"Rise, and be seated."
As Mu Qingyao's cold and indifferent words fell, two palace maids immediately brought out stools and placed them with cushions.
Chu Yuyan sat down, quietly gazing at the Empress on the high seat.
This was the first time she had truly observed the Empress.
She saw that her eyebrows and eyes were as picturesque as a painting, her demeanor chillingly impressive. Her elegant attire, without a trace of makeup, exuded a floral freshness. A cool aura emanated from her, like coral growing in the sea, concealing astonishing beauty beneath the reefs.
So this was the woman the Emperor favored; intelligent, bold, cold, and wise.
The grand hall was deathly silent. The two women exchanged glances like swords, their auras clashing like spears in mid-air with a resounding clang.
Finally, Chu Yuyan conceded, her voice laced with dejection.
"Yu Yan has an urgent matter and must leave. I will visit Your Highness the Empress again another day."
She had only sat for a moment before fleeing in disarray.
She had not yet adjusted her state of mind. The mere thought that the Emperor had favored this woman last night caused her heart to ache. The next time they met, she would not lose so easily.
"You may go," Mu Qingyao said.
Watching her retreating back, which seemed to flee, Mu Qingyao noted its slender and somewhat frail build. Yet, this woman possessed an extraordinary latent power. Perhaps, one day, she would truly stand as her opponent.
Meixin and Mochou, seeing the Noble Consort depart, immediately reminded Mu Qingyao.
"Your Highness, if you don't hurry, Her Highness the Empress Dowager will be angry."
"Heh..." The person in question let out a dismissive cold laugh, but nonetheless rose to her feet.
However, the reason she was so readily heading to Guangyang Palace was entirely different from what Meixin and the others imagined.
She was going to reclaim the Phoenix Seal. Paying respects was merely an incidental matter.
Within Guangyang Palace, a chill permeated the air. In the grand hall, eunuchs and palace maids waited cautiously, not daring to breathe too loudly.
The Empress Dowager's face was ashen and grim. At this moment, only Princess Ru Yin's furious voice could be heard.
"Mother, this woman is too audacious! To dare disregard Mother, she is utterly detestable."
Princess Ru Yin, seventeen years old, had always been capricious and, relying on the Empress Dowager's favor, acted with impunity in the palace. Her words now were particularly venomous.
Upon hearing her daughter's words, the Empress Dowager's already unpleasant expression darkened further, her black eyes seeming to spew fire.
"Good, very good. I shall see just how high she intends to fly. I have been in the palace for over twenty years, am I afraid of a lovesick woman?"
Murong Ru Yin, hearing her mother's words, nodded in agreement. Yes, her mother had been in the palace for over twenty years, was she afraid of that woman?
She was simply courting death, not even considering her own status. After being favored for just one night, she had become as arrogant as could be.
One should know that women in the palace quickly fall out of favor. She would make her wish she were dead rather than alive!
Ru Yin thought maliciously, a smug smile gracing her lips.
"Mother, we cannot let her off like this. Let the Emperor see that this is the woman he chose, utterly lacking in any decorum."
After speaking, Ru Yin saw her mother making no move and immediately called out towards the hall, "Xiao Li Zi, Xiao Li Zi!"
Eunuch Li quickly stepped forward and stood at attention, his scalp tingling. This Princess Ru Yin was always daring and presumptuous. As long as she was around, things were bound to get heated. Eunuch Li cautiously asked, "What are the Princess's commands?"
"Go to Liuli Palace and report to His Imperial Highness. Say that Mother has fallen ill from anger due to the Empress, and he should come and see her immediately."
"This?" Eunuch Li looked hesitantly towards Her Highness the Empress Dowager seated on the throne. Although the Empress Dowager's face was grim, she was perfectly fine. If the Emperor came and saw her well, he would surely flay him alive.
Princess Ru Yin, seeing Eunuch Li make no move, became furious and shouted,
"Xiao Li Zi, are you deaf or mute? Did you not hear what this princess said? Don't presume upon serving Mother for twenty years and ignore my words. I will have someone skin you later, then we'll see if you can hear!"
Eunuch Li shivered, almost fainting.
The Empress Dowager glared at her daughter and reprimanded, "Ru Yin, what are you doing? You are becoming more and more unruly."
"Mother?" Ru Yin's eyes widened like copper bells, staring at her own mother. Finally, she blamed all her grievances on Eunuch Li, believing that this old servant had caused her to be scolded. She vowed to never let him off the hook given the chance.
Ru Yin cursed inwardly. Eunuch Li, witnessing her venomous gaze, broke out in a cold sweat.
"Very well, Xiao Li Zi, do as the princess says. Go to Liuli Palace immediately and request His Majesty to come over. Say that I am feeling a bit unwell."
"Yes, Your Highness the Empress Dowager."
Eunuch Li quickly retreated. If he stayed any longer, he feared he would be riddled with holes by the princess. It was best to make a swift exit.
The grand hall fell silent. The Empress Dowager sighed, looking at her daughter beside her, and said helplessly, "Ru Yin, restrain your temper a little. If you marry out in the future, what man could tolerate you?"
"Mother, Ru Yin will not marry. I will stay with Mother forever."
Ru Yin obediently flattered the Empress Dowager, but her eyes were filled with disdain. What man in this world would dare not treat her well? It would be courting death; she would definitely beat him to a pulp if he didn't treat her well. A cold smile curved her lips.
Seeing her expression, the Empress Dowager realized she hadn't taken her words to heart and couldn't help but sigh. It was all her indulgence.
She thought of how lovable that Star Bamboo girl was, so much less troublesome than her own daughter. Why, despite being raised similarly, did the girls have such vastly different personalities?
Princess Murong Ru Yin, seeing her mother frowning at her with a look of disappointment, became somewhat indignant.
"Mother, what's wrong with me? I've always stayed with Mother. It's better than the Second Imperial Brother, who is sickly all the time and causes Mother so much worry and toil."
With a sharp crack, a crisp sound echoed through the hall. The Empress Dowager finally lost her patience and slapped her beloved daughter.
This foolish girl was utterly spoiled, even speaking ill of her own full brother. What a waste, she had no brains at all! No matter how good the Emperor was, he would only do so for her sake, could he truly be sincere towards her?
Only the Second Imperial Brother would be sincere towards her. Was this kind of brainless woman truly the daughter she raised?
Murong Ru Yin had always gotten whatever she wanted since she was a child. When had she ever been treated like this? At first, she was stunned. By the time she regained her senses, she was already crying loudly, pushing her mother as she shrieked rebelliously,
"Mother, you actually hit me! You actually hit me! What did I do wrong that you hit me?"
The Empress Dowager's head spun from her shaking, her eyes sparking with rage as she let out an angry snort.
"Murong Ru Yin, if you dare utter another word, I will immediately have the Emperor send you off to a political marriage. Then, let's see what you do."