue was nowhere to be seen. Yan Muqing said softly, "Whether she's an enemy or a friend, it's hard to say. I don't want to bring her here!"

The black shadow paused for a moment before continuing, "It's all thanks to her this time. Otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to live to see Yan'er."

"Master is very strong, who injured him?" Before this, he had regarded his Master as his most trusted protector, but unexpectedly, his Master had been severely injured.