This Miss Mu has such sharp eyes, as if she can see through all the complexities. If that's the case, her disposition is indeed worthy of the Emperor.
"You are too kind," Miss Mu Qingyao stood up and turned to help Prime Minister Mu. The entire household rose and stood to the side. Mu Hen cupped his fists and politely invited Ah Jiu to the flower hall for tea: "Eunuch Ah Jiu, please proceed to the flower hall for tea."
"Lord Mu, there's no need for such courtesy. Congratulations to Lord Mu. I shall return to the palace to report."
Mu Hen called out to the butler behind him: "Uncle Zhong, see Eunuch Ah Jiu out."
"Yes, Master," Uncle Zhong led several servants and respectfully saw Ah Jiu and his entourage out.
In the main hall, as soon as Eunuch Ah Jiu left and the servants had not yet retreated, Mu Qingzhu's indignant voice rang out.
"Father, why did the Emperor say we should enter the palace, but only mentioned Qingyao and didn't issue an imperial decree for us?"
Mu Qingxiang also responded unwillingly: "Yes, on that day, it was clearly said that we would all enter the palace together. Now only one person is going."
Upon hearing his two daughters, Prime Minister Mu's expression darkened. He did not expect these two ignorant girls to still be thinking of entering the palace. He glared at them fiercely: "When did the Emperor ever mention letting you enter the palace? It was the Empress Dowager who said it."
The First Madam's expression turned unsightly at her husband's words. She looked at Prime Minister Mu displeasurably: "Master, you are showing favoritism. Why can Yao'er enter the palace, but Zhu'er cannot?"
"Yes, Father," Mu Qingzhu's tears still lingered at the corner of her eyes. Her clear, large black and white eyes looked at her father with confusion.
Compared to the actions of the First Madam and the eldest daughter, the Second Madam and the second daughter were much more discreet. The two only looked at Prime Minister Mu without saying much.
Mu Hen sighed, waved his hand helplessly, and signaled the servants to leave. He wanted to explain the intricacies of the situation to his two daughters.
"You all may leave now."
"Yes, Master," the servants took their leave, but as they reached the doorway, before they had dispersed, Uncle Zhong hurried in and spoke uneasily: "Master, someone from the palace has arrived again?"
"What?" Mu Hen exclaimed uneasily in the hall of the Mu mansion.
In contrast, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang wore smiles. They exchanged glances, and Mu Qingzhu hurriedly instructed the butler, Uncle Zhong: "Quickly invite them in. It must be the decree for us to enter the palace. Hurry."
"Yes, Eldest Miss."
Mu Hen stood dumbfounded in the center of the hall, his face grim. The First Madam beside him nudged him, reminding him: "Master, what are you doing? Someone from the palace is here, see who it is!"
"Alright," Mu Hen responded listlessly.
Butler Uncle Zhong led two eunuchs into the hall. The eunuch scanned the people in the Mu mansion with arrogance, and his shrill voice rang out: "By decree of the Empress Dowager, Prime Minister Mu, receive the decree."
It turned out to be an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager. Mu Hen dared not be careless. That Empress Dowager was no pushover. Although she was not the Emperor's birth mother, she was his adoptive mother. Even the Emperor found it difficult to openly defy her, let alone a Prime Minister. At this, he led the entire household to kneel.
"Your subject, Mu Hen, receives the decree."
Mu Qingyao knelt calmly beside Prime Minister Mu. This matter originally did not concern her, but not wanting to escalate the situation, she suppressed her temper and listened with a cold face as the eunuch at the head read the imperial decree.
"By decree of the Empress Dowager, Prime Minister Mu's daughters, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang, possess virtuous and elegant character, serving as models for a hundred maidens. On the auspicious date of the fifteenth of the seventh month, they are to enter the palace for selection."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager," Mu Hen's face darkened, and he almost fainted.
He never expected the Empress Dowager to actually issue an imperial decree. What was to be done? It was asking the Mu family's three daughters to serve the same man.
Although the Emperor was the Son of Heaven, the true dragon, how would the common people, who were unaware of the intricacies, perceive this if three daughters entered the palace?
This move by the Empress Dowager was indeed a superior stratagem. Fortunately, these two daughters were only awaiting selection, so there was still room for maneuver.
After the eunuch finished reading the decree, he handed it to Mu Hen with a smile that didn't reach his eyes: "This humble servant congratulates Prime Minister Mu. All three daughters have become persons of high standing."
"Thank you, Eunuch."
Mu Hen's voice was filled with an endless weariness. It seemed their Mu family could not escape this calamity.
He hoped Yao'er could resolve it, as Mu Hen's gaze shifted to Mu Qingyao beside him.
He saw her looking calm, her eyes deep, completely unaffected. This composed wisdom reminded Mu Hen that he, a Prime Minister, was inferior to a mere young woman.
Since things had already happened, they could only deal with whatever came their way. Worrying and rushing would be of no avail.
Mu Hen came to a realization, stood up with the entire household, turned, and instructed Uncle Zhong: "Take the eunuchs to receive their tea money and see them out of the mansion."
"Yes, Master."
The eunuch's expression improved slightly upon hearing Mu Hen's words, and he said with a smile: "Prime Minister Mu is too polite."
"Thank you, Eunuch."
Uncle Zhong led the eunuchs out, and a wave of jubilation filled the main hall. Madam Mu's happy voice echoed throughout the hall: "Zhu'er, you can finally enter the palace. This is wonderful."
"Yes, Mother, I can finally enter the palace. This is truly wonderful. Daughter is so happy. Do you know, Mother? The Emperor is so handsome."
Mu Qingzhu's excited voice rang out, shedding her previous dejection.
They all seemed to have forgotten that this was an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager. If the Emperor truly wanted them to enter the palace, why didn't he issue an imperial edict?
Moreover, it was only for selection. But Madam Mu and Mu Qingzhu chose to ignore these facts. As long as they could enter the palace, it didn't matter who issued the decree. Once in the palace, they were determined to be taken into the Emperor's harem and become persons of high standing.
Although Mu Qingxiang was happy, her reason told her that something about this was somewhat odd. If the Emperor did not wish for them to enter the palace, why was the Empress Dowager insistent on them doing so?
Even though she couldn't fathom the intricacies, the thought of the Emperor's dragon-like appearance and his commanding, overbearing demeanor made the second Miss no longer dwell on these matters.
"Qingxiang, this is truly wonderful. I never expected you could also enter the palace."
The Second Madam was also very happy, looking at her daughter with doting affection.
Mu Qingyao watched the hall with cold disinterest.
These lunatics were already so happy, and they were only awaiting selection. She was too lazy to join their madness. She turned and glanced at Mu Hen, who looked equally vexed: "Father, your daughter will take her leave."
"Mm, you may go back."
"Yes," Mu Qingyao, accompanied by Mei Xin and Mo Chou, left the main hall of the Mu residence. As they walked towards the Qing Courtyard, they occasionally saw the happy smiles of the young maids. The entire Mu mansion was enveloped in joy. Mu Qingyao couldn't help but shake her head and sigh.
"Miss, what's wrong?" Mei Xin saw that her young lady's face was somber and her eyes were cold, appearing very unhappy. She asked with concern.