Mu Qingyao scanned the several boxes of items, her favorite being the little fox in her hand. Mao Xueqiu, was it? So cute. She quickly looked up at her aunt, "Thank you for the gift, Auntie."
"Oh, right, Yao'er, in five days you'll be entering the palace. If anyone bullies you in the palace, send someone to bring a letter to Huaicheng, and Auntie will definitely not let that person in the palace off,"
Su Ge gestured vehemently. A warmth rose in Mu Qingyao's heart. Her aunt was like her mother. To meet someone like her in ancient times, it seemed Heaven had treated her kindly.
However, her aunt's temperament was indeed like a child's. A faint smile touched Mu Qingyao's lips.
"Okay, if Qingyao has any trouble, I will definitely send someone to find you, Auntie."
Su Ge nodded with satisfaction, patted Mao Xueqiu's head, and threatened it with bared teeth and dancing claws, "Mao Xueqiu, take good care of Yao'er from now on. If you upset her, I'll skin you alive."
Mao Xueqiu whimpered, seemingly terrified. It flattened its two paws, burying its head in Qingyao's embrace.
In the Qing Courtyard, many young maids gathered. Seeing the adorable Mao Xueqiu, they were all delighted and wanted to tease it. However, the creature stubbornly huddled in Mu Qingyao's embrace and refused to come out, squeaking as if protesting everyone surrounding it.
Su Ge looked at the creature and, without politeness, slapped its backside, "Mao Xueqiu, come out and greet the sisters."
Under Su Ge's imposing presence, Mao Xueqiu reluctantly revealed half of its face and squeaked a greeting before immediately burying its face back in Mu Qingyao's embrace. Su Ge laughed heartily and looked at Mo Chou and the others.
"No help for it, Mao Xueqiu is a female and she's shy."
The young maids burst into laughter. Mao Xueqiu seemed even more embarrassed, wiggling its hindquarters, making it exceptionally cute. Mu Qingyao waved her hand, signaling everyone to get back to work.
"You may go about your duties."
"Yes, Miss." The young maids dispersed, and a busy day began.
Although the entire Prime Minister's mansion was adorned with colored silks and lanterns, the Qing Courtyard had not yet been decorated.
Today was the tenth day of the seventh month. The Master had issued an order that even the Qing Courtyard must be prepared. This grand wedding must not have the slightest room for error.
The main hall of the Liuli Palace.
On the resplendent golden dragon couch sat a man clad in imperial yellow dragon robes, the young Emperor of the present day, Murong Liuzun, who was about to be married.
His face, with its well-defined features, showed no sign of the joy of an impending wedding. Instead, it exuded a trace of cold sternness. His pair of black eyes, like dazzling purple crystals, gazed charmingly at the people below.
Beside him stood Murong Liuzhao, the King of Nan'an, in a blue silk robe. His dark hair cascaded down, revealing a resolute and stern face. Below his smooth, full forehead were eyes like a frozen pool, shimmering with honesty and purity.
Though this man was cold, he was fiercely loyal.
Beside him stood Hua Lige, the captain of the palace guards, and Ah Jiu, the chief eunuch.
In addition, there were two other ministers, the Minister of War and the Minister of Rites.
The Emperor's wedding was a matter of great importance, and the Ministries of War and Rites were proceeding with utmost caution. They had come today to report all matters to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, your humble subjects pay their respects."
A resonant voice echoed through the hall. Murong Liuzun's narrow eyebrows rose coldly, and his indifferent voice sounded, carrying a deep, suppressed tone.
"You may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The Minister of War and the Minister of Rites thanked the Emperor cautiously and then stood to the side with the King of Nan'an, secretly trying to guess the Emperor's mood. Was the Emperor in a good or bad mood today?
"King of Nan'an, in three days, envoys will arrive successively in the Xuanyue Kingdom. Who do you think would be most suitable to host the envoys of the six kingdoms?"
The Emperor's voice gradually sounded.
The Minister of War and the Minister of Rites trembled in their hearts, not daring to make a sound, fearing that the King of Nan'an would mention them.
Hosting the envoys of the six kingdoms was no trivial matter; a mistake could cost them their heads.
Such state affairs should be handled by the Left and Right Prime Ministers. Why was the Emperor asking the King of Nan'an?
The two of them could not understand it for the life of them.
The King of Nan'an, Murong Liuzhao, also did not understand why the Emperor was asking for his opinion. By rights, matters like these should be handled by the Prime Ministers.
The Left and Right Prime Ministers of the Xuanyue Kingdom were both astute and wise, and hosting the envoys of the six kingdoms would naturally be no problem. However, since the Emperor had asked him, there must be a reason.
He had pondered for two days and finally figured it out. With a solemn expression, he finally spoke.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your humble brother believes that the King of Beijin should be sent for this matter of hosting the envoys of the six kingdoms."
As Murong Liuzhao finished speaking, a fleeting glint of sharp light flashed in the Emperor's deep, dark eyes on his high throne. His expression then turned calm as he swept his gaze over the Minister of War and the Minister of Rites, "My two esteemed ministers, what do you think of this matter?"
The Minister of War and the Minister of Rites trembled in their hearts, a sheen of sweat appearing on their faces. What they feared had come to pass.
What did the Emperor mean by asking them this? They stole glances at the Emperor. The Emperor's handsome and beautiful features were covered by a gentle radiance, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.
For a moment, the two of them did not know how to answer and could only kneel down first.
Finally, the Minister of War, steeling himself, spoke slowly.
"I believe it is not appropriate. It is known to the world that the King of Beijin is frail and sickly, and lacks the strength to even truss a chicken. On this occasion of Your Majesty's wedding, envoys from the six kingdoms have come to the Xuanyue Kingdom, ostensibly to congratulate Your Majesty on your wedding, but also to probe our weaknesses. How can we allow them to look down upon our Xuanyue Kingdom?"
As the Minister of War finished speaking, the King of Nan'an, Murong Liuzhao, glared at him with icy eyes. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, the world says the King of Beijin is frail and sickly, and a humble gentleman.
"However, no one has ever truly seen this, and in private, some might think that our Emperor does not favor the King of Beijin.
"If the King of Beijin hosts the envoys of the six kingdoms for this wedding, the world will know that our Emperor is still a benevolent and wise ruler. As for the King of Beijin's lack of strength, the Ministry of War and the Imperial Household can assign people to assist the King of Beijin."
As Murong Liuzhao finished speaking, the Minister of War shivered, muttering to himself that if anyone told him again that the King of Nan'an was upright and selfless, he would fight that person to the death. This person was clearly insidious.
The Emperor on the high throne said nothing. His handsome vermilion lips narrowed, and a terrifying gleam was hidden within. His fair, slender fingers lightly stroked the dragon-head armrest of the dragon couch, and he spoke as if casually, "Minister of Rites, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
The Minister of Rites glanced left and right.
On one side was the King of Nan'an, and on the other was the Minister of War. It was difficult for him to offend either of them. However, if they were to be compared, the power of the Minister of War was definitely not as great as that of a prince. He gritted his teeth, no longer caring, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Your humble subject believes the King of Nan'an's words are reasonable. Having the King of Beijin come forward to host the envoys of the six kingdoms this time is the most appropriate."