The Northern Frontier Royal Palace's secret chambers were hidden deep within a secluded corner of the palace, shrouded in darkness, only illuminated by flickering, dim lamplight, lending an eerie air. Consort Mu, dressed in plain white robes, sat quietly in the corner, her eyes showing not fear, but only unwavering resolve and wisdom. She knew she could not remain trapped here; she had to find a way to escape. Consort Mu harbored a yearning for freedom, as well as longing for the Qi Kingdom and the Emperor.
Night deepened, and the sounds of the guards changing shifts echoed through the corridor. Consort Mu listened intently, her heart pounding with each footstep. She had observed the guards for days, figuring out their changing-shift pattern; this was the opportunity she had been waiting for.
Once the guards' footsteps had faded into the distance, Consort Mu stood up. She gently pushed open the door to the darkroom and cautiously peeked out. The corridor was deserted. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the darkroom.
Her movements were light and swift, like a cat in the night, silently darting through the shadows of the palace. Consort Mu was not familiar with the palace structure of the Northern Frontier, but her wisdom and intuition guided her, allowing her to evade patrol after patrol of guards.
However, just as she was about to reach the edge of the palace wall, a shout broke the silence of the night: "Who goes there?"
Consort Mu's heart tightened. She knew she couldn't stop to explain, so she quickened her pace and ran towards the palace wall. The guards' voices grew closer, and she could feel the hurried footsteps behind her.
Just then, she saw a gap in the palace wall, large enough for her to climb out. Consort Mu used all her strength, employing both hands and feet, like a bird yearning for freedom, to struggle and climb.
The guards caught up with her at the palace wall, torches in hand, searching everywhere. Consort Mu pressed herself against the shadows of the wall, her heart pounding, but she forced herself to remain calm.
The guards searched the area but found no trace, and eventually left disappointed. Consort Mu breathed a sigh of relief; she knew she was safe for the time being, but she also understood that the road to escaping the Northern Frontier was still long, filled with unknowns and dangers.
Consort Mu's heart was pounding. She had just escaped from the dark room, bypassed the guards' patrol, and climbed over the palace wall, thinking she had finally gained her freedom. However, fate seemed to be playing a cruel joke on her.
The palace she climbed into was ornately decorated, yet unusually quiet, with only a few palace maids bustling about under the dim light. Consort Mu stood up, preparing to quietly leave, when she heard a delicate shout:
"Who are you? How dare you trespass into the palace of the favored concubine!" A palace maid spotted her, her voice filled with surprise and anger.
Consort Mu was startled, realizing she might have stumbled into a place she shouldn't have been. She was about to explain when several palace maids surrounded her, their faces filled with wariness and distrust.
"I didn't mean to, I..." Consort Mu was interrupted before she could finish speaking.
"Arrest her and take her to the favored concubine!" ordered a palace maid who appeared to be the leader.
Consort Mu attempted to resist, but was quickly subdued. Her hands were bound behind her back, and a palace maid held her arm tightly; she knew she could not escape easily.
Soon, she was led to a lavishly decorated room, where a beautiful woman sat—Yelü Hongji's favorite concubine. The concubine's eyes were filled with disdain and indifference as she looked Consort Mu up and down, as if examining an insignificant object.
"So you're that audacious palace maid?" The favored concubine's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Don't you know where you are?"
Consort Mu took a deep breath, knowing she had to remain calm: "I am not a palace maid, I am..."
"Shut up!" The favored concubine interrupted her. "Do you think I'd believe your nonsense? I've seen plenty of palace maids like you—ignorant, ignorant, and arrogant."
A sense of powerlessness welled up in Consort Mu's heart; she knew her explanation would seem futile in this situation. She could only stand there silently, awaiting the judgment of fate.
The favored concubine waved her hand, signaling the palace maids to take Consort Mu away: "Lock her up and deal with her when Yelü Hongji returns."
Consort Mu was taken away, and her heart was filled with despair. She never imagined that her efforts to escape the dark room would end in this way. She didn't know what would happen next, but she knew she had to find a new way out.
Yelü Hongji's favorite concubine, with her eyebrows slightly furrowed and a wronged expression, stood before him, her voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, I was truly frightened tonight. A palace maid from who-knows-where dared to trespass into my bedchamber."
Yelü Hongji, the king of the Northern Frontier, frowned, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority: "Is this true? My beloved concubine, do not be afraid, I will certainly give you justice."
Seeing this, the favored concubine felt somewhat relieved and continued, "That palace maid has already been captured by my men, and we are just waiting for Your Majesty to make a decision."
Yelü Hongji nodded, then ordered the guards beside him: "Bring her to see me."
Soon, Consort Mu was brought before Yelü Hongji. Although her hands were bound, her head was held high, and her eyes showed no fear, only a hint of defiance.
When Yelü Hongji saw Consort Mu, a glint of light flashed in his eyes. He recognized her; this was Consort Mu of Qi, whose portrait he had seen countless times. He never imagined that the person he had longed for would appear before him in this way.
"So you are Consort Mu of Qi?" Yelü Hongji's voice carried an undisguised excitement.
Consort Mu looked at him coldly. She knew her identity had been exposed, but she showed no fear: "Yes, I am Consort Mu of Qi."
Yelü Hongji stood up and slowly walked to Consort Mu, his eyes gleaming with calculation: "Consort Mu, your arrival has truly surprised me. However, now that you're here, don't even think about leaving."
Consort Mu's heart sank; she knew her situation was even more dangerous. But she did not give up; a glimmer of hope remained in her heart.
"Yelü Hongji, if you dare to lay a finger on me, the iron cavalry of Qi will trample your northern borders." Consort Mu's voice was firm and powerful.
Yelü Hongji laughed heartily, seemingly unconcerned by Consort Mu's threat: "Consort Mu, do you think I'm afraid? Your arrival is a tremendous gift to me."
A resolute glint flashed in Consort Mu's eyes. She knew she had to find a way to escape, or her fate would no longer be in her own hands.
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