The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 463 - 462 A Shadow Only (third watch)

Chapter 463: 462 A Shadow Only (third watch)

Xu Sheng gently pushed open the door and entered the Imperial Study Room.

Murong Ce’s sleeping quarters were inside the inner chamber of the Imperial Study Room.

That was the place where the emperors of Houliang traditionally rested after being worn out by official duties.

Murong Ce lay flat on the bed, motionless as a carving, staring straight up at the canopy, his eyes bloodshot.

Li Xianyun must have received his handwritten letter by now. What was she doing? Would she listen to him and obediently return to his side? Would his decision not to kill those from Ji Shi Tang lessen her hatred towards him by even a fraction?

He couldn’t help but think:

If, back then, he hadn’t killed her maid out of jealousy for Sheng Heng, maybe Li Xianyun wouldn’t hate him so much. Could they have been together by now?

If he could do it over, he wouldn’t bully her, nor would he let those prodigal sons of nobility bully her and her family. He wouldn’t kill her maid to punish her. He would take good care of her and make her fall in love with him.

Such were Murong Ce’s thoughts, intensified by regret.

Being a martial artist of high skills, his hearing was exceptional. He heard Xu Sheng approaching well before he came near.

Xu Sheng hesitated outside the door to the inner chamber.

"What is it?"

Murong Ce’s cool voice came from inside.

Xu Sheng hurriedly said with respect, "Your Majesty, a message has come from Qionglu Palace. They say Miss Bai is missing."

Murong Ce was impatient, "If she’s missing, she’s missing."

She was but a shadow; it wasn’t worth bothering himself over such a trivial matter.

Yet the image of those eyes, resembling Li Xianyun’s by seventy to eighty percent, still surfaced in his mind.

This resemblance was enough to make him change his mind.

Murong Ce got up, put on his outer garment, and walked out of the inner chamber.

Xu Sheng, ready to leave, was momentarily stunned, but he quickly recovered and bowed to Murong Ce, saying, "Your Majesty."

"What happened?"

Xu Sheng said respectfully, "A palace maid from Qionglu Palace reported that Miss Bai has vanished. I have not had the chance to inquire further."

Murong Ce strode over to the study and sat down in the Taishi Chair in front of the desk.

He was born striking and handsome. Dressed in his comfortable home clothes, it added a touch of worldliness to his demeanor, making him appear like a celestial being descended from the heavens, extraordinary in every way.

Murong Ce was naturally cruel and often inhumane; the palace maid knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.

If she were not afraid for her life, she wouldn’t have dared to come forward with the report.

"Your Majesty, we maids were on duty outside the inner chamber. We heard the sound of something heavy falling and hurriedly pushed the door and entered, but we did not see Miss Bai. We searched everywhere to no avail and came to report," she said.

Murong Ce looked at Xu Sheng, "Take some people to check it out."

"Yes."

Xu Sheng bowed and then left with his group.

Murong Ce picked up the memorial to resume reviewing. He was waiting for news from Qionglu Palace.

Though that Bai girl was insignificant, it was indeed a pity if those eyes so similar to hers could not frequently appear before him.

Just then, a slender figure appeared in front of the desk, followed by a palace servant respectfully holding a tray.

On the tray was a white porcelain teacup, its icy brightness reflecting in the lamp’s light, making the cup appear even more translucent and lustrous.

Xiang Rong respectfully greeted, "Your Majesty, would you like some tea?"

Murong Ce grunted affirmatively, his tone cold and devoid of warmth.

Xiang Rong’s heart sank like ice.

Murong Ce only ever came alive when dealing with Li Xianyun.

Whenever Li Xianyun entered his field of vision, his gaze would freeze upon her, making no attempt to hide his infatuation.

Murong Ce, while held as a hostage in Houtang, was treated with such respect by the Emperor of Houtang that let alone the civil and military officials, each one of them would change color at the mention of his name.

