He and Hua Lige handled all the affairs of the Emperor, and Hua Lige was the commander of the imperial guards. The two were the Emperor's trusted advisors in private.
The night was dark, the moon a new crescent.
Moonlight poured down like water, illuminating every corner of the Prime Minister's mansion. A gentle breeze swept through, and the garden was ablaze with a riot of colors, red, purple, and vibrant hues, their rich fragrance enveloping the entire residence.
The pavilions and towers, as if washed clean, exuded a clear luster. Dewdrops, like clear crystals, hung on the branches in the courtyards, the air moist everywhere.
In the corners, fireflies flickered on and off. Along the winding corridors, maids and servants bustled about, their cheerful chatter interspersed.
In the Azure Courtyard, Mu Qingyao had woken up. She sat up lazily, stretched her limbs, and glanced out the window, only to find that it had already grown dark.
Moonlight filtered through the window screens, casting a hazy glow. Lamps had been lit in the room, and the dim, yellowish light made her, accustomed to electric lights in modern times, feel a little unaccustomed.
The dim light seemed insufficient, carrying a hint of grayness, but what could she do now? She let out a soft sigh.
Meixin, who was guarding the corridor outside, heard the movement and immediately walked in, saying respectfully, "Miss, you are awake."
"Mm," Mu Qingyao nodded. Taking Meixin's outstretched hand, she walked to the dressing table. Her once obedient black hair was somewhat disheveled, indicating she had slept deeply.
"Meixin, have I been sleeping until now?"
Mu Qingyao asked Meixin softly from behind her. Meixin nodded and swiftly took a comb to arrange her young lady's hair.
For some reason, she always felt that Miss seemed different from before, but comparing the two.
She preferred the Miss before her. Elegant and captivating, completely unlike the previous foolish girl. Now, this Miss was truly the noble Third Young Lady of the Mu family.
"Yes, Miss. You must have been too tired, that's why you slept until now."
"Oh," Mu Qingyao gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror. Her face was somewhat blurry, but it was still evident that she was beautiful.
Yet, looking at this flower-like face, she still felt as if everything was a dream. Was this person herself? She gently touched her smooth cheek.
Meixin stopped her movements, not understanding, "Miss, what's wrong?"
Mu Qingyao startled, returning to her senses. What was she thinking about? She was Mu Qingyao now, and thinking too much was useless. She had already died in the modern era.
"It's nothing. Just style my hair into a simple bun, don't make it too elaborate."
"Yes, Miss," Meixin replied, a hint of joy rising in her heart. Miss had indeed changed. Previously, she always favored the most intricate hairstyles, making herself look like a noble lady, which ironically made her appear old and unfashionable.
Young people should naturally be fresh and elegant. But in the past, when Meixin once suggested it, she received a slap and never dared to mention such things again. She never expected that Miss herself would now request a simple hairstyle.
As the mistress and maid were talking in the room, a small maid’s report suddenly sounded from outside the door.
"Meixin jie, the housekeeper has come. He says Master wants Miss to go to the main hall for dinner?"
Meixin had already finished styling Mu Qingyao's hair, picking up only two small strands of hair from the top of her head, braiding them into two pigtails and pinning them to her temples. A magnolia flower was placed askew, making her look incredibly elegant and captivating.
Mu Qingyao glanced at it and was quite satisfied, her gaze softening considerably.
"Meixin, your skill is good."
"Thank you for your praise, Miss," Meixin felt a surge of gratitude. Although Miss spoke these words without much expression.
This was the first time in so many years she had heard Miss say such a thing, how could she not be moved?
"Does Miss want to go to the front hall for dinner?"
In the past, Miss would usually ignore such requests because she disliked seeing the First Madam and Eldest Young Lady, and thus always dined in the Azure Courtyard.
But today, the Master himself had personally requested it. She just didn't know if Miss would be willing to dine in the main hall.
Mu Qingyao had already stood up and slowly said, "Alright. I happen to want to go out and get some fresh air. I've slept half the day and need to move around."
Meixin was stunned by Miss's words. She quickly turned to get Miss's clothes and opened the rosewood wardrobe. Inside were dazzling arrays of luxurious garments, each layered upon another, trailing on the floor.
Mu Qingyao felt a headache looking at them. She looked at Meixin and the others. It was the scorching summer, yet they wore so many clothes. She herself, wearing only a thin undergarment, already felt unusually stuffy.
If she put on another brocade garment, she would surely die of heat. Moreover, these clothes were either bright red or deep green, with golden threads outlining large peonies. While luxurious, they made one feel stifled.
"Meixin, are there no other clothes besides these?"
Mu Qingyao's voice was a little cold. Meixin shivered, not knowing why Miss, who had been fine just moments ago, was now annoyed. Unable to make up her mind, she stood blankly before the wardrobe. "Miss?"
Meixin's face was distressed and pale. Mu Qingyao rolled her eyes helplessly. How could this maid be so timid? It seemed she would have to train her.
"Meixin, I want a simple and elegant dress, a thinner one. These clothes, though gorgeous, are too cumbersome and heavy. I'm afraid of the heat."
"Oh, I see."
Meixin felt a little better and quickly rummaged through the wardrobe. Finally, she found a simple and elegant, pale green wrap-around dress embroidered with a branch of a budding, pale yellow winter jasmine with silk threads.
"Miss, what do you think of this one?"
Mu Qingyao glanced at it. This one was much better than the others. She looked up at the wardrobe full of clothes, "This one it is."
"Yes, Miss," Meixin quickly brought the dress over, removed the undergarment from Mu Qingyao, and put on the wrap-around dress.
Instantly, she became radiant, graceful and elegant, drawing everyone's gaze. Meixin pursed her lips and smiled. At this moment, she forgot her fear.
"Miss, you look truly beautiful."
"You talk too much, let's go," Mu Qingyao's demeanor had softened considerably. She knew this maid was timid, so she didn't want to frighten her. She would have to train her properly later.
The mistress and maid left the bedroom. A small maid stood at the door. When she looked up, she froze, unable to react for a long time. Meixin knew why the little maid was stunned.
Because Miss was completely different from before. Previously, when Miss went out, she was ostentatiously dressed, making it impossible to discern her true appearance. But now, she was elegantly captivating, with the demeanor of a lady of grace in every movement.
"Lü'er, Xiao Mei, lead the way."
"Yes, Meixin jie," the two little maids immediately snapped back to attention and quickly lit the way, holding lanterns on either side.
"Miss, let's go," Meixin reached out to support Mu Qingyao. The group followed the winding pebble path out of the Azure Courtyard and headed towards the Mu residence's main hall.