“Mao Xueqiu, do you miss me?”
The usually indifferent person was now incredibly soft, speaking with a gentle warmth that left the palace maid stunned into silence.
This little fox, it wouldn't let anyone near. It only liked to lie in its basket. At first, when they found it cute and tried to pick it up, the creature would immediately bare its teeth, glaring fiercely at them. If anyone reached out, it was guaranteed to bite. So, they could only look but not touch.
To think that it would be so obedient and docile in the Empress’s hands.
After playing with Mao Xueqiu, Mu Qingyao looked up and saw the palace maid still standing there. She spoke indifferently, asking,
“What is your name?”
“Your slave’s name is Yiyun.” Yiyun was somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
She was just a minuscule palace maid in the Phoenix Luan Palace. She wasn’t supposed to bring the little fox in tonight. It was just that no one else dared to approach the fox, so the task fell to her. She never expected the Empress to notice her.
“Yiyun, hmm, a nice name. From now on, you shall serve in the Phoenix Luan Palace.”
Mu Qingyao said it casually, and Yiyun’s status in the Phoenix Luan Palace immediately changed.
“Thank you, Empress. Thank you, Empress,” Yiyun said excitedly.
She never imagined she would receive such treatment, and the Empress was so kind, not like what she had heard before.
They said she was foolish and very cold, but now it seemed she was quite good. Although her words were distant, her heart was not bad. Earlier, when they were dozing outside the palace doors, she hadn’t made things difficult for them.
If it were another concubine, they would likely have been punished.
“Alright, you may go.”
“Yes,” Yiyun responded and retreated.
After she had withdrawn to the main palace doors, Mu Qingyao, holding the pure white Mao Xueqiu, walked towards the sleeping quarters. Mo Chou, following behind, softly asked, “Your Highness, can that Yiyun be trusted?”
“Could she be someone from the Empress Dowager’s faction?” Mei Xin wondered. Mei Xin was no longer the same as before; she had matured significantly and considered things more comprehensively. She had sensed that the Empress Dowager seemed to always target her mistress, just like tonight. Therefore, they had to be cautious.
“I don’t think so. Her eyes are clear, and she is exceptionally cautious. If she were the Empress Dowager’s person, she would have more confidence and wouldn’t be so careful,” Mu Qingyao said coolly. The mistress and her two servants entered the sleeping quarters. Palace maids guarded the door.
The night-shining pearls cast a bright glow, making the sleeping quarters as bright as day. Mu Qingyao yawned again. She was truly tired and wanted to rest early. They could discuss anything tomorrow; the night was already deep.
“Mao Xueqiu, lie down obediently on the bed. Sister is going to bathe, and then we’ll sleep together.”
Mao Xueqiu, naturally intelligent, leaped from Mu Qingyao’s arms and landed on the large bed. It closed its eyes in comfort, a look of contentment on its face, making the three women in the sleeping quarters laugh.
“This fellow really knows how to enjoy itself, doesn’t it?”
Just as Mu Qingyao finished speaking, she heard a palace maid’s voice from outside the sleeping quarters: “Your Highness, there’s a letter for you.”
A letter? Someone delivering a letter so late at night. Mu Qingyao had a premonition that it wouldn’t be good news.
However, she was not one to shy away from trouble. Since it had been delivered, why wouldn’t she read it? She waved her hand and instructed Mei Xin, “Bring the letter here. Let’s see who sent it.”
Mu Qingyao’s eyebrows furrowed, and her expression turned cold.
Mei Xin immediately went out and quickly retrieved the letter. It was just a small note. Since eunuchs and palace maids were not allowed to be literate in the palace, there was no need to worry about the contents being leaked.
The note read: “Do you want to know why Emperor Xian made you Empress? Come to Biyun Pavilion immediately. Changsun Zhu.”
This note was from Changsun Zhu.
Hadn’t he returned to his temporary palace? Why send a letter again? And what did his note mean? Emperor Xian making her Empress, wasn’t it to deal with the Empress Dowager? Was there another motive?
A thousand thoughts raced through Mu Qingyao’s mind. In any case, Changsun Zhu certainly had no good intentions. She could ignore this matter, but she had always been curious. To simply ignore it didn’t seem like her style.
She suspected Changsun Zhu had counted on this very fact, which was why he sent someone with a letter in the middle of the night.
“Your Highness, who sent it?” Mo Chou asked softly from the side. Mu Qingyao handed the note to Mo Chou, knowing she was literate.
Indeed, after a glance, Mo Chou’s expression turned grim as she said,
“Your Highness, this is clearly a trap. We should ignore it. Changsun Zhu is a man, and he is summoning Your Highness to Biyun Pavilion in the middle of the night. If he deliberately does this and then reports it to the Emperor, wouldn’t we be at a disadvantage?”
Mu Qingyao looked at Mo Chou. Mo Chou was indeed more intelligent than others and saw things more clearly. However, Changsun Zhu would absolutely not dare to provoke her deliberately; angering her would not benefit him. Therefore, he must truly have something to tell her. But if someone were hiding in the shadows, it would be easy to manipulate such a situation.
However, she couldn’t bring herself to ignore it. Mu Qingyao’s expression turned serious. She beckoned Mo Chou closer and whispered a few words. Mo Chou was somewhat disapproving and wanted to stop her, but upon seeing Mu Qingyao’s determined eyes, she knew nothing she said would be of use. She could only accept the order and nod, “Alright, your slave will go and do it now.”
“Mm,” Mu Qingyao waved her hand. After Mo Chou left, she wasn’t in a hurry to do anything. She suddenly didn’t feel tired anymore and leisurely walked to the large bed in the center of the sleeping quarters to tease Mao Xueqiu. Unfortunately, she wasn’t tired, but Mao Xueqiu was. It stubbornly ignored her, curling up and not moving. Mu Qingyao, helpless, picked up the little fox.
“Mao Xueqiu, if you dare to sleep again, I’ll pull out all your fur and make you an ugly monster.”
Mei Xin found it amusing. Although the furry little fox was beautiful and the hairless one ugly, did a little fox know about beauty? What use was threatening it?
But strangely, Mao Xueqiu’s eyes widened, staring at its mistress in fear. Its black pupils clearly conveyed its thought: “What a terrifying woman!” It opened its mouth and yawned, looking at Mu Qingyao helplessly.
Mu Qingyao smiled with satisfaction and patted Mao Xueqiu’s head, “Good boy. Come, keep me company.”
Mei Xin rolled her eyes. This little fox couldn’t talk, so how could it keep her company? If she wanted to chat, couldn’t she find her? Her mistress was so biased. Why chat with a beast and not her?
Just as Mei Xin was feeling sorry for herself and jealous, Mu Qingyao’s ears seemed to grow eyes, and a cool voice sounded,
“Mei Xin, are you itching for a beating?”
Mei Xin immediately restrained her thoughts. How was her mistress so perceptive, knowing even what she was thinking? She quickly changed the subject, “Your Highness, your slave will brew you a cup of tea. You can chat with Mao Xueqiu slowly?”
Mei Xin slipped away. Mu Qingyao glared at her retreating back. This girl was becoming more cunning. But soon, she smiled again. Living in the palace, it was better to be a bit cunning. She turned her head and looked at Mao Xueqiu on the bed, “Isn’t that right, Mao Xueqiu? It’s better to be a bit cunning.”