The Liuli Palace, illuminated as if it were daytime, had eunuchs and palace maids lining the entrance. However, the chief eunuch, Ah Jiu, was nowhere to be seen. As soon as the Empress arrived, the palace maids and eunuchs bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Empress."
"Rise. Where is His Majesty?"
The leading eunuch stepped forward and reported, "Replying to Your Highness, an hour ago, His Majesty went to bathe, but he has yet to emerge."
"Impossible," Mu Qingyao said, her eyes wide with disbelief. The Emperor could truly soak himself for a long time, an entire hour for a bath. Perhaps he had fallen asleep? She pursed her lips, a smile gracing them, and led her attendants into the main hall. "This Empress will wait for His Majesty in the main hall."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The eunuchs responded respectfully. Normally, anyone entering the Liuli Palace would require an announcement. However, the Empress was no ordinary person. In this vast imperial palace, everyone knew that His Majesty doted on his Empress. Therefore, none of them dared to stop her, lest they wished for their own demise.
Mu Qingyao, accompanied by a few young maids, entered the grand hall. It was silent, not a sound to be heard. The eunuchs and palace maids were all stationed outside the door. Mochou and Meixin also stood by.
Mu Qingyao, like a curious child, touched and turned, looking around the hall. Finally, she reached the place where the Emperor handled state affairs.
Numerous memorial tablets were laid out on the imperial desk, yet to be processed.
Mu Qingyao casually opened one and glanced at it. It was all about trivial matters of the court. Being an emperor was truly not easy, managing a myriad of affairs and worrying about those hidden in the shadows, ready to end his life at any moment.
Mu Qingyao caressed the imperial dragon chair. This chair symbolized supreme imperial power. For this throne, how many people had committed heinous acts, disregarding kinship?
Some, in order to obtain it, had even climbed their way up, treading on the corpses of others. Was this position truly so comfortable to occupy?
Mu Qingyao sat down without changing her expression or a single beat of her heart. She wanted to see just how comfortable this position was.
From a distance, Mochou, Moyou, and the others watched their mistress's actions, their faces already pale. What was their mistress doing? If His Majesty saw this, it could lead to a fatal disaster.
Mu Qingyao was unaware of the turmoil in their hearts. She swayed from side to side, finding nothing particularly significant. Her peripheral vision caught sight of a freshly brewed cup of tea on the imperial desk, and she casually picked it up, taking a few sips.
The tea was truly fragrant. It seemed that everything belonging to His Majesty was good. Perhaps she should ask him for some to try later.
As Mu Qingyao was enjoying the tea, Meixin, who had recovered from her initial shock, rushed over. With a look of utter dismay, she pulled Mu Qingyao up, almost fainting.
"Your Highness, please do not frighten this servant. If His Majesty sees this, it will be a grave mistake. If you are tired, this servant will fetch you a stool. Do not frighten this servant."
Meixin's voice was already filled with a strong nasal tone. If Mu Qingyao had continued to sit, she might have burst into tears.
Mu Qingyao, amused, put down the teacup and looked at the sniffling maid. "It's not that exaggerated, is it? I recall someone recently saying that the Grand Empress's words were equivalent to his. Can't I sit on the chair he sits on?"
However, to prevent the maid from truly crying, Mu Qingyao put down the teacup in her hand and stood aside, comforting her.
"Alright, I won't sit anymore. There's no need to cry."
Mochou and Moyou also walked over from a corner of the hall. Neither of them approved of their mistress's actions. "Your Highness, you scared us to death."
"You lot," Mu Qingyao drew out her voice, casting a sidelong glance at each of them. Had she indulged them too much? They were all lecturing her now. She put on a stern face, preparing to deliver a righteous lecture.
Just then, voices were heard from behind the hall, "Your Majesty, you are too tired. You actually fell asleep in the bathhouse and scared this subordinate to death?"
It was Eunuch Ah Jiu's voice. It seemed His Majesty had indeed fallen asleep in the bathhouse, which was why Ah Jiu was complaining.
Upon hearing his words, Mu Qingyao began to laugh. So, every master had their talkative servants. She had thought only her own subordinates were quirky. She waved her hand, signaling her maids to retreat to the side of the hall.
Ah Jiu, who had been chattering beside His Majesty, looked up and saw the Empress standing in the hall. He was momentarily stunned before snapping back to attention and quickly greeting Mu Qingyao, "This subordinate pays respects to Her Highness the Empress."
"Rise," Mu Qingyao waved casually and turned to look at the Emperor beside him, only to be momentarily stunned.
The Emperor had just finished bathing and was wearing a white bathrobe, loosely tied at the waist with a single sash. A large expanse of smooth, jade-like chest was exposed in front.
His long, dark hair was not yet dry, casually draped over his shoulders. His face, as fair as jade, was now tinged with a blush, adding to his alluring aura. His lips exuded a faint glow, and with every breath, a faint floral scent emanated, extremely pleasant.
At this moment, a pair of dark, starry eyes flickered with a fervent spark, making Mu Qingyao feel parched. She inhaled deeply, and a warmth seemed to rise within her body. What was happening to her? How could she look at this man with such passion? Was she feeling amorous?
Murong Liu Zun looked at her flushed face and lips, as tender and fresh as flowers and grass. His chest tightened, and the longing he had felt that night resurfaced, this time seemingly different. Ambiguity permeated the hall.
Ah Jiu glanced at his master, then at the Empress, and quickly retreated a step. The fiery desire blazing in his master's eyes was a rare sight. He quickly moved back, reaching the hall entrance, and with a smiling beckoning gesture, he led Mochou, Moyou, and the others out.
A few of them stood guard outside the hall door, forbidding anyone from disturbing them.
Inside the hall, Murong Liu Zun took two steps forward. Mu Qingyao quickly raised her hand to stop him.
"Stop, don't move. My head is so hot, and my body is also hot. Why is this happening?"
Mu Qingyao shook her head forcefully, feeling that something was different. Why did her entire body feel like it was on fire? Even though this man was devastatingly handsome, she shouldn't be this agitated, as if she had never seen a handsome man before.
Having lived in modern times, what kind of male physique pictures hadn't she seen? How could she be so easily affected?
Murong Liu Zun did not heed her words but took another step forward, presenting his attractiveness before her, making her wish she could pounce on him and subdue him. Yet, she felt something was amiss.
Her breathing grew more rapid, her body hotter. She felt the need to find something to alleviate it, and her mind was filled with lustful images. What on earth was happening to her?
Mu Qingyao stepped back, propping herself against the imperial desk. Her gaze inadvertently fell upon the teacup, and her pupils suddenly contracted. So, there was something wrong with this cup of tea. Who had drugged the tea?
This was absolutely not the Emperor. The Emperor did not know she was coming, so it must be someone who drugged the Emperor. Who could do this without anyone noticing?
"Your Majesty?" Because of the surge of passion, her voice emerged as a tender murmur, sending a shiver through Murong Liu Zun. His chest tightened, and he could no longer hold back. With a swift reach, he pulled the woman into his arms, drawing her urgently into his embrace.