His eyes narrowed dangerously, a chilling glint in their dark depths as he fixed his gaze upon her. Mu Qingyao smiled faintly and spoke.
“Since Your Majesty has decided to establish Qingyao as Empress, Qingyao would like to ask, are there betrothal gifts?”
Her words shocked everyone present. All eyes turned towards the Mu family's third young lady, kneeling on the ground, with looks of utter disbelief.
Had she lost her mind? No one had ever heard of anyone asking for betrothal gifts from royalty. To attain such a high position, many families would willingly offer their fortunes.
Yet here she was, actually asking the Emperor for betrothal gifts? Of course, the Ministry of Rites would handle it according to custom, but throughout history, she was undoubtedly the first to openly demand betrothal gifts from the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager's eyes flickered, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She glanced sideways at the Emperor, saying nothing, waiting to see how he would handle this messy situation.
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang glared at their third sister, wishing they could strangle her. They had just escaped the clutches of death, and she was leaping back in. Seeing their father almost scared to death, the hateful woman.
Liu Qianmu and Murong Liu Zhao once again observed the composed woman, her eyes shining with intelligence, trying to discern if she was joking.
Unfortunately, the woman was not only serious but also remarkably calm, showing no signs of fear. The two men felt a stir in their hearts; this woman was truly audacious.
Mu Qingyao paid no attention to anyone else, her gaze fixed directly on Emperor Xian, seated on his high throne.
Emperor Xian's handsome face remained unchanged, his eyes like an abyss. Only the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile, a smile laced with a chilling, decisive coldness. He spoke in a deep voice.
“Granted.”
“Good. Then this humble daughter hopes the betrothal gifts will include pearls from the South Sea, coral prayer beads, ten catties of golden amber prayer beads, eight pairs of Phoenix jade Ruyi scepters, eight pairs of green and white jade ornaments, and eight pairs of jade and agate bracelets each.”
“Eight pairs of gold and jewel-inlaid buckles, eight pairs of white jade mandarin duck buckles, ten gold necklaces, ten pairs of gold hairpins with pearl-clutching phoenixes, four branches of kingfisher-inlaid Hetian white jade phoenix hairpins, and four sandalwood Ruyi scepters inlaid with jade.”
“Four Xiuyan jade Ruyi scepters, four pairs of brocade and colored porcelain vases, four pairs of Lang kiln red jade vases, one landscape painting from Wandao Mountain, one landscape painting by Meng Xi, one landscape painting by Zhao Kuan, and one lady painting by Fan Ying.”
Everyone in the Imperial Study was dumbfounded. Apart from that clear and pleasant voice, there was not a single sound.
When Mu Qingyao finished speaking, everyone was still in a state of shock. My goodness, this woman was truly asking for the moon, daring to request so many items. The combined value of these items was astronomical.
The first to react was Prime Minister Mu. He directly collapsed with a thud, the venerable official of two dynasties being scared unconscious by his own daughter.
Seeing their father faint, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang immediately burst into tears.
“Father, Father? How are you?”
Their crying brought everyone back to their senses. They looked towards the woman who had caused this uproar, her face full of concern as she gazed at her own prime minister father, as if this disaster had nothing to do with her.
“Summon the imperial physicians immediately to examine Prime Minister Mu.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Ah Jiu swiftly departed to fetch the imperial physicians. He had also heard the third young lady Mu's gift list and, while not fainting, was equally astonished. This third young lady Mu was truly too bold, openly demanding betrothal gifts from the royal family and even listing such a long roster. Strange things happen every day, but this was truly unprecedented.
The Empress Dowager watched the unfolding scene, and suddenly, her anger subsided. Her expression softened as she looked at the Emperor sitting at the head of the table, his face dark.
“My Imperial Son, as you can see, this third young lady Mu is merely a woman greedy for vanity, and she has even scared her own father unconscious. Such wickedness.”
“It is a pity that Prime Minister Mu has always been upright, yet he has given birth to such an unfilial daughter. A woman like this is completely unworthy of being Empress.”
Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Mu Qingyao's eyes flickered. She didn't want this position at all.
This Empress Dowager was truly adept at finding fault. However, it would be good if she could break off the engagement.
But the Emperor clearly did not think so. His voice, chillingly serene, resounded.
“Mother, since I have promised her, I cannot go back on my word. How can a ruler of a nation be untrustworthy? How can he establish himself in the world, among his people.”
His powerful voice echoed through the Imperial Study. The Empress Dowager’s face immediately darkened. She hadn’t expected the Emperor to be so stubborn. Fine, let’s see who triumphs.
“Since Imperial Son has decided, then this Empress Dowager shall prepare for the wedding ceremonies.”
“Thank you, Mother, for your blessing.”
Upon hearing their conversation, Mu Qingyao felt an urge to lash out. She had already made things so difficult for him.
Why did he still want her to enter the palace? It seemed this man possessed extreme resilience; he was determined to have her enter the palace.
In that case, let him give her money. Taking money to resolve troubles, she felt no guilt whatsoever. On the contrary, she felt perfectly at ease.
“This humble daughter thanks Your Majesty.”
With the matter settled, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang, who had been kneeling beside Mu Hen, looked at their third sister with tear-filled eyes.
Why did the Emperor insist on her entering the palace as Empress? They had tried their best to adorn themselves and win the Emperor's favor, but they had failed.
This woman had provoked the Emperor in every way possible and even presented an exorbitant betrothal gift list, yet the Emperor had agreed.
At this moment, Ah Jiu had already summoned the imperial physician. Upon arrival, the physician quickly paid his respects to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Murong Liuzun waved his hand, ordering the physician to examine Prime Minister Mu.
In truth, Mu Hen had already woken up, but he was unwilling to open his eyes. He had been excessively shocked just moments ago and had momentarily fainted, but he had quickly recovered.
As soon as he heard the Emperor ordering the imperial physician to examine him, his deception would be exposed. He immediately opened his eyes and slowly spoke, “Your Majesty, this old minister is fine now.”
“It is good that you are well.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. This minister wishes to take his leave.”
If he didn't leave now, he truly didn’t know what other audacious things this third daughter would do next.
“You may withdraw. Ah Jiu, escort Prime Minister Mu and the third young lady Mu back to their residence immediately. Also, prepare a list of the third young lady Mu’s betrothal gifts and instruct the Imperial Household Department to begin processing them at once.”
After Murong Liuzun finished speaking, his dark, piercing eyes fixed on Mu Qingyao, a sinister, curved smile playing on his lips.
Mu Qingyao, since you have presented such extraordinary conditions, you must be capable of bearing such great favor. Otherwise, do not blame me for turning my face and becoming ruthless.
I wonder if you are worth this price?
A gentle radiance settled upon Murong Liuzun's handsome face.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Ah Jiu opened the door and stepped forward respectfully. “Prime Minister Mu, allow me to assist you.”
Ah Jiu led two young eunuchs to personally help Prime Minister Mu up. After all, this man was soon to be the Empress’s father, the current father-in-law of the state.
As a mere eunuch, he dared not offend him. Mu Qingyao and her two sisters also stood up.
As everyone prepared to withdraw, Liu Qianmu, who had remained silent until now, his expression turned cold. He suddenly spoke, “Wait a moment?”