The people of the Mu residence returned to the capital in a grand fashion. The Empress visited the Mu residence to see her family, a perfectly sufficient reason for Shangguan Hao to appear. Even if he suspected a trap, he would likely still show up, intending to fight to the bitter end because he hated Yao'er too much.
Murong Liu Zun could completely understand Shangguan Hao's current state of mind. They had been fellow disciples for many years, and just as Shangguan Hao understood him, he also understood Shangguan Hao.
“Your Majesty.”
The Prince of Nan'an and the Prime Minister Zuo called out simultaneously. Upon receiving the Emperor’s affirmative gaze, they said no more.
The Emperor cared more about the Empress’s safety than anyone else. Therefore, he trusted the Empress’s abilities and his own arrangements. Liu Zhao and Mu Hen said nothing further.
Qingyao and Murong Liu Zun did not return to their high seats. Instead, they sat across a desk. The Prince of Nan’an and the Prime Minister Zuo felt somewhat uneasy and quickly stood up. Qingyao raised her head and gestured for them to sit down.
“Let’s discuss tonight’s matters. There’s no need to dwell on formalities.”
As Qingyao spoke, Emperor Xian nodded. However, his innate imperial aura and dominance meant that even his words carried a sense of command.
“Sit down.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, Empress.”
The Prince of Nan’an, Liu Zhao, and the Prime Minister Zuo sat down. Qingyao frowned in thought for a moment, then turned to look at the Emperor beside her. Receiving a look of affirmation from the Emperor, she slowly began to speak.
“Alright. When Father makes his grand return to the capital later, leave the other members of the Mu residence in the palace. Replace them with Mingyue, Shen Yu, and other capable experts. The Prince of Nan’an should also conceal himself among them. We will all go to the Mu residence. Additionally, the Prince of Nan’an can deploy people from Fengchen Palace to ambush the surroundings of the Mu residence. Tonight, I will return to the Mu residence to visit, and I believe the person lurking in the shadows will surely make a move.”
After Qingyao finished giving her orders, the Prince of Nan’an and Mu Hen stood up and respectfully accepted the command: “Yes, your subjects obey.”
“There is also something important. The Prince of Nan’an must instruct his subordinates that our arsenal was destroyed by Shangguan Hao, and our people were killed. However, he took many weapons, the most destructive being the hand grenades and smoke bombs. The smoke bombs release poisonous gas, and the hand grenades contain explosives. These two items might be effective against unprepared individuals, but they have flaws against us.”
When the Prince of Nan’an and the Prime Minister first heard that the arsenal’s items were seized by Shangguan Hao, their faces turned grim. Afterward, hearing the Empress mention a flaw, they listened attentively.
Qingyao continued, “The hand grenades have a burning sensation after the pin is pulled; they cannot detonate instantly. You are all skilled individuals. As long as you kick them back before the fuse explodes, the ones who will be injured will be your opponents, not you. Although the smoke is poisonous, as soon as the pin is pulled, there will be an unpleasant medicinal smell. If you smell it, before the thick smoke spreads, kick it into a place with water, and it will automatically extinguish. Without these two items, I believe they have nothing to fear. Our forces will certainly not lose to them.”
“Yes, your subject understands,” the Prince of Nan’an immediately stood up. If Her Highness hadn’t explained clearly, no one would have realized that such potent weapons also had weaknesses. It seemed that not only people but also things had vulnerabilities.
“Return immediately and make arrangements.”
“Yes,” the Prince of Nan’an and Prime Minister Zuo, Mu Hen, rose simultaneously. Qingyao also stood up and looked at Mu Hen, softly instructing someone nearby: “Mochou, go and arrange for the Second Miss and the others from the Mu residence to be settled. After days of arduous travel, let them rest well.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Mochou responded and walked out. The Prince of Nan’an and the Prime Minister Zuo took their leave and departed. Mingyue and Shen Yu had been dispatched by them.
The vast Fengluan Palace was silent. Little Yu’er had already retired to the sleeping quarters. The grand hall fell quiet. Murong Liu Zun reached out and embraced Qingyao, his magnetic voice resonating as his arms tightly encircled her: “Yao’er, don’t forget what you promised me.”
Qingyao gave a soft sound and looked up, unsure what the Emperor was referring to.
The Emperor leaned close to her ear and whispered softly, “Never to part, never to abandon in this life.”
His tender murmurs, full of intimacy, sent a warm spring current through Qingyao’s heart. She nestled into his embrace and nodded, “Your Majesty, I will be alright. Please don’t worry.”
“Mm, I will always stand with you.”
A wild and deep declaration echoed through the hall. What did it matter if there was a storm? With the two of them working together, the storm would eventually pass, and a rainbow would soon appear. Would tomorrow be better?
The Prime Minister Zuo, Mu Hen, returned to the capital in a grand manner, a fact known throughout Lin’an City. Previously, the Mu family’s humiliating escape, coupled with the official of the Imperial Stables, Zhao family, divorcing the Prime Minister Zuo’s daughter, causing the Prime Minister Zuo’s daughter to attempt suicide by drowning, led to various rumors and discussions.
Initially, many people in Lin’an City felt sorry for Mu Hen, who had been loyal his entire life, only to meet such a fate in his old age. Truly, accompanying a ruler was as perilous as accompanying a tiger.
But then, in a sudden turn of events, it was revealed that it was all a malicious plot by villains, and the Empress had indeed been framed by wicked people. Now, the true Emperor had returned to the palace. The Emperor and Empress were deeply devoted, and the Prime Minister Zuo had finally returned to power and made a grand entrance into the capital.
In a private room on the second floor of an inn’s restaurant, by the window, a man’s face, gloomy and stern, with dark hair obscuring most of it, could not be clearly seen. Only his eyes, like those of a wolf or tiger, were fixed intently on the street.
He drank one cup of wine after another, the room filled with the aroma of alcohol. After a long while, there was a light knock on the door.
A husky voice called out, “Enter.”
“Yes,” a figure flashed in like a ghost, their eyes vacant, their entire being listless.
“Has Prime Minister Zuo truly returned to the capital?”
“Yes, your subordinate has confirmed it. It is indeed Prime Minister Zuo, along with his family, who have returned to the Mu residence. Many ministers from the court have come to pay their respects.”
“Good, this is excellent,” the man gripped the glazed wine pot with his large hand, took a big gulp, and then slammed it down on the table. He suddenly stood up and said with seething anger,
“Mu Qingyao, tonight I will make an example of the people at the Mu residence. I will blow your Mu residence to smithereens and show you what happens when you ruin my plans.”
With that, he pulled open the door, his black robe swirling into a dark streak, and his figure vanished in an instant.
At night, the sky was as blue as washed glass, clear and bright, rarely so pure. A few wisps of clouds drifted lazily in the sky.
The Mu residence was brightly lit, with people frequently entering and exiting both inside and outside the manor.
The Prime Minister Zuo, Mu Hen, had returned to the capital and resumed his position at the headquarters of the six provinces. Ministers from the court flocked to offer their congratulations. However, the court was currently in a state of alert, so Prime Minister Zuo Mu Hen did not host lavish banquets. The congratulatory guests only stayed for a brief moment before departing.
In the late afternoon, as the gate quieted down, the Empress, accompanied by several palace maids, returned to the residence to visit her family.
Prime Minister Zuo Mu Hen, along with the entire household, respectfully knelt outside the main gate to welcome the imperial carriage.
Qingyao, attended by Mochou, alighted from the phoenix carriage and personally helped her father up. The group proceeded into the Mu residence.
Qingyao walked beside Mu Hen and softly inquired, “Are there any guests in the residence?”
Mu Hen murmured quietly, “They have all been dismissed.” It was precisely because Shangguan Hao was coming tonight that he had not held a banquet for guests, only allowing them a brief stay before they returned home.
“Mm, that’s good,” Qingyao felt relieved.
She could clearly sense the hidden killing intent.
Shangguan Hao had indeed come. However, whether it was his subordinates or he himself who had arrived, it was impossible to know. Regardless of who it was, tonight they were determined to ensure they would never return. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes, followed by a smile.