A vivid scene unfolded within the imperial study.
Someone rushed in from outside the study. Upon looking up, they were immediately struck with terror, swiftly withdrew from the study, and then knelt outside with a thud:
"This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
"Speak. What has happened?"
A cold voice echoed from within the study. Ah Jiu cautiously began, "The Minister of Justice requests an audience, stating that Her Majesty the Empress has returned to the capital."
As these words fell, the man abruptly stopped his actions, pulled away, and cast a cold gaze at the flushed woman. He seemed unsatisfied, his pupils filled with resentment.
Murong Liuzun reached out and pinched her cheek, speaking in a gentle voice, "Good girl, go back. I will compensate you later. I have matters to attend to."
"How do you plan to deal with that woman?"
Ximen Xinyue coldly snorted with displeasure, dressing herself while reluctantly questioning.
Murong Liuzun's pupils darkened as he said in a cold, stern tone, "That is none of your business."
"You..."
Ximen Xinyue wanted to retort, but upon looking up and meeting his sinister gaze, she dared not say more. She knew this man was ruthless and venomous, so she dared not provoke him. A smile, as radiant as flowing water, curved her lips:
"Understood, Your Majesty. This concubine shall take her leave."
"Mm, go back."
Ximen Xinyue walked out. Inside the study's doorway, Lianyan stood by. Thinking of her unfinished business, Ximen Xinyue shot Lianyan a furious glare.
The young maidservant lowered her head inexplicably, never imagining that His Majesty and her mistress would be so bold as to engage in such activities in the imperial study during the day.
As for Ah Jiu, he was trembling with fear. He had ruined this woman's affair and feared he would not fare well.
Indeed, as the thought crossed his mind, Ximen Xinyue raised her hand towards him and unceremoniously slapped him, a loud and clear sound.
Ah Jiu did not evade the blow and took it squarely. Half of his face immediately swelled.
Although Ximen Xinyue was charming in appearance, her true self was cruel and vicious, possessing a truly venomous heart. Pity that he had once considered this woman beautiful. He had truly brought trouble upon himself. However, he dared not anger her, or he feared...
Ah Jiu shuddered again, daring not to think or do anything.
Yet, a flicker of relief warmed his heart. Her Majesty the Empress had returned. This was truly wonderful. All hope rested upon her. This was the only, the sole, glimmer of survival.
With the Empress's intelligence, she was sure to discover the anomalies soon.
As Ah Jiu was lost in thought, a voice rang out from the room.
"Ah Jiu, bring the Minister of Justice here immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ah Jiu stood up and retreated. He soon led the Minister of Justice into the imperial study. The Minister of Justice respectfully greeted the Emperor.
"Your servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise. I heard Her Majesty the Empress has returned to the capital. How did you come to know of this?"
The cold, murderous voice resounded in the imperial study. The Minister of Justice cautiously replied:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Her Majesty had visited the Ministry of Justice's prison twice before. The first two times, this servant accompanied the Minister to receive Her Majesty. Therefore, I have some understanding of Her Majesty's habits. This time, although Her Majesty was in disguise, this servant still recognized her from her behavior as Her Majesty the Empress."
"Mm, I did not expect her to return to the capital."
The Emperor's voice was somewhat muffled, his pupils flickering with an obscure, ominous aura, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.
With the Empress's return to the capital, was he happy or unhappy? Yet, his face wore a gentle, water-like smile.
"Ah Jiu, take people to the Prime Minister's mansion immediately and escort Her Majesty back to the palace."
Upon the Emperor's command, Ah Jiu, who was standing, paused for a moment before slowly accepting the order, "This servant obeys Your Majesty's decree."
The Minister of Justice did not dare to linger and respectfully said, "This servant takes his leave."
The person on the high seat waved his hand. After everyone had withdrawn, he leaned back lazily on the soft couch behind the imperial desk, looking unrestrained and cold, his thoughts impossible to read...
Qingyao had only recently returned to the mansion when the butler, Uncle Zhong, came to report that a eunuch from the palace, Ah Jiu, had arrived to deliver an imperial decree.
A flicker of disinterest flashed in Qingyao's eyes. Since she was being summoned to the palace, she would go. She wanted to see what scheme that man was brewing.
"Alright. You may withdraw first. I will follow shortly."
Qingyao spoke, instructing Uncle Zhong to attend to guests at the front. She glanced at the people by her side: Mochou and Bingxiao, as well as Shen Yu and Mingyue, her eyes dark and unreadable.
"We are going to the palace later. All of you must remain low-key. I want to see what schemes the Emperor is up to."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
All of them responded in unison. Since Her Majesty had decided to return to the palace, they could not break the rules. The palace was not like any other place; rules were paramount.
She had heard that Ximen Xinyue was also in the palace. That woman was likely not someone to be trifled with.
Xiao Yu'er seemed somewhat silent, slowly walking over and looking up at Qingyao.
"Mother, are we really going to the palace? That woman is still in the palace. I dislike seeing her. What is Father Emperor doing? Last time he said he could give up the kingdom for us. Now that we've returned, he still hasn't divorced that woman. It's truly infuriating."
"It is precisely because we are going to the palace that we can see what he is up to."
Qingyao spoke calmly. They knew nothing about what had gone wrong, so baseless speculation was useless.
"Alright," Xiao Yu'er nodded listlessly. Wherever Mother went, she would go. It was just that the thought of another woman in the palace made her feel disgusted, as if she had swallowed a fly.
In the main hall of the Mu Residence, Mu Hen was sitting with Ah Jiu, drinking tea. Upon hearing a voice, he said, "Greetings to Your Majesty."
"Rise," Bingmo's melodious voice sounded. Ah Jiu and Mu Hen stood up. Ah Jiu quickly looked up.
He saw outside the door, a woman of transcendent beauty was being surrounded by everyone. Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, and she exuded an ethereal elegance. She wore a sky-blue, floor-length dress, making her appear like a fairy descending from the water.
If this woman was not the Empress, who else could it be? Ah Jiu immediately led several eunuchs to pay their respects to Qingyao.
"We little ones pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
"Rise. Ah Jiu, since when have you been so subservient?" Qingyao said with a teasing tone, walking leisurely and sitting in a high position.
Ah Jiu's heart trembled. He hadn't expected Her Majesty to notice his subtle change with just one glance. He feared that even deeper matters were beyond Her Majesty's imagination, yet he could say nothing because...
"What did the Emperor send you here for?"
Qingyao raised her eyebrows faintly. Ah Jiu immediately replied respectfully. The eunuchs beside him were not all his own people; there were others. He was now in a difficult position.
"Reporting to Her Majesty the Empress, this servant was sent by His Majesty with an oral decree to fetch Her Majesty back to the palace."