However, being part of the Mu family, they couldn't just watch her be punished. More importantly, if they ignored the situation, what would others think? They immediately knelt down with their father.
"Please, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, spare Qingyao this once."
Murong Liuzun, seated on his high throne, wore an icy expression. He gazed at Mu Qingyao with an inscrutable look, a trace of malevolence at the corner of his lips.
A chilling aura of killing intent surrounded him. As Emperor, he had never imagined being rejected by a woman.
Though this woman possessed everything he desired, he would not allow anyone to defy his will, unless?
Mu Qingyao calmly faced the Emperor on his high seat, her eyes filled with a radiant wisdom. She was taking a gamble, betting that this man would not kill people arbitrarily.
Although this move was perilous, and she knew the man opposite her was waiting for her to beg for mercy, perhaps a simple plea could save her. Yet, she refused to yield easily.
A chill pervaded the study. Seeing that the Emperor remained silent, the Empress Dowager grew even more arrogant. She suddenly stood up and roared outwards.
"Guards, escort this woman to prison and await judgment!"
Hua Lige, leading several guards, rushed in swiftly and stationed themselves at the entrance, but they did not move. They only obeyed the Emperor's commands.
They would only act when the Emperor spoke, for they were the Emperor's servants, not the Empress Dowager's.
"What are you waiting for? Escort this woman away!" The Empress Dowager's face turned ashen as the guards made no move.
Her body began to tremble, her anger causing her to point furiously at Hua Lige. The Consort beside her quickly stepped forward, carefully helping her to calm herself, and spoke softly.
"Mother, please don't be anxious. His Majesty will handle it. Don't agitate yourself and harm your health?"
Mu Hen, witnessing the imminent disaster, his face had already turned pale, his lips tinged with blue. He quickly reached out and tugged at Mu Qingyao, speaking urgently.
"Yao'er, quickly apologize to the Emperor, hurry!"
Mu Qingyao looked up at the man on the high seat.
That man was as deep as an ancient well, bottomless, his emotions utterly unreadable.
He was waiting for her to speak. Mu Qingyao truly did not wish to acknowledge him, but when she turned, she saw her Prime Minister father's face had changed drastically, pale and his lips blue, clearly deeply shaken.
If she didn't speak soon, he might just pass out from shock. She thought about how, despite only having transmigrated a few days ago,
She had felt his profound love and care for her. Must she really let her beloved father suffer?
As Mu Qingyao found herself in a dilemma, the Emperor on his high seat suddenly spoke, his voice cold and resonant, "Mu Hen?"
Mu Qingyao knew what he intended to say and spoke first, "My daughter was presumptuous just now. My daughter deserves death. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness."
Murong Liuzun's expression softened slightly. He raised his narrow eyebrows and fixed his gaze on Mu Qingyao, seemingly still dissatisfied with her attitude.
Seeing her remain still, his dark eyes glanced towards Prime Minister Mu again. Mu Qingyao gritted her teeth, mentally cursing the detestable man.
What talk of a wise and benevolent ruler?
He was simply a scoundrel, knowing exactly how to exploit people's weaknesses.
Mu Qingyao immediately lowered her head and spoke even more deferentially.
"Having offended Your Majesty's sacred person, I, your daughter, deserve death. I implore Your Majesty to spare my father and punish only me."
"Very well, since Miss Mu has sincerely apologized, and Prime Minister Mu has rendered great service, I shall not pursue the matter."
Murong Liuzun, suppressing a smile, spoke indifferently. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Mu Qingyao.
The golden crown on his head shone with dazzling brilliance, illuminating his dark and inscrutable face. The light of a deep pool was in his eyes, suggesting this man would not let the matter rest easily.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Mu Hen's body sagged, almost collapsing. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
Beside him, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang simultaneously let out sighs of relief. The atmosphere in the study eased slightly.
Liu Qianmu and Prince Nan, Murong Liuzhao, observing everything that had transpired, began to understand. It seemed this third Miss Mu was indeed the primary candidate for the palace. Both men immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Your brother (Qianmu) congratulates Your Majesty."
Seeing the situation unfold, the Empress Dowager realized any further obstruction would be futile. Her sharp, resentful eyes fixed on Mu Qingyao.
If looks could kill, Mu Qingyao would have been dead already. The Empress Dowager then looked up.
She saw the Consort's eyes were red and teary. She squeezed her hand, signaling that there was nothing to fear and that she, as her aunt, was there.
"Mu Hen, receive the imperial decree."
Mu Hen dared not say anything and immediately accepted the decree respectfully. "Your subject receives the decree."
"The Prime Minister's daughter, Mu Qingyao, is virtuous and graceful, generous and dignified. She is herewith bestowed the title of Empress and will be married on a chosen auspicious day."
"Your subject receives the decree." Mu Hen was unsure how to feel; his heart was a mix of emotions. He had not really wanted his daughter to enter the palace.
He was not ignorant of the palace's conditions. With the current discord between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, who knew what would happen in the harem?
Mu Qingyao entering the palace, titled Empress, but in reality, with the Empress Dowager present, would she have an easy time? However, the Emperor had issued the decree; he couldn't disobey it.
After Mu Hen received the decree, the Empress Dowager glared hatefully at the Mu family. She had not expected the position of Empress to be taken by someone from the Mu family.
She had always thought her Chu family would produce the Empress. It was truly hateful. A cruel glint flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes.
Mu Qingyao, was it?
You just wait for this Empress Dowager, this Empress position is not so easily held!
Just as the Empress Dowager, holding the Consort's hand, prepared to leave, she heard the Emperor issue another imperial decree.
"Ah Jiu, immediately draft an imperial edict for the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious date for the Emperor to welcome the Empress into the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall attend to it immediately."
Ah Jiu responded and was about to leave when Mu Qingyao, who had been kneeling, suddenly spoke, "Wait a moment?"
Did they think she would enter the palace so easily? If they wanted her to deal with the old witch in the palace,
Then he should at least offer some compensation, shouldn't he? She couldn't stay in the palace forever, and she would definitely need money then.
As Mu Qingyao's voice fell, Mu Hen trembled, unsure what she intended to do now, and reached out to pull her. "Yao'er?"
In the study, apart from Mu Hen's displeased expression, everyone else looked equally grim.
Especially the Empress Dowager and the Consort, they both turned to look, their gazes seeming to want to devour her. What else did this woman want? She had already snatched the Empress position, what more could she possibly want?
All eyes turned uniformly towards the woman who had spoken, awaiting her next words.
Seeing everyone looking at her, Mu Qingyao was not nervous. She calmly met the gaze of the man on the high seat.