"Miss, wake up. Miss, it's already Mao Shi. The Emperor is coming soon."
However, the person on the bed remained motionless, completely unaffected by Mei Xin, and simply turned over and continued to sleep.
At lunch, she had drunk Zui Xue Hua. One cup of this wine was enough; too much would make one drunk. Mu Qingyao, unaware, had downed three large cups, which was why she slept so soundly.
Seeing the Emperor was about to arrive, Mo Chou, fearing her young lady would be punished, hurried to join Mei Xin in waking her.
"Miss, wake up."
"Miss," the calls of the two maids annoyed Mu Qingyao to no end. Finally unable to bear it, she covered her ears and, groggily sitting up, grumbled, "It's so noisy. Mo Chou, what are you doing?"
"Miss, the Emperor is coming soon. Miss should put on the phoenix crown."
Mo Chou advised her in a low voice, though she knew it was futile. Although she hadn't been with her young lady for long, she understood her temperament. Once Mu Qingyao made up her mind, no one could change it, not even nine oxen pulling her.
As expected, the person on the bed snorted, "What a bother. Do you really think that man will come? Honestly."
With that, she flopped back onto the large bed. But this time, her wish was not granted, for Yin Ao Ling Han's voice boomed from the entrance: "Why wouldn't I come? If I recall correctly, this is my wedding day."
A wave of panic swept through the sleeping quarters. Except for the woman still groggy on the bed, everyone else knelt down cautiously, "Your servant greets Your Majesty."
"Rise, all of you, and withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the palace maids at the palace doors breathed a sigh of relief and quickly retreated.
Mo Chou and Mei Xin exchanged glances, feeling uneasy. But with the Emperor's words, there was no room for their protest. They could only slowly withdraw.
In the vast sleeping chambers, red candles burned brightly, and night-shining pearls illuminated the palace as brightly as day.
On the carved bed, the patterned silk quilt and the mandarin duck pillows were kicked about in disarray.
Mu Rong Liu Zun walked over and stood by the bed. His deep, unfathomable eyes, like cold, dark pools, stared gloomily at the woman on the bed, a faint, chilling aura sweeping through the air.
"Is this my wedding day? Empress."
Hearing the cold, eerie words, Mu Qingyao raised her eyes to gaze at the man seated above.
His eyes were like an icy blue ocean, shimmering with radiant light that could easily drown one. But that had nothing to do with her. A cold smile played on her lips.
"Yes, Your Majesty, is there anything you are dissatisfied with?"
Mu Qingyao was clearly provoking the Emperor.
However, Mu Rong Liu Zun was in a rare good mood tonight and didn't dwell on it. The corner of his lips curved into a smile that could topple cities. He turned and walked to a nearby high table, sat down, and opened his mouth to speak softly, "Come and play chess with me."
"Chess?"
This was unexpected for Mu Qingyao.
She had already prepared ten thousand scenarios in her mind: what if this man tried to take advantage of her? Should she disable him first and then flee, or flee first and then seek revenge? But she never expected him to just come to play chess.
Since he neither wanted to take advantage of her nor mentioned drinking the nuptial wine, Mu Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief, yet a trace of bittersweetness lingered in her heart.
Today was her wedding day, and this man was truly unromantic. With a displeased expression, she coldly snorted, "I don't know how."
"You don't know how? Then, a moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold. Let's do what we should do."
As he finished speaking, he stood up, preparing to approach. A rare seriousness was etched on his jade-like face, and the words were incredibly tempting when spoken from his handsome lips.
However, Mu Qingyao's heart fluttered for only a second before she immediately regained her senses and refused righteously.
"Don't even think about it. Didn't you say you wouldn't restrict my freedom? How can you do something so forceful?"
A muffled laugh echoed. The Emperor's body moved only slightly, and he remained seated by the high table opposite her. His gaze was mocking, as if ridiculing her for making a fuss. Perhaps due to guilt, he wouldn't easily touch someone.
"Don't worry, I can guarantee you that if you are unwilling, I will never force you to do such things. Come and play chess with me."
Mu Qingyao rolled her eyes. Could there be a stranger couple than them?
On their wedding night, they didn't drink nuptial wine or engage in intimacy, but instead played chess in the sleeping quarters.
If this were to spread, it would either raise suspicions that the Emperor was ill or that he was fond of men. But could the Emperor truly be...?
As Mu Qingyao got out of bed, her eyes gained a hint of ambiguity. She scanned the excessively beautiful man from head to toe. The more she looked, the more she felt this man was cunning and unfathomable. She had to be careful and not become a pawn in his hands.
"If you want to play, I'll play. Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
Mu Qingyao snorted coldly and rushed to the Emperor's side like a whirlwind. The faint scent of dragon's saliva from him drilled into her nostrils, causing her heart to skip a beat, though it was only for a moment.
The two set up the chessboard and sat down.
The night deepened slowly. A game of chess between them, played from Mao Shi to Yi Shi, had still not concluded, and both were surprised.
Mu Rong Liu Zun's chess skills were virtually unmatched, and he had always lamented the lack of a worthy opponent.
He never expected Miss Mu San's chess skills to be so exquisite. Her moves were hidden, her strategies well-planned, and every move was made with confidence and precision, leaving him no room for carelessness.
Chess reflects the person, and the person reflects the chess. The strategy in Miss Mu San's heart was likely beyond that of ordinary people. It turned out that what his master had sent was truly a remarkable individual.
If it weren't for his younger brother's insistence, he would have almost missed this opportunity. At this moment, his heart surged with respect for this woman.
In the current world, she was the only woman he respected, with no second to be found.
Beauty, wisdom, courage, and now strategic depth. How many more unknown splendors did this woman possess, waiting for him to discover? At this moment, he felt a longing for a lifetime together with her.
Mu Qingyao glanced at the man opposite her. Under the flickering candlelight, his features became more defined. He wore a purple brocade robe, with hollowed-out gold trim peeking out from beneath the hem. Gold and purple were two of the most difficult colors to wear, but on him, they looked so fitting, effortlessly outlining the domineering nobility of an emperor.
"What is it? Are you satisfied with my appearance?"
His words were filled with deep teasing. Mu Qingyao's face flushed. Caught red-handed while observing him, she quickly lowered her gaze to the chessboard. In that moment of distraction, he had unexpectedly captured two of her pieces with a surprising move. It seemed she was destined to lose.
"Your Majesty, Qing Yao has lost."
Mu Rong Liu Zun, however, had become more interested. It was rare to encounter someone with such high-level chess skills, and every move was thrilling. Furthermore, since he could do nothing else tonight, he could only play chess to pass the time.