"Granted, but I recall Mu Hen has three daughters. Which one is the fated Empress?"
Liang Che Che's voice echoed in the Lingbo Pavilion, lingering for a long time.
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Liu Qian Mu's handsome face broke into a light smile, and he raised the crystal ball in his hand.
"Do we have this? Emperor, you can summon Prime Minister Mu Hen's daughters to the palace! We can use this to test his daughters and see who is the Emperor's fated Empress?"
"Fated Empress?"
Murong Liu Zun chuckled, a hint of imperceptible disdain in his playful smile. "Granted. Guards."
Ah Jiu, the Emperor's personal eunuch, led two young eunuchs in respectfully, bowing as he spoke, "Your Majesty?"
"Immediately issue an imperial decree to Left Prime Minister Mu Hen, commanding him to bring his beloved daughters to the palace in three days to pay their respects."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ah Jiu responded, leading his attendants away and instructing his subordinates to deliver the decree to the Mu residence.
Calmness returned to the pavilion. Liu Qian Mu looked at the man reclining on the luxurious brocade couch, his handsome features unrestrained and striking.
Seeing no trace of any thought on his face, which was as serene as jade, he wondered how many years it had been, and he still couldn't fathom him.
"Your Majesty, why didn't you summon Prime Minister Mu tomorrow, but three days later?"
Murong Liu Zun raised his eyes, a rare gentleness at the corner of his lips. He still held some affection for this senior martial brother, but that didn't mean affection could control everything. He was a rational person.
At any time, he would not forget his identity. He was the ruler of a nation, and therefore his principles of action did not allow others to guess his thoughts.
"I want to see that person's moves."
Liu Qian Mu was startled, his eyes deepening slightly. The Emperor was indeed wise and shrewd. Just this point was something no one else could have conceived. Every action he took was meticulously planned.
"Your Majesty is truly thoughtful," Liu Qian Mu praised, cupping his hands in greeting. "Senior martial brother, I shall take my leave."
"Alright, come to the palace to chat with me when you have time." Murong Liu Zun nodded. Liu Qian Mu walked out.
It was dusk, and the pale yellow light, tinged with a hint of blood, bathed the entire Lingbo Pavilion. Thin veils fluttered, ethereal and beautiful. Outside the pavilion, in the Azure Lake.
The lotus flowers were in full bloom, swaying gracefully, as if thousands of beauties were dancing.
Murong Liu Zun's gaze, as if present yet not, pierced through the Azure Pond, settling on an illusory realm. On his deathbed, his father had clasped his hand and said with affection.
"Zun'er, I believe in your ability. Govern the country well. Father is always watching you."
Father, I will not fail your expectations and will not let anyone succeed. Murong Liu Zun withdrew his gaze. His dark pupils were bright and spirited, twinkling.
Bathed in the rosy glow of the sunset, they shone like fine rubies. His eyebrows subtly raised, exuding an arrogant dominance. Below his proud nose, his thin lips were a faint pink, attracting attention yet making one dare not act rashly.
He was enveloped in a dense aura of killing intent, as if a single misstep would result in a thousand arrows piercing the heart.
"Your Majesty?" Ah Jiu respectfully called out from outside the pavilion.
"What is it?" He lay back on the soft couch, his voice cold. Even a soft reprimand instilled fear, but Ah Jiu, having followed the Emperor for a long time, remained composed. His gentle voice sounded, "Chang Ting has returned."
"Let him in."
Murong Liu Zun did not move, his tall figure lazily coiled on the soft couch, exuding regal splendor. A purple robe accentuated his handsome features, the corner of his lips curved slightly, and he spoke indifferently.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ah Jiu stepped aside, gesturing for the person behind him to enter.
The newcomer wore a dark blue thin robe, his black hair curled at the ends. A crescent-shaped silver crown adorned his head, giving him a distinctly exotic air. He nodded at Ah Jiu and entered the Lingbo Pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, a man of unparalleled beauty reclined sideways on the bright yellow soft couch. The man's dark pupils were raised, and a formidable aura enveloped the surroundings. Chang Ting bowed respectfully, "Your subordinate greets Your Majesty."
"Rise and be seated."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Murong Liu Zun's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Chang Ting leisurely. He was the leader of the secret guards he had deployed. Besides Chang Ting, there were three others: Duan Hun, Bing Xiao, and Xiang Bo.
They were all seeds he had meticulously cultivated, scattered across the seven nations, monitoring the movements of each country and reporting any slightest disturbance immediately.
"How are they? Are they still behaving themselves?"
Chang Ting adjusted his robe and calmly sat down beside the couch, looking up at his master. His eyes darkened, and he respectfully cupped his fists.
"On the surface, everything is peaceful, but the Crown Prince Zhu's movements are unclear? Your subordinate has confirmed that he has likely infiltrated our country of Xuan Yue, so your subordinate has rushed back to report to you, Master."
"Changsun Zhu?" The Emperor's voice suddenly turned sharp. The corner of his lips curved, a trace of crimson killing intent flashing in his eyes, which were like a deep, turbulent sea, filled with submerged reefs.
"He is indeed quite a character," his condescending words made it impossible to discern his current state of mind. Was he genuinely admiring the Crown Prince of Qingluo, or was he mocking him?
Chang Ting remained motionless, maintaining a half-bowed posture. His master was the overlord among the seven nations. He had seen many generals and princes, and formidable individuals.
However, in all the lands under heaven, no one was like his master, who integrated dominance, coldness, and nobility into one, as if he were the sole supreme being in heaven and earth.
With just a glance, he could make people tremble. He had followed him for five full years, and even now, he dared not easily meet his intimidating gaze.
"Your Majesty, what do you think of this matter?"
"That's enough. You are no longer needed. Go down and rest."
The young emperor closed his eyes slightly, reclining lazily on the soft couch as if the matter had already passed. Chang Ting dared not say more, rose, and accepted the command.
"Yes, Chang Ting takes his leave."
With that, his tall figure moved, flashing out of the Lingbo Pavilion.
Silence descended around. Outside the pavilion, the melodious zither music of the palace servants echoed through the Liuli Palace.
Eunuch supervisor Ah Jiu raised his hand, and the zither music abruptly ceased. He tiptoed into the pavilion, gazing at the dim light of dusk that enveloped the Emperor within.
Even as a eunuch, he dared not look directly at that peerless face. Lowering his head, he respectfully said.
"Your Majesty, the wind has risen. Let us return to the palace."
The person who had been deep in thought suddenly opened his eyes. His pupils were filled with icy coldness and an eerie chill, causing Ah Jiu to tremble slightly, not daring to make a sound.
He had followed his master for so long, yet sometimes he couldn't suppress his fear of him. He could never fathom his master's thoughts.
"Ah Jiu, immediately send a message to Bing Xiao and tell her to watch out for any strangers in the capital."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ah Jiu nodded respectfully. He was about to withdraw, but seeing the Emperor move, he cautiously stepped forward, helped him up, and together they left the Lingbo Pavilion, heading towards the Liuli Palace.