She wanted to leave the palace to enjoy the mountains and waters. Now she had money, and as for companions, Mo Chou was one. She wasn't afraid of anyone dealing with her; the beautiful scenery outside the palace awaited her!
"Yes."
The two maids quickly attended to their mistress and headed for Guangyang Palace.
The autumn night was damp, and a chill permeated the air. Mu Qingyao sat in the soft sedan. Jolted by the movement, she drifted off to sleep. She hadn't stirred even when the sedan stopped. Mo Chou stepped forward and lifted the brocade curtain, only to see her leaning to one side, asleep.
Mo Chou felt immense heartache.
This deep palace was truly not a place for people to stay. Just the Empress Dowager alone could stir up so much trouble. In the future, with the concubines from various palaces, the outlook was truly bleak.
Although Mo Chou couldn't bear it, she still had to wake her mistress.
"Your Highness, we've arrived at Guangyang Palace."
At the call, Mu Qingyao woke up. She let out a hum, supported by Mo Chou as she exited the soft sedan. For a moment, she felt a bit disoriented, but the cold night wind blew, and she felt much more awake. She sighed helplessly, "Let's go."
Guangyang Palace was brightly lit, illuminated from within and without. Many eunuchs and palace maids stood guard, all looking anxious. Their gazes toward Mu Qingyao flickered.
Mu Qingyao raised an eyebrow, finding it strange. The movements of these palace attendants seemed to reveal some information, but what exactly it was, she didn't know.
When Mu Qingyao reached the sleeping quarters, the Emperor had already arrived. Besides the Emperor, there were others: Princess Murong Ruyin and Murong Xingzhu, Noble Consort Chu Yuyan, and even Ximen Xinyue had come. It wasn't strange for these people to be here, but what was strange was that her two elder sisters were also in the sleeping quarters, their expressions looking quite grim, huddled together.
As soon as they saw Mu Qingyao walk in, Mu Qingzhu's eyes welled up with tears, while Mu Qingxiang appeared dazed, as if her senses were unclear. What had happened to these two?
As she pondered, everyone except the Emperor stood up to pay their respects.
"Greetings, Empress."
"You may dispense with the formalities," Mu Qingyao nodded faintly. She turned her gaze to the rosewood grand bed. On it, the Empress Dowager lay with a pale, ashen face and her eyes tightly shut. Her lips emitted a faint blackish hue; it was clear at a glance that she had been poisoned.
The imperial physician was attending to the Empress Dowager, his expression solemn.
The vast sleeping quarters were silent. A palace maid brought a stool with a brocade cushion for the Empress. Mu Qingyao slowly sat down, watching everything before her without a word.
The atmosphere was peculiar. The Emperor's handsome face was inscrutable, his dark eyes deep. He gazed fixedly at her, while the others gathered around the grand bed had varied expressions.
Princess Ruyin's face was filled with accusation. Noble Consort Chu Yuyan and Ximen Xinyue's pupils held a glint of schadenfreude. Only Murong Xingzhu seemed happy to see her. Although she didn't speak, she automatically moved to her side.
Mu Qingyao calmly analyzed the current situation. Her brow twitched. Could it be... She turned her head to look at Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang.
Both of them seemed to have suffered a severe blow. The Empress Dowager had targeted them. Mu Qingyao immediately grasped the matter – such swift action.
It was likely not just targeting Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang; her ultimate target was herself. It seemed like a plan to kill three birds with one stone. She had underestimated this woman. Having lived in the palace for so many years, how could she not have some schemes?
She had underestimated her; it was a miscalculation. She would wait to see her next move.
Mu Qingyao's intelligent gaze swept towards the Emperor. The Emperor's earlier inscrutable dark eyes were now much clearer. It was evident he knew she had figured out a part of it.
Indeed, she was the woman he favored. The Emperor's face was as warm as spring sunshine, as gentle as warm jade, accompanying Mu Qingyao as she looked at the woman on the grand bed.
To execute her plan, she had even tested the poison on herself. Such composure could not be faulted.
The imperial physician stood up and spoke fearfully, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Empress, the Empress Dowager has been poisoned?"
Everyone knew this without him saying it. Her face was pale, her lips black, and there was some white foam at the corners of her mouth – clear signs of poisoning. Mu Qingyao spoke unhurriedly, "What poison has the Empress Dowager been afflicted with? Is there an antidote?"
In reality, this question was superfluous. If she poisoned herself, wouldn't there be an antidote?
As expected, the imperial physician slowly replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, fortunately, the poison has not yet fully taken effect. It can be dispelled soon."
As soon as the imperial physician finished speaking, the Emperor immediately ordered him, "Write out the prescription, have it brewed immediately for the Empress Dowager to take. If anything happens to the Empress Dowager, I will not spare you."
The imperial physician was startled but not afraid, because the poison the Empress Dowager suffered from, although outwardly appearing dangerous, did not harm her internal organs or meridians. Dispelling it was easy. He immediately bowed and withdrew, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The imperial physician went to prepare the prescription and send someone to brew the medicine. In the sleeping quarters, however, crying began. Princess Murong Ruyin's beautiful face was filled with sorrow and pain. She sat by the grand bed, holding her mother's hand, constantly calling out:
"Mother, who poisoned you? Mother, please wake up! If anything happens to you, what will Ruyin do?"
Her voice was mournful and tragic, causing many in the sleeping quarters to shed tears.
Mu Qingyao watched the scene before her, a faint cold smile touching her lips. She suspected there was more to come. She wondered if this princess was involved in the Empress Dowager's scheme.
The Empress Dowager poisoned, the princess heartbroken – it was only natural. Everyone shed tears with her. Who knew that after crying for a while, Princess Ruyin turned around and tearfully looked at the Emperor.
"Imperial Brother, you must severely punish the killer and avenge Mother!"
Her cry caused everyone in the sleeping quarters to look at the Emperor. The Emperor's expression was stern, his dark eyes unfathomable. He spoke with restrained power, "As long as it is confirmed someone harmed Mother, I will not let her go."
With these words, a different glint flashed in Ruyin's tearful eyes. Although the glint was fleeting, Mu Qingyao captured it. It turned out Princess Ruyin was also involved in this matter.
She never expected a princess to have such a wicked heart, truly abandoning all conscience. Mu Qingyao watched everything before her calmly. She wanted to see how the mother and daughter would perform this duet.
Time passed slowly.
Eunuch Li quickly had the antidote brewed and brought it over, personally feeding it to the Empress Dowager.
After taking the antidote, the Empress Dowager's complexion gradually improved. Her face was no longer so pale, and the blackish poison on her lips receded. Finally, she woke up, her tired eyes looking at the crowd in the sleeping quarters with confusion, and spoke weakly.
"What is all this commotion?"
Ruyin choked out, "Mother, someone poisoned you? Think about what happened earlier."
"Poisoned?" A displeased look flashed across the Empress Dowager's face. Her gaze swept past everyone and settled on Mu Qingzhu, who was cowering in the corner. She slowly said, "You are so heartless! Didn't I tell you to leave the palace? Why did you poison me?"