So why should she go into the palace and trouble herself? Living such a carefree life would be so much more comfortable.
"Yes, I don't want to enter the palace, I only wish for this body to be free."
In the clear night, her words lightly drifted, yet resonated within the hearts of Mei Xin and Lu Er. So their young lady did not wish to enter the palace; it made sense when you thought about it.
Their young lady was already the Prime Minister's daughter, and did not necessarily have to enter the palace. Being able to live happily was also very important.
"This servant understands."
Mei Xin helped her towards Qing Yuan.
In the main hall, the First Madam, beaming with joy, held her eldest daughter Mu Qing Zhu and looked at the Master.
"Master, look at Zhu'er. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also talented. Someone like her will surely receive the Emperor's favor if she enters the palace?"
Mu Hen looked at his daughter doubtfully. He knew his eldest daughter's temperament. Although she was beautiful and arrogant, she lacked wisdom.
If such a person entered the palace, she would likely suffer. Moreover, he had some understanding of the Emperor's intentions.
The Emperor was not truly favoring his daughter, nor was he showing him face. It was to balance the influence of the one within the palace.
Given this, he would naturally hope for a wise woman to enter the palace, and Qing Zhu might not be competent for this position.
Mu Hen's gaze shifted to his second daughter, Mu Qing Xiang. She was as intelligent and elegant as her mother. Although her appearance was not outstanding, she possessed character.
However, if his second daughter were to enter the palace, the First Madam and the eldest daughter would likely not approve. Mu Hen was in a dilemma.
The main hall fell silent. The Second Madam looked at the arrogant First Madam and the eldest daughter, no longer holding any hope for her own daughter's situation.
Although she longed for her daughter to achieve success and become a consort in the palace, with the eldest daughter present, it was unlikely to be her daughter's turn.
"Master, we shall take our leave."
The Second Madam, holding the somewhat reluctant Mu Qing Xiang, slowly curtsied and prepared to leave the main hall.
Mu Hen looked up at the mother and daughter, finally making a decision. He spoke in a deep voice, "All of you, prepare yourselves. In three days, Qing Zhu and Qing Xiang will enter the palace together."
"Ah?" Everyone in the hall exclaimed at once. The First Madam and Mu Qing Zhu's faces were filled with anger.
However, the Second Madam and Mu Qing Xiang were filled with joy. Although their expressions differed, neither dared to reveal their feelings, and they both responded, "Yes."
The night deepened, and the moon's shadow shifted westward.
A magnificent mansion was shrouded in hazy twilight. A dark figure, like lightning, streaked through eaves and courtyards, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
This was the residence of the Prince of Beijin.
Outside the tall study door stood a robust man who resembled a butler, gazing into the dark night as if waiting for something.
With a soft sound, a nimble dark figure landed before him. He immediately came to his senses and spoke respectfully, "You are here. His Highness is waiting in the study. Please enter."
"Yes," the shadow emitted a cold hum, spun around, and entered the study.
Inside the study, the furnishings were simple. Besides the necessary bookshelves and tables and chairs, there were no other ornate decorations. A tall, slender figure stood with his back to the door, gazing at a painting hanging in the center of the study.
It was a painting of spirited horses, eight horses in different postures, black, striped, and white, all spirited and in motion, their hooves kicking up wind.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"En," a soft response came. The person looking at the painting turned his head. He had a handsome and refined face, slightly thin and pale, as if he hadn't seen the sun in years.
He seemed somewhat sickly. His slender eyebrows arched slightly, his narrow peach blossom eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing through them. The corners of his lips curved upward, and he spoke gently, "You're here. Is there something?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that Prime Minister Mu's daughters will enter the palace in three days."
"I understand. Go back. Don't come out without reason in the future," the man was Murong Liu Mo, the Prince of Beijin in the Xian Yue Kingdom, and the biological son of the Empress Dowager.
It was widely known that the Prince of Beijin was gentle and refined, plagued by illness, and never involved himself in state affairs. People held deep sympathy for this cultured gentleman.
"Yes, this servant will return now."
The speaker's voice was shrill. As soon as he finished speaking, he flickered and left the study, disappearing in an instant. This showed that his martial arts had reached a state of perfection.
In the study, Prince Beijin Murong Liu Mo, with a gentle, faint smile, covered his mouth with his hand and coughed. He called out towards the outside, "Someone?"
"Yes, Your Highness," the steward entered, looking respectfully at his master and awaiting his orders. His master was cautious and always acted with care.
"Pay attention to the situation at the Mu residence. Investigate the capabilities of Prime Minister Mu's three daughters."
"Yes, this subordinate will attend to it at once." The steward retreated, and the study fell silent. Murong Liu Mo turned and continued to gaze at the only painting in the study, as if it were some rare treasure that captivated his attention.
Mu Residence.
Mist swirled in the air, enveloping the entire courtyard. The green bamboo swayed gently, scattering dewdrops on the ground.
In the open space in front of the courtyard gate, tender green grass carpeted the ground. A graceful and beautiful figure danced with agility, clad in snow-white brocade, enveloped in wisps of purple mist.
At times, she glanced back with a brilliant smile; at other times, she looked down with cold disdain, exuding an aura of sharpness.
After finishing a set of boxing techniques, Mu Qing Yao retracted her stance. The young maidservant Mei Xin, who had been watching entranced, quickly ran over and offered a sweat towel.
"Young lady, you must be tired. Wipe your sweat."
Mei Xin looked earnestly at her young lady. Because she had practiced a set of boxing techniques, the skin on her face was rosy and lustrous, as clear and translucent as a white pearl, making her even more captivating.
She hadn't expected her young lady to wake up so early to practice. She hadn't had the habit of waking up early to practice before.
"En," Mu Qing Yao nodded, took the sweat towel from Mei Xin's hand, and wiped her sweat. She was also hungry.
At this moment, the sun broke through the clouds, casting ten thousand golden rays that instantly enveloped the entire mansion. Warmth slowly spread.
"Let's go. I'm hungry. Let's go for breakfast."
"Alright," the mistress and servant walked towards the house, chatting along the way. Lü Er and Xiao Lian had already prepared breakfast: several exquisite dim sum and pastries, along with porridge.
Mu Qing Yao, feeling hungry, immediately devoured a bowl and ate two pieces of dim sum. The three young maidservants watched in stunned silence.
No matter if it was her words or actions, even her eating habits were different from before. What was going on?
Before, their young lady couldn't eat so much. She would always eat a little performatively, just for show. Now, she was eating heartily.
"What's wrong?"
After eating her fill, Mu Qing Yao looked up and saw the three maids staring blankly in the floral hall. She asked with amusement, while Mei Xin and Lü Er dared not say anything more.
No matter how different their young lady was, she was still their young lady. It was not their place as maids to say more, so they quickly shook their heads, "Nothing."