Mu Qingyao finished speaking and lowered the carriage curtain. Everyone dared not say anything more. The Empress was in a very good mood tonight, and they didn't want to anger her. Hua Lige received the order and instructed his subordinates to place the young man in the carriage behind. The group then proceeded grandly towards the imperial palace.
Everyone had been worried that something else might happen and had been extremely cautious along the way, but in the end, nothing did. The carriage smoothly entered the imperial palace.
Fengluan Palace was brightly lit, and everyone was waiting on the stone steps in front of the palace for the Empress.
Upon seeing the carriage arrive, the female official Yi Yun, leading a group of eunuchs and palace maids, rushed out and prostrated themselves on the ground: "We welcome Your Majesty back to the palace."
Mu Qingyao helped Mo Chou alight from the carriage and looked up at the magnificent palace. Under the moonlight, the three gilded characters "Fengluan Palace" written in a powerful calligraphy made one's heart inexplicably heavy. The joy of the entire evening vanished like smoke. This place was like a battlefield, and from now on, she would embark on a thrilling war. Since she had promised her father, the Prime Minister, she would do her best to help the Emperor.
"Rise, all of you," Mu Qingyao said faintly, waving her brocade water sleeves. A faint, ethereal fragrance wafted out. The kneeling palace maids and eunuchs all rose with the scent and respectfully retreated to the side.
The Commander of the Guards, Hua Lige, and the secret guard Bing Xiao stepped forward to pay their respects.
"Your subordinates take their leave."
"Good, you may go," Mu Qingyao nodded. The day's events had been taxing. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips: "Thank you both."
The two bowed: "We dare not."
Bing Xiao remembered the injured person in the carriage behind them and carefully asked, "Your Majesty, what about the injured young man?"
"Leave him in Fengluan Palace. I will send someone to treat him," Mu Qingyao said slowly, looking up at the sky. The moon had shifted westward, indicating that it was already late. "You may go and rest."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," the two accepted the order, not daring to say anything more. They had learned a bit about the Empress's temper. It was best not to provoke her anger, as anger would come at a price. Therefore, it was important to know when to stop before she became angry.
The guards and secret guards retreated, leaving only the eunuchs and palace maids of Fengluan Palace in the vast open space. Mu Qingyao looked at Mo Chou beside her: "You take two eunuchs and settle the young man in the side hall. Immediately send for an imperial physician to examine him and see what poison he has been afflicted with and if there is a cure."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Mo Chou received the command, waved her hand, and led two eunuchs to carry the young man.
Because she had drunk osmanthus wine tonight, Mu Qingyao was already a bit tipsy. Although the wind had sobered her up considerably, her heart was still racing, her face was flushed, and her head felt a little dizzy. She leaned on Mei Xin's arm and said, "Let's go. I am a bit tired. I will go in and rest." xxs壹贰
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Mei Xin helped her mistress ascend the steps, preparing to enter the main hall. Yi Yun, who was following behind, quickly stepped forward and reported carefully: "Your Majesty, the Emperor is waiting for you in the main hall."
"Hmm, what is he doing here?" Mu Qingyao frowned and shook her head. She had just become a little clearer and stopped, looking at Yi Yun. Yi Yun looked terrified, as if she had been greatly frightened. She asked curiously, "What is it?"
"The Emperor came from Xushi (7-9 PM) and waited for two full hours. His expression was very displeased, and he dismissed all of us servants. That's why I am afraid."
Yi Yun did not finish speaking. She did not know why the Emperor was angry and was afraid that her mistress would be punished.
Perhaps something her mistress had done had affected the Emperor, causing him to fly into a rage. There was not a single sound in the vast Fengluan Palace.
Everyone stood obediently outside the door, afraid to anger the masters inside. One wrong step could cost them their lives.
Upon hearing Yi Yun's words, Mu Qingyao was even more confused. He had agreed to her visiting her family's mansion, so why was he throwing a tantrum here now? She really didn't understand this man.
They say that the Emperor's heart is unpredictable, and it seems to be true. However, Yi Yun might be afraid of him, but she was not. Mu Qingyao's expression turned cold.
She should settle accounts with him for today's events. Did he know all along that there were assassins in the shadows and let her go to test the sword? Was this the man who spoke of mutual sincerity that night? It was truly laughable.
"Alright, you all stay outside."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Yi Yun and the others breathed a sigh of relief, admiring her fearless spirit. She was indeed the Empress. Knowing that the Emperor was angry, she was completely unfazed.
Mu Qingyao led Mei Xin into the main hall. The pale white light of the night-shining pearls illuminated the hall as if it were daytime. The man sitting on the high seat saw her figure and strode down from the phoenix couch. With a few large steps, he reached her.
He loomed over her like Mount Tai, his handsome face etched with rare anxiety. The dark pupils of his eyes churned with a deep, unfathomable undercurrent like the sea. His breathing quickened, and he reached out to pull her.
"Yao'er, are you alright?"
Mu Qingyao was a little confused about the situation. By the time she understood what was happening, there was no one else in the hall.
The eunuch A Jiu and Mei Xin had retreated. Only she and the man who had spun her around a few times were left. The man's face showed a concern that she had never seen before.
"What is the Emperor doing?"
"It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright." The anxious Emperor finally calmed down. He reached out and tightly embraced the unwilling Mu Qingyao, as if all the gloomy anger of the night was due to her assassination. But wasn't this his own plan?
Mu Qingyao struggled. What did this man want?
"Your Majesty, let go of me. What are you doing?"
"I know you were attacked, and I was extremely worried. If it weren't for official duties, I would have gone to the Prime Minister's mansion to see you. Fortunately, you are safe now, and I am at ease."
Murong Liu Zun was usually taciturn, but tonight he had spoken a lot.
It seemed her assassination had indeed stimulated him. Did he really like her? Not a little, but a lot? Mu Qingyao thought confusedly, then suddenly shook her head vigorously. It seemed it was because she had drunk too much osmanthus wine tonight. She had never heard of an Emperor having true feelings. He was an ambitious man.
"Your Majesty can also be anxious? Isn't this all within your calculations?"
Although she could see the fear and panic in the man's eyes, as if she were truly the most important treasure in his heart, the thought that he was using her made her want to mock him.
"You?" Murong Liu Zun suddenly released her, holding her body. The layers of dark clouds churned in his eyes, and he glared at her with a cold, stern expression.
"Mu Qingyao, you idiot, you cold-blooded and heartless girl. At a time like this, you still suspect me of having ulterior motives. I saw that you were not happy living in the palace. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I wanted to make you happy for once. I never expected you to doubt my intentions. Should I spank you now, or should I just turn around and leave?"