As everyone left, Ah Jiu walked into the study.
The Emperor's handsome face was shrouded in a cold, abyssal aura, his dark pupils glinting with a bloodthirsty light, sharp and cruel like a beast's eyes, fixed intently on the air before him.
Ah Jiu walked over cautiously, "Your Majesty."
Murong Liuzun remained silent for a long time. Mother, wait for me. I will find a legitimate reason to punish you.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice regaining its calm as he gazed at Ah Jiu.
Ah Jiu looked at the Emperor, her heart aching. In truth, the world only knew Emperor Xian as wise and astonishing in his strategies.
No one realized that he, too, was flesh and blood, with a side unknown to anyone. It was rumored that the Emperor had personally witnessed his birth mother, Empress Li, being murdered by a eunuch in the palace.
Later, the Emperor had also risked his life several times. Finally, the late Emperor sent him to the care of an old friend, which was how he managed to survive.
"Bingxiao has sent word. She says Changsun Zhu is indeed in the Xianyue Kingdom, and they have discovered him."
Ah Jiu reported respectfully. Murong Liuzun's lips curved into a charming smile, like a Asura in the dark night, speaking with a steady, restrained tone.
"Tell Bingxiao to keep an eye on his movements and report them at any time. For now, do not alert him. Let's see what his intentions are."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ah Jiu withdrew.
Silence fell upon the study. The handsome man who had been sitting on the soft couch leaned his tall, slender frame against the imperial yellow cushions.
His black hair cascaded onto his chest, his eyes were slightly closed, and his long, delicate eyelashes concealed his sharp, piercing gaze, exuding an aura of peace, so pure and untainted.
Mu Mansion.
In the main hall, Prime Minister Mu sat majestically at the head seat, calmly observing his three daughters standing below. His gaze, dark and shadowed, fixed on Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang, and then he suddenly barked sternly.
"Kneel."
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang were startled and dared not defy their Prime Minister father. With a thud, they knelt.
Only Mu Qingyao stood with her hands behind her back, chest held high. The three of them spoke at the same time, "Father."
Mu Hen looked at Qingyao, who was standing, his eyes filled with confusion. Everything that had happened in the study today had nearly cost him his life. Was this woman truly his daughter?
Yet, he examined her from all angles for a long time. She was indeed his daughter, but where did such boldness come from?
Mu Hen was bewildered. Mu Qingyao glanced leisurely at her Prime Minister father and the two young ladies of the Mu family, then gracefully spoke, "Father, I am tired. I will go down to rest first."
Mu Hen waved his hand. This daughter would soon be the empress. She could no longer be beaten or scolded, so he could only let her leave.
"Go back and rest, but don't forget to prepare a gift list."
"Yes, Father."
Mu Qingyao nodded and withdrew from the main hall with a serene expression. Steward Zhong, the housekeeper, was waiting outside the door. Upon seeing her emerge, he spoke respectfully and cautiously, "Third Miss, the eunuchs are waiting for your gift list."
"Alright, I will have Lü'er bring it over later."
"Yes, Miss." Zhong Shu nodded.
Meixin, standing by the door, reached out to hold the young lady's arm. Together, they walked towards the Green Courtyard of the Mu Mansion.
She wasn't entirely clear about what had happened in the study today, but she learned in the end that the young lady had been bestowed the title of Empress, and the royal family had even sent an exorbitant betrothal gift.
It was truly unbelievable.
"Miss, didn't you say you didn't want to enter the palace?" Meixin asked carefully, noticing the unhappiness in her young lady's eyes.
Mu Qingyao sighed helplessly, "There's no other way. If I defy the imperial decree, I fear the entire Mu Mansion would suffer."
"Miss?"
Meixin murmured, unsure of what to say. If it were another woman in this situation, she would have called her hypocritical and pretentious. But she believed her young lady truly didn't wish to enter the palace. Yet, the imperial decree had been issued; whether she wished it or not, she had to enter.
In the main hall of the Mu Mansion, Mu Hen was scolding his daughters.
"Do you two know your crime?"
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang, for once in agreement, shook their heads. "Your daughters do not know."
"You actually intended to enter the palace together to serve His Majesty. What kind of propriety is that? You must know that by doing this, you would be placing His Majesty in a position of disloyalty and injustice, and my lifelong reputation would be ruined by your hands!"
Mu Hen slammed heavily on the table and chairs, as if he had aged several years in an instant.
What happened today had greatly exceeded his expectations. First, Yao'er had broken the Emperor's crystal ball, then the Emperor wanted to make Yao'er his future Empress. But even more preposterous was that Yao'er had dared to refuse the marriage. She was perhaps the first person in the world to do so.
Finally, she had agreed, but only after demanding an astronomical betrothal gift. It was truly taking years off his life.
But the most bizarre thing was the two daughters kneeling, who wanted to enter the palace with their sister to serve the Emperor. What kind of propriety was that? It was simply indecent and harmful to public morals!
"Father, why can Qingyao, and we cannot? And there are not many concubines in the harem. Why can't we enter the palace?"
Mu Qingzhu indignantly exclaimed, and Mu Qingxiang nodded in agreement.
"You two unfilial wretches, you still dare to quibble? If I don't beat you to death today, then I'm not your father!"
Prime Minister Mu stood up in anger. Even if he beat these two fools to death, he couldn't let them go into the palace and harm the Emperor.
"Azhong, Azhong!"
"Master?"
Mu Mansion's steward, Zhong Shu, rushed in quickly. Looking at his enraged master, he anxiously asked, "Master, what is it?"
"Bring me the family law. I will beat these two unfilial daughters to death!"
Mu Hen was overcome with fury.
Just then, a crowd of people surged in from the entrance of the Mu Mansion. It was Madam Mu the First and Madam Mu the Second, leading a throng of maids and servants. It seemed someone had tipped them off.
The faces of both women were somewhat grim.
As Madam Mu the First rushed in, she threw herself at Mu Hen, crying, "You hit my daughter, so hit me first! I don't want to live, I don't want to live."
Madam Mu the Second also cried out, "Master, please spare Xiang'er. They are all your daughters, aren't they?"
The main hall of the Mu Mansion descended into chaos.
Mu Hen, after the scene in the palace and being bumped by Madam Mu the First, could no longer bear it. His body swayed, and he collapsed to the ground.
Instantly, screams erupted, and cries of anguish filled the air.
"Master, Master?"
Prime Minister Mu, unable to withstand the shock, fell ill from the intense anger. The entire Mu Mansion was in a state of panic.
Fortunately, a doctor was called. He said that Master Mu's liver fire was strong, and he had been overly frightened, causing him to faint temporarily. He was not seriously injured and would recover with a few doses of medicine.
After dinner, Qingyao went to the main house to see her Prime Minister father. She then led her two maids back to the Green Courtyard. She was also a little tired today.
The night wind picked up, lanterns swayed, and candlelight flickered. Meixin and Lü'er looked around uneasily.