His presence exuded a blend of dominance and nobility, with two striking hues that sculpted his features, making them appear as if carved by a master artisan.
Within the Imperial Study, reclining lazily on a dragon couch, was the Emperor Xian, Murong Liuzun.
Two chairs were placed below, occupied by the Emperor’s senior brother, Liu Qianmu, and the Prince of Nan’an, Murong Liuzhao.
Liu Qianmu was idly playing with a crystal ball.
He pondered if this small sphere could truly identify the Emperor’s destined noble person, or if his master had deceived him.
Beside him, Prince Murong Liuzhao sat with his arms crossed, his eyes half-closed in meditation, radiating an aura of icy coldness that kept others at bay.
His handsome face bore a resemblance to the Emperor’s, yet was distinctly different.
“Mu, what are you doing?”
The person on the soft couch stirred, looking lazily at Liu Qianmu, who had remained silent.
His sharp eyes gleamed with a hidden light, akin to the eyes of a wolf on the plains – cold and piercing.
A chill permeated the Imperial Study. His coldness was distinct from Murong Liuzhao’s.
Murong Liuzhao’s was a coldness that repelled, making him unapproachable. His, however, carried an oppressive aura of killing intent, the domineering presence of a monarch.
Liu Qianmu looked up, shook the crystal ball in his hand, and smiled gently.
“I wonder if it will truly be useful?”
As his words fell, the Prince of Nan’an snorted, “To use a mere ball to deceive the Emperor, only you would dare to think of such a thing?”
A flush of suppressed anger spread across Liu Qianmu’s usually gentle face. He wanted to retort but didn’t know where to begin.
His clear eyes flickered with displeasure. What did this have to do with him? His master had ordered him to do it, and he was merely obeying. This Prince of Nan’an was truly hateful.
Unfortunately, Prince Murong Liuzhao was unaware that their master was an extraordinary recluse and thus had no faith in such peculiar matters.
After giving Liu Qianmu a cold glare, Murong Liuzhao turned his gaze back to the Emperor on the soft couch.
“Imperial Brother, you must not believe this minion’s trickery. Who knows what his intentions are? He brings out a mere ball and speaks of a destined noble person. Who would believe such nonsense?”
Emperor Xian remained silent, his dark pupils revealing nothing of his thoughts. A smile touched his face, as fair as jade.
“Alright, Liuzhao, this is my idea. Do not blame Mu.”
“Imperial Brother’s meaning?” Murong Liuzhao’s star-like eyes narrowed as he looked suspiciously at his Imperial Brother, then at Liu Qianmu, before saying no more.
Although Prince of Nan’an Murong Liuzhao and Emperor Xian were not born of the same mother, the two brothers had been close since childhood, even more so than biological siblings.
Therefore, Murong Liuzhao was constantly vigilant, fearing anyone might harm his Imperial Brother, and paid close attention to everyone and everything around the Emperor.
Silence fell upon the Imperial Study. At this moment, the head eunuch, Ah Jiu, entered from outside, bowed, and spoke respectfully.
“Your Majesty, Minister Mu and his two daughters have been brought into the palace. They are waiting outside?”
“Summon them!”
Murong Liuzun moved, his voice resonating with cold authority.
Ah Jiu immediately accepted the command and slipped away. Outside the Imperial Study door, Mu Hen, leading his two daughters, stood respectfully with their heads bowed, a hint of unease in their hearts.
Throughout history, serving a ruler was akin to accompanying a tiger. Although the Emperor favored him, one never knew what the next moment might bring.
“Minister Mu, please follow me inside.”
“Thank you, Eunuch Jiu.” Mu Hen bowed and followed Ah Jiu inside. Despite being the Prime Minister,
Ah Jiu was merely a chief eunuch. However, sometimes, these chief eunuchs wielded more power than ministers in court; a single word could bring about someone’s demise.
Ah Jiu nodded, his gaze drifting unintentionally towards the two women behind Prime Minister Mu. Were these Prime Minister Mu’s two daughters?
They were indeed beautiful, especially the one in green, who rivaled the Emperor’s concubine.
“You are too kind, Minister Mu.”
Mu Hen glanced back at his two daughters. Qingzhu’s complexion was somewhat pale, appearing very nervous.
The second daughter, Qingxiang, was a little better, but not much different from her sister. They were about to meet the Imperial Majesty.
He was the most revered man in this dynasty, a man who embodied power, beauty, and strategy. Every woman longed to marry such an extraordinary figure. How could they not be nervous?
The group soon entered the Imperial Study.
“Your subject Mu Hen, along with his daughters, pays respects to His Majesty.” Mu Hen respectfully led his two daughters in a kowtow before the Emperor.
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang felt a moment of dizziness and instinctively knelt behind their father, the Prime Minister, softly uttering, “Your humble daughters pay respects to His Majesty.”
“Raise your heads.”
A majestic, magnetic voice commanded with irresistible authority, cold and chilling. Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang involuntarily raised their heads, looking towards the head of the room.
At a single glance, the hearts of both women pounded like startled deer, their faces flushing and their breathing quickening.
Was this the Emperor? What a handsome man! Dressed in purple, he wore it with casual ease, yet it exuded nobility and distinction.
Murong Liuzun’s dark, fathomless eyes held a sweeping indifference, his thin lips curling into a slight smile. “State your names?”
Mu Qingzhu faltered. Although she had fallen for this most outstanding man in the world at first sight,
she felt a tremor within her heart under the killing intent in his pupils. She slowly lowered her head, “Your humble daughter is Mu Qingzhu.”
“Your humble daughter is Mu Qingxiang.”
Mu Qingxiang also quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet the Emperor’s gaze directly.
Upon hearing the Emperor’s question, Mu Hen sensed a hint of displeasure and quickly spoke, “Your Majesty, these are your subject’s two daughters.”
As Mu Hen finished speaking, Prince of Nan’an Murong Liuzhao, seated below, suddenly spoke, his tone icy and frozen.
“I hear that Prime Minister Mu has three daughters. His Majesty ordered you to bring your daughters to the palace, yet why did you only bring two? This is clearly great disrespect. You dare to defy imperial might, how audacious.”
As Murong Liuzhao’s voice fell, he suddenly stood up and advanced towards Mu Hen. Mu Hen’s expression changed. He hadn’t expected the Prince of Nan’an to pick a fight. Did he still not intend to let Yao’er go?
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang were startled by the sudden turn of events, their faces draining of color as they looked in panic at the Prince of Nan’an, who was towering over them and their father.
Rumor had it that the Prince of Nan’an was as cold as ice, and it was indeed true. The two women were close to tears from fright.
However, Mu Hen was not easily intimidated. As a seasoned official who had served two dynasties and maintained his integrity, he had nothing to fear. He straightened his chest and spoke with composure.
“Prince of Nan’an, you misunderstand your subject. Although I have three daughters, they have always been undisciplined. Your subject feared they might startle His Majesty, so I only brought two daughters to the palace. You should be well aware of this matter, shouldn’t you?”