Mu Qingyao lifted the large red ceremonial robe and looked out through the brocade curtain.
Outside the imperial carriage, Mo Chou and Mei Xin followed at her sides, with a wet nurse and eunuchs behind them.
Further back, a perfectly ordered cavalry escort protected them. Seeing this formation, those unaware would think the Emperor valued this grand wedding, but only she understood the truth.
He was afraid someone would harm her, and he didn't want to lose her, his pawn.
Mu Qingyao slowly lowered the ceremonial robe, a dazzling smile gracing her lips, radiant and breathtaking.
Murong Liuzun, I hope you will not regret placing me in your game. Did you ever consider that a chess piece, too, thirsts for blood and may betray its master?
Outer palace gate, inner palace gate.
Outside the inner palace gate, the phoenix carriage stopped. The eight thousand cavalry could advance no further. Eight beautifully adorned palace maids knelt respectfully and cautiously outside the carriage: "Please, Your Ladyship, alight from the phoenix carriage and board the dragon carriage."
So this was the transfer point. According to the ancestral traditions of the Xian Yue Kingdom, only the Empress had the right to ride the phoenix carriage and then the dragon carriage, entering from the foremost palace gate of Xian Yue, the Qian Qing Gate. Other consorts entered through the Xuan Wu Gate in the northwest.
Mu Qingyao alighted from the phoenix carriage. Mo Chou and Mei Xin stepped forward to support her as she walked into the inner palace gate.
At the palace entrance, a luxurious dragon carriage was parked. Compared to the phoenix carriage, the dragon carriage was even more magnificent and grand. The imperial yellow silk embroidered with dragons symbolized the Emperor's supreme status. The carriage roof was carved with a coiled dragon spitting a pearl. In the sunlight, the golden dragon shimmered brilliantly, radiating boundless light.
The luminous pearl in the dragon's mouth emitted a lifelike glow, making the golden dragon appear majestic and fierce.
At the front of the carriage, beaded curtains hung, each bead crystalline and reflecting a cold, ethereal light.
The Emperor's personal eunuch, Eunuch Ah Jiu, respectfully said, "Please, Your Ladyship the Empress, board the dragon carriage."
As Mu Qingyao prepared to board, a pair of fair, slender hands stretched out from the green beaded curtains.
The hands were exquisite, like those of a born artist. Even the fingernails were trimmed to a perfect roundness and delicacy, without a single flaw.
Mu Qingyao froze for a moment. She had thought that someone as noble as Murong Liuzun would disdain such an action. Yet, to her surprise, he was actually inside this dragon carriage.
However, her daze lasted only an instant. Subsequently, with a calm expression, she placed her hand into his large one and slowly boarded the dragon carriage.
Though beautiful, the hands lacked warmth, possessing a cool detachment. As soon as she was seated, she withdrew her hand, settling demurely in a corner of the carriage, clutching the apple in her hand, a symbol of wealth.
Though Mu Qingyao's head was covered by the large red ceremonial robe, a cold, probing gaze from above her head never left her. She knew the Emperor beside her was watching her.
Stillness to counter motion.
The confined space carried a faint scent of dragon's breath, mingled with a unique masculine aroma, close to her nostrils, like a feather's gentle brush. Mu Qingyao tried to shift closer to the side, hoping to avoid the subtle scent.
Unexpectedly, the man leaned in, drawing even nearer. Then, his deep, magnetic voice sounded.
"My Empress, you seem remarkably quiet today. Completely different from when we last met."
Murong Liuzun's handsome face held a flicker of profound light in his dark eyes. That day in the study, the woman beside him had displayed an exceptionally intelligent demeanor, deeply captivating his attention and making her his pawn.
If it were merely his master's words, he would not have made her Empress. What truly led him to crown her was her own nature.
She was like a star in the sky, dazzling and fiery, destined to unleash astonishing power one day. Therefore, he wanted to capture her before anyone else discovered her potential, to use her for his own purposes. xxs壹贰
Mu Qingyao's body stiffened slightly, and cold sweat beaded on her palms.
Although she prided herself on being exceptionally calm and unaffected by emotions, his proximity, with his breath caressing her cheek with a fresh aroma, caused her some confusion.
What did Murong Liuzun want?
Hadn't she entered the palace as he wished? A cold, watery smile touched her lips as she spoke.
"If possible, I would rather remain this quiet forever."
Although Mu Qingyao's voice was calm, her heart seethed with hatred. She wished she could simply beat the man beside her to death. Why had he forced her into the palace?
But she lacked the courage. He was the Emperor, the ninety-fifth sovereign. If he were to suffer even the slightest harm, she would at least be torn apart by five horses, then flayed piece by piece. Thinking of such a horrific fate, she decided to endure for now.
And she was certainly not someone to be easily bullied. Just you wait.
Anger flared in Mu Qingyao's eyes.
However, the ceremonial robe covered her head, preventing the Emperor from clearly seeing the expression on her face. A pair of thoughtful phoenix eyes fell upon the hand holding the apple. The strength of her grip left marks on the fruit.
Was she imagining him with that apple? The Emperor, usually aloof and beyond compare, suddenly felt a hint of amusement. He moved closer to Mu Qingyao, his voice low and resonant.
"Does the Empress now have the thought of strangling me in her heart?"
Startled, she thought, this man was too terrifying. How did he know her thoughts? Yes, she did want to strangle him, but a wise person doesn't fight a battle they can't win. She didn't want to confront him immediately upon entering the palace; that would be foolish.
She still needed him to get by for now. Mu Qingyao's thoughts finally calmed her emotions.
"Qingyao is terrified. How could Your Majesty have such a thought? This is a capital offense of treason. Even with the courage of ten thousand, Qingyao would not dare to harbor any thoughts of harming Your Majesty."
Fortunately, something blocked her head, otherwise, her gaze might have betrayed her true thoughts. However, the Emperor was not easily fooled, and there was still some distance to the Qian Qing Gate. She needed to find something to do.
This cat-and-mouse game seemed quite enjoyable.
"Is that so?"
His breath, carrying a fresh scent, stirred her veil, causing it to sway gently. His voice, filled with doubt, clearly contained suppressed laughter. Mu Qingyao's expression turned cold; she realized this man was toying with her, never expecting the wise and shrewd Emperor of Xian to have such a mischievous side.
"Your Majesty, is it amusing to toy with me?"
Qingyao questioned coldly.
A faint chill immediately permeated the dragon carriage.
Seeing his small trick exposed, Emperor Xian shifted his body, discarding his unrestrained demeanor and regaining his usual aloof, distant, and cold bearing.
"I am merely warning you not to play any tricks on me. If you do, it won't be just you who suffers, but your Mu family as well."
The Emperor's captivating words, filled with a potent warning, whispered into Mu Qingyao's ears.
Mu Qingyao's heart constricted, a chill spreading across her cheeks. She abruptly pulled away the veil from her head and looked directly at the man beside her.
Looking at Murong Liuzun at such close range, Mu Qingyao had to admit that Emperor Xian was indeed a rare beauty in the world. His face was like carved jade, smooth and refined, as if made from the finest quality jade.