Mu Rong Ru Yin bit back her tears at her mother's words and glared at her with resentment.
Why? Why had her mother struck her? She had only spoken ill of her second brother, and her mother was so angry. It turned out that in her mother's heart, her second brother was the most important.
The thought sent a pang through Mu Rong Ru Yin's heart, but she dared not act out further. She could see her mother was serious, and when her mother was serious, she always followed through with her words.
"Mother."
Mu Rong Ru Yin lowered her head. Resentment surged within her, but she remained silent.
The Empress Dowager looked at her tearful daughter with a heavy heart. She was already vexed enough today, and now this girl was causing trouble and speaking ill of her brother. How could she, as a mother, not feel heartbroken? She felt for both of them.
"Ru Yin, Mother." The Empress Dowager reached out to take her daughter's hand, but Mu Rong Ru Yin shifted, evading her mother's touch.
At that moment, a eunuch's shrill voice echoed from outside the grand hall: "The Emperor has arrived."
Upon hearing the Emperor's arrival, Mu Rong Ru Yin finally regained some composure and said nothing more.
The Empress Dowager also had no time to attend to her. Little Li had mentioned earlier that she was feeling unwell. If she appeared perfectly fine now, wouldn't that displease the Emperor?
Thus, the Empress Dowager immediately propped her head with one hand, leaning against the phoenix couch. She indeed looked somewhat ill, with a seven-tenths resemblance to illness. Coupled with Mu Rong Ru Yin's recent crying, her red eyes made her appear even more so.
A figure clad in imperial yellow strode in through the hall doors. Tall and imposing, he moved like a gust of wind. The faint scent of dragon's breath permeated the air. His figure was agile yet steady. With a few strides, he reached the Empress Dowager's phoenix couch, and a chilling voice broke the silence.
"What is wrong, Mother?"
Mu Rong Ru Yin glanced up at the Emperor. Although he was her brother, sometimes even she, his sister, was struck by his presence.
Mu Rong Ru Yin spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's: "Mother is not feeling well, Brother Emperor."
"Mm, summon the imperial physician immediately," Mu Rong Liu Zun said in a deep voice, his star-like eyes narrowing slightly.
The Empress Dowager stirred upon hearing his words. She looked up at him, her face etched with weariness, and waved her hand faintly. "My son, your mother is not seriously ill. I am merely feeling a bit down. Your concern is enough."
Mu Rong Ru Yin, standing beside them, heard her mother's words. Though still upset about being hit earlier, mother and daughter were now united against an outsider.
"Brother Emperor, Mother was angered by the Empress. Look, Mother rose early to wait for the Empress's morning greetings, but until now, the Empress hasn't even shown her face. Could she be arrogant due to favor?"
Mu Rong Ru Yin spoke in a rapid-fire manner.
Mu Rong Liu Zun remained motionless. His dark eyes were cold and deep, making it impossible to discern his thoughts. He simply stared fixedly at Mu Rong Ru Yin, causing her scalp to tingle.
At this point, the Empress Dowager was also at a loss for words. The hall fell silent, the air nearly solidifying into a thin layer of frost. Fortunately, from outside the hall, the eunuch's voice sounded again.
"The Empress has arrived."
Following it was Eunuch Ah Jiu's respectful voice: "This humble servant greets the Empress."
A nonchalant, leisurely voice drifted in: "Rise. Is the Emperor here as well?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Ah Jiu reported.
Inside the hall, the Empress Dowager almost fainted upon hearing the Empress's extremely leisurely voice. She had been seething with anger here, yet that woman was so at ease and comfortable. How could she tolerate this?
Mu Rong Liu Zun's dark eyes flashed with a fleeting brilliance.
The two women, engrossed in their anger, failed to notice the Emperor's subtle change. They exchanged glances, both filled with resentment, their eyes fixed on the woman entering the hall.
She was adorned in a light green water grass skirt, its hem intricately carved and adorned with rhinestones, which sparkled with countless lights as she moved.
At this moment, her face was unadorned by makeup, yet she appeared even more fresh and tender. Her face was delicate and smooth, and her beautiful eyes were filled with a wise light. She calmly led two personal maids into the hall, neither rushed nor flustered.
Even the maids she brought were composed and self-assured, lacking the obsequiousness of common servants. This indicated how reserved and insightful their mistress was.
"Qing Yao greets the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."
Mu Qing Yao performed a serene curtsy. The Empress Dowager, seated above, looked at the Empress, who was in a bowing posture, and her anger flared. She did not bid Mu Qing Yao to rise, only intending to curb her arrogance.
Did she think being the Empress made her special? She should know that this harem still had her, the Empress Dowager.
Unexpectedly, Mu Qing Yao completely disregarded the court's etiquette. She had performed the necessary courtesies and had no need to wait for further commands like a timid bride. Therefore, she completely ignored the Empress Dowager's expression and slowly straightened, standing elegantly in the center of the hall.
The Empress Dowager on the phoenix couch's expression darkened, her dark eyes suddenly turning incomparably cold. A chilling light shot towards Mu Qing Yao. How audacious this woman was! She hadn't told her to rise, and yet she dared to act so casually?
Princess Mu Rong Ru Yin, by the Empress Dowager's side, heard her mother's heavy breaths. Seeing the woman below acting so presumptuously, she was already furious. She quickly rushed in front of Mu Qing Yao, pointing at her.
"How dare you! Mother hasn't told you to rise, yet you have. You have no manners at all."
Mu Qing Yao looked up at the woman before her. She was beautiful, dressed luxuriously, and possessed an unrestrained personality.
Could this woman be another princess of the palace, Mu Rong Ru Yin, the Empress Dowager's own daughter, and the King of Bei Jin's sister?
This woman was truly exceedingly arrogant. No matter what, she was the mistress of the inner palace, the Empress of the current dynasty. She was merely a princess, yet she dared to scold the Empress to her face. It was clear that the royal family's upbringing was not much better.
Mu Qing Yao's expression suddenly turned cold. Her previously clear eyes, like green waves, were suddenly veiled by a thin mist, like the dense fog in a somber sea, causing an inexplicable sense of dread and disorientation.
Mu Rong Ru Yin took a step back and stood firm, feeling somewhat relieved.
Mo Chou saw that this woman dared to disrespect her mistress. She moved swiftly, her treasure sword, swift as a silver dragon, appearing at Mu Rong Ru Yin's neck. The faint cool sensation seeped into her skin, startling her into a horrified scream.
"Mother, save me! Mother, save me!"
"Audacious! My mistress is the Empress. How dare you be so rebellious!"
Mo Chou reprimanded coldly, pushing her hand forward slightly. Mu Rong Ru Yin, terrified, dared not even cry out, tears streaming down her face.
The Empress Dowager, seated above, saw the unfolding situation and angrily slapped the dragon couch.
"Rebellion! Rebellion! Is there any law here? My son, look. What is the Empress doing? Does she possess any demeanor of a mother of the nation? If such rumors spread, it would surely be detrimental to the country, my son."