The woman in the great hall, however, seemed oblivious, continuing her conversation until the Empress Dowager's expression grew increasingly displeased. Just as the Empress Dowager was about to unleash her fury, she spoke with an air of leisure.
"Actually, Qingyao is here today to seek an audience with the Empress Dowager."
"And for what matter?" the Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow.
She wished to dismiss this woman immediately. How could she, a woman who had lived in the palace for so many years, be unable to contend with her? Whether it was in wit, courage, or strategy, was she truly going to let her run rampant in the palace?
Absolutely not!
A chilling glint flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes, her lips curling into a deep, murderous smile.
"Huamei and Xiao Qiu from Fengluan Palace left their quarters after the night curfew. I asked them to explain their whereabouts, and they claimed to be acting under the Empress Dowager's orders. I wonder if the Empress Dowager issued such a command?"
Her tone was clear and calm, devoid of anger, yet it carried a subtle hint of ferocity and authority. A faint smile played on her lips, a smile that nonetheless inspired trepidation.
Silence descended upon the hall, all eyes fixated on the Empress, seated on her high throne.
Everyone familiar with palace life knew that Huamei and Xiao Qiu were maids from Guangyang Palace. For the Empress to now question the Empress Dowager about this matter seemed utterly bizarre.
From her elevated seat, the Empress Dowager's gaze darkened. So, Huamei and Xiao Qiu had been dealt with by this woman, which was why they couldn't report the news.
This woman had been remarkably swift. Their plan had failed this time, allowing Prince Nan'an to escape. Prince Nan'an was the Emperor's right-hand man, and she had been determined to eliminate him.
To think that this woman had thwarted her plans. The Empress Dowager's hatred had become ingrained, a zero-sum game between them.
Murong Liu Zun, you allowed this woman into the palace, wasn't it precisely to pit her against me? I refuse to believe I cannot defeat this woman. Just you wait.
"What are you talking about, Empress? How could I possibly assign people to Fengluan Palace? I am old and no longer involved in palace affairs. Those two girls spoke out of turn and truly deserve to be slapped."
The Empress Dowager spoke through gritted teeth, deciding that since the two maids were useless, they were merely a burden. Better to let the Empress deal with them.
"The Empress Dowager is wise. Qingyao agrees. That's why I disciplined them thoroughly. From now on, think before you act and don't casually invoke anyone's name. The Empress Dowager is a benevolent elder; how could she possibly engage in such petty acts? Those are deeds for lowlifes."
The Empress's words were bold and sharp, shedding her earlier gentle and elegant demeanor. With a cold expression, she spoke menacingly, her eyes radiating a chilling intensity.
The eunuchs and palace maids in the hall broke out in a cold sweat. The Empress Dowager's face turned a frightening shade of pale, yet the Empress seemed utterly oblivious.
"Oh, yes, Qingyao punished them with palace castration, so they would know what can and cannot be said in this palace."
"You?" The Empress Dowager's eyes widened in anger, rendering her speechless, her breathing growing heavier.
Eunuch Li quickly stepped forward to support her, helping her to breathe. After a long moment, the Empress Dowager recovered, and Eunuch Li whispered to comfort her, "Your Majesty, your health is paramount."
Though her face was cold, the Empress Dowager remained silent. She knew this woman intended to provoke her, to make her speak out of turn and reveal something incriminating.
However, she would not give her the slightest opening. Dismissing her previous anger, her expression, though still cold, finally stabilized. She had lost this battle, but it didn't mean she would lose the next. She finally understood this woman's true capabilities – it was crucial not to rush, but to proceed step by step. She refused to believe she couldn't manage her.
"The Empress's handling of the matter is correct. Those who do not abide by palace rules must be severely punished."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager." Mu Qingyao's eyes flickered briefly, quickly losing her inclination to tease the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager had seen through her intentions; further provocation would likely yield no slip-ups. With that thought, Mu Qingyao spoke languidly, "Does the Empress Dowager not wish to hear what those two women had to say?"
"There's no need. The Empress has already dealt with them."
These cold, heartless words chilled many in the hall. Huamei and Xiao Qiu had served the Empress Dowager so diligently. Now that they were no longer useful, they were immediately cast aside.
Mu Qingyao would not fulfill the Empress Dowager's wish. How dare she place people in her Fengluan Palace? Was simply pushing them away now sufficient? She was not so easily dismissed. A cold smile touched her lips.
"How could I possibly handle this casually? In the imperial harem of this dignified Xingyue Kingdom, there are such insubordinate servants who dare to slander even the Empress Dowager. They court death."
Mu Qingyao spoke fiercely, her eyes releasing a murderous glint. She called out towards the hall entrance, "Guards, bring those ungrateful wretches in."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the Empress Dowager's eyes deepened, and she stared at Mu Qingyao with a hint of doubt, wondering what this woman intended. She waited in silence for Mu Qingyao's next move.
Outside the hall doors, Mo Chou and Mei Xin, leading two palace maids, escorted Huamei and Xiao Qiu in. The two women's faces were pale, their injuries still visible. The moment they entered the hall and saw the Empress, they looked as if they had seen a ghost. They trembled violently like sieves, their legs unsteady as they fell to the ground, begging repeatedly.
"Empress Dowager, save your humble servants! Empress Dowager, save us! We cannot bear it anymore!"
Huamei and Xiao Qiu shrieked like chickens with their necks caught, seeing the Empress Dowager as their only hope. The horrific palace punishments were unbearable, making them wish for death rather than to have ever existed.
"Bold, vile servants! How dare you slander me!"
The Empress Dowager's pupils flickered, her expression dark and her face contorted with rage as she glared at Huamei and Xiao Qiu, reprimanding them harshly. How could she admit to placing them in Fengluan Palace? If she truly confessed, her position would be indefensible.
Huamei and Xiao Qiu seemed struck by a heavy blow, completely unprepared for such a turn of events. The Empress Dowager was scolding them as if they were strangers. Was heaven truly determined to doom them?
The two women began to weep, their mournful cries echoing through the hall.
"Empress Dowager, you see, they are still slandering you. What do you think should be done with them? This is what I have learned. If those who gossip and speak carelessly were to hear of this, who knows what rumors they might spread about the Empress Dowager? That would surely tarnish the Empress Dowager's reputation."
Mu Qingyao appeared genuinely troubled, her face as beautiful and refined as orchids, radiating an intelligent charm.
The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth, exhaling forcefully, trying to calm herself.
I must not get angry. I must not fall into this woman's trap. She wants to anger me to death, but I will not let her succeed.
"Damned servants! To instigate discord between the Empress and me! Come, give them twenty heavy blows."