Murong Ce was truly a little overlord; no one was worthy of him concealing his emotions.

Xiang Rong took a cup from the tray and respectfully handed it to Murong Ce. Watching him take it and lightly sip from it, he then set the cup aside.

The corners of Xiang Rong’s eyes darkened slightly.

The woman Murong Ce yearned for with all his heart was intent on plotting his death, and the tea he was now drinking contained the powdered medicine given by Li Xianyun, meant to make him fall in love with another woman.

If he knew about all this, one wonders how he would feel.

Murong Ce glanced up at Xiang Rong, "Did it fail?"

Xiang Rong hurriedly kneeled on the ground, saying in a fear-stricken voice, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Yelu Yan sent many people to protect Princess Hehui, and my people had no opportunity to make a move."

Indeed, Murong Ce possessed great power; even she had only just received the news of the failed kidnapping of Li Xianyun, Murong Ce already knew about it, perhaps a lot earlier than she did.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Murong Ce’s charming phoenix eyes looked over.

Xiang Rong was actually probing Murong Ce and quickly corrected herself, "This servant misspoke, it wasn’t Princess Hehui, it was the Empress."

Murong Ce looked at her coldly, saying indifferently, "If you can’t even get this right, you need not serve by our side in the future."

Xiang Rong hurriedly prostrated herself on the ground, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This servant will never make that mistake again."

"Leave."

Xiang Rong quickly left with the Palace Servants, leaving Murong Ce alone in the grand study.

Murong Ce stared at the memorial in his hand, unable to take in a single word for quite some time.

Yelu Yan, that barbarian, truly valued Li Xianyun highly.

Not only did Xiang Rong’s people attempt to take Li Xianyun away, but his own people also sent several groups. However, before they could even get close to Li Xianyun, they were all killed by the Hidden Guard sent by Yelu Yan, leaving none alive.

What Li Xianyun thought was tranquility was actually filled with the glint of blades and the shadows of swords.

All of these were handled by Yelu Yan’s Hidden Guard, and she knew nothing about it.

Yelu Yan indeed cherished Li Xianyun greatly.

At that thought, Murong Ce suddenly clenched his fist, the veins on the back of his pale hand faintly visible.

He closed his eyes tightly, his eyebrows furrowing deeply.

If Li Xianyun had followed him, he would have cherished her immensely, even more than Yelu Yan did.

Hatred once again surged chaotically in his chest.

His fist slammed down on the solid wood desk, emitting a dull, loud thud.

Xianxian, you clearly promised to marry me, how can you break your word? How can you betray me and throw yourself into the embrace of other men? How am I to bear this? How am I to bear this?!

When Xu Sheng arrived at the Imperial Study Room with Bai Mengling, Murong Ce had already composed himself.

He was still the aloof, exceptionally distinguished, and awe-inspiring young Emperor.

Bai Mengling was dressed in a light lotus-colored gown, her face veiled, only revealing a pair of soul-stirring eyes as she gracefully knelt on the ground, "Greetings to Your Majesty."

"Where have you been just now?" Murong Ce asked, looking at those lively eyes.

"This concubine knocked over something and stained her clothes, so I went to the cleansing room to clean up, which is why the Palace Maids did not notice."

Murong Ce looked at Xu Sheng.

Xu Sheng quickly said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, when we arrived, we indeed found Miss Bai in the cleansing room."

Murong Ce looked down at the memorial, "Have the Palace Attendant who brought the news beaten to death with rods."

That Palace Attendant, who was right outside the door, fell to her knees at the entrance of the Imperial Study Room upon hearing this, "Your Majesty, have mercy, Your Majesty, have mercy!"

Xu Sheng frowned in impatience, "Take her away immediately, do not disturb His Majesty."

Two guards approached the Palace Attendant, one on either side, ready to take her away.

Bai Mengling quickly said, "Your Majesty, I beg you to spare her."