Murong Liu Zun finished giving his instructions and left with Ah Jiu. However, just as he turned past the screen, he heard a light cough from inside, followed by Lian Yan's surprised voice: "Miss, Miss?"
Murong Liu Zun had intended to leave, but the faint voice drifted out: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"
How deep was this woman's infatuation? Despite suffering such serious injuries, she still thought of him. Murong Liu Zun's final step did not go out; he slowly withdrew it, turned back, and walked to the large bed.
He saw Ximen Xinyue's dull eyes. Upon seeing him, she was so excited that she couldn't speak. She gasped heavily, her face turning a deep red as she struggled to swallow. Murong Liu Zun bent down slightly and spoke slowly, "If you're not feeling well, don't speak. Everything will be alright."
"Your Majesty, is the Empress alright?"
It was rare for her to be concerned about the Empress even after waking up. Murong Liu Zun's eyes softened slightly as he nodded, "The Empress is fine. Rest assured and recuperate."
"Mm, that's good. I'm relieved, Your Majesty." She panted, a smile on her lips, seemingly unconcerned about her own injuries. Murong Liu Zun felt a pang of pity and asked softly, "Why did you do this?"
"Doesn't Your Majesty know?"
Ximen Xinyue retorted, her dark pupils flashing with fervent admiration as she stared intently at the Emperor. Her cheeks were flushed, and her shy, hesitant expression was incredibly captivating. Even with her injuries, her gentle, watery affection was evident.
"Your Majesty, Xinyue does not seek Your Majesty's favor. This is Xinyue's own matter. Xinyue likes Your Majesty and only wishes to stay in the palace to accompany Your Majesty, even if it's just watching Your Majesty from afar. As long as Your Majesty and the Empress are in love, it's enough. The Empress is like Xinyue's elder sister. If anyone dares to harm her, as long as Xinyue has a breath left, she will never let them go."
By the end, Ximen Xinyue began to gasp for breath, her words urgent yet cautious, as if afraid the Emperor would turn away.
Murong Liu Zun's masculine ego was greatly satisfied.
This woman was not only intelligent but also loved him wholeheartedly. While loving him, she could also respect the Empress and prioritize the Empress's life. This was incomparable to the current Empress Dowager. A surge of warmth rose in his heart, and his chillingly elegant voice spoke.
"Very well. For protecting the Empress with your life, you are a model for all women in the world. I decree you as Consort Shu today and grant you the Jianyang Palace."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty," a tear rolled from the corner of Ximen Xinyue's eyes. Finally, a smile graced her lips before she fainted.
A clear sound erupted from the side hall: "Congratulations, Consort Shu! Congratulations, Consort Shu!"
"Alright, take good care of your mistress. The events of today must not be divulged for now, or you will face certain death."
"Yes, Your Majesty," a fearful chorus responded from the side hall, respectfully seeing him out. Lian Yan rushed to the side of the bed, tenderly holding her mistress's hand. "Miss, you've finally made it through. You've finally made it through! Do you hear? His Majesty has made you Consort Shu! From now on, you are a concubine, and you've been granted Jianyang Palace."
Sounds of joyful weeping filled the sleeping quarters.
Murong Liu Zun walked out of Weiyang Palace. The area before the palace gates was a sheet of white; everything in the world was white. Snowflakes swirled in the wind, gently revolving and drifting across the snowy surface.
One, two, they landed on his face. He snapped back to reality, a sense of unease in his heart, and subtly regained his focus.
He had indeed taken Ximen Xinyue as a consort. This matter should be told to Yao'er first.
However, Yao'er should not object. Ximen Xinyue was not like others; after all, she had saved her life.
Otherwise, it would have been Yao'er who was injured. He was only moved by Ximen Xinyue's sentiment, which led him to bring her into the palace. But the person he truly liked was Yao'er. Yet, this matter...
Eunuch Ah Jiu beside him shivered from the cold. Seeing that His Majesty had no intention of entering the sedan chair, he quickly urged, "Your Majesty, let's return to the palace to rest. You have morning court tomorrow!"
"Alright," Murong Liu Zun agreed, bent down, and got into the sedan chair. In his heart, he was certain. Yao'er, being so kind, would surely agree to bring Ximen Xinyue into the palace. He let out a sigh, realizing he was overthinking. Was this really him?
"Proceed back to the palace," Ah Jiu's crisp voice rang out in the cold night. The snow illuminated the surroundings, and a group of people swiftly headed towards Liuli Palace.
After the snow, the morning was clear. Early that morning, outside Fengluan Palace, eunuchs and palace maids were clearing the residual snow. The area before and behind the palace doors was thoroughly swept clean.
Inside the sleeping quarters, Mu Qingyao, cradling a small fox, was nestled within warm silk quilts, her gaze silently fixed on the brocade mosquito net above. Although the scene last night had been stimulating, she felt much calmer after a night of adjustment.
"Your Highness, Your Highness?"
Meixin entered from outside, calling out boisterously. As she walked in, she stamped her feet twice, then went to the stove to warm her hands, exhaling as her breath quickly turned into a wisp of white mist. She looked towards her mistress on the large bed.
"Your Highness, do you know? It's so lively outside. There are palace maids building snowmen, and people are having snowball fights. The few plum trees behind the palace are blooming profusely."
"I don't want to get up. This warm, cozy bed, I can't bear to leave," Mu Qingyao mumbled. In reality, she was waiting for news. She had sent Mochou to Weiyang Palace early this morning to inquire about Ximen Xinyue's condition and whether she had woken up.
Meixin was about to say more when Mochou walked in and respectfully reported the news from the other side.
"Your Highness, she is fine. The imperial physicians examined her yesterday. They said she injured the meridians in her left chest, which is not fatal, but she will need time to recover. I heard that Ximen Xinyue woke up once in the middle of the night and then fainted again. She still hasn't woken up."
"Mm, as long as she's alright."
Mu Qingyao nodded. As she moved, Mochou secretly glanced at her mistress and spoke with newfound determination.
"It seems His Majesty also stayed there for quite a while."
"Stay, then. She went to such lengths. We're leaving anyway, and I've come to terms with it, so I won't dwell on it," Mu Qingyao said lightly, yet her chest felt tight with unresolved emotions.
She just didn't want Meixin and Mochou, who cared about her, to worry.
A man who had been with her, sharing their first intimate moment with such passion. For any woman, there would always be a lingering attachment to the man with whom she shared her first time. Otherwise, she wouldn't have felt so concerned about him before.
But why did her heart ache when it was time to leave? Mu Qingyao pulled the quilt and turned her head to sleep facing inwards. "I'll sleep for a bit longer. Don't disturb me."
"Didn't Your Highness want to admire the plum blossoms?"
Mochou pressed, but received no reply after a long while.
The two maids exchanged a look and had no choice but to give up. It seemed their mistress was truly asleep. They tiptoed out, unaware that a single tear had finally betrayed the cold, stunning beauty of her face before she closed her eyes tightly, swallowing everything down.