Chapter 55: Xiao Mo I

"Refuse them. Let them leave."
"This maid will go at once." Xique glanced at Chu Yuchuan before answering.
Chu Yuchuan looked over. "Why won't you see them?"
"If the Prince wishes to see them, go yourself."
Chu Yuchuan stepped to her side. "Is my beloved consort jealous?"
"Why should I be jealous?" Yu Qingyan kept her eyes fixed on her book, turning a page as she spoke.
"Then I shall go, after all, it has been a long time since I last saw the two of them."
"There is no need to tell me this."
"Shall I really go?"
Yu Qingyan did not answer. The page beneath her fingers turned once more, and out of the corner of her eye, she watched him stand, open the door, and walk out.
Placing the book down on the table, Yu Qingyan gazed at the tightly closed door, her eyes darkening.
When Chu Yuchuan reached the front hall, Madam Jiang and Madam Chen had long since departed. Zuo Xuan looked at his master in puzzlement. "Why has Your Highness come out?"
Chu Yuchuan cast a somewhat gloomy look at Zuo Xuan.
Zuo Xuan ventured cautiously, "Were you... driven out by the Princess?"
Chu Yuchuan shot Zuo Xuan a cold glare.
"This subordinate spoke out of turn." Zuo Xuan stood respectfully to one side and said no more.
Yu Qingyan had already changed into men's attire. Instead of taking the front gate, she vaulted out the window and quietly slipped out of the Prince's Manor.
With the New Year approaching, the streets of Nandu were bustling. Yu Qingyan walked aimlessly through the crowd, occasionally drawing the sidelong glances of passersby.
Suddenly, Yu Qingyan whirled around, her gaze locking onto a figure carrying a broadsword on his back.
She could never mistake the aura emanating from that man.
Yu Qingyan followed him directly into the Wangxian Tower. The moment she sat down, the man cast a glance her way. Yu Qingyan smiled and nodded at him; with an expressionless face, he withdrew his gaze.
Just as Yu Qingyan was about to walk over, a figure suddenly appeared before her.
"It really is you!" He Haozhuo smiled, boldly sitting down opposite her. "Do you remember me?"
Like an unshakeable ghost! Yu Qingyan stood up and moved to an adjacent table. Xiao Mo looked up at her, and instantly, Yu Qingyan's expression shifted, a sudden aura of killing intent surging around her. Xiao Mo's face chilled as his hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his blade.
He Haozhuo swallowed hard and retreated a step. "Your enemy?"
Yu Qingyan sat down opposite Xiao Mo and set out a cup for herself. Xiao Mo consciously poured her a cup of wine.
"Xiao Mo."
Yu Qingyan smiled and raised her wine cup. "Gu Yan."
He Haozhuo breathed a sigh of relief, smiling broadly as he moved to sit beside Yu Qingyan. "So you're friends! Haha, your name is Xiao Mo?"
"..."
Xiao Mo's cold gaze swept over He Haozhuo, whose smile froze. "Uh, you two chat, I won't interrupt..."
As soon as He Haozhuo finished speaking, Xiao Mo's gaze remained fixed on him, leaving He Haozhuo with no choice but to slink away in defeat, casting one last lingering, reluctant look at Yu Qingyan.
"I didn't expect to run into a friend here," Yu Qingyan smiled.
"I have no friends." The icy words held no more warmth than the man himself.
Yu Qingyan's smile did not falter. "Birds of a feather."
"Spar with me."
Yu Qingyan drank another cup of wine. "Now?"
"Now."
"Very well."
Xiao Mo stood up, and Yu Qingyan followed him all the way to a desolate patch of land far outside the city bounds.
"You have no weapon."
Yu Qingyan stood still, the corners of her lips curling slightly. "Who says I don't?"
"Then let us begin." Without a single superfluous word, Xiao Mo drew his blade and charged at Yu Qingyan. Raising an eyebrow, Yu Qingyan sidestepped his attack and reached out to grab at his throat. Though fast, Xiao Mo was no slower; using the hand holding the blade to block her arm, he struck out with his other palm toward her chest.