"This position is something many people fought to get, and it unexpectedly fell to her. Yiyun, overcome with gratitude, kowtowed: 'Your servant thanks Empress.'"
"From now on, you must be more clever. I hope I have chosen the right person."
Mu Qingyao was enveloped in a halo of wisdom, a fleeting hope flashing in her eyes.
She knew Yiyun could be of use to her. In the short time from last night to this morning, without alerting anyone else, she had found out who had betrayed her, which showed she had some intelligence.
Now, as long as she was loyal, she was a usable person. After the recent events, Mu Qingyao knew Yiyun would not dare to be disloyal to her.
"Your servant will do her utmost. Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace."
"You may rise. Go and keep an eye on the torture chamber. Don't let Huamei die, I still have a use for her."
"Yes," Yiyun acknowledged and left. Only the chief eunuch of Fengluan Palace remained in the spacious side hall. He was slender with a fair complexion, his face now full of shock, seemingly unable to recover from the recent events. He remained kneeling on the ground, stunned.
Mu Qingyao raised an eyebrow. She suspected this chief eunuch was also the Empress Dowager's person. Since the Empress Dowager wouldn't keep only one female official, was this eunuch's great fear due to this?
"What is your name?"
Mu Qingyao looked down at the chief eunuch's face from her superior position and asked slowly.
"This humble one is Chunhan, still the chief eunuch of Fengluan Palace," Chunhan replied with a slight tremble, his attitude humble and respectful, cautious, as if fearing he would be the next to be sent to the torture chamber. Usually, they were the ones sending people in, but he never expected to be sent in himself one day.
"How many eunuchs and palace maids are there in Fengluan Palace?"
Mu Qingyao asked casually.
Chunhan breathed a sigh of relief. So, the Empress was asking about this. He quickly replied, "Fengluan Palace has a total of twelve eunuchs, eight junior eunuchs and four senior eunuchs. Twelve palace maids, eight junior palace maids and four senior palace maids. One chief eunuch, one female official. Additionally, there are ten general service palace maids."
Chunhan answered meticulously, beads of sweat dripping down his head. Although the Empress spoke very kindly, his heart was pounding as if it would jump out. Mu Qingyao said "Oh" and crouched down, looking at Chunhan, and spoke lightly.
"I hope you and Yiyun will manage Fengluan Palace well."
"Yes, this humble one will definitely try his best, definitely try his best."
Chunhan wiped his sweat and agreed repeatedly, his anxious heart finally easing a little. Hearing the Empress say, "You may go."
"Yes," Chunhan quickly got up, almost fleeing. Just as he was about to rush out of the side hall, he suddenly heard a shout: "Wait a moment."
His heart leaped from the abyss to his chest. What did the Empress want now? Chunhan tried his best to remain calm. If he didn't, he feared he would faint like Xiao Qiu.
"Take Xiao Qiu out. Also, I believe you have something you haven't told me. I'm waiting."
Mu Qingyao waved her hand and instructed. She didn't want to punish so many people. Huamei was truly detestable, and as for Chunhan, she wanted to give him a chance. If he came to his senses and admitted his mistakes, she would spare him.
"Your Highness?" Chunhan stammered, large beads of sweat rolling down his face. Mu Qingyao no longer bothered with him. "You may go. Take Xiao Qiu out and send her to the torture chamber for Yiyun to deal with."
"Yes, this humble one obeys the decree." Chunhan's mind couldn't process this all at once. He quickly came over and dragged Xiao Qiu out. Mu Qingyao watched Chunhan's movements. He lifted a person with no effort, indicating that Chunhan knew some martial arts. If he could be used by her, it would be good.
The hall finally quieted down.
Meixin and Mochou recovered from their shock and quickly went to their mistress's side.
Before, they only knew their mistress was indifferent, but they didn't know she had such a decisive side. It truly frightened them. They realized their mistress had great generalship when handling matters, combining both gentleness and firmness, using a two-pronged approach, which indeed yielded good results.
"So, mistress knew long ago that Huamei was the Empress Dowager's person. Then what about Chunhan? Is he also the Empress Dowager's person?"
Mochou raised an eyebrow slightly, her gaze shifting to the palace door. Mu Qingyao said nothing. She was waiting for Chunhan to come to her. With his many years of experience in the palace, he would surely come. Besides her, no one could protect him.
Princess Xingzhu, standing nearby, walked over quickly, her face full of alarm. She took Mu Qingyao's hand.
"Imperial sister-in-law, what do you mean by saying she's Mother's person? Why did Mother place someone in your Fengluan Palace?"
Murong Xingzhu thought troubledly, a hint of confusion flashing across her delicate and beautiful face. Mu Qingyao glanced at her, knowing the princess knew nothing. She probably always thought of this deep palace as a place of motherly love and filial piety, unaware of the undercurrents and storms. Since the Emperor did not want her to know, why should she make a fuss?
"Alright, don't you want to save Prince Nan'an? Let's go to Liuli Palace to see the Emperor. I don't know the details of this matter. We need to figure out what Prince Nan'an did."
As soon as this was said, Princess Xingzhu forgot her earlier concerns. Her beautiful, rosy face was etched with anxiety. She urged Mu Qingyao impatiently: "Imperial sister-in-law, let's go quickly, hurry! Otherwise, third imperial brother will surely be in trouble."
"Let's go, little girl," Mu Qingyao allowed Murong Xingzhu to pull her. Suddenly, she felt a sense of emotion. It was nice to have such a devoted sister. She hoped nothing in this palace would harm her. She had a kind heart and likely never imagined the profound killing intent hidden beneath this peaceful facade.
The group left Fengluan Palace. Two sedan chairs stood in front of the entrance. Mu Qingyao and Princess Murong Xingzhu each got into a sedan chair, followed by the others, all heading towards Liuli Palace.
Guangyang Palace.
Musk fragrance wafted, red curtains hung, and a gentle breeze stirred them. The vast palace hall was silent. Eunuchs and palace maids had all retreated, guarding outside the palace doors.
Seated on a high throne, the stern-faced Empress Dowager looked at Chu Fengyu, the Right Prime Minister of Xian Yue, seated below. Her biological brother, who was now cautiously looking at her: "Your Majesty, why have you summoned your subject?"
The Empress Dowager covered her mouth with one hand and coughed, then slowly spoke: "This empress has heard of the Crown Princess's assassination. Prince Nan'an is now imprisoned. You must keep a close watch. With human and physical evidence now in hand, do not let anyone orchestrate a switch."
"This subject understands," Chu Fengyu nodded immediately. He would definitely keep a close watch.
That Prince Nan'an had always been arrogant and had not associated with their Chu family. Now, having committed such a grave offense, with human and physical evidence in hand, he wouldn't be able to explain himself even with ten mouths.
Even if the Emperor wished to spare him, he wouldn't be able to pass the Ministry of Justice. Now, even a great immortal couldn't save him. Chu Fengyu's face showed a satisfied smile.