"Go to Weiyang Palace."
Mo Chou said simply. Although Mo You had only recently entered the palace, he was already familiar with all its areas. When Mo Chou mentioned it, he knew it was the Noble Consort's residence. His eyebrows twitched slightly, but he said nothing more.
Following behind them as they walked out, his responsibility was to protect his masters. As for what his masters did, it was not his place to interfere.
The new crescent moon hung like a hook, and the moonlight poured down like water, covering the entire imperial palace.
Carved beams and painted pillars, antique and elegant, with eaves curling like clouds, near and far.
Mu Qingyao gazed out, a wave of emotion rising in her heart.
In the blink of an eye, she had been married into the palace for over two months.
The night was cool as water, flower branches swayed, rustling softly. Dewdrops, like crystals, hung on the withered grass, making everything moist. Under the moonlight, it was all soft and lustrous.
Passing through pavilions and crossing bridges, they continued westward. Weiyang Palace was located in the western part of the palace.
At this time, in front of the vast palace, palace maids in court attire occasionally passed by, and eunuchs shuttled through. A line of eunuchs stood before the palace gates.
Before Mu Qingyao arrived, the eunuch leading the way had already called out.
"The Empress arrives."
A clear announcement caused all the palace maids and eunuchs moving about outside Weiyang Palace to kneel in panic. A loud voice rang out, "Greetings to the Empress."
Mu Qingyao walked over slowly, a faint smile gracing her cool face. "Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, Empress." The eunuchs and palace maids stepped aside to wait, not daring to move, their hearts trembling as they guessed why the Empress had come to Weiyang Palace.
Rumor had it that the Empress and the Noble Consort did not get along, so it was unlikely to be good news if the Empress came now. Thinking this, everyone became even more uneasy.
Noble Consort Chu Yuyan, having received the eunuch's report, immediately led two close maids to welcome her. No matter how unwilling she was, she could not neglect the etiquette. The Empress was the mistress of the three palaces, so she naturally had to welcome her.
Chu Yuyan walked out with quick steps, bowing respectfully, "Greetings to the Empress."
Mu Qingyao walked over, bending slightly, and helped Chu Yuyan up. Her voice, like flowing water, said, "Noble Consort, please rise."
"Thank you, Empress."
Anxiety welled up in Chu Yuyan's heart. She had received news in the evening that the Empress Dowager was indeed under house arrest by the Emperor. She had been restless, but who would have thought that the Empress would come.
Not knowing why she had come, Chu Yuyan was terrified and dared not be careless.
Mu Qingyao's face was unusually gentle, her eyebrows curved in a smile. She was neither hurried nor impatient, and her clear voice rang out.
"Noble Consort, do not worry. I merely napped for a while and felt bored staying in my palace, so I came to chat with you."
Chu Yuyan tried to fathom the meaning behind her words but could not. However, she dared not agree with the surface meaning of the Empress's words.
The Empress had been in the palace for two months now. When had she ever been so close to her? Something must be up tonight.
"Empress, please."
Mu Qingyao did not stand on ceremony. She laughed heartily, lifted her foot, and stepped onto the stone steps, entering Weiyang Palace before Chu Yuyan.
The main hall of Weiyang Palace was brightly lit. In the vast hall, only a few palace maids stood to one side. As Mu Qingyao entered, those palace maids respectfully bowed.
Noble Consort Chu Yuyan invited Mu Qingyao to sit in the main seat, while she sat beside her. Qiuyue immediately and cleverly served tea.
"Empress, please have some tea."
Mu Qingyao nodded, raised her eyebrows, and scanned the palace maid who spoke. The maid had a clever and astute look. She seemed to be a smart young girl, her eyes flickering as if she were worried for her mistress.
However, Noble Consort Chu Yuyan was, after all, the daughter of the Right Prime Minister. What kind of scene had she not seen? What was to come would come. Whether it was fortune or disaster, it could not be avoided. She waved her hand calmly.
"You may all withdraw."
"Yes, Your Ladyship." Qiuyue cast a worried glance at her mistress before finally leading everyone in the hall out.
Mu Qingyao also glanced at the few people behind her. Upon receiving her gaze, they automatically withdrew. They had reached a tacit understanding now. Sometimes, they knew what to do with just a glance, without needing words.
There was not a sound in the main hall.
Mu Qingyao lightly raised her teacup and leisurely sipped her tea, not rushing to say anything.
Beside her, Chu Yuyan's heart was in her mouth. She didn't know what the Empress meant. Since she had come to find her, she must have something on her mind, otherwise, this woman would never have come. Thinking of the Emperor favoring her all night yesterday, Chu Yuyan felt resentment and looked at her grudgingly.
Mu Qingyao was dressed elegantly, not like the usual rouged and powdered women. She appeared incredibly pure and refined, exuding elegance with every gesture.
Her eyes were exceptionally clear, her long eyelashes concealing the brilliance within them. Holding a cup of fragrant tea, she quietly sipped it. Her demeanor at this moment was like a snow lotus on the heavenly mountains, exuding a faint, subtle fragrance.
Let alone the Emperor, even she, a woman, felt a refreshing fragrance.
"Empress?"
Chu Yuyan called out. Mu Qingyao put down her teacup and looked up at Chu Yuyan. The depths of her eyes were as dark as magnets, easily drawing one's soul in.
"Did you drug the Emperor last night?"
Mu Qingyao went straight to the point, without beating around the bush with Chu Yuyan. Upon hearing this, the woman's face immediately flushed. She hadn't expected her scheme to be seen through. Since the Empress knew, the Emperor must also know, but why was there no reaction?
"Has Your Ladyship come to punish me?"
Chu Yuyan spoke calmly, though she knew very well that if the Empress had come to find her, there must be something else going on. If it were purely to punish her, she wouldn't have come in person.
"Not at all. It's just that because of last night's events, I know that Noble Consort truly cares for the Emperor and wishes to remain in this harem. However, to remain in the palace, there is only one possibility: to have the Emperor accept you. Do you know why the Emperor does not accept you?"
Mu Qingyao played with her fingers, not looking at Chu Yuyan's changing expression. To be honest, she felt a little guilty about coming to find Chu Yuyan this time.
Because even if the Chu family handed over their military power, the Emperor might not keep Chu Yuyan in the palace. So, was she using this woman?
This was exactly what had always confused Chu Yuyan. The Emperor did not accept her. What should she do to make the Emperor accept her? Hearing the Empress's words now, she felt a glimmer of hope.
"Why?"
"It's because of the military power held by the Chu family. Noble Consort should have received the news that the Empress Dowager has been placed under house arrest by the Emperor. As for why, I cannot say here, but I can tell you clearly that the Chu family will no longer have the glory they once had. Since that is the case, why not go with the flow and have your father hand over half of his military power? Perhaps the Emperor will then treat Noble Consort kindly. Does the Chu family really want to wait for the Emperor to take action before they are willing? By then, it might be..."