"Miss, nothing has happened," Mo Chou said respectfully. Mu Qingyao nodded with satisfaction. "You may all leave now."
"Yes, Miss," the three maids retreated, leaving only Mu Qingyao and her father in the reception hall.
Mu Hen took out a piece of Hetian jade from his懷, inscribed with three characters, 'Qing Yao Pei'. Along with the bank and secret code, he handed it to Mu Qingyao.
"Yao'er, this is the token. Keep it safe and don't lose it. You can withdraw money with this jade pendant, account number, and secret code in the future."
"Thank you, Father, for your trouble."
Mu Qingyao smiled, feeling grateful to her Prime Minister father. A dignified Prime Minister, when had he ever done such a thing?
Fortunately, the Yuantong Money House would never leak this matter, because being able to open such a prestigious imperial merchant shop was not just for show; they were not to be trifled with. If they dared to leak this, they would likely face a dead end.
"It's nothing. Keeping these things at the mansion would be less safe. Father is also thinking of the Mu residence."
"Hmm? Have the ten thousand taels of banknotes been withdrawn?" Mu Qingyao recalled the matter she had entrusted to her father.
Upon hearing her words, Mu Hen nodded. "They have been withdrawn. Father will arrange for Uncle Zhong to handle this. Don't worry. It's rare for you to have such compassion; it is truly the fortune of our Xian Yue Kingdom."
The Prime Minister sighed. Now he was not just looking at his own daughter, but at the future Empress of the Xian Yue Kingdom. With an Empress who had such a compassionate heart for the people, how could Xian Yue not be strong?
In the reception hall, after the Prime Minister departed, Mu Qingyao memorized the bank and password, then burned the ticket stubs. Some matters were most secure when kept in one's heart.
Under the candlelight, the Hetian jade emitted a moist luster. In the center were carved the three characters 'Qing Yao Pei'. Mu Qingyao found it quite pleasing and idly toyed with it.
Suddenly, she noticed that as the light passed through the inscription 'Qing Yao Pei', it generated three colors of light. It seemed there was more to this than met the eye. This confirmed that the imperial merchant shop was not a sham; they truly possessed some skill.
"Mo Chou."
In the dark night, Mu Qingyao's clear voice sounded. Mo Chou and Mei Xin entered from outside the door, respectfully saying, "Miss."
"Mm," Mu Qingyao nodded and handed the jade pendant to Mei Xin. "Please make a colorful tassel for me to hang on my waist."
"Yes, Miss," Mei Xin nodded and took it. Mo Chou stood respectfully waiting. Since the Miss had called her, she must have something to ask. After Mei Xin left, Mu Qingyao slowly spoke, "Mo Chou, did nothing unexpected happen tonight?"
"Miss, please rest assured. When we left the manor, your maid paid attention. We left with the cart that collects the waste water, so no one would notice."
"Mm, that's good," Mu Qingyao nodded, a sharp gleam flashing in her eyes as she pondered.
This matter might not have escaped the eyes of that person hiding in the shadows. The Emperor was not so easily fooled.
But what did it matter? Even if he found out, would he be able to settle the score with her? Mu Qingyao's lips curled into a cold smile.
"Miss, it's getting late. You should rest."
Mo Chou, smelling the fragrance of flowers and plants in the reception hall, her sharp eyes caught sight of the teacup on the table. Did a guest visit tonight?
"Miss, has someone been here?"
Mu Qingyao's eyes swept over the teacup beside the seat below, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "It seems nothing escapes Mo Chou's eyes? It was the son of the Right Prime Minister, Lord Chu. He paid a visit tonight, but he gained nothing and left."
"Miss?" Mo Chou looked at her young lady, her sharp wit illuminating her delicate form, making her look even more captivating. How could she possibly be fooled by others? It was more likely that others would suffer losses. "Miss, you should go and rest."
"Alright," Mu Qingyao was in a great mood and walked out of the reception hall with Mo Chou.
The Imperial Palace.
In the magnificent golden palace,
A large red carpet was laid out. Large luminous pearls were embedded in the four bronze pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes, making the entire hall as bright as day, exuding an aura of royal luxury.
On the gleaming dragon couch, a man with a face as beautiful as jade reclined, his eyes slightly closed.
In a corner of the hall, the eunuch Ah Jiu waited quietly, not daring to disturb the Emperor.
The Emperor was truly tired. Besides Princess Xing Zhu, he had no other family.
In this bloodthirsty deep palace, who knew what could happen? Fortunately, the Emperor was powerful enough to prevent those wicked people from succeeding.
Sooner or later, the Emperor would clear all obstacles around him. Ah Jiu believed that the Emperor would surely accomplish it.
As Ah Jiu was lost in thought, he suddenly heard faint voices from outside the palace gate. He couldn't help but frown. Who was coming to disturb the Emperor's rest? What if the Emperor was woken up? He swiftly flashed out.
He saw a noble consort in luxurious attire standing in the open space by the hall door, holding a meal box, her face soft as she looked at the young eunuch blocking her way.
"This consort wishes to see the Emperor."
"Noble Consort, please do not make things difficult for this lowly one. The Emperor is resting and will not see anyone."
The young eunuch looked at the gentle and moving noble consort before him and felt quite sympathetic. However, the Emperor had said not to disturb him, so he did not dare to let anyone in casually.
The noble consort was about to beg the young eunuch when she looked up and saw Eunuch Ah Jiu standing on the high platform. She immediately revealed a charming smile.
"Eunuch Ah Jiu, this consort has personally made some pastries to bring to the Emperor. This consort knows the Emperor is very busy, so she did not intend to disturb him."
Ah Jiu pursed his lips and let out a smile, slowly descending the stone steps.
"Noble Consort, you are very thoughtful. However, the Emperor is truly asleep, so Noble Consort should return. Please do not wake him. It is truly not easy for the Emperor to have a good night's sleep. Please fulfill this wish."
The noble consort was stunned, gazing blankly at Ah Jiu. Tears slowly welled up in her eyes, but she could not say anything more.
She had not seen the Emperor in a long time. The Emperor did not visit her palace, and when she came, he would not see her. Was she truly destined to grow old in this imperial palace without ever receiving imperial favor?
"Then this consort will take her leave. Please, Eunuch Ah Jiu, inform the Emperor that this consort has come."
"Yes, this one will certainly report it," Ah Jiu respectfully saw the noble consort off.
In the dark night, that graceful and slender figure seemed unable to bear the devouring darkness. Her steps were unsteady, like a tragic flower, battered by storms, with no more vitality.
"Noble Consort is so pitiful," a small eunuch beside Ah Jiu muttered sympathetically.
Ah Jiu deeply agreed, but some things, even if known, could not be said. He turned and glared fiercely at the small eunuch, turning his back on him and coldly warning him.
"Remember, you can eat more, but speak less. If others hear it, don't say I didn't warn you."
"Yes, yes, this one understands," the small eunuch dared not say anything more.