"Empress?"
Mu Qingyao's cold eyes shot out a terrifying chill. She spoke with a sinister tone, "Prince Nan'an, keep watch over everything here. If anyone dares to move again, they shall be killed without mercy."
Prince Nan'an Mu Rong Liu Zhao stepped forward respectfully to receive the order. "This subject obeys," Prince Nan'an breathed a sigh of relief. Although more than a dozen people from the Su family had been killed, at least the remaining ones would not die.
Mu Qingyao sheathed her sword and glared coldly at Ximen Zhenghao. The previously arrogant and bloodthirsty man was now much more subdued. He clutched his neck with one hand, glared at Mu Qingyao with the other, but made no move.
Su Zhan was already dead. It was useless for him to kill all the Su family members. The public was now incensed, everyone seemed very angry, with a fearsome woman watching him from the side.
Mu Qingyao swept her gaze coldly across the training ground, the surrounding commoners, and took a couple of steps forward. She drew a deep breath, and her clear, cold voice echoed in the air above the training ground.
"Regarding the matter of Yuejue Temple, Su Zhan was indeed colluding with rebels. The Emperor's decree to investigate this matter is based on the belief of bringing peace to Xian Yue. We hope everyone understands."
"Furthermore, the Emperor will handle the remaining members of the Su family with due care. Everyone must have deep faith that the Emperor of our Xian Yue is benevolent and cares for his people."
Mu Qingyao's gaze was sharp, her voice pleasant, and it slowly reached everyone's ears.
In an instant, the onlookers nodded in agreement with the Empress's words, their gazes following her.
"The Empress is so beautiful, and her heart is so kind. She is truly Xian Yue's fortune." Sentiments of admiration arose from time to time.
Ximen Zhenghao was filled with hatred. He hadn't expected that the trial of the case would significantly boost the Empress's prestige in the hearts of the common people. This was something he had never dreamed of.
After Mu Qingyao finished speaking, two of her subordinates, who had been standing at the periphery, quickly walked onto the training ground and respectfully said, "Your Highness."
"Return to the palace," Mu Qingyao stated calmly, turning. She cast a cold glance at everyone on the training ground, then led her two subordinates out. Mounting her horse, clad in snow-white robes, her horse's hooves kicked up dust, making her appear ethereal and celestial. The crowd of onlookers let out cheers once more, a feat unprecedented.
Within the training ground, Prince Nan'an Mu Rong Liu Zhao furrowed his brows and sternly commanded his subordinates, "Geng Han, Duan Ri, immediately take a group of men to escort Her Highness back to the palace. There must not be the slightest error."
"Yes, Your Highness," Geng Han and Duan Ri clasped their fists, led a group of subordinates, mounted their horses, and followed closely behind the figure ahead.
Mu Qingyao led her entourage back to the palace at high speed. Without even pausing for breath, she headed straight for the Liuli Palace.
In the Liuli Palace, the Emperor was handling memorials. Upon hearing Ah Jiu's report, his face was covered with a warm, sun-like glow. He waved his hand, "Let her in."
"Yes, Your Highness," Ah Jiu nodded, a little apprehensive. The Emperor looked so happy, but why did the Empress appear to be filled with murderous intent, as if she had come to fight someone? This made him tremble with fear.
Outside the palace doors, Mu Qingyao was clad in coldness, her brows furrowed like autumn clouds, her demeanor chilling and icy. The eunuchs and palace maids outside the doors dared not breathe loudly. Everyone lowered their heads, gazing at the ground.
Ah Jiu walked out and cautiously asked, "Your Highness, His Majesty asks you to enter."
Mu Qingyao glanced at Ah Jiu, let out a cold snort, and with a flick of her hand, led Mo Chou and Mo You into the main hall. Her two subordinates stood by the palace doors, while she alone passed through the gauze curtain and entered the area where the Emperor handled state affairs.
"Your Majesty?" Cold air emanated, and displeased words rang out.
Mu Rong Liu Zun, seated on the dragon throne, raised his head, meeting Mu Qingyao's cold and murderous gaze. He spoke slowly, "Yao'er, why have you come?"
"Did Your Majesty have General Ximen investigate the Yuejue Temple case?"
Mu Qingyao went straight to the point, paying no heed to the Emperor's pleasant expression.
He had actually kept this matter from her. Very well. The corners of her lips curled into a cold smile, her pupils glaring at the Emperor with chilling fury. However, as soon as she spoke, Mu Rong Liu Zun's expression turned exceedingly grim, his dark pupils so obscure that not a trace of his thoughts could be seen.
"How did Yao'er know about this?"
He hadn't even asked her about the things she had kept from him. She had clearly known long ago that Lakong was Su Zhan, yet she hadn't told him. If Ximen Xinyue hadn't revealed it, he would have remained in the dark until now.
Thinking of this, Mu Rong Liu Zun's handsome and charming face grew even darker, and his icy words followed.
"The Empress is a consort in the inner palace. Why are you involving yourself in court affairs? I will handle this matter. Please, Empress, do not inquire further," a forceful and cold command.
A smile flickered on Mu Qingyao's lips, as light and airy as a drifting cloud in the sky, cool and insubstantial.
This was the man who said that the Empress of Da Xian was equivalent to the Emperor. How laughable. Men, what they say and what they do are always different things. But she was determined to involve herself in this matter.
"Does Your Majesty truly wish to become a bloodthirsty tyrant? Is this still the same person who constantly spoke of wanting to be a wise ruler who unified the realm? Su Zhan deserved to die, but his family had no knowledge of his movements. Now that he has met his end, does the Su family deserve to die? I do not approve of Your Majesty's actions."
Mu Qingyao spoke with a cold, unwavering expression.
Mu Rong Liu Zun was enraged by her words. He was the Emperor of Xian Yue, the Xian Emperor in the eyes of the world. Did he need to consider someone's feelings when making decisions? He suddenly stood up, his pupils extremely grim, and warned,
"Mu Qingyao, I think you have forgotten your own identity?"
"My identity?" Mu Qingyao smiled indifferently. "This kind of identity, this kind of ruler, I want no part of it."
That arrogance, that pride that towered over all things, did not yield to anyone. On the contrary, it was even more wild and perverse than anyone else's.
"My words stand today. Your Majesty, think carefully before you act. Su Zhan is dead. Ximen Zhenghao has already killed dozens of members of the Su family. The fate of the remaining ones depends on Your Majesty's decision. Whether you become a benevolent ruler in the eyes of the world or a tyrant depends on Your Majesty's single thought. Qingyao has said what she needed to say. Your Majesty shall decide."
With that, she flicked her hand, not even glancing at the handsome man, her face filled with grimness, her dark eyes predatory.
"Return to the palace," her cold voice echoed into the inner chambers. Mu Rong Liu Zun, furious, pounded heavily on the imperial desk. He then waved his hand, knocking over all the memorials. His long, slender hand rubbed his brow, and he roared to the outside, "Someone!"
Ah Jiu entered fearfully. He looked at the memorials scattered all over the floor and the Emperor's grim, inscrutable expression, and quickly lowered his head to pick up the fallen documents.
"Put them down."
The Emperor commanded. Ah Jiu trembled slightly, quickly put down the memorials, and stood up cautiously, asking, "What is wrong, Your Highness?"
"How did this matter of Yuejue Temple reach the Empress's ears?"
"This junior does not know. And not many people knew about this information," Ah Jiu replied slowly, a hint of understanding dawning in his mind.