Now that she was caught in the scheme, the only way forward was for the pawn to move on its own, not letting others control it, but to bite back at them. Perhaps she could still play a game of changing the world with a move, and she would be the one to decide the winner.
"Let's go and see what good things the royal family has."
As soon as her voice fell, Lu'er and Xiao Lian immediately became happy, their faces full of smiles as they eagerly said, "Miss, do you know? They are all good things, and each one is worth a lot of money! Miss is now very precious, and these things alone are worth quite a bit of silver."
Mu Qingyao nodded slightly, smiling without answering.
In ancient times, being rich was of course a good thing, allowing one to do many meaningful things. Otherwise, money would be useless.
The group walked into the flower hall and saw that the tea hall was filled with brocade boxes. As far as the eye could see, there were at least a dozen.
Mu Qingyao thought about the betrothal gifts she had requested back then, and she didn't need so many boxes. So, what else was there?
"Lu'er, open it."
"Yes, Miss," Lu'er obeyed and opened the outermost box.
As the light flashed, the box was filled with large, bright red flowers. In the center was a white jade porcelain plate, on which were plump, round pearls. They were all of the same size, of the highest quality South Sea pearls, and appeared to be tribute items.
These pearls might not be available even with money, so this plate was indeed very valuable. Mu Qingyao's eyes showed admiration. The royal family's actions were indeed grand.
Although the pearls were valuable, it was unnecessary to have a large box containing only one plate of pearls, and to embellish them with fresh flowers, with red and white highlighting each other, further enhancing the pearls' flawless whiteness and luster.
Behind Mu Qingyao, Mei Xin and the other young maids watched in stunned silence, covering their mouths with their hands to prevent themselves from screaming. Their breathing became rapid.
Even these young maids knew how precious the pearls in front of them were.
"Miss, they are so beautiful. If they were made into bracelets or necklaces, they would be especially beautiful," Xiao Lian said dreamily. When Miss wore them on her neck and hands, what a breathtaking beauty that would be.
Mu Qingyao frowned slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips, but with a hint of coldness. If she could, she would rather not have these things.
Because she was involved, she didn't know how many uncontrollable things would happen in the future. As she was thinking, another box was opened, and it contained jade.
It was verdant and lustrous, emitting a misty aura. At a glance, it was clear it was a good thing. It seemed the royal family attached great importance to this matter, sending only top-quality items.
"Miss, it seems the Emperor attaches great importance to this matter."
Mei Xin spoke softly. She knew Miss did not care about these things, but the Emperor sending these items showed he valued this grand wedding. Miss had no choice but to enter the palace, right?
"Of course, he values it."
Mu Qingyao smiled, pushing her to the forefront of the storm was precisely the man who appeared to value this grand wedding. Perhaps he had even sent people to protect her, to ensure this pawn was not snatched away.
Murong Liuzun, one day I will make you understand that I am not someone to be easily controlled…
All the boxes were opened. Not only were the betrothal gifts that Mu Qingyao had originally specified included, but the Emperor had also bestowed many things she hadn't mentioned, along with the grand red phoenix coronet and robes.
For a moment, the large flower hall was resplendent, bathed in golden light and shimmering with radiance, dazzling the eyes.
When had the young maids ever seen so many good things? They all looked on excitedly, discussing amongst themselves.
Mu Qingyao had also never seen so many good things. If she weren't involved, she would have been more interested in studying these things than anyone else. But now, she had lost all interest.
"Mei Xin, tidy these up."
"Yes, Miss," Mei Xin nodded respectfully.
As Mei Xin led her people to tidy up the things in the flower hall, she suddenly heard a young maid's voice from outside: "Your servant greets Master."
"Get up," a clear voice rang out. Mu Hen's tall and steady figure strode in. He glanced around the flower hall and his eyebrows rose in surprise. "I didn't expect the Emperor to actually give such an astronomical betrothal gift, Yao'er."
"That is what I deserve."
Mu Qingyao said as a matter of course. If the lives of her entire family were not in that man's hands, she would not have married even with such a betrothal gift.
What woman would willingly marry a man who did not love her, a man full of schemes? It would undoubtedly be like seeking favors from a tiger, always ready to lose her head. xxs壹贰
However, since she had entered the game, she had to change the entire chessboard.
"Yao'er, how should these things be handled?"
Prime Minister Mu worriedly pointed to the pile of things in the flower hall.
If these things were kept in the Mu mansion, they might stir up trouble. This was not a small sum. If word reached the ears of those江湖宵小 (villains of the martial world), they might risk their lives for it.
"This is precisely why I asked Father to come. Father, please have a seat."
Mu Qingyao led her Prime Minister father to sit down on the side and looked up to instruct Mei Xin, "Serve tea."
"Yes, Miss," Mei Xin put down her work, letting Lu'er and Xiao Lian do it. She went to the side to make tea and brought it over, "Master, please have tea. Miss, please have tea."
The finest Silver Needle Green tea, as thin as a needle tip, unfolded gracefully when steeped in water. Although it was as fine as dust, it still bloomed into small, tender green flowers. The aroma of the tea filled the entire flower hall.
"Father, please have tea."
"Mmm," Prime Minister Mu took the cup and took a sip.
It was indeed the finest tea. His daughter truly knew how to enjoy life, unlike his father, who was busy all year round and didn't even have time to drink tea.
"Father is worried that these things remaining in the Mu mansion will bring disaster, is that right?" Mu Qingyao elegantly lifted the tea lid, took a sip, looked at her Prime Minister father, and said slowly, "Father, you need not worry. Daughter has already thought of a plan."
As soon as Prime Minister Mu heard Mu Qingyao's words, he became very interested. He stopped drinking his tea and looked at her eagerly, "What is it?"
Mu Qingyao glanced at the maids in the hall. They were almost finished with their work. Although these maids were all trustworthy, it was better for them to know less about certain matters to avoid causing trouble. She waved her hand and ordered, "All of you, withdraw."
"Yes, Miss." The maids withdrew, and Mo Chou guarded the door.
In the flower hall, Mu Qingyao looked at Mu Hen with a serious expression.
"Father knows that Yuan Tong Money House is still a royal merchant's shop in Xian Yue Kingdom. Tonight, Father can send these things to Yuan Tong Money House, convert them into money at market price, and then open an account. The money will be deposited back into the Money House, and they will issue a token. With the token and the bank account, the money can be withdrawn later."