Qingyao lay on the grand bed in her sleeping chambers, the words Xingzhu had spoken earlier replaying in her mind. Her eyes were icy, her eyelids slightly lowered.
She felt no sleepiness, but a deep weariness settled in her heart.
She drifted off into a hazy slumber. She slept through the night and only woke the next morning. Though she said nothing, Xiaoyuer knew her heart must be in great pain.
She had never felt this tired, not even during campaigns; to sleep so deeply was unusual.
Mochou and Bingxiao were also not feeling well. The vast Fengluan Palace was silent and still.
Even so, what was meant to come had arrived.
Shufei Ximen Xinyue, accompanied by her personal maids and several eunuchs and palace maids, arrived with great fanfare to pay their respects to Qingyao.
Qingyao had just gotten up and had not yet had breakfast. Her expression was cool and indifferent, saying nothing. Xiaoyuer, standing by her side, was already furiously shouting, "Scram! Tell her to get out immediately! We don't welcome her."
The young eunuch's face turned ashen with fright, and he quickly began to retreat.
Qingyao, however, spoke at the opportune moment, her voice faint, betraying no hint of joy or sorrow.
"Please invite her in. Take her to the main hall."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The young eunuch retreated. Mochou raised an eyebrow in disapproval, "Your Majesty, I fear that woman has ill intentions. We should not see her."
"Am I afraid of her?" Qingyao's voice suddenly rose a few decibels.
She had been sad earlier, but all her sadness could not give her any advantage in this battle. So why should she be sad?
As long as she understood the Emperor's intentions, and everything before her was real, including Ximen Xinyue's pregnancy, then from this moment on, this imperial palace would have nothing to do with her.
"Mochou, do my hair."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Mochou walked over and deftly styled her mistress's hair into a phoenix-updo, adorning it with several sparkling jade beads at the side, making it exceptionally dazzling.
She then chose an autumn-fragrance colored silk skirt, cinched at the waist. From the waist down, layers of misty gauze trailed to the floor, emphasizing her slender waist and delicate, graceful figure. Every movement exuded an ineffable radiance.
This silk skirt was designed by the Empress herself and made by the imperial tailors. The unexpected effect revealed the woman's gentle charm and elegance in its entirety.
"Your Majesty, it's done."
Following her mistress's habit, Mochou picked up the bronze mirror from the dressing table and angled it towards Qingyao. Qingyao glanced into the mirror with her dark eyes, a cold, thin smile curving her lips. She nodded in satisfaction.
"Mm, let's go."
"Your Majesty hasn't had breakfast yet?" Bingxiao quickly said. Her mistress hadn't eaten dinner since last night and still hadn't eaten now. She was truly worried she couldn't bear it. She hadn't seen her this tired even when campaigning. It seemed the Emperor had caused her so much worry and exhaustion.
"Let's go, I'm not hungry."
Qingyao led the way out, Xiaoyuer following closely behind her. Xiaobai was on her left, and Mao Xueqiu on her right, as they all proceeded towards the outer hall.
In a corner of the main hall sat Shufei Ximen Xinyue, sipping tea and observing everything within the hall. A smile of determination played on her lips.
Everything here would belong to her one day. Mu Qingyao, this woman, the Emperor merely used her to deal with others. She was too formidable, a thorn in the Emperor's heart, and thus, it was impossible not to eliminate her.
The Emperor had expended so much effort to bring her back to the capital precisely to get rid of her.
And she, Ximen Xinyue, smiled elegantly, placing a hand on her own belly. This was the Emperor's bloodline.
The Emperor had promised her that as long as she gave birth to a child, whether a prince or a princess, she would be enfeoffed as Empress.
Ximen Xinyue was engrossed in her observations when she suddenly heard the sound of orderly footsteps. She looked up and saw a group of people emerging from the inner chambers.
The woman being escorted by everyone had brows like a crescent moon and eyes like evening stars. Her skin was smooth and radiant, and the inherent coolness radiating from her could not conceal her dazzling brilliance.
Simply standing there, she exuded a powerful aura that commanded respect.
At this moment, Ximen Xinyue dared not be careless. Even without the Emperor's presence, this woman's capabilities were formidable. She cautiously rose and, leading the people beside her, spoke respectfully.
"Your humble consort greets Her Majesty the Empress. May Her Majesty be well."
"Rise," Qingyao said casually, her gaze sweeping over Ximen Xinyue.
Ximen Xinyue was dressed in full regalia today, with a perfect balance of heavy and light makeup. Every gesture was graceful and alluring, her presence as gentle as water.
To be honest, this woman was exceptionally outstanding, both in intellect and demeanor. However, her pride was too overwhelming; this arrogance that surpassed everything was not a good thing.
"Thank you, Her Majesty the Empress," Ximen Xinyue replied, rising. Only after the woman seated on the higher seat had sat down did she slowly take her previous seat.
A pair of eyes, hiding jealousy, gazed at the woman above. She was dazzling, especially the feats she had accomplished, which even as a woman, earned her admiration.
If she weren't the Empress, she would have truly wanted to befriend such a person.
Even men admitted inferiority; she had led over a hundred thousand troops to conquer the Danfeng and Wanhe Kingdoms, and even brought the Yueyang and Huangyuan Kingdoms to surrender without shedding a single soldier's blood.
Finally, even the great nation of Qingluo surrendered. The world considered unifying the seven kingdoms an exceedingly difficult task.
According to her father's initial estimations, conquering the seven kingdoms would take at least ten years. Yet, this woman had shattered all expectations, achieving the unification of the seven kingdoms in just over three years.
Because her abilities were so immense, the Emperor could no longer tolerate her and had to eliminate her.
For as long as she existed, certain matters would eventually be revealed...
"May I ask why Shufei has come?" Qingyao asked faintly. Mochou on her side had already served tea, while the little princess sat on the other side. Ximen Xinyue looked at the little princess, whose features resembled the Emperor's so closely, as if cast from the same mold. She was so lively and beautiful that looking at her filled Ximen Xinyue with jealousy.
That man disdained even touching her, yet she had such a beautiful and adorable child, causing her heart to ache as if gnawed by worms. And her own unborn child?
Ximen Xinyue's hand touched her belly, her feelings indescribable.
She looked up at the woman who had spoken, her smile radiant. "I heard my sister has returned, so your younger sister has come to visit. From now on, we will serve the Emperor together, and of course, we must get along harmoniously."
As soon as her words fell, Xiaoyuer, seated above, immediately changed her expression and ordered Xiaobai by her side, "Xiaobai, go bite this shameless woman."
As her words ended, Xiaobai, having received the command, leaped forward and lunged towards Ximen Xinyue. Ximen Xinyue's face turned ashen, not expecting the princess to have such a temper.
Fortunately, she was skilled in martial arts and possessed extraordinary agility. As she moved, she evaded the attack. However, Xiaobai was specially trained. Missing the first pounce, it then entangled her.