Seeing Ah Jiu staring at her blankly, she smiled and said charmingly.
“Xinyue greets Eunuch Ah Jiu.”
“You are welcome. Get up. What brings Miss Xinyue here at this late hour?”
Ah Jiu came back to his senses. The women in the palace were all beautiful, and Ximen Xinyue and the Empress each had their own grace.
The Empress was like a proud winter plum, while Miss Xinyue was like a water narcissus by the water. As for the Noble Consort, she had a different demeanor altogether.
“Xinyue has something to request of His Majesty.”
As soon as Ximen Xinyue spoke, Ah Jiu became a little interested.
He was already trying to find a way to see the Emperor. The Emperor hadn’t even had dinner and didn’t allow anyone to enter. Since Miss Xinyue had something to request of the Emperor, it was a good opportunity for him to report.
“Alright, Miss Xinyue, please wait a moment. I will go in and report.”
Ah Jiu said politely.
In fact, he could tell that Ximen Xinyue was also a formidable character, likely no less cunning than the Empress. If she were to enter the palace in the future, she would be a powerful figure, so it was best for him to be cautious and not offend her.
Women were all resentful.
“Thank you, Eunuch Ah Jiu.” Ximen Xinyue was not only beautiful but also had a melodious voice. Just these few words, when heard by the eunuchs outside the palace gate, made them feel a tingling sensation and a sense of elation.
Ximen Xinyue was different from the Empress. The Empress exuded a cold aura, making one feel an aversion to disrespecting her with just one glance. Ximen Xinyue, however, was as gentle as water, making people want to look at her more and even get closer.
In the great hall, the Emperor maintained his previous posture, unmoving. His eyes were slightly lowered, and his long eyelashes cast a shadow, making him appear as lustrous as jade.
Hearing the footsteps approaching the palace gate, he suddenly opened his eyes. Those black pupils were as unfathomable as the sea, carrying a biting killing intent, and shot towards the source with intimidating force. He coldly uttered, “What is it?”
“Your Majesty, Ximen Xinyue requests an audience.”
Ah Jiu said respectfully. He didn’t feel afraid of such a cold and domineering Emperor, because he knew that the Emperor was not a foolish ruler who killed indiscriminately. As long as one did not anger or betray him, the Emperor would not casually resort to killing.
“Her? What business?”
Murong Liu Zun raised an eyebrow. He didn’t have much of an impression of Ximen Xinyue, only remembering that she played the zither beautifully, nothing more. He wondered why she was here so late. Displeasure flickered in his eyes.
“She said she has something to request of Your Majesty.”
“Very well, let her in,” Murong Liu Zun said slowly.
He wanted to see what this woman was up to, coming to the Glazed Palace to find him. This woman had quite a bit of nerve to seek him out at such a time. If she had no important business, then he wouldn’t be blamed for… Murong Liu Zun’s eyes gleamed with a cold light.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ah Jiu trembled in his heart. The Emperor’s gaze just now was not a good omen.
It would be best for Ximen Xinyue to have something important to discuss with the Emperor, otherwise, she would be asking for trouble.
The Emperor was in a very bad mood right now. If she angered him, the least that could happen was her expulsion from the palace; the consequences could be much more severe.
Outside the palace gate, the graceful Ximen Xinyue held her breath, her palms covered in cold sweat. She was gambling with her life. She didn’t know if the Emperor would see her. As long as he saw her, it would be good. What she feared most was not being seen, for without an audience, she would be helpless.
However, her worries were unnecessary. Eunuch Ah Jiu had already come out and said respectfully, “Miss Xinyue, please come in. His Majesty wishes to see you.”
“Your Majesty, is he alright?” Ximen Xinyue lifted the hem of her skirt and looked at Ah Jiu with a tender and charming gaze. Her question was skillfully phrased, and her posture seemed like a coy complaint. Even though Ah Jiu was a eunuch, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of tenderness and desire to cherish beauty.
“Miss Xinyue, please have some proper business, otherwise…”
Ah Jiu did not finish his sentence, but a clever person like Ximen Xinyue would naturally understand his meaning.
The Emperor was in a bad mood, so it was best for her to have something important to discuss with him, otherwise, she would only be asking for trouble. Ximen Xinyue pursed her lips and smiled, secretly wondering if the Emperor was anxious about that woman, or about something else.
“Thank you, Eunuch Ah Jiu.”
As they spoke, the two of them stepped into the great hall. In the resplendent hall, night-blooming pearls hung in the four corners, casting a soft glow on everything within, adding a layer of mystery and magnificence.
The scent of agarwood burned in the golden censer was extremely pleasant.
Ximen Xinyue dared not look around casually. She only gave a brief glance before leading her personal maid, Lianyan, to kneel and greet the Emperor.
“Ximen Xinyue greets His Majesty.”
Murong Liu Zun’s dark eyes flashed with a chilling gleam. He coldly gazed down at Ximen Xinyue, who was below him.
This time, he finally saw Ximen Xinyue’s pitiable and lovely appearance clearly. Her every movement was graceful and flowing like water, and her bearing truly lived up to being General Ximen’s beloved daughter.
“Ximen Xinyue, what matter requires you to see me?”
Murong Liu Zun did not show any pity because of Ximen Xinyue’s captivating demeanor. He was not a ruler who judged people by their appearance. Even when he first met the Empress, he had no feelings for her. It was only after spending time together that he was attracted by her brilliance and developed genuine affection.
If he were an emperor who judged by appearance, then the Noble Consort in Weiyang Palace would have remained alone for half a year. Moreover, there would have been no extra concubines in the harem, and all his energy would have been focused on consolidating the empire.
Listening to the Emperor’s cold and heartless voice, Ximen Xinyue could not help but feel a little disappointed. However, amidst her disappointment, she admired this man even more.
In her heart, a true man was not someone who judged by appearance. It seemed that the Emperor possessed this quality, and she had not misjudged him.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, please forgive my abruptness. Today, as I was feeling unwell, I went to the Imperial Pharmacy to get medicine. I saw the palace maids from Fengluan Palace getting medicine there. After asking the people at the Imperial Pharmacy, I learned that the Empress is ill. Therefore, Xinyue has taken the liberty to present a pill. This pill is called the Nine Palace Pill, refined by the Ghost Doctor Wuqing. It is said to cure illnesses and strengthen the body when one is not ill. Most importantly, this pill is highly sought after by people in the martial arts world. It is said to increase internal energy.”
Ximen Xinyue’s voice, as gentle as water, spoke. Murong Liu Zun, seated on his throne, became somewhat interested.
Although he was not a martial artist, he knew something about the Ghost Doctor Wuqing. He had heard that this person’s martial arts were unfathomably profound and that he was also eccentric and merciless. Only when in a good mood would he save people; when in a bad mood, he would only kill and not save.
His medical skills were unparalleled in the world.
As long as he wanted to save someone, there was no one he couldn’t save. If this Nine Palace Pill was truly refined by Wuqing, it might be able to restore Qingyao’s internal energy.
“Good, where is this pill now?”
Murong Liu Zun’s voice carried a hint of hope, and his coldness lessened considerably.