The bright lights flickered on both sides, and a white mist rose on the smooth ground. Beneath this mist were several hot spring pools, the water gently bubbling, sending waves of white steam that filled the air again after the breeze had momentarily cleared it away.

A group of palace maids strolled over. As they passed, the mist seemed like a curtain torn from the middle, only to gather again afterward.

Long Yue walked at the back of the group, her head slightly lowered as she observed everything around her.

This place had numerous hot spring pools, scattered like stars. However, each pool was quite far apart, and the mist obscured the view, making it impossible to see the other side.

At the end of this ensemble of pools stood a splendid palace, resplendent with grandeur.

Inside this palace was also a pool, Huajing Pool!

As night fell and stars twinkled in the sky against the backdrop of a bright moon, Long Yue followed the palace maids into this palace.

Named Huajiang Palace, the spectacle from the outside already appeared rather luxurious, with its ornately carved beams and painted rafters and glazed tiles. Yet, upon entering, one would realize that the external grandeur was merely a prelude.

A vast dome hovered overhead, with thousands of Luminous Pearls embedded to form a dazzling galaxy. Below it was a marble floor inlaid with various gemstones, echoing the starry sky above.

Inside, the mist loomed, curling slowly out from behind the screen.

"Put the things down, then leave!"

The speaker was a young woman who emerged from behind the screen clad in a thin garment, her brows and eyes as picturesque as a painting. She lightly raised her eyebrows at the palace maids.

Long Yue, not being a fool, could naturally discern that the status of this woman was not low, at the very least a female official. She was stopping the palace maids from entering, perhaps to seize advantage of the opportunity herself from this close proximity.

The others felt her intention, yet did not dare to speak up, leaving reluctantly.

This was an opportunity they had vied for a long time, yet they hadn’t even managed to catch a glimpse of His Majesty the Emperor before being shooed out, leaving them quite vexed.

But, rank crushes all, what could they do?

Long Yue followed the maids outside, knowing that she couldn’t defy this woman’s command at the moment. However, just as she turned to leave, a cold voice echoed from within: "Everyone, leave!"

The voice was calm as water, yet hearing it sent a chill down one’s spine.

"Your Majesty..." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The woman, not expecting the order to include herself, panicked instantly, exclaiming.

"Didn’t you hear? I ordered all of you to leave!"

This time the voice carried more weight. The woman bit her red lips, clearly somewhat ashamed and furious, stamped her foot, and turned away.

She even strode ahead of the palace maids.

While everyone’s attention was fixed on the woman, Long Yue slipped over to one side and hid behind the curtains.

After a while, the palace maids had all left, the door closing with a "click".

Long Yue, having been at the tail end earlier, hadn’t drawn any notice and slipped in easily.

She looked up, gazing at the mist, her heart stirred as she gingerly snuck over to the side of the screen.

Beyond the screen lay Huajing Pool, the bathing area.

Li Qingmu was in there!

Long Yue’s heart jumped to her throat, pounding so intensely it almost suffocated her!

She was about to see him again!

The last time was at the border, where she had successfully infiltrated the military camp, spending a passionate night with him. Back then, he was the Commander-in-Chief, while she merely a beguiling actor!

Now, he was the Emperor, ruling over a magnificent empire with beauties at his beck and call, while she was but a nameless little palace maid!

This... it was infuriating!

The bastard!

Long Yue, ever resilient and strong-willed, had never lowered herself so during her past struggles. Yet here, she found herself questioning her own identity because of this scoundrel!

Long Yue resolved to teach him a lesson when the time came!

She got up and walked toward the screen, only to be enveloped by dense mist. Unable to spot him in the pool due to the haze!

Just as she was looking around, she suddenly felt a chill beneath her feet, slipped, and fell.

"Splash!"

Water sprayed everywhere!

Long Yue was adept in water, trying to regain her balance when a large hand suddenly emerged from below, clasping her delicate neck and pressing her to the Cold Jade Wall nearby.

Her body was like a rag doll, pinned to the cold jade wall, its chilling aura seeping through her back and neck, instantly paling her face!

She feared the cold, haunted by a childhood fall into an icy lake during a snowy winter, leaving her perpetually sensitive to cold.

The Cold Jade was freezing, and her body became rigid, yet the grip on her neck was vice-like, tightening steadily.

"Ugh..."

Long Yue was nearly choked for breath, struggling to free herself, yet the man’s martial arts had grown immensely profound; she was no match!

"Who sent you to assassinate me?"

His voice was slightly husky yet deeply magnetic, chilling and threatening enough to send shivers down one’s spine!

"Ugh... ugh..."

Long Yue shook her head frantically, trying to speak, but with his merciless grasp, how could she utter a word?

"What, unwilling to speak?"

His eyes narrowed dangerously, danger wafting around him.

"Cough, cough..."

Long Yue flailed her limbs, clawing at his arm, the strength so imposing she doubted whether it was truly him.

However, upon opening her eyes, the exquisite visage and deep eyes couldn’t belong to anyone else but him!

Let go, damn it, you’re choking me to death?

Seething, Long Yue pounded on him, her face turning red from asphyxiation. Just as she thought her end was near, he finally released her.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

The violent cough and suffocation caused her to stagger, collapsing toward him.

His eyes frosted over, readying for action, but somehow, upon seeing those bright eyes, his heart softened.

Her soft body fell limply against his, leaving Li Qingmu no choice but to hold her.

His heart was unexpectedly racing.

This feeling, foreign yet familiar, only surfaced when facing her for the first time.

Li Qingmu paused, promptly looking down.

The person in his arms lay lifelessly, void of any color, consciousness lost from suffocation and cold, leaving him instantly awash with regret!

"Yue... Yue’er, is it you?"

In disbelief, he gazed at the person, gently caressing her cheek.

No... no Human Skin Mask?

Then, who was she?