Her presence, however, only made the woman shine as brightly as the moon in the sky.
Ah Jiu was no ordinary person. Having served by the Emperor’s side, he had witnessed countless grand occasions. Yet, this woman possessed a distinct coolness, a subtle detachment in her demeanor that set her apart from others.
It was this very aloofness that drew the eye, a captivating aura of distance that discouraged anyone from approaching her casually.
This woman must be the one the Emperor desires, Ah Jiu mused internally. He then spoke with respect.
“Third Miss Mu, please follow us into the palace. His Majesty wishes to see you.”
Mu Qingyao’s expression grew even colder. Her dark eyes, like frost in February, pierced the chill as she said, “Let’s go.”
These fellows were quite ruthless, blocking the entrance to her courtyard. Did they truly fear she would escape? If she wished to flee, could they possibly stop her?
A hint of mockery touched Mu Qingyao’s lips, but she said nothing. The group proceeded towards the outer gates of the Mu residence. Going to the palace, was it?
She was keen to see what was so remarkable about the famed Emperor Xian.
The party boarded the magnificent imperial carriage waiting before the Mu residence and set off for the palace.
In the Imperial Study, Murong Liuzun and Liu Qianmu had just concluded a game of chess.
Liu Qianmu lost to the current Emperor by two pieces. The Emperor seemed quite pleased by his victory, raising his deep-set eyes to cast a casual glance.
“Why haven’t they arrived yet?”
“They will be here shortly, Your Majesty, please do not be anxious,” Liu Qianmu replied gently. His voice, when he spoke, was smooth and soft, like a spring breeze, bringing a sense of peace.
Murong Liuzun’s handsome face remained expressionless as his dark gaze flickered towards the Prince of Nan’an.
His imperial brother remained seated in meditation, still as a stone carving, perfect and frozen. He wondered why the Prince insisted on summoning the third daughter of the Mu family to the palace.
Prime Minister Mu, standing to the side, seemed to have calmed down, his previous anxiety replaced by a respectful bow.
The two daughters of the Mu family—one possessed beauty but lacked cunning, the other seemed to have cunning but lacked courage. How could such women contend with the one in the palace?
Murong Liuzun’s gaze suddenly turned intensely cold, a hint of bloodlust at the corner of his lips. Doubt began to form.
Could it be that the third Miss Mu was the true intended visitor, which was why his imperial brother insisted she be summoned? Mu Hen, however, appeared reluctant.
Upon this realization, the Emperor’s features softened considerably, a faint smile gracing his lips, stunning the two women present in the Imperial Study.
At that moment, Ah Jiu’s respectful voice sounded from outside the door.
“Your Majesty, Third Miss Mu has arrived.”
“Announce her,” a powerful, domineering voice declared. All eyes in the Imperial Study turned towards the entrance.
Ah Jiu entered respectfully, then stepped aside.
From behind him emerged a beautiful woman. Unadorned by makeup, she was nonetheless fresh and elegant, clad in a light pink gown embroidered with plum blossoms. Her raven-black hair was neatly styled.
She carried herself with an air of dignified composure, neither humble nor anxious, neither as resplendent as a peony nor as alluring as a rose. Instead, she was like a secluded orchid in a valley, exuding a subtle fragrance, or a snow lotus on the Heavenly Mountain, pure and noble.
Murong Liuzun clenched his slender fingers, his narrow phoenix eyes narrowing, a glint of brilliance flashing and vanishing. His predatory gaze fixed firmly on Mu Qingyao.
Mu Qingyao met his gaze directly, neither pleased nor displeased. Dressed in purple, her golden crown exuded a noble grandeur. Her face was like the finest jade, perfectly proportioned, neither too full nor too gaunt. Her features were refined, so much so that even women would sigh in admiration.
Yet, there was no trace of cosmetic artifice, only a masculine heroism. Her deep, dark eyes were as profound as a bottomless pool, radiating an innate nobility and authority that dared not be challenged.
“This humble daughter, Mu Qingyao, pays her respects to His Majesty.”
This man was truly formidable. Not only was he handsome, but his methods of handling affairs were likely even more potent.
From his deep, enigmatic eyes, one could not discern his thoughts, nor predict his next move. Mu Qingyao lowered her head, concealing the subtle sharpness in her gaze.
Her voice was clear and refined, her demeanor calm and composed. Her natural aura left the other two individuals in the Imperial Study stunned.
Soon recovering, Prince of Nan’an, Murong Liuzhao, furrowed his brows and eyed the woman before him with suspicion. Was this truly the woman who had pestered him that day?
Apart from a slight resemblance in their features, there was nothing else in common.
Liu Qianmu, however, was filled with astonishment. Could the person his master had indicated be this very woman?
“Rise.”
The Emperor waved his hand, his cold, wicked voice ringing out. Mu Qingyao thanked the Emperor and slowly rose. “This humble daughter thanks His Majesty.”
Mu Hen, who had been standing by, came back to his senses. He had been staring at his daughter, mesmerized.
Not only was his daughter beautiful, but she was also bolder than her old father, daring to meet the Emperor’s gaze directly. Although it was only for a brief moment, her exceptional courage astonished even him, a Prime Minister.
Was this truly his daughter?
However, there was no time to dwell on such thoughts. Mu Hen stepped forward and respectfully inquired, “Your subordinate did not know why Your Majesty summoned this old official and his daughter to the palace?”
Murong Liuzun glanced at Mu Hen, inwardly cursing the old fox. Did he truly not know?
“Liu Qianmu?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Liu Qianmu, having been addressed, stood up. With a swift movement, he produced a lifelike, dazzling crystal ball. The crystal ball emitted a brilliant radiance.
Everyone in the Imperial Study looked curiously at the beautiful sphere, wondering what the Emperor intended to do. Liu Qianmu’s clear voice then rang out.
“This is my master’s crystal ball. It can find the destined Empress of the Xuanyue Kingdom. My master has divined that the Empress, residing in the Prime Minister’s mansion, is one of the three young ladies.”
Upon hearing this, the faces of the three women standing below changed dramatically, each reaction distinct.
Mu Qingyao’s expression turned icy. Her eyes cast a disdainful glance at the glittering crystal ball. Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang, however, displayed flushed excitement, their gazes filled with longing.
Perhaps a moment before, they had merely yearned for the supreme power of the Empress, but now, their feelings were more complex; they admired the Emperor.
He was a dragon among men, and to marry such a man was a blessing.
“Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable. The position of Empress is still of the highest honor; how can it be decided by a mere ball?”
Mu Hen immediately objected. He could not agree to their daughters’ destinies being determined by a ball, no matter what.
Mu Hen’s words found agreement with Prince of Nan’an, Murong Liuzhao, whose eyes grew colder.
He too did not believe this useless ball could find a good woman. In his opinion, it was this villain beside the Emperor who was misleading His Majesty. The Emperor was always wise and brilliant; how could he believe such a person?
“Imperial Brother, this humble brother believes Prime Minister Mu’s words are reasonable. The position of Empress is still of the highest honor; how can it be decided by a mere ball?”