No master, no servant, this saying is not false, Bao Zheng this girl is as pragmatic as her mistress.
However, their schemes are best kept to a minimum in the palace, otherwise they might become cannon fodder, and even her sister would not be able to help them then.
"Third sister, from now on we will live in the palace. We sisters must look out for each other. If we truly have the chance to serve the Emperor, your elder sisters will surely remember your kindness."
Mu Qingzhu gazed at Mu Qingzhu with flushed cheeks and shining eyes. The thought of that handsome and exalted man made her heart flutter like a deer, wishing she could enter the palace immediately to serve the Emperor.
Mu Qingyao watched the infatuated fool with cold eyes.
It seemed her previous title should have been given to Miss Mu. She was too much of a dreamer. The Emperor was not a lecherous man. If he only wanted beautiful women, it probably wouldn't be her turn.
And the two of them were even more pitiful. They were used by the Empress Dowager to deal with the Emperor, while she was used by the Emperor to deal with the Empress Dowager.
So, the future paths of these three sisters would be difficult. They had to tread carefully, and one wrong step could cost them their lives.
However, she doubted Miss Mu would understand even if she explained, so why bother? Let her dream, it would be happier.
"Eldest Miss, I am tired," Mu Qingyao said softly, closing her eyes.
Mu Qingzhu immediately nodded with a smile and stood up, "Then sister, rest well and don't get too tired. Your sister will be going back now."
"Xiao Lian, see the guest out."
As the tea lid was lifted, releasing wisps of steam, Miss Mu left without taking a sip of tea.
Xiao Lian saw off Miss Mu and her servant, then walked back with an unhappy expression and spoke indignantly.
"Miss Mu is detestable. She bullied us so much before, and now that you're about to become Empress, she's come to curry favor. And that Bao Zheng, she used to hit us all the time, but now she's so obedient. The more I think about it, the angrier I get."
"Alright, don't be angry. What's the point of getting angry with people like that? If you were bitten by a dog, would you bite back?"
Mu Qingyao spoke, and Xiao Lian said no more. Thinking about it, it made sense. Just now, she heard her lady say she was tired, so she should go back to sleep.
"Miss, you said you were tired just now, so you should go back to sleep."
Mu Qingyao opened her watery eyes and looked at Xiao Lian, "I probably can't sleep."
She had a premonition that if Miss Mu had made a move, then the Second Miss Mu would not be inactive. The Second Miss Mu seemed more cunning than the Eldest Miss, and she probably wouldn't fall behind.
"Why?" Xiao Lian asked curiously.
Mu Qingyao didn't answer, but outside the door, a young maidservant's voice could be heard, "Sister Xiao Lian, the Second Miss is here."
"Ah," Xiao Lian's eyes were full of admiration, "Miss, you are amazing! You actually guessed that the Second Miss would come. Should we see her?"
Mu Qingyao's lips curved into a smile, her eyes flashing with light. Of course, she should see her. If someone sent a gift, there was no reason not to accept it. She waved her hand and sat up, "Let her in."
"Yes, Miss," Xiao Lian curtsied and walked to the door to give instructions, "Please invite the Second Miss in."
"Yes, Sister Xiao Lian," the little maidservant took her orders to invite the Second Miss. In the room, the young Mu Qingyao pointed to the brocade box on the table and instructed, "Put this box away."
As Xiao Lian was putting the box away, the Second Miss Mu walked in. The beaded curtain was lifted, and a faint fragrance wafted through as the Second Miss, a slender figure, walked in. Xiao Lian smiled and greeted her, "Second Miss is here?"
The maids in their Qingyuan courtyard had a good relationship with the Second Miss.
Mu Qingxiang was much more low-key than the Eldest Miss and was gentle. The servants in the manor had no complaints about her, and she was respected wherever she went. xxs1
"Third sister, are you napping?"
Mu Qingxiang stood by the screen. Compared to the ornate screen, she was quite overshadowed. She could only be considered a graceful beauty.
However, the Second Miss Mu was proficient in everything from zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her talent was elegant, surpassing that of the Eldest Miss.
It seemed that heaven was always fair. Those with extraordinary beauty lacked extraordinary talent, and those with extraordinary talent lacked dazzling looks. As for those with both talent and looks, they were often envied by heaven and died young.
"Is something wrong?"
A hint of caution was mixed with Mu Qingxiang's gentleness. She first observed Mu Qingyao for a moment. Seeing that she seemed to be in a good mood, she then relaxed her brows and spoke softly, "I came to see Third sister."
Mu Qingyao swept her gaze over Mu Qingxiang without a trace of emotion. This woman always seemed to be observing people's expressions. Perhaps it was formed by her environment since childhood, but excessive caution made her seem unaccomplished. Or perhaps, this was just her hidden nature. Everyone had two sides, and who knew if her other side was also so cautious?
"Thank you."
After speaking, Mu Qingxiang glanced behind her. Her personal maidservant Xi Yu quickly presented a box. This box was clearly a notch lower than the brocade box sent by the Eldest Miss.
Mu Qingxiang took it, smiled apologetically, and said, "Yao'er, you know your sister doesn't have many good things. This is a coral bracelet that Mother gave me, saying that Father gave it to her before. Now, I'm giving it to Yao'er to wear for fun."
Mu Qingyao's eyes dimmed. She hadn't expected Mu Qingxiang to give away something the Second Mother had given her. This should have been a precious gift, so why was she giving it away so casually?
It seemed that she and her mother were truly impoverished in the Mu manor, otherwise, they wouldn't have been unable to present anything decent and would have given away their most precious possessions.
"Take it back. There's no need to give gifts."
Although this coral bracelet was not worth much money, it held special significance, so she could not accept other people's things so casually. Even if she accepted it, she wouldn't wear it; at most, she would pawn it.
"Third sister?"
Unexpectedly, Mu Qingxiang became anxious. She stood up abruptly, tears welling up in her eyes, her face flushed red. After a long while, she managed to say, "I know Eldest sister gave you a good gift. Does Third sister dislike my gift as shabby and therefore refuse to accept it?"
"What are you thinking?"
Mu Qingyao was somewhat annoyed. This ungrateful woman. Their giving her gifts now was merely to flatter her. In fact, their future in the palace was uncertain.
Moreover, she would not stay in the palace. This was merely a temporary measure. She would find a way to leave the palace. What was the use of them giving her gifts?
"I'm tired and want to sleep," Mu Qingyao waved her hand impatiently.
Xiao Lian, standing beside her, saw the Second Miss's face turn pale and her slender body tremble as if she were about to faint. Fearing that she would indeed faint, she quickly said, "Miss, since the Second Miss has sincerely given it, let's keep it as a memento."
Upon hearing Xiao Lian's words, Mu Qingxiang's expression immediately brightened. Her clear black and white eyes still held tears, but she still stared at Mu Qingyao. Mu Qingyao let out a helpless cold snort, "Then keep it."