And she was so hungry. She had woken up early this morning and it was now around the hour of the horse, and she hadn't even had a drop to drink.
This marriage was truly killing her.
"Your Majesties, we bid you farewell."
The Emperor and Empress descended the white jade platform, re-boarded the dragon carriage, passed through the Qianqing Gate, and headed directly towards the rear palace...
Phoenix Luan Palace, the head of the rear palace, the Empress's residence, was resplendent, with glazed tiles inlaid, shimmering with light.
Before the palace gates, countless palace maids and eunuchs stood. Upon seeing the dragon carriage arrive, they all carefully knelt down. Silence reigned all around, only the clear, melodious voice of Eunuch Ah Jiu could be heard: "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, please alight from the dragon carriage."
Murong Liuzun alighted from the dragon carriage and, as usual, took Mu Qingyao's hand.
Mu Qingyao stared at his hand, rolling her eyes and cursing Murong Liuzun with all her might.
This man was clearly a fake immortal, a true actor. He was handsome, and with his demeanor, anyone would believe him, wouldn't they?
Tomorrow, this palace would likely be abuzz with rumors of the Emperor's favor towards the Empress.
"Your slave (your humble servant) pays respects to Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress."
The eunuchs and palace maids spoke in unison. Kneeling at the very front were the female officials of Phoenix Luan Palace and the chief eunuch.
"Rise," Murong Liuzun's deep, dark voice resounded. The eunuchs and palace maids became even more cautious and hesitant, slowly responding, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress."
The group stood up and retreated to the sides. Four senior palace maids stepped forward, bowed, and extended their hands to support Mu Qingyao's arm, ascending the stone steps before the Phoenix Luan Palace gates to escort the Empress back to her sleeping chambers.
It was still early. The Emperor would be going to the Zhongde Hall to entertain the assembled ministers. He would only come to Phoenix Luan Palace at the hour of Mao.
"Your slaves (your humble servants) bid you farewell, Your Majesty."
Inside the sleeping chambers of Phoenix Luan Palace, festive red silks were hung everywhere. Red candles symbolizing eternal love burned brightly. The vermilion carved wooden bed was adorned with brocade quilts woven with a hundred boys and paired mandarin duck pillows.
The round table in the center was laden with exquisite delicacies and pastries. In ancient bronze wine vessels, wine was poured, arranged neatly. This was for the hour of Mao, when the Emperor and Empress would drink the cross-cupped wine.
However, as soon as Mu Qingyao was helped into the palace and sat on the carved wooden bed, she threw the apple aside within two minutes and reached up to tear off the phoenix coronet from her head.
The four palace maids were greatly alarmed and knelt down in panic: "Your Highness the Empress, this cannot be done! This red veil must wait for His Majesty to lift it with the golden rod."
Mu Qingyao's expression darkened, and a cold, frosty aura enveloped her.
She had been manipulated and tormented all day. She had had enough and wouldn't bother with that man. Let him do whatever he pleased. She couldn't stand wearing this golden coronet anymore. Although it was luxurious and priceless, it was a torment.
"Mo Chou, come here and take off the phoenix coronet from my head."
Mu Qingyao ignored the kneeling palace maids on the floor and sternly ordered Mo Chou, who was beside her. Mo Chou, seeing her mistress's angry expression, knew she was on the verge of losing her temper and dared not say a word. She immediately accepted the command: "Yes, Young Lady."
When the four palace maids saw the Empress not only discard the apple and remove the veil but also intend to take off the phoenix coronet, their faces turned so pale they almost fainted. They cried out repeatedly.
"Your Highness the Empress, absolutely not, absolutely not! This is inauspicious!"
"Inauspicious? I'd like to see how inauspicious it can be," Mu Qingyao glared at the four women in the sky.
They were dressed in ornate palace attire, and although older, they were all graceful and gentle. Their status was a level higher than ordinary palace maids.
Mo Chou had already helped Mu Qingyao remove the phoenix coronet from her head. Mu Qingyao felt an immediate sense of relief in her head, and her whole being felt comfortable, even her breathing was more even.
She had almost fainted from exhaustion earlier. She turned her head to look at the phoenix coronet beside her.
Honestly, while the phoenix coronet was beautiful, it was unbearable. The large and small beads together must have weighed twenty pounds, all piled on her head. Could anyone endure that?
"You may all rise and withdraw,"
Mu Qingyao waved her hand, instructing the four palace maids on the floor to rise and leave.
Now she was hungry and wanted to eat. But she was afraid of scaring these maids. These palace maids had spent a long time in the palace and regarded etiquette as more important than anything else.
And there was nothing about her that followed the rules. Their only feeling was fear.
"Yes, Your Highness the Empress," The four palace maids, hearing the Empress's cold voice, dared not say any more. They slowly rose and retreated.
The leading one was the female official of Phoenix Luan Palace. She raised her eyes to look at Mu Qingyao. In that glance, Mu Qingyao saw disdain in her eyes, and perhaps a hint of surprise. Then she quickly lowered her head.
Mu Qingyao's expression turned cold. She would not tolerate anyone disloyal remaining in Phoenix Luan Palace, keeping danger by her side.
"Wait a moment."
"Your Highness the Empress?" The four stopped simultaneously, bowing respectfully and waiting. Mu Qingyao pointed directly at the leading palace maid and asked casually, "What is your name?"
"Replying to Your Highness the Empress, your slave is Hua Mei, a female official of Phoenix Luan Palace."
"Good, you may withdraw," Mu Qingyao said after asking, waving her hand for the four of them to retreat. The vast sleeping chambers were now only attended by a few humble junior palace maids standing by the door.
Mo Chou, noticing her mistress's unusual expression, stepped forward and respectfully asked, "Mistress, what happened?"
A murderous glint flashed in Mu Qingyao's dark pupils. She gazed steadily at the burning red candles, a sinister smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
"I fear it's time for a blood transfusion in Phoenix Luan Palace."
Actually, it was obvious. The position of Empress originally belonged to the Chu family. Now that she occupied it, the Empress Dowager, being a member of the Chu family, would never be willing.
And she had been in the palace for many years. It wasn't an exaggeration to say she had a hand in everything in the palace. How could a small Phoenix Luan Palace not have her people?
Perhaps, inside and outside this palace, they were all her confidantes. Therefore, they had to be careful in everything.
"Mistress?"
Mo Chou frowned, her eyes chilling slightly. She scanned her surroundings. Mei Xin, overhearing their conversation, felt a tremor of fear. What was all this? The mistress had just married in, and already the deep palace felt unsettling and chaotic.
"I'm hungry," Mu Qingyao's tone shifted. The coldness receded, replaced by a gentle warmth, as if what had just happened was merely a small interlude.
Mo Chou knew her mistress had only taken the matter to heart. Such things couldn't be resolved overnight; they had to be dealt with slowly.
"Since you're hungry, let's eat something," Mo Chou said matter-of-factly. She didn't think this was anything earth-shattering. If one was hungry, of course, one should eat.
But Mei Xin, beside them, opened her eyes wide and stopped Mu Qingyao's movement: "Mistress, no, you must wait for His Majesty to arrive before eating."
"By the time he returns, I'll be starved to death! Besides, do you think he'll even come? Really, Mei Xin, are you trying to starve your mistress to death?